Chapter 2005: The Introducer
“Uh, okay, nice to meet you.” Jayad extended his hand and shook Fuldamantha’s. He was unaccustomed to the handshake, his movements awkward and hesitant.
When Jayad was poor, no one shook his hand. After he became powerful, he either dealt with people of lower status or attended noble banquets. They would either bow or embrace intimately, rarely shaking hands.
Fuldamantha keenly observed this but didn’t pry. Instead, he smiled and invited Jayad, “Mr. Everson, please come this way. Let’s talk as we walk. Where are you from?”
“I just returned from Central Africa. I’m here for the diamond business, but it seems the market is bad here. I plan to do business in the Apennine Peninsula,” Jayad said, seemingly revealing all his cards at once.
Fuldamantha immediately formed a basic understanding of Jayad, concluding that he was likely a novice merchant, perhaps a wealthy young man doing business with his parents’ fortune.
His unfamiliarity with handshakes suggested a lack of social experience, and his immediate revelation of his origins and intentions indicated a lack of cunning. Bringing so many beautiful women along was likely just for show. He was someone suitable for manipulation and companionship.
At this point, they had entered the guild hall. Unlike the opulence of noble residences, this place was more concise and practical, like a high-class version of a tavern.
The guild hall was filled with the melodious sound of a piano. A musician sat by the window, playing. Near the counter, a bulletin board was plastered with information about investment, acquisitions, and caravan formations. Around the hall were small cubicles where many merchants were discussing business.
The biggest difference from interacting with nobles was the absence of excessive formalities. Within the guild hall, one could hear the sounds of bargaining, horse racing, and gambling from adjacent rooms. Some people were even seen conducting transactions directly with suitcases full of gold coins.
The people here were all rather common individuals, focused solely on wealth. Within the guild, ordering food cost money, purchasing intelligence cost money, and hiring people cost money. It was fair, but beneath this fairness lay complete injustice.
” I want to register with the guild first. How do I do that?” Jayad did not hide his inexperience. Based on their previous analysis, even if he pretended to be an expert, these shrewd merchants would surely see through it.
Rather than being discovered and looked down upon later, it was better to adopt a humble posture from the start and appear sincere as a novice.
“It’s over there, at that counter. Hand your identification to the young lady there and pay a gold coin membership fee, and you’ll be able to enjoy the guild’s basic services,” Fuldamantha said.
“That’s too expensive.” Although Jayad didn’t care about the money, a single gold coin just for membership felt rather steep. Furthermore, the so-called basic services were merely viewing and participation rights, akin to an entry qualification. Deeper services would still cost money.
Jayad walked to the counter. There weren’t many people waiting. The beautiful young lady at the counter looked up at him, her gaze fixed on the gemstone rings on his hand, the large gold chain on his chest, and the sizable gems. She smiled sweetly, “Sir, what service can I help you with? We offer everything from recruitment, partnerships, outsourcing, and rentals.”
“I want to join the guild. Here is my identification and the membership fee of one gold coin.” Jayad handed over the citizen’s certificate that Safah had prepared for him. However, he had used the Transformation Spell to change the name on it to Everson and even altered his birthplace from Cando City to Barcelona, where there were many Catalans.
“Certainly, I’ll process that for you right away.” The receptionist didn’t even bother to check the authenticity of the citizen’s certificate. In fact, the guild didn’t concern themselves with such matters. As long as you wished to join and do business together, you were considered part of the guild; you could fill in your personal details yourself.
Soon, the young lady handed him a black card with the image of a goddess, supposedly the Goddess of Wealth, printed on it, along with the pseudonym Everson.
“Congratulations. From today onwards, you are a member of the guild. You are currently a Level 1 member, but as your integrity, spending, and contributions increase, your membership level will gradually rise, allowing you to enjoy more benefits,” the receptionist said.
Another tiered membership system, essentially a VIP system. Providing transaction intelligence, engaging in bulk commodity trading, assisting other merchants, and so on would all improve VIP levels.
Jayad noticed the intelligence board nearby. Various pieces of intelligence were categorized by level, with higher levels being more expensive. Simultaneously, the guild guaranteed the timeliness and critical value of the information. The higher the VIP level, the more free access one had to all intelligence below their membership level.
It was a shame. They were currently in hiding and on the run; otherwise, if Older Brother Jayad revealed the news of the Crown Prince’s assassination to the guild, it would be enough to raise his VIP level to five. This was news that would shake the entire nation and undoubtedly have a colossal impact.
“Please check if there are any ships heading to the Apennine Peninsula, especially Genoa or the Kingdom of Sardinia, available recently,” Jayad asked. This was information that could be inquired about for free.
The young lady reviewed her records and said, “Yes, there’s a cargo ship going to Milan in three days, and a passenger ship heading to Florence in a week that will stop by. Its final destination is Rhodes. There’s also a ship going to Sicily next week.”
Just as Older Brother Jayad was contemplating, Fuldamantha, who had led him there, approached again. “Excuse me, are you planning to travel to the Apennine Peninsula by ship? And soon?”
“Yes, the sooner the departure, the better. Any delay would mean missing business opportunities,” Jayad replied, feigning urgency.
“Well, I happen to know of a ship departing right after the new year that’s heading to Sardinia. It’s a private merchant ship for a trading company and not part of the regular schedule. If you wish to take it, I can vouch for you and recommend you to join them,” Fuldamantha said with a smile.
Here it comes. He was indeed here to act as an introducer, or rather, a broker, using his connections to link both sides and earn a commission, while also establishing new connections.
“But there are regular ships going to the Apennines. Why would I go through so much trouble?” Jayad countered.
“Mr. Everson, you don’t understand. A trading company’s ship is a luxury cruise liner, certainly much more comfortable than ordinary cargo or passenger ships. The ship also has the company’s mercenaries to protect you from pirate attacks, and even a mage to guard the vessel against monster assaults. It’s much safer than traveling on a regular ship.”
“Oh? Since you say so, then please trouble yourself to introduce me.” Jayad agreed immediately.
