85 A rock in calm water

Food for the feast was being prepared. Sunsook began handing out freshly baked bread and water to the kids who gathered at the smell. They shouted in joy as they were given the food and they quickly disappeared as soon as they were full. Joonbum grinned at the sight.'They will spread the word.'The white bread that was handed out was not native to this land. The piece of cake should also have a huge effect as well. 'So, what now?'Joonbum narrowed his eyes as he thought about what would come next.The elders were impressed by Joonbum's knowledge as he was handling a lot of things with creative ideas impressively. But it wasn't because Joonbum was exceptionally smart. The basic education in this world was very low. Most commoners never learned how to read and some nobles did not learn to read either. Joonbum's vast knowledge that he gained from books, movies, and TV shows easily surpassed the more experienced people of this world. Thinking based on such knowledge, Joonbum managed to narrow down the two options that Joseph from the Donian Merchant Group would take. 'He'll either come and beg or try to put up a fight. I assume it will be the latter.'The fact that he still hadn't come only meant one thing. 'The problem is how. Let's go check it out.'Joonbum changed himself into the mercenary costume he wore from the other day and left the campsite."Hey! Come and play!"A woman with a big bosom shouted as Joonbum walked past her. Other women who were calling for customers pulled up their skirts or pointed their hips at passing men."You look strong. I'll let you do it for free if you satisfy me.""Hey! Come and rest!""How about me?"Women kept luring men into their stores and many walked in without much resistance. Joonbum passed through the alleyway, refusing all the offers until he found a saloon that he hadn't visited before."Welcome. What would you like?""Beer and some simple food.""How about a pickled merloon?"'What's a merloon? Hmm. I will know once I get it.'Joonbum nodded at the thought. A server came to wipe the table carelessly and the food waste fell to the ground."Haha! Let's drink!""Ugh. I lost all my money.""I told you Geric, you shouldn't bet all your money like that.""You're the only one who won the money! Hey, how about you loan me some of it?""No way. I just barely earned it so we can have a drink. I don't have any more!"At the moment, a group of mice scurried across the floor underneath Joonbum's table, trying to take the food waste that fell to the ground.'Ugh, this is wonderful.'Nobody cared about the mice. Some even tried to kick the mice that ran past the feet."Hey Anna! Come here for a second!"Some called for a woman server and she slapped the customer's head at once."Hah, a bald head sounds great when slapped!""Hahaha.""Anna's so scary!""Dolson, you son of a b**ch! How dare you touch Anna's butt! I'll chop your hands off!""Jane! Can you show me your breasts?""Pay me and I'll think about it, you bastard. Don't think everything is free."This store was much more raw in a sense. There were a lot of rough mercenaries and all the women who were working seemed to be strong-minded as well. The store had its own charm."Hey! Honey beer here!""I'll treat. Bring me a beer!"Joonbum began drinking while he listened to the stories being told from multiple places."I heard Donian is in a big mess.""Of course. I heard Vice President Joseph was going nuts.""What were the Ainos thinking?""Only the Ainos can do such a thing.""Why?""Well, they've been scammed for quite some time. Last year was the worst.""Hey, let's stop talking about merchant stuff. We're mercenaries. It doesn't matter. We'll just enjoy the feast.""I heard Donian was up to something. I heard they hired the Berdoc Mercenaries to do something to the feast.""What? Those dogs?""No way. I should think about going to the feast then," a man mumbled as they looked at each other."I hope they don't cause any trouble inside the village.""Who knows? They got their backs covered if they do."It was the information Joonbum needed. He grinned as he drank the beer, but his face turned livid as the merloon was served on the table.'Ugh. Isn't this a rat? It still has its head!'"It's better than it looks. Most popular dish at our place. Try it!"Joonbum couldn't dare to eat it.*"Whoaa!"It was the kid that signaled the start of the feast. The bread that was given had a tremendous effect. It seemed like all the kids in the village had come to the feast with their mothers. They walked to one side of the campsite where it was open to the villagers. Most of the kids and their mothers alike seemed to be shocked by the amount of food prepared on the table. The Ainos began guiding them to take a wooden plate for themselves. They were able to serve themselves by grabbing anything they wanted to eat. There was enough food for everyone, so they could eat as much as they wanted. A big keg full of fruit juice mixed with water and sugar placed on the table allowed them to drink freely.It was similar with the adults. The only difference was that they had additional broth soup