Chapter 140

A deal can only succeed when both sides believe they will benefit from it.

Woojin had suggested maritime trade to Veshkan, but he wondered whether Cindy would welcome the idea. If there was no profit in it, there was no reason for her to risk such a dangerous venture.

So Woojin mentioned the idea of trade to Cindy with some concern in mind…

“Oppa, we absolutely have to do this!!”

…Contrary to his worries, Cindy reacted explosively, like a fuse that had just been lit.

Preparations for negotiation had to begin.

Cindy mobilized her merchant company and began sweeping up goods for trade. She acted with such enthusiasm that Woojin, who had brought up the idea in the first place, ended up expressing concern instead.

“Cindy. Shouldn’t you think about this more carefully before moving? If things go wrong, you could end up broke.”

“Hesitating at a time like this is just a waste of time!”

In most things in the world, the ones who start first have the advantage.

You charge in before anyone else, secure a favorable position, and then push down the competitors trying to climb up from below.

Cindy was already worried about future competition. Maritime trade was clearly an opportunity to make enormous money.

“Items from the Demonic Realm sell for incredibly high prices! Even higher than you think, Oppa!”

Just as the old frontier cities once made fortunes by mining bloodstones, the various specialties found in the Demonic Realm possessed enormous potential value.

Bones as hard as steel, fur that wouldn’t scorch even when thrown into fire, rare herbs and mushrooms that grew only in the Demonic Realm…

These were things impossible to obtain in the human world. As a result, wealthy buyers demanded them eagerly and traded them at very high prices.

This was a chance to strike it rich. Convinced of that, Cindy moved faster than ever.

“Oppa. What does this naga king like? Hobbies, preferences—anything like that.”

“You’re planning to bribe him?”

“Yes. I should slip him something.”

She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Woojin thought for a moment before answering.

“He’s stingy. Very calculating in everything he does, always weighing profit and loss. But… I wouldn’t call him small-minded.”

Thinking about it, Veshkan was a strange kind of person.

Sometimes he behaved with unbelievable boldness. The king’s courage and cold rationality had made the naga race prosper even more.

After hearing that explanation, Cindy admired him.

“That means he’s an impressive leader.”

“He’s ruled as king for over several centuries.”

“Hmm… He sounds very difficult to deal with. I’ll probably have a tough time for a while.”

If she tried anything clumsy, it would likely be exposed. She would have to deal with him very carefully.

After much thought, Cindy selected gifts to present to the naga king and had her company workers load various goods onto the sailing ship.

The preparations did not take long. This time, they planned to bring only one ship.

“We need to test whether the sea route is safe.”

Attempting maritime trade was unprecedented. Even if the naga race escorted the ship, it was unfamiliar territory for both sides. If something went wrong, the ship might be wrecked in the Northern Sea.

They would first test whether the route was actually feasible. If everything went well, full trade operations would begin afterward.

Before long, the preparations for departure were complete.

“I’m coming along too!”

Cindy declared confidently.

Going to the Northern Sea was dangerous, and Woojin wanted to stop her—but this time he felt he shouldn’t interfere. As the head of the merchant company, Cindy needed to meet the naga king herself.

Naturally, Claire and Arwen also wanted to join, so Woojin’s group boarded the sailing ship bound for the Northern Sea.

We’re heading to the Demonic Realm earlier than expected.

He had planned to go there someday anyway, but the circumstances were unexpected.

How would this voyage turn out?

It felt like being pushed forward by unfamiliar winds. There was a bit of worry, but also excitement.

“Set sail!!”

Cindy shouted, wearing an oversized captain’s hat. Her voice was full of excitement.

At her command, the sailors on deck hurried into action.

Soon the massive sailing ship left the harbor, its prow cutting through the blue sea.

And so they sailed northward.

Cindy’s enthusiasm burned like fire—but before long it was extinguished.

The fickle sea suddenly began to surge violently. The rough waves rocked the ship wildly from side to side.

Several people were suffering because of it.

“Uwaaa… I’m dying.”

