Unexpected Visitor

Victor was pleased. The smooth arrival of the fleet also signaled that the development of the Two Rivers Territory had entered a new phase.

Many long-planned projects could finally be put on the agenda, and the new labor force could speed up construction. The supplies they carried could also ensure the stable operation of the territory.

However, Victor also noticed something strange. The fleet that docked this time clearly had a few more ships than the one that returned. Victor didn't believe his father would purchase new ships at this time, so he didn't enter Sea Song Town but headed directly to the dock.

Victor's group of cavalry was quite conspicuous. As they approached the dock, the infantry stationed there began to assemble and form ranks in front of the dock. When the officer in charge saw that it was Victor, he immediately ordered all the soldiers to line up to welcome him.

Victor nodded from horseback without dismounting and rode directly onto the pier. He happened to see Vincent, the manager of Sea Song Town's second engineering team and acting town mayor, talking to someone with their back to the dock. When Vincent noticed Victor's arrival, he immediately pulled the person over to bow to Victor. As the person turned, it was Captain Jack.

Both of them performed a bare-headed salute to Victor. Victor walked straight over, helped Captain Jack up, and said, "It seems this trip went smoothly. You've worked hard, Captain Jack."

"My lord, thank you for your concern and trust. This is my duty." Captain Jack was excited that his work was recognized. Being valued so highly by the boss meant he was favored by heaven and had a bright future. Vincent's envious expression beside him was proof enough.

"Don't get too excited. I have something to ask you. What's the deal with those extra ships in the fleet?" Victor asked his question directly.

"My lord, it's like this..." At this moment, a voice interrupted Jack's reply.

"Baron Victor, it's been a while. I hope you can forgive me for taking so long to deliver the goods." The speaker was an old acquaintance of Victor's. A round figure walked down from a nearby ship – it was Vitri of the Gorn Trading Company.

"So it's President Vitri. I didn't expect you to deliver the goods yourself. Our agreement was to have them delivered by mid-October, so I didn't expect them to arrive so early." Victor had a good impression of Vitri. After all, this great merchant was not only good at business but also very adept at handling personal relationships.

Victor turned to Captain Jack and Vincent and said, "You two handle the work and cargo handover first. I'll take Jack's ship back to Wood Fort Town tomorrow."

Then, Victor invited President Vitri to tour Sea Song Town.

Along the way, Victor introduced President Vitri to the current situation of Sea Song Town and the Two Rivers Territory, as well as his development plans for the territory's future. President Vitri was also a skilled conversationalist, agreeing throughout and offering interesting and feasible suggestions. When they arrived at Sea Song Town's temporary office, Victor arranged a dinner to discuss matters further with President Vitri.

"President Vitri, I didn't expect you to know so much about the customs and traditions of the North. If I didn't know your background, I would have almost thought you were a native noble from the northern counties."

"Lord Victor, you flatter me. As a qualified merchant, understanding the market and customer needs is essential. The northern counties are a key market for our trading company's future expansion, so it's only natural to understand its characteristics and current situation. And please, just call me Vitri."

"Of course, you can call me Victor too. The Iron Birch Wood you brought this time is very timely. My castle can finally be built. But it seems you've brought more than just Iron Birch Wood; you must have brought other goods, right?"

President Vitri chuckled, "Lord Victor, oh, Victor, you are indeed very shrewd. If you were a merchant, you would undoubtedly be very successful." The great merchants of this world were either from noble families or had obtained noble status. At the very least, great merchants were regarded as members of the nobility.

"I've brought quite a lot of goods this time, and I believe they will be of great help to your territory's construction. I hope we can finalize this deal." Vitri's tone became somewhat serious.

Seeing this, Victor found it strange. Vitri had always been so smooth and adaptable, and his sudden seriousness in tone and demeanor made Victor a little uncomfortable.

"Then, Vitri, please elaborate. I also hope we can finalize this deal." Regardless, Victor wanted to hear what goods he had brought and whether they would truly be helpful for the territory's construction.

"I brought four ships. Two are loaded with the Iron Birch Wood you ordered previously. The other two contain ten tons of iron, as well as a large quantity of cloth and furs. The rest are weapons: 200 Armor-Piercing Crossbows produced in the Raine Kingdom, 100 bundles of Armor-Piercing Arrows, with 20 arrows per bundle, and a batch of swords from the desert tribes of the south. Finally, there are 100 sets of Iron Knight Armor."

When he mentioned the weapons, Victor's expression turned serious. The Grand Duchy of Vera had strict regulations on weapon sales, requiring approval only from the Grand Duke. The Gorn Trading Company, as a new and powerful force, couldn't possibly obtain a weapons sales license during this chaotic period of political transition, no matter how influential they were.

Especially when Vitri mentioned the Armor-Piercing Crossbows and Iron Knight Armor, Victor stood up directly, confirmed the doors and windows were closed, and then gritted his teeth and said to Vitri, "President Vitri, I consider you a friend. Are you trying to gamble with my life?" The Raine Kingdom's Armor-Piercing Crossbows were renowned throughout the nations. These crossbows, paired with specialized Armor-Piercing Arrows, could penetrate almost all armor within 100 meters, earning them the title of "sharpest weapon." They were also strictly controlled by the Raine Kingdom. Illegally selling more than 10 units could even lead to a kingdom-wide warrant for arrest. With the Raine Kingdom's influence, even foreign nobles would suffer severe consequences, if not worse. Iron Knight Armor was even more famous in the Grand Duchy of Vera. The Iron Birch Family had never sold it to outsiders; at most, they gifted it. Even to their liege, Duke Silver Maple, they had only gifted 10 sets during his enthronement. The ducal house likely possessed no more than 50 sets accumulated over generations. Any noble attempting to acquire Iron Knight Armor privately would be targeted by the Iron Birch Family.

"Victor, rest assured, my weapons have all been licensed. The Raine royal family knows, and the Iron Birch Family also knows," Vitri said sternly.

Hearing this, Victor's suspicions grew.

"The Raine Kingdom wants to interfere in the internal affairs of the Grand Duchy of Vera? Aren't they reaching too far?"

Vitri smiled slightly, "Victor, you are indeed intelligent. I am good at understanding people's minds. In fact, from the first time I met you, I sensed a hint of caution from you, not the kind of caution one has towards a stranger or a liar, but a more subtle caution towards an enemy. But rest assured, we will not be enemies, at least not until the Silver Maple Ducal House falls."