Chapter 56: Underground Traveler |
Having said that, Nolan gave a shallow bow. Behind Nolan, the mage who was filled with a magical aura suddenly took out a thick book and used Mage Hand to float it in front of him.
"This is our first type of goods, Governor. An introduction and information about the Dwarves from within the Duchy."
Nolan began to explain in detail: "Over these years, the Dwarves have risen rapidly, conquering the Goblins and repelling the Centaurs. The Grand Duke is worried that the Dwarven Kingdom will encroach southward onto the Duchy's territory, so a lot of information has been collected continuously. Today, on behalf of the Shao Yi Chamber of Commerce, I formally establish trade relations with the dragon flock where you, sir, reside."
Xia'er looked at Nolan, her dragon pupils narrowing slightly.
The Duchy of Shao Yi had secretly collected information on the Dwarves. Then, after this trip, her own information would probably appear in the records of the Duchy of Shao Yi as well.
However, for the current situation, it didn't have much of an impact yet.
After all, there was still the Dwarves between her and the human forces.
Before the Dwarven Kingdom was defeated by her, or she was defeated by the Dwarven Kingdom, the humans probably wouldn't make any unusual moves.
But she still needed to be constantly vigilant.
Xia'er nodded slightly, also using Mage Hand to lift and flip through the book.
The records inside were extremely detailed.
The Dwarven Kingdom, established for only twenty years, had become the nation with the most rapid rise in the entire Northern Frontier.
Although the Dwarves of the past were also incredibly powerful, in this relatively resource-abundant territory in the southern part of the Karugu Highlands, they were divided into over a dozen clans of varying sizes, constantly clashing with the Centaur tribes on the grasslands.
But in the end, they still repelled the Centaur tribes.
Because they had an ability that left those Centaurs at a loss.
The nomadic tribes of the Centaurs would not kill prisoners or craftsmen who were not as tall as a wagon wheel.
But Dwarven tribes were generally both craftsmen and not as tall as a wagon wheel... This created a bug, leaving these nomads utterly confused.
It wasn't until a hero emerged among the Centaur tribes that all disputes were ended.
This Centaur Khan declared that to deal with these treacherous, cunning, and deceitful Dwarves, the wagon wheel needed to be laid flat...
In short, the Dwarven Kingdom was previously just loose tribes. With the appearance of the Dwarf King Jandres, everything changed directly.
Dwarf King Jandres, hailed as the High King of the Dwarves of the Karugu Highlands, is the most powerful warrior and the most exquisite craftsman among the Dwarves. His height is said to have reached a staggering 1.55 meters, a veritable little giant of the Dwarven nation.
And Xia'er was also well aware that the challenge rating of this Dwarf King Jandres had already reached level 16.
In recent years, he had advanced further.
Apart from this, the military equipment of the Dwarven Kingdom was also recorded.
Twenty-two legions.
Each legion consisted of 2,500 Dwarven warriors and 1,000 soldiers from other races serving as auxiliary forces, mostly Goblins.
Dwarves are natural-born warriors. The total population of the Dwarven Kingdom is only 300,000, yet they have such a number of troops, which is enough to prove the militaristic nature of the Dwarven nation and the ambition of this King Jandres.
"It says here that your human Duchy of Shao Yi signed an agreement with these Dwarves eleven years ago and are allies."
Xia'er snorted, a wisp of green mist dissipating, looking at Nolan with great interest: "Your current actions don't seem like how one treats an ally."
"Governor, you misunderstand."
Nolan smiled slightly, bowed, and opened his mouth: "Our alliance with Jandres is limited to facing existential disaster. If not for that, there are only interactions like commercial trade... The Dwarves are secretly expanding their military, yet the Sroelk Grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see and are not a place for Dwarves to survive. Therefore, the purpose of the Dwarven Kingdom's military expansion is self-evident."
"Heh."
Xia'er chuckled lightly, not saying much more about this.
It was nothing more than the old routine of mutual weakening. Officially, they trade with the Dwarven Kingdom, purchasing Dwarven crafts and selling them some military equipment. Privately, they trade with the dragon flock, providing military support to the dragons to strike the Dwarven Kingdom.
But if Jandres dies and the Dwarven Kingdom collapses, they would immediately support the Dwarves to prevent their complete extinction.
A half-dead Dwarf is the best Dwarf for the Human Duchy.
Xia'er guessed that the Goblins, who had always been attached to the Dwarven Kingdom, suddenly rebelling was mostly instigated by humans from behind the scenes.
Otherwise, it would be too much of a coincidence: the Dwarves announce a northern expedition, just as they gather their armies to move against Valentina, and then the Goblins suddenly rebel, forcing King Jandres to lead the main force back to suppress the rebellion, forced into fighting on two fronts.
