Chapter 145: [145] Negotiations

Eliron was standing in front of two large mammoth tusks, each one more than three times his height.

Around the room, spread out on tables were claws, teeth, hide and a variety of other monster parts, all in perfect condition and ready for inspection.

Cassie, the money obsessed merchant, currently had a magnifying glass to one of the tusk, her lips tilted upwards as she observed them.

“Magnificent, absolutely magnificent…” she mumbled as she rose to her feet.

She hurried over to the next one and observed it as well before shooting up to her feet, tucking the tool into her pocket.

“Uhum…” she cleared her throat as she began walking towards him. “I will offer you—”

Eliron raised a hand to stop her. Although he was eager to get into the negotiations, he needed to make his position on the deal known.

“Before we begin, let me make things clear. I do not plan on making this a one time sale, what I am interested in is a long term business partnership with you.”

There were many perks to having a trade agreement with a demonic merchant…

First of all, creating new trade relationships with other nations would take some time.

Before those were established, having a partner like Cassie was more than sufficient.

This was because of the connections each merchant had. Each demonic merchant was like a lord of the black market, and not just black markets…

They also had dealings with reputable business organizations, meaning the demand for their goods was never ending.

And that was just one part of it. A trade agreement also meant they would be able to get weapons and artifacts not only at favoured able rates, but away from the prying eyes of the high elves…

There was also exclusivity clauses and first priority agreements among others.

But a trade agreement, although benefitial to both parties was also a chain that binded the two of them together.

It was not an agreement that could be made without careful consideration.

Cassie placed a finger on her chin as she thought over his words.

“A partnership huh? I am sure you are aware of this, Lord Eliron, but a partnership is based on two entities forming an agreement on equal grounds…”

She raised the tone at ’equal’ to put more emphasis on the word.

“I agree that these are all excellent goods, but at the end of the day, Artaris is so small that it can’t even be considered as a nation. What gain is to be found in allying myself with you?”

Her words were sharp and merciless, a dagger right into the heart of the matter, Artaris’ insufficiencies.

Eliron had a relaxed smile on his face as he ran his hand over the tusk in front of him.

“For starters, you need us don’t you?”

Cassie’s face was immaculately stoic, but Eliron could see right through her facade.

Demonic merchants were people who could command the wealth of a nation with ease, each one of them was rich beyond compare.

Eliron was sure that Cassie was far richer than she let on, even if she was not at the level of other merchants, she would have not received the title if she was not fit for it.

But she was not quite there yet…

It didn’t take a prophet to see that she was new to being a demonic merchant.

Cassie was basically a frog in a vast well. She had been well off initially, but that was until she was introduced to such a large organisation.

The fact that she had threathened by the high elevs, and nearly killed was a clear sign that not everything was in order.

“Do you have an exclusive supplier?”

Cassie’s eyebrows narrowed slightly. A small change no one eae would have noticed, but Eliron caught it.

’Bingo.’ That was his bargaining chip.

“As you know, Artaris is rich in monster, I can guarantee you a lifetime supplies of as many monster parts as you want.”

While other nations had mineral resources, thr momsters around Atrais coild be said to be its own resource.

“Some say there are more adventures than ants these days, many who are willing to sell their hauls. Besides, didn’t Artaris loose rights to thr forest?”

Cassie tapped her jaw while pretending to think. “If I remwber correctly, the forest is now public property… I can alway hire a band of them to get me these resources myself, no?”

Eliron did not fall for her baits, speaking rashly would only give her thr upper hand in the negotiations.

“You may say that, but there is a reason adventures have stayed away from the forest for so long. And there are bound to be more reasons in the future.”

“Oh? How Intersting. Are you trying to say you will interfer with my buisness.”

“Me? Of course not. That would be a breach of international law.”

Eliron voice became icy, his tone lowering to the point that it was barely above a whisper.

“But something will interfer for sure… I hear a variety of nasty monsters walk on two legs these days.”

Cassie immediately went silent, her face turning as pale as a sheet of paper.

’Ahh? Did I go too far?’ Eliron mused.

He had no doubt brought back her trauma from last night…

It was a very effective tool, that was very much true, but deals based on fear was bound to crumble to dust.

That was why Eliron was trying to avoid it at all costs. Why employ fear when Artaris had everything to offer and more?

“Uhum…”. Eliron cleared his throat.

“Let’s say you can somehow get your hands on an exclusive supplier… is that the end of your dilemma?” He added, trying to break the silence.

“You must have realized by now, what makes each demonic merchant a force is their connection to nations.”

As righteous as they would want to seem, the black market was a major mover of big economies. And the merchants were their link to it.

Cassie cocked a brow and folded her arms across her chest, albeit a little hesitantly.

“A-are you trying to put Artaris on the level of other nations?”

Eliorn laughed. “Of course not, Artaris is in no way as big or resourceful as a nation, at least not now…”

“I’m afraid your words are confusing me, elven lord. If you admit that Artaris is nowhere near a nation? Then what gain do I have from partnering with you?”

“You need to look at the bigger picture…”

Eliron walked a little closer to her, and Cassie took a step back before pausing.

“A large nation already has its established military, they have their weapons, their farmlands and so much more…”

“But Artaris? We need weapons, we need construction materials, we need tools. Think of it like this, imagine if you were the sole supplier for all of Artaris’ weapons, how much do you think you would make?”

Cassie wanted to swim in wells of gold, Eliron wanted to get weapons without alearting the high elves of his dealings…

And for the final bait…

“Artaris will only grow larger as time goes by. Our prosperity will mean more profits, and more profits mean more trade for you.”

“The question is…” Eliron offered his hand. “Are you willing to bet on Artaris’ growth?”

Cassie stared at his hand for some time.

’It is never a good idea to place your sucess on chance…’ she thought.

’But is it really chance?’

Kyros, the northern star. That was the name of the man that had demanded Eliron be delivered to him.

There was no one in the kingsbridge barony capable of holding a candle up to that man, and although Cassie had no idea what had happened during their clash.

All she knew was that Eliron was in front of her and Kyros was not.

Although she was not willing to bet on the elven village, she was sure as hell about one thing.

’This man is worth betting on.’

Besides….

Cassie tried her best to not show her discomfort, as the scenes from last night flashed in her mind.

If he killed Kyros, wiped out the mercenaries and came out of that in one piece. Then what could she realistically do if he decided she was useless to him?

Even her father and all his knights would fail to save her if it came to it.

She had managed to live by the skin of her teeth, and now, she had pushed back enough to not be a pushover in their negotiations.

There was no need to test his patience any further, especially since it was a fair deal.

Cassie smiled as she took his hand in a firm handshake. “You drive a hard bargain, Eliron.”

“We have a deal.”

Eliron smiled slyly. “Now that we are business partners, I guess it’s time we have a little talk on discounts, partner.”

Cassie froze, trying to pull her arm away, but Eliron held it tightly.

“What have I gotten myself into?” Cassie sighed defeatedly.

<••••>

When they were finally done with the deal, and Eliron had sold all the monster parts in his possession, it was finally time to check the weapons.

But unknown to them, in a hidden chamber of the merchant’s room was a door bound up by chains, and covered in dozens of sealing talismans.

And behind that door, nestled in the darkness, two milky white eyes snapped open, narrowing as they stared at the backside of the sealed door.

“Ohh?” A serpentine tongue jutted out, tasting the air. “It looks like we have visitors…”

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