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Chapter 447: trade

One day later.

“Mr. Joshua, since yesterday, there have been twelve merchants who wish to discuss with you.”

Lady Marina stood in Joshua’s study and handed him a list with the name of the Chamber of Commerce.

“Let them wait for the time being. I don’t have the energy to focus on this right now.”

A map of Nolan was spread out on Joshua’s desk.

Since the end of the Hearthstone legend competition, Nolan once again entered a new round of Hearthstone legend fever.

Just the fact that one of the Seven Sages of Nolan, the gray-clothed man, was also a Hearthstone legend player and a loyal player was enough to set off a huge wave in the human world.

Jose also felt that it was time to open a few hearthstone legend branches.

“The alchemy factory area across the river of gears and the entrance to the north gate of Nolan. The other two branches will be opened here. I’ll leave the location selection to you.”Jose drew two circles on the map, he handed the remaining professional content to Mrs. Marina. “I’m going to discuss a business deal next.”

After leaving these tasks behind, Joshua went to the first-floor hall of the Hearthstone Tavern.

The Hearthstone Tavern was still the same as before. It was close to the entrance of the underground city of the dwarves. Joshua did not have the idea of opening a hearthstone legend branch in the underground of Nolan.

This was also what Frost Axe, the Grand Elder of the dwarves, meant. His original words were, “It’s meaningless to just fight with your own kind.”

“Sir White Thorn Flower?”

Joshua saw a special guest in the Hearthstone Tavern.

“Mister… Mister Joshua.”

Sir White Thorn Flower stood at the entrance of the Hearthstone Tavern with a hesitant look on his face. However, it was clear that he had dressed himself up seriously today. Not only had he combed his hair properly, but he also had a strange perfume on his body.

Jose looked at the cluster of flowers in Sir White Thorn Flower’s hand and had already guessed what the theater manager wanted to do in the tavern.

“Lady Marina is on the second floor. I’ll be leaving the tavern for a while,”Jose said.

“Well… Mr. Jose, I’m just here to greet Lady Marina.”

It was the first time Jose had seen the middle-aged artist so embarrassed.

“Alright, then how long are you going to stand here?”

Under Joshua’s Reminder, Sir White Thorn flower tidied up the accessories on his clothes and stepped into the tavern full of dwarves. He walked up to the second floor as if he was going to the battlefield.

Joshua looked at Sir White Thorn Flower’s back as he left. He could not help but sigh at how long the estrus period of humans was. Even when he was middle-aged, he could still pursue ‘girls’like a young man.

After saying goodbye to Sir White Thorn Flower, Joshua walked out of the tavern and soon saw Hiri who was waiting outside the tavern.

“The purple-clothed person… gave you a holiday again?”

Why did Joshua feel that his assistant’s holiday was a little too much to be scary.

“Today is an extra-curricular exam.”

Hiri pointed at a mini version of Death’s wings that was lying on his shoulder.

“The instructor told me to keep this illusion ‘working properly’under all conditions.”

“Is there such a practice?”Joshua looked up and looked around. He could indeed feel a gaze staring at Hiri. “Alright, then let me be the invigilator for once.”

Joshua opened the car door. The Death’s wings on Hiri’s shoulder flew into the car and sat on the seat like a hunting dog.

Healy sat in the passenger seat unceremoniously.

According to the information provided by the Dark Elves, Joshua drove to the temporary residence of the runner-up of the Nolan Open tournament.

..

Dorothy woke up feeling like she was in a dream.

She lay on her bed in the hotel and browsed the website of the Spellcaster Forum. One out of every ten posts was about her, and another post was about yesterday’s match.

The users of the Spellcaster Forum praised Dorothy, and even Dorothy herself had to cover her face in embarrassment.

Some of the spellcasters almost regarded the girl from the Iron Nation as a goddess.

She inexplicably began to be welcomed by all the young spellcasters in Nolan.

This feeling really made Dorothy feel like she was in a dream.

Yesterday, she was still an unknown passerby in Nolan, but today, Nolan had an unknown number of spellcasters who knew her name and her appearance.

Perhaps… This was one of the reasons why those gladiators risked their lives to win?

‘next time, Champion.’

‘Don’t be depressed after winning the second place. There should be another competition next year…’

Dorothy took a glance at the message from Fuya and the flower of Faroese. She sat up from her bed and patted her cheek.

Although Nolan had won the second place in the open and received the recognition and appreciation of the Nolan spellcasters.

Dorothy’s purpose in coming to Nolan had not been achieved yet.

She knew that she had a great advantage now.

Last night, the gray-clothed man’s protection had allowed Dorothy to escape.

But Dorothy did not think that the son of the Earl would let her off after that.

For this reason, Dorothy specially changed a new hotel to live in.

Dorothy’s home was in Orson Castle, and the foundation of the silver-patterned chamber of Commerce was also in Orson Castle.

