"Woo—Woo—"
A long, somber horn blast echoed from the valley entrance, shattering the morning silence. It was the signal that the Valley Caravan had arrived.
"They're here."
Leylo had already given orders for Old Buck to prepare the magic beast materials and gathered herbs. Merchants chase profit; only by ensuring they gained enough from Blackstone could Leylo guarantee their continued visits to this remote borderland. After all, previous intelligence had mentioned caravans bypassing the territory due to its perceived poverty.
For a resource-starved and isolated Blackstone, the arrival of the Valley Caravan was akin to delivering charcoal in a blizzard. Leylo threw on his cloak and hurried down the terrace. Seeing this, Moonlight perked up and leaped onto his shoulder, looking ready to "supervise" the work.
In the clearing outside the castle, the caravan had already begun unloading. Over a dozen wagons filled with goods were circled, while guards in leather vests and felt hats scanned the surroundings warily. The caravan leader, a portly middle-aged merchant named Hassan, was directing his workers while drenched in sweat. He had dark skin and an ever-present, shrewd smile.
"Respected Lord!" Hassan called out, beaming as he saw Leylo approaching. He rubbed his hands together. "May the desert winds protect you, My Lord! You look even better than last time. Blackstone is truly flourishing under your rule!"
"Manager Hassan, it has been a long journey," Leylo nodded with a smile. "What treasures have you brought this time?"
"Hehe, look for yourself, My Lord!" Hassan stepped aside, gesturing to the cargo. "Prime grain from the Valley, enough to feed your people until the next harvest! Also copper and iron—basic ores. Plus salt, fabric, and common tools—all high-demand items here. And, of course, some precious magic items and knightly armaments, depending on your needs."
Grain and iron were the bedrock of development; one could never have enough. Leylo signaled Old Buck to begin the inventory.
"My Lord, we also wish to acquire some local specialties," Hassan said, his eyes darting toward the large crates being carried out by Leylo's knights. "It seems you've had a bountiful harvest lately?"
"Just some good luck." Leylo signaled the knights to open the crates.
The lids flipped back, revealing processed magic beast furs—some from low-level beasts that had wandered into the territory, but mostly spoils from the clashes with the Magic Snake minions and the Blood Wolf Gang. However, one set of materials made Hassan's eyes bulge: the hide, teeth, and mana core of a Marsh Giant Crocodile. This was a Rank 3 magic beast—premium material.
For a traveling merchant, this was the pinnacle of what he could hope to find. The profit from ten wagons of grain and ore didn't even equal half the profit of flipping Rank 3 materials back in the Valley. This was exactly why he braved the dangerous borders. In the southern Valley, the land was fertile and magic beasts had been hunted to extinction by human lords. These materials were the rarest commodities, essential for crafting high-end knightly equipment.
In a place like Blackstone, the land was barren, but magic beasts roamed in packs. The resources of the two regions were perfectly complementary.
Hassan's face lit up with genuine sincerity. "Oh! This is... marvelous! My Lord, we want all of these! The price is negotiable!"
The ensuing transaction was smooth. Old Buck confirmed the quantity and quality of the supplies, while Hassan offered a fair price for the beast materials. Leylo traded the materials and some surplus ore for a massive haul of grain, iron, salt, and cloth. Seeing the wagons move into the castle storehouse, Leylo felt a weight lift. For the population to grow, these basic supplies were indispensable.
The caravan would stay for a day to trade freely with the townsfolk. After Hassan left to manage his men, Leylo turned to the "big cat" in his arms.
"Moonlight, let's go for a stroll in town."
Moonlight nuzzled his cheek and found a comfortable spot to nap.
The Blackstone Town flea market was located in a clearing near the west wall. It was a place for townspeople, mercenaries, hunters, and travelers to trade. Unlike the solemnity of the castle, it was loud and vibrant. Leylo changed into common linen clothes, hid his signet, and entered the market looking like an ordinary resident, with Moonlight on his shoulder.
The market was a cacophony of shouting and haggling. Stalls displayed everything: hunters with herbs, mercenaries with rusted weapons, and peddlers with cheap ale. Moonlight's nose twitched constantly at the scent of grilled meat and fried fish, its claws lightly kneading Leylo's shoulder to nudge him toward the food stalls.
"Be patient, business first," Leylo patted it.
Soon, he found his target. Behind a simple stall made of an old hide sat a man. He looked to be in his late forties, his hair white and his face etched with the scars of a hard life. A jagged scar ran from his left forehead across his brow down to his cheek, giving him a fierce appearance. He wore faded leather armor and sat with one leg tucked in awkwardly, as if injured.
Before him were only a few trinkets. The most prominent was a yellowed, tattered scrap of parchment drawn with faint lines and strange symbols—the "treasure map fragment." The man leaned against the wall, his eyes hazy and indifferent to the noise, occasionally taking a swig from a battered watersack.