Mercenaries and Adventurers

Keel and Mr. Scott stepped out of the closed carriage.

His hands were empty, and even the big money bag around his waist was much smaller. Mr. Scott, on the other hand, was happily holding the few gadgets he had just bought. His voice no longer pretended to be fake, and he showed off his knowledge and experience to Keer with a smile.

"Huh, haha. That black dealer doesn't know what he's selling. The paintings by well-known painters are treated as ordinary landscapes and mixed with inferior works."

He shook his head, used the leather cylinder containing the painting to push up the hood on his head, and then used his little finger to hook the thing covering his face.

Kil took off his gloves and threw them on the small table aside. Then he took off the black cloak that concealed his identity. He flicked it again and threw it far away, and it hung on the hook on the wall accurately.

"Is it possible that they did it on purpose? You are on the first floor, and the other stall merchants are on the second floor?"

In order to add some trouble to this arrogant guy, Keir said this deliberately.

But Mr. Scott was quite confident. He first put the things on the ground and leaned against his feet. Then he took off his black cloak and gloves and said proudly: "Impossible. You don't understand that you are willing to go to the bandits' lair in the mountains and forests to collect them." The black traders whose goods were robbed are all guys who have nothing but their lives and courage."

"Humph, who is willing to risk his or her life to make deals with those bandits among people with a little bit of skill? Hey, they are all guys who are illiterate. If the underground black market didn't allow people who don't know a thing to open stalls, where would they be? It will be even worse.”

He patted the leather painting tube containing the painting: "Some accomplished well-known painters use different cloth substrates for their paintings than ordinary landscape paintings. This is a secret, and it needs to be kept secret! Haha. "

Carrying the things, Mr. Scott opened the door and walked out of the airtight room without even a window.

When Keir walked out of the door, he looked back at the driver who was driving them, and found that although the guy heard the conversation between the two, he was indifferent. He just slowly climbed down from the driver's seat, carrying the barrel and planning to Go to the well in the backyard of the Chamber of Commerce and bring some well water over to clean the horses pulling the cart.

There was some dirt on the four legs, feet and hooves of the horse. It was obvious that it had passed through some places where the road conditions were not very good while going around the town.

Keir understood.

-

Mr. Scott asked Keel to follow him when he was on the carriage, saying that the manpower Keel wanted last night was ready.

He doesn't care what he does specifically, but he must ensure that future events cannot involve Dorne Town, or the Burning Furnace Chamber of Commerce, or even a smaller circle, and cannot have any impact on him.

In exchange for this, it was a favor owed by the future Kiel Knights.

It would be best if he could spend money to solve the problem, but what Keir wanted those people to do was so secretive that it was hard to say that he could use money to find the people in need and get those people to do things for him.

This was not easy for Keir, who was an outsider in the town, but if he were a senior steward of the Burning Furnace Chamber of Commerce, one of the local ruling forces, it would not be that difficult.

Even very simple.

In particular, Mr. Scott himself is not that old-fashioned or such a principled person.

Keir didn't ask about the other person's faith, but he felt that he didn't look like a devout believer in the God of Wealth.

The two quickly walked out of the deserted backyard of the Chamber of Commerce and walked along the edge of a three-story Chamber of Commerce building through the wooden corridor. Then they met ordinary clerks from the Chamber of Commerce on the road. Mr. Scott stuffed the newly bought things casually. He gave it to his subordinates who knew him and asked him to hold it for him. Then he led the people to the main building of the Burning Furnace Chamber of Commerce along the street. He entered through the back door of the main building and climbed the wide staircase made of waxed oak to the third floor.

Keir saw that on the first floor of the main building of the chamber of commerce, there were many chamber clerks talking with businessmen who came to do business or discuss transactions. They were either sitting at the wooden tables of chamber clerks and chatting intimately, or more formally, many people in the hall were talking. Talk and talk in front of the conversation table and chairs.

