42-37

Chapter 37: The Merchant Caravan Arrives 

“I am Person, head of the merchant caravan. Thank you for your warm welcome, Chief Milk.” 

Person, introducing himself as the leader of the merchant group, greeted Milk. He appeared to be in his late thirties, with a confident and courteous demeanor that quickly won favor with Milk and the Holstaurus tribe. 

They were the Esta Caravan, operating out of the Chelson Kingdom. When they visited the nearby Remton village, they learned that Milk’s tribe was close by and decided to come for trade. 

The main item of trade with the Holstaurus was, of course, milk. Sometimes Holstaurus would bring milk to human villages for barter, but once in human hands, it would change hands multiple times and the price would skyrocket. 

Among humans, Holstaurus milk was known for its taste and nutrition, used for food and to brew long-lasting alcohol. Royal forges and renowned workshops were desperate to obtain even a small amount. 

Humans also used Holstaurus milk for glossy finishes in their own crafts, though the supply was so limited that it was considered a luxury and rarely used. 

That’s why the Esta Caravan, upon hearing rumors of a Holstaurus village near Remton, came to investigate, albeit skeptically. 

At first, the tribe was wary, but Milk, curious about meeting humans for the first time, welcomed them with a feast, leading to this meeting with Person. 

Before the meeting, Millie had warned the humans to be respectful though Milk looked young and short, he was much older than he appeared, and they should not be disrespectful. Milk was seventeen, but Millie wanted to ensure he wasn’t dismissed by the humans. 

Person, aware that Holstaurus men looked young for their age, instructed his people to be careful. Thus, while some were surprised by Milk’s appearance, no one acted inappropriately. 

“Nice to meet you, Head Person. Let me introduce myself again I’m Milk, chief of this tribe. This is my first time meeting humans, so it’s fascinating. Let me pour you a drink.” 

“Thank you.” 

Person handed Milk a cup, and Milk poured him a drink made from fermented Holstaurus milk a beverage so prized it was said you could never get enough. Person’s eyes sparkled as he took a sip. 

The drink, aged for some time, had a deep, slightly sour flavor balanced by a sweet aftertaste Holstaju, a luxury beverage enjoyed by nobles. 

Seeing Person’s satisfaction, Milk poured him another. The caravan members, knowing the value of the drink, watched with envy as their leader enjoyed it. 

Milk noticed and instructed the tribe’s women to serve drinks to the others as well. 

As the women tall, horned, and mostly scantily clad with large chests served drinks, the human men were visibly distracted. 

“Hmph!” 

Valen, a woman serving as Person’s deputy, glared at them, making the caravan members avert their eyes in embarrassment. 

Everyone drank Milk’s hospitality, but no one got rowdy. Person’s caution set the tone for the group. 

After most guests left, ten people remained in the chief’s house: five from the caravan and Milk, Millie, Buren, Linda, and Bel. 

“First, thank you for your hospitality. I’ve heard that most Holstaurus tribes are reluctant to receive humans.” 

“Maybe other tribes are. We often trade with nearby human villages, so there’s no hostility. But this is the first time a caravan has come to us directly. Is something happening in the kingdom?” 

Milk wanted to know about the kingdom’s situation. While nearby villages knew the tribe’s location, human visitors were rare. Even in Honkale’s father’s time, visits were infrequent; this was the first time in Milk’s era. 

Person replied, “Of course, I’ll explain. Valen, bring out the map.” 

“This is the Chelson Kingdom, where our caravan and your tribe are located. Next to it is the Enderson Kingdom. The two kingdoms have recently formed an alliance to enrich each other. Enderson’s goods are now flowing into Chelson, and our Esta Caravan has started new trade routes to export and import goods.” 

The alliance had boosted trade, and the Esta Caravan was now expanding beyond its usual fixed locations, exporting Chelson’s goods and importing foreign ones. 

“I see. But why come to such a remote place? Enderson is in the opposite direction.” 

“To be honest, I don’t have much standing in the caravan. The best routes go to more established leaders. I was assigned to small, remote villages. But when I heard there was a Holstaurus tribe nearby, I had to come. Who knew such a treasure was hidden here?” 

Person explained that, as a lower-ranking leader, he was sent to less profitable regions. The more prominent leaders took the lucrative routes. 

But something was odd Person spoke as if he hadn’t known about the tribe’s existence. 

“You’re saying the caravan didn’t know our village was here? Is that possible?” 

“Everyone in Remton knows, but this is a remote, unremarkable area. Occasionally, Holstaurus milk or devilbear hides make a splash, but in small quantities, mostly consumed by the local lord or passed up the chain. The news never spread far.” 

“We only go to human villages when we need food or equipment,” Milk agreed. 

Sometimes, in winter or when the forge needed supplies, they’d go to Remton to barter milk for goods. Occasionally, high-quality devilbear hides would go to Remton, but the quantities were small and the village’s remoteness kept it obscure. 

“Our caravan also didn’t know there was a village here. At most, we thought a few wandering Holstaurus traded milk for food. We came here on a hunch and were amazed to find such a large tribe.” 

“You’ve had a hard journey. But if our location was so hidden, won’t your visit expose us?” 

“Don’t worry. We’ll sell what we buy here in nearby villages and convert it to cash. We’ll only release small amounts of goods in each village so your location stays secret. I’ll make sure my people keep quiet.” 

Person was shrewd he spoke smoothly, but it was clear he wanted something in return. 

Milk smiled knowingly. “You seem to want something.” 

“Haha, I’m glad you’re so perceptive. I want an exclusive trade agreement.” 

“Exclusive trade?” 

Person nodded and continued, “Please trade only with our caravan specifically, with me.” 

“It’s easier to keep our location secret that way, but it’s a big ask.” 

Person stepped back and bowed respectfully. “I just want to build trust. With an exclusive agreement, I’ll keep your location secret and secure my place in the caravan. It’s mutually beneficial. If you want anything, I’ll do my best to provide it. You won’t regret it.” 

“Alright. In return, I want human blacksmithing techniques, various ores, and weapons. Is that possible?” 

“Weapons require royal permission smuggling them is treason. But blacksmithing techniques and ores are possible. The techniques are restricted, but our caravan can get them under the table. Ore quantities are also limited, but we’ll do our best to meet your needs.” 

“Then forget weapons. Just focus on blacksmithing techniques and ores.” 

“In that case, I’ll send you a few slave blacksmiths. It’s hard to get the techniques quickly, but we have some slaves with those skills.” 

“Hmm?” 

Milk frowned at the mention of slaves. He didn’t want to disrupt the tribe by introducing humans. 

Person quickly reassured him, “You’re worried that male blacksmiths might father children in a tribe full of women. Don’t worry all the blacksmiths I send will be female slaves, sold due to debt or war. There will be no problems.” 

“That’s different. In that case, it’s fine.” 

Female slaves were acceptable. If a male human impregnated a Holstaurus woman, the child would be human, which was useless to the tribe. But if a male Holstaurus impregnated a human woman, the child would be Holstaurus, which benefited the tribe. 

“Thank you. May we tour the village tomorrow?” 

“I’ll assign guides. But keep your distance from young girls and avoid the pregnant women’s quarters. Also, don’t enter the mansion where my father, the former chief, rests. The guides will explain.” 

“We understand. Thank you for accommodating us.” 

Thus, the Esta Caravan spent a night in Milk’s village. The next day, they toured the village with guides Yuke and Yuri.