Chapter 171: Something Small that Kills Many (3)

"And did you think I would just believe it?" Brown tilted his head.

"Look." I pointed to the houses of my colonists. "This place is nothing compared to yours. If I were to be mean, you would definitely take revenge, and my people would lose. I've seen your people at the Redtooth festival. There are plenty of them."

"They are only a third of my tribe's population." Brown shrugged, then crouched down and looked up at me. "But, you have a point. It would be foolish for you to mess with my tribe."

"This means I'm really desperate...."

"And I could have forced you guys to talk about the opium now."

My chest felt like it was about to explode with anger and anxiety. However, I tried to speak in my usual tone, "If I do, I will guarantee that you will not gain knowledge of it."

"Well, I'm not like that. I won't bully other weaker tribes. I'm not evil."

Really? Encouraging your people to harass and bully other members isn't evil either?

Even though I wanted to confront him about his words, I restrained myself. I'm negotiating, not arguing.

"Maybe you're right. We've always had conflicts with other tribes. Many of my people have been injured frequently, and I feel sorry for them to suffer." Brown took a deep breath. "And there are some of my people who are born with a disease that keeps them in pain."

The figure was silent for a moment, then stood up and looked at me again. Or rather, turning his face to me. He has no eyes, after all.

"Opium is a plant that only exists in legend, like spices." He spoke again. "How did you get it?"

"Your own men sold it to us," I explained, still trying to use a normal tone. "The poppy seeds are in a silver package containing the garlic seeds."

Brown tilted his head again. "I know opium, but what exactly is garlic?"

"Garlic is one of the spices. You don't know that?" I scratched my head.

Even some of my colonists who grew up in this land know what garlic is, though they've never seen what it looks like.

"What did you say?" Brown choked. "Spices, you say? But, the package had a picture of something strange. I thought it was poison! I don't want my people to try to grow it because I don't want anything bad to happen!"

"Why are the humans from the sky ships carrying poisonous plant seeds?" I stifled a laugh. "Hell, even the seeds of the poppy plant were smuggled in packets of garlic seeds. They thought opium was dangerous, even though it had uses. So, they didn't want to bring it into this land."

Brown massaged his forehead. "Well, even though I still have the seeds, none of my people know how to grow those things... Well, how about you teach us how to grow garlic too?"

"No problem at all."

I don't know what will happen in the future if those two things are cultivated on a large scale. Will there be opium dealers who use addicts as a source of their money? Or maybe there is a conflict over territory with large onion and poppy fields?

But, the most important thing is that I have to save my colony first. And I don't need to give one more crucial thing to this guardian spirit from Acornhull. I don't have to tell him about firearms too.

"So, is this a deal?" I stuck out my hand.

Brown looked at my hand with his hips crossed but finally shook it.

The two of us gave orders to our respective men to carry out this plan. As soon as I pressed the play button, Leva and the people in Acornhull's party looked confused.

"Why do I feel I have to allow Ivan to stay here temporarily to take care of those sick people?" The group leader scratched his head.

Leva took a deep breath. "Surprisingly, I also feel the same way."

[New temporary colonist acquired]

[Ivan, 29 years old (Temporary Colonist)]

STATS:

Ranged attacks: 3/100

Melee attacks: 84/100**

Construction: 25/100

Crafting: 21/100

Cook: 60/100*

Plant: 2/100

Mining: 3/100

Animal: 72/100*

Medic: 19/100

TRAITS:

Brawler – Ivan likes close combat and hates using ranged weapons. His melee attack accuracy is outstanding.

Super-immune – Ivan's body can withstand various kinds of infectious diseases well

Tough body - Ivan can withstand various attacks very well.

INCAPABLE OF:

-

HEALTH ISSUES:

-

"That means our guardian spirit and this tribe have agreed, Guss." Ivan chuckled. "I feel good here. That means I get to see Leva every day."

Leva's expression went blank, similar to Kat's usual expression. Meanwhile, the member of the party from Acornhull narrowed his eyes at Ivan, who was now smiling so broadly.

Hang in there, Leva. I know he's annoying, but at least he's not a bad person...

Well, I can only hope he really isn't a bad person.

"Well, can we continue this transaction?" Leva asked in an unenthusiastic tone.

Leva and the group leader conduct long-distance transactions. My female colonists were more focused on getting groceries because that was what we really needed. After bargaining with each other, we were finally able to get all the food the group was selling at a price that could be considered relatively cheap.

Is this the goodness of Brown? I can't ask him anymore because I've already ordered Gwen to turn off her psychic abilities.

"I hope my presence doesn't bother you." Ivan laughed as he walked over with a large sack filled with rice, dried vegetables, and jerky.

"Ah, we're glad you're here, Ivan," Leva replied with another smile.

It seemed like she was trying hard to make her voice sound polite.

"So, where do I put all this stuff?" Ivan asked.

"Follow me." After saying that, Leva walked towards the warehouse.

"Honestly, I'm really excited about this, Leva." Ivan sounded enthusiastic but also stuttered a little.

"Yeah, me too."

Ivan choked. "Does this mean you accept my love?"

Blood vessels began to appear in Leva's temples and neck. "Well, I don't think now is the time to talk about such things."