Brain bloom

Upon entering the market, Mori took the dandelion and headed straight for the deepest building, the place where the goods were entrusted to a trading company for sale—if it was still the same as Mori remembered.

As soon as she reached the entrance, Sen Shi made an unexpected discovery—a long, wide wooden board covered with new and old papers, all containing information about transactions. She almost reached out to touch it, thinking that a simple click of the mouse would bring up the trading post, but unfortunately, this godforsaken place wasn't that convenient.

Sen paused for a moment and saw many familiar names. It seemed that the materials needed in the world had not changed much—but the prices were completely different. The exorbitant prices that players had paid in the game era had disappeared.

Prices for various ores and monster materials are now much lower than in the game, offering substantial profits that have ignited her passion for frequenting the trading post. Sen Shi's only advantage lies in his numerous master-level life skills, but even so, he must strategically expand his business.

Dandelion wasn't interested in the trading information list; she just secretly watched Sen Shi, finding her earnestness reassuring.

"Hmm... We need to find something with the highest profit margin, the lowest profile, and the best sales channels. Our foundation is unstable right now, so we can't be too high-profile... We also need to ensure the development of our military strength at the same time." Mori muttered to himself, already having several alternative plans in mind. He then turned to Dandelion and their eyes met. "Princess, can I have half of the money from selling the scrolls? If not, a third will do."

"No problem, you can have it all, and I can even give you some more." Dandelion was full of confidence in Sen Shi.

Aren't you very poor?

“I still have some compensation money from back then that I haven’t touched.” After saying this briefly, she skipped over the topic. “I was poor because I had to be careful with my money, because the wine market was never very popular, but now I have that bunch of grapevines! In just five years, the share of the world’s most premium wines will be mine.”

Sen Shi smiled sincerely, gave the energetic princess a thumbs up, and then went inside the trading company with Dandelion to handle some business. To conduct a competitive auction of high-priced products, they had to go through these connections.

Unlike what Mori was familiar with, there weren't many security measures here. There was only a long, horizontal counter, and sitting there in a dashing manner the rare race—Brain Slime.

It looks like any other common slime, and is transparent, but it has the color of an egg yolk. Its body is 80% composed of brain matter, making it very suitable for mental work.

He sat on the counter, surrounded by piles of papers—his kingdom. Two tentacles extended, flipping through the documents.

Mori swallowed the shock in his heart, because witnessing such a monstrous thing with his own eyes was quite impactful.

Having seen many similar cases, Dandelion got straight to the point: "Sir, I would like to consign something anonymously through an auction."

Mori was taken aback. How could he tell that the man was a gentleman?

“Oh? But let me make it clear, we won’t accept anything less than ten gold coins; it’s not worth trading this way.” The Brain Slime raised its narrow eyes and glanced at the dandelion from the pile of papers.

"Of course, what I brought is very valuable, after all, it's a magic scroll that records healing spells." Dandelion lowered her voice, but it still revealed an arrogant air. "This thing is valuable enough, isn't it?"

Clearly, the other person immediately became interested, bouncing up their sticky body that seemed to be sprawled on the table: "Are you sure? Do you really have that kind of thing? You're not kidding me, are you?"

"Of course, otherwise why would I be looking for you?"

"Healing spell scrolls actually appeared at this time of year..." the brain slime muttered to itself. "This is a big deal, and also a troublesome one."

"This period?"

Volume 1 #016 - Bad Luck

“During wartime,” he said.

Upon hearing the word "war," Mori and Dandelion immediately recalled what they had overheard during dinner: a potential war was brewing.

"I don't recommend you consign it now." The Brain Slime wiped its tentacles, seemingly mustering its courage before speaking, "Because the situation in Frozen Bear Town... isn't right. If I'm not mistaken, war will break out very soon..."

Mori's eyes narrowed, and he began to discreetly observe the other party's every move, because this might involve some trouble.

Dandelion responded in a more direct way: "We're just travelers, we sell our goods and leave. How could we possibly affect the war this city is facing?"

“I mean, this thing of yours could very well save this city,” the Brain Slime said in a low but firm voice.

This news caught them off guard. Dandelion was still deep in thought, but Mori had already considered some possibilities, so he took the initiative to step forward and ask, "Is it because someone was injured, and a powerful country wants to use this as an excuse to start a war against Frozen Bear Town?"

“Hmm, little girl, you’re right. The ambassador of the Peda Empire, that famous rain wizard, was injured while visiting here…” Brain Slime looked at Sen and continued, “So, the storm of the Peda Empire is about to sweep in… May the coffin bearers curse them.”

Upon hearing about the Peda Empire, Dandelion gritted her teeth in utter disgust, while Mori was also taken aback.

