Chapter 298: Impacts from Various Sides (2)

Chapter 298: Impacts from Various Sides (2)

The young chief was not going to ignore this perhaps once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Things like Magic Arms brought tremendous benefits, but their prices were genuinely expensive. The market for Magic Arms had stabilized following the initial impact after the appearance of the Magic Weapon Summoning Book. Overall prices hadn’t dropped much; the main difference was that the previous monopolistic “black market” control was gone. Currently, the prices for physical Magic Arms were quite transparent, no longer dictated arbitrarily based on every conceivable demand as they had been.

Of course, the biggest reason the Magic Arms market stabilized was the issue of Magic Weapon Summoner generations!

The identities of the first-generation Summoners were barely known, and with those who had fallen, genuine first-gens were few. Even though generational upgrades were possible, becoming first-generation was the strictest. Second-generation Summoners weren’t numerous either, at most several times the number of first-gens. Third-generation Summoners weren’t mainstream now either. So the growth rate of Magic Weapon Summoners was gradually stabilizing; surges multiplying their numbers significantly within short periods were unlikely.

The saturation in numbers from the first to the third generation had already greatly restricted the emergence of higher-generation Summoners. Even if someone found a first-gen to inherit the Magic Weapon Contract, the contract generation they received would only be third, fourth, or even fifth generation!

Because those previous generations already occupied the “slots” for that generation. The number of slots didn’t increase; you could only count down. It was conceivable that, in the future, even fourth-generation Magic Weapon Summoner status wouldn’t be easy to obtain, and fifth generation would become the mainstream… Luckily, generation only affected quantity inheritance, not the quality of the Summoner.

Regarding this aspect, the young chief had even discussed it with leaders and Elders from several tribes he knew. The inheritability aspect of the Magic Weapon Summoning Book was flawless!

Under this mechanism, the number of Summoners would stabilize once it reached a certain standard but wouldn’t halt development. Instead, development would proceed at a normal pace. If the numbers dwindled or approached near extinction, then the back-up mechanism of generational upgrading would kick in, powerfully enabling a new increase in Summoner numbers!

As for those trying to sell Magic Weapon Contracts at high prices during such times? Think about it, could the Creator, with his abilities, have overlooked that? There would absolutely be some back-up measure, but they likely wouldn’t see it. Currently, the number of Summoners had increased to a scale comparable to current Professionals. How could they easily face extinction?

Moreover, not all Magic Weapon Summoners were necessarily Professionals, but a large majority (80%) of Professionals were Summoners! Magic Weapon Summoners and Professionals had established an interdependent relationship. If Magic Weapon Summoners were to go extinct… then it implicitly meant Professionals in this world were practically wiped out too.

Regardless, the young chief wasn’t overly focused on generations. After all, generational issues weren’t something they could manipulate. If luck was good, maybe one day a first-gen fell, and second, third, fourth, even fifth generations all moved up one slot, allowing some lucky individual to advance a generation. As for him? He thought his luck was pretty good; he was a fourth-generation Magic Weapon Summoner, able to inherit a Magic Weapon Contract roughly every six months.

As for the reduced proficiency from inheriting at a lower generation, it wasn’t a big concern. He could train it back in two or three days; with extra effort, he could halve that time. It didn’t cause any seriously unacceptable impact.

Of course, even as a fourth-gen, his tribe currently had less than five Magic Weapon Summoners… Two were through his inheritance, the last one from his first inherited Summoner (a fifth-gen). As for the third… he’d have to wait several months for another chance to inherit.

The number of Magic Weapon Summoners… had truly stabilized now. If they had grasped the opportunity when the Magic Weapon Summoning Book first appeared, every being with special power in their tribe would definitely be a Summoner!

But nobody realized its importance back then. By the time they did, most new Summoners started from the third generation.

Even so, his tribe had quite a few Summoners compared to others in this area. Other tribes here had at most one or two… Initially, Summoners just affected combat power. Now it was different; it greatly influenced future tribal development. Remember, the trading rules included stipulations about handling fees… Hmm, buyers didn’t need to worry about that – they only paid the set price for the goods. That was the seller’s concern. Of course, retrieving the goods was the buyer’s responsibility.

