Master Of None

Chapter 3001. Giving The Chance

”I sensed you on your way and your arrival. You would not accidentally touch the trees I am intertwined with unless you wished me to pay attention.” The forest elf queen rested in the moving vines and roots as she usually did.

The elves around her were still the same elders, some who had left for Genesis came and went but those who preferred to remain here still did so. They cared for their forest regardless of their older and more stubborn ways.

However, they would never betray their ancestors and the forests they lived and breathed in.

”I did, there is a certain farmer group, a merchant farmer group growing larger and larger. Their symbol is a wheat grain and sickle mark. I have found that their farmers are wandering spreading rumors about bursting melons while they have started buying cheaper lands. It is causing some issues since those are not safe crops to grow. Nor are they properly profitable since they are not really edible.”

Walker didn’t mince words or sugar coat anything. He pushed ahead with what had brought him here in to the deeper forest and the hall reserved for meetings with the forest elf queen.

Not that anyone would stop him coming here. He was trusted to be proper and respectful in all ways when he came. Besides, he also had warned her in ways only that the elf queen would notice due to her unique bond with the entire forest.

Her bond with the forest and the fact that the ancestors of the forest elves lived within it and her was truly unique. She would never be alone and always had the remnant memories of those before her. She was a purely amazing judge of character.

Anyone that forgot such a thing would be left gravely lost in their efforts to achieve whatever their worst desires might push them to chase after.

”I know they are merchant farmers, but just because they are a distance from Genesis does not mean that the merchant guild won’t notice this sort of activity. Especially since I passed multiple smaller farmers looking for bursting melon seeds to plant as an extra crop. But that danger would cause them to lose their farm or to lose their next crops causing them to lose even more.”

Walker was laying out the costs of what could happen if the gossip and rumors continued on . However, he did not see a reaction from the forest elf queen.

”There is a deal in place with the Harmon merchant farmer group. They are taking advantage of that to provide more crops for the trade of Genesis and our forest elf territory. They are doing what they have the right to do.” One of the elders spoke up with several supporting it.

”You should have looked in to their rights before you came asking for them to be stopped,” another reprimanded Walker.

While they respected him as a hero and what he had done, that did not change some of their stubborn natures. This was what Alma and Gil had faced head on and needed to fight still. It was also why there were other elves just as stubborn from every version of the elven people that resisted Alma as a true queen even though she had the title of queen for all elves.

They were stubborn and just a few short years of unity within Genesis would not become the permanent state for them and every one of the elves who had yet to pursue becoming high elves or something other than that.

”Ah, well I apologize for that then. Since they have a deal and most likely a promissory contract to create a group and also create rumors causing smaller peaceful merchant farmers to lose lands and prosperity, I would like to propose an offer too. I have the right to do so and I have enough gold to throw at land costs due to my standing and consistent sales of important materials.”

Since the stubborn elders were going to act this way and the forest elf queen was letting Walker do things his way, he didn’t feel bad throwing some weight around.

”The focus of this is the trade routes and the flow of funds that the forest elf territory would gain, so, I can offer ten thousand gold coins to take all of their farm lands, their trade caravans, and their merchant farmers.”

Walker smiled softly looking at the elders. ”I assume they will not produce that many funds for your territory for at least five more years, but I can have that done within the year. I know farmers from other territories who could use the land. Merchant farmers with high elf bloodlines awakened who could do so as well. I also know a few of the demi-human farmers who would love to learn the natural flows of the forest and live peacefully within these lands as well.”

”And if I recall, I was granted permission to act as a citizen within the forest as well due to my nature as a hero and the bonds you all have with Genesis.”

The stubborn faces quickly changed. Some were happy to hear an offer since they were entirely focused on the gold gans for the future of the forest elves. The others who knew this was a way to gain more political power within their own race grimaced since they would not be able to argue against this without making a bigger scene.

Before anyone spoke the forest elf queen smiled sweetly and the vines moved showing a map of the farms that the Harmon merchant farmers owned. ”They have been expanding since they believe they can counter the influence of new foods from the demi-human kingdom. You should understand they are promised farming rights for many years due to their ancestors. But they can not go against my authority. Their opportunity is also their greed.”

”I can not allow you to purchase their lands and their business. It would be unhealthy for them to suddenly be without their own goals.” Walker did not flinch away hearing this, he knew that the forest elf queen was waiting for a chance to guide the greedy actions of this group and maintain the laws of the Genesis Alliance.

She enjoyed the effort given by all of Genesis to connect trees to the forest and allow her to be part of the grand effort of unity. She also enjoyed feeling the harmony of races and a deeper flow of nature because of the knowledge growing within Genesis. Not to mention how far the elves were going to return to their roots as high elves and look at new methods of growth for their race as a whole.

”I agree they are not properly working in good faith. As such, the merchant guild would fine them thirty percent of their income for the next year. Since I am handling the matter in their stead, I will require twenty percent of their income to be used to assist in the education of new farmers along with strict guard captain enforcement of rules and regulations for ten years.”

She was harsh.

Not wrong, but harsh to the point that if this group tried to act out, they would be stopped instantly.

Saying that guard captains must uphold the rules too was major. This gave her a closer bond with the merchant guild’s guard captains who worked specifically to ensure rules were adhered to. Therefore growing the forest elf relationship with both the rules of merchants and also the safety of their own trade abilities.

If they were always perfectly within the laws, then there would never any issues when it came to making deals and providing what was needed for the forest elves and those outside of their territory.

”I like your choice of regulation. They can learn from this much better than myself purchasing their lands and starting fresh. I can ask Scylla to donate the time of some farmers from her home kingdom, there are quite a few traveling farm teachers who wish to grow bonds with your people and help in the efforts to bring back some thought to be extinct species of plants.”

The forest elf queen was wise and partient. She had waited for a chance to arise to ensure that everything went well and aligned itself to work for her people and others. So leaving a small problem to grow was just a chance.

Yes some small losses happened, but nothing detrimental to the people involved. She could compensate those who took losses and bring them back to better states than they were before.

”Thank you for your visit, it was very pleasant to hear how much you care for the safety and livelihood of even the smallest farmers.” She smiled and Walker saw her true self clearly. She cared for the people and that was exactly why he believed her to be a perfect ruler, especially since she saw how Alma was growing and trusted her to be the next step for her race forward.

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Repent now and go here,

Drop those golden tickets!