Chapter 56: The essence of bargaining for saving the dwarves was also mastered by the king...
Easter woke up from his dream; it was already dawn.
Easter lay on the bed for a while before getting up and going into the bathroom to take a shower.
Easter changed her clothes and went out onto the balcony. A cool breeze was blowing, the sound of waves was being heard, and the sun was breaking through the sea.
"System, are you aware of what happened last night?" East turned and closed the door, the magnificent and splendid sunrise hidden behind it.
System, [What happened last night?]
Easter recounted what had happened to the system, naturally concealing what needed to be concealed.
"I can't be sure," the system said. "A chance encounter or connection in dreams isn't entirely impossible, but it's absolutely impossible in the ordinary human world. And yet, it's not absolute either," the system denied its own statement. "Although the host cannot absorb magical elements for cultivation, this doesn't prove the host's soul power is weak. It's just a chance occurrence. Unless you gain the ability to travel through dreams, you can only hope for another accident."
During the system's explanation, Easter had already packed his things to take with him. After listening to the system's explanation, it would be a lie to say that Easter wasn't regretful, but it couldn't be forced, and there was no need to force it. How could a meeting in a dream compare to meeting in reality?
The system appeared in a mimic form, and Easter bent down to pick up the system rabbit. "Let's go, it's time to go back."
...
...
"What's wrong with you today? Why are you so irritable?" Randall cast a healing spell on Areper.
Arribel flicked the blood off his sword. "I'm afraid you'll be upset if I tell you."
“Then you might as well not say anything.” Randall frowned, recalling the message Pearl had sent him yesterday. From his first meeting with King Felix, he knew the king possessed considerable ability, but now he didn't understand whether he hoped the king was capable or incapable. Capable people always cause trouble, and considering the king's relationship with Areber, who knew who might drag whom down with them?
Arribel took out a clean handkerchief and carefully wiped his fingers. "I know what you're thinking. Now that you've tested me, you should be satisfied, right?" He looked up at Randall.
Randall never thought he could hide it from Areber. "After only a few times, have you decided to go down this dark path?"
Areber casually tossed aside the blood-stained handkerchief. "What's this about going down a dark path? It's such a small matter. Why are you all so wary? Even if I went to the capital of the Sinclair Empire and made a big show of my relationship with him, how many people would really care?"
“If you’re just playing around, few people will care. But if you’re serious, think about it, will anyone not care?” Randall said. What they were afraid of wasn’t East and Arribel’s relationship, but that the two of them were serious about it. There aren’t many things that can drive people crazy and make them lose their minds, but love happens to be one of them.
Arip said dismissively, "Why worry about so many unnecessary things? Even how long the mainland can exist is unknown. Dwelling on my feelings for him is just asking for trouble."
"Is this what I wanted?" Randall suppressed his anger. "Who would have thought that, when things were about to come to this, you would suddenly start flirting with this troublesome person, acting like you're deeply in love? Anyone who didn't know better would think that Cupid had cast a spell on you?"
Arip looked at Randall with a surprised expression and laughed, "I didn't expect you to be even more naive than Mr. Rabbit, Randall. I remember you were even more averse to intimacy than I was? No wonder, is your standard for measuring feelings only two things: playing around or being serious?"
“What else?” Randall asked.
"How am I supposed to explain this to someone who's completely clueless about relationships?" Arriber said. "We're together, but who knows how far it will go? What if one day, naturally, we just want to break up?"
We're so happy together now, because we've both just tasted the sweetness of love. Then we faced separation again and again. The distance made the experience all the more precious. Spending too much time together, or too much time apart, can change feelings; it's that inexplicable thing.
“You are all very rational, only scratching the surface, yet you always retain a sense of clarity. It seems I was overthinking it,” Randall said.
Arip smiled and said, "He needs a bond, and I need some relaxation. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement that we both know we need."
"As long as you're alright, I don't need to keep worrying about your relationship," Randall said, and then truly didn't mention anything about relationships again. "There are more and more monsters on the continent."
"Once the seal cracks, it will naturally widen over time. It's not really going to be chaotic yet. When that happens, it won't be us little people who have to worry." Areber didn't care much. The seal was bound to loosen sooner or later. It was just a matter of time. Even the gods high above weren't thinking about solving the problem. How could they, a group of humans groveling at the feet of the gods, possibly solve it?
"Can we start implementing the plan now?"
“It’s not time yet,” Arip said, squinting at the sun that was halfway up the sky. “Let’s wait until things get a bit more chaotic.”
Randall responded lightly, "We've waited so many years, what's a little longer?"
…………
As East sat in the carriage on the way back, the little fire people did not invite him to play cards again this time.
Butterfly took out some materials she had prepared in advance. "Your Majesty, last time we only wove a basket. How about we try something more challenging this time?"
“Sure,” East readily agreed. The journey was boring, and something to pass the time was essential.
This time, the weaving was more difficult. Under the guidance of the butterfly, East used thin branches to wrap and weave, and slowly it took on the shape of an animal.
"Your Majesty, there's something going on outside," said Roasted Sweet Potato, who was admiring the scenery outside, as he poked his head in.