Retrieving goods, like summoning Magic Arms, required consuming special power. The amount consumed was affected by the quality and quantity of the goods, especially quantity, while quality had a lower impact. So, if buying food during the cold season, he had to consider whether he could retrieve all the goods in one go. If not, while the Creator wouldn’t maliciously hold the goods hostage,

the extra cost of storing the goods for additional days would be borne by the buyer. There were all sorts of new rules to adapt to. Furthermore, this model was somewhat transparent, enabling full cooperation with other tribes. There was little need to hide much about the selling side from potential cooperative partners! Though buying specifics were tribal secrets – nobody wanted to flaunt their shopping list.

They negotiated hunting grounds annually. Living here long-term meant they all had a fair idea of each area’s approximate output. No need to over-secret this; cooperating was fine. Plus, it had the advantage of preventing conflicts between them over Online Store competition, boosting the region’s competitiveness…

Otherwise, with five or six Online Stores in a relatively small area selling identical goods… wouldn’t that just mean war?!

As for sales volume? No need to worry much. Merchants visiting annually cleared out stored specialties from all nearby tribes. Well-processed fur goods didn’t worry about storage time either. More importantly, the Online Store wasn’t limited to one area; it covered all regions accessible via the Magic Weapon Summoning Book!

That meant the potential customer base was vast… Competitors from other regions?

That was inevitable, but specialties varied by region. For instance, their area produced fur from a particular wolf. Unlike ordinary tough wolf fur, this was remarkably soft, especially high-quality pelts. After precise processing, the fur’s quality increased further, reaching near the softness of fine down, with excellent patterns.

That fur was the merchants’ most sought-after specialty annually. Other places might have something similar, but producing this specific kind? Few places did!

As responses came from the tribal leaders, a new discussion briefly sparked within this Confidential Post. Though just surface talk for now – this matter was significant. They wouldn’t resolve it solely through the post. After reaching a provisional consensus, they’d schedule a new meeting.

This wasn’t the only place such things happened. Elsewhere, similar situations unfolded. Kings of smaller nations, loosely allied, were even holding a “video call” – magic-powered communication. Mana cost? They didn’t shoulder that. Magicians, likely Magic Weapon Summoners in their courts, handled it. The kings were just users.

Unlike the young chief’s concerns, these kings focused on how the Trading Module impacted them. Naturally, negatives were considered first. While excited, they felt helpless. As mere small nations, unable to steer events like grand powers, their discussion centered on securing benefits within this shift…

A new order was emerging. Failing to prepare meant facing ruin. Matters between nations held no mercy. Even these ostensibly allied kings wouldn’t hesitate to stab a current “ally” in the back if victory was assured. Annexation between small nations was common.

They would betray. But precisely because they were small nations, where slight unrest brought great impact, they also knew when mutual support was vital.

“We can’t change these rules; we can only adapt. Scrutinizing them, it’s not utterly bad for us. On the contrary, it’s also an opportunity!” One king stroked his beard, watching the projected images. Magic facilitating this existed, but the cost dwarfed the Magic Weapon Summoning Book’s fee…

He wasn’t speaking idly. Lower national power meant lesser sway; losses were acceptable: “The ones truly needing urgent countermeasures are the grand powers. They remain silent. Overthinking here is pointless. Our current task is preparing for the coming turbulence.”

“A double approach,” nodded another king. Subtle glares from others he ignored! Everyone knew his nation’s close ties with the previous speaker. Of course he’d back him! And the reasoning was sound, wasn’t it?

“Preparation for both possibilities: the grand powers compromising… and resisting. Opinions?” asked another.

“And… the Creator?” voiced a king with reservations. The Creator’s power was unquestionable. Compromise was fine. But resisting? Such was a small nation’s misery. One sufficiently powerful individual could effortlessly obliterate them.

“Do we have a choice?” countered another king. Silence fell. A choice? Defying the grand powers? They’d suffer regardless. Unless backed by another power. The Creator was the likeliest candidate… but who knew if he’d even offer protection? Resisting the Creator? Sounds easy – but was it feasible?

There were countless Magic Weapon Summoners, many even within their own palaces. Excessive resistance – what to do about them? Too little resistance displeased the grand powers…

The first scenario was a sharp blade; the latter, even if the Creator did nothing, meant slow decline via softer blades. Nevertheless, based on previous discussions, all present grasped this was the dawn of a new order. If the Magic Weapon Summoning Book’s development met no lasting resistance or simply weathered this phase, future additions held little chance of impact matching this one.

“In short,” concluded one, “we just need to prepare accordingly. Then, we’ll observe the grand powers’ moves. It won’t be a long wait.”

What were the grand powers’ choices?

