Free Web NovelChapter 8: Chapter 8: The First Trade
Kai stood before the request board for several moments.
The notice regarding Spirit Herbs seemed ordinary compared to many of the other postings surrounding it.
Some requests sought monster materials from dangerous subspaces.
Others offered rewards for exploring newly discovered realms.
One even requested an escort force for a merchant expedition.
Compared to those, Spirit Herbs appeared insignificant.
Yet Kai couldn’t stop looking at it.
Because it represented something important.
An opportunity.
Not an opportunity for glory.
Not an opportunity for battle.
An opportunity for growth.
The foundation of every successful civilization.
Trade.
Luna seemed to understand his thoughts.
"We have Spirit Herbs."
Kai nodded.
"Several dozen bundles."
"More growing near the river."
The fox maiden folded her arms.
"Then why are we still standing here?"
Kai laughed.
A fair question.
Together, they followed the directions listed on the notice.
The Greenleaf Alchemy Company was located several streets away in the Merchant District.
As they walked, Kai paid closer attention to the city around him.
The sheer diversity continued to amaze him.
A merchant with antlers negotiated with a dwarf craftsman.
A group of elves discussed trade contracts with a reptilian race.
Several gods walked past accompanied by races Kai couldn’t identify.
One thing quickly became apparent.
Aurelis Divine City was built around commerce.
Every street.
Every building.
Every district.
Everything existed to facilitate trade.
No wonder powerful civilizations became wealthy.
The opportunities here were endless.
Eventually they reached their destination.
The Greenleaf Alchemy Company occupied a large three-story building covered in vines and flowering plants.
A golden leaf symbol hung above the entrance.
Numerous customers entered and exited constantly.
The business appeared successful.
Very successful.
Kai and Luna stepped inside.
The interior smelled strongly of herbs and potions.
Shelves lined the walls.
Glass containers filled with strange ingredients occupied every corner.
Behind a large counter stood a young woman with emerald-colored hair.
She looked up as they approached.
"Welcome to Greenleaf Alchemy."
Her professional smile immediately appeared.
"How may I help you?"
Kai pointed toward the notice.
"We saw your request for Spirit Herbs."
The woman’s eyes brightened slightly.
"You have some available?"
"Potentially."
The employee immediately became more attentive.
Spirit Herbs were apparently in high demand.
"Please wait."
A few minutes later, an older man emerged from a nearby room.
Unlike the young woman, he possessed pointed ears.
An elf.
His green robes carried several embroidered symbols.
Most likely indicating rank within the company.
The elf studied Kai briefly.
Then Luna.
Then smiled politely.
"I am Rowan."
"Manager of this branch."
Kai introduced himself.
The elf gestured toward a nearby table.
"Please sit."
The conversation quickly shifted to business.
Rowan explained the situation.
Demand for beginner alchemy ingredients had increased dramatically during recent months.
Several large expeditions were preparing for exploration missions.
As a result, companies throughout the city required enormous quantities of materials.
Including Spirit Herbs.
Kai listened carefully.
Every piece of information was valuable.
The more he learned about the city’s economy, the better.
"How much are Spirit Herbs worth?"
Rowan smiled.
"A better question would be how much quality Spirit Herbs are worth."
The elf retrieved a small crystal.
"May I inspect your sample?"
Fortunately, Kai had anticipated something like this.
Before leaving the realm, Luna had packed several herb samples.
The fox maiden handed one over.
Rowan examined it carefully.
The crystal in his hand glowed softly.
Several seconds passed.
Then his eyebrows rose.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Kai noticed immediately.
Something had surprised the manager.
"Is there a problem?"
"Quite the opposite."
Rowan looked genuinely impressed.
"This herb was grown naturally within a Divine Realm."
Kai nodded cautiously.
The manager continued examining it.
"The purity is excellent."
"The spiritual energy concentration is unusually high."
Luna looked surprised.
Kai was equally curious.
Why would the herb quality be so good?
Then realization struck him.
The Sacred World Tree.
The entire realm constantly absorbed spiritual energy.
Naturally occurring plants would benefit from that environment.
A beginner resource within his realm might actually exceed normal standards.
If true, that would be extremely valuable.
Rowan placed the herb down carefully.
"How many do you possess?"
Kai considered his answer.
Revealing too much would be foolish.
"We have a stable supply."
The manager laughed. freewebnσvel.cѳm
A diplomatic response.
He respected that.
After a few moments, Rowan made an offer.
"I’ll purchase every Spirit Herb you’re willing to sell."
Kai remained calm.
Internally, however, he was pleased.
Very pleased.
Strong demand was exactly what he wanted.
"What price?"
The manager named a number.
Kai had no experience with Divine Coins.
Yet even he could tell the offer wasn’t particularly generous.
Fortunately, Rowan seemed to expect negotiations.
The discussion continued for nearly half an hour.
Back and forth.
Offer after offer.
Counteroffer after counteroffer.
Luna remained silent throughout most of it.
Simply observing.
Eventually an agreement was reached.
One that satisfied both sides.
The manager extended his hand.
"A pleasure doing business with you."
Kai shook it.
His first trade contract.
The first official business transaction of the Nine-Tailed Divine Empire.
A notification appeared.
First Trade Agreement Established
Prosperity +10
Faith +20
Civilization Milestone Achieved
Kai couldn’t hide his smile.
This felt different from defeating a monster.
Different from building houses.
Different from establishing the village.
For the first time, his realm would participate in the wider economy.
Resources produced by his people would leave the realm.
In return, wealth would flow back.
The cycle of civilization had begun.
After leaving Greenleaf Alchemy, Kai and Luna wandered through the Merchant District once more.
This time, however, everything looked different.
Before, the city had seemed overwhelming.
Now it looked full of opportunities.
Every business.
Every request board.
Every merchant.
Potential opportunities.
Potential growth.
Potential profit.
Luna glanced toward him.
"You look happy."
"I am."
The fox maiden smiled.
"Because of the trade agreement?"
"Partly."
Kai looked toward the bustling streets.
The countless merchants.
The endless movement of goods.
The economy of an entire civilization.
"No matter how powerful a realm becomes, it still needs resources."
"It still needs trade."
"It still needs connections."
Luna nodded thoughtfully.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then the fox maiden pointed toward a massive building in the distance.
The structure towered above the surrounding district.
Golden banners hung from its walls.
Crowds continuously entered and exited.
"What is that?"
Kai followed her gaze.
A nearby sign provided the answer.
Aurelis Grand Auction House
His eyes widened slightly.
An auction house.
The place where treasures changed hands.
Where rare resources appeared.
Where opportunities and fortunes could be found.
Luna noticed his expression.
The fox maiden smiled knowingly.
"We should take a look."
Kai laughed.
"Probably."
And together, they headed toward the largest auction house in Aurelis Divine City.
Unaware that their visit would soon lead them toward opportunities far greater than a simple herb contract.