East put down the unfinished product in his hand. "What's wrong?"
"There's a caravan resting not far away," said the person who replied, "roasted sweet potato."
The bored little firemen perked up and crawled to the carriage door, peeking out to look around. Weaving was very interesting, provided they could learn it. They had already started drawing squares and playing Connect Four.
East casually lifted the curtain and saw a businessman not far away, the one he was dealing with. His expression was indifferent.
“This…this is a slave trader?” Mingzhu asked hesitantly.
East wanted to simply pull down the curtain, but powerless to make any changes, seeing too much would only add to her troubles. Suddenly, she met a pair of eyes, filled with pride and resentment, burning with fierce flames.
“Stop,” East said when he saw the person with those eyes.
The carriage slowly came to a stop.
"Your Majesty, what have you discovered?" asked Ru Bu Dao Di Gua.
East closed his eyes. "Among these slaves, there may be species that can help us build and develop."
"Social development is a gradual process, not something that can be achieved overnight. Your Majesty, things will only get better," Matsukami Yuki said, her words carrying a tone of advice.
Easter: "I understand."
The arrival of a luxurious carriage naturally attracts the attention and curiosity of people nearby.
East stepped down from the carriage. It wasn't a large caravan—four horses, two carriages, and a dozen or so strong men—but their "goods" were quite diverse: common men, women, and children; less common beastmen, foxes, cats, rabbits… and then there was the dwarf East had just seen, covered in wounds and looking utterly wretched, his most prized possession being his disheveled beard.
A man who looked like a businessman came out with a smile on his face. "Sir, is there any 'goods' you've taken a fancy to?"
East nodded, and after he did, all sorts of hopeful eyes were cast his way, while others were so numb that they didn't even bother to lift their heads.
“Him.” East pointed to the dwarf.
The dwarf looked up, his unkempt beard obscuring most of his face, making it impossible to discern his expression; only his wild and untamed eyes were visible.
The merchant rubbed his hands together. "Honorable sir, as you should know, dwarves are extremely rare, and this price..."
East glanced at the merchant indifferently. "Dwarves are rare, that's true, but they're also a source of trouble. Besides, the greatest use of dwarves is forging. Look at his hands, do you think he still has the ability to forge?"
The dwarf's injuries were clearly severe, but the most shocking sight was undoubtedly his hands, all ten fingers broken, revealing the stark white bones.
"He can no longer forge, but he still has the knowledge of forging in his mind." The merchant still smiled. He had found this dwarf on the road. When he found the dwarf, the dwarf's hands were already like this. He had tried to treat him and used healing potions, but as if cursed, the potions had no effect at all.
After their commercial value declined, the merchants left the dwarves to fend for themselves, which is why they are in their current state.
“The dwarves’ forging knowledge is a closely guarded secret, and can only be used by dwarves,” Easter stated. “If you don’t want it to be stuck in your hands, now is the perfect time. I’m just here for the novelty. If you’re not willing to sell it sincerely, then I have no reason to force you.” After saying this, Easter turned to return to the carriage.
"No, no, no, we haven't even discussed the price yet. I'm definitely selling sincerely. How about one high-grade magic crystal?" the merchant hurriedly stopped him.
East turned his head and said, "Ten mid-level magic crystals." Before the merchant could speak, East continued, "He has remnants of magic on him and could die at any moment. Ten mid-level magic crystals is no small amount."
The merchant hesitated, "At least seventy."
Easter turned and left. The dwarf must have been useful, but it shouldn't have cost him so much.
"Fifty, no less," the merchant said.
East did not stop; he had already stepped one foot onto the carriage.
"Sell it, ten it is," the merchant shouted, making a face as if he had lost a lot of money. "What a loss! This is a dwarf! If I hadn't run into him, how could he only be worth this much?" the merchant muttered to himself.
Easter turned back and took out ten magic crystals.
A tall man led the bound dwarf over.
The merchant inspected the magic crystal to ensure it was genuine before allowing the man to hand over the dwarf.
The little fire people were lying on the carriage watching with great interest. "The king can do this too? He has mastered the essence of bargaining."
“Isn’t this our fault?” Mingzhu said. “Look at any king, do you ever haggle over prices yourself? We’ve spoiled our king rotten.”
“That’s not necessarily true,” said Butterfly. “Don’t forget where the king got the magic crystal from.”
Instead of waiting for the dwarf, Roasted Sweet Potato jumped off the carriage and took over before East. "King, he's dirty, I'll take care of him."
"Hey sweet potato buddy, you seem a little too eager," the husky muttered.
Butterfly jumped off the carriage to help Ru Ru roast sweet potatoes.
“They have good taste,” the painter said.
“Esteemed sir, I wonder…” The merchant’s eyes swept over the little fireman, “Would you sell it or not? I can offer a high price.” At first, the merchant was unsure, but after careful observation, he was certain that this was the strange summoning object that was currently being talked about on the continent.
“It’s best not to even consider this,” Easter said with a hint of warning.
The businessman smiled, but only he knew what he was thinking.
Ignoring him, I put the dwarf into the carriage, and the carriage started moving again.
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