52. Commercial Alliance

The group followed the Queen into the palace. With his powerful spiritual sense, Mo Fei discovered that at least twenty dark elves were hidden around the Elven Queen, silently ensuring her safety. Clearly, these awakened dark elves were extremely anxious about her well-being. Most likely, it was at their insistence that the Queen was not permitted to leave the Dead Forest at will.

Dark elves were the elites of the elves, cultivated only after enduring painful cycles of reincarnation. Each of them possessed extraordinary talent. Their attacks were myriad, their defenses the strongest, though each could only fully wield one power. As a force of assault, the devastation they could inflict was unimaginable; as the Queen’s guard, the protective barrier they wove together was unbreakable. It was their inexplicable collective disappearance that had precipitated the last downfall of the Elven Kingdom. Now, they had returned.

“Elder Off,” the Queen began once all were seated, “the Elven Kingdom owes much to your help. At present, all our equipment is supplied by the City of the Dead, and we have not paid a single coin for any of it. Thus, the Council of Elders has passed a resolution...”

“Your Majesty,” Elder Off interrupted, “arming the elves is also to our benefit in the City of the Dead. Let’s not speak of mutual interests—just the relationship between our Lord and the elves forbids us from accepting any payment. Now that your people have a chance to rise again, we are as glad as you are. We know the Elven Kingdom is in need of everything, and as for some equipment, the City of the Dead can certainly provide. There’s no need to mention it. Under our Lord’s wise leadership, gold piles up in our city like mountains. Besides, the Empire just granted us a military budget of two billion. Your Majesty, there is no need for such formality among family.”

“Mother, I saw it myself! All their empty houses are filled with gold. My brother certainly lacks for nothing,” Eileen said with a charming smile.

“Then I won’t dwell on it,” the Queen replied, amused. “Now that we need not spend a coin here, and all is supplied by your city, I intend to send our best beast tamers to help you raise magical beasts. They have many techniques, and can complement your dwarven masters well.”

It was well known throughout the continent: if you wanted magical beast pets, seek the elves; if you desired beast cavalry, enlist the elves and success was certain. Nearly every empire’s beast cavalry was formed under elven guidance, which was why so many sought to hinder their return.

The dwarves had beast tamers too, but very few, mainly among the batch from Dragonrock Empire. With the elves’ help, the dwarven masters would learn much, and training beasts for cavalry would become much faster and easier.

“There’s one more thing,” the Queen continued. “We have some goods we’d like you to sell for us. Living off our reserves alone is not wise. We have little of value in the forest—just some invigorating fruit, and a few spices.”

“Those invigorating fruits are treasures, and every empire demands spices in great quantities. With your elven goods, the strong teams outside will be overjoyed,” Off replied.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll have these items sent to your city for you to distribute,” the Queen agreed.

After negotiating a great deal of trade for the Elven Kingdom, Mo Fei returned to the City of the Dead with Eileen. She now spent more time there than in the Elven Kingdom; after all, her beloved was there.

“Lord, the Elven Kingdom’s goods are truly fine,” Elder Off commented. “I can’t imagine how they have so many high-grade magic cores and rare pelts—enough to make every dwarf drool.”

“Well, you needn’t drool anymore, for now they’ll be in your hands.”

They both laughed heartily.

……

Ever since the caravan received help from the City of the Dead during a crisis, they had changed their name to “City of the Dead Transport Company.” Now responsible for shipping the city’s goods, they were busier than ever, delivering to several other empires. The merchants’ guild required them to deliver directly to guild branches across the empires. Today, five wagonloads of goods were bound for the Empire of the Sky Dragons.

It was once again time to ship goods from the City of the Dead. Five large wagons stood beneath a spacious shed built beside a special city gate for cargo transport. No outsiders could enter or leave freely; even the elves needed a special token and strict inspection. Only Eileen was allowed to come and go as she pleased.

“Captain, this is our city’s honored guest, a wood mage. Please escort him and his party to the Empire of the Sky Dragons,” Elder Off instructed.

The transport captain was surprised to see the deputy lord himself, but soon realized he was being entrusted with important guests.

“Rest assured, Deputy Lord. The City of the Dead’s honored guests are our honored guests. We will deliver them safely to the Empire of the Sky Dragons.”

“These two are his family members.”

“No problem. Our wagons are all used to long journeys; we’ll ensure their safe arrival, Deputy Lord.”

“Thank you for your care, Captain.”

Only after the wagons had departed did Elder Off return into the city.

Needless to say, the three travelers were Mo Fei and his companions. Elder Off was known throughout the territory, but only a handful had met Mo Fei and knew he was the lord of the City of the Dead.

They sat in the last wagon, the cargo loaded in front, leaning against it and watching the blue sky and drifting clouds recede behind them.

When it was time for a meal, the captain invited Mo Fei and his party to eat.

“Captain, how long will it take us to reach the Empire of the Sky Dragons?” Mo Fei asked as they ate.

“Fourteen days. On foot, it would take more than forty,” the captain replied with a grin.

“Aren’t these roads dangerous? I don’t see you with any guards or weapons,” Mo Fei remarked, surprised. When he had previously traveled with Vivian and Eileen along the border of the Empire of the Sky Dragons, they had encountered many mercenaries robbing merchants.

“We used to have guards. But once we started flying the City of the Dead’s banner, we no longer needed them. Now, who would dare provoke us?” The captain spoke with pride, referring to “our City of the Dead.”

Mo Fei glanced up. Each wagon, indeed, flew the city’s flag. Who would have thought it would be so effective?

He chuckled. “It’s true—these past years, no one has dared trouble the City of the Dead.”

“Exactly,” the captain agreed, sipping his water. “Our leader has nothing but praise for the City of the Dead. And in the year since we began working for them, every brother is now well-off. In the past, a long haul meant fighting and danger, and few dared travel far. Now, with the city’s flag, we can journey as far as we like without fear.”

“Is the city so generous? How do they pay your transport fees?” Mo Fei asked, curious about the arrangement.

“At the start of every month, the City of the Dead pays us fifty thousand gold coins. At month’s end we settle accounts—any surplus carries over, any shortfall is made up.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Our leader says we really shouldn’t take their gold, but the Deputy Lord insists—otherwise we wouldn’t get the cargo. So our leader accepts it.”

“Why wouldn’t you take it?” Mo Fei asked, puzzled.

“You see, when we deliver the goods, the merchants’ guild pays us the transport fee. That’s the rule. So now we’re getting paid twice. Our leader was reluctant, thinking with the city’s payment, we should refuse the guild’s. But the guild insists—their payment is according to the rules. So our leader had no choice but to accept both. Anyway, the shipping rates are half what they used to be, so the guild actually appreciates the city. But curse them, instead of thanking us for lowering the rates, they thank the city! They’re a stingy lot.”

Mo Fei laughed. “They consider you part of the City of the Dead—so they only thank the city.”

“That makes sense! I was wondering why those shrewd fellows didn’t play along with the gesture. So that’s why,” the captain said, suddenly enlightened.

Suddenly, Mo Fei’s expression shifted. He sensed a faint but growing disturbance.

“What’s wrong?” the captain asked.

“A large force is coming our way!” Mo Fei replied.