The Return of the Genius Ranker’s Myth Warehouse - Chapter 159

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 159
Chapter 159
As I rode Brak toward Moeldum.
I summoned Lisper, a level 200 unique-grade mount.
At that time, Lisper was the fastest among the mount flutes I could use, and Lisper was more than capable of carrying Brak alone.
However, the situation had changed now.
‘I need to transport the Elder as well.’
I had to carry not just myself, but also Brak and the Dwarf Elder on my back.
A standard mount couldn’t carry two passengers, so I needed to summon a new one.
Fortunately, since my level had surpassed 250, the variety of mount flutes available to me had expanded, making the choice of mount relatively simple.
[ Mount Flute – Lakshy ]
( Non-tradeable )
Type : Mount
Grade : Epic
Requirement : Level 250 or higher, Riding Lv 25 or higher, Stamina 800 or higher
Description : A giant steed that grew like a lion and wielded a spiked mace with ease, toppling even elephants—the only mount that the legendary Rustam could ever ride.
“Neeeigh!”
Lakshy.
A mount of particularly massive build.
Of course, it couldn’t compare to Gulpakshi, the level 1,000 mythic-grade mount I had summoned when I broke through the Red Lion Plains.
But compared to ordinary horses, it was large enough to easily carry two dwarves.
“Ugh, another horse.”
“Oh, so this is what they call a riding horse that humans use? I’ve read about it in texts. How exciting!”
The two dwarves showed distinctly different reactions.
Brak was already rubbing his stomach, worried about motion sickness, while the Dwarf Elder looked forward to seeing this creature for the first time.
However, just a few hours after mounting Lakshy toward Labelt, both dwarves’ reactions became identical.
“Blegh!”
“See, Elder? What did I tell you?”
“Why in the world do people ride this thing?! A cart with stones stuck in its wheels would shake less than this!”
“I’m still getting used to riding myself, but carts can’t travel on roads without rails, can they?”
“You could just lay the rails! Urgh, bleeech!”
The Dwarf Elder, experiencing horseback riding for the first time, couldn’t suppress his nausea.
Brak, having ridden once before, seemed somewhat adapted, but his expression was still far from pleasant.
But what could I do?
Riding was the fastest way to arrive quickly.
“Please bear with it just a little longer.”
“I suppose… urgh!”
And so, my destination was not Labelt.
[ Hill Village ]
A small village near Labelt.
It was the place where the Merchant Caravan I had prepared to visit the Red Beast Fortress was making final preparations for departure.
Since I had sent word to Edwin Simons before setting out, the moment we arrived at the village.
“Baron Mir, you’ve arrived?”
The Simmons Trading Company came to greet me.
To be precise, Edwin Simons himself, the head of the Simmons Trading Company, came out to receive me personally.
Simons displayed his respect with a face even more radiant than when I first met him.
And for good reason.
“You’ve truly come with Dwarves. And with Dwarves from Mueldum, the continent’s largest underground city, which was known to have severed all contact with the continent, no less.”
“You know of us?”
“While the Dwarves of Mueldum have cut off their exchanges with the continent, there remain a small number of Dwarves who are establishing new trade relationships.”
This was because I had sent word to Simons beforehand.
That I intended to propose a trade contract with the Dwarves of Mueldum.
Given the importance of such a meeting, it was only natural that Simons, the head of the Merchant Caravan, came out personally.
“Dwarves typically struggle with horseback riding. I prepared some motion sickness remedy, thinking the two from Mueldum might find it difficult as well.”
“Excellent!”
“I’ve also prepared a meal in case you grow hungry. Why not dine comfortably while we converse?”
“A meal?”
“I’ve specially prepared Baltika’s finest beer as well.”
“Hah! Now that’s a human worth knowing, just as Mir said! One who understands conversation!”
Indeed, this was befitting the head of the Simmons Trading Company, one of the Empire’s three great merchant houses.
Few merchants, even among their ranks, would know how to properly entertain Dwarves.
Simons had prepared the reception flawlessly.
“Ah, this potion is remarkable!”
The Dwarf’s complexion visibly improved as he accepted the potion I had prepared in advance.
“Hah! Now this is it! I didn’t expect much from human beer, but this exceeds my expectations!”
“Surely it cannot compare to Mueldum’s beer, though?”
“Hahaha! That’s right, Mueldum’s beer is something else! Indeed!”
“Since the subject has come up, might I one day have the opportunity to taste Mueldum’s beer?”
“A human as courteous as yourself? There’s no reason it couldn’t happen!”
“If possible, I would like to establish a formal trade contract. After all, we humans must taste true beer to truly understand what beer should be, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Ah, now that’s the truth!”
Simons conversed with the Dwarf and naturally steered the discussion toward a beer trade agreement.
It appeared to be mere hospitality, yet he manipulated the Dwarf with such ease and finesse.
Truly, he was no ordinary man.
Shortly after.
Once the two Dwarves had satisfied their appetites, the main discussion finally began.
“First, might we examine the goods?”
Simons was aware of Luke’s existence.
Since we had not brought a cart, Simons, knowing that I was keeping the Dwarf-crafted equipment, instructed his merchants to spread a wide cloth on the ground.
And I began to place them upon it.
“Luke, take out all the items we brought from Moeldum.”
– Yes, Master.
I began retrieving the items.
Whoosh!
Dwarf-crafted equipment in such abundance that it filled several carts.
Though I had selected only those of sufficient quality to present to the outside world—pieces suitable for human use.
Equipment forged over centuries from high-grade ore mined by the Dwarves of Moeldum.
Not only was the quality exceptional, but the sheer quantity was staggering.
“Would it be acceptable to examine them?”
“Hahaha, of course!”
