Book 2, Chapter 199 (1/2)

Transaction(2)

The box was separated into over ten small compartments, each containing an ore sample with a note attached stating the quantity. Bivier’s eyes lit up at the sight; being someone from the ore business in the first place, he did not need the information on the note to notice the quality. He didn’t immediately express an opinion, simply picking up each sample and carefully identifying it. He seemed so serious it was like he was playing with a lover’s breast.

Devon stretched out his fat hand, grabbing a piece of ore to fiddle about with as he spoke almost carelessly, “I heard that one of Red Cossack’s second-class caravans was robbed recently, and it was delivering various rare and precious ores.”

Richard knocked the box with a hand, saying with a gentle voice, “Aren’t they all here?”

“So it was you! You have guts!” Devon gave him a meaningful look.

Richard smiled in response, “When I first came to the Bloodstained Lands, a group of men under my command were essentially all killed by Red Cossack. I sent someone over to negotiate, and the response I got a few months ago was war. They sent thousands of horse bandits after my life. Pity; all they accomplished in the end was losing hundreds of their men. Since they started it first, it would be improper to refrain from a response.”

“Those fellows are all deadly criminals,” Devon stated.

“Deadly criminals, eh? Might as well make them dead,” Richard joked coldly with a light smile.

“This issue between you and Red Cossack… If it needed to come to an end,” Amon asked indifferently, “I mean if, how would you put an end to it?”

“Their offence is too grave,” Richard replied, “It won’t be that easy to forgive. The only way to end the hatred is if I see the head of the idiot who made the decision to come for my life.”

“It really is unwise to provoke you,” the old man said with a shrug.

Everyone here was experienced and could tell that Richard wasn’t just looking for revenge. His real aim in taking on Red Cossack was to establish his own power in the Bloodstained Lands.

“Then this batch of goods…” Richard looked around, waiting for everyone’s decision.

“If all this was shipped to the human kingdoms, it could sell for as much as 280,000 gold at market price. I don’t care why you didn’t send these things to the Sequoia Kingdom, but this is the Bloodstained Lands and these goods once belonged to Red Cossack. The highest price I can give is 40%, but the good thing is I can buy it all.”

Bivier’s price wasn’t bad, but Devon followed up with something better, “I can offer 50%. Anything to make Red Cossack suffer a loss.”

“Then it’s up to you.” Bivier would not offer a higher price.

Richard muttered to himself for a moment before speaking, “55%, but half that can be replaced with barbarian slaves.”