"Enough! It’s more than enough, we don’t actually need that much, just a little is fine!" the Mermaid Girl replied with some excitement.

Sani’er fell silent for a moment, then he looked up at Brand: "Human, are you really giving us this? You know, we can’t possibly afford this price!"

"It’s fine," Brand answered as if he didn’t care: "As I mentioned before, for the part you can’t afford, I can take a stake instead."

How does one take a stake in a war? Sani’er thought that this human was becoming more and more mysterious, he had never encountered anyone doing business like this. However, after a brief consideration, he asked seriously: "May I ask what your name is, sir?"

"Just call me Brand, because what I’m doing now makes it inconvenient to make my surname public," Brand replied half-truthfully.

"Understood. Alright, let me declare once more— I, Sani’er, on behalf of the Grey Fin tribe, announce that from today onward, any merchant ship sailing under Your Excellency’s flag on this sea will be under the protection of our Grey Fin Naga. Any attack on these merchant ships shall be considered a provocation to the Grey Fin Naga, and we shall retaliate with war."

Sani’er’s resolute voice echoed across the sea. This statement brought a change to Captain James’ face, although Sani’er seemed to repeat his previous words, the implications were entirely different. This time, Sani’er’s promise was evidently more formal and detailed, and if it was true, it meant that virtually none of Brand’s future merchant ships would face the risk of being plundered on the Sea of Shining. This security would endure as long as the Grey Fin Naga existed.

For someone making a living on the sea, the young captain obviously understood the implications. Aside from the large fleets and the royal family’s ships, ordinary merchant ships in the Sea of Shining faced a high plunder risk of 30%. Small merchants might encounter ruin at any moment. However, with Sani’er’s promise, it was almost certain that Brand’s subordinate merchant fleet could rival those famous large merchant groups in Ambeser.

If Brand intended to run trading routes—

However, Sani’er gave Brand a deep look and added another line: "Moreover, if Your Excellency’s ’goods’ are truly as effective as you claim, I assure you, as long as Your Excellency does not engage in acts hostile to the Grey Fin Naga, you will forever be a friend of our tribe."

The implication was simply that if Brand had lied about the Holy Water, then previous agreements would naturally be invalidated. Sani’er hadn’t completely closed the door, as he still couldn’t believe a stranger would offer such substantial benefits without reason. Since the witch said this potion was worth half the Sea of Shining, then its true value must be that much, and Sani’er couldn’t believe any human would willingly give such wealth away.

But once tested, everything would be determined. Sani’er gestured to the other Naga, then retreated into the sea with the Mermaid Girl, leaving only a white wake on the water. It wasn’t until the two had completely disappeared that the remaining Naga spoke to Brand and his party: "Human friends, Sani’er has ordered us to escort you for a journey."

Brand nodded. Though the escort was partly surveillance, once Sani’er verified the authenticity of the Holy Water No.1 he provided, these Naga would genuinely escort them faithfully to Ambeser. Gaining a few guards for no reason was something he wouldn’t refuse. However, he had been observing Sani’er’s left shoulder. He recalled seeing a horrific scar there when meeting the latter in the future, which was now absent, likely obtained during this war. Brand initially considered reminding him but ultimately refrained because, for every warrior, experiences on the brink of death were precious.

He turned back, contemplating how significant the favor he just traded was, striving to establish a friendship with the Naga. It was truly an unexpected bonus from the trip. Thinking of this, Brand looked up, seeing the sailors unfurling the sails, preparing to set off again, while Captain James stood aside, somewhat enviously saying: "The Lord really made a good deal."

...(To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)