The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 259 - 2 Sanjia Tribe_2

Chapter 259: Chapter 2 Sanjia Tribe_2

"Lord Solos, the military supplies being imported into the Caucasus has indeed broken convention, as per the agreement we previously reached with your alliance. Look around the neighboring regions; who else is willing to sell you these items? For me to have gone this far, I’ve already taken considerable risks. Everything has its process. I can understand your urgent feelings, but you must also give me some time to persuade my subordinates and to make more thorough preparations. Otherwise, if this matter becomes known to others in the area, how do you expect me to explain it to them?" Komer spread his hands with a helpless expression as he explained, smiling.

Having caught his breath, the representative of the Gapeng Tribe didn’t say anything further. He knew that he was no match for the other party in a war of words, and it was better to just listen quietly to his companion negotiating with the opposite side.

"Lord, this time, Solos and I have come with two requests, hoping to receive your help and support. Of course, if you, Lord, could extend the support within your means, we, the Mountain People, will be grateful and will certainly reciprocate," Volen knew that the person before him valued profits above all else, so instead of discussing righteousness and friendship, it would be more interesting to talk of substantial things.

"Oh? Mr. Volen, you speak too seriously. I just said that I would do my best within my principles. However, Lord Solos’s earlier request was a bit excessive, and I am unable to fulfill it. I can only apologize," Komer’s eyebrows rose, interested.

"Firstly, we hope the Caucasus can provide additional military supplies to the Garong, Gapeng, and Galong Tribes beyond the alliance’s allocated quota. In return, our three tribes will open up our markets further to you, and we can also offer a rich Gem Mine for joint development to express our sincerity," Volen exchanged glances with Solos and threw out the first bait.

"A Gem Mine?" Komer’s heart leaped. It seemed that these Barbarians were willing to make a substantial offer. From their words, Komer sensed that the Sanjia Tribes might have tendencies towards independence from the Mountain People Alliance. Comprising thirteen tribes, the Garong, Gapeng, and Galong Tribes situated to the north near his territory had, to Komer’s knowledge, not received special treatment despite their proximity to the Caucasus after signing the military supply agreement with the Mountain People Alliance; they even received less quota than some distant southern tribes, leading to extreme dissatisfaction, especially from the Garong Tribe who interacted with the Caucasus first. However, the Sanjia Tribes did not have a strong voice in the Alliance’s elders’ meetings and could not gain support there, so they had to begrudgingly swallow their bitterness.

Although the Caucasus and the Mountain People Alliance had signed a treaty allowing Caucasus merchants access to some regions, those regions were often of little developmental value or were inconveniently located, making the mining there unprofitable due to high costs. Moreover, valuable mines were mostly situated deep within Barbarian territory, and Caucasus merchants were reluctant to venture into these lands for investment, given the risks of entering the heartland of what was known as Barbarian territory. Hence, such trade and investment agreements mostly existed in name only. However, Gem Mines containing precious stones like these were not as simple as ordinary Iron or Copper Mines. Gem Mines required less investment, offered quick returns, didn’t need as much labor as Iron or Coal Mines, and had low transportation requirements, making them genuinely high-profit industries. Except for the need for careful selection of mining locations and sorting of ores, their conditions were incomparably easier than those for Iron, Copper, or Coal Mines.

"Indeed, there is a Gem Mine situated at the border region between our Garong and Galong Tribes. Our people have found gems there numerous times, primarily sapphires and what you mortals call emeralds. If Lord agrees to one of our conditions, we are willing to use this Mine as an exchange," Volen, seeing a spark of intense interest in the other’s eyes, felt more assured and his words were filled with newfound confidence.

Komer’s sharp gaze quickly picked up the hidden traps in the other’s words. Gem mining and processing were far simpler than for metals like Iron or Copper, and didn’t require the high transport conditions of Coal Mines. Gems and other precious materials like Diamonds, Amber, Jade, and Agate had always been major exports for the Barbarians, trading for food and other essential goods. In any case, such mines should not be bartered away, even if they needed his support badly. Yet, this fellow was willing to trade away rights to a Gem Mine for concessions in military supplies quotas, raising inevitable suspicions.

"Hmm, the Gem Mine is indeed a great temptation for Caucasus merchants. But why would nobles with full capabilities to mine give away such generous terms to outsiders? This I find somewhat puzzling," Komer cleverly skirted stating the intentions of the Caucasus Lord’s Mansion, pointing out that while to merchants the Gem Mine might seem like an opportunity of a lifetime, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and secrets often hide behind such offers.