Chapter 321 - 284: The Commerce Alliance’s Plan

Chapter 321: Chapter 284: The Commerce Alliance’s Plan

"Jabbar, you intend to use these to bind those goblins?" the older merchant asked with a chuckle.

"Yes, Uncle Crow. I heard the Kingdom has a lot of these in stock. To be frank, they’re leftovers from the kingdom of 500 years ago, but they still work. They’re just a bit heavier than the models they use now." The young Jabbar hefted the Magic Collar in his hand. It was surprisingly made of solid metal, and a Magic Crystal Stone the size of a fingernail was embedded in it.

"From a previous dynasty? They weren’t left by the Mad King, were they?" Crow stroked his goatee. "These things are dangerous. If they go too far from a central Magic Pillar, they explode. If you’re planning to collar the goblins with them, aren’t you afraid you’ll blow their necks off?"

"That’s exactly what I want." Jabbar set the metal Magic Collar on the sofa cushion beside him; its considerable weight caused it to sink deep into the velvet. "Once I control those goblins, they’ll surely try every trick in the book to escape the area, and I can’t have that. As it happens, I stumbled upon these collars while helping a Kingdom official with some renovations. With these, I don’t have to worry about the goblins escaping at all."

"All I have to do is erect a Magic Pillar in the middle of their hovels. Then, whenever they try to run..." He raised one hand into a fist. As he said the word "BANG," his five fingers flew open. "After a few of them die, the rest should learn their place."

"That’s a decent method. Those goblins are stupid, but they’re not brainless," Crow nodded, then took another sip of his coffee. "But I have another question."

Jabbar gestured for him to ask.

"I’ve been to that goblin tribe with you a few times, and I’ve seen their numbers. Controlling that many will mean your expenses and overhead become quite high."

"That’s not an issue," Jabbar shrugged. "The whole reason I’ve set my sights on that particular group of goblins is that they’re so low-cost. They forage for their own food, and they’re quite prolific breeders. The costs you’re talking about are really just about feeding them. But they’re goblins. They can survive on tree bark."

He chuckled and leaned back against the sofa. "You know I’m in the lumber business. These things would be useless for any fine detail work, but they can handle basic logging and trimming. When the time comes, I’ll figure out a way to float the timber out on rafts down the Darren River, and I can turn it straight into cash."

"You’re not going to provide them with any food?"

"Are you kidding me? That’s an unnecessary expense. As long as they meet the timber quota I set, they can forage for their own food. They can’t leave the range of the Magic Pillar, of course. And if they’re really in a pinch, well, there’s always tree bark."

"That’s a clever approach. It’ll save you a huge expense," Crow said, smiling.

"It can’t be helped. My business is lumber. It would be perfect if I had a mine, though. These goblins are best suited for digging." Jabbar patted the sofa cushion beside him in frustration.

"Then the next problem is how you’re going to deal with that Feathered Serpent." Crow set down his coffee cup and folded his hands, his expression calm and composed. "You should be aware of the power of an Evil God."

"Evil God, my ass. It’s just a snake with wings," Jabbar scoffed. "I’ve already figured out how to handle it. Once I’m done here, I’ll head to Plantagenet City immediately to take care of it."

"Oh?" Crow tilted his head, watching him with keen interest.

"You know of White Spirit Wood, right?" Jabbar leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and adopting a conspiratorial air.

"White Spirit Wood... I know it as a type of lumber," Crow said after a moment’s thought. "Isn’t that mainly supplied to the Four Great Churches?"

"Exactly. They use White Spirit Wood to make Absolution Certificates, which they then sell to the nobility." Jabbar paused for a few seconds before lowering his voice. "For the past six months, shipments of White Spirit Wood have been steadily increasing, and the orders are all coming from those four churches. I suspect they’re planning some kind of large-scale event."

"A large-scale event?"

"I can’t be certain, but I have a good feeling about it. When I get back to Plantagenet City, I plan on approaching the God of Battle and Glory Church. I’ll tell them there’s an Evil God in the forest and give them its exact location." Jabbar smiled confidently. "Uncle Crow, you know how strong the Holy Order Army of the War God Church is. They’ve handled all sorts of incidents involving Demons and other evil creatures before. The ’Holy Slash’ of their Paladins is said to be devastating."

"You plan to approach the War God Church?"

"That’s right. And I did some digging earlier. The Holy Order Army has just appointed a very young Vice Commander. From what I hear, he’s a restless sort, always leading his troops all over the Kingdom to handle incidents. I think he’s trying to make a name for himself."

"A young Vice Commander? Making a name for himself?" Crow stroked his goatee, repeating Jabbar’s words.

"He’s a young man. To be appointed Vice Commander so easily, and he’s not some noble’s son being parachuted in to pad his resume. So, if I go find him and tell him an Evil God exists... do you really think a young man like that could resist the temptation?" Jabbar leaned forward, a sinister grin spreading across his face.