Cindy groaned from seasickness. Beside her, the flying squirrel Coco clung tightly to Woojin’s leg, trembling in fear.

Cindy had always been prone to severe seasickness, and Coco was afraid of water.

“Cindy. Don’t force yourself. Go below deck and rest with Coco.”

“Y-Yeah… I guess I should.”

Holding Coco in her arms, Cindy staggered down below deck. They hadn’t even reached the Northern Sea yet, but two people were already out of commission.

Fortunately, the others were fine.

Arwen stood by the railing watching the sea, while Claire—somehow even in these conditions—was calmly writing with a quill.

Woojin asked,

“Claire. What have you been writing all this time?”

“A voyage log. I plan to record everything that happened on this trip.”

Trading with the naga race through the Northern Sea was an unprecedented attempt. She wanted to record everything they experienced and preserve it.

Claire added,

“After all, the records I write might end up in history books someday.”

Writing history for future generations. It seemed that Claire, like Cindy, had joined this journey with her own ambitions.

As they sailed on for a while—

Splash!!

Suddenly water burst high into the air.

A naga warrior leapt out of the sea. Reaching out, he grabbed the ship’s railing and pulled himself onto the deck.

The large naga crossed his arms and looked around. The sailors tensed at the intimidating presence, but Woojin wasn’t concerned.

It’s that guy from last time.

The naga general.

He looked around the ship with curious eyes. The large human sailing ship seemed to have caught his interest.

After glancing around, the general’s gaze suddenly met Woojin’s.

He asked,

“Did the plan succeed?”

“As you can see.”

“Good. I’ll inform the king.”

After letting out a hissing laugh, the naga general leapt back into the sea.

He swam like a dolphin, repeatedly leaping above the surface. Steering the ship in that direction, a familiar island soon appeared in the distance.

The massive sea turtle magical beast floated calmly on the water. Several buildings made from barnacle shells stood on its back.

The Fortress of the Nagas.

We’ve reached the midpoint.

After reuniting with Veshkan there, they would travel to the Northern Sea under naga escort.

Soon the ship was anchored.

Woojin and the others stepped onto the turtle’s shell. Since it was an experience unlike anything they had ever encountered, Claire looked around in awe.

“Wow… This is incredible. How did they manage to tame such a huge magical beast?”

“I wonder too.”

He had meant to ask about it last time, but the discussion about maritime trade had made him forget.

I should casually ask Veshkan about it.

It was doubtful that such a petty fellow would willingly answer, but if luck was on his side, he might hear the story.

They walked forward steadily…

Before long, they were granted an audience with the naga king. Veshkan sat coiled atop a large cushion. He raised his head and looked over Woojin and the companions standing around him.

The snake’s eyes gleamed ominously. Under that fierce gaze, the group shrank slightly.

Woojin complained,

“Hey, don’t try to set the mood like that. Someone might think we came here to fight.”

“…That was exactly what I was about to say.”

Veshkan muttered as if incredulous.

“You’ve brought several powerful individuals with strange abilities. Are you planning to start a war?”

“Ah… that’s a misunderstanding.”

Woojin realized it belatedly.

Arwen, Claire, Rachel, and Coco all possessed rare talents. Veshkan must have sensed that and instinctively raised his guard.

“Don’t worry. We just came to talk about maritime trade.”

“In that case, there will be no need for bloodshed.”

Veshkan replied and looked over the guests again… before his gaze suddenly settled on Cindy.

Cindy was the only ordinary person among them.

That was precisely why the naga king became curious. When a cat is mixed among tigers, it tends to stand out more.

“What is that small human?”

“My younger sister I mentioned before.”

“Unexpected. For someone of your bloodline, she looks weak… or is she hiding her strength well?”

Veshkan murmured in puzzlement.

Cindy gathered her courage and greeted him.

“Thank you for inviting us. My name is Cindy, from the Golden Weevil Trading Company.”

She had come to discuss maritime trade.

After Cindy politely stated the purpose of her visit, Veshkan stared at her for a moment… then spoke lightly.

