Tempted by the allure of silver coins, Socduo quickly gathered ten or so careful and bold young n. With only so simple equipnt, they headed in the direction of the rising smoke.
As the smoke drew closer, a young guard couldn't help but mutter.
"How long are they going to cook…? It's been over an hour, and the smoke hasn't dissipated."
As soon as his voice dropped, another guard beside him casually replied.
"Maybe it's not cooking. I rember iron slting furnaces producing quite a lot of smoke too."
Whispers spread throughout the team.
"Isn't that smoke a bit too much?"
"Maybe there are many people over there?"
Socduo didn't participate in the guards' chatter, but he heard every word.
Regardless, thick smoke always ant a good sign—it indicated the presence of civilized people ahead.
The group pressed on, and soon, towering barricade walls lood before them.
The guard at the front was just about to step forward when an arrow suddenly whizzed past, embedding itself in the tree trunk beside them.
The sudden arrow startled everyone.
The group of guards quickly reached for their firearms, preparing for battle.
Seeing his subordinates' actions, Socduo quickly turned to them, waving his hand to stop them.
"Wait! Don't move!"
Having said that, he then turned back toward the barricade gate ahead. Standing at the gate was a figure holding a bow, expressionless, staring at them. No one knew when that person had appeared.
It seed the figure had been waiting for so ti.
Clearly, ever since they'd entered the forest's vicinity, this area's Lord had already taken note of their uninvited group.
"... We an no harm, just a rchant caravan passing through! Perhaps we happen to have items you need, and we're willing to make a trade!"
Brook, holding the bow, appraised the man in front of him carefully before lowering his weapon.
Since becoming Lord Demon King's subordinate, he had taken on the role of North Peak City's Civilian Corps patrol captain, tasked with watching over the gate.
With years of experience walking the world as an adventurer, Brook could tell the man wasn't lying.
Moreover, based on reports from Little Demons scouting ahead, their group indeed carried several wagons loaded with goods, and they didn't appear stolen.
"Brook, the guard here... Tell your na and origins." Brook spoke tersely, entirely indifferent to the firearms they carried.
The lead rchant's face broke into an amiable smile, and he quickly introduced himself.
"Socduo! I co from the southern region of Ryan Kingdom. If you have friends from that region, they may have heard my na!"
Brook raised an eyebrow and smirked, asking mockingly.
"Are you famous or sothing?"
Socduo imdiately responded.
"My rchant guild has so renown in the grain industry. Every Lord I've traded with knows I'm an honest and trustworthy person."
Brook shrugged indifferently, treating the statent as re pleasantries.
After all, every crooked rchant claims to be an honest person when introducing themselves.
And he had no way to verify it, right?
Seeing the lack of enthusiasm in Brook's response, Socduo gave an awkward smile but didn't mind. He pressed on with determination.
"Please give a chance to prove myself... I'd like to et your Lord. To show my sincerity, I'm willing to go with you alone and leave my guards outside."
Brook unexpectedly scanned the man a couple of tis, surprised that the rchant was bolder than he'd anticipated.
Or perhaps the man simply valued money more than his life.
"... I've already sent soone to inform the great one. If you want to prove your sincerity, stay where you are. Until we receive his permission, I hope you don't cross the arrow beside you."
Socduo imdiately stepped back, smiling obsequiously.
"No problem—I can wait!"
Brook nodded and said nothing further, quietly waiting until a Little Demon flew overhead from the direction of North Peak Mine, chirping and squawking.
The Translation Crystal interpreted the ssage.
Brook finally put away his bow and looked at the rchant waiting in the snow, saying.
"My lord has agreed to let you enter his territory. However, he's unavailable to et you today. If you're willing to wait, he might be able to see you tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Socduo breathed a sigh of relief, his face lighting up with gratitude as he said.
"Thank you... Thank you for giving this opportunity."
An audience after only one day!
Such a benevolent Lord.
But unlike the reassured Socduo, the guards beside him tensed their faces, nervously eyeing the Little Demon flying toward North Peak Mountain.
Many of them had been adventurers before and instantly recognized the creature.
That wasn't so undead.
That was a real demon!
Yet their boss seed oblivious, or perhaps he simply didn't care, his mind entirely fixated on business.
After instructing the guards to send news back, Socduo took the initiative to demonstrate his sincerity by walking alone toward the camp gate, even though Brook hadn't requested it.
Passing through the towering barricade gate, Socduo followed Brook deeper into the camp, curiously surveying his surroundings along the way.
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