Chapter 2075: Peace is the most important thing
“Ah, Mr. Calo.” The merchants looked uneasy. They had been gambling and catching so many fish in the back, and even got into an argument with the mermaids. They didn’t know how to explain it to Calo.
But Gaspar remained calm and composed, saying to Calo, “I’m gambling with Mr. Everson. We are competing in fishing. If he wins, I’ll agree to a business deal with him. If I win, he’ll return the three slaves he won last time.”
“How could you catch so many fish by fishing? The mermaids even sang in protest, and didn’t I tell you not to conflict with Mr. Everson again?” Calo said angrily.
His close relationship with the mermaids was one of the reasons why Calo could sail smoothly on the Mediterranean Sea. If possible, he didn’t want any conflict with the mermaids. That’s why he rushed over in such a panic when he heard the mermaids’ singing protest.
“It’s nothing. I used a magic artifact to fish, so I caught a bit more. Those mermaids couldn’t stand it and cut my fishing line to interfere with our bet. There was no conflict at all. We were just amicably deciding a business deal through a bet. Mr. Everson invited me to bet, and I just accepted the invitation.”
Gaspar was indeed a merchant, quick-witted and fast-talking. He explained the situation in just a few words and framed it all to his advantage.
Calo’s head immediately hurt. According to the rules of the merchant guild, once both parties agreed to a bet, no one else could interfere, much like a sacred knight’s duel. Now, the mermaids interfering with the bet was clearly against the rules.
“We didn’t! I didn’t cut his fishing line!” the mermaid protested loudly, feeling framed.
“Here, only you opposed my fishing, and there’s no one else who can go underwater. If it wasn’t you, then who else could it be?” Gaspar retorted.
The mermaid really wanted to refute his accusation, but she was not good at speaking human languages, making it difficult to explain or refute Gaspar. Moreover, even she found the coincidence too strange. Could it be that one of her sisters did it secretly?
“Enough! We still have a long voyage ahead, and we need the mermaids to guide us. We cannot have any conflict with them!” Calo said, somewhat angered.
“Then my magic artifact was sunk to the seabed by them. This matter cannot be let go!” Gaspar was not yielding either. It seemed that he was in the right.
“Alright, I’ll have the mermaids help you retrieve your magic artifact. You cannot pursue this matter further, okay?” Calo decided to mediate their conflict.
“Okay, as long as she retrieves it, I will let bygones be bygones.” Gaspar was still willing to listen to Calo, as the ship was his.
“No way! I didn’t do it in the first place, and if you retrieve the magic artifact, you’ll start fishing and shocking fish again!” The mermaid refused. She was clearly being framed.
“Fine, you don’t have to return it to me. I originally wanted to give Mr. Calo some face. I’ll go to the merchant guild and complain about you interfering with my bet and damaging my magic artifact. You can explain it to your Queen yourself,” Gaspar said.
The mermaid’s face instantly turned red. She knew it was impossible to explain. As long as Gaspar complained, her act of interfering with the bet and violating the contract would be confirmed. Then, her clan would suffer sanctions from the merchant guild, and she and her sisters might also be punished by the Queen.
At this moment, a little girl’s voice came from nearby, “Mr. Gaspar, why be so harsh? Perhaps it was just an accident, and a fish just happened to bite off your fishing line?”
“Hmm?” Gaspar turned his head and saw the little girl who was inseparable from Everson. According to his subordinates’ investigation, she seemed to be Everson’s younger sister. Gaspar chuckled, “What little brat is babbling nonsense here? My magic artifact’s fishing line is so strong that even a saw couldn’t cut it. Only they were underwater here, so if it wasn’t them, who else could it be?”
Of course, it was me who spoke. Actually, I was the one who cut his fishing line. The flying fish were sharp enough. I controlled one to swim by and cut the fishing line, then released the school of fish.
On one hand, I felt the mermaids’ sad songs and wanted to help them. On the other hand, if we let Gaspar keep fishing, we would never have a chance to win. So, I secretly acted to cut his fishing line.
I just didn’t expect that Gaspar would insist it was the mermaids who cut his fishing line, and even started arguing. This gave Older Brother Jayad the opportunity to continue fishing quietly. Although the number of fish was difficult to make up for, he had not given up.
At the same time, because the mermaids were suspected and framed by Gaspar because of me, I felt it necessary to speak up for them. Of course, I absolutely could not admit that I did it.
“The key is that you have no evidence to prove it was them. It’s at most a suspicion. If you report it to the merchant guild and offend the mermaids and the merchants who need their help, your business on the Mediterranean Sea will not go smoothly in the future,” I said.
Everyone’s expression changed. Even Gaspar realized it. Merchants prosper through harmony. If he caused so much trouble with both sides over such a small matter, he would surely be disliked and ostracized by both sides, making business difficult.
Moreover, the Mediterranean Sea was the mermaids’ home ground. If he offended the mermaids, he would truly fear that one day mermaids might attack him and sink his ship, leaving him with no place to be buried.
“You are actually at a standstill now. How about both sides take a step back? Let the mermaids go underwater and help Mr. Gaspar retrieve the Green Crystal magic artifact, and Mr. Gaspar promises not to fish anymore and not to provoke them,” I said.
“Eh?” Everyone heard this and thought about it carefully. This was indeed a good idea. Both sides taking a step back would lead to a point that both could accept.
“Heh heh, Mr. Everson’s sister is also so smart. This is a good method. I think it’s acceptable. Gaspar, do you think this is okay?” Calo laughed loudly.
“Good fellow, so that’s why you suddenly came out to speak. You’re here to restrict me for your brother.” Gaspar seemed to have realized something.
He looked at the hourglass. Most of the sand had already fallen. They had argued for too long, and there were less than twenty minutes left. Although Jayad’s fish bucket was full, it was far from the mountain of 1,600 to 1,700 fish he had.
“Okay, as long as you help me retrieve the Green Crystal, I will not fish anymore, nor will I complain about you. Everything that happened just now is settled,” Gaspar said.
Calo took out the conch and blew it towards the mermaids. A melodious song came out. He was appeasing the mermaids, indicating that everything was settled and she should go retrieve the Green Crystal magic artifact, giving both sides a way to step down.
The mermaid nodded and dived into the sea. No one on the platform noticed as a small fish also swam towards the mermaid.