So Dorothy’s original purpose of ‘saving the silver-patterned chamber of Commerce from bankruptcy’had not changed.

What should she do next?

While Dorothy was deep in thought, there was a knock on her door.

This immediately put Dorothy into a state of vigilance.

“Who is it?”Dorothy had already quietly come to the window. If it was Earl Cruz who sent people to capture her, Dorothy would immediately jump out of the window and escape.

“A partner.”

Partner?

Dorothy did not understand the meaning of this word, but she recognized the owner of this voice. It was the owner of the Hearthstone Tavern, Jose.

It even made Dorothy suspect that it was the man who invented Hearthstone.

“Please come in.”

Dorothy put down the idea of escaping and directly opened the door to let Jose walk in.

Although on the day when she first arrived at Nolan, Jose showed Dorothy the ‘cruelty’of the Hearthstone legend game, and it was under the guidance of Jose that Dorothy successfully entered this circle.

Behind Joshua was a gray-haired, gray-eyed female spell caster. This kind of hair color and eye color were all the characteristics of the people of Frost country.

What caught Dorothy’s attention was that there was a young dragon lying on the shoulder of the female spell caster, or a ‘pseudo-dragon’.

Wait a minute… why did it look like Death’s wings?

“This is an illusion, don’t mind it.”

Hiri noticed Dorothy’s line of sight and made death’s wings on her shoulder stand up straight. Then, she placed her hands on her hips.

Illusion… is she an illusion caster too?

“Mr. Joshua, what brings you here?”

Dorothy did not ask any unnecessary questions. She found a table and three chairs and sat down with Joshua and Hiri.

“Actually, I’m here for Your Silver Pattern Chamber of Commerce.”Josh’s first sentence made Dorothy very happy.

The information that Dorothy had gathered in Nolan was enough to prove that Josh was the owner of the World Tree.

“Is it… a partnership?”Dorothy asked tentatively.

“A partnership? No, I intend to buy your chamber of Commerce.”Josh placed a crystal that was emitting a light green light on the table.

Buy..

Dorothy had never seen such an overbearing and direct way of doing business.

The other party was holding a long knife and a chopping board and telling you that it was ‘fish meat’. Hurry up and jump onto the chopping board.

What made Dorothy most unwilling was that this piece of ‘fish meat’of hers really had to jump onto the chopping board. If it was possible, she had to say things like ‘Come and eat me’.

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    Reader0722
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    Chapter 447: Trade

    The day following the grand tournament unfolded with a flurry of activity.


    “Mr. Joshua, since yesterday, twelve merchants have sought an audience, each eager to discuss potential ventures.”


    Madam Malina, ever efficient, stood within Joshua’s study, presenting him with a meticulously compiled list of various Chambers of Commerce.


    “Let them await my attention. My focus is elsewhere at the moment.”


    Joshua's gaze was fixed upon a sprawling map of Norland, spread across his desk.


    The reverberations of the Hearthstone competition had scarcely subsided, and Norland was once more swept into a fervent wave of card-game enthusiasm.


    The revelation that the esteemed Gray Sage, one of Norland's Seven Sages, was a devoted Hearthstone player had ignited a wildfire of interest throughout the human realm.


    Joshua, sensing the opportune moment, deemed it prudent to establish several Hearthstone tavern branches.


    “The alchemy factory district, nestled beside the Gears River, and the northern gate. These shall serve as the locations for two new branches. I entrust the final selection to your discerning judgment, Madam Malina.” Joshua delineated the locations on the map. “I must now attend to a pressing business matter.”

    With these directives issued, Joshua descended to the bustling first floor of the Hearthstone Tavern.


    The tavern, as ever, vibrated with life, strategically positioned near the entrance to the underground city. Joshua had no inclination to extend the tavern's reach into that subterranean realm.


    This sentiment echoed that of Frost Axe, the Grand Elder of the Dwarves, who had succinctly stated, “It’s meaningless to just fight with your own kin.”


    “Mr. Weissenasche?”


    Joshua’s gaze fell upon an unexpected guest within the tavern’s lively confines.


    “Mister… Mister Joshua.”


    Mr. Weissenasche stood at the tavern’s threshold, his demeanor a blend of hesitation and nervous anticipation. It was evident that he had meticulously prepared for this encounter, his hair immaculately combed, and an unfamiliar, yet potent, perfume clinging to his attire.


    Joshua, observing the bouquet of flowers clutched in the theater manager’s hands, readily discerned his amorous intentions.

    “Madam Malina is on the second floor. I shall be absent from the tavern for a time,” Joshua announced.


    “Well… Mr. Joshua, I merely wished to extend my greetings to Lady Malina.”


    It was a rare sight to behold the usually composed middle-aged artist so visibly flustered.


    “Very well, but how long do you intend to remain rooted to this spot?”


