The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe
Chapter 75 The Mercenary Market

Chapter 75: Chapter 75 The Mercenary Market

"I truly admire Leader Juleios," Marigi said with genuine enthusiasm, his voice filled with respect and pride. "Not only is he a brilliant military commander, but he also has an extraordinary talent for commerce! He has given us countless valuable suggestions. For example, at the market entrance, I initially planned to station two fully armed soldiers as guards to ensure security. But Leader Juleios immediately dismissed the idea. He said, ’That won’t work. It will scare the customers coming to trade. We need to consider their feelings.’"

Marigi gestured toward the entrance as he spoke, his expression animated. "So, we followed his advice and changed our approach. Now, look! The customers are comfortable, and the market is thriving. Their response has been overwhelmingly positive! Haha... Oh, and do you see these weighing instruments? That was another one of his suggestions. In fact, there are plenty of ideas like that. This market has transformed into a bustling hub in just twenty days, all thanks to him! Honestly, I believe that even if Juleios weren’t a mercenary, with his talent, he could easily become a great merchant."

Bourkos , walking beside Marigi, nodded slightly, though his expression remained reserved. "Indeed... that’s quite unexpected," he said, though it was clear his thoughts were elsewhere.

As they moved deeper into the market, Marigi quickened his pace to match Bourkos, eager to continue acting as his guide. The market ahead of them was alive with activity—vendors shouted out their wares, buyers haggled loudly, and children darted between the stalls with infectious laughter. The air was filled with the mingled aromas of fresh produce, cooked food, and the occasional whiff of leather or metal from the various craftsmen’s booths. The vibrancy was undeniable, a stark contrast to the quieter surroundings outside the market.

The first stall they approached was notably larger than the others, clearly the property of the mercenaries themselves. Its size and prominence were matched by the variety of goods displayed—strange and exotic trinkets lay side by side with finely crafted gold and silverware, all meticulously arranged to catch the eye. A steady stream of customers gathered, marveling at the unique items, asking questions, and debating prices.

"Melsis !" Marigi called out, his voice rising above the din of the crowd.

Behind the stall, a stout man with a commanding presence was busy directing a group of slaves who were unloading goods. Hearing his name, he turned, his face breaking into a self-satisfied grin. "Marigi! Are you here to congratulate me? I’ve had a fantastic day—I’ve sold a fortune’s worth of goods already!" His voice carried a booming confidence that matched his robust figure.

Before Marigi could respond, Melsis’s eyes fell on Bourkos. His demeanor shifted instantly, and his expression softened into a broad, ingratiating smile. "Ah, Bourkos! What brings you to my humble stall? Have you come to shop? Perfect timing—I have something extraordinary here. Guess what it is!"

Without waiting for a reply, Melsis lifted an object high into the air. It gleamed brightly under the sunlight, capturing everyone’s attention. The item was a slender silver cord adorned with delicate gold pieces, arranged in a downward triangle. At the triangle’s peak, another silver cord extended upward, completing the intricate design.

Marigi’s sharp eyes narrowed as he recognized the object. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Melsis, who barked, "Marigi, don’t say a word!"

"What is this?" Moras , standing nearby, asked curiously.

Melsis, noticing the growing crowd of onlookers, leaned forward conspiratorially. His grin turned sly, and he lowered his voice for dramatic effect. "This, my friends, is no ordinary trinket. It is a gift from Darius the Younger to his most beloved concubine. It was crafted by Persia’s finest goldsmiths, specifically for... intimate pleasures."

The crowd murmured in intrigue, leaning in closer to hear more. Seeing their curiosity, Melsis continued with relish, "Now, guess—where did Darius’s concubine wear it?"

A few hesitant glances passed between the listeners before someone in the crowd ventured, "Could it be... down there?"

"Exactly! It seems we have someone experienced among us!" Melsis exclaimed with a hearty laugh, prompting a ripple of embarrassed chuckles and knowing smiles from the crowd.

"It is said," Melsis went on, his tone dropping to an almost reverent whisper, "that Darius’s concubine wore this every night in his presence. And after Darius fell in battle, she was captured by the Persian king. This exquisite item was left behind in the camp and was later discovered by one of our soldiers."

As he spoke, Melsis swung the golden chain gently, letting the intricate pieces shimmer and catch the light. "Take a sniff, my friends—you might even catch a hint of the concubine’s fragrance! Truly, I wanted to keep this treasure for myself, but alas, I have no wife to share it with. Imagine this: bring it home, and you and your wife or lover can share the luxurious pleasures of the Persian royal court!"

Bourkos, despite himself, felt a flicker of temptation. For a brief moment, he considered what it might be like to own such a rare and exotic artifact.

Before he could act, a voice called out from the crowd. "How much? I’ll buy it!"

Bourkos turned to see the speaker and recognized him as a merchant from the city-state of Scylletium.

"Not expensive, not expensive!" Melsis replied smoothly, his tone dripping with persuasion. "Look at this craftsmanship—how intricate and delicate! And this is all pure gold. Not to mention, it’s surprisingly heavy for its size!" He weighed the object in his hand, producing a soft clinking sound. "The starting price is... let’s say, fifty daric gold coins."

"I’ll offer fifty-five gold coins!" the Scylletium merchant shouted eagerly.

"Sixty gold coins!" another voice chimed in.

"Hey, I claimed it first!"

"But I’m offering more!"

"Sixty-five daric gold coins!"

The bidding escalated rapidly, the crowd’s excitement feeding into a frenzy of overlapping voices. Melsis stood at the center, his grin growing wider with each successive bid.

Marigi, watching from the sidelines, marveled at the spectacle. He had to admit, Melsis had an undeniable knack for salesmanship, turning an unusual artifact into a "royal treasure" and reaping immense profits in the process. However, Marigi also felt a twinge of concern. If Cristoia ever found out about this charade, Melsis would undoubtedly find himself in hot water.

As Bourkos finally extricated himself from the crowd, Marigi hurried to catch up with him. "I see merchants from other city-states here," Bourkos remarked, glancing at the bustling stalls around them.

"Yes, indeed," Marigi replied. "We have traders from Tarentum, Scylletium, Caulonia, and even Croton."

At the mention of Croton, Bourkos’s expression flickered, though he quickly masked his reaction.

As they walked further, the conversation shifted to the goods on display. Bourkos gestured toward a smithy and asked, "You even have blacksmiths here?"

Marigi nodded. "It’s a small operation that takes custom orders. Since we’re not allowed into Thurii, we need a place to repair and maintain our weapons."

The conversation continued, punctuated by the lively sounds of the market. It was clear to Bourkos that the mercenary camp had established not just a market but a thriving community, a testament to Juleios’s leadership and ingenuity.