Ian and his caravan slowly enter the gate of Ironmarch while a platoon of soldiers are escorting them into the city main hall. 'The soldiers look different, they have better equipment too. Has the mayor been investing in military?' Ian thoughts race as he followed the lead of the soldiers. A young girl is walking beside Ian.
"Brother, the soldiers look different. They look more…"
"They look more professional and strict." Ian finished her sentence. The young girl nodded head. 'It is not like the mayor style to invest in the military. I have conducted business with them a couple of times, I am sure that he is not that type of person' Ian thoughts. It takes half an hour for the caravan to arrive at the gate of the city hall that is located in the inner ring of the city. 'There are more patrols compare to the previous time that I visit. What happened with this small city?' Ian thoughts raced as he analyzed the reason for the city's change.
"Your Highness, the branch leader of the Golden Lotus organization is here." The mayor rushed into the office and informed Luceran. The prince nodded while still looking at his paperworks and said lazily "Invite him to the office." The mayor then rushed out to get the business man.
"Ian! Liz! Good to see you guys!" The mayor approach the businessman and shook their hands.
"Mayor Daaz, good to see you too." Ian and replied while Liz smile politely to the mayor.
"Mayor, have you been investing in the military for the past few months?" Ian probed the mayor. Hearing his question, the mayor smiled and replied "No, I know you might be confused. But it is not me." Mayor said.
"Not you? You mean someone invest in the military? For what purpose? To turn the entire garrison of Ironmarch into a professional mercenary organization and register them to Black Tower?" Ian asked with a confused expression.
"No, no, no, Ian. You got it all wrong. Just follow me into the office and you will know." The mayor replied with an ambiguous smile.
Luceran is sitting at his desk, his fingers lightly tapping on the wooden table. His focus was entirely on the reports spread out before him, his eyes are focusing on pages as if memorizing every word. He heard the approaching footsteps yet remained still.
The door opened, and the mayor, Daaz, stepped inside, together with Ian and Liz, into the office. "Your Highness, this is Ian and Liz, the branch leaders of the Golden Lotus Trade Organization," the mayor introduced both parties to one another.
Ian is a clean, refined man with short, curly hair. He has a monocle on his left eye, giving him an air of intellectualism. His sister, Liz, was equally neat, with short, wavy hair and a cute looking face. The two of them were stunned when they heard Mayor Daaz introduction. They couldn't comprehend that the second prince of a Divine Empire had left the capital to stay in a small, backwater city like Ironmarch. They had expected to negotiate with the mayor, not royalty, and a prince at that.
Breaking the stunned silence, Luceran stood up. "I heard you need an escort?" he asked, his tone flat and businesslike.
Ian, still staggered, could only stutter out a response. "Uhh... ah... yes, Your Highness."
"Hmm, I see. Let's discuss business then. Have a seat." Luceran gestured toward a set of plush sofas on the right side of the office. The trio followed him, while Ian and Liz are still trying to comprehend the situation. Luceran sat down and he called out his maid, "Bela."
In a few seconds, Bela appeared from outside the room. "Make some tea for us," the prince commanded.
"Yes, Your Highness," Bela replied, bowing deeply before departing.
"There's no need, Your Highness," Ian said, his voice laced with a nervous politeness. He felt anxious being treated as a guest.
"I insist," Luceran replied without a hint of negotiation. He sat down, gesturing for them to do the same. "We are potential business partners now, so treat me as if I'm just another business partner."
Ian managed a wry smile, thinking, 'As if I could ever do that.' He dared not express his thoughts aloud. The mayor and Liz, hearing the prince's words, also smiled awkwardly
They then proceeded to business. Ian explained that their caravan needed to reach Golden Light City, located in the Heaven-Piercing Mountain region, to sell their merchandise. To shorten their journey, they needed to cross the treacherous mountains south of Ironmarch. Other than the terrain, there is a notorious bandit fortress located there, led by the infamous Blackfang Bandits. The bandits are quite a strong force of at least three hundred people, with their top three leaders at the peak of the Flesh Strengthening Realm. One of them, a leader named Fang, was even rumored to have broken through to the Bone Tempering stage.
Luceran listened very carefully, his fingers once again tapping the armrest of the sofa. The information gave him pause. This would be a tough fight for his army, which he had only been training for less than a month.
"How long can you wait?" he asked, his eyes sharp.
"At most, two weeks, Your Highness," Ian replied calmly. He knew that by passing through the mountains, he could cut their travel time to Golden Light City by two-thirds, making a two-week wait in Ironmarch more than worth it.
"Let's talk about money then," Luceran said. "How much will you pay?"
Ian, a shrewd businessman even when facing a prince, replied with a calm smile. "A thousand gold coins."
Luceran's expression didn't change. "Not enough for the risk."
"How much do you propose, Your Highness?" Ian asked.
"Two thousand gold coins."
Ian and Liz were shocked by the number. It was twice than what he had offered, a price he had thought was generous to a 'mercenary' military. A thousand coins was already a face-saving offer to the prince, as the normal price for such an escort was less than that.
"I know you might think I'm robbing you," Luceran said, his voice lowering slightly, "but consider this: you cut your travel time significantly, and you gain my favor."
Ian's mind began to think rapidly when he heard the last sentence, his calculating nature weighing the pros and cons. The prince's favor, that was an investment far more valuable than gold. He looked at Luceran, then at Liz, who gave him a silent nod.
"You have the deal, Your Highness." Ian said with determined glint in his eye. "Consider it an investment."
"Good. I like straightforward people," Luceran said, standing up and shaking their hands. Then he turned to the mayor. "Daaz, show them to their resting rooms. I have to visit the barracks to prepare."