A Slap, Then a Sweet Date

July 7, 1193, in the Age of Light.

Even though it wasn't yet six o'clock, the merchants of Shining Gold Town were already out of bed. They had put on their finest clothes and were waiting at the eastern entrance of the town.

Today was the day Baron Raven officially reclaimed Shining Gold Town.

As the first rays of sunlight touched the earth, accompanied by the sound of orderly marching, an army appeared on the main road east of Shining Gold Town.

Everyone held their breath at that moment.

Two mighty Blood-Eyed Warhorses led the procession. They stood two meters tall at the shoulder, clad in heavy, solid chainmail, with only their blood-red eyes visible. Their hooves, as large as bowls, struck the cobblestones, kicking up fine stone dust like smoke. No one doubted that once they picked up speed, no one could stop them!

Sitting atop the lead warhorse was, without a doubt, Raven.

Beneath the baron's coronet was thick, dark hair cascading down to his shoulders. He had a high forehead, sharp features, and skin with a hint of coldness. His deep-set eyes held an unfathomable, sharp gaze.

Although he wore the fashionable but impractical attire of the nobility, his upright posture exuded an innate pride and majesty, like a king arriving in his own land!

Behind him, Eric, clad in heavy plate armor, was even taller than Raven, but he couldn't steal the spotlight from the latter.

Led by a man with a red beard, the merchants bowed in unison, "Welcome, Lord Baron!"

"Rise," Raven said, pausing his horse briefly. His calm gaze swept over them. "Meet me at the administrative center later."

He gently squeezed his horse's belly, and with a crisp clatter, he rode away.

The merchants straightened up, and before they could even catch their breath, they held it again!

These were Baron Raven's personal guards!?

A troop of over twenty men walked down the streets of Shining Gold Town in two columns.

They were covered in heavy chainmail, their heads held high, their faces hidden in the shadow of their iron helmets. But their eyes, of varying colors, emitted a chilling light!

This was not the greed typically seen in the eyes of the merchants' familiar Snow Maple Territory soldiers, nor the calculated ruthlessness they feigned when extorting money. Instead, it was a killing intent that pierced the heart, a coldness born from surviving the brink of death.

The merchants trembled at their gaze, realizing clearly at that moment.

These soldiers truly dared to kill! And they would kill!

As the clockwork-like footsteps approached, the cold light reflected off their long spears, making people almost believe they were about to charge into the crowd and begin a massacre!

A mere minute felt as long as a lifetime to these merchants. Only after the private soldiers' footsteps disappeared at the end of the street did the sound of gasping breaths finally erupt.

"My heavens, that was terrifying... I actually didn't believe they could handle bandits before!"

"From Monen City to Snow Maple Territory, this is the first time I've seen such... such fierce soldiers. Are they really not bandits in disguise?"

"Don't be ridiculous. How could bandits possibly have such excellent military discipline?!"

"It's over, it's over... I saw Baron Raven was young, and I was thinking about collecting the debts owed. Now it seems there's no hope..."

These words reached the ears of a middle-aged man with a red beard. He crossed his arms and snorted, "If you're so timid, you might as well go back to farming!"

The person who had spoken was about to retort, but upon seeing him, he immediately put on a fawning smile. "Mr. Karl, I was just scared out of my wits by those soldiers. We'll naturally follow your lead on what to do next."

This man named Karl was the leader of the Shining Gold Town Merchants' Guild. Backed by the Fox Family, he was in the lucrative business of selling weapons.

Relying on the Fox Family's name and his considerable business acumen, for over twenty years, no matter who Shining Gold Town nominally belonged to, he had been its guild leader, effectively controlling the town's commercial lifeline.

Now, seeing the merchants' wavering morale, he naturally wanted to bring everything back under his control.

"It's good that you know to listen to me," Karl said, raising his voice and scanning the crowd. "Look at yourselves. This boss, that gentleman, they all seem like important figures, but in the end, just twenty-odd private soldiers scared you like startled rabbits!"

"So what if it's Raven? Even though he's taken back Shining Gold Town, we're still the ones who call the shots here! Without us merchants, this place would be a worthless wasteland!"

Karl stroked his beard and said proudly, "There's no war right now, so why did he bring all his troops? It's just to give us a show of force!"

"As the old saying goes, one-sided politeness doesn't last.

