Forests Don't Support Idle Goblins

"Miss Mary, do you mean you need at least 100 of these wooden beds?" Old Wick asked, looking at the contract in his hand with a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Yes, Mr. Carpenter." Mary poured him some tea.

"This quantity is a bit too much; it will take some time to prepare." Old Wick picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Hmm, it's chrysanthemum tea from the islands."

"You can also keep track of orders; deliver as many beds as you make." Mary put down the teapot and picked up her own teacup.

"You need it urgently?" Old Wick put down the contract. "1.8 meters long and 1.2 meters wide, is this a children's single bed?"

"Well, I guess so," Mary said without arguing.

"Doesn't the bed need any carvings or leather upholstery?" Old Wick asked deliberately.

"No need, just the most basic style will do." Mary put down her teacup and pointed to the number filled in for the quantity. "100 sheets is just the beginning. If the quality is good, I will continue to add more, and I might also make some other furniture."

"In that case, 25 silver coins. A regular children's bed costs 30 silver coins on the market. Since you need a large quantity, the price can be slightly cheaper."

"No, just 30 silver coins. I need it urgently. If your workshop doesn't have enough manpower, we can think of another way." Mary rejected the other party's suggestion. "If that doesn't work, you can try to find a solution through the Craftsmen's Association. I know there are quite a few itinerant craftsmen. You can post information in the association. If you can complete this order within 10 days, I can raise the price to 32 silver coins per bed."

"If that's the case, 35 silver coins it is. I'll go to the Craftsmen's Guild and post a recruitment notice right away," Old Wick said, offering his price and waiting for a response.

"Okay, 35 it is." Mary didn't haggle and accepted the price readily.

Old Wick was slightly surprised; this guy clearly had plenty of money. "Excuse me, but why are you ordering so many children's beds?"

"Oh, you need it?" Mary glanced at the other person and said casually.

"Is the Church of the Four Gods opening another elementary grammar school?" Old Wick asked with a smile. He could only think of this kind of buyer who would order so many small single beds at once. "We'll finish as soon as possible. Please tell the priests for me, and pray for the gods' blessings."

"Uh, yes..." Mary saw a deep respect in the other person's eyes. She thought for a moment before realizing that she was wearing an elegant long dress, the material of which looked very good.

When she was fleeing for her life in the forest, her long dress had been torn by branches and bushes. She thought she could still wear it after some repairs, but her boss, Charles, insisted on getting her a few more, preferably higher-end ones. After all, Mary would be the face of the business when they went out to do business. So she gritted her teeth, took out some money, and bought three long dresses that she had long coveted and could only admire from outside the shop window as other girls tried them on.

Old Wick readily signed several contracts and took the deposit directly from Mary. He needed to go back immediately to gather his staff, as he seemed to have received a large order. After all, a grammar school would require a lot of furniture.

"Hurry up and send a message to the association to call my brother and the others over. The business here is even bigger." He was excitedly planning, completely unaware that he had bumped into someone's shoulder.

"Really, you hit someone and then..." the man frowned and turned around to say.

"You must be Mr. Rudy," Mary greeted from the warehouse entrance. On her second day at the alchemy workshop, she immediately began negotiations with the warehouse owner behind the warehouse. The acquisition was finalized in just one afternoon. There was a slight premium, but it was acceptable overall, since the warehouse was a bit far from the dock area and not many people would choose to stockpile goods there.

"You must be Miss Mary from the letter." Rudy took off his hat and held it to his chest, bowing slightly.

"Please come in, Mr. Rudy." Mary led him into the warehouse and into a reception room. "I am Mary from the Torch City White Shell Merchant Guild."

The name of this chamber of commerce was suggested by Charles, and all major trade transactions will be conducted under this name in the future.

"Was that old Wick just now? He was so clumsy," Rudy said, taking the tea Mary had made, his tone slightly complaining.

"It's nothing, he's just very happy." Mary smiled and took out a purchase contract. "I mentioned in the letter that I needed to make a batch of leather armor, and here is the contract."

"No, don't rush to look at the contract. Can you show me the leather first?" Rudy put down the contract.

"Okay, come with me." Mary led the other person into the warehouse, where several pieces of leather with an unpleasant smell were placed in a corner.

"This hide..." Rudy kept stroking the hide, his face showing surprise. "Such a big snakeskin, it must be the hide of a magical beast."

"Yes, I hope your leather workshop can make leather armor from these hides." Mary covered her mouth and nose, standing not far away.

Last night, Ms. Virtini came to the workshop. She was reading and studying by candlelight when little John led the mule back with several stones. It took her and little John a lot of effort to sort out the leather. They worked until dawn, and Mary took four baths to wash away the smell.

"Good material, really nice, but we need to process it quickly, or it will cause problems." Rudy didn't seem to care about the smell at all; it was clear he really liked it.

"If these are made into leather armor, how long would it take at the fastest?" Mary wanted to suggest that they talk in the reception room first, but judging from Rudy's expression, he seemed to prefer staying here.

Rudy didn't answer immediately. Instead, he carefully examined the leather before saying, "Three to six months. Winter is not as suitable for processing leather as summer."

"Can you expedite this? I can pay the extra fee." Mary knew that a brand-new ordinary leather breastplate cost 1 gold coin, and tanned armor made of blue-eyed dragon skin would definitely cost more. However, Boss Charles wanted it done as soon as possible, and he was willing to pay as long as the price wasn't too outrageous.

"This requires manpower and the preparation of special medicine. It will take at least three months," Mr. Rudy said thoughtfully, stroking his chin, completely oblivious to the smell of snakeskin on his hands.

"Let's talk in the meeting room." Mary kept her hand over her mouth and nose the whole time, hoping to leave and discuss the rest properly.

"Okay, I'm so sorry." Rudy smiled sheepishly. "That's just how I am. I get completely absorbed when I see nice fabrics. I hope you don't find this amusing."

The two returned to the reception room chatting and laughing.

After a while, Rudy put on his hat at the warehouse door. "You don't need to see it off. I'll have someone come here to get the leather as soon as possible. I'll take good care of it, don't worry."

"Thank you very much then," Mary nodded and said with a smile.

Rudy waved goodbye to the other party, then muttered to himself as he walked away, "White Shell Merchant Guild, I've never heard of that name before, but to be able to produce such high-quality monster hides, they must have a noble background."

"Strange, I haven't heard of anyone killing any monsters."

"Clang! Clang! Clang!" The sound of armor clashing rang out, interrupting Rudy's thoughts. He looked up and saw many people wearing armor of various colors walking past him. They were of different heights and builds, but each of them had the same expression on their face: an unruly "killing intent."

"Oh, the Storm Brotherhood is here!" Several children ran and laughed around them.