“There is no need to be so formal. The Guardian of the Nol is someone I acknowledge.”

Woojin and Veshkan regarded each other as equals. Because of that, the naga king had no desire to force etiquette upon Woojin’s companions.

Veshkan continued,

“Speak about this maritime trade.”

“Y-Yes…”

He wanted to hear the details of how the trade would be conducted.

In response, Cindy began explaining the maritime trade plan to the naga king. Veshkan listened with his chin resting on his hand.

Woojin only half listened.

She’ll handle it just fine.

Veshkan and Cindy.

Both of them were excellent at calculating profit and loss. Even if Woojin didn’t intervene, they would find a reasonable solution on their own.

Suddenly Cindy’s expression hardened.

“No… if it’s like that, I won’t gain anything. I didn’t come here to do charity work.”

Veshkan blinked. Her firm attitude seemed to have caught him slightly off guard.

Woojin added casually,

“She’s tougher than she looks.”

“…I see.”

Veshkan nodded as if he understood.

Today, the naga king had clearly met his match.

The negotiations dragged on.

Perhaps sensing the mood becoming dull… Cindy suddenly brought out the gift she had prepared.

“This is the tribute I brought.”

At her words, Rachel—who had been standing nearby—brought something forward. It was wrapped in a luxurious cloth.

The naga attendants unwrapped it and revealed the contents.

Inside was a chessboard as large as a table.

From Veshkan’s perspective, it was an unfamiliar object.

“What is this used for?”

“It’s a board game where strategies compete against each other. It’s good for passing the time when things are quiet.”

The naga king disliked staying in the palace because he found it boring. After hearing that, Cindy had guessed Veshkan might enjoy this type of gift.

She had thought the gift had a high chance of failing.

But—

“How do you play it?”

Veshkan showed curiosity.

For a king who loved warfare, the idea of a strategic contest was appealing.

Cindy began explaining the pieces one by one.

“The pawn moves forward one square, the bishop moves diagonally like this…”

Even explaining it wasn’t easy.

The chessboard had been specially made to match the naga king’s size. The pieces placed on it were enormous, almost like trophies.

Cindy patiently moved the pieces herself as she explained. Veshkan listened carefully before making a suggestion.

“I think I understand the basics. Let’s try a game.”

“Alright.”

Suddenly, a chess match began.

Cindy and Veshkan moved their pieces carefully. With nothing else to do, Woojin stood beside them and watched how the game unfolded.

Woojin clicked his tongue inwardly.

I made a mistake.

Perhaps because he was a beginner, Veshkan moved his queen incorrectly. Cindy seized the opportunity and captured the queen with her bishop.

The queen was the most important piece in chess. Losing it meant the game would end soon.

Woojin was already expecting Veshkan’s defeat—

“…Huh?”

Cindy tilted her head slightly.

Something felt strange.

Then Veshkan moved his knight.

“Does that mean I’ve won?”

Checkmate.

Veshkan had deliberately sacrificed his queen as bait, then used that opening to trap the king. With a brilliant tactical trick, the naga king won the very first game.

Surprised, Woojin asked,

“Have you played this before?”

“This is my first time. It’s quite an entertaining game.”

Veshkan said with a smile. It seemed he liked the gift.

“Since I’ve received a fine tribute, I should return the favor. Is there something you want?”

Nothing in the world is free.

Since he had received something valuable, he would give something of equal worth in return.

After thinking for a moment, Cindy asked,

“Could you perhaps tell us a story?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, we’re currently standing on the back of a very large and magnificent turtle.”

A sea turtle as large as an island.

“I was wondering if you could provide some information about how you managed to tame such a creature.”

If it was too much to ask, he didn’t have to answer. Cindy spoke cautiously.

Veshkan chuckled.

“You appear timid, yet your request is bold. To ask for something like that…”

“I apologize for asking too much.”

“It’s fine.”

The naga king spoke generously.

“I’ll grant your request. I will tell you how we tamed this turtle magical beast.”