The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 179

“Hmm, is that so? Well, it doesn’t matter.”

“What I’m saying is, if he’s traveling with this many people, this Naga merchant must be of very high status.”

“How many people are there?”

“At least eight Nagas.”

“That many should be manageable.”

If someone said that humans could handle eight Nagas, most people would scoff.

However, Shati, having seen Azadin’s previous fights, knew that his words were not empty boasts.

“Still, be careful since he’s a high-ranking Naga.”

“I understand.”

Azadin took Shati’s advice and approached the merchant.

*********

The Naga merchant, adorned with extravagant decorations and accompanied by acrobats, drew a crowd by showcasing their performances in the open space in front of the village pier.

The acrobats’ skills were nothing more than juggling and fire stick twirling, but in such a remote area, it was still a great spectacle.

“Come, come! I’ve brought goods from all over, so please buy something today. Oh, there, young lady. Don’t be shy. This is a fabric called Nasam from Butuma, and it’s semi-transparent. If you use it as a veil, it will mysteriously enhance your beauty and make all the young men in the village swoon.”

The Naga merchant was so eloquent that he seemed capable of doing business even without the acrobats. However, the items he brought were too expensive for the rural fishermen to afford.

“I’d like to buy some fishing line made of hemp.”

“And some net rope too. I don’t know why we can’t make it as thin and strong as this in our village.”

“Oh my. How can you compare the skills of artisans to the local work? It’s all about technique. But is that all you’re buying? You always buy just rope and needles. Why not buy something nice this time?”

“Oh, right, we have some guests this time.”

“Guests?”

“Come on out.”

As the villagers spoke, Azadin’s group stepped forward.

“Hmm? I don’t recognize these people. They don’t look like travelers… Are they from the Cheonggeondan [a group or organization]? I don’t like the Cheonggeondan. They never pay and always ask for favors.”

“Of course, we’re not asking for free favors. We’ll pay the price. Can you take us to Butuma? We’re trying to get to Butuma, but the roads are a mess because of the rainy season….”

“I’m not planning to go all the way to Butuma, but I can take you to Bel Hoda nearby. Of course, it’s not free, and the price has to be right.”

“Bel Hoda?”

Azadin unfolded a map and looked for Bel Hoda.

It was a city near Butuma, and judging by the major road drawn between them on the map, it seemed that once they reached Bel Hoda, they could easily walk to Butuma.

“How about one gold coin to Bel Hoda?”

“You should offer more.”

“Pardon?”

“It seems that outsiders think gold coins are a big deal, but eight out of ten Hybris gold coins come from Butuma. Gold isn’t that precious here.”

“…….”

Of course, it was a bluff. Just because gold is mined in a certain area doesn’t mean it’s cheaper there. Above all, gold coins are certified in value by the Eight Kingdoms and merchant guilds.

It was probably a bluff that would work well on those who didn’t know the ways of the world. However, Azadin was not a fool who didn’t know that.

‘Is this guy trying to rip me off? But if he’s acting like this, does that mean he’s not involved in the invasion of Butuma?’

Contrary to Shati’s warning, this Naga seemed only interested in doing business. He was living as a merchant to the fullest, and his eloquence was extraordinary.

His handsome appearance and likeable way of speaking made him more appealing than most people, even though he was a Naga.

Could he be someone not involved in the invasion of Butuma?

“If gold is so cheap here, then forget gold coins. We’ll pay you with goods.”

“Oh, no. I didn’t say gold coins were no good. I just meant I wanted more.”

“Since gold doesn’t seem to be very welcome here, I was thinking of paying with iron.”

Azadin took out the weapons that had become useless since his mountain goat had died. Most of them were weapons he had taken from the guys who had attacked him, so their quality was inconsistent.

“Hmm…. A bunch of junk. Wait, isn’t this a heavy crossbow shaft? There’s only a shaft. Who would pull this?”

The Naga merchant grumbled as he examined the weapons.

“I’ll give you scrap metal value. This won’t do.”

“Scrap metal value? That’s too harsh. Isn’t this a pretty good sword?”

“It seems like you guys are stuck and in a difficult situation. Having a lot of weapons will only be a burden, right? Hmm, then, I’ll give you one gold coin for this, and I’ll take you to Bel Hoda. I’ll provide food along the way too.”

“Let’s do that.”

Azadin finalized the deal with the Naga merchant.

“Ah, I’m sorry for the late introduction. I’m Deha, as you can see, a merchant.”

“I’m Adan of the Cheonggeondan, this is Jiswa, this is Scott, and this is Shati.”

As Azadin introduced his group, the merchant named Deha was startled.

“Shati?”

“Deha….”

Shati also seemed to recognize the name Deha.

*********

Thus, the fishing village and the Naga merchant Deha began trading.

The villagers gave Deha smoked fish and animal hides caught nearby, and Deha sold them nets, fishing lines, jewelry, seasonings, spices, and iron tools.

