What's wrong with me, a mage, loving to farm?

Chapter 13.13. Sea Clan Merchants

Kroa led the Kabamon to the warehouse where the ore was stored.

This warehouse is located inside the castle, and because the ore processing was not timely, the ore piled up inside was almost covered in dust.

That looks like quite a lot.

This is because this ore weighs only one-fifth of ordinary iron ore, but has almost the same defensive power, making it very suitable for knights or soldiers who need to march quickly.

However, this kind of ore is basically found by searching inside rocks. Without a mage to refine it with magic, it would be very troublesome to refine the raw ore.

That's why you might see a large pile of stones, but actually it's mostly rocks, not as many as you might imagine.

The servant guarding the warehouse bowed his head and respectfully handed a booklet to Kroya—it was the inventory list for items entering the warehouse.

The parchment booklet looked quite worn.

Kroya took it and flipped through it casually. He hadn't had any expectations for the accounting methods in this world, but he was surprised to see...

There was even a table on it that clearly recorded what time each day, who delivered how much ore, and everything else.

The handwriting is also very clear, which is not like that of an ordinary person from a remote island. You know, for people in remote areas, being able to read is harder than climbing to heaven.

"Tsk, what a talent! He can read and even do math."

Finding a treasure is always a joyful experience.

"Over a thousand catties? After refining, it should weigh two or three hundred catties. One catty can be exchanged for five silver coins, which isn't a small amount."

After he finished looking through it, he glanced at the honest, unassuming middle-aged man. "Come with me and help me write something down. If you do a good job, go to the castle later and find the butler, Robert, and have him arrange a job for you."

The middle-aged man was stunned.

His weathered face was filled with unbelievable joy.

He opened his mouth, but only saw Kroya's figure enter the warehouse, followed by dancing blue fluorescent algae.

Overwhelmed with mixed feelings, he could only hurry inside, becoming even more respectful.

Upon entering the warehouse and seeing the piles of ore, Kroa immediately dispatched the Kabamon to the warehouse.

"Let's go eat!"

These Kaba beasts, as if they had found a buffet, were naturally strong and intelligent as magical beasts. Working together, they moved the ore pieces to the ground and began to devour them.

The warehouse immediately descended into chaos.

The sound of ore hitting the ground, the whimpering of a Kabamon snatching food, and the sound of gnawing on ore...

The chaotic mix of sounds made Chloe, who was used to the Crimson Song, feel like her brain was about to explode.

He immediately handed the job over to the middle-aged man whose name he hadn't had a chance to ask.

"See? Just remember this. Record the amount of ore they digested and the amount they produced."

"Give it to Robert in a bit."

Then he couldn't wait to leave the warehouse.

It wasn't that he intentionally wanted to be a hands-off manager, but rather that he gave someone a chance to prove themselves, and the middle-aged man should be grateful to him.

After leaving the warehouse, Kroya wanted to find a place to sit and rest, but before he could even sit down...

The butler, Robert, rushed over.

"Owner!"

"What's wrong? Don't panic, tell me slowly."

Kroya casually cast a calming spell on him, then sat down on the large rock with a composed expression.

"What happened?"

Rob took a few deep breaths, his expression somewhat strange, and said, "Sea creatures! Sea creature merchants are coming!"

"..."

"What?" Kroya was stunned for a second: "Sea tribe merchants? How come there are sea tribe merchants here?"

When Kroya arrived at Han Reef Island, he knew that it was only a short distance from the sea creatures' territory—a few dozen kilometers in the ocean, which was indeed very short.

But he never imagined that he would meet the sea creatures so soon.

"She said it was to fulfill an ancient contract that the Mage Association had signed, and that once the mages arrived at Hanjiao Island, they would have to trade with the sea creatures."

Rob looked very unwell.

This happened so suddenly, I wasn't prepared at all.

"...An ancient contract?"

Now Chloe was really in a bit of a headache. He genuinely knew nothing about this unusual situation and really hated being completely clueless.

Not going is not an option, given the current situation, the sea creatures hold an absolute advantage, not to mention the ancient contract.

Why didn't the Dharma Association tell him?

He sighed deeply, stood up, straightened his robes, and ordered his staff to be brought and the carriage to be prepared.

As a noble mage, one must maintain elegance no matter how flustered one is. At this moment, he represents the Mage Association, so the other party should not do anything irrational.

……

Sea creatures choose to live by the sea.

When Kroya arrived in a carriage, she saw a mermaid with long, flowing, seaweed-like brownish-red hair sitting on a rock by the sea.

She was extremely beautiful and completely naked.

The fish's tail dangled in the water, splashing against the seawater.

Even her chest was only partially covered by her long, flowing hair, and she was surrounded by rings of water magic, like surging waves, shielding her from the scorching sun.

It looks very mysterious.

Perhaps the tense soldiers and knights couldn't sense anything, but Kroya felt it clearly—this was a high-ranking mage, at least level six.

Even in the capital, he would be considered a prominent figure capable of establishing his own mage tower.

The vast water elemental magic in her hands was like the most loyal soldiers. She only needed to think about it, and her water control ability, unique to the merfolk, could drown everyone present.

"Sea creature merchants? Are all merchants at the Grand Mage level?"

Kroya suppressed the urge to criticize the Mage Association's excessive behavior and walked forward.

"Oh, you must be Kroya."

The mermaid spotted Kroya stepping off the carriage and excitedly jumped off the rocks. Her fishtail flashed in the water and instantly transformed into a pair of long, straight legs.

Her fair feet shimmered with azure water elemental light as she strode over and grabbed Chloe's hand.

"You..."

The slightly cool touch made Kroya feel uncomfortable, and she instinctively wanted to refuse, but it was too late—the mermaid pulled Kroya a few steps and jumped directly into the water.

It vanished instantly into the rippling blue sea, disappearing without a trace.

"!!!"

This scene stunned everyone present.

"Owner!"

"Lord Croa!"

Rob went to great lengths to suppress the order for the knights to search for Kroa underwater. Mermaids are the kings of the sea, and going into the water is tantamount to suicide.

Besides, Kroya might not be in any danger. What he needs to do is stabilize the current situation and wait for Kroya to return.

He looked at the sea, his face darkening, and gave the order:

"We'll stay here and wait. Everyone else, go about your business. Remember, don't let this get out... otherwise..."

He didn't say anything more.

The real problem is that Kroa was suddenly taken away by the mermaid, and her current situation is unclear. If someone tries to cause trouble, it will be a real problem.

(End of this chapter)