Nathan the Merchant

A slightly chubby man could be seen in a carriage which had a lot of wooden boxes in it.

He had more skin than the average man, but there was no pot belly, he only looked bigger if anything.

With brown eyes and black hair to boot.

Behind this carriage were two others that had two young boys sitting in each while the numerous wooden boxes were in them.

They had come into Kingsmere after paying the entrance fee as well as having the merchandise inspected.

"Hmm, I'm back here again" said the chubby man as he directed the carriage toward the place he had been called to.

"But why does he need all these things?" The chubby man wondered while looking at the pile of wooden boxes in his carriage and in those behind it.

In them were equipment, and the chubby man would have understood if he had asked for ten pieces, but this…was just too many.

Nevertheless, as a job that had been issued and would be paid for. The man had no qualms getting it done.

"We're here" the coachman said, pulling him out of his reverie.

"Hmm, have the boys unload the carriage's". He said as he got off in front of a two story wooden building and went in.

The carriage was particularly eye-catching for bystanders.

Especially with the pile of wooden boxes casting shadows on the ground.

"Hello, who are you?"

The moment he stepped into the building, he was met with a young woman with Long brown hair and red eyes.

It was ruby. She wore a black long sleeve shirt and black skirts.

"I'm looking for Cabrera, isn't he here?" The man said.

"Oh, you must be Sir Nathan, Mr. Cabrera went out for a while, please have a seat, he'll be back soon" the girl quickly said.

"Okay" Nathan replied.

"Can I get you something?" Ruby asked.

"Hmm, a cup of water for now, but where should the boys put the wooden boxes?" Nathan asked.

"There's a storage at the back, they should put it there" she said as he hurried off to get water.

—-------------------

Two hours have gone by since Nathan's arrival.

The sun was starting to set. And there was still no sign of Cabrera.

All the boxes have been offloaded into the designated storage.

"What is that bastard doing!" Nathan cried out in anger.

He had been seated for so long that his butts were about to go numb, yet the person he was waiting for hadn't shown up yet.

At that moment…

*Click*

Cabrera was Nathan's long time friend he met at a tender age. And since then, had maintained an amicable relationship with.

That was why he had come in person.

The person Nathan was waiting for, came in with a calm and happy expression, Cabrera was here.

"Oi bastard, you sure know how to take your time!" Nathan declared.

"I'm sorry about that, I was expecting you to arrive and hour from now at most, it seems you're feeling at home just fine"

"Huh??? What kind of snake shit got clogged in that brain of yours…" Nathan immediately asked.

After all, the Cabrera he knew wasn't someone to dress normally, yet the same mob Gangstar was now speaking like a noble. Nathan didn't think it was possible.

Cabrera who quickly understood the blunder

"Sheesh, I've been talking shit the whole day. It's good to see that you still have your fat ass"

"Whew, I thought you had gone crazy or some shit seeing as how you're talking all…nobly" Nathan said with a funny look.

"Alright, alright, that's enough. it's a long story, which is why I called you all the way here"

Cabrera said, taking a seat beside Nathan.

"Listen, how long have you known me?" Cabrera asked in a serious tone.

"What's up with you? Are you sure you're okay?" Nathan asked 

again. That was how much he was surprised at his tone and dress.

"Look, I'm fine, okay, more importantly, I know you've been looking for a chance to take your business to the next level, right?"

"Yes, you are" Nathan nodded as he stopped joking around seeing Cabrera's mood.

"What If I said I could help you achieve that, and more" Cabrera flashed a mysterious smile as he said so.

"Well, I'd ask what it is you want from me" Nathan answered honestly.

"I want you to become a exclusive merchant of my guild, Black Jaws"

"Hahaha, it was Dark Tooth now it's Black Jaws…but why would I do such a thing when I don't even know whether you're bluffing or not"

"Look, have I ever lied to you before?" Cabrera asked with a straight face when…

"What are you saying? You still owe me fifty silvers, you know?"

