Master Of None

Gil was not surprised to find several of the scouts keeping watch on the makeshift holding tent that was currently where the black profiteer was being held. They were not letting this known criminal to get away or sneak even closer to whatever dangerous goods he might have nearby.

”Before entering, three daggers were removed, two were coated in poison. This merchant also carried several magic scrolls with offensive attacks. The reason there were no issues was due to the control skills used by the forest scout who recently joined our team.”

This was something Gil knew about. The change in scouting teams was due to the current quest where Walker needed to find all of the bridges to the elemental planes. Since Gil had a hand in organizing the teams it made sense that he would know some of the elven scouts added to the groups.

The elven forest scouts were used to forest terrain primarily but their skills translated to everywhere in terms of sneaking and tracking. However, some were more advanced and could use surrounding foliage to trap or create obstacles for targets. This was often used to direct herds of monsters away from villages but in this case would be used to trap a dangerous criminal.

It was a very wise usage of skills and made Gil glad he’d mixed the scout groups to cover some missing advantages that different types of scouts had.

Opening the tent, Gil found a rather tall Demi-human with lizard traits. If he wasn’t so scrawny he might be able to pretend to be a dragonkin. Well, that and if he added some fake wings. But his green scales were mostly hidden by the ruffled cloak he wore. It didn’t hide the higher quality silk clothing underneath though. There were also signs that multiple rings had been removed from his fingers after his capture.

”Oh so they finally brought a big shot in. You’re one of those heroes who like to send their lackeys to break down my trade groups.” This was the first reaction from this profiteer and Gil already hated him.

The dripping annoyance and distaste proved that this merchant didn’t see a single thing wrong with what he did for a living. Didn’t have a single bad feeling about selling damaged goods or spoiled foods. Was only focused on the fact that he could make money.

”You are a criminal to your guild and to Genesis and various kingdoms. Even before the shift in the world you were found to seek spoiled food goods, damaged armor, damaged weapons, and fake potions. You even earned the name black profiteer from causing deaths due to your items.”

”Well if you were going to flatter me I would have offered a discount sooner.” The chuckle that came made Gil question whether or not people like this could even function in a well protected society. It was clear that he had no desire to ever repent.

”What goods were you attempting to sell here?” Gil didn’t play games or give any control to this merchant at all. Compared to the others, this was the real criminal who deserved punishment without consideration of leniency.

”Goods? I’m not selling anything here. Just looking to buy from travelers. Why? Did someone say I was selling? Must be a rumor.” The smug smirk told Gil he would have to be a little more clear with his questions.

”Let me be clear, you will tell us what dangerous goods you brought here and I will not have to ask Walker to use his skills on you which will block you entirely from using any mana potentially ever again.”

Now this was an empty threat, not because Walker couldn’t manage this, he certainly could make someone unable to gather manas or even use their mana based skills properly if he wanted to. Instead, this was something Walker wouldn’t do since it was akin to torture.

Therefore, Gil was using the rumors he knew went around some of the darker areas of the Genesis alliance. The rumor that Walker could use manas around spoken to halt their ability to use any mana at all forever. Or that Walker could even make someone’s mana turn entirely against them.

Things he most likely could do but wouldn’t do since he was a hero and not a cruel torturer. Then again, just being isolated from surrounding manas would feel like there was a major issue. Walker wouldn’t shy away from that since he’d used similar techniques to help others in the past, but still, for Gil, it was an empty threat.

It did work though, the black profiteer lowered his gaze slightly and the fake smug smile on his face dropped a fraction. He knew that Gil was not the heroic perfectionist Walker was and might actually use this sort of thing. But he could gamble and keep pushing back.

Mercantile work was always a gamble.

”No goods here-”

Gil stepped forward without an ounce of pity or care in his eyes. Being intimidating came with the territory. He had to be strict and clear with who he was in front of the eleven. Alma didn’t always need the energetic archer that loved her, sometimes she needed the unbending hero who focused entirely on the rules and best for the prowl hunger side. This was it.

”You will already be tried for your crimes so far. If you do not cooperate there will be worse punishments given. It’s only your future you are risking now.” There wasn’t a single sound in response. The black profiteer had held his breath feeling the large amount of mana moving around Gil.

He didn’t intentionally do so, but as he’d gotten closer to the elemental manas, naturally mana in particular, this had happened. He could calm himself but letting some of the disgust he felt show for this merchant’s past and current actions would help make his point.

”The broken carriage with metal wheels. It holds anything I traveled with. Three crates are goods I was asked to transport no questions asked. I don’t know the contents.” It sounded more like someone who had just lost the biggest game of their life but it was clear that Gil’s words would be living in this man’s nightmares now.

Someone powerful enough to make mana react to their emotions was in front of him. He’d handled the merchant groups and even this newly formed merchant guild. He’d felt with guards and checkpoints. But some insanely powerful archer who had been able to change his race and literally begin ruling Side by side with a powerful new elf queen? No way. He wasn’t able to step beyond that. It was very clear to him now.

”Good choice.” Gil turned around and left giving nods to the ones guarding the merchant. While he felt this black profiteer had not told him all the details knowing what carriage was his was enough.

It took minutes to find the carriage properly and it was already known that there would be damaged and even some cursed items. The guards with Gil loved them while wearing special gloves to block anything dangerous. A full small crate of poisons was taken extra care of for proper disposal.

The poisons might be for sale or for self defense but seeing as the merchant had daggers coated in them, Gil didn’t see any benefit in risking bringing them to Remey. She wouldn’t rest and why he didn’t wish to keep them around. Poison had its uses but not for nefarious merchant trades.

What he’d worried about beyond the damaged goods though were any goods that would prove dangerous if left alone or sold. Specifically, the crates the merchant had transported for sale here without a single question asked. Deals like that were illegal due to the damaged nature of goods and why many crafters had signed papers attesting to quality and who created them.

A well armored guard opened the first crate only for Gil to grab and pull him back immediately. ”Sir?” The guard hadn’t even glimpsed the items but Gil knew them.

”These are paralyzing gas potions. Made from the venom of the yellow sand snake. They are older products illegal for sale since the potion is made and sealed in glass which means it isn’t properly secure. The venom degrades and becomes lethal so when it is released and becomes a gas it doesn’t paralyze it kills. It was good for larger groups of monsters until accidents killed an entire shop of people.”

Remey had once insulted the creation of these knowing that they were poorly made and the alchemist that made them had done so, cutting corners for easy gold. Now they were here and could have been sold or could have been the source of everyone’s death that came here.

”We will have alchemists come to handle these. No one is allowed near here until then.”

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Please say no to piracy! Don’t take part in crime! Don’t patronize thieves!

Drop those golden tickets!