Since he dares to act like this, we must respond in kind. No matter what demands he makes, we must first make him repay the debt owed by Donald!"

"Anyone who seeks temporary gain and commits a disgraceful act of betrayal will be forbidden from doing business in Shining Gold Town from now on, understand!?"

The merchants looked at each other, then lowered their heads. "Yes, Mr. Karl!"

"Let's go!" Karl waved his sleeve and strode proudly to the front of the group.

Although its population was more than four times that of Eagle Town, Shining Gold Town was not very large. Soon, the merchants arrived at the entrance of the administrative hall.

With the withdrawal of the Snow Maple Territory's fiscal agents, it had become a completely empty building. Now occupied by Raven, the twenty-odd private soldiers stood guard on either side of the main entrance, their silver scale armor gleaming in the sunlight.

Karl led the group into the meeting room of the administrative hall.

A long, ancient table was set up in the meeting room, flanked by oak chairs painted black. Raven was currently seated at the head of the table, smiling and spreading his hands. "You've already paid your respects, so there's no need to trouble yourselves further. Please, have a seat."

This wasn't the first time the merchants had met here, and they sat down with practiced ease. Karl took his seat to Raven's left, while Vice President Fili sat opposite him.

Raven clapped his hands lightly, and maids carrying trays entered from outside, placing glasses of red wine before the merchants.

"It must have been a hardship for all of you to rise early to greet me. Please, try this Angel's Tear."

Angel's Tear!

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of the merchants present lit up.

They had certainly heard of this fine wine, but almost no one had tasted it.

The first batch of over three hundred bottles of Angel's Tear had all been bought by nobles, so they had no opportunity to taste it.

"Then we thank Baron for his generosity." Karl was the first to raise his wine glass, and seeing him make a move, the merchants present also raised their glasses.

After clinking their glasses and tasting the fine wine, bursts of praise naturally flowed out.

"Angel's Tear, truly a gift from the Lord of Light! This is simply the most wonderful red wine in the world!"

"I always brag about my good taste in wine, thinking my collection of [White Mountain Sap] was a treasure. Compared to Angel's Tear, it should just be poured into the slop bucket!"

"It's so wonderful, so wonderful! Even the Fountain of Youth spoken of by the bards can't compare to this!"

Raven showed a gentle smile on his face. "I know that you all must have some worries about me taking back Shining Gold Town, fearing that I am greedy and will levy excessive taxes; fearing that I don't understand economics and will interfere recklessly; some of you might also worry that I will support Denise and thus suppress the power of the local merchant guild."

"This cup of Angel's Tear is to tell everyone that I, Raven, am not someone who likes to eat alone, nor am I a greedy lord."

"As long as you continue to pay taxes and conduct your businesses honestly as before, you don't need to have any unnecessary worries. In fact, I can release some Angel's Tear for sale in Shining Gold Town and share the profits with you."

A low murmur arose, and many merchants' eyes lit up with anticipation—the profit from Angel's Tear itself was secondary, but if it gained a good reputation, it would definitely greatly increase the population flow in Shining Gold Town.

The more people there were, the better business would be!

"Lord Raven's eloquence is truly captivating!" Karl said, stroking his beard. "But I don't think you would let us take advantage of you for nothing, would you?"

Raven was prepared for such a question and immediately spoke eloquently. "Of course, I have my own needs—to expand the production capacity of Angel's Tear and diversify the products, I will build a brand new workshop west of Eagle Town."

"Therefore, I hope that the members of the Shining Gold Town Merchant Guild can give me their full support—building materials, workers, as well as equipment and raw materials needed in the future."

"As long as the quality is up to standard, I guarantee that your interests will be fully protected."

Raven looked expectantly at the merchants present, but those who were very enthusiastic moments ago now turned their heads away, not daring to meet Raven's gaze. The conference room fell into an eerie silence.

"Baron is truly generous," Karl's voice broke the silence. "But, have you forgotten something?"

"Your uncle, Baron Donald, owed our Shining Gold Town Merchant Guild 937 gold coins ten years ago!"

Raven maintained his polite smile. "Of course, I haven't forgotten that. 937 gold coins, calculated at an annual interest rate of 30%, would amount to 3748 gold coins today."

