Chapter 757: Chapter 477: Conversation Between Merchants_2 Chapter 757: Chapter 477: Conversation Between Merchants_2 Of course, the spread of war between human kingdoms also caused the prices of various goods to keep climbing.

Exorbitant profits tempted many merchant caravans to keep traveling at risk.

However, Nate was not such a person.

Money could not be earned out, but he still valued his life more.

“A wise choice, my friend!”

Joseph patted Nate’s shoulder, laughing as he spoke.

“But I suggest you don’t go back either, wouldn’t it be safer to wait until the war has completely ended before returning?”

“During this time, you can make several more trips between the Elf Forest and the Bolin Kingdom, Valentine Kingdom.”

“Although profits have decreased a lot, it’s still safer than going back.”

Nate looked at the smile on Joseph’s face with a sideways glance and shook his head:
“If you have an idea, just say it, there’s no need to beat around the bush with me.”

“Haha, did you see through me?”

Joseph wasn’t the least bit upset about having his thoughts revealed; working with a smart person was always better than a pig-headed teammate.

This was also the reason he took the initiative to talk to Nate about this.

“I’ve bought a lot of high-quality iron ore in Bolin Kingdom, but my own caravan can’t transport it all.”

“…I’ll think about it when I get back.”

Nate did not agree on the spot; he needed to think it over carefully.

He wasn’t sure about the current war situation in the Gordon Kingdom, and he was worried about meeting the same fate as Old Muer if he went back rashly.

But staying near the Elf Forest for too long was not a long-term plan either.

Although he trusted Joseph, the Elf Forest was still a foreign land.

Suddenly, Nate remembered something and asked in a low voice:
“Why did you suddenly buy so much high-quality iron ore that you even need someone else to help transport it? Is the rumor true, that the Elf Royal Court Zhonuo City was really destroyed by the Demon Prince?”

“Of course, it’s true, and it’s not just a rumor; it’s been confirmed by the Elf Kingdom.”

Joseph nodded, speaking softly.

“I can’t believe it, that’s a royal court that has existed for millions of years! Isn’t it much older than the combined age of all human kingdoms on the Fanor Continent?”

Nate said with a sense of awe in his eyes.

“It’s almost equivalent to the fall of the Wealth Goddess Church’s Holy City Otuya.”

Both of them shivered slightly; although both were only light believers of the Wealth Goddess, they could imagine the horror of such a scenario.

“So, is it because of this that the Elf Kingdom is now buying up all kinds of metal ores?”

Both were silent for a while before Nate broke the silence first.

“Yes, and it’s not something that needs to be kept secret anymore.”

Joseph nodded slightly, not concealing anything.

“The wealth accumulated by the elves is quite exaggerated, and the prices they’re offering for the current purchase are very high.”

“Is that so?”

Nate nodded, his expression unchanged as he spoke.

“It’s a rare opportunity, so you might as well come and give me a hand; who knows when such a large move by Jade City will end. I won’t haggle with you–you don’t have to provide the capital, and thirty percent of the profit will be yours.”

Joseph offered his terms generously.

He was well aware of Nate’s character and ability, which is why he directly stated his bottom line.

“I understand.”

A hint of surprise flashed in Nate’s eyes.

He didn’t expect Joseph to be so generous, and it also showed him Joseph’s urgency.

If he wanted, he could have asked for even more benefits.

But that was entirely unnecessary, and he wouldn’t do that even if he eventually agreed to Joseph’s proposal; he wouldn’t want to ruin their friendship.

“By the way, I heard that a new Elf Sage has appeared in Jade City–is that the same Lis mentioned in the poem just now?”

Nate asked proactively.

The two tacitly avoided discussing the intelligence they had communicated earlier and began talking about recent rumors instead.

Nate, though not as familiar with the Elf Kingdom as Joseph, was quite clear about the special status of the Elf Sage in the kingdom.

