[The Young Goblin Delegates]

Zutona now had three Majesties.

Only these three were sincerely addressed as "Your Majesty" by the trolls.

The first two were, naturally, the supreme Loa gods: God Tona and God Tiu. The third was Tonatiuh...

Zangar had been the first to call him that. He believed that the one who had brought the two supreme gods before the trolls, never taken a single wrong step, and was also the most powerful chieftain among the trolls, was naturally worthy of being called Your Majesty.

Once Zangar started using the title, the other trolls immediately followed suit. From then on, they all addressed Tonatiuh as Your Majesty. And a certain chieftain found the title rather satisfying. Having never been an emperor before, he felt quite comfortable being called that by everyone, so he simply accepted it.

"Have they arrived? They're fairly punctual. As long as there's profit to be made, those fellows can handle even a dangerous crater."

Tonatiuh turned back and said with a smile to Zangar.

"Your Majesty. The green-skins are actually very capable. In the desert, their strength may even surpass Zul'Farrak's. You should be cautious when dealing with them," Zangar said softly.

"Of course. Zangar, no one in Azeroth understands goblins better than I do. I know exactly what they are!"

"That is good. Your Majesty, they are in the conference room now..."

"Let's go meet them. If we want to develop trade, they really are the only ones in this world we can rely on. They may be greedy and unreliable at times, but we have no other choice."

"Your will."

Zutona.

City center.

City Hall.

Shaxx Biggwig and several other goblins were curiously looking around at the heart of this troll city in the middle of the primeval forest.

Three months earlier.

A small and unusual troll caravan had emerged from the great desert and arrived at Gadgetzan, the Steamwheedle Cartel's desert city.

Recently, Gadgetzan had become somewhat wary of trolls because of Zul'Farrak's series of military actions. But as a goblin commercial city, Gadgetzan welcomed anyone into its streets so long as they did not cause trouble.

Because that meant business opportunities.

What was more, as soon as this special troll caravan arrived in Gadgetzan, it eagerly sought out the city's current chief administrator and claimed to have a major deal to offer.

Gadgetzan's chief administrator, a trade supervisor of the Steamwheedle Cartel, loudly grumbled as he dealt with the trolls. "Time is money! Wasting my time means wasting my money! If you cannot satisfy me, leave behind your money and goods, then get back to the desert..."

And then...

Spurred by the sight of goods that clearly promised enormous profits, as well as the other party's sincerity in offering up that small batch of goods for free, a special delegation led by the rising goblin Shaxx Biggwig had set out from Gadgetzan a month ago. After enduring countless hardships and using every means of transport imaginable—including goblin airships, goblin helicopters, goblin shredders, desert horses, and more—they had finally reached this wondrous troll city deep within the primeval forest.

The conference hall was enormous. At a glance, it was obvious that it had been built for trolls whose stature was vastly different from that of the trolls outside.

The short goblins here looked like children who had wandered into a meeting place for adults.

Fortunately.

The trolls had thoughtfully prepared specially elevated chairs for the goblins, so they would not be unable to show even their eyes above the table. At the very least, they could appear to be seated as equals.

While satisfied with this arrangement, Shaxx Biggwig quietly muttered to a younger goblin beside him:

"Hey! Marin, these big forest fellows are actually quite considerate! I once read a book at the Kezan Business Academy called <How to Use Psychological Tactics to Get More Money from Your Customers' Pockets>. It said that when doing business, you have to make your customers feel superior and pleased with themselves on the surface. That way, they'll happily pull the gold out of their pockets and give it to us!"

"Mm! Mr. Biggwig, that makes sense. You mean... these big fellows want to make money off us?" the young goblin asked curiously.

"Congratulations, you got it right! Marin, you've graduated!" Shaxx Biggwig said with a beaming smile.

The young goblin immediately panicked. "Mr. Biggwig! I paid you to teach me your business secrets. How can that count as completing it?"

"You have already learned my business secret, Mr. Noggenfogger. I have fulfilled the contract!" Shaxx Biggwig said expressionlessly.

"When? You clearly haven't taught me anything?!" the young goblin, Marin Noggenfogger, shrieked.

"Just now, Mr. Noggenfogger." Shaxx Biggwig continued expressionlessly.

"I just taught you that you must be good at using a customer's psychology to make money from them. That is one of my business secrets, and I have fulfilled our contract. From now on, we are merely ordinary acquaintances. Of course, if you still wish to learn other business secrets, I would be more than happy to teach you—but that will cost extra, my dear Mr. Noggenfogger!"

"I... you, Mr. Biggwig, you can't do this!" Marin Noggenfogger screamed.

"Shut up! I can hear those big fellows' footsteps! Don't say a word. If these negotiations fail, it will be your fault, Marin Noggenfogger!" Shaxx Biggwig threatened.

Thinking of the terrifying Gadgetzan trade supervisor, and what he might suffer if the negotiations failed, young Marin Noggenfogger clenched his sharp teeth and could only swallow his anger. Being tricked infuriated him, but this experience had made him realize that even when dealing with his own kind, a contract was not necessarily reliable.

Seeing the young goblin's unhappy face and his inability to say anything, Shaxx Biggwig felt immensely pleased.

Hehe! That is my business secret: never trust any goblin you do business with, and always carefully examine every little detail in every contract and agreement!

Young Marin Noggenfogger, you still need much more practice! Once the trade supervisor gets promoted and leaves, I will be the boss of Gadgetzan!

The goblin representative thought happily.

Just then.

The trolls arrived.

An incomparably tall figure, so tall that it even blocked the light from the doorway, entered the conference hall with several trolls a head shorter than him.

"Hey! My friends, I hear you want to discuss business with us! We came all this way with great difficulty, and it would make you poor hosts if you sent us back empty-handed! By the way, you..."

Shaxx Biggwig cheerfully began his opening remarks, only to stop halfway through. The goblin representative had noticed that although the tall figure who entered looked like a troll, he was very different from the other trolls.

The difference was not his exaggerated height or powerful physique, but his face... He had no tusks, his eyes were mismatched gold and silver, and he lacked the oversized troll nose. His features did not have the fierce, cruel, primitive look of other trolls. Instead, they were pleasant to look at, gentle, and exceptionally composed.

"Greetings, merchant representatives of Gadgetzan."

The incomparably tall troll, so unlike the other trolls, spoke to Shaxx Biggwig and the others.