"My proposal is to extend the loan period by another two years. This way, the total amount will be 4310.2 gold coins, and Eagle Territory will pay in installments over the next two years, at 179.6 gold coins per month."

This was the amount Raven and old Gordon had carefully discussed, which would not put too much pressure on Eagle Territory's economy and was enough to show Raven's sincerity.

"Baron is indeed shrewd, but that's not how profits are calculated." Karl stroked his fiery red beard as if he had Raven in his grasp. "Baron Donald's loan period was five years, but it has already exceeded five years."

A shadow flashed across Raven's face.

Karl continued to speak eloquently. "Five years of principal plus interest is 2342.5 gold coins. After that, with compounding interest, another 30% annually, the total is 8697.7 gold coins. Let's say you get a discount, how about 8697 gold coins?"

As soon as he said this, the air became even quieter, so quiet that one could hear a needle drop.

The merchants present had all lent money to some extent, and this profit margin was not outrageous, but that was for commoners and other merchants!

To calculate such ruinous profits on a true nobleman was something they wouldn't even dare to imagine.

Eric, who had been standing silently behind Raven, roared, "You are extorting us!"

Karl glared back righteously. "This is a commercial activity that complies with imperial law, and it is my legitimate right as a merchant!"

"If Lord Raven insists on breaking the rules, then from today onwards, the Shining Gold Town Merchant Guild will refuse all orders from Eagle Territory, refuse to pay taxes, and refuse to cooperate!"

"You're asking for death!" With a shing, Eric suddenly drew the saber at his waist, and a strong smell of blood began to permeate the venue.

But the next moment, Raven pressed his hand down, a smile on his face. "Well said! As the ancient imperial proverb says, without rules and standards, nothing can be accomplished. Mr. Karl is indeed a model of a merchant."

This was undoubtedly a sign of concession, and for a moment, the merchants looked at Raven with a bit of disdain, and at Karl with much admiration.

Karl showed a smug smile; this was exactly the outcome he wanted.

By forcing Raven to accept these exorbitant profits, as long as Raven bowed his head, Shining Gold Town would remain his!

He, Karl, would still be the uncrowned lord of Shining Gold Town.

"I am glad to know that Lord Raven, you are also a person who respects rules." Karl said condescendingly, as if bestowing a favor. "I know you don't have that much cash, so there's a better plan."

Raven rested his chin on his hands and smiled. "Please, tell me."

"You mentioned Angel's Tear earlier, it is indeed a treasure gifted by the Lord of Light." Karl waved his hands, gesturing expansively. "To repay this debt, why don't you share its recipe?"

"Let our Shining Gold Town Merchant Guild produce Angel's Tear, and you can avoid all the trouble and happily count the gold coins we submit. Merchants' business for merchants, Baron's business for the Baron, isn't that good?"

Raven clapped his hands and laughed. "This is truly the best idea!"

He raised his wine glass. "Then, shall we have another drink to this proposal?"

Karl deliberately paused, and seeing that no merchant dared to move, he raised his wine glass, clinked it with Raven's, and drank it down in one gulp.

Angel's Tear, as mellow and sweet as in the legends, and such fine wine would from now on be in his grasp!

The aroma of grapes, the scent of citrus, a faint hint of roasted flavor, and also a fishy, salty... smell of blood!?

The air became so still it felt frozen. The merchants all saw Raven, who had been drinking wine, smile and drive a dagger into Karl's throat. This unexpected turn of events even made them forget to scream!

Clang...

The wine glass in Karl's hand rolled onto the table, and the bright red wine spilled out.

Seeing the thick blood gushing from his nostrils, he finally realized what had happened. He reached up with both hands to grab Raven's wrist, but the latter had already pulled his hand back.

Raven... wants to kill me!?

How dare he!?

Doesn't he fear that Shining Gold Town will become a wasteland by breaking the rules and openly slaughtering merchants like this?!

The icy sensation vanished instantly, replaced by indescribable agony and suffocation. He clutched his throat with both hands but couldn't stop the air from being squeezed out of his lungs bit by bit. The strength drained from his body, and with a clang, he collapsed onto the table.

"He's, he's killed someone!! Someone's been murdered—"

Amidst the sound of shattering wine glasses, the hall erupted into chaos. The braver merchants surged towards the exit, while the more timid ones huddled in their seats, trembling. Some had legs so weak they slid to the floor!