While they were trading, Shati called Azadin.

“What is it?”

“Boss, that Deha guy is a high-ranking Naga. He seems to be a royal from the same water snake tribe as the Naga Raja Dehares we saw before.”

“Hmm, even you’re calling me boss?”

“I picked it up from listening to Scott. So what? Should I call you ‘you’? Anyway, he doesn’t seem too surprised, so I guess he knew?”

“He looks similar to Dehares. And since he introduced himself as Deha, he must be from that family. But it seems like that guy also noticed that you’re a Naga?”

“Probably.”

“Anyway, we don’t have a choice. We have to get on board.”

Azadin decided to board Deha’s ship and paid the agreed price.

“Very well. Then let’s board right away. Ah, but we’re traders, so we have a few more places to stop along the river and coast. Is that okay? It would be absurd to stop trading just for one gold coin. I’m sure you understand.”

“How long will it take?”

“It will take three days to reach Bel Hoda. Our ship is a fast one.”

Deha said with a smile.

Deha’s ship was very fast despite its fancy decorations and size.

Usually, it used sails to ride the wind, but in areas with little wind or bad currents, the Nagas would use magic to change the flow of the water and propel the ship forward, and the speed was incredible.

“Now, while we’re sailing, why don’t you take a look at the rare and exotic goods we’ve collected in the cabin?”

“I’m not going to buy anything.”

“Just to pass the time. Haha. So you don’t get in the way of the sailors.”

The Naga merchant Deha always invited the group to the cabin when the sailors had to use magic, so that they wouldn’t see them doing it.

Azadin already knew that they were Nagas, but he respected their efforts to hide their magic and focused on looking at the exotic goods that Deha was showing off.

The items were actually quite interesting.

“Look at this. It’s a pendulum. Isn’t it artistically well-made? It’s so smooth, isn’t it? What kind of passion did the artisan have to polish the metal so smoothly? Oh, did you know that a pendulum never goes higher than its initial height? So, even if I do this….”

Deha raised a pendulum made of small metal balls to his philtrum and then released it.

“Ah. But here, on a rocking ship….”

Azadin warned him, but it was too late, and the pendulum struck Deha’s philtrum.

“Ack. Ouch. Well, such a minor mistake… Huh? I’m bleeding from my nose?”

“…….”

Whenever the Naga sailors were about to use magic, Deha would divert the group’s attention like this.

*********

Thus, Deha stopped at another coastal village to trade. It was a village they had visited and traded with many times before, so both the village and Deha had prepared the necessary goods in advance, and the trade was completed quickly.

“Now, we only have one more stop before we reach Bel Hoda. From Bel Hoda to Butuma, it’s a day by boat or horse, or two or three days on foot, so don’t worry. Did you enjoy the meals?”

“Yes.”

“Even if we’re almost at our destination, you can’t ask for a refund now, saying that one gold coin was too expensive.”

“Haha. Of course not.”

“Well, then, let’s go to the last place.”

Deha smiled and steered the ship.

Deha’s ship, having left the river’s end and the estuary, moved along the coast and soon approached a rugged island with rough waves.

But then….

[Azadin.]

The Emperor’s voice called out to Azadin.

“What is it?”

[There are surveillance magic spirits in the sky.]

Startled, Azadin asked in his mind without speaking.

‘Like a foreseeing bird? Or what? Araiel’s voice?’

[No. It’s magic from the Kurt god tribe. And there are monsters under the water too.]

“…….”

Shortly after, Deha’s ship docked at the pier. Then, the Nagas, in their Naga forms, confidently walked out and secured the ship with ropes.

“Well, welcome.”

Deha greeted Azadin’s group with his usual smile.

However, the sailors had picked up their weapons, those approaching the pier were also drawing their weapons, and huge tentacles were bursting out of the water.

It was a clear encirclement.

Jiswa was so surprised that she moved closer to Azadin.

“D-Daoist.”

“No. You tried so hard to hide it all this time, why are you doing this now?”

Azadin asked Deha, who was suddenly revealing his true colors.

“Well, because you’re Azadin.”

“Am I that famous?”

“Your reputation is widespread. You’re quite infamous among the messenger tribes for being promoted so quickly.”

“So, just for that reason, even the Nagas know about me?”

“No, that’s not all. You’ve interfered with our Naga businesses several times. You have the Wendigo’s dagger, you killed Count Salasma, and you also destroyed our special forces in Coral Sahar. If we told the messenger tribes about your achievements, they would know that your promotion to Second Spirit was not favoritism.”

Surprisingly, this Naga knew quite a lot about Azadin’s past actions.

“Then you must know that it will be quite a struggle for you to kill me here today.”

“Please don’t say that. We like heroes. And you are a great hero.”

“…….”

“There’s a story that eating a hero’s heart raises a Naga’s status….”

“Hmm.”

“I’m just kidding. Haha.”