Berserk: The Prophet

Chapter 303: A Banquet or a Test?

"Well, it should cost at least 45 gold coins."

Green's mind raced. He realized he only had about 30 gold coins in total. He hadn't expected a small caravan to be so expensive; he might as well start a factory...

"However, doesn't the master have guards at hand?" The merchant's gaze swept over the well-equipped Silver Mist Ranger.

"Buying a wagon and the livestock for transport will cost around 20 gold coins in total. If you rent them, it will only cost 5 gold coins. Add to that the guild fee of 15 silver coins, and buying a wagon full of goods will cost about 15 gold coins. Various taxes along the way will cost at least 3 gold coins, and the supplies and soldiers' wages... uh, how much do they need to be paid per month?"

In other words, renting horses and other items would require approximately thirty gold coins to successfully complete a single trade run, which would take about a month to complete.

Green stroked his chin thoughtfully. Although the money was barely enough, the profit from this trip wasn't particularly high compared to the costs.

"...After deducting costs, if nothing unexpected happens along the way, I'm confident I can make you a profit of more than 5 gold coins. After all, the profit margin for salt is now about 25% higher than before," the merchant said cautiously, noticing Green's troubled expression.

...Five. Gold coins!?

This is much more than Green expected.

He suppressed his inner excitement, maintaining the composure of a nobleman on the surface, and stared intently at the merchant: "In that case, we shall begin preparations immediately. However, before that, I need you to explain in detail every step of the caravan's formation, as well as how to deal with any potential risks."

The merchant bowed slightly, a knowing glint in his eyes: "Sir, first we need to join the Merchants' Guild as soon as possible to obtain a legal business license. I have some connections within the guild and can expedite the process. Once that's done, we'll rent carriages and packhorses. However, we must be careful with the rentals. I know a reliable horse merchant whose livestock are strong and whose prices are fair."

“...Good, then let’s get started. Let Dui accompany you.” Green pulled out a large bag of coins from his pocket. This was all his wealth; the rebates he received through the system amounted to exactly 30 gold coins.

...Looks like I'll have to find some work to do with the mayor in Barkley tonight.

"Yes, Your Excellency." The merchant bowed, preparing to go with Dui to the Merchants' Guild to settle the matter.

"Wait, what's your name?"

The merchant paused for a moment, then said respectfully, "Sir, my name is Leon Odo."

Green nodded. "Lighton, this trip is undoubtedly crucial for both of us. If it goes smoothly, there will be more opportunities for cooperation in the future."

Lighton's eyes lit up, and he quickly thanked him, "Thank you for your appreciation, sir. I will do my best to complete this business."

"Okay, you guys go get to work."

Following Green's instructions, Duy and Lighton left the inn together to handle guild formalities and rent a carriage.

Green sat in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. Although the profits were higher than expected, this business trip was also full of unknowns.

He decided to wait until Dui and Letheon returned before carefully planning the journey. Therefore, the trip to Midland would likely be postponed for some time.

Green could no longer quite remember the girl's face, but her light blue eyes and silver-white hair remained vivid in his memory, haunting his dreams.

Speaking of which, Sister Heckler has similar characteristics. That girl seems to be even more assertive than Sister Heckler, and she loves to fight. I suppose she'll grow up to be even prettier and more dashing than Sister Heckler?

Thinking of his older sister who had always taken care of him, Green couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness; he never expected...

However, Green soon had no time to reminisce, as the lord of Juda, being a nobleman, invited him to a banquet that evening.

Fortunately, Green already had a silk dress from the banquet at Barkley in his space, which fit perfectly. Although it was not quite the same as Juda's traditional clothing, it could be reasonably explained by the fact that the two places were very different.

Green straightened his clothes, looked at himself in the bronze mirror, and put on a proper and gentlemanly smile before heading to the banquet.

Goebbels is used to using his aristocratic status, so this kind of pretense of being an aristocrat is a piece of cake for him. To put it bluntly, what aristocrats care about all day long is just those two words: pretentiousness.

In short, if you have the right level of sophistication, no one will doubt you.

In this largely similar world, the tastes of nobles are pretty much the same. So we should bring some rare items to the banquet to broaden the young lord's horizons and dispel any doubts he may have.

Green closed his eyes, entered a meditative state, and directly bought a set of transparent glass goblets at the Rose Castle market, as well as a bottle of Rose Castle's specialty rosé wine.

The pale pink liquid and the fragrance of roses are intoxicating, whether you just look at it or take a sniff.

The price of 1,500 dinars made Greene wince, as it was a rare treat he was reluctant to part with.

Selling such rare and precious items, even among nobles, the shop owner was clearly shrewd and had already prepared gift boxes. The outer gift boxes themselves were exquisitely crafted from sandalwood, making them a must-have for holidays and festivals, emphasizing a sense of social etiquette.

The weather was perfect, the sun was setting, it was time to attend the banquet.

Smoke curled from the lord's kitchen. The well-maintained small stone castle was quite presentable, a typical medieval castle, but not as idyllic as depicted in fantasy movies. In fact, you could still smell the stench of horse manure here.

The prosperity of the towns within the territory was closely linked to agriculture and trade routes, and the soldiers, all robust and healthy, welcomed Green and his knights.

Green and two of his men stepped into the lord's banquet hall, where the somewhat monotonous decorations and lively crowd came into view.

The city's baron was holding a party here with a dozen or so noble knights under his command. The chefs had just finished serving the dishes, and it looked like the banquet was about to begin.

The baron, who was also the lord of the place, was an old man who looked to be almost 60 years old. When he saw Green dressed in his finest clothes, he greeted him very warmly and welcomed him.

While speaking with the lord, Green keenly noticed the strange looks cast at him by some of the surrounding nobles, who seemed to still have doubts about his identity.

At this moment, a tall, stern-faced nobleman stepped forward and sized up Green, his tone slightly provocative: "Your attire is quite different from the traditional style of our Juda. I wonder which remote place you come from?"

Green felt a chill run down his spine, but he remained calm and politely replied, "I come from the coastal war zone near Grant. Due to regional differences, my attire is naturally different."

The nobleman's lips curled slightly upwards, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Oh? A nobleman from a war zone, that's quite a rare sight."

Just as the atmosphere became somewhat tense, the lord stepped in to smooth things over and steered the conversation elsewhere. Green secretly breathed a sigh of relief; he knew that at this banquet, he had to be constantly careful in dealing with the probing questions from these nobles.