Wizard: I am a goblin

Chapter 83 An Impossible Mission

"Lady Stoneheart, I regret to inform you that my five companions were attacked during the night and have returned to the embrace of the rocks."

"I regret this," Shi Xin said, bowing his head and speaking in a low voice. "This isn't the first time caravan members have been attacked in this area."

"I know there's a manticore nearby, right!"

Geb suddenly interrupted.

The two dwarves spoke slowly and deliberately, which frustrated Geb. Finally, when it was his turn to interject, the impatient goblin couldn't hold back any longer.

"Cough...cough!" Dulin feigned a cough and nudged Gebu with his hand. "Don't talk nonsense..."

"Hey, what are you doing! You're talking back to me, but there's a manticore around here too!"

"Your choice of companions is quite unusual, Dulin."

Lady Stoneheart raised her eyes. Dwarves, halflings, humans, children, tall and short—this strange combination seemed to pique the female dwarf's interest.

"They helped me retrieve some personal belongings from the kobold's lair... which is one of the reasons I'm bothering you. I lost all my cash... I was wondering if I could withdraw some money from the Salt and Iron Merchants' account to pay their commission."

"You want to keep your promise and uphold the dwarves' reputation, very good, very good." Lady Stoneheart nodded in satisfaction. "Although there's no branch of the Salt and Iron Merchants' Guild in Redwood Town, I can use the Fourth Caravan's private treasury to withdraw the money for you. As is customary, you'll need to pay a five percent handling fee; you shouldn't have any objections, right?"

"No problem, Mrs. Stoneheart."

"One hundred each for me and the swordswoman," Gebu said dismissively. The swordswoman rolled her eyes at him. The little girl stood by, her eyes darting around, seemingly just observing.

"On the way out, you can find the Treasury Master to do the accounting. The caravan will be settled using the Pearl Alliance's common currency, Full Moon Coin. If needed, you can exchange it for Kingdom Coins at the camp."

"No need, Full Moon Coins will suffice. Thank you, Madam... There's one more thing: this human mercenary, Duofeng..." Dulin said.

"Dove," the mercenary corrected, "Dove Ennis of Tuens, but you can just call me Dove."

"...This Madwoman has been a great help to me on the journey, and I can guarantee her loyalty, skill, and integrity. I hope the caravan will consider signing a long-term contract with her to serve as their bodyguard."

Shi Xin looked the female mercenary up and down and nodded.

"Caravans always welcome capable guards. However, you come from Thuns, the homeland of the kingdom's knights... This caravan's destination is the Golden Sun Red Earth Empire, a long-time enemy of the kingdom. Do you have any reservations about this, Lady Doffin?"

"It doesn't matter, as long as the money is right, I'll cut down whoever I'm told to, regardless of kingdoms or empires."

The female mercenary answered readily.

"Then there's no problem. I'll have the clerk prepare a contract, and we can discuss the details later."

"Then I'm all done," Dulin said, then politely bowed and said goodbye. He, the female mercenary, and the little girl who was just passing by left the tent.

Only Gebu remained.

The dwarf looked up at him without saying a word, as if waiting for him to speak.

"Um... Madam Stoneheart, I'd like to ask you, what do I need to do if I want to join your caravan? I heard from Dulin that I need letters of recommendation, a deposit, and so on..."

"You want to join the Fourth Salt and Iron Caravan?"

"Ah, yes, I'm a herbalist... Oh, let me introduce myself first. My name is Gebu, and I'm a traveling herbalist. I'm really good at making herbs... no, I mean, my medicine smells amazing... no..."

"You are a herbalist, I understand." Lady Stoneheart calmly interrupted the rambling Gebu.

The halfling took a breath and calmed his anxious heart.

"What's the rush? Take your time," he told himself. "She's just a dwarf old woman. I'm not even afraid of an elf old woman."

"What I want to say is that I hope to become a member of the caravan. My herbal knowledge can help the caravan, and the herbs I sell are of guaranteed quality; I will never cheat or swindle anyone. It will only benefit the caravan to recruit me, not harm me. Look, this is the potion I made."

After saying this, Gebu took out a bottle of vitality potion from his dimensional bag and handed it to the female dwarf. She looked at Gebu's bag but did not take it.

Gebu then placed the medicine on the coffee table in front of her.

The female dwarf gestured for Gebu to sit down.