Some businessmen put their goods directly on the small wooden table where tea should be placed, and proudly introduced a batch of goods in their hands to the clerk from the opposite chamber of commerce. I couldn't see the boredom in the eyes of the clerk from the chamber of commerce across the street.

Some businessmen and chamber of commerce clerks were sitting in front of the latter's wooden office desk, arm-in-arm, discussing where to go in the town at night, and laughing together.

Some businessmen looked arrogant and loudly questioned the chamber of commerce clerk who stood aggrieved and was being scolded. The trade contract in his hand was slapped and slapped, and it almost hit the chamber of commerce clerk's face. The guy from the Chamber of Commerce still had to endure his emotions and keep his head down to be scolded.

When we arrived on the second floor of the main building of the Chamber of Commerce, the style of painting here changed again.

The luminous plants are neatly trimmed and placed in cylindrical glass vessels to emit light without affecting the indoors. Elegant flowers with a subtle fragrance are carefully placed under the wooden windows along the street. The wind blowing from the street outside carries the fragrance and invisibly covers the entire second floor of the main building.

The people working here are the stewards of the Chamber of Commerce, and everyone has their own independent room. However, the room here does not have walls that block the view, but is separated by display racks filled with various minerals and forge materials.

On the stairs to the second floor, there were two heavily armed thugs sitting on small chairs next to the stairs. After seeing Mr. Scott, they immediately stood up and saluted.

"Hello, Mr. Steward."

Mr. Scott ignored it and walked to the third floor with Keir and the boy who helped him carry things.

The third floor of the main building of the Chamber of Commerce is even simpler. There is no spacious hall, only corridors connecting different rooms. The floor was covered with a carpet made of spliced ​​animal furs. Judging from the way Kiel stepped on it, this fur carpet was cleaned frequently and was soft and clean.

The guy from the Chamber of Commerce who helped carry the things didn't dare to come up. He handed the things to the thug guard here at the third floor stairs and went downstairs. But before leaving, he specifically reported his name to Mr. Scott.

Although he was just randomly asked to help get some things, this young chamber of commerce guy also wanted to make his name known to the senior leaders of the chamber of commerce.

"Send the things to my place and ask the kitchen to prepare some food. Knight Kiel and I didn't eat anything at lunch."

Mr. Scott ordered one of his men who came over, and then led Keir toward a corner on the third floor.

The walkways here use a kind of 'gemstone' contained in a glass vessel to provide lighting, and what hangs on the walls of the walkways are not landscape paintings or portraits, but paintings of various forges that smelt metal.

The painting is very detailed. It is obvious that either the painter is highly skilled, or it is a specially painted work specially hired by the Burning Furnace Chamber of Commerce.

If it's the latter, then there may only be one copy of these paintings.

"What are these?"

Kil asked curiously, pointing to a strange-looking furnace.

Because the painting of this thing is exquisite, the image and various details are very clear. It's just that the shape is strange and there are all kinds of strange mechanisms on it. It doesn't look like an ordinary furnace. To be honest, although the handicraft industry in Kendall County is developed, there are no mines, so the metal materials used in various workshops are metal ingots purchased from merchants in the south and east.

rather than ore. Although the ore is cheaper, for merchants, wherever the ore is transported, for the sake of profit, they transport finished metal ingots. This resulted in the development of forging-related technologies and craftsmen in Kendall City, but not metal smelting at all.

"Oh, that's a furnace for smelting special minerals. We only have one like this in the entire Chamber of Commerce. I heard that the president specially asked the magicians to make it specially. Ha, to tell you the truth, this is a long-term project. A profitable business. It is not just a furnace. With this furnace and the workers who specialize in using this furnace, all the smelting of this mineral in the southern provinces and the wider area is undertaken by our Chamber of Commerce. Even if Even the magicians who live in the tower have to ask us to do this kind of thing."

He added: "It's not that the magicians can't handle it. There's nothing they can't handle. It's just that if you do it yourself, it's troublesome and leave it to our Chamber of Commerce to handle it. It only costs a little and it can be done quickly and well." Completed. The raw ore brought in is the refined material contained in the oil-impregnated stone box."

