Master Of None

Chapter 2958. Merchant Regulations

”These contracts are utter garbage. They really managed to capture people and use them like tools with these? If the mana is strong enough then it can break them easily. Why would there need to be someone to intervene?” Walker did not expect to return to Genesis to share information about what was happening just to find a room full of merchants arguing.

The Genesis main meeting room was always filled with leaders of the races. They would be arguing or hashing out laws and plans for future development. They would even speak on current issues needing adjustments or entire reworks.

So finding merchants taking the seats from the merchant guild arguing more and more, it was odd.

Then again, the information they had and the copies of contracts that they had been provided so far made them entirely stunned.

They were not unfamiliar with contract skills like this, but these were too blunt in their opinions. They could be overridden with string mana or control of specific manas. The consequences could be erased and the bond that held through the contract broken with minor harm to both or just one side.

”The issue was that each contract was renewed with different requirements over and over. Even breaking one contract would lead to being punished by several. One contracted pitch scaled dragon champion had eighty four contracts. Meaning that if they failed to uphold whatever they were told to do, then they would perish right on the spot. They would also know that their children would be taken as literal slaves to be sold as compensation.”

Now that Walker chimed in, the merchants all froze.

Many of them had assisted in setting proper laws associated with payment and merchant related contracts. Most were in writing only and did not have any magical punishments or influence. Simply because the laws and simple respect of the deal kept this from being any issue or need for mana within a contract.

Not to mention the fact that the entire merchant guild had its own rules to keep everyone honest. Not one merchant could easily get away with anything untoward nowadays. Those that did would easily be hunted down and forced to pay the price in the eyes of the law.

Hearing Walker’s additions, they all had a moment before sighs and frustrated comments were spit out.

From what Walker was hearing, multiple contracts unless sif was for multiple orders to a shop, over long periods of time, or simply because of the nature of the business were highly against regulations put in place.

Not simply because a young merchant could tie themselves in to a knot accidentally by taking on too many contracts, but because it could lead to a collapse in the economy of each kingdom.

The fact that they had historical records of small villages up to entire cities making themselves fall apart because of conflicting contracts was major. Even some of the older alliance deals between kingdoms had made it impossible to help one another without breaking the terms. Therefore, it was even more important that such deals were highly focused on within Genesis as a uniting alliance.

”We can learn their magical contract skills, but we should not rely on them. Magic is great, but having someone lose a limb or their life for failing their side of a deal? That’s asking someone to risk it all of a single bite of bread one day on the job. Imagine your husband missing a day at the forge and his penalty is never to use the blacksmithing skills he trained.”

The merchant that spoke out seemed to grasp the downsides of these contracts and it started a whole new conversation that was being recorded so that the leaders of Genesis could look back later.

Understanding why the records were being taken right now, Walker understood it was so the final decision made could be with knowledge and support from everyone. Especially those who would need to see why certain laws were suggested and what regulations might be added.

”Don’t let them come here for at least ten years.. At that point their magical contracts won’t have much power. We can break them or we can-”

”They are imprisoned for their actions until they restore the land they harmed. They have a lot of people that are also being helped and healed. I know many of you heard about the arrival of the pitch scale dragons and a small handful of others that had been harmed in this matter. We will be assisting them in getting home or making a new home. A... unique group of merchants within the dark elemental plane is also assisting in the sales of items hoarded for show of strength by the hollow eyed race. Then the tamers are helping the injured and abused monsters.”

”What I need from all of you is regulations for contract related skills for the future. You can even study some of the hollow eyed races, we will bring you to the dark elemental planes if you can handle it.”

With this Walker moved on knowing that the conversations were outside of his expertise. He was by no means an expert or the most knowledgeable in terms of mercantile work. He preferred to remain that way since he did not wish to sully the value of items or services beyond how he personally valued them. Let alone the value to Genesis as a whole.

”Seems like you were waiting for me?”

”I was. I made more potions for you and Alice so that you can both stay healthier. I also heard that you got pulled in to something complicated with dark mana. So here are some dark mana resistance potions. They are for everyone that might get pulled along with you. Oh, and a few potions to help enhance the protective skills using dark mana. Apparently they are very useful, I don’t need them though.”

’Dark defense potion

This potion enhances the defensive capabilities of dark mana related skills. Such as dark shield, dark mana bubble, dark...

This skill works to focus the calmness and density of dark mana around the body to further enhance defensive skills. This is also a good way to deter other manas that are not dark mana from the body overall...’

It was an interesting potion and Walker appraised it while only focusing on the key points. He knew very well that this would be useful to those coming to Genesis from the dark elemental plane.

”So you will be making more potions like this?” Remey nodded. She seemed quiet, but from Walker’s perspective, that was just her being calm and happy with what she had been working on.

Whether it was a major change or leap ahead of alchemy or not, these potions would be useful. Also, he could tell that she had spent time with Ignus to her heart’s content and was ready to stretch her legs and get out of the alchemy lab.

”You still want to go collecting mana and smaller elemental planes right? It should be a good time for that soon, right? I handled my personal side of things. Gil is still pushing to develop what a high elf is but he will need deeper manas to work on his body. He even said yesterday that he believes he can awaken a few more skills if he exposes himself to purer manas.”

”What about Su and Alice, they might not be ready. Then Onyx and Midnight might not want to do this yet either. Both of them have been very focused on becoming better leaders for those they guide.”

Giving her a wanting look, Remey understood that he was asking her why she was being so pushy. Wanting to hear the reasons for her not wanting to remain within Genesis right this second.

”Ugh, stop with that glare of yours. You know that I don’t want to just sit around. Plus, if I stay here I will end up just being a mother and raising a kid at my age. I need to grow up a bit more before I do all that.” She waved her hand as if swatting the ideas away.

”You already raised quite a few younger siblings and they are all doing very well. You told me yourself that a few are married now, and expecting to have children. You are basically going to have little grandkids in name only.” he teased her but Remey also caught on to his intent.

Whether Remey was afraid of growing a family of her own because she had been an orphan or not, she was already at the perfect time in life to do something like that. She just needed to take the time to move forward with her desires and stand confidently when she did so.

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Repent now and go here,

Drop those golden tickets!