Gebu imitated the female dwarf, sitting cross-legged on the ground in a posture somewhat like meditation.

"You're so young, yet you've traveled alone. Who is your master?"

"Uh..." Geb's mind went blank, but he quickly replied, "Halfman Harden, I learned herbalism from old Harden."

"Oh, I know him. But I don't remember him having any students."

"That old guy never admits he has any students... Actually, we make a lot of the medicines for him; he just uses his name as a front... The old bastard is really cunning."

The dwarf glanced at Gebu but didn't respond. Gebu held back for a while, then couldn't take it anymore.

"So, please give me an answer: yes or no?"

"As Dulin said, the Salt and Iron Caravan doesn't readily accept outsiders. Even less so non-dwarven outsiders. This isn't racial discrimination, but purely due to dwarven custom: we are accustomed to evaluating the reputation of an individual and a clan on a century-long scale. Every dwarven clan's name is a prestigious, well-known brand. I find it hard to say that any human, halfling, or even elf could meet such a requirement. Their minds are as fickle as the winds on the earth, unlike the dwarves, who remain steadfast and unwavering like rocks."

Madam Shi Xin spoke slowly, but then changed the subject.

"However, since we've come to the surface to do business, we naturally won't stubbornly stick to the dwarfs' way of doing things. In some situations, we can be flexible."

Gebu, who had been somewhat disappointed, suddenly perked up and listened intently.

"Yes, if someone makes a recommendation and pays a deposit, I can allow outsiders to join the caravan."

"But you're a traveling merchant, and I suppose you don't have a traveling merchant's license?"

Geb scratched his head, tacitly agreeing with her statement.

"You have no local connections, nor any reputation within the kingdom... I've never heard of you. This increases the risk for the caravan to accept you. We can't trust you based solely on your word. Therefore, if you wish to join the caravan, the conditions will be quite stringent, do you understand?"

Geb thought about it and agreed... but he still wanted to give it a try.

"Go ahead and say it, I'm listening."

"I need you to provide three letters of recommendation from respected and influential figures in the local area or within the caravan. For example, a local lord or baron, a church leader, or a senior figure within the caravan. Since you are acquainted with Dulin, I suggest you start with him... He comes from one of the most important clans in Stonefoot Mountain, and his words carry weight within the caravan."

"In addition, I need you to pay a deposit of 5000 gold coins, which will be held in the merchant guild as collateral. You can use this money for internal caravan transactions, to purchase services, or to pay for your travel expenses. When you leave the caravan, you can withdraw the remaining money. The caravan will never default on your debts; please trust the reputation of the Salt and Iron Merchant Guild."

Gebu remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was deeply troubled.

Damn, it's black!!!

Forget about finding three people to recommend me, where am I supposed to earn 5000 gold coins?

Are you still going to sell fake medicine?! Last time I almost lost my life selling it!

"Hmm...I understand. So, how long will it take me?"

"The caravan was originally scheduled to depart in seven days, but due to the appearance of the manticore, the guild cannot leave until it is dealt with. You may have more than seven days."

That's alright... we still have plenty of time. Gebu thought.

"I understand. I will do it. Mrs. Stoneheart, if you don't mind me asking: are there any ways to make quick money in this town?"

"The Chamber of Commerce is offering a 3000 gold coin reward for killing a manticore. If you're interested, you can give it a try," Lady Stoneheart said. "However, I don't recommend you take the risk. Forgive my bluntness, but you don't look like a hunter. Those who call themselves monster hunters have all failed."

Geb was silent for a moment, then lowered his head.

"You're right, I really shouldn't have taken that risk."

"However, if there's a perfect plan and thorough preparation, then it's not a risk, is it?"

Gebu looked up, revealing a toothy smile.

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I will gather all these things and come see you!"

After saying this, he bowed to Lady Stoneheart and then quickly ran out of the tent—the mask was about to expire! He needed to find a secluded spot to refresh it quickly.

Watching the halfling's departing figure, the female dwarf stroked her long beard.

She chuckled.

The young, short-lived species possess a pioneering spirit that dwarves lack.

An unidentified halfling herbalist... with a dissolute appearance, he actually possesses a magical item called a dimensional bag, and claims to be Harden's student.

Maybe... this little guy really can do it.

That would be interesting.

Lady Stoneheart took a breath, closed her eyes, and once again fell into meditation amidst the fragrant smoke of incense.