Trade Alliance

“Old man, we’ve brought the food you wanted. Open the gate and receive it!”

Little Black intentionally shouted in a loud voice. Upon hearing this, everyone’s gaze turned toward the sound, and at first glance, they were all stunned on the spot.

Uniform battle armor, brand new weapons, and a company in black-and-red formation—that alone delivered a visual shock, and those leading at the front of the group radiated an aura of unfathomable strength.

“De—delivering food?”

Tifia was a bit puzzled, and then he recalled that the Queen named Serea seemed to have mentioned she would provide him with food supplies.

But…

A troop like this coming to deliver food—are you sure you’re not about to start a war?!

“So that’s Queen Serea’s force? It’s truly spectacular.”

Digue spoke as his eyes lit up at the sight of the unified battle armor on those people. He had always wanted a set of his own, but never had the chance to acquire one.

However, now was hardly the time for them to be marveling at the spectacle—they needed to think about how to deal with the ogres and dwarves outside.

“I’m truly sorry, but we can’t open the city gate right now. As you can see, that’s the reason.”

Tifia explained, and then Little Black looked at the ogres and dwarves.

“Then we’ll just deliver it directly.”

Little Black waved, and the group moved. They walked straight toward the main gate, ignoring the ogres and dwarves outside.

Mulin, the dwarf, was a bit stunned at this display. But when he spotted “Avril” and the people from the Xiyun Merchant Guild, he snapped to attention; Lord Maregof had specifically ordered that these humans must be stopped.

Seeing this, mulin wanted to intervene, but he was also a little afraid. So he signaled to the dwarf beside him. The dwarf immediately understood and rushed forward.

“Stop! Haven’t you seen that ahead there is—”

Swish!

Splat!

A headshot on the spot, and the one who took action was none other than Little White.

“This is the Xiyun Merchant Guild’s guard corps. Anyone trying to block the merchant guild will end up like him. From now on, the line is at that unlucky corpse’s position. If you have the guts, cross it.”

Little White’s chilling voice echoed, as if it were death itself whispering—a sound that made the few dwarves’ backs soaked in cold sweat.

“You… you dare to kill a subject under Lord Maregof’s protection!”

“From the sound of that, are you declaring war?”

Little Black suddenly turned his head, and in an instant, blades were drawn and bowstrings taut—a killing intent materialized from the Xiyun Merchant Guild’s guard corps.

Mulin was dumbfounded. How did it turn to a declaration of war? I haven’t even said anything yet!

“It’s… it’s a misunderstanding! I have no intention of declaring war.”

At a glance, mulin immediately caved in.

“Announcing another lord’s name in front of the Queen’s personal guard—isn’t that declaring war?!”

Little Black’s logic left Mulin bewildered, and after all, it was clearly their side that made the first kill. How did it become us declaring war?

But Mulin dared not say more; he knew that if he did, he’d be dead for sure. He firmly believed: if these folks could kill one dwarf, they wouldn’t hesitate to kill a second or third…

“Apologies, I truly don’t understand the customs of your tribe. For my rude behavior, I sincerely apologize.”

Hearing this, Little Black turned away. The guards sheathed their swords and relaxed their bows. Little Black ignored Mulin and the others; for now, they were still useful.

The group continued into the camp. Seeing this, mulin quickly had the remaining dwarves step aside to avoid provoking the group, proactively opening a path for Little Black and her people.

This was the law of the jungle: might makes right!

If they wanted to attack the Lizardmen tribe, they’d have to wait for Little Black and her people to leave…

“Open the gate.”

At the main gate, Little Black issued the order in a commanding tone. Upon hearing it, the nervous Tifia hurried to order the gate opened.

The grain delivery team of over a hundred people entered the camp, making the area rather crowded for a moment.

Once the team was inside, the lizardman guarding the gate quickly closed it again, afraid the ogres outside might rush in.

But he had overestimated their courage…

Sacks of grain piled up like a small mountain. Seeing the food, tifia was astonished and overjoyed. Digue came forward immediately to express his thanks.

“It’s really food. Thank you so much—you are Jawfang clan’s friends forever!”

Digue spoke, and Avril replied:

“I should be the one saying that. Thank you for choosing the Xiyun Merchant Guild.”

After their brief exchange, avril looked at Little Black.

“All right, my business here is done.”

With that, avril stood aside, and Little Black stepped up in front of Tifia and his son. Facing that imposing high-level Undead, the two felt an oppressive spiritual pressure.

“This time, aside from escorting the food, I also have something else to convey to you on behalf of the Queen.”

“Please speak, my lord. The Queen’s favor is always remembered by us.”

“Take this.”

Little Black said as she tossed a rolled piece of parchment to Tifia. When Tifia unrolled it, his eyes widened.

“This… this is…”

“A trade alliance. If you sign it, you and Queen Serea, along with the Xiyun Merchant Guild, will be protected under the ‘Trade Alliance.’ However, in return, your main trading partner can only be us.”

Little Black said indifferently. But upon hearing this, digue became agitated.

“An alliance! The great Queen Serea wants to ally with us!”

Digue found it hard to believe—they were but a weak Lizardmen tribe, while Serea was Queen of a major tribe.

“Father, this is a rare opportunity. Agree to it quickly!”

Digue spoke excitedly. But as he stared at the trade alliance contract in his hands, the shrewd Tifia naturally grasped the implications.

Queen Serea and Lord Maregof were enemies—that much was clear when they shot that dwarf dead.

Now, with Serea seeking alliance, she was trying to bring them into the anti-Maregof coalition. If he joined her, he would be standing completely in opposition to Maregof. Should war erupt, his tribe would be the first targeted—far too dangerous for them.

“Thank you for the Queen’s kindness, but we…”

“You don’t seem to understand the situation. Let me be blunt. Even if you don’t anger the Queen by refusing to join, the ogres outside alone would be enough to destroy your tribe the moment we leave.”

Little Black threatened, and Tifia’s face grew grim.

“Furthermore, you’ve lived in the great forest for so long—you should have heard of the ‘Warhammer’ clan, right? They rebelled against Maregof’s rule and failed. Most trolls of that clan have become ogre food. Think about it: after what happened half a year ago, do you really think Maregof will let you go?”

At the mention of “that incident”,

Tifia visibly trembled. Little Black added,

“Look at the ogres outside. If you think surrender means safety, go ahead and try.”

With those words, tifia’s hesitation faded away.

Allying with Serea would offend Maregof, while refusing would offend Serea. After “that incident”, he and Maregof were already enemies, so if it was just a trade alliance…

At last, tifia gave his final answer.

(To be continued…)

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