Rich Farmers!

It took the group almost a week to reach the outer lands of Crutal town, they've took the forest as a good camouflage which took a bit more time to hike through.

Due to the Forest being in front of the town, Commander Alia figured it out that there can't be any farms at this specific location due to the obvious dense forest occupying the area. 

Everything to be seen behind Crutal town is a wide flat land for as far as the eye can see which is quite perfect for farming.

But it is also surrounded by the forest from three sides so it tends to be a problem, the Farmers often fight off animals. Luckily, most intruders are herbivores and don't tend to be a big problem.

Wild Boars however, are an absolute hassle although wildly less common.

When it comes to the farming business here, it's a bit of a complicated process but unusually profitable for farmers in this area specifically and for Crutal town too.

Xakro illustratio lll doesn't sell any portion of the flatland to any farmer or anyone else for that matter, it isn't available for purchase but for rent instead.

Any illustratio can obtain as much farmable land as they please without having to pay even one Gold Coin for it, how can that even be considered a proper rent you might ask? Well there is a twist!

The farmer or farm manager has to give half of the crops to the town Castle. Specifically to the Castle's Storage room, where the crops can be sold to the citizens after.

The Castle obtains too much crops in one harvest, to the point where tons of yield have to be imported to Meridionali Ignis for a side profit. 

He has to sell it to other towns and cities under his control of course, to further strengthen his capital. 

Getting back to the point. In this reality, illustratian farmers are one of the richest due to the huge piece of practically free farmable land they are given.

So negotiating with illustratios will prove rather difficult considering that they are not desperate. 

They will either refuse to bargain, try to sell the crops for higher prices or even report to the Guards if they see Ignites carrying around 10,000 Gold Coins worth of Ignite Gems. 

Hopefully there will be Ignite farmers who have good connections with their bosses to the point of a proper deal and hopefully none will recognize Stefan, as he probably is a fugitive right now in Crutal town along with the rest.

"I'll do the bargaining, I ran a business for years. I know how to strike equal prices if not cheap." Dabbled Stefan with a bit of confidence.

Ego doesn't have part at this thankfully, 700 lives are to be spoken off after all.

"That isn't such a bright idea Stefan. You are likely a fugitive here now. I doubt that Xakro doesn't want you killed." Suggested Alia who got a bit surprised that Stefan didn't consider the fact that he was tossed away from Crutal town a short while ago.

"I wonder if Guards saw my face enough for a portrait to be drawn. It's not like I want to be infamous but I can bargain if no one knows who I am." Suggested Mogranius with slight sarcasm and a bit of cockiness in his tone as well.

But most of his thoughts were pure good intention of course, those are the roots.

"We can't risk showing a familiar face to any of these farmers. They could report us to the Guards in a heartbeat, I will do the bargaining." Finally, someone suggested something that isn't insanely risky. 

This will be their best shot, Alia really has chances of succeeding.

"A very beautiful bargainer no doubt." Complimented Mogranius obviously, practically fangirling on Commander Alia.

To everyone's surprise, she expressed. "Hmmmm. Agreeable." 

She ain't being cocky in any way, It just gave her a lot more ideas! "These fools stop thinking once a gorgeous woman approaches them. Be it illustratio, Ignite, Kastarian or any other race."

"I agree but do you all realize that we need to get Wagons and Horses first. I doubt that any of you want to split on carrying 10,000 Gold Coins worth of food." Pointed out Eric in aims to make the Wagons and Horses their main priority first.

"The Kid is right, Stefan. Where can we get those?" Asked Mogranius, complimenting Eric's thoughts.

"Horses should be an easier task as many farmers use them to transport the harvested crops, we should ask one for directions." Explained Stefan in thankfully greater detail.

It's different to point out a plan and it's different to form one they can follow.

Thinking it through logically, Eric butchered. "Since there isn't enough space in front of the town to hold a Horse stable big enough to support this place, there should be one here in the outer farms no doubt."

But still he isn't informed enough to know where that Stable exactly is. "Me and my father never visited the outer farms before because father said we can't afford a stable fee. So I don't know where the stable is."

"Wow that Crown sure is working hard, you are thinking wiser than Stefan." Laughed Mogranius with obvious never ending sarcasm, irritating Stefan in a couple of aspects.

"Alright alright, these are just lucky guesses, nobody is as smart as me in this group. I am the Brains of this operation." Luckily, Stefan didn't express it rudely and just played along, but bragged of course.

In the midst or their debate, they've heard a muffled loud whisper enslaving their attention. "You there. Come closer! Come come."