Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Chapter 48 Business
The interior of the mountain villa had obviously been renovated.

The original living room was transformed into a spacious negotiation room, and the surrounding walls were inlaid with magic crystals that could isolate breath and defend against spell detection.

The huge round negotiation table took up more than half of the room. It was made entirely of thousand-year-old ebony, with delicate magic runes engraved on the surface, flickering with slight magical fluctuations.

The negotiation table was already filled with documents made of magic parchment, which had been thoughtfully translated into different languages.

Isabella Wenze, the "Girl of Golden Wings," sat in the main seat with a calm expression, holding a cup of fragrant and elegant floral tea in both hands and sipping it gently.

Not far away, stood a dwarf as tall as the table.

The dwarf was wearing heavy metal armor covered with scratches. He was short and stocky, and his face was like a piece of stone.

His thick beard was like a burning flame, hanging from his chin to his chest, with a few strands of silver in it.

His deep-set eyes were like burning charcoal, and his expression revealed his discomfort with the luxurious and elegant surroundings.

Isabella put down her teacup and opened her red lips:
"Your Excellency the Chief, there is no need to be so nervous. Please be at your ease."

"Hey, okay."

Although he responded with his mouth, his hands were still bending and straightening unconsciously, his body was hunched, and his feet were moving back and forth in a panic, revealing his awkwardness and uneasiness.

A loud noise came from outside, followed by several clear footsteps that stopped outside the door.

Two guards with the Golden Wing Family crest embroidered on their sleeves stepped forward to open the door, and Grand Duke Roland strode in with his personal guards.

The Grand Duke saw Isabella sitting on the main seat, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and he said with a smile:

“I didn’t expect that the Golden Winged Girl would come here in person!”

Isabella stood up and saluted:
"Greetings to His Highness, the Grand Duke. Thank you for your hard work on this journey."

Grand Duke Roland's resounding laughter shook the room:

"Haha, little Isa, you are so polite!
You were only this big when I saw you last time."

The Grand Duke gestured, smiled, and continued:

"After so many years, the cute little skylark has transformed into a beautiful lady that noble men are vying for!"

Isabella smiled and said:
“Compliments from His Highness the Grand Duke are always a pleasure!

Before my father came, he specifically told me to say hello to Uncle Roland."

Grand Duke Roland laughed heartily:
"I've already felt Old Wen Ze's sincerity. It looks like we're off to a good start!"

Isabella nodded firmly:

"I am also looking forward to the prospects of our negotiations!"

Mr. Modo next to him spoke at the right time:
“Your Highness, in fact, the establishment of this inter-racial trade route was entirely initiated and implemented by the young lady.

The relationship with the dwarves is all thanks to you, young lady!"

Grand Duke Roland showed an undisguised look of astonishment on his face and exclaimed:
"As expected of you, my beautiful lady, you are the descendant of old Wen Ze. Your beauty pales in comparison to your wisdom and ability."

Isabella smiled subtly at Grand Duke Roland's compliment, raised her right hand gracefully, pointed at the dwarves beside her, and introduced:
"This is Mr. Groin Firehammer, the chieftain of the dwarven 'Forgefire Tribe'."

The dwarf quickly saluted Grand Duke Roland, with a hint of fear in his eyes.

Grand Duke Roland laughed heartily and said:
"Mr. Firehammer, haha, we're old acquaintances, but I think my men should know you better."

The "Forge Fire Tribe" where Groin Firehammer is located is adjacent to the fiefdom of Grand Duke Roland, and friction often occurs between the two ethnic groups.

The dwarves, who have never been good at fighting, are naturally no match for Grand Duke Roland, who has an "elite" family guard.

They were often beaten and fled in panic, with heavy casualties.

Grand Duke Roland looked at the embarrassed dwarf chieftain and waved his hand vigorously:
"But that's all in the past. Now we have to join hands and move towards a new era!" In the northwest continent lives a dwarf tribe that is no less large than the human empire, with about a hundred tribes.

