Chapter 11
592words
As always, I was first to enter the training grounds for basic Mana Control exercises. Sweat beaded on my face, my disciplined routine providing the perfect alibi.
No one would ever connect me to the "hero" who had rescued a caravan just hours before.
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Meanwhile, in Green Leaf Village—a settlement outsiders believed long destroyed—lights blazed as activity flourished.
In the village center, Dorn Trading Company members inventoried their recovered goods, faces bright with relief. Kikyo led her apprentice healers in treating wounded guards. Their gentle care and skill deeply moved these hardened men accustomed to rough living.
Nearby, Iron Fang supervised his patrol team guarding the disarmed bandits. These once-fearsome raiders now crouched submissively, like beaten dogs.
Inside the village meeting hall, a special negotiation was underway.
On one side sat Ando Tsukasa, the Crescent Moon Society's "Chief Director." This quiet, thin youth now occupied the main seat with surprising authority, adjusting his glasses with calm confidence.
Across from him sat Emily, the Dorn Trading Company heiress.
"Miss Emily," Ando began steadily, "we deeply sympathize with your company's ordeal. And congratulate you on recovering your goods."
"All thanks to that remarkable Arbiter," Emily's face still showed excitement. "Might we have the honor of thanking him personally?"
"The Arbiter's whereabouts aren't for us to know," Ando replied impassively, following my script perfectly. "He's merely the guardian of this trade route. We're simply peaceful villagers who happen to live nearby."
"Living in seclusion?" Emily glanced at the well-equipped patrol members visible through the window, clearly skeptical. But being clever, she didn't press further.
"So," she changed topics, "how will you handle these bandits? And their stolen goods... by custom, we should offer a portion as reward."
This was the crucial point.
Ando smiled, light glinting off his glasses.
"We don't want a reward, Miss Emily."
"What?" She looked surprised.
"We of the Crescent Moon Society..." Ando paused, deliberately using our name for the first time with an outsider, "...or rather, we of Green Leaf Village, wish to establish a deeper partnership with Dorn Trading Company."
"These bandits will be 're-educated,' atoning through labor. Their weapons and stolen goods will fund trade route security."
"Green Leaf Village will ensure this route's absolute safety. In return, we hope Dorn Trading Company becomes our exclusive, long-term trading partner."
Ando stood and extended his hand to Emily.
"We provide security and exclusive goods; you provide stable trade channels and fair prices. This road becomes our shared golden path to prosperity. What do you say, Miss Emily?"
Emily stared at the young man before her in amazement.
His articulation and vision were far beyond any "villager." The opportunity he described was tantalizing.
A secure, exclusive trade route? Any trading company would covet such an arrangement.
She studied Ando's confident eyes, recalling the mysterious Shadow Arbiter's power.
Suddenly, she understood.
These were no ordinary villagers.
This was an organization—a mysterious group with military strength, strict discipline, and strategic vision!
And now they were extending an alliance to her company.
Emily's breathing quickened with excitement. This wasn't just a transaction but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
She grasped Ando's hand firmly.
"On behalf of Dorn Trading Company, I accept!" Her face brightened with a brilliant smile. "A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Ando!"
With this handshake, the Crescent Moon Society's first commercial territory was established.
And the legend of the Shadow Arbiter, carried by Dorn Trading Company's successful return, spread to neutral Aruba.
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