Chapter 58 Pioneering Trade Routes (Part One): The Final Stop

After half a month of detouring, the caravan finally arrived safely at its last destination—Gresley Garrison Town, located at the northeastern border of the Province of Kadero. This semi-militarized northern border town is also the only place in the province where free trade is conducted with the Ironforge Dwarven Mountain Kingdom’s Cirok Province.

Although the Kingdom of Ilia remained in a state of hostility with the Ironforge Dwarves, business in Gresley Garrison Town was hardly affected.

The moment they entered the city, the rich fragrance of wine filled the air, intoxicating the caravan’s guards who had been exposed to the elements for weeks.

Looking around, Veiling saw dwarves and humans, arms around each other’s shoulders, wandering the streets with flushed, inebriated faces.

Accordingly, an unusually high number of patrolling guards were visible along the streets.

With just a cursory glance, Veiling counted at least a hundred soldiers clad in leather armor and armed with standard-issue iron swords.

“Master, I’ve made inquiries—the Gresley Chamber of Commerce is in the eastern district,” Raimondo squeezed through the crowd to the caravan’s temporary stopping point and reported to Veiling.

“Let’s go then. We’ve been on the road for two months now.”

“Yes, sir.”

After navigating the crowded streets, the caravan reached its final destination: the Gresley Chamber of Commerce, established by the garrison’s command.

Noticing the guards stationed at the entrance, Veiling couldn’t help but feel a hint of surprise.

“Bronze-rank soldiers standing guard… As expected of a chamber founded by the Gresley Garrison.”

After completing the usual formalities, Veiling was received in a parlor by the chamber’s president, Cain, who was also the deputy commander of Gresley Garrison—a kindly, inscrutable middle-aged man.

“Veiling, welcome,” Cain greeted him.

“You are too kind, Commander Cain,” Veiling replied with a polite smile, bowing slightly to show his respect.

Cain gestured for Veiling to sit and got straight to the point. “Veiling, what brings you here? Is it purely business?”

“Naturally, it’s business.” Veiling was candid, making no attempt to conceal his motive.

Though Cain smiled at the answer, he didn’t believe Veiling’s purpose was so simple, but he continued along this line of conversation.

“If that’s the case, what do you wish to trade?”

“Grain, weapons, and wine.”

“And slaves? As I understand, you must be short on people for your newly claimed lands.”

“Commander Cain, my territory is not lacking in people.”

“You’re right. Your family has several nobles in the Province of Kadero, so it’s unlikely you’d have a shortage of manpower. That was a needless question on my part.” Cain’s eyes betrayed a fleeting disappointment, but he concealed it well, and Veiling noticed nothing.

After half an hour of negotiations, the deal was sealed at four copper coins per pound of wheat—fifty tons for a total of four hundred gold coins. He also purchased two hundred barrels of wine at five silver coins each.

As for weapons, Cain could offer no assistance.

With tensions escalating between the Kingdom of Ilia and the Ironforge Dwarves, ambitious nobles across the land were eager to earn military merit. Any weapons Gresley Garrison Town could sell had been sold out a month ago.

The remaining stock was already at the garrison’s red line. Selling any more would be risky—especially with a Silver Order of Knights recently dispatched to the province, making the border troops wary of acting rashly.

Unable to procure weapons, Veiling would have to seek alternatives. Fortunately, his territory had reached a period of stability, and the need for arms was not urgent.

After placing a deposit and signing the commercial agreement, Veiling took his leave of Cain.

Leaving the chamber, Veiling and Raimondo wandered the surrounding streets.

“Was everything settled smoothly, Master?” Raimondo asked as he followed Veiling.

“All went well enough. With this, our journey is nearly at an end. Once the goods are loaded, we’ll start back.”

Unconsciously, Veiling found himself passing through three commercial streets and entering a dimly lit alleyway.

“How did I end up here?” he wondered aloud, glancing at the dilapidated surroundings and asking Raimondo.

“I’m just as puzzled, sir,” Raimondo replied, gripping his sword’s hilt with one hand and holding the scabbard with the other, warily scanning their surroundings.

For some inexplicable reason, the two had wandered here in a daze.

“There’s a demonic presence,” Veiling murmured.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the alley, and a gaunt, grey-robed old man appeared before them.

Raimondo promptly drew his sword and stepped in front of Veiling.

Veiling’s nerves tensed at the unexpected encounter, but when he saw the emblem of the Church of Dawn’s ascetics on the man’s chest, his anxiety eased.

“A follower of the Dawn—why do you say so?” Veiling pushed past Raimondo, bowed slightly, and asked respectfully.

The grey-robed elder raised his staff, and a temporary barrier blossomed, enveloping the two in gentle, radiant light.

Looking around, the alley was unchanged, but their chamber president was nowhere to be seen.

Before Veiling could speak, the elder bowed his head and began to speak in a slow, solemn tone.

“Honored one, forgive my discourtesy. By command of my god, I am pursuing a demon. I beg your pardon.”

Once again, there were words muffled by some divine censorship—Veiling recalled a similar experience when forming his pact with the legendary mage Anastasia.

The elder avoided meeting his gaze, which was odd, but now was not the time to dwell on it.

“How may I assist you?” Veiling asked.

“My lord, thank you for your help. Have you encountered any demons, or heard rumors of their appearance on your journey?”

Veiling shook his head. “Throughout our travels, neither my men nor I have encountered demons or heard tales of their presence. However…”

After a moment’s hesitation, he added, “Kent Brom, the baron whose prosperous fief lies not far from Gresley Garrison Town, has been behaving most unusually—you may find the information you seek there.”

The elder inclined his head in gratitude. “Thank you, my lord. May the Dawn shine upon you!”

With that, the barrier and the elder vanished.

“Master, what just happened? That ascetic from the Church of Dawn—?” Raimondo’s eyes scanned the now-empty alley, bewildered.

Veiling gripped the token of the Church of Dawn that had appeared in his right hand and said to himself, “The Province of Kadero may not be peaceful in the days to come.”

“Let’s go. Time to rest.”

He patted Raimondo’s shoulder, signaling him to put away his weapon, and turned toward the caravan’s encampment.

At that very moment, the grey-robed elder’s figure appeared outside Gresley Garrison Town. He first offered a prayer to the God of Dawn, then cast one last deep look at the town before continuing on his way.

Meanwhile, a well-equipped force of some three thousand soldiers departed from the provincial capital, their destination the turbulent lands of Kent’s domain.