At Simons’ direction, the Appraisers moved with practiced efficiency, beginning their inspection of the Dwarf-crafted equipment.
Every Appraiser here had been properly trained by Simons himself, selecting only the finest items for appraisal.
Yet even they could not help but be astonished upon seeing the Dwarf-crafted equipment.
“The blades are honed to such sharpness.”
“Dwarf-crafted items truly are different.”
“It’s far more than that. These surpass even the items produced by other minor races of Dwarves.”
“Even at a glance, one can see they’re forged from high-grade ore.”
“What’s truly remarkable is the smelting mastery. I knew the Dwarves were skilled, but this is on an entirely different level from any Dwarves we’ve dealt with before.”
The Dwarf-crafted equipment from Moeldum was far superior to expectations.
Though I could not have known it, it appeared that the Dwarf-crafted equipment circulating until now was somewhat inferior in performance.
The Dwarves watching this exchange smiled contentedly.
“Hahaha, naturally.”
“Even though we severed contact with the outside world, Moeldum’s ancient heritage remains undiminished! The techniques our ancestors left behind endure—nay, they have advanced further!”
How could they not be pleased when their creations received such high praise?
While the Appraisers continued their examination and cataloging of the Dwarf-crafted equipment.
Simons, whose appraisal abilities rivaled even the most accomplished Appraisers, picked up a single item.
The finest piece brought from Moeldum.
Equipment crafted personally by the Grand Elder of Moeldum itself.
“Beyond my expectations. For Dwarf-crafted equipment to achieve Epic-grade quality… I scarcely believed it possible.”
Of course, Epic-grade equipment was not abundant.
Moeldum’s greatest Blacksmith.
Even among the masterworks created by Black across his lifetime, only a handful reached such heights.
Yet what mattered most was the very fact that Epic-grade items could be produced.
After completing his appraisal, Simons looked toward me with an enigmatic smile and began discussing the transaction.
“All equipment will be priced according to our Merchant Caravan’s established standards.”
Of course, his words were directed at me, not the Dwarves.
The Dwarves, having severed contact with humans, possessed no knowledge of human trading standards.
Well, to be honest, I myself was not particularly well-versed in item market values…
“Standards, you say?”
“Varied ones. Grade, restrictions, performance, appearance, and more. I assure you, no other Merchant Caravan would offer more. Given the superior quality of this Dwarf-crafted equipment, I’ve calculated a premium into the valuation.”
“How am I supposed to believe that?”
“Haha, would I ever deceive a nobleman of the Empire? Here, shall we review the contract first?”
I decided to examine the contract as he suggested.
I was worried there might be some unfavorable clauses hidden within it.
Unfavorable clauses? There were none.
[ 4. Equipment prices shall be measured based on market rates at the time of transaction. However, if the buyer deems the measured price unreasonable, they may renegotiate or terminate the contract at any time. ]
Rather, a clause had been added that was far too favorable to me and the Dwarves.
With this, I could terminate the transaction whenever I decided the amount was unsatisfactory.
If that happened, I might be able to forge a new contract with a merchant caravan offering better terms than the Simmons Trading Company.
In other words.
By including this clause, Simons was signaling his intention to maintain dealings with us on better terms than any other merchant caravan.
“To reiterate, I hold the craftsmanship of the Dwarves of Moeldum in high regard. If possible, I wish to maintain trade with your people for a lifetime.”
In essence, he was offering favorable terms in exchange for an exclusive contract.
That was what he meant.
And since it was the Simmons Trading Company making this offer—not some other merchant caravan—there was no reason to refuse.
When I explained this to the Dwarf Elder, he nodded.
“Mir, I shall trust you. If the merchant you recommend is trustworthy, then he surely is.”
The Dwarf Elder reviewed the contract and gave his approval.
“How should we transfer the payment?”
“Could half the payment be made in materials? Monster materials and timber, excluding ores, that sort of thing.”
“Of course. The Simmons Trading Company will deliver premium materials matched to the agreed price.”
“Excellent. Then, might I examine the Simmons Trading Company’s inventory list? I’ll compile a list of necessary items to send to Moeldum.”
“There is nothing the Simmons Trading Company does not handle. However, since you may not yet be familiar with external goods, I shall compile and present our entire inventory as quickly as possible.”
“Much appreciated. Ah, and one last thing.”
The Dwarf Elder’s gaze grew serious.
He glanced briefly at me before continuing.
“This transaction proceeds entirely on the strength of our trust in you, Mir.”
“The same is true for me.”
“Therefore, I would like a brokerage fee to be set aside for you.”
“A brokerage fee… you say?”
An unexpected proposal had just emerged.
“What?”
Confusion escaped my lips.
Until we departed Moeldum, I had never heard anything like this.
Seeing Brak nodding as well, it appeared this had already been decided in Moeldum.
“Hahaha, Mir. Surely you didn’t think we’d repay such kindness with merely that?”
“I’ve already received sufficient compensation.”
“No, that’s far from enough. We’ve underestimated Moeldum’s generosity. From now on, whenever we trade with the Simmons Trading Company, I’ll set aside a portion of the payment for you.”
“There’s no need to go that far…”
“It’s already been agreed upon by the Elder Council and all the Dwarves of Moeldum. No more protests—accept it. It will put our minds at ease.”
Thus, a brokerage fee for me was added to the final clause of the contract.
In other words, as long as the Simmons Trading Company continued its dealings with the dwarves of Moeldum.
A portion of those profits would flow steadily into my coffers.
Moreover, I wouldn’t even need to visit in person each time a transaction occurred—merely lending my name would suffice.
“We are quite satisfied as well. It is as though we receive official recognition from Baron Mir himself.”
Simons nodded in agreement.
And so.
I found myself unexpectedly bound by a contract for unearned income I had never anticipated.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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