Chapter 82

: A rock in calm water

How was it?

Dodra, Elder of the Green Leaves tribe, asked Joonbum who just returned to the campsite. There were other elders and warrior chiefs gathered to hear what Joonbum found out.
‘The humans consider you guys as a big patsy. But I can’t say that.’
That would’ve been easiest and quickest way to explain it. Joonbum paused and searched for his words for a moment.

They were taking advantage of the Ainos’ goodwill. The vice president of the Donian Merchant Group whose name is Joseph seems to be the culprit. He is trying to double the price of their goods this year so that he can make a profit and move onto their main group.


What? Raise the price again?


They did that last year!


This is outrageous.


How did you find this out?

People burst into rage, but Dodra raised his hand to quiet them down.

I was drinking in a saloon and the merchants at the store were talking about it amongst themselves. They didn’t even consider it much of a secret. The countries are still at war and the price of their goods did increase, so Donian did not technically lie. But the potions also increased in value. I heard the value it gained was far more than any type of food they possessed because the nobles at war wanted the potions the most. It’s just that they decided to withhold that information from us.

They understood what Joonbum was talking about. It was outrageous but also understandable.

Hmph.


They have been using us.


They didn’t lie.


Right.


So we can’t raise any problems.


It’s our fault. We had to know what was going on beforehand…

Everyone began speaking out. They kept speaking for a while when Dodra asked Joonbum,
Let us know what you think of this.

Joonbum hesitated for a moment and answered.

We will demand the right price for our goods. But we will cancel our exclusive trade deal with the Donian Merchant Group and trade with all the merchants.

Tedrow, the Warrior Chief of the Green Leaves tribe asked,
Hmm? Why cancel the deal? That will hinder our trade.

A few seemed to share the same curiosity. It seemed like they were ready to accept the loss and keep things simple. Joonbum felt it was like his old self, where he accepted the loss in order to avoid bigger problems. His voice became edgy at such a thought.

We must not give in.

Tedrow and the others looked surprised. Joonbum continued,
They will do it again if we don’t come out strong this time. They will not be thankful for letting this pass. It’s our fault that we made an exclusive deal with just one group. They used it against us to put us in a bad spot. We have to take this chance and remove that deal. We should open our doors to other small trade groups. The more people we deal with, the harder it will be for them to lie to us.

Silence fell as Joonbum finished talking, but it did not last for too long.

We should do as Joonbum said.


I agree. They’ve traded with us for a long time, but what has that brought us? They used our trust to earn more profit and laugh at us while they’re drinking in a saloon. We cannot forgive such insolence.


I agree also. I thought about avoiding conflict, but this is something we should stand against.


I agree with Joonbum also. We always managed to find everything in the mountains. We traded with the humans for more comfort, but we can always go back to our old ways. It will be hard but it’s still possible. We also have Joonbum’s help and we have at least two years worth of food in our storage. We should stand strong for our future. For our kids.

Many began agreeing with what Joonbum said. Their eyes turned to Joonbum.

Joonbum, it seems like everyone agrees with you. Any thoughts?
Dodra asked and Joonbum answered, blushing at the embarrassment.

We will cancel the exclusive contract and write it down on a big wooden panel to be shown in front of our campsite, first thing in the morning. We will then invite all the merchants at the front of the site to a feast. Show them our middle-grade healing potions, and ask for what we need.


Will that be enough? Donian holds this place in its grip.

Joonbum grinned.

I heard merchants sell their souls for profit. They will not hesitate to trade with us once they know we have cut ties with Donian. Also, Donian will not be able to stop merchants from purchasing potions for their masters, who are probably nobles. Even if they do, our goal is not to earn profit, so it is okay.

Everyone nodded. It was a chance to make things right.

There’s one more thing.

Everyone’s attention was on Joonbum.

We have to invite all the villagers, mercenaries, and even the kids.


Why?

Joonbum grinned.

It’s an advertisement. We brought much more than just the potions. We have good beer, bread, cakes, and all kinds of foods. We need the mercenaries and villagers to taste what we brought here.


Why is that so important?


Merchants are known for that, but mercenaries also travel all around the world. We need them to spread the news of our goods as they travel around the world. The villagers will do the same to anyone who visits the village. The kids are especially good at this because they like to impress others for what they have experienced. It will cost us a bit, but it should be a good investment.


It’s a good idea.


Right.


I think it’s worth it.

People nodded at the suggestion. Joonbum coughed to gain attention again.

But that’s the secondary reason. The real reason for holding a feast is to break ourselves free from the cage.


A cage?


What are you talking about?


There’s no cage.


What I mean is that we have to start moving out of the campsite. I noticed nobody leaves the campsite after we got here. That puts us in a bad spot. We have to change that. It will be awkward, but it will be fine. Once we began roaming the village freely, we will know what’s happening out in the world. I believe you all know the importance of that.

They understood clearly. They knew their old way of doing things had put them in their current predicament. If they were not going to cut all ties and stay in the mountains, they needed to change.
‘I should do my work too. The count also…’
Joonbum thought to himself. Donian was considered the largest merchant group here. It usually was a bad idea to fight with such a group.
‘A whiskey with the crest engravings and a tea set should do.’
-The Ainos have ended their exclusive trade deal with Donian Merchant Group!-
-Ainos and Donian have parted ways!-
-They invite every merchant to their feast to be held in two days!-
-They even invited all the mercenaries and the villagers!-
Everyone in the village now knew what the Ainos had decided to do. Even the kids on the street were shouting the news as they ran around.

Did you see that?


The panel?


Yeah. I heard people at Donian are going nuts.


No, they’re quiet. It’s the other merchants that are going nuts.


Why?


Now’s their chance! Of course they are excited.


But will Donian stay quiet?


What can they do? It’s karma. They’ve become too greedy.


That’s true.


I’m happy to see them go down.


Yeah, I feel you.


Anyways, they’re opening a feast for us. We get to try their foods for once.


I don’t think it’ll be anything special. They’re forest dwellers. What would they know?


Probably just some roasted meat.


No, I heard they have some special dishes.


Don’t lie! Did you try?

Everyone was sharing their thoughts and speculations of what was to come. Their boring days became exciting due to such unexpected news. At that moment, there were constant screamings from the office of the Donian Merchant Group.