*Cough*Cough*

Cabrera coughed to hide his embarrassment before saying…"That was different, but take"

And pushed a Platinum coin towards him and like the Alchemists from before, his body involuntarily quivered.

"What have you gotten yourself into?" Nathan said fearfully and was about to go down the same rabbit hole assuming when Cabrera's voice rang out.

"It's nothing like what you're thinking"

"Huh?" Nathan said confused.

"First, sign this. I know I might be a little crazy sometimes…but you have to trust me on this"

Cabrera said as he pulled out the dark gold scroll and placed it on the table.

"What the heck is going on?"

Nathan's mind went into disarray the moment he laid eyes on the scroll.

An entire minute passed before he calmed himself before staring at Cabrera who seemed to see nothing wrong with the current situation.

"Look, it's a long story, one that you'd be awed by. But I can't say anything If you don't sign it"

Cabrera said as he looked at Nathan, who was far too quiet for comfort.

"Oi, say something will you, we don't have all day" said Cabrera.

"I accept" Nathan suddenly said as looked at Cabrera before adding…

"You said I could go to the next level If I grabbed on to this opportunity, right? And I'm also sure that the equipment I bought is part of the reason why"

Cabrera nodded to affirm his questions.

"Hmm-" Nathan muttered with a thoughtful expression and then continued.

"-And you're sure this, whatever it is, will be worth it?". Nathan asked and Cabrera nodded.

"Then I'll trust you, this once, where do I have to sign?" Nathan said, dumbfounding Cabrera as he said…

"Ehh? But you haven't even heard the suggestion"

"You said I should trust you just now, and that platinum coin, even if I was born yesterday, for you to have it means something big is happening, correct?"

"Hum, well yes"

Technically, Cabrera wasn't lying since the grand scheme was something big.

"And that means, whatever this is, I can't walk away from it, now can I?"

"Hmm, you can, but I would prefer you not to" Cabrera said.

"Then, it's settled, where do I sign and what do I do, but damn, I still can't get used to you talking like that" Nathan said.

"I'll prove to you that this was the best decision you've ever made, alright, sign right here" Cabrera said before removing another dark gold scroll and giving him a magic pen.

"Scribble*pat*

The gold scroll turned into dust particles before entering Nathan's body, but the second part didn't enter Cabrera's body, instead…

-At the abandoned training ground-

*Slash*Slash*

A boy clad in armour all over was swinging his swords in different ways and at different angles while walking around when he suddenly stopped.

This was Ezra.

'Hmm, what's this' Ezra thought as he felt a pull on his soul before he focused his mind on the pull he felt, before smiling as he thought…

'It is seems things are going as planned'

He had written a contract for the merchant Cabrera was going to bring in. And that contract was just signed.

'Then I better get ready to play my part' he thought.

Before going back to his training.

—--------------

"You came up with this?!"

"Yep"

….!

Nathan had his mouth wide open when Cabrera finished telling him his scheme.

Of course, he didn't mention Ezra's name, while he and Nathan did go way back, there was no need to spill all the details, now was there?

With that out of the way, the pieces were almost completely in place.

Nathan was told that he wouldn't need to move his workers or headquarters from Traxford.

Especially since they were going to build an entire shop there.

The Alchemists came the next day and those who decided to qualify for the sponsorship amounted to six.

While those who didn't part were given batches of the ingredients needed as well a new cauldron.

The ingredients were those Frederick and the slaves had gone to gather in the monster regions throughout the past month.

The mass production of the new potion was in full swing.

And the amethyst plant that Fredrick needed for his curse had been bought by Cabrera at the missionary.

Which was then given to Mr. Navarro to concoct the potion meant to cure Fredrick.

The guild boys were all given one gold mana technique to build their foundation on mana manifestation and mana imbued attacks.

Well, as much as they could build in two weeks.

William was introduced to Nathan and was told to learn from him.

Nathan himself was astounded as to how well the boy knew the outer rings products and the market price fluctuation.

Ezra's mom had also been forthcoming with all of Ezra's suggestions, she had found an etiquette teacher, and been reading up on books.