Commerce Guild

As for low-end armor, it was not because the armor itself was poor, but because it mainly referred to the low-end line, such as equipment for soldiers and mercenaries.

Low-end armor was rather complicated, including leather armor, heavy knight armor, light swordsman armor, and so on.

Fox quickly noticed that the light swordsman armor here looked very similar to the armor styles that certain Human Race merchants had smuggled over some time ago.

Could it be?

Fox grew somewhat excited. If the weapons and equipment those Human Race merchants had smuggled in were all purchased from here, then buying them here would definitely be far cheaper than relying on Human Race merchants' smuggling.

"May I ask how much a set of light swordsman armor like this, along with a one-handed sword, would cost?" Fox asked, pointing at the light swordsman armor.

"Standard gear costs one hundred gold coins, Fine Iron gear costs two hundred gold coins, and the one-handed sword is included. But rest assured, the complimentary weapon will be equipment of the same grade. There will absolutely be no passing off inferior goods as superior ones. Of course, these are all standard first-tier equipment. If you are willing to pay a little more, we also have second-tier weapons and equipment," Avilan said with a smile.

So-called first-tier equipment was actually weaponry and gear for those below level ten. Wearing it required meeting designated strength requirements or other conditions. Generally, once one reached the first tier, those requirements could basically be met. Second-tier equipment had improved attributes in every respect, but the requirements for wearing it also rose accordingly.

Yet this was not a game. It was not like in games, where high-level players wearing low-level equipment had their attributes reduced.

Thus, armies in every nation had always preferred low-tier equipment. Only elite units were issued equipment of the same tier as themselves.

Fox nodded calmly, but inwardly, he was shouting without end. This price was simply too cheap.

Compared to those profiteering Human Race merchants, a set of armor cost two hundred gold coins, and that did not even include the helmet or one-handed sword. Here, those were all included.

"I have one request. I want the appearance of this armor altered slightly, so that it has more of our Munk Kingdom's distinctive features," Fox said, gesturing with his hands.

Avilan nodded. The customer was God, after all. It was merely a slight adjustment to the appearance, and compared with the price, this request was practically nothing.

"Very good. Then let us discuss the price. My request is very simple. Since I am buying on such a large scale, I need a discount," Fox said with a grave expression.

"Naturally, that will not be a problem." Avilan explained to Fox the preferential terms he had offered Kalons, except the quantity of weapons and equipment to be purchased was doubled.

After all, Fox might represent the entire Munk Kingdom, while Kalons represented only the lordly faction of the Kompno Duchy.

"Good. I want ten thousand sets, but I will need to return to my country to raise the gold coins. I did not bring that much with me."

After settling the price with Avilan, Fox decisively signed a contract with him. At the same time, he explained that he needed to return to raise funds, but hoped Avilan would first allow him to take one thousand sets of weapons and equipment back with him.

Avilan naturally agreed, leaving Miuo utterly baffled. That was one thousand sets of armor, yet Fox had not even left behind the slightest deposit.

"If you were among the upper ranks of the Munk Kingdom, and you had such a stable source of weapons and equipment, would you give that up just to cheat someone out of one thousand sets of armor?" Faced with Avilan's retort, Miuo immediately fell silent.

Only those born in the Munk Kingdom knew just how backward and scarce the Munk Kingdom's blacksmithing system was.

When he had led his tribe out of the Munk Kingdom, among more than three thousand people, they had brought out fewer than three hundred weapons.

Time passed quickly. More than half a month flashed by, and April had quietly arrived. The weather began to grow hot as the fiery red sun shone over the land, scattering sunlight everywhere.

Despair Fortress hall.

"Mole Xiu, how is the food cultivation progressing?"

Avilan sat high at the head of the hall, with Arthur standing beside him. Below, Zhou Yu, Mi Yue, Aranda, Mole Xiu, and Tiger Fang sat upright, their gazes fixed straight ahead.

Mi Yue now commanded Oldwood Fortress, recruiting troops and training soldiers. Especially after the Piten Tribe had been purged, more and more Wild Men from the fields had gathered there, and they had already become Oldwood Fortress's main population.

The Piten Tribe, which had originally numbered more than five thousand people, had been sacrificed into over four thousand Horned Demons and more than one hundred Demonkin. The four thousand-plus Horned Demons had been stationed in Satellite Town, located on the only route between Despair Fortress and Oldwood Fortress, under Mize's command. As for the Demonkin, being flying units, they had naturally been transferred back to headquarters.

"Lord Avilan, one-fifth of the food base in the northern district has already been restored. The cultivable land exceeds 1.5 million mu. Due to insufficient manpower, we can only plant five hundred thousand mu, and sowing has already begun."

Mole Xiu rose to his feet and gave his respectful report.

"Very good. Also, post notices that Despair Fortress is recruiting craftsmen such as blacksmiths, carpenters, tailors, and the like. Alchemists and mages willing to pledge allegiance may negotiate their compensation!"

Avilan nodded lightly, greatly satisfied with Mole Xiu's efficiency. In just over half a month, he had restored so many planting bases; the hardships involved needed no elaboration.

But if war dragged on, having sufficient grain and fodder alone would not be enough.

Avilan swept his gaze across everyone present and issued another order.

"Arthur, take note!"

Arthur immediately took out a small notebook and recorded it.

"Also, I want to establish a commerce guild in the name of Despair Fortress. Who should take on this important position?"

His gaze shifted as Avilan looked at Zhou Yu and gave the order calmly.

The operation was spreading wider and wider, and money was needed everywhere. Establishing a commerce guild to earn wealth was imperative.

"Lord Avilan, I believe this commerce guild must have members of other races in charge. For example, merchants in the Munk Kingdom must be handled by beastmen, while nations of the Human Race should naturally be handled by members of the Human Race. Only then can they blend into the environment as quickly as possible."

Zhou Yu bowed respectfully.

"Mm, that truly is a headache!" Avilan rubbed his temples. Zhou Yu had given him a suggestion that caused him quite a headache.

Other races would be relatively easy to handle, but the Human Race gave him a real headache. Despair Fortress had originally contained only four members of the Human Race, and those four had escaped some time ago. They had yet to be recaptured.

"Where has the squad pursuing Eddie and the others reached now?" Avilan asked irritably.

"These four humans are far too cunning. They have been taking detours the whole time, and the village where they live is extremely remote. Even after we split off part of our manpower, we still cannot find them." The Demonkin's current commander was called Didi, a name personally bestowed by Avilan. Though he looked like a half-grown youth, the fresh-faced sort at that,

he was in fact an exceptionally cruel fellow who loved nothing more than eating his opponents' hearts raw. He was a fourth-tier magic warrior.

His combat power was not particularly outstanding. He could attack and cast magic, but his attributes were mediocre; he was the sort who could do a bit of everything.

"Hurry it up. This matter has an enormous impact on all of Despair Fortress." Noticing Avilan's dissatisfied expression, Arthur stepped forward and shouted coldly.

Didi was so frightened that he sprawled on the ground, not daring to rise.