    Prompted by Joshua’s gentle prodding, Mr. Weissenasche adjusted his meticulously arranged accessories and ventured into the dwarf-populated tavern, ascending to the second floor with the resolute air of a soldier marching into battle.


    Joshua watched his retreating figure, inwardly marveling at the enduring nature of human infatuation. Even in the twilight of middle age, men pursued romantic conquests with youthful zeal.


    After bidding Mr. Weissenasche farewell, Joshua stepped outside the tavern, where Ciri awaited him.


    “Purple Sage Mellor… has granted you another leave of absence?”


    Joshua couldn’t help but find his assistant’s frequent holidays suspiciously convenient.


    “Today is an extracurricular examination.”

    Ciri gestured towards a miniature Deathwing perched upon her shoulder.


    “Teacher instructed me to maintain this illusionary construct in optimal working order, under all circumstances.”


    “Is that a common pedagogical practice?” Joshua surveyed the surrounding area, sensing a subtle, yet persistent, gaze directed towards Ciri. “Very well, I shall serve as your invigilator for this exercise.”


    He opened the car door. Neltharion, the miniature dragon, flew into the vehicle and settled into the seat, adopting the alert posture of a hunting dog.


    Ciri, without any hint of hesitation, occupied the passenger seat.


    Guided by the information provided by Thousand-Face, Joshua steered the vehicle towards the temporary residence of the Hearthstone competition’s runner-up.





    Dorothy awoke with a lingering sense of unreality.


    She reclined upon her hotel bed, scrolling through the mage Forum on the magic net. Every tenth post seemed to revolve around her, while others offered detailed accounts of yesterday’s climactic match.


    Users showered her with praise, eliciting embarrassed blushes.


    Some spellcasters even elevated the girl from Ogounis to the status of a goddess.


    She had, quite inexplicably, become an object of fascination among Norland’s young spellcasters.


    This newfound adulation left Dorothy feeling as if she were adrift in a dream.


    Only a day prior, she had been an anonymous figure in Norland. Now, countless spellcasters knew her name and appearance.


    'Perhaps… this is the allure that compels gladiators to risk their lives for victory?'



    ‘Next time, Champion.’


    ‘Do not be disheartened by your second-place finish. Another competition awaits you next year…’


    Dorothy glanced at the messages from Fuya and the Flower of Farucci. She sat up, gently patting her cheek.


    Despite her second-place triumph and the widespread acclaim from Norland’s populace, Dorothy’s primary objective remained unfulfilled.


    She was acutely aware of the significant advantage she now held.


    The Gray Sage’s intervention the previous night had shielded her from immediate repercussions.


    However, she harbored no illusions that the count’s son would abandon his pursuit.

    Consequently, Dorothy had relocated to a new hotel.


    Her family’s home, and the foundation of the Silver Flower Chamber of Commerce, lay in Osenberg.


    Dorothy’s initial goal of “saving the Silver Flower firm from bankruptcy” remained unchanged.


    'What course of action should I pursue next?'

    As Dorothy pondered her predicament, a knock echoed at her door.


    She instantly adopted a posture of heightened vigilance.


    “Who is it?” she inquired, already positioned near the window. If it were agents dispatched by Count Cruz, she would make an immediate escape.


    “A partner.”


    'Partner?'


    Dorothy recognized the voice. It was Joshua, the proprietor of the Hearthstone Tavern.

    The very man who had, she suspected, invented Hearthstone.


    “Please, enter.”


    Dorothy abandoned her escape plan and opened the door.


    Behind Joshua stood a female mage, distinguished by her white hair and eyes, unmistakable traits of the Frostfell people.


    Dorothy’s attention was drawn to the miniature dragon, or “pseudo-dragon,” perched upon the mage’s shoulder.


    'Wait… why does it resemble Deathwing?'


    “It’s an illusion, pay it no mind.”


    Ciri, noticing Dorothy’s inquisitive gaze, made Neltharion stand at attention, placing her hands on her hips.


    'Illusion… is she also an illusion caster?'


    “Mr. Joshua, to what do I owe this visit?”


    Dorothy dispensed with unnecessary pleasantries, gesturing towards a table and chairs.


    “I am here to discuss your Silver Flower Chamber of Commerce.” Joshua’s opening statement piqued Dorothy’s interest.


    Dorothy was well aware that Joshua was the proprietor of the World Tree.


    “Are we speaking of… a partnership?” Dorothy inquired tentatively.


    “A partnership? No, I intend to buy your Chamber of Commerce.” Joshua placed a light-green crystal upon the table.


    “buy…”


    Dorothy had never encountered such a direct and assertive business proposal.


    It was akin to being presented with a chopping board and a long knife, with the implicit expectation that she, the “fish meat,” would willingly jump onto the board.


    What further exacerbated Dorothy’s predicament was the inescapable reality that she indeed had to jump. If circumstances permitted, she would have preferred to retort, “Come and eat me.”
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