My name is Richard. I work for the merchant guild, and now I am heading to the southern part of the continent.

"Mr. Richard, are you sure it's safe where we are going?"

Ah yes, my companion here is Josh, and he is a rookie. I will be showing him the ropes. New merchants are required to travel with experienced ones; it's part of the guild's training. This training only lasts one year.

"What do you mean by safe?"

"I heard rumors that the tension between Orcathia and the Federation is increasing," said Josh.

"Oh, that? You don't have to worry. That is why we have more iron, weapons, and slaves today."

Yes, we have 20 carriages full of goods.

"Slaves? I thought most nations used adventurers during wars."

"You are correct. However, adventurers are expensive, just like mercenaries. With slaves, you only need to feed them. Even if they don't have battle experience, you can just order them to fight."

"I see, but don't you think our goods are a little bit too much?" asked Josh.

"Actually, I wanted to add 10 more carriages, but I lacked manpower, and it's more expensive hiring adventurers who are willing to come to this part of the continent."

"10 more carriages?"

"Yes, since Elzaran might also need weapons. There was a rumor of civil war six months ago."

"Elzaran? You mean the country of the Elves?"

"Yes, I only know about the death of their queen, but maybe the major families are not impressed with their crown princess or whatever the reason."

"Are the Elves as beautiful as the rumors say, Mr. Richard?"

"Beautiful? No, that word doesn't do them justice. The Elves are a marvel to behold. The golden Elves are the most stunning, with their shimmering hair and radiant skin. Their beauty is almost otherworldly, making them seem like they’ve stepped out of a dream. The green Elves, with their striking green hair and eyes, have an ethereal and captivating beauty. And then there are the dark Elves, who possess a mysterious allure with their dusky skin and piercing eyes. Each type of Elf is uniquely beautiful, but the golden Elves are truly above all."

We entered the Federation of Aranthor's border, and immediately, the stark reality of its poverty struck us. The landscape was dotted with dilapidated homes and fields left untended. Beggars lined the streets of every town we passed through, their gaunt faces a testament to the harsh living conditions. The people we saw were clad in tattered rags, their eyes filled with despair. It was clear that wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving the majority to struggle for survival.

We could only sell a few items in these impoverished areas, but our goal was their capital. Before going to the castle to trade, we headed to the adventurers' guild to collect information. Information is power in this business. During wartime, iron and weapon prices increase. If there is famine, then we will increase the food prices. We entered the guild with Josh while our companions went to sell their goods. They cannot go to the castle without me since I have the permit.

We entered, and the receptionist guided us to the guild master. We greeted each other warmly, and his name is Mike.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"So, has the war started already?"

"No, it has not, even though there are a few clashes at the border."

"I thought I heard a rumor that said the crown prince is a prideful man, and he won't negotiate with mere orcs."

"He might have said that, but you cannot underestimate Orcathia. They buy their weapons from Drakoria."

"Drakoria? That's the country led by dragons, right? With many races living there, such as dwarves, beastmen, and humans?" Josh asked, curiosity piqued.

"Exactly. It's one of the neutral nations. It had deep ties with Elzaran long ago, but nobody knows what happened between those two countries. After their relationship turned bad, Elzaran closed itself off from the rest of the world," Mike explained.

"I think the prince is trying to avoid an all-out war. Since their towns near Orcathia might be taken if there is war," said Mike.

"How is Elzaran reacting to this?" asked Richard.

"A few months ago, suddenly there were many soldiers around the border, and we thought maybe they were going to invade the Federation. However, our intel revealed that even on the side of Orcathia, there are soldiers," Mike said, leaning back in his chair.

"So, they stationed soldiers to protect their borders against the Federation and Orcathia?" asked Richard, furrowing his brow.

"At first, that was what we thought. But later, we realized that a civil war might be going on, and they are trying to keep both nations out of it," Mike continued, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping.

"I see. If either the Federation or Orcathia gets involved and succeeds, then it will be two against one," said Richard, thoughtfully stroking his chin.

"Exactly. And that would be disastrous for Elzaran. They are already dealing with internal strife after their queen's death. The major families are not happy with the crown princess," Mike added.

"Why's that?" Josh inquired.

"Political reasons, mostly. Power struggles, disagreements on policy. You know how it is," Mike replied with a shrug.

The capital of Aranthor is called Aldrion. The country is ruled by King Alaric and Queen Sabrina Aranthor, and their two children are Crown Prince Thalion and Princess Lyanna.

We left the adventurers' guild and headed to the palace. As we traveled through Aldrion, the disparity between the capital and the countryside was stark. While the capital boasted grand buildings and bustling markets, the outskirts were filled with the destitute and hungry.

After entering the palace, we were escorted into the office where we met the king and queen. The room was lavishly decorated with gold accents and luxurious tapestries, a stark contrast to the poverty outside.

King Alaric sat at a large oak desk, his expression stern but curious. Queen Sabrina was by his side, adorned in elegant silks and jewels.

"Welcome, merchants. What goods have you brought for us today?" King Alaric inquired, his voice resonant.

"Your Majesties, we have brought a variety of goods," I began. "Weapons, iron, spices, fine clothing, and even some slaves."

Queen Sabrina's eyes lit up at the mention of clothing and jewelry. "Show me the fabrics and jewels," she commanded.

Our assistants quickly brought forward samples of the finest silks and glittering gems. The queen inspected them with a keen eye, murmuring her approval.

"These are exquisite," she said. "I'll take these pieces."

Meanwhile, King Alaric focused on the more practical items. "What about weapons and iron? Our armories need restocking."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," I replied. "We have high-quality weapons and iron that will bolster your forces."

The king nodded thoughtfully. "We'll take a substantial amount, but not as much as we initially planned. We must be cautious with our expenditures given the current tensions."

"I understand, Your Majesty," I said, bowing slightly. "May I ask about the situation at the border? We have heard various rumors."

King Alaric sighed. "The situation is tense. Orcathia is restless, and there have been skirmishes. We must prepare for the worst while hoping for the best."

"And what of Elzaran?" I asked, probing further.

"Elzaran remains an enigma," King Alaric said. "They are fortifying their borders, possibly due to internal conflict. We must tread carefully."

The nobles living in the capital did buy slaves. Their eyes glinted with a mix of curiosity and disdain as they inspected the chained individuals. It was a grim business, but one that we were well acquainted with.

I am still hopeful since there is civil war in Elzaran. The weapons and this iron will all be sold. As for the slaves, we can convince the Elzaran families to buy them off our hands. We stayed two weeks to sell our products. We didn't come with just weapons, iron, and slaves; we have rice, spices, clothes, and many more items. It's already been two weeks, so today we are heading to Elzaran.