54: trade

The hustle and bustle had faded, and the warmth of the grand celebration still lingered. However, inside the deliberation hall of the Iron Sand Island Lord's Mansion, the usual silence had returned. Sunlight filtered through windows inlaid with colorful seashells, casting mottled shadows on the floor, and a faint scent of incense filled the air.

At this moment, only two people remained in the hall: the newly appointed Baron of Star Sea, Linn, and the current strongest person in the Saru Archipelago in name, Viscount Nocturne.

The attendants were dismissed after serving steaming cups of fragrant tea. Linn was in no hurry to speak; instead, he personally filled Viscount Nocturne's teacup with calm and unhurried movements. Viscount Nocturne did not rush him either; he picked up his teacup, gently blew on the steam, and waited patiently. He knew that Linn leaving him alone was definitely not just for sipping tea and idle chatter.

“Brother Nocturne,” Linn finally spoke, his voice steady and clear, “first of all, thank you again for taking the time to attend today's investiture ceremony.”

“Brother Linn, you are too polite. This is only proper etiquette. We are allies, after all.” Viscount Nocturne smiled slightly, responding with pleasantries while secretly speculating on Linn's intentions.

Linn put down the teapot and looked out the window, as if he could see through the walls to the outline of the entire Saru Archipelago. “Brother, you have managed the Saru Archipelago for nearly twenty years, so you must know its situation like the back of your hand. I wonder how you view the future of this sea region beneath our feet?”

Viscount Nocturne pondered for a moment and replied cautiously, “The Saru Archipelago is dotted with islands, but those truly suitable for habitation and possessing development value are few and far between. The total land area of all islands combined is only a little over two thousand square kilometers. Currently, the wealthier and more strategically located large islands are basically in our hands.” He paused and glanced at Linn. “The remaining small islands are scattered under the control of the two Lords, Rodney and Barlett, as well as some insignificant pirate remnants in hiding. The layout... is roughly like this.”

This analysis was standard and factual, but he didn't understand why Linn had suddenly brought it up.

Linn turned his head, his black eyes looking directly at Nocturne, his tone becoming sincere. “Your analysis is correct. The cake that is the Saru Archipelago is only so big. You are already a Viscount and aspire to a broader world; and I, the Baron of Star Sea, also desire to lead my people toward a more prosperous future.” He changed the subject with a hint of frankness, “However, we both know that if our families' future development is confined within the Saru Archipelago, then friction and conflict will be almost inevitable. Even if we personally desire peace, the interests of our subordinates and expanding ambitions will eventually push us toward opposition.”

Viscount Nocturne's eyes narrowed slightly as he slowly put down his teacup. Linn's words directly pointed out the potential core conflict. This clarity and candor surprised him and made him even more alert. “So, what do you mean, Brother?” he asked directly, wanting to hear what Linn's plans actually were.

Linn leaned forward slightly, his voice not loud but carrying a sense of unquestionable determination. “My gaze is not fixed on the Saru Archipelago. I choose to expand to the north, deeper into the Storm Sea Region, toward those unknown and vast scattered islands! This way, I will not compete with you for the rule of the Saru Archipelago.”

“What? Expanding to the north?” Viscount Nocturne was startled and unconsciously sat up straight. The north! That was a treacherous place he hadn't dared to venture into easily even after years of management! In the core area of the Storm Sea Region, storms were more frequent, sea conditions were more complex, and there were rumors of even more powerful sea beasts and even other dangerous races lurking there. Linn actually dared to set that as his goal? This courage, or rather... madness, far exceeded his imagination!

But following the shock, an uncontrollable joy welled up in his heart. Linn voluntarily giving up the struggle for the Saru Archipelago meant that his Nocturne Family would become the undisputed overlord of this archipelago. He could peacefully digest the fruits of Flamingo Island, stabilize his Foundation as a Viscount, and even lay a more solid Foundation for his future path to becoming an Earl! This undoubtedly cleared his greatest potential obstacle!