After saying that, he pushed open a wooden door next to him and walked in.

The inside was not the office room dedicated to Mr. Scott as Kiel had imagined. It looks like a spacious place to relax.

Because it is close to the corner of the third-floor house, it faces windows on two sides. The windows here are very large, so not only is the air very good, but the light and view are sufficient.

Interestingly, the four windows in this lounge are not traditional wooden windows, but track iron windows like rolling shutter doors.

Rectangular thin metal sheets are connected and installed in the metal tracks along the window. When the window needs to be opened, just push the closed metal iron sheet upward to open it. The metal armor piece that was pushed upward was collected on the ceiling in an inverted L shape.

Considering the sturdiness of the wooden windows and iron track windows, Keel even felt that this lounge was the strongest and safest place in the entire Chamber of Commerce main building.

"Ha, you noticed, Knight Kiel."

Mr. Scott found his own private lounge chair and lay down on it in a very relaxing way.

"You guys are pretty good at this."

Kil pointed to several sturdy windows in the room, found a comfortable-looking bench himself, and sat on it carefully.

"Hey, forget it, the vice president isn't here anyway, I'm the biggest here, you can just sit down."

Mr. Scott muttered, and then pointed proudly at the four iron track windows: "These are just things made by the craftsmen in the chamber of commerce when they are idle. Although they look good in terms of protection, the sales volume is not good. .”

He shrugged: "Many big shots would rather use blessed windows or traditional windows made of solid wood than spend a small amount of money to switch to such products with high protection and security. Unfortunately, many thefts Most of them happen because of windows!”

Keir smiled. He was no longer as careful as before in the underground black market: "I think the Thieves Guild doesn't like the promotion of this thing."

"Ha, that's true. But it's not because of the thieves." Even in his own territory, Mr. Scott did not dare to call the Thieves Guild by its name.

"It's just some stubborn traditional habits. Many of the buyers we selected said that they are not beautiful enough and have no artistic quality. I think when one day their precious works of art disappear, those stubborn old guys will You will be reminded of this product of ours.”

Kil took off the long sword from his waist and leaned against the armrest of the bench: "Then you and the Thieves Guild should cooperate and do a few big jobs before this thing can be promoted."

These words frightened Mr. Scott: "I dare not say that."

He looked around nervously and found that he and Keir were the only two people in the lounge on the third floor. The waiters were waiting outside the door where no sound could be heard. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"This kind of thing is not what a chamber of commerce like ours should do. We are a chamber of commerce of this size, so we don't have to resort to such despicable methods. Besides, the transaction partners are all powerful and noble people, so it's not too late to curry favor. , how dare you offend the other party."

Keir shrugged, and then said: "So, let me come over. Are we going to eat here, or do that?"

Mr. Scott rubbed his stomach. It seemed that he was a little hungry after wandering around the underground black market for most of the morning: "Let's all come together. You might as well eat here, and you might as well meet those people here. As for what you asked them to do, Next door, there is a place for confidential conversations, where you can explain to them. Of course, this is all between you and those people. It has nothing to do with me. I just connect you and build a bridge to introduce you to each other. Just a moment."

"Finally, Knight Kiel, no matter what you want to do, it is best not to be in Dorne Town. Even in Dorne Town, I hope not to affect the 'Burning Furnace' Chamber of Commerce. Even if the Chamber of Commerce is involved later, please contact us. I keep my distance. Is that okay?”

Keir waved his hand: "Don't worry, it's not as serious as you said. It's my business and only related to me. Those people are just helping me a little. After all, some technical things are not for everyone." Knows all the skills.”

"So best."

-

After double checking, Mr. Scott pulled a pull cord hanging on the wall behind his recliner.

The next moment, there was a knock on the heavy wooden door of the lounge. Without the need for the two people inside the room to respond and agree, Mr. Scott's men from outside walked in: "Steward, what are your orders?"

