Chapter 408: A Refusal or A Trap? (1/2)

Arthur didn't respond, as he didn't want to dump his feelings on Ma. Instead, he simply nodded and closed his phone. Their wait wasn't long before the butler came in to inform them that the Marchioness returned earlier than expected.

'I guess they heard of the artifacts,' Arthur smiled as he nodded to stand up. Then, together with the butler, the group walked toward the meeting hall. When they entered, Arthur finally got to meet the Maritime Marchioness.

The floor was of blue ceramic tiles adorned with countless illustrations of ships and waves. The Lord of the city sat on her chair, carrying an aura of peace and serenity. The Marchioness received them with a smile, and she stood up to greet them as per customs of lords.

”Welcome to my city, Lord of Hidden,” the Marchioness said with a smile. ”Your visit came unexpected but welcomed nonetheless.”

Hidden seems to be the name everyone called his city. It started as Hidden Gems store in Jerano, continued as an auction house in the Contracts City, and ended up as Hidden City, the tenth city of Freda.

As Arthur got to meet the Lord of Aquamia, he felt as if serenity surrounded her. Whoever laid his eyes on her couldn't help but feel at ease and admire the long navy-blue hair resting peacefully on her white robes.

”Greetings, Lord of Aquamia,” Arthur placed his hand on his heart. ”I hope you understand that for someone like me, I need to make every second count.”

”Ah yes, your promise to build a city in less than three months,” the Marchioness sat down and gestured for Arthur to do the same. ”And it needs to be the trading hub of the kingdom. That would be difficult,” she said after Arthur took his seat.

”That's why we are here,” Arthur said as he sat down. ”Manager Ma has the proposal prepared,” he said, and his subordinate rushed in to give a file to the Marchioness.

After receiving the proposal, the Marchioness began reading it. Her brows furrowed with each second, and Arthur could tell the minute changes of her expression.

”This is...” the Marchioness seemed tempted. ”It's one thing to propose such a thing, but can you provide what you promise?”

”If my city could not, then we wouldn't propose such a thing. The only reason that I'm giving such benefits to Aquamia is because of you, Maritime Marchioness,”

”Please, call me Amaya,” the Marchioness's friendliness increased by several degrees all of a sudden. Arthur nodded with a smile, as this was expected.

”Lady Amaya's grace is known across kingdoms, and the fact that Aquamia still stands as the focal point of maritime routes is nothing less natural with your presence. I've heard of your accomplishments against the Blood Oaths, and I don't think there is anyone as capable as you are. That's why the benefits I'm offering will be well-invested.”

Arthur knew that not even gods could resist praise, and they even craved it. The Marchioness's smile grew wider the more he spoke. This was thanks to Ma's report about her, and it was pretty detailed.

”The Seika has quite the silver tongue. So your offer is hard to refuse,” the Marchioness rested her chin on her shoulder. ”A 10% discount on artifacts from Hidden City, ten artifacts to strengthen our ships, and the ability to borrow funds after one month your city starts trading.”

”There are a few more details, but yes. In return, we want you to help us build a dock and a harbor. We will also employ a few shipbuilders from Aquamia, and we want you to sell us the materials that we ask for.”

”I understand, but there's just one problem,” the Marchioness shook her head. Arthur was surprised that she refused his offer but kept it well-hidden. ”I have my hands full at the moment with a group of monsters. It will take a few months before we can get rid of them, and they inhabit the routes between your city and mine.”

Arthur remembered reading such a thing in the file, but he didn't think it would be an issue. Monsters were commonly seen in Alka, and they almost coexisted with humans. However, for the Marchioness to take a few months to solve, it was absurd.

'I guess it has begun,' Arthur realized there was more to it than just a few monsters. 'They are trying to oppress me using these tactics.'

”We can use the distributaries of the Lo River to establish the routes,” Arthur suggested, but the Marchioness shook her head again. Ma seemed to be growing uneasy, but he didn't dare to interrupt.

”I'm sorry, Seika, but I can't help you,” the Marchioness gave the proposal back to Ma, who didn't dare to refuse taking it. ”Your land is one of the few unexplored regions in Freda, and sending my men there is not something I want to do.”