“Brother... your ambitions are indeed high, beyond what ordinary people can achieve.” Nocturne suppressed the waves in his heart, his tone carrying a hint of complex admiration. “Expanding to the north carries huge risks, but if successful, the rewards will be limitless. Since Your Excellency the Baron has such ambition, I, Nocturne, naturally wish you success and hope you return in triumph!”

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became much more harmonious. The two talked for a while about rumors of the northern sea and the difficulties they might encounter in expansion, seemingly having a very pleasant conversation.

However, Linn's 'bombshells' were not finished. At the most harmonious moment, he casually threw out another proposal that made Nocturne's heart race.

“Viscount, since I am determined to go north, the properties in the Saru Archipelago—aside from Iron Sand Island, which must be kept as my title's Foundation, and Ironwood Island, which has ironwood resources...” Linn's tone was flat, as if he were talking about a trivial matter. “The other small islands I captured from the pirates, which have fresh water and are habitable, totaling about a hundred square kilometers, are no longer necessary for me. I wonder if Your Excellency... would be interested in taking them over?”

Viscount Nocturne's hand holding the teacup jerked, and the tea almost splashed out. He looked at Linn in disbelief. Giving up territory that was already in hand and had undergone preliminary development? This was simply... a windfall from heaven! This meant that the Nocturne Family could expand its sphere of influence to the vast majority of the Saru Archipelago almost without lifting a finger, completing a substantial unification!

Suppressing the wild joy in his heart, Nocturne tried to keep his voice steady. “Is Brother serious? I wonder... in what way does Your Excellency wish to trade?” He knew well that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Linn's move must have a purpose, likely to exchange for the huge resources needed to go north.

Linn smiled slightly, having long since prepared his plan. “I am expanding north and urgently need population, equipment, and funds. I am willing to exchange these islands for Slaves, armaments, gold coins, and some food supplies supported by Your Excellency.”

The subsequent negotiations entered the substantive bargaining stage. Behind Nocturne stood a Family even more prominent than the House of Earl Alistair within the Aolai Kingdom, with deep financial resources. Completely controlling the Saru Archipelago was of great strategic significance to his Family. Finally, after some back-and-forth, the two parties reached an agreement:

Linn would completely transfer the sovereignty of all habitable subordinate islands under his name (totaling about 100 square kilometers), except for Iron Sand Island and Ironwood Island, to Viscount Nocturne.

In exchange, Viscount Nocturne would pay Linn:

· 3,000 sturdy Slaves (the ratio of men to women must be coordinated to facilitate reproduction).

· 600 sets of standard ordinary soldier leather armor and matching weapons.

· 5,000 gold coins.

· Food supplies sufficient to sustain these 3,000 Slaves for one year.

For Nocturne, this transaction used a large but manageable amount of Family resources and money to exchange for nearly complete rule and strategic security over the Saru Archipelago; it was undoubtedly an extremely cost-effective deal. For Linn, he shed 'enclaves' that were distracting and difficult to defend effectively, in exchange for the population, equipment, and startup capital urgently needed to go north, which could be immediately converted into strength, injecting powerful momentum into his 'Star Sea' dream.

Subsequently, Linn also revealed his identity as a fourth-level Apothecary and reached a trade cooperation agreement with Viscount Nocturne. Nocturne's Family had great influence in the Kingdom's military and possessed a large number of prisoner-of-war Slave resources. Linn expressed his willingness to exchange potions for population and food resources.

Nocturne felt that today was truly a bountiful harvest. By acting as a middleman, he would also gain huge profits. He believed that his Family would produce an Earl in the future. Then, with the Family possessing one Marquis and one Earl, they would be among the top powers in the entire Aolai Kingdom.

With the agreement reached, both parties were overjoyed. Viscount Nocturne could not even wait to rest and took a boat overnight toward Leiming to mobilize resources.