V?lsung

"Tree, do you realize that you can't win this fight?"

"I do. It's just that I don't really care anymore and would rather take a few of you with me."

Having said that I fully released my bloodlust. A familiar red mist quickly pervaded the area and promptly reached the opposing trio. was unaffected by my bloodlust but both of his subordinates began to groan in pain. They were old and their hearts couldn't handle stress from being under this much pressure.

Behind me, splashing could be heard and eight tempest wolves rushed over. I had managed to speed up their growth by using their corpses I had collected so long ago.

"So you have reinforcement? What will a few wild beasts do? They are more likely to attack the town."

One of the old men spoke.

"I grew them myself so they won't disregard my will so easily."

To prove my point I let the wolves form a phalanx, they were ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

They would make very little difference against but they could buy me a few seconds.

just stood there, not overly impressed but looking slightly concerned about his followers. Suddenly his gaze turned sharp, his black wool cloak began levitating under a phantom wind. My bloodlust was pushed back by an invincible intent that moved like a snail with the power of a dragon.

"Eldar! I don't want to fight you! Pull back your bloodlust and let us talk. I'm prepared to compromise."

A concession? I couldn't find any reason to refuse further negotiations. I reeled back my bloodlust and the surroundings became clear again. The old men could breathe freely again.

"I'm listening, human."

"I admit that it was partly our fault with the happenings of the noble but I swear to you that we didn't know it would end so badly. I can also exempt you from any taxes but we are not able to pay you for granting us your territory."

"I can live with that. However, I do have a condition. I want a trading permit to be able to buy beast corpses and other necessary resources from the town. After all, this is crucial for my evolution."

"A trading permit... It seems we have reached an agreement."

Thus, the first official agreement between myself and the sky kingdom was formed. I would keep up the barrier and in return, I would be exempted from taxes and receive permission to trade freely.

"Now regarding the contract..."

"Right, you humans always make a written contract for everything. I hope you aren't expecting a signature from me."

"You have a point. Asking you to sign a document would be difficult. Well, I will be stationed here for a long time so let's just make it a promise between men."

"Bold of you to assume I am male!"

My bluff was easily seen through. chuckled and headed towards the inn.

The next day the two old magi returned to Utgard while decided to stay. According to himself, he was in much need of a break.

I spent the next few days getting used to my new powers and rights. To begin with, I created a thin wooden wall between two of the outer trees, creating a signboard. Thereon stood in clear, carved letters:

Dear reader, have you ever wondered what to do with a beast's corps after hunting it? Wonder no more! Eldar merchant guild will buy those beast corpses. You can trade for precious metals or the chance to tame a beast.

More trading products may follow.

A masterpiece of my own creation. had been down for ten minutes after reading it. Laughter had been shaking his body so badly that standing hadn't been possible anymore.

I couldn't decide whether I should feel insulted for being laughed at or proud for forcing a man as strong as to the ground for ten minutes.

By the way, business was bad. No one was willing to bet their lives for money if they could live a somewhat stable life here. The wage system would only be implemented once the merchants, blacksmiths, tailors, and carpenters arrived.

This would probably happen in the next months, forcing me to wait for a while.

I had also begun to grow things again. Sadly I was short on corpses so I would have to wait for the tempest wolves to grow. One month suddenly seemed like such a long time.