"Hurry up the kitchen and bring something delicious. Mine is as usual, and the Chevalier de Kiel, well, bring him two, no, three schnitzels, one of mutton, beef, and chicken. Kiel. Knight, do you have any special requirements regarding taste?"

"Is there any spicy sauce? A spicier sauce will make me have a better appetite."

Although Kil is not hungry, after all, he ate monster jerky early in the morning, and he still has some of that stuff in his pocket. But he still wanted to eat something good to appease his mouth and stomach.

"Ha, give me some spicy sauce, of course, just a little bit."

Mr. Scott gestured, it really only takes a little.

"What would you like to drink? Knight of Kiel?"

"Cider will be fine, and of course, a tall glass of ale. This goes best with the steak."

"That's it. I remember that there is still half a bottle of good wine in my room. You can get it for me. Finally, for the things I asked you to do in the morning, you can ask them to come up one by one now."

"Yes, Lord Steward, Lord Knight."

The hand caressed the chest and retreated, and the heavy wooden door of the lounge was closed.

-

Of course, it will take a while for the kitchen of the Chamber of Commerce to cook, so the first people to come are the ones Keir wants.

There was a knock on the heavy wooden door. This time, the men outside the door did not push it in before getting permission. It wasn't until Mr. Scott pulled the lanyard behind him that the door was opened.

"Master Steward, Master Knight. The people are here. Here are the personnel records."

The steward's men bowed first and then handed the small stack of papers in their hands to Mr. Scott. Mr. Scott didn't even look at it, and handed it directly to Keir.

After taking it, Keir nodded to the man in charge: "Let people come in."

Seeing that it was the person Knight Kiel was looking for, the steward's subordinate shouted to the door: "Mr. Kak, please come in."

The middle-aged man named Kak walked in cautiously and timidly.

The thick wooden door was half open. This man was even careful not to let himself get close to it, so he just walked sideways through the wooden door, sucking his stomach.

As soon as he came in, without even looking, he bowed his upper body deeply and shouted very loudly: "Sir, please give me orders!"

His voice startled him, and then he quickly knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head, and lost all his words.

Pulling his hands out of his ear holes, Mr. Scott frowned and said, "Why are you so nervous? You, you go down first and I'll tell you to come in again."

Mr. Scott's men obeyed the order and retreated, while Keir smiled and said to Craftsman Kak in a brisk tone: "Don't be nervous, and you don't have to kneel. I don't like this. Stand up and talk."

After saying this, the middle-aged man dared to raise his head and glance at Mr. Keir and Scott. He knows Mr. Scott. Although he is not a craftsman from the Burning Furnace Chamber of Commerce, he is like many people in the town. At least he is known to several senior stewards of the United Chamber of Commerce who are often in charge of town affairs.

After all, he often appears in various church activities and ceremonies, and often sits in the audience.

"This is Knight Joe Kil, the Knight of Kendall County. He has something to do with you. I'm just here to help you. You can talk about yourselves."

After Mr. Scott finished speaking, he pulled out a thin book from under his recliner, turned to the page marked with a gold bookmark, and continued reading.

"Don't be nervous. I came to you because I hope to borrow your skills to do something. This will help me. I don't know about this guy."

"Kuck, my name is Porter Kuck, a wood carver."

This Kak craftsman's business probably hasn't been very good, so the clothes he wore were still very shabby even though he had chosen the best one before coming here. Logically speaking, a craftsman can support himself and his family no matter what. Although he cannot achieve great wealth, he can still maintain a normal life.

If it were somewhere else.

But the church with the most faith among people in Dorne is the Church of the God of Wealth. But this church and the gods behind it, for obvious reasons, they often, no, basically only use precious metals to make various religious-related things.

Therefore, if the wood carving craftsman had not been supported by some other religious-related businesses that few people believe in, this Kak craftsman would have left the town of Dorne in despair.