Provocation

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Kevin, filled with joy, was pushing a unicycle along the road, with several people from the same village following him. They were either pushing carts like Kevin or carrying burdens on their shoulders. This group had come to Frand Port to deliver goods. The wealthy merchant Lord named Adrian had set up a collection station in Frand Port specifically to purchase salt made using traditional methods.

Unlike other salt merchants who, having a bit of money, acted high and mighty and looked down on them, this merchant named Adrian was amiable and friendly, always addressing them as "my friends." Kevin and the others felt that Adrian genuinely considered them friends.

It was strange that they had never seen Adrian sell this salt in the nearby areas. According to him, the salt was to be transported to the distant East.

But they didn't care where he sold it, as long as it brought them the money they needed to support their families.

As the group arrived at the collection station, they saw people coming and going, seemingly busy moving things around. The wealthy and prosperous-looking Adrian was standing at the entrance, directing his servants.

Kevin approached to greet him: "Lord Adrian, what are you up to?"

Adrian turned around, and upon seeing Kevin, quickly responded, "Oh, Kevin! You're here... Is this your delivery?"

"Yes, we've brought all the salt from the village."

Adrian's face showed a hint of guilt as he glanced at Kevin's group and then gently pulled Kevin aside.

He whispered, "I have to tell you something. I... I won't be able to continue your business. I have to move out in a few days."

At first, Kevin didn't quite grasp what he meant. After a while, he exclaimed anxiously, "What do you mean? Lord Adrian, what do you mean you can't do business with us?"

Adrian looked troubled and said, "Well, it's because of the recent war. The trade routes to the East have all been cut off. I don't have any connections in other directions."

"War? This damn war!"

Kevin clenched his fists in frustration, looking for a target to strike but finding none.

Adrian's face was full of sympathy. "It's not easy for you to come all this way. Please come inside and rest. As we've worked together for so long, let me treat you all to a meal."

"Thank you, Lord Adrian."

Kevin thanked him weakly, already feeling famished.

He went back to his companions and informed them of Adrian's departure from Frand Port. The group was immediately thrown into an uproar.

"What? Lord Adrian is leaving? What are we going to do?"

"My family is waiting for money!"

"Let's fill our stomachs first and think of a solution later."

...

At the dinner table, everyone was silent, eating quietly with a heavy atmosphere.

Adrian smiled bitterly and said to them, "There's no obstacle that can't be overcome. Once the war is over and the trade routes are restored, I'll return. I'll still need your salt then."

Kevin and his companions could only force a smile. Who knows when this damned war will end? The lords don't care about the suffering of ordinary people like them.

"Bring out that barrel of wine from the kitchen. Let's have a few drinks tonight. I've always considered you all my friends. It's really hard to leave like this."

Adrian waved his hand, instructing a servant to bring out the wine.

Kevin stood up to stop him. "Lord Adrian, you shouldn't have. Treating us to a meal is already a great kindness."

Adrian stared at him. "Are you refusing me? Sit down!"

Kevin had no choice but to sit back down.

The wine barrel was soon brought to the table, and each person had a large cup in front of them.

Adrian raised his cup first and said loudly, "Cheers!"

Kevin looked at the wine with mixed feelings. "Well... they say getting drunk helps you forget your worries. Let's drink…"

He raised his cup to his lips, and his companions, seeing his action, also picked up their cups.

"Damn! This wine is too strong!"

Kevin downed his drink in one go. The spicy taste made him frown tightly, almost causing him to choke. He had never drunk such strong wine before.

But once it went down his throat, a fiery sensation rose from his abdomen, quickly spreading throughout his body, and a strange feeling emerged in his brain.

His companions also displayed various expressions, some sticking out their tongues and breathing out heavily due to the spiciness.

Adrian smiled slightly. "You all haven't had this kind of wine before, have you? Come on, another cup!"

...

After several cups, everyone was somewhat tipsy.

Adrian put his arm around Kevin's shoulder, his face flushed, and his breath reeking of alcohol. "Kevin, actually, my leaving is not entirely due to the war. There's also... well, never mind, let's just drink!"

It seemed Adrian had something he couldn't talk about. Kevin tried to stay sober and asked, "Lord Adrian, is there another reason? You don't need to hide anything from us."

Adrian sighed deeply. "Well, the salt merchants and officials in Frand Port, they... hic... they can't stand me!"

"Can't stand you? Why?"

Adrian, with bleary eyes, said, "I've been on their turf, with a large demand, but never sourced from them. This has seriously offended them... It's not that I did it on purpose. It's just that my target customers only prefer salt made using traditional methods."

Kevin slammed the table in frustration. "Don't they plan to leave us any way to survive? We've been making salt for generations. If you leave, who will buy our salt?"

A barely noticeable glimmer flashed in Adrian's eyes as he sighed and said, "People nowadays are all caught up in money. To them, you're just competitors. They'd be happy if you starve to death. I heard that recently there's a rumor that the salt made using traditional methods is poisonous and will secretly harm people's health. It's probably spread by them."

"This is outrageous! Before the salt industry, didn't people eat our salt for centuries without ever hearing of it killing anyone?"

One of Kevin's companions yelled angrily.

Adrian shook his head, looking helpless. "Rumors are the most frightening. When enough people say something, you have no choice but to believe it."

"Ah! There's no place to sell the salt, and we'll have to pay taxes in a couple of days!"

"The greedy salt merchants are really despicable!"

Under the influence of alcohol, everyone started complaining about the injustice of the world, each adding their own grievances.

Only Kevin silently drank his wine, gulping it down cup after cup.

(End of the Chapter)

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