Pandaquill of The Ancient Beast

The Xing Dynasty's dishes were popular during those interminable wars due to their large quantities, and they could be eaten with the specialties of other peoples.

It was easy and practical.

"Uncle Odin, those culinary delights are fundamental for the growth of Uncle's trade. If you only rely on those war horses, even if you can reduce the time and costs, it still takes a lot of time.

"Meanwhile, Uncle Odin needs items or products that can generate profits in a short period of time.

"Moreover, Divine Rider War Horses with dozens of them can only be found in the Xing Dynasty. If uncle were to search for that type of war horse with other merchants or at auctions, uncle would only get one or two pairs. And the price would also be higher."

Odin was stunned by Aizen's explanation. He was aware that the warhorse market was profitable in the long term. If he relied on that alone, then he would have a hard time taking care of the dozens of Divine Riders, as said earlier, despite Aizen's elixir help.

'This kid seems to have really prepared for this offer thoroughly. The advantage of the first offer made me tempted and settled with a 70% share. Furthermore, the second offer made up for the first offer's faults, which I failed to foresee. That means the third one has to be even better, which might cover my doubts about this second offer.'

"Uncle Odin doesn't need to worry. Just like the war horse earlier, I have my own plans for marketing the dishes. Uncle just prepares and brings a cook when you go there."

Aizen said, interrupting Odin's reverie of the two offers so far. The owner of Axzec Trading opened his mouth to state his position.

"Fine. But from the way you talk, it doesn't look like you're coming with me. Why? If you do, wouldn't it be easier?

"Besides, I've never heard of a region called the Xing Dynasty as long as I've traded in various places and nations. Does that place really exist?"

Aizen could only smile wryly. The Xing Dynasty was a place that had never been uncovered in the Azure Realm, even though the two offers just now had their origins in that place.

In his previous era, the Xing Dynasty had already been razed to the ground. It was when the Omni War lasted for two years before any living beings in the Azure Realm knew about the place.

Three years before the death of the Supreme Knight, he learned about the Xing Dynasty from one of his acquaintances from that place. The creature's name was Raijin Storm.

Aizen listened to the story of the collapse of the territory. And that was where he found clues about who was the mastermind behind the Omni War.

The Brotherhood of Spectre!

It also explained why the arms dealer owned both of the products that Aizen offers to Odin in this timeline.

"I'm still a first-year student at Raven Academy. I'm currently studying and can't take a day off.

"I've told Uncle Odin before. The place is far north of the Aslan Empire. Uncle must have seen a vast expanse of wilderness when heading for the Northern Azure Region, right? Well, the territory of the Xing Dynasty is within that region."

Odin frowned. "No matter how far one looks, the view is all the same - an endless expanse of dense green trees thickly covering the land in a blanket of foliage. Are you sure there are residents in that place?"

"Uncle, I assure you, the Xing Dynasty existed. And in order to know the place, I would suggest that uncle buy a map and a token that will guide you to the place in the Seca Kingdom.

"After all, Uncle Odin will stop by at that place if you wish to head to that wilderness that stretches wide in the Northern Azure Region.

"Uncle can just stop by at the Consortium Commerce. The token is called Mah-Vee. And inside there is a map to enter the wilderness that they don't know about.

"So you don't just have to buy the token, and you don't have to say anything other than being interested in it. So you won't spend much."

Odin chuckled. "I know that. Take it easy. As for buying, I'll try to save as much as possible."

"To open the token. Uncle only needs to say 'Ullomatas'. And the map will be retrieved from it."

"Okay. All went well. So, what about the third offer?" Odin asked after settling on the second offer with the decision to leave for the Xing Dynasty, which he had heard about for the first time.

"A third offer can wait after Uncle Odin returns from the trading expedition."

"This can't be. What about the contract?"

"The offer and terms of the contract can still be added later because we haven't sealed it. There are only our signatures without any exchange of blood."

"Too risky for both of us. But, alright. I'll take your advice and leave in two or three days while I get ready."

"Uncle Odin, you need as many caravans as Axzec Trading has. If necessary, rent from other merchants as much as possible. This is to save on travel costs."

"You sure as hell I'll buy a lot of materials there."

"Um! Besides, the mercenary knights that Uncle Odin usually brings need to be halved upon entering the Xing Dynasty."

"Eh? Why is it like that? Wouldn't it be safer if I had lots of guards?"

"Because the Xing Dynasty is one of the beast-kind territories."

This time, Odin swallowed hard, like something was wrong in his throat. His mouth trembled and made him stammer.

"B-Beast-kind..? The kind that those big merchants sold and auctioned off to serve as slaves and servants? The one that can kill knight and mage students in the Raven Academy graduation test?

"Y-You're not joking around, right?"

Odin then looked at the contract on his desk. After cold sweat dripped down his forehead, he thought of picking up the contract paper and tearing it apart.

However, Aizen acted first. He grabbed the papyrus contract quickly and smiled back at Odin.

"Uncle Odin, this item won't be able to be torn apart once it's signed by both of us."

"I know! I know! I know! However, I can add a new rule in there that cancels me from fulfilling the agreement due to the connection with the beast-kind!" Odin exclaimed in a moderate tone.

He was truly scared to death of that type of creature. Moreover, his status as a merchant would naturally have a bad impression, even if he had never ventured into the beast slavery market.

"No. I'm not going to do this. This is crazy! This is suicidal! It's no different from bankruptcy that slowly devours my Axzec Trading!"

Aizen didn't blame Odin for being scared despite not knowing what kind of beasts were in that place. It was because the breed that inhabited the Xing Dynasty was the Pandaquill.

Pandaquills were fearsome creatures with unique black and white fur patterns that were both striking and beautiful. It had long, pointed ears and large, round eyes. Its body was stout and muscular, with dull short claws and a long tail. It had an intimidating roar that could shake the ground, and its sharp teeth seemed to glisten in the moonlight.

Pandaquills were one of the most terrifying types of beasts among the Dragons, Griffins, and Sea Serpent despite their simple appearance.

But Aizen knew that Pandaquill had a gentle side to them. That could be seen in the figure of a Raijin Storm. The last Pandaquill he knew in his previous timeline.

Because Raijin too, he knew about the ins and outs of the Xing Dynasty. He really wanted to go on the trip. But Raven Academy's school teaching had just started, and he needed a lot of capital in a short period of time. At the same time, he had to keep an eye on Arman, Inkgrit, and Nathan.

The situation he was in was urgent and had to give up on the matter of reuniting with Raijin. It could wait for just as much as he took the long way before looking for Reeva later.

"Uncle Odin, calm down. The beast-kind residents of the Xing Dynasty are quite friendly as long as uncle follows their rules there."

"Are....... you sure!?" Odin deliberately stretched his words because he still didn't calm down even after that.

"Mah-Vee. The token has the meaning of trust. As long as Uncle Odin holds and possesses it, they will not do anything to you as long as you behave."

"Huh!? That token? Right, it's in the Consortium Commerce."

Odin remembered the existence of the token and was tempted to keep the offers again, though his hands and feet were still shaking. Axzec Trading's fate depended on his decisions.

"Fine. I-I'll still go."

"Uncle Odin, don't worry. How can I ask you to go to the place where you died, right?"

Odin shot his cynical and annoying glare at Aizen. But he really had no choice. The token gave him a glimmer of hope in dealing with the beast-kind. Creatures that never get along with humans.