The fact that a human had become an Elf Sage was something Nate initially heard in the Bolin Kingdom, and he had thought it was mere hearsay, somewhat disbelieving.

But to his surprise, upon entering Jade City, he often heard this name; the minstrels had even composed melodies about his deeds, compelling Nate to accept this truth.

“Indeed, it is so.”

Joseph remembered the scene at the Elf Holy Hall when he had witnessed the ceremony conferring the honor of Elf Sage on Lis, and the awe it inspired in him still lingered in his mind.

“When I first learned about it, I didn’t quite believe it either,”
Joseph said, waving his hand and smiling.

“Are you aware of ‘Nature’s Wrath’?”

Upon hearing this, Nate asked with a hint of puzzlement:
“Yes, it’s an organization made up of elves, right?”

“When my merchant caravan entered the Elf Forest, we were inspected by them; they wore clothes emblazoned with the emblem of a withering great tree.”

“How come I never heard of this organization when I was here before?”

It used to be the responsibility of the Elf Guard of Jade City, but now it seemed that the elves of ‘Nature’s Wrath’ had taken over.

Joseph nodded affirmatively and said:
“Yes, those are indeed the ones you’ve seen.”

“Haven’t you noticed that there are far fewer human adventure teams in the Elf Forest?”

“…It does seem that way.”

Nate replied uncertainly; it had been some time since he had last been to Jade City.

“Ha, all those were members of the Slave Catching Team, and they’ve all been dealt with by ‘Nature’s Wrath.’
Joseph said in a hushed tone.

While many people were aware of it, the cautious Joseph preferred not to discuss such matters in the Elf Tavern that might distress the elves.

“‘Nature’s Wrath’ is that powerful?”

Nate was somewhat surprised. He was very aware of the issues with the Elf Slave Catching Teams, having once been asked to transport some elf slaves to the northern Human Kingdoms through his caravan, which he had declined.

But it wasn’t because he was some great philanthropist; if he were truly tender-hearted, he would have reported those people to the elves of Jade City long ago.

It was simply that Nate didn’t want to take the risk; it wasn’t like he wouldn’t come to the Elf Kingdom again. His profits from each trip were substantial enough without having to touch those matters.

“They surely are strong, and I’m not sure how they distinguish the ordinary adventurers from the members of the Elf Slave Catching Teams, but that’s the reality.”

“Moreover, to pursue the Slave Catching Team members, ‘Nature’s Wrath’ even ventured into the Royal Capital, Acot City, of the Bolin Kingdom. Earlier, the Elf Guard never left the Elf Forest.”

“So what you mean is, this ‘Nature’s Wrath’ is related to the Elf Sage Lis?”

Nate asked quietly, sensing a deeper implication.

“Of course, ‘Nature’s Wrath’ was single-handedly founded by Sage Lis, who is also a council member of the Elf Council in Jade City.”

Joseph nodded, feeling a sense of vicarious pride whenever he discussed this with friends.

To have one of his kin achieve such a feat in the lands of an Alien race filled Joseph with admiration, even with no personal connection to it.

Having lived in Jade City for many years, he even sensed other elves starting to improve their attitude towards humans.

Truly remarkable!

All these changes thanks to Lord Lis!

“In that case, he truly is a legendary hero!”

Nate said empathetically:
“If I get the chance, I really would like to meet Lord Lis!”

…

Meanwhile, not far behind them, at a nearby table,
“Lis, Lis, they seem to really respect you, huh!”

“Aren’t you going to meet them?”

Angela said while devouring a fresh fruit salad, addressing Lis.

Though a distance apart and with Nate and Joseph speaking in low voices, their words were still clearly audible to Angela and Lis.

“Eat your food. There are so many who respect me, should I meet every one of them?”

Lis replied with a slight exasperation. Had it not been for the plan to leave Jade City, and Angela’s desire to taste the culinary offerings of this tavern one last time, he would not have been there.