Chapter 171: They’re All Fish | Reeling Them In Slowly
After all running a merchant caravan was never as simple as buying and selling goods.
They had to hire adventurers and mercenaries to escort the caravans.
Maintain wagons, horses, and equipment.
Pay salaries to their workers.
Provide compensation to the families of guards who died protecting the shipment.
Then there were the tons of "protection fees" demanded by bandit groups along the way.
And above all there was always the risk of losing everything.
If a caravan was ambushed. If valuable goods were stolen. Or if the cargo was destroyed during transport.
The merchant’s accumulated savings often became the only thing keeping their business alive.
Now if they also had to surrender a percentage of every shipment to Baron Luke. Their profit margins would undoubtedly shrink.
Especially for those dealing in luxury goods. Expensive silk. Rare gemstones. High-grade magic materials.
For them even a small percentage represented an huge amount of money.
Several luxury merchants exchanged anxious glances. Many had already decided to plead with Baron Luke to reconsider.
From his throne Luke silently observed the hall.
Merchants were whispering to one another with tense expressions.
Some were already preparing arguments. Others looked as though they wanted to stand up immediately.
Almost everyone present seemed dissatisfied.
His gaze briefly paused on Sophia. Even her usually composed expression had fallen.
Beside her Damien wore a similarly troubled look.
Even Percival’s confident expression faltered. ’Will I have to pay those rates as well?’
A trace of worry surfaced in his eyes.
After all he had only just requested permission to build a Branch.
If the new toll applied to him too, his expense would be increased.
Just then. Luke’s calm voice echoed across the hall once more.
"Before you make your judgment. I’d like to add something." His words instantly drew everyone’s attention.
The whispers gradually died away.
Within moments silence once again filled the grand hall.
Every pair of eyes turned toward Luke.
However this time, many of those gazes contained obvious dissatisfaction.
Some merchants had become so absorbed in calculating their losses that they had almost forgotten the young man sitting upon the throne possessed combat power comparable to a Mid-Golden Knight.
Luke noticed every expression.
Yet he didn’t mind in the slightest.
Instead a faint smile appeared on his lips.
’They’re all fish.’
’I just need to reel them in slowly.’
Without showing any impatience, he continued.
"First."
"I will construct watchtowers along the entire trade route passing through the Blackstone Highlands."
He paused deliberately.
"Each watchtower will be permanently manned by Bronze Knights."
"Twenty-four hours a day."
"They will ensure the safety of every merchant caravan passing through my territory."
The moment those words fell. The merchants’ expressions changed.
"What?"
"Bronze Knights?"
Several people widened their eyes in surprise.
Whispers immediately spread once again.
This single promise solved one of their greatest concerns.
The magical beasts.
As the Stormhowl Mountains stretched across the land like a colossal natural wall.
From the west all the way to the east.
They effectively separated the Northern Region from the southern lands.
The only alternative routes were to cross the monster-infested mountains.
Or venture through the endless forests surrounding them.
Both options were notoriously dangerous.
Fortunately the Blackstone Highlands occupied one of the safest sections of the mountain range.
Compared to other areas the monster population there was remarkably low.
Its rocky terrain and lack of dense vegetation made it unsuitable for most magical beasts to establish nests.
Because of that over the years, merchants had gradually carved out a narrow trade road through the region.
Although the route was considerably longer.
It remained the safest land passage connecting the Northern Region with the eastern, western, and southern territories.
That single road had become the lifeline of countless merchant caravans.
However. Safe. Didn’t mean completely secure.
Blackstone stood near the eastern edge of the Stormhowl Mountains.
From time to time, magical beasts descended from the upper mountain slopes. While others emerged from the forests below.
Whenever they encountered merchant caravans. Attacks were almost inevitable.
Many guards had lost their lives defending shipments. Numerous caravans had been destroyed.
And countless fortunes had vanished into the jaws of magical beasts. The losses accumulated year after year.
So if Baron Luke truly eliminated that problem. Then the merchants would not only save enormous amounts of money.
They would also gain something even more valuable.
Peace of mind.
Luke’s smile remained calm as he looked across the hall.
Then, he continued.
"Second, I will eliminate every bandit operating within my territory." His firm voice echoed throughout the hall.
A few merchants couldn’t help but straighten in their seats.
Luke continued before anyone could interrupt.
"I will also improve the roads."
"The routes will be widened and reinforced for long-distance travel."
"So even during heavy rain you won’t have to worry about the roads turning into mud or becoming impassable."
The merchants looked at one another.
Several of them had personally experienced wagons getting stuck in muddy roads for days.
That promise alone was worth a great deal.
Luke raised another finger.
"Furthermore..."
"Silver Knight patrols will regularly travel along the trade route."
"If any merchant caravan sends out an emergency signal."
"They will respond as quickly as possible."
The hall grew noticeably quieter.
Silver Knights.
Not Bronze Knights.
That meant an even higher level of protection.
Luke wasn’t finished.
"For merchants who frequently use the Blackstone Highlands."
"I’ll introduce a discount system."
He gestured toward Osric.
The latter stepped forward and unfurled a large parchment.
A neatly organized table was displayed for everyone to see.
Luke calmly explained it.
DISCOUNTS
Scenario : Discount
Return Trip (Within 7 Days) : 50% Off
Bulk Caravan (10+ Carts) : 10% Off
Loyal Merchants (Monthly Pass) : 20% Off
Essential Goods (Food, Medicine) : Lower Toll Rate (3%)
Murmurs immediately spread throughout the hall. Many merchants instinctively began calculating the savings in their minds.
Luke allowed them a few moments before speaking again.
"And that’s not all."
"I will establish multiple Safe Zones along the trade route."
His words immediately drew everyone’s attention back to him.