Humans are truly detestable, but Xia'er indeed wanted to freeload right now.
If she could use human hands to eliminate King Jandres, it would be a good thing for Xia'er.
After all, the mission target for 'Slaughter Mission: Part Two' includes this King Jandres.
"Not bad."
After reading the entire book of intelligence on the Dwarven Kingdom, Xia'er's massive dragon head nodded gently, and then she said: "What are these large alchemical golems you mentioned?"
Alchemical golems are super products developed by alchemists, a type of alchemical construct created by imitating the living habits of some supernatural magical creatures, and they are quite expensive.
"Reporting to the Governor, we can sell you the alchemical golem 'Underground Traveler' specialized for underground mining and exploration functions. It was developed by the King of the Western Region conscripting hundreds of alchemists, a mass-producible alchemical golem. Besides combining underground mining and exploring for Black Oil functions, it also has a certain lethality, effectively destroying Dwarven underground structures and killing Dwarves. Each one costs 2,000 Gold Coins, equivalent to 500 Dwarf prisoners," Nolan said respectfully.
One Dwarf is only worth 4 Gold Coins?
Are you kidding me?
Xia'er's enormous dragon pupils swept over the open book of information, finally resting on Nolan: "A single Dwarf prisoner is only priced at 4 Gold Coins? Human, are you looking down on my spoils of war, or are you underestimating the value of Dwarven craftsmen? The value of the fine equipment they can forge far exceeds this amount by a hundredfold."
Nolan's heart tightened, but his merchant nature made him respond quickly, piling a respectful smile on his face: "Governor, please calm your anger. We naturally know the value of Dwarven craftsmen. It's just that the 'Underground Traveler' is costly to produce, and transportation is even more difficult and perilous..."
"Excuses."
Xia'er interrupted him, bringing a heavier sense of oppression: "What I have captured are the most elite warriors and precious technical seeds of the Dwarven Kingdom. One Dwarf prisoner is worth at least 20 Gold Coins. That is the bottom line."
"Furthermore, I want to buy on credit. You humans must provide me with armor and equipment sufficient for at least one thousand soldiers and one hundred 'Underground Traveler' alchemical golems. Only then is there sincerity."
"..."
Nolan felt a suffocating pressure. He quickly calculated in his mind.
20 Gold Coins each, the price had quintupled!
However...
There was still profit to be made!
And quite a lot of it.
A Dwarven craftsman, in the southern regions, a plain area far from the Dwarves' living environment, could even fetch a sky-high price!
"20 Gold Coins..."
Nolan showed an extremely pained expression, his voice even carrying a slight tremble: "This... Governor, this price is truly... Sigh, however, to express our sincerity in cooperating with the Dragon Flock Empire and to support the Governor in confronting the common threat, we can accept it!"
"Only, the quantity you require, sir, is truly enormous. Weapons and armor for one thousand soldiers, plus one hundred 'Underground Travelers'. This is almost all the reserves our Chamber can mobilize! Moreover, the journey is long, and the risks are immense..."
Xia'er didn't speak, just quietly waited for what came next.
Nolan gritted his teeth and threw out his bottom line: "Governor, how about this? We are willing to provide the equipment and golems to you on credit first, to help you strengthen your forces to strike the Dwarves! But for the first batch, we can only provide at most a full set of fine equipment for five hundred soldiers, and... ten 'Underground Traveler' alchemical golems. This is the maximum limit we can safely deliver in a short time. After you capture more Dwarves later, we will settle at the price of 20 Gold Coins each and gradually provide the subsequent supplies. How about that?"
He nervously awaited the Green Dragon's verdict, his heart almost leaping out of his chest.
Contrary to Nolan's expectations, Xia'er hesitated almost not at all.
"Acceptable."
Xia'er's voice sounded, as if she was merely agreeing to a trivial matter: "Have your fleet deliver the supplies to Coral Island as soon as possible. As for the prisoners... you will receive the next batch very soon."
Doing business with a Green Dragon?
Aren't you being a bit too naive?
If this thing is useless, I won't pay a single coin.
If this thing is useful, for our first meeting, can't this thing serve as a greeting gift for the great Green Dragon? Otherwise, I'd seriously doubt your sincerity!
With the deal struck, Nolan felt relieved in his heart. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Xia'er's enormous dragon pupils suddenly turn, looking at Nolan, as she opened her mouth and said: "You said earlier that you are the second son of a Count?"
"My inheritance tells me that human noble titles are usually inherited by the eldest son... Human, the reason you haven't stayed in your own territory for years is also because you have no way to inherit the land and title, right?"