Pearl Route (Part 2)

After Duke became famous for killing Hogger, he became known throughout Stormwind City once again for something else—the Pearl Route.

The impact and reach of these two matters were entirely different.

No matter how formidable Hogger was, he was still just a monster in Elwynn Forest. To Stormwind Kingdom's upper ranks, Hogger was, at the end of the day, merely a minor local problem.

The emergence of the Pearl Route not only shook the entire noble circle of the Stormwind Kingdom, but even alarmed King Llane himself.

At the heart of the Stormwind Kingdom, within Stormwind Keep in Stormwind City, the magnificent white marble floor reflected the morning light of the rising sun. In the octagonal royal reception hall, Royal Guards holding sharp halberds stood as straight as pines. Their armor gleamed, their gazes were keen, and their expressions resolute. Their vigilant eyes proved that they could handle any danger. They were the elite personally trained by Anduin Lothar.

Ever since he had entrusted the Royal Knights to Lothar, this childhood friend had never disappointed King Llane.

Twenty years had passed since he ascended the throne at the age of twenty.

With blackish-brown curly hair, sharply defined features, a face brimming with masculine charm, and kind yet dignified eyes, Llane was in his prime and looked exceptionally valiant.

Seated upon a white throne inlaid with golden trim, with a blue lion banner edged in gold and bearing the Stormwind Kingdom's emblem behind him, Llane was reading a report.

"Westfall's Pearl Route? Earth Mage Duke Marcus wishes to obtain exclusive operating rights for this route he pioneered? A term of ten years... Anduin, I feel like I've heard this name somewhere before?" King Llane tilted his head and turned his gaze toward his friend and most loyal, dependable subject.

Lothar was handsome, and his eyes always shone with steadfast resolve. Every line of his face was perfect, an excellent embodiment of the word "masculine."

His long black curls fell past his ears. On anyone else, they might have looked messy, but on Lothar, they gave him a distinctive masculine charm. Both were exceptionally handsome, but perhaps the greatest difference between Anduin and Llane was their skin tone.

Having trained soldiers outdoors year-round, Anduin was somewhat darker-skinned and healthier-looking. Llane's complexion, on the other hand, had a pallor that seemed deprived of sunlight.

As King Llane's childhood friend, Lothar was likewise at the golden age of manhood. Energetic yet experienced, he was at the perfect age to accomplish great things.

Anduin Lothar took the report and skimmed it quickly before nodding. "It is indeed him. Not long ago, I submitted a report about him to Your Majesty. Duke Marcus is the second magic apprentice in our kingdom's history to possess ninth-rank aptitude, and he advanced to Earth Mage on the very day he entered the academy. He is a once-in-a-century genius for our kingdom! He also belongs to the Royal Mage Corps."

Llane smiled, his expression carrying the warmth of spring. "If this Pearl Route is real, then our kingdom's finances will improve greatly in the future. Monsters run rampant in Elwynn Forest, making it impossible to collect much of the tax revenue that should be due. You have been urging me to repair Stormwind City's walls, and it seems we may have found the money for that as well. But I have a question..."

"My king, please ask." Lothar bowed elegantly.

"My financial advisers always tell me that unless I spend half the annual treasury revenue to maintain a fleet no smaller than one-third the size of Kul Tiras's navy, I should not even think of venturing into the sea. Why can this Marcus guarantee the safety of a shipping route?"

"The application does not explain that. But I will investigate it thoroughly."

Llane lightly tapped the report with his finger. "I admire this enterprising young man. If he can bring stable tax revenue to the kingdom every year, I can charge him only a ten percent tax. Hmm, Lothar, while you're at it, warn those blind fools for me. I do not want the kingdom's young shoots destroyed."

"Understood, my king!" Lothar placed a hand over his shoulder and withdrew.

Duke had no idea that he had already drawn the joint attention of King Llane and Anduin. At that moment, he was on a deserted island off the coast of Westfall, quietly listening to Vala's report.

This female Naga chieftain seemed to have adapted to her new role. Her meek and obedient manner made Duke quite comfortable.

"Master, we have collected more than 3,300 pearls of various kinds. Of those, the most valuable include 31 [Gold Pearls] and 125 [Black Pearls]. Shall we transport them all aboard at once?"

Duke waved a hand. "There's no need. Leave one-tenth of them here. I'm going to use hunger marketing."

"Hunger what?"

Duke broke into a cold sweat inwardly. Forget it. Even if I explained it, you wouldn't understand. "But remember this: do not conquer the three Murloc tribes closest to Stormwind City under any circumstances. Only ships bearing my magic mark are to receive an escort from you. This will be the trading point from now on. When humans come ashore, just leave one male Naga behind to handle the handover."

"Understood, my master."

"You may withdraw first."

"Yes!"

In the distance, three small cargo ships entered Duke's field of vision.

As far as he could see, apart from Macaro, an unexpected figure entered Duke's sight.

"Huh?" As the ships drew closer, Duke became certain that he was not seeing an illusion.

At the bow stood a dignified, aristocratic-looking woman with blond hair pinned behind her head. She wore an aqua-blue long dress, making her seem as though she belonged to an entirely different world from Macaro beside her and the young sailors dressed in dirty short shirts and shorts.

A thirty-ton vessel did not require a dedicated dock, and it was not too much of a problem to berth it on the beach. Taking advantage of the approaching low tide, the newly hired captain ran the ship onto the sand. That way, once the cargo was loaded, they could easily float it back into the sea when the tide came in.

Almost the moment the ship came to a stop, the woman eagerly jumped down.

This middle-aged woman could not be called beautiful. Beneath her relatively flat forehead, a pair of narrow eyes darted about. Her brows tipped slightly upward, and her clear gaze did not lack shrewdness. Her small nose was sharp and high, making it obvious at a glance that she was an extremely independent person.

Yet she possessed a distinctive air, with a merchant's keen instincts coupled with a dignified, ladylike bearing that made people feel at ease.

She quickly approached Duke with small steps, then gave him a proper curtsy.

"Hello. You must be Lord Duke Marcus?"

"I am Duke. And this lady is...?"

"I am Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Stormwind City's sole supplier of jewelry processing. I heard that you have a large quantity of pearls, my lord. I believe you and I can reach a pleasant partnership."

Duke did not know the name Elizabeth Jones. But he knew of an Isabelle Jones, who would later become New Stormwind's supplier of jewelry processing.