She knew very well that the so-called Pedda Empire referred to a military empire located across the sea. It possessed extremely terrifying technology and military power, especially a thing called the "Hunter Fleet," which could sweep across all navigable places in the world, and the people there were ferocious.

If it were that island, it could indeed break through the sea, bypass the island in the middle, and bombard this maritime trading town from the seaward side, which would definitely bring in a lot of wealth.

“This… this is truly a disaster. Those fleets are about to breach your city walls.” Mori crossed his arms, but felt that he was actually quite lucky. He casually added without any attempt to hide it, “But this also means that the lord will pay a high price for the magic scroll, right? After all, it can instantly heal injuries, which is a very good compensation.”

“Indeed—you’ll get a good price.” The Brain Slime laughed happily, “as long as you agree to one small request of ours.”

"Aren't you going to consign them?" Mori asked astutely.

"Yes, but they directly reached a deal with our chamber of commerce privately."

Sen Shi sensed that the other party wanted to make a fuss about this, but couldn't quite figure out his full thoughts. He simply moved a wooden chair over and sat down, adopting a negotiating stance: "Do you have the authority to make decisions about such a big matter?"

“Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here doing this job. I’m not an ordinary trader.” The Brain Slime was not happy. “I can also be your buyer, not just a simple trading channel—I guarantee I’ll offer a high price.”

Sen Shi immediately understood that it wasn't the business association behind him that was scheming, but him personally.

What price are you willing to pay?

"One hundred gold coins, cash only." The other party didn't stand on ceremony and offered a generous price, causing Dandelion to waver.

Mori didn't care much about the money, because the deal was fraught with risks. She continued to probe, "How much can you make if you resell it to the lord? Just tell me."

"We can't make a profit; instead, we have to sell to the lord at a low price. You're clever, young lady, but you've also said that you travelers have nothing to do with anything here—but what about us? This is the land where we're rooted."

The brain slime used its tentacles to push aside a file and stood closer. It continued to express its feelings, unafraid to tell its trading partner its thoughts directly.

“We’d rather eat fishy, ​​smelly seafood here for the rest of our lives than move away from our hometown. Your products can save this city, but I also want to get more out of it, which is why I’m offering you this great price.”

"You want to use this to curry favor." The words had been made clear, and Dandelion understood the other person's intentions.

“Yes, that credit is useless to you travelers. But if I offer it to the lord at a low price, I might get some privileges in trade. In short, this is my proposal, and I am very sincere.”

Mori thought about it seriously for a few seconds, and it was indeed beneficial to both parties. Although Mori also wanted some trading privileges, she didn't need them for the time being, and besides, they wouldn't be staying here permanently. She and Dandelion exchanged glances, could read each other's thoughts, and were both inclined to make the deal.

Based on this, Sen Shi made some additional demands: "This money is very heavy."

"Indeed, they are all genuine Holy Coffin Gold Coins..."

"So, I want to exchange a portion of it for materials and have them shipped to me later via normal sea freight."

"Oh, this is exactly what I wanted! It gives me more flexibility." The brain slime rubbed its tentacles together, its transparent surface deepening in color with its joy. Its body covered in brain matter was certainly not just for decoration.

Now that his conditions had been agreed to, Mori didn't continue to make exorbitant demands. Instead, he laid the groundwork for future trade with the other party. He asked for paper and pen, listed some items on them, and finally, Dandelion filled in her residential address as the delivery address. At this point, this mutually beneficial deal, which would also resolve the city's crisis, was almost finalized.

After confirming that the materials Mori needed could be obtained, the Brain Slime reduced its share and decided to pay them sixty-one gold coins, plus some change. Both parties were satisfied, and Mori, as the representative, shook hands with the slime's jelly-like tentacles, indicating that a verbal agreement had been reached.

Afterwards, the Brain Slime suggested going to get cash to pay directly—but shortly after leaving, it returned covered in blackened grime.

A sense of unease then filled Mori's heart.

"The deal is canceled." The brain slime's words confirmed Mori's feeling.

Has something changed?

"Damn it... those cowardly nobles, they actually accepted the exorbitant demands for peace talks!"

The brain-slime was furious and frustrated. To vent its anger, its two tentacles swept away the documents on the counter. Paper fluttered in the small trading hall, and the dense black text on each sheet seemed to lighten.

They didn't need to ask the brain-slime at all, because what should have been a peaceful free market outside was now abuzz with shameful news—

To avoid war and to show respect to the Peda Empire and the special envoy Rain Wizard, Frozen Bear Town is willing to pay a sum of gold coins, possibly between 60,000 and 100,000, in addition to a large amount of supplies.

They paid a huge price for peace, so they certainly no longer needed a small healing scroll.