But as these merchants reached the entrance, they were met by the Eagle Army in full armor. Those who tried to force their way out were immediately kicked back!

"Quiet!" Raven's voice echoed through the conference room. The merchants finally recognized the situation and timidly returned to their seats.

"Mr. Karl, the president of the Shining Gold Town Merchants Association, attempted to assassinate Baron Raven in public out of greed for the Angel's Tear formula and was killed on the spot." He picked up a silk handkerchief to wipe his dagger, then gently wiped the blood splattered on his face. A chilling aura swept through the room at that moment. "Am I correct?"

At this moment, in the eyes of the many merchants, Raven's handsome face, stained with blood, was as terrifying as a demon!

Looking at Karl on the table, still struggling like a dead fish with his eyes rolling back, these merchants dared not utter a single word of dissent and could only nod in agreement.

A merchant sitting to Raven's right nodded frantically, "Yes... Karl was insane! He attacked Baron Raven! He deserved to die!"

"Your name is Fili, isn't it?" Raven asked with a smile.

Fili nodded blankly.

"Very good." Raven nodded and surveyed the room. "Then, starting today, Fili will be the president of the Shining Gold Town Merchants Association. Does anyone have any objections?"

A short merchant, clearly with dwarven ancestry, jumped up and exclaimed, "But this doesn't conform to the traditions of the Shining Gold Town Merchants Association..."

Swish.

A crossbow bolt shot out from Raven's sleeve, pierced the merchant's throat, and pinned his corpse to the chair.

Smiling, Raven took a sip of the red wine in his glass and asked, "And now?"

A thick smell of blood began to permeate the air, even mixed with a hint of urine. Some merchants had already wet themselves from fear!

"I, I agree to Fili serving as president!"

"I agree too, I agree too!!"

"Me too, I agree!"

Raven showed a satisfied smile. "Then, regarding the debts..."

Fili's face contorted into a smile uglier than a cry, his large gold tooth gleaming. "All waived, completely waived!"

Raven shook his head. "That won't do."

Fili was stunned. "Huh? But, but this..."

"I, Raven, am not someone who doesn't repay debts." Raven said calmly. "It will be as I said before: a total of 4310.2 gold coins, to be paid back in twenty-four monthly installments."

"Ah?" Fili was bewildered.

Not just him, but all the merchants present were stunned!

They had just killed someone over a disagreement, and now they were expected to repay on schedule? What was going on?

Raven's voice echoed in the silent conference room. "I am someone who values rules, but not your rules as merchants, but my rules!"

"Karl, who conspired to assassinate me, and his accomplices, their shops will be handed over to the Shining Gold Town Merchants Association for joint operation, and the profits will be shared among you all."

"Furthermore, as long as you can complete the tasks I assign, my previous promises will still be valid—Angel's Tear can be partially shipped from Shining Gold Town, and for future goods produced in the Eagle Territory, you will have the right to purchase them at a discount."

As he spoke, Raven clapped his hands, and Eric carried the chest from behind Raven's chair and slammed it onto the table!

Gleaming gold coins spilled across the tabletop. Even stained with Karl's blood, they appeared even more dazzling!

Raven's clear voice rang out, "I have many needs—daily necessities, building materials, weapons, armor, food. Each of you can benefit from this."

"This is the payment for the first batch of goods, a total of eight hundred gold coins. Now, anyone who no longer wishes to trade with me can leave, and it will be considered voluntary withdrawal from the Shining Gold Town Merchants Association. I will not pursue it; those who remain are henceforth my own people!"

In the eyes of the merchants present, there was no longer mere fear, but a growing greed and longing. Their breathing grew heavier.

Being shrewd individuals, they had already figured out Raven's strategy—a slap followed by a sweet date!

Now that the slap had killed someone and the sweet date was so tempting, how could they not be tempted?

"Lord Raven, what do you need!? As long as it's building materials, I, Hank, will take care of it!"

"Me too! Daily necessities, from coal to salt, whatever you need, as much as you want!"

"I have the best leather armor in the entire Nord Province, even enchanted armor made from monster hides! I am willing to give you a 20% discount!"

Amidst the lively pleas, Karl's body convulsed, and he let out his last breath, falling with a thud under the table.

But no one cared about his fate.

"Excellent!" Raven said with a smile. "Then, I will need the following supplies—"