CHAPTER 183: NEW SHOP [1]

[Capital City, Krivos Kingdom.]

Akamir leaned back on his carrgie as he closed his eyes.

Despite a somewhat comfortable ride, Akamir was having different thoughts.

’I really need to make a better way of transport.’

He thought, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration.

Akamir did have a plan to make a simple shock absorber and be done with it but now he was thinking otherwise.

’I am sure that the other side of the World at least has a car or something.’

As far as he knows, that world on that side was influenced a lot more than here.

The otherworlders did all they could to make their culture much more known to people here.

’I bet they did it so they could live a better life.’

He let out a sigh as he opened his eyes and looked at Nayomi.

The woman sat opposite to him, looking out at the streets.

"Why is this side of the World not that advanced?" Akamir asked, looking at her. "You once told me it was because of one man, mind telling me more?"

Nayomi slowly turned to look at him.

Her sky blue eyes met with his but it wasn’t long before she sighed.

"Do you really want to know?" she asked, rubbing her face.

"Well, we still have a few minutes before we reach our destination." Akamir replied, leaning forward.

She sat back properly, crossing one leg over the other. Her expression turned a bit more serious.

"Back when there were no elves, humans used to rule the world," she said, looking into his eyes. "It was a whole different civilization where science was given more priority."

Akamir frowned. "That’s like more than six thousand years ago?"

"Yep." She nodded her head. "But they didn’t do it with strength. The gods humans worshipped suppressed every other race and made them on top—"

Unexpectedly, Nayomi stopped her words as her face blanked out.

Akamir blinked in confusion. "Nayomi?"

She didn’t respond as she was in a state of trance.

Akamir tried to touch her but she suddenly jerked.

Nayomi’s body jerked as if someone had splashed cold water on her.

She blinked, her hands trembling slightly before she quickly looked out the window again, avoiding Akamir’s eyes.

Akamir narrowed his gaze. "What was that?"

"I—" She paused, her voice quieter now. "Something pulled me back. A memory... or maybe a warning."

"A warning?"

Nayomi finally turned to look at him. Her usual sharpness was gone, replaced by unease. "Some things aren’t meant to be remembered."

"That’s vague," Akamir said, leaning in again. "You said humans were on top because of the gods they worshipped. What happened after that?"

Nayomi shook her head. "I’ll tell you later. Just... not now."

Akamir didn’t press further. He could tell she wasn’t faking it. Whatever she saw had shaken her.

The carriage bumped over a small pothole, making the two of them sway slightly.

The carriage came to a slow stop.

A knight opened the door from outside. "We’ve arrived, my lord."

Akamir stepped down, stretching his arms.

In front of them stood an old yet well-maintained estate surrounded by large pine trees and covered in ivy.

Hundreds of merchants’ carrgies and items were going in and out of the place.

Akamir adjusted his coat as he looked around the estate.

The place was busier than he expected.

Merchants shouted, workers carried crates on their backs, and guards kept a close eye on everything.

There was an odd mixture of noise and order, like a market inside a noble’s courtyard.

’Looks like things are going much better than I had expected.’

Akamir did have a way of running business and Imoyan company’s branch was now everywhere.

A steward approached them. "Welcome, Lord Asher. The Master is waiting inside."

Akamir nodded. "Lead the way."

They followed the steward through the estate’s stone path, passing under hanging lanterns and banners bearing a green fox emblem.

The walls of the estate were thick with ivy, and the windows had iron bars — not decorative ones either.

"Are they expecting a siege?" Nayomi muttered.

"More like preparing for theft," Akamir replied. "This place deals in rare materials. Some of the things they trade aren’t even legal in certain kingdoms."

"You do know a lot of things, my lord," the steward replied, smiling. "Things are really bad here at night."

Akamir gave him a soft nod as he wasn’t in the mood to talk.

They were guided up a staircase, down a corridor, and finally into a quieter chamber.

It was a meeting room, with a long oval table and a single man sitting at the head of it.

He stood up when they entered.

He was tall, dressed in green and black robes, with silver hair tied neatly behind his back.

His face was lined with age, but his eyes were sharp and calculating.

He looked back at the steward. "You can go now."

The steward bowed deeply before he moved out of the room.

"My lord!"

As soon as the steward was gone, the man fell to his knees.

Akamir gave him a quick nod as he moved and sat on his chair.

"I believe it was the Judge of Apathy who assigned you here, right?" Akamir asked, placing his hand under his cheek.

"Yes, my Lord," he replied, his head still lowered. "She was the one who gave me the task of maintaining the company’s branch."

’Thought so.’

Akamir leaned back on the chair. "So, how are things going?"

The man raised his head slightly, just enough to meet Akamir’s eyes.

"Everything is running smoothly on the surface, my lord," he began, voice steady but cautious.

"The main branch here in Krivos has seen a thirty-two percent profit increase over the last month."

Akamir tilted his head, interested. "That’s higher than projected."

"Yes," the man nodded quickly. "It’s because of the weapon trade. Demand has risen in the southern regions—rumors of war have made people nervous."

Akamir narrowed his eyes slightly. ’Hmm, isn’t the Aure kingdom situated there?’

He thought, tapping gently on the chair.

’Looks like I would need to keep an eye on the situation.’

"And the rare minerals?" Akamir asked after a pause.

The Edevane family that Akamir had taken over was much more fruitful than he had expected.

Things brought out of the mines were much better than those already present.

’Pretty sure it was because we dug a lot deeper than humans.’

One of the perks of having a race of Mimickers who can go inside any hole.

The man’s expression shifted slightly. Just a flicker of hesitation.

"We’ve had... minor issues," he said carefully. "Some shipments have gone missing. Small ones, but it’s becoming frequent."

"How frequent?" Akamir’s tone dropped a little.

"Three in the last two weeks."

Nayomi, who was lounging by the side of the room now, gave a low whistle. "That’s not ’minor,’ that’s someone testing your defenses."

Akamir nodded slightly, still watching the man. "Suspects?"

"None solid," he replied quickly. "But... I have suspicions. A few smaller merchant families have been growing too fast. Too bold."

Akamir leaned forward, his fingers now laced together.

"List them," he said. "And start keeping eyes on their movements."

The man bowed his head deeply. "Yes, my lord."