"It really is true... If we had delayed it for just one more day, we could have used our healing scrolls. Oh well, bad luck." Mori said regretfully to his former business partner, "This is a loss for both of us."

“Yes… never mind, I won’t say anymore. I’ll help you consign it, and I’ll guarantee anonymity.” He emphasized this point, otherwise the people of Frozen Bear Town might blame Sen Shi and Dandelion, questioning why they didn’t bring it out sooner.

Mori and Dandelion agreed. While they were going through the formalities, she heard her princess sobbing and lamenting, "It's not that the nobles are too weak, but that force is everything."

……

(After all, the main theme is the restoration of the kingdom, so it wouldn't be reasonable for it to be lighthearted all the time. I will try my best to balance the amount of serious plot.)

Volume 1 #017 - Anyway, it has nothing to do with us

Having no other choice, the two of them had to consign their belongings.

The free market was no longer a place to do business; people were busy venting, leaving Senshi with no intention of buying anything else.

With some time still remaining before the afternoon ended, Sen Shi and Dandelion immediately went to do another important task. They needed to hand over the head of the wild boar leader to the person who issued the bounty in exchange for a small reward. After all, in the early stages of their business, they should make the most of even a little money.

The entire town of Frozen Bear has changed. The nobles have spent a lot of money, but they haven't bought true peace; at least, an atmosphere of chaos still lingers in the town. Everywhere, people are talking about peace talks.

The drunken sailors who hadn't gone to sea were heading towards the lord's manor in a daze, trying to release their excess energy.

Along the roadsides, shops selling both expensive luxury goods and cheap daily necessities were shrouded in desolation. This indemnity would hollow out the city's foundations, turning into heavy taxes that would fall directly on their shoulders. Local merchants cursed the weak nobles with the most vicious words.

Fortunately, Mori and Dandelion were outsiders and didn't have to be affected by the gloomy atmosphere.

The lord's mansion—which is also the place where all the official business of Frozen Bear Town is conducted—has been guarded by an extra layer of guards than usual, and many combat slaves have been urgently purchased to strengthen the defenses, all in order to prevent the people's emotions from deteriorating to the point of doing something foolish.

"It's such a mess. It was such a peaceful city before," Dandelion said casually. "Luckily, it's none of our business. We'll head back as soon as we're done."

"Don't be indifferent, Princess. I still advise you to think about the contradictions involved. If you want to restore your country in the future, the country must have people. Only a king who can appease the people is a good king. It won't hurt to get in touch with the people's emotions more now."

"No need, our Kingdom of Flowers can survive even without people."

Hearing her words, Mori was a little confused, but before he could ask her why she said that, he was interrupted by the scene in front of him.

A torrent of angry shouts erupted among the crowd because a group of richly dressed men and women, heavily guarded by a military force, were emerging from the lord's mansion. They were met with the crowd's furious jeers. Both men pulled their hats low, not wanting to be seen as part of the irrational mob.

Without a doubt, this group of nobles were participants in the peace talks.

Out of curiosity, Sen Shi carefully examined these nobles and found that many of them were high-ranking figures, and there was even a max-level figure... This was the first time she had witnessed a max-level figure in this world, apart from Tu Mi.

[Level 89 Rain Wizard]

This rain wizard was the spark that ignited the war.

He wasn't particularly handsome, but he was young, thin, and possessed a strange aura that was a mixture of melancholy and wildness.

I heard he was injured, which is why the Peda Empire attacked this place on his behalf? But Sen Shi couldn't see any signs of injury from him, because he was moving with incredible speed and was the happiest guy in the group.

Secondly, another person caught Sen Shi's attention—[Level 100, Silver Moon King, Balzac Mor]

"The lord of Silvermoon City has also come. It's quite rare." Dandelion said unhappily, having also seen the man. "It's that middle-aged man with a full head of golden hair who looks like a lion, but with a kind expression. He is the lord of Silvermoon City and the protagonist of the most famous legendary story of our time, named Balzac Mor.

"A legendary story? What did he do?" Mori wondered.

"Of course, it was Silvermoon City that single-handedly created permanent neutrality, and with its powerful political skills and three great heroes, it directly ended the War of the Flowers."

"It was that battle in the Land of Flowers..."

“Yes.” Dandelion didn’t shy away from the topic, simply stating the facts. “In the war between the Holy Coffin Kingdom and the Peda Empire, only the Kingdom of Flowers was completely destroyed, hence the name. In short, that man ended the war, so he can be considered a great hero.”

In truth, Mori didn't care much about the overall global situation; he only cared about who was the enemy and who wasn't. Most problems in the world are actually that simple, including war.

So Mori asked, "Just tell me, is he one of the people we need to defeat?"