Chapter 22: Business at Arab

Osman says, "Sir Alam, we have been pillaged by some thieves, they took our food. "

"We would love to help but we can't. We have to go to Al-Quhar."

After a minute of silence, he says, "I can give you some food. Will that be enough?"

"Thank you. We will be grateful."

Seiko says, "It seems like you are in a hurry. Can I know the reason?"

"Our young master is ill. He wants to eat some grapes, apples, and berries. We also need some herbs for his treatment."

Seiko says, "I have those fruits. I was going to Usran to sell those."

"You have those? Show me."

Seiko shows him that.

"Ok, we will take you."

Rachid whispers to Osman, "Don't they have apples, berries, and grapes?"

"No, we only have those in the rainy season and we get those from the merchant.", said Osman.

"Can't you just farm those?"

"No, we can't because we live in the desert instead of green land near a river."

"Oo…"

Alam divided his team. He sends one team to buy herbs and the rest of the team are going to Ursan with him. At one point, Seiko saw a tower that was round and big. It was moving. Seiko thought it was an illusion. While he was lost in thought about what it is, a scorpion bites one of the crew members. He started to scream in pain. Rachid came and started to treat his wound. Seiko says, "Damn, you know how to treat poison too."

"You should thank Ali. He taught me this. And the poison was not that toxic."

Rachid uses some herbs to treat him. "You should be fine. We should take a break and start later."

They took a break. A few hours later, they started walking.

In a few days, they reached Ursan. Alam took the fruits. All of the crew members went to their homes. Seiko opened his store. He started to sell the reimagining fishes at a high price to the nobles.

He goes to a bakery. He asked to let him use the kitchen. They let him. He made puddings and sold them. He buys food from his money and feeds some orphans.

One day, someone called him. The person who called him sent some servants to take him. He went with the servants. They took him to the palace. Rachid whispers to Seiko, "They might have found out that we sold fishes at a high price."

"If they say that then I will say that it's business."

"If they say that I will say that you forced me to do this."

Finally, they reached the king's room. The king says, "So you are that businessman?"

"Which?"

"The person who sells puddings and fishes from far away."

"Yes."

"Can you tell me the secret?"

"Which secret?"

"How do you keep food fresh that long?"

"I can't, sorry."

"I expected that." He claps his hands and says, "Come in."

Alam enters the room.

"Did you sell fruits to him?"

"Yes."

King's face changed, he looked happy and said, "You saved my best friend's son. Tell me what do you want?"

"I want you to feed the orphans and those who can't earn."

The king laughs and says, "As expected, I knew you feed the orphans. But didn't bring the subject up, to see whether you are faking or not. You have won my heart. I will feed them now tell me what else you want?"

"Nothing."

"Alam, give him what your master told you to give."

"Yes, Your majesty."

With little anger, Seiko says, "I said, I don't need anything."

"He is going to pay the price for the fruits he bought from you. Let's talk about business, I want you to give us different fish and foods from different places. You will sell those to me. The more goods you bring the better it will be."

"Ok. May I know what you will do with all that food?" Seiko asked.

"I will invite the nobles to trade for the food." A servant came and whispered something to the king. Then he said to Seiko, "You may leave now. I'm looking forward to seeing some good stuff."

"Thank you."

Alam says, "Come with me, you will leave the mansion after you receive the payment."

When they got out of the room, they encountered a group of people, one of them had long blonde hair. He looked a little different.

Alam gave them a few gold coins. After receiving coins they left the mansion.

Seiko and Rachid are selling puddings and the last few fishes.

A guy came. Seiko, "Welcome. What do you need? Puddings or fish? Good for you if you buy fish we will sell it to you at a low cost."

"No, I have come here to talk to you."

"Me?"

Seiko gave a surprised look. Then Seiko remembered, he was the blonde guy he saw at the mansion.

Seiko says, "I may have seen you at the mansion."

"Yes, you have and I also saw you at the mansion."

"Ohh, So what do you want to talk about?"

"Let's go to some private place."

"We can talk at the corner of the stall."

"As you wish."

Seiko shouts, "Rachid! Stand at the stall. This brother wants some private talk."

They went to the corner. The blonde hair guy says, "Can you tell me for how long you have been here?"

"Over a month."

"Do you have mana?"

"No, can't you feel it?"

"Yes, I can but there is something strange."

"What?"

"You see we are looking for the Third. Do you know anything about it?"

"Nope."

"Have you been to any crowded place?"

"Yes, the dock. How did you know that?"

"It seems you were near the person with the Third. If you get near to the person with Third, I and some of my comrades can feel slight mana of the Third. Please tell me, from which dock you have come?"

"Al-Quhar."

"Thank you."