It is adjacent to the vast northern mountains of the Western Empire, which is also the fiefdom of Grand Duke Roland.

Dwarves possess exceptional talents in mining, forging, and construction. They are excellent craftsmen, capable of creating exquisite magical weapons, armor, and artifacts.

He also has a unique ability to identify magic crystal ores and magic gems.

These skills are extremely valuable strategic assets for any country - mastering the dwarves is equivalent to mastering an endless supply of mines, weapons and equipment.

The Western Region Empire has always been looking for an opportunity to swallow the fat piece of meat of the dwarves.

However, although the dwarves are not good at fighting, they are extremely brave and united, and have a strong sense of loyalty and pride in their family, tribe and traditions.

It can be said that a needle cannot be inserted and water cannot be poured in.

Several generations of ambitious emperors of the Western Regions Empire wanted to conquer this dwarf tribe, but ultimately failed.

Until the Golden Winged Daughter of the "Pale Wings" by chance sent people into the dwarf tribe and successfully contacted the chief of the "Forge Fire" tribe.

After many rounds of mediation, the other party finally agreed to open a secret cross-racial trade route.

The route naturally passes through the Western Region Empire, which is the fiefdom of Grand Duke Roland.

The emperor of the Western Region Empire had always been troubled by the lack of opportunities to interfere with the impregnable dwarf tribe. When he heard about this, he immediately became interested, and the two sides hit it off after a brief contact.

Today is the day agreed upon by both parties for formal negotiations.

As time passed, the atmosphere at the negotiation table gradually became more solemn.

It’s not that the dwarves have any objections. Regarding the distribution of interests among the dwarves, the "Pale Wings" have already reached an agreement in the previous rounds of mediation. Chief Firehammer came here today to bear witness.

The disagreement arises between Grand Duke Roland and the "Pale Wings".

Grand Duke Roland's tone was no longer as gentle as before, but very serious:

"...Ms. Wen Ze, I must remind you that between the Dwarven Tribal Alliance and my fiefdom, there is still a large part of the northern mountain range, not to mention the existence of a large area of 'Lost Land' beyond the mountain range.

Without my elite troops as guards, your inter-species trade routes would be completely blocked!"

He slammed the ring on the table with his right hand and firmly repeated his bottom line:
"Fifty percent! Our Western Region Empire must take fifty percent! Even if Old Wen Ze were here, I would still hold this attitude!"

The so-called "Lost Lands" are the ruins of the empire left behind when the Arcane Empire collapsed thousands of years ago.

It is filled with all kinds of disordered magic, surging magic tides, weird traps and various mutated and blackened monsters.

Logically speaking, no group of people could survive in such a place. However, these disordered places that normal people would turn pale at the mere mention of them are a paradise for a certain type of people to revel in:
Thugs, villains, smugglers, fallen knights, werewolf bandits... and adventurers who flock from all over the continent to search for the treasures of the Arcane Empire. All the crimes and transactions that cannot be seen in the light are taking place in this "Lost Land".

Here, bloody violence can be seen everywhere, kidnapping and murder are commonplace, and everyone seems to be filled with genes of destruction and tyranny, just like a dark mirror of the human world.

Isabella responded sharply:

"Our Golden Wing Family also has an 'elite-level' merchant protection group that can also participate.

Furthermore, we have already invested a significant amount in the initial construction of this trade route. The ratio you mentioned is completely unacceptable to us."

Archduke Roland continued to refute:

"The preliminary work you mentioned is limited to the human world, right? As for the Lost Land, Miss Wen Ze probably hasn't made any progress yet!
Isn't that why you're asking for our help?"

Isabella was silent for a few seconds, then a confident smile suddenly appeared on her face, and she slowly said:
"Your Highness, I know that there is a force in the 'Lost Land' that you secretly support.

But that force alone cannot cover the entire trade route!
What's more, we at 'Pale Wings' can also recruit adventure groups to help us conquer the 'Lost Land' and establish a safe trading base.

You can't do much more than we can!"

(End of this chapter)