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nChapter 78: The Conflict

nTranslator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

nUnder the guidance of the tugboat, the White Sands Princess gradually approached the harbor.

nRaymond called upon the dock laborers and sailors to begin unloading the cargo from the ship’s hold.

nAlthough two out of the three ships were lost during this long-distance voyage, long-distance trade always entails high risks and high rewards.

nMoreover, Raymond had chosen the longest and most perilous route, spanning across the Eastern Continent.

nDue to the extensive distance, the profit margin for transporting cargo had reached an astonishing level.

nEven with only the remaining ship’s cargo, it could fully compensate for the losses of the other two ships and even make a substantial profit.

nHowever, in addition to bringing back the cargo, Raymond also brought back something more valuable.

nThree types of specialties, the Stormy Seas region, and the archipelago arranged in a crescent shape.

nThese were the things of greater value than mere cargo!

nAfter securely storing the cargo in the warehouse, Raymond couldn’t wait to sell them and hurriedly returned to the headquarters of the Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce in the city.

nUsing his authority to call for an emergency meeting, he summoned the other members of the Chamber of Commerce.

nA day later.

nAll the members of the Chamber of Commerce who could make it back in time gathered in the conference room of the Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce’s headquarters.

n“Fatty Ray, what’s the urgent matter that made you summon all of us? I still have a lucrative deal worth thousands of gold coins to attend to!”

n“Yeah, this right to call for an emergency meeting can only be used once a year by each member, and it’s not to be used unless it’s a critical moment. I had to abandon all my business and rush here.”

n“Could it be because of these things?”

nThe other members quickly noticed that there were three things on the table in the meeting room.

nThere were a few pieces of wood with beautiful patterns, a pile of green coffee beans, and a few golden basses.

nWith the keen business sense of merchants, they quickly realized that these things had extremely high commercial value.

nHe looked at the members who were questioning him.

nAs the members began questioning Raymond, he remained calm and pressed his hands to signal for silence.

nInstead of immediately answering their questions, he pointed to these specialties.

n“The Jungle Purple Bloodwood, with its exquisite patterns and durable texture, can be used to create furniture or jewelry. Nobles won’t hesitate to pay for it.”

n“The Golden Bass, known for its excellent taste and appealing appearance, with the right publicity, can make many nobles open their wallets.”

n“The Premium Coffee Beans, when matured, possess powerful mana-restoring effects, and long-term consumption can even increase mana capacity.”

nAs the members listened to his description, their eyes turned envious.

nIf they could get their hands on the supply of these items, they would make a hefty profit.

nEspecially these coffee beans which would definitely attract a high demand from spellcasters!

nSeeing them like this, Raymond secretly laughed.

nThe Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce was just a loose business organization.

nWhen there was no common enemy, there would be competition between the members.

nNow that he was in the limelight in front of so many members, he was secretly pleased.

n“Where did you get these things? Could it be a specialty of the Eastern Continent?”

n“I think so. I heard that you went to the East-West Continent and have never seen these things in the Western Continent.”

nWith a few words, all the members nodded in agreement.

nThe entire Mid-Earth Ocean separated the Eastern and Western Continents.

nAs long as they could transport the goods over, the profits they earned were enough to match the profits of ten ordinary sea routes.

nHowever, not only did they have to face extremely terrible sea conditions, but they might also encounter pirates, deep-sea beasts, and other dangers.

nThe rate of accidents was excessively high.

nExcept for a few adventurous traders who were willing to take the risk for potential lucrative gains, not many individuals were inclined to embark on such perilous journeys.

nAlthough they grasped the profit potential, they remained uncertain as to why they had been gathered together.

n“Are you gathering us here just to show off?” one member exclaimed.

n“I see, you want us to join you and venture on this route together? Although the potential profits are high, the risks are equally substantial. Out of the three ships that set out, only one returned!” another member remarked.

n“That’s right! If luck had been worse, we might have lost an entire ship and incurred significant compensation costs!” added a third member.

nRaymond calmly responded, “What if I told you that we can acquire such goods within a ten-day voyage without the need to travel to the Eastern Continent?” “Wait, did you say a ten-day voyage?” the members were once again taken aback.

nRaymond continued in a composed manner.

n“On my way back from the Eastern Continent, I was targeted by the Black Skeleton Pirates.”

n“However, you might not have expected that when two of the three ships sank and I barely escaped death, I decided to let the White Sand Princess sail into the stormy waters to take refuge.”

n“Stormy Sea Area!?”

nThis time, all the members were really dumbfounded, and there was some disbelief in their eyes.

nWho in the Mid-Earth Ocean didn’t know about the notorious reputation of the Stormy Sea?

nThere were countless adventurers who entered, but there was no news of them after they left.

nFor ocean merchants like them, it was a taboo existence.

nAnd Raymond said that he had entered the Stormy Waters. Since he had returned safely, didn’t that mean…

nSeeing their expressions, Raymond’s lips curled up.

n“I successfully came out of the Stormy Sea.”

n“And you will never imagine that there are no storms in the Stormy Sea Area. There is even a beautiful archipelago with rich products! These things were all given by the lord of that archipelago.”

n“This is the reason why I gathered everyone here today.”

n“Through my communication, the lord of that archipelago agreed to trade with our Hanseatic Chamber of Commerce and build a stable sea route.”

nThe members recovered from their shock and began to think about the pros and cons.

nBut after thinking about it, it was still a profit.

n“In that case, I agree.”

n“I agree too!”

nBut suddenly, a discordant voice was heard.

n“How strong is that lord? How many guards are there?”

nRaymond frowned and turned his head. It was a member named Gassani whom he didn’t get along with.

nHe thought for a moment and shook his head.

n“I don’t know the specifics, but I’ve only seen two types of soldiers. One is a Tier 2 3-star, and the other is a Tier 2 5-star. There are probably less than a hundred of them. As for the others, I don’t know.”

n“But to be able to seize a Black Skeleton pirate ship and make all the pirates on it submit to him, he must be quite strong.”

nHowever, Gassani didn’t share the same sentiment. He said to the other members, “I have a different idea. Setting aside the selling prices of these goods, even if we make a few thousand or tens of thousands of gold coins in profit per shipment, it’s still too slow in terms of earning money.”

n“But if we can occupy that archipelago, we will control the production of these goods, which means the cost of acquiring them will be almost zero. That’s when the profit margins truly expand.”

n“As long as we deploy our most elite merchant convoy for protection, launch a covert assault, killing that lord shouldn’t be too difficult,” a wicked gleam flickered in Gassani’s eyes..

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