8:25 AM.
The Heartfilia Merchant Guild's private port.
A massive magic transport ship was docked at the port, and every merchant ship surrounding it bore the Heartfilia Merchant Guild's emblem.
Ezreal and his companions stood on the pier, with workers meticulously moving cargo crates around them.
The caravan's journey to the Northern Territory included 50 people, and the cargo was diverse.
Besides the most valuable magic crystals, scarce Southern fruits in the Northern Territory accounted for a large portion, along with various other goods.
Each cargo crate contained storage cards, and the goods were sealed within these cards.
Transporting goods using magic cards that have a short-term sealing and storage effect is a common method used by major merchant guilds.
Some merchant guilds specializing in luxury goods or magic item shops even use rare space-storage magic crystals to seal their goods.
Allen, impeccably dressed in a suit, stood beside Ezreal and said with a serious expression, "Gentlemen, this journey is long and arduous. The safety of the caravan is entirely entrusted to you."
"Don't worry," Ezreal smiled, his gaze sweeping over the mountain of cargo crates, a hint of teasing in his voice. "The Heartfilia Merchant Guild's ambition is truly not small. Looking at this volume of goods, are you planning to directly swallow the entire Northern Territory market?"
Allen nodded without hesitation, candidly stating, "The market within the kingdom has already been completely carved up by the major merchant guilds. If Heartfilia wants to continue developing, it can only advance into the Northern Territory."
Levy pushed up her glasses and softly reminded, "The people of the Northern Territory are fierce. Your large-scale entry will likely provoke strong resistance from local merchant guilds."
Allen's gaze turned to the giant transport ship, a look of determination in his eyes: "Risk and opportunity coexist. The Northern Territory market has immense potential. As long as we can establish a firm foothold, the Heartfilia Merchant Guild will be able to reach a new level."
Levy frowned and continued to ask, "Your merchant guild does such big business. Don't you have a long-term cooperating Magician Guild? Why would you suddenly issue such a highly paid commission to outsiders?"
Allen sighed, a hint of helplessness in his tone: "Originally, we did have a cooperating Magician Guild, but recently, the merchant guild has been suppressed by other forces, and every journey has been attacked by Dark Guilds.
The Magician Guilds that cooperated with us suffered significant losses of personnel, and under pressure, they had no choice but to terminate their cooperation."
"The 'Commendation List for the Invasion Incident' published by the kingdom a while ago listed Fairy Tail first, receiving great rewards from the kingdom."
"This trip to the Northern Territory is very important, so the merchant guild discussed it internally and issued a commission to your guild."
Ezreal nodded slightly, and at the same time, he had a speculation in his mind.
In the original story, not long after Lucy joined the guild two years later, the Heartfilia Merchant Guild seemed to go bankrupt due to poor management, and a desperate Jude had to ask his daughter for some money in hopes of a comeback.
It seems this was the reason.
Besides Lucy's refusal of an arranged marriage, which led to not finding reliable allies, on the other hand, being jointly suppressed by other merchant guilds meant goods were difficult to sell within the kingdom, and venturing further afield would lead to plunder by Dark Guilds hired by rival merchant guilds.
Caught in a predicament both internally and externally, bankruptcy was inevitable.
"Then you've found the right people. Our guild is best at solving problems for others, especially problems that ordinary people can't solve." Ezreal raised an eyebrow: "If this mission ends and your merchant guild still hasn't found a Magician Guild for long-term cooperation, then why not consider cooperating with us?"
Ezreal was interested in cooperating with the Heartfilia Merchant Guild. In terms of guild strength, Fairy Tail was definitely number one within the kingdom.
If they could cooperate with the rapidly developing Heartfilia Merchant Guild, the number of commissions would also increase, which would be very beneficial to the guild.
Lucy would also join the guild in the future. If Fairy Tail cooperated with Lucy's family, perhaps Jude wouldn't have to consider an arranged marriage, and with Fairy Tail as an ally, Lucy and her father would likely resolve their differences earlier.
There wouldn't be a situation like in the original story, where after Jude's passing and Lucy's unsealing from Tenrou Island, she could only cry alone, looking at the letters her father had sent for seven consecutive years.
Those words that couldn't be said could only fall to the ground with her tears.
Allen thought for a moment, then nodded very seriously, "If this commission is successfully completed, I would be very willing to propose a long-term cooperation plan with your guild during internal meetings."
Fairy Tail had indeed become famous recently. With its stellar performance in the Newborn City invasion incident, Fairy Tail's reputation was now so widespread that it even reached other countries.
The Heartfilia Merchant Guild had also done a background check before issuing the commission.
Although Fairy Tail sometimes caused extra trouble when carrying out commissions, its mission completion rate was indeed very high.
The number of S-Class Mages within the guild was also the highest in the kingdom at present.
If they could truly cooperate with Fairy Tail, the Heartfilia Merchant Guild, facing internal and external difficulties, would naturally be willing.
Ezreal responded with a smile, "Then it's settled."
Saying that, he turned to look at Jet and Droy, who were curiously observing everything around them, occasionally huddling together and whispering a few words.
Neither of them had ever been on a ship before, and they were both a bit excited.
As for Levy, the young girl was still more composed. Besides speaking a few words earlier, she was now diligently studying the caravan route map Allen had provided last night, as well as the detailed map of the route, looking for potential ambush locations to mark in advance.
Allen's words had caused a sense of crisis to rise in the glasses-wearing girl's heart, and she was making preparations as much as possible.
As time passed, crates were continuously moved onto the ship, neatly arranged in the cargo hold.
Allen looked at the manifest in his hand, and after confirming all the cargo was loaded, he said to Ezreal and the others, "Gentlemen, the ship is ready. I entrust the rest of the journey to you."
Ezreal and the others followed Allen onto the deck. The sea wind howled, making their clothes flap.
Ezreal smiled gently, "Don't worry, we are Mages of Fairy Tail."
At the same time, inside the Heartfilia Merchant Guild's mansion.
Lucy carried a small suitcase, her steps light yet firm as she walked through the long corridor.
Her golden hair shimmered slightly in the morning light, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation and unease.
She wore a simple travel outfit, with small Celestial Spirit keys attached to her waist, clearly prepared for this journey.
She reached the door of her father's study, took a deep breath, and was about to knock when she was stopped by a tall figure.
"Young Miss, the master is in a meeting and cannot be disturbed," the butler's voice was low and gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority.
He was a middle-aged man over fifty, tall and erect, impeccably dressed in a black tailcoat, with neatly combed silver-gray hair.
A faint smile always graced his face, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, as if he could see through people's hearts.
Lucy frowned, a hint of urgency in her voice: "Uncle Howard, I really have something very important to tell Father. Please let me in."
Howard shook his head slightly, his tone still gentle but firm: "Young Miss, the master has given instructions that no one is allowed to disturb him during the meeting. Please understand."
Lucy bit her lower lip, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and whispered, "Then... please tell Father that I want to go to the Northern Territory with the caravan. I will be careful, follow instructions, and won't cause him any trouble."
Howard looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He nodded, his tone softening a bit: "I will inform the master. Please wait."
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