and fried Kuku to choose from. The entire village already knew a large number of Kukus was sold to the Ainos and they knew the Ainos were cooking something that caused the entire village to be filled with the smell of fried Kuku. People began enjoying their food with beer. "This is amazing!""Fried Kuku! I never imagined Kuku could be this good!""What's with this beer? I've never tasted such good beer!"The feast started in good shape. The broth made with Duran meat and bone was also very popular. There was also a variety of fresh food and traditional Ainos dishes that filled the table. The other side of the feast also had Brix meat roasted as a whole. There was a line of people waiting to be served.The table where the merchant leaders gathered was similar as they were also shocked. There was the introduction of whiskey, a liquor that they never seen, and a beer that they never knew existed. The soft white bread and cake were also very shocking. The most captivating thing for the merchants were the various items shown by the count family from the foreign country. Many objects were laid down on the table and the merchants carefully examined the goods one by one. They first began to examine the dishes created with unknown material decorated with beautiful markings. 'Never knew such a dish existed! Where is this Daehan Empire? We must find out and open up a trade route…'There were also bowls, cups, and tea sets that were made from same material. They all had beautiful markings. The craftsmanship was extraordinary.'Even the emperors don't have such things! This will bring in a lot of fortune!"Most of the merchants were thinking about the profits they could make out of these goods. The nobles of this world bought almost anything to show off their abilities and wealth. 'This should work!'But it was only beginning. Next was the liquor that bore the engravings of Count Christos. Merchants heard a long explanation of how it was created and tasted it. It had a shocking taste as they never tasted such unique liquor in their lives. The last item that was shown was a small fire starter rock. It was much easier to start a fire with such a small rock that made everyone stand and watch with awe."To think that I thought I knew everything that existed in the world.""I heard all of these were crafted on Count Christos' lands.""How did you know?"A gray-haired merchant pointed at an Ainos at the distance."He told me when I asked.""Oh.""Maybe it wasn't a secret? He didn't seem to mind."The feast was a success. Joonbum glanced around and found Hectos drinking mindlessly beside Jackson who was ranting at him.'Hmm. There should be something more to them.'The relationship between them seemed to be very unusual, but it didn't make Joonbum too curious. He began glancing around again to locate all fifty guards around the campsite.As he was looking around, one of the guards ran to Hectos and reported something."They are doing their job."Doral came to him with cold lemonade in his hand. Joonbum took it as Doral handed it over to him and gulped it down."Jackson is on watch so I think we should be okay.""Meaning we have to stay with them now.""Yeah. I know I may not be in the position to say it, but the Ainos need change to survive here."Doral knew it, but he seemed to be bitter at the fact. "The tradition was broken when the Ainos began trading with humans. We can't go down the same path that Magnos went through."Doral let out a sigh instead of answering Joonbum. Joonbum was talking about the outcome of being isolated. "We will be busy from now on.""I guess so."Joonbum smiled bitterly. The merchants who visited would soon start competing with each other. The Ainos had various goods that they wanted, including the middle-grade healing potions. There were also the goods that Joonbum showed. The nobles from this world would definitely be interested in his goods."You should join them in the feast. They will not care about us walking through the village after today."Doral nodded and walked away to the feast area. Joonbum laid down on his back and began gazing to the blue sky.*An angry scream blurted out from the office of the Donian Merchant Group."WHAT! Tell me again! What was it? Huh?!"Joseph Algony slammed his desk as if he were trying to break it. His eyes, red with anger, glared at Norman who bowed in front of him."All of the mercenaries from the Berdoc Mercenary Group were arrested by the guards before they even entered the village. We've failed.""What? How? Why? Why were they arrested? What for? Who did that! Is it Hectos? Jackson? Tell me! NOW!""N-no. I gave some coins to a guard I knew and asked. He said it probably was the noble from the Daehan Empire who's behind it. He said Hectos was summoned by the noble before he began ordering everyone to keep close watch at the feast.""What? I knew it! I knew it! I was sure it was that noble!"Joseph's eyes glared as he kept mumbling.'Is he really mad?'Joseph was not the man Norman knew anymore. He couldn't understand the sudden change in character. Joseph began laughing like a maniac. "Hehe… Hehehe… so it was him…"