"Good morning, Baron."

"Good morning, Baron Floki."

"Have you eaten? My wife prepared something nice."

So many people stepped out of their huts to greet him, their faces brimming with warmth and happiness.

Children ran toward him, hugging his sides, while a few eagerly asked to walk with him to the marketplace. He gently refused, still uncertain whether the caravan was harmless.

As he moved through the streets, he found himself taking in the scenery more carefully. The place was calm, almost deceptively so, with an understated beauty that settled into the eyes the longer one looked.

Despite its local appearance, the town was far from primitive. The huts were arranged with careful structure and spacing, giving the settlement a sense of order and civility. It was several times more refined than it had been in its earlier village state.

To think that all of this had changed in less than a minute. What other wonders did this world still have to reveal?

He pushed the thought aside as he slowly approached the marketplace.

He walked alone. Garrick had been ordered to help his three captains coordinate the military volunteers and begin training.

As for Breeze, he claimed he was too tired and stayed back at the manor to relax.

After a few more minutes of strolling, he arrived at the marketplace.

At its center stood three large wooden carriages, each fastened to a pair of strong, well-built horses.

Each carriage was guarded by four imposing mercenaries, their presence firm and watchful.

And standing before them was a group of finely dressed individuals. Though their attire bore a resemblance to Saharan garments, it carried a subtle refinement, with layered fabrics, faint embroidery, and ornaments that suggested both wealth and purpose, marking them as something far more than ordinary travelers.

Yet one of them stood out the most, and it was not for the typical reasons.

A young boy around the age of fourteen, not older than fifteen, stood in the middle of it all with a confident smile on his face.

He was dressed the same as the others, just that his own attire bore more embroidery and ornaments. It was obvious he was the leader, which made it even more strange.

As if recognizing Floki, the young boy began to stroll toward him with that same composed presence.

Floki’s eyes narrowed slightly, wondering how someone so young was in charge of such wealth. He predicted he was some sort of noble who ventured into trade, judging by his blonde hair and blue eyes, the typical noble appearance. The way he carried himself delicately also suggested the same.

"You must be the Baron of this town."

The young boy halted in front of Floki, performing a coquettish bow.

It was at this moment that Floki realized he lacked the etiquette and communication skills of a Baron or someone who possessed a noble status like him.

Being a village head had made him think he could continue using the same language skills, ancient and unrefined, in how he spoke. He had not bothered to prepare for this.

"Well, fuck it, it doesn’t hurt to be unique?" he disregarded the thoughts trying to chip away at his self-esteem.

He carried himself confidently and stretched his hand out for a handshake instead.

"You judged well."

He responded.

The young boy stared at his outstretched hand, then at his stoic face, slightly confused, before shaking it.

"You must be the owner of the caravan. Welcome to my Ironside," Floki followed immediately after their hands met.

The young boy chuckled.

"Haha, was it so obvious? Other lords usually ask for my parents when I greet them."

"They must be blind to underestimate you because of your age," Floki added.

His comment made the heart of the young boy swell.

"My name is Evander Velthorne, founder and leader of the Yellow Orchid Guild. We specialize in anything from the supply of food, construction materials, divine beasts, potions, and anything you could request."

"That is a lot..."

Floki said as he looked over Evander’s head, observing the caravans. They did not seem that big to contain everything he listed.

"...these are not everything, right?" he asked.

"Haha, of course. These are just the ones I decided to take along for this trip. I was passing through the area when I learned about your town. I decided to visit."

Floki was quite curious. "If I may ask, how did you learn about Ironside?"

"Haha, rumors about you defeating the infamous Kellan Blackstone have spread like wildfire. You’re quite popular now amongst neighboring territories."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Of course. No one really expected it would be Ironside, the weakest in this region, that would take him out. I am sure after I leave, there will be more visitors," Evander added.

He then turned to look at the scantily built marketplace.

"You need to develop this place. If you want, my mercenaries can help you. Some, if not all of them, are carpenters."

He turned to Floki and smiled, his eyes bright with greed.

"But it would cost you a lot."

Floki thought about it.

"I do not have any carpenters in my town for now, and the resources I have for construction would only be enough to build a couple of houses."

He decided what to do and asked,

"How much?"

"10 gold coins. We would help you fill up this place with everything you need, different stalls, multipurpose and single-purpose. My men are quite capable," Evander explained.

Then he looked at Floki with greed.

"However, I know such an amount is too much for your town, given that it has barely made any trade. So I’ll propose a deal."

"I have the money to pay. But let’s hear what he has to say," thought Floki as he prompted Evander to continue with a nod.

"Great. Your town is in its beginner phase. At this point, it would be hard for you to make such a payment without affecting your own growth."

Evander said, clasping his hands behind his back.

"So instead, I will make it easier for you. I will develop this marketplace fully, with stalls, structure, supplies, everything."

He then raised a finger.

"In return, I take thirty percent of all trade profit here for one year."

Floki’s eyes furrowed slightly. This short fraud. He was trying to rip him off under the pretense of kindness.

Still, he let him continue.

"And during that time, only my guild trades in this town."

Evander added another condition, another greedy one that kept Floki at a disadvantage.

And still, he was not done.

"And of course, Ironside becomes a safe route for my caravans. Your men ensure my goods pass through without issues."

Evander then lowered his hands and smiled brightly, as though he had just done the most angelic thing in the world.

"It is a very simple deal. You lose nothing now and I gain nothing unfair."

Floki looked at him speechlessly for a few seconds.

’This little wanker...’ he cursed inwardly.

Yet, he was not agitated or disappointed. He was simply surprised at how someone would blatantly try something like this, worse coming from someone as young as him.

Evander kept his calm outward composure.

Yet his heart was beating really fast.

’Please be dumb. Please be dumb and accept my deal,’ he prayed fervently.

Nonetheless, his prayers were unanswered as Floki responded sarcastically:

"So basically, you invest a little and own my town for a year? Is that right?"