In their initial joint talks, opposition dominated the start. Small nations imposed low Tariffs, sometimes reducing them further to entice merchants. Grand powers differed. Strong nations, boasting powerful armies and numerous formidable individuals in the Otherworld, possessed the resources to support them easily.

Much like maintaining Nuclear Bombs on Earth.

But grand powers lacked what came easy to small nations: unity. Voices clamored for fierce resistance, others were ambiguous, and some remained utterly silent, essentially waiting to watch the others boast… All knew the fiery speakers might conceal lukewarm intent; ambiguity could mask cunning plans.

Every grand power’s move carried immense consequences, unlike small nations whose decisions barely made ripples. With each sovereign harboring personal agendas, stalling tactics, and misdirection reigned. Still, no clear stance had emerged. Even the fiercest resisters hadn’t stated precisely what they resisted.

The Creator? The Magic Weapon Summoning Book? The Trading Module itself? Or the big guilds certain to seize this chance? Without being specific, all this outrage felt empty!

Fundamentally, the Trading Module’s new rules didn’t explicitly target them. This model merely brought influence. Beyond losses, grasping the opportunity… might shatter the current balance of power. Though established, who wouldn’t desire greater strength?

“Everyone,” stated one leader, “other matters can simmer. But this? It’s beyond our control. Understand this: the Creator won’t wait for us. The Merchant Guilds Alliance won’t wait for us. This ‘Magic Weapon Network Trading System’ certainly won’t wait for us!”

“…” The heated exchange stilled momentarily amid the silence that followed. Small nations feared the Creator; grand powers, truthfully, did not. The real problem? Unknown identity. Combined with the Magic Weapon Summoning Book’s unique nature, this transcended mere antagonism. Frankly, not only did they lack fear, some actively desired control over the Creator!

Why? Precisely for the Magic Weapon Summoning Book. Gaining control meant immeasurable influence. Currently? They were forced to watch the Creator keep establishing new rules – rules followed willingly by many others. Rules they believed, had they been the Creator, they could have tailored better… well, tailored to their national interests.

“So let’s expedite a consensus. The Merchant Guilds Alliance likely awaits us now,” declared the ruler of another grand power. Others snorted faintly. Waited? Undoubtedly. Where profits flowed, merchant guilds unified swiftly…

“Adopt simplicity: a vote.” The leader of an ancient grand power spoke. This was not the hour for petty arguments but decisive action. Drawn-out complexities wasted time. Swift resolution was paramount. Settle core issues quickly, leaving tangles for later. They couldn’t miss the moment. No short-sighted rulers presided over grand powers this long. And he had the stature to suggest it: “Oppose… or accept?”

All present held status; none required deference. To require deference was to lack the standing to attend. Who proposed mattered little.

“I accept.”

A previously silent leader spoke decisively. Resistance? To succeed required totality. Partial resistance was futile. Knowing the Creator’s identity offered maneuvering room. Unknown? Unity being impossible, the outcome foretold itself. What if the Creator’s identity was revealed later?

By then, revelation would change little. Therefore, failure to resist meant seizing the chance. Other leaders followed suit; acceptance prevailed. Lingering hesitation or anger found voice futile in the tide. Oppose? Only if braced for isolation – not just by these grand powers, but the Merchant Guilds Alliance too. This wasn’t a matter for angry bluster. Isolation meant ceding ground in the new order until lagging behind… Unless they could create a “Magic Weapon Network Trading” equivalent.

But who could outdo the Creator?

Even if someone managed it, who could rival the Creator’s ability to repel all intrusion attempts? Attempts which, not mostly, but always, ended disastrously for the intruders?

Since achieving this was impossible, what remained? Succeeding? Remember the Creator was still thriving. If he chose intrusion despite others’ failures… How could they counter?

So, unable to prevent such scenarios, unwilling to endure isolation by going it alone, they must flow with the current. The staunchest dissenters were nations heavily reliant on Tariff income. Continued stubbornness here actually appealed to their rival grand powers.

Stubbornly resist then! Go all the way. Shouldering the brunt of loss is your own fate. Maintain your policies. Observe if merchants still traverse your lands. Collect Tariffs? Fantasy! Force coercive measures? That would only cripple your commerce further.

“Thus, next is negotiation with the Merchant Guilds Alliance. Subsequent adjustments can be thoroughly debated later.” Other grand leaders concurred. Now was not the time for tangles; resolving the immediate took precedence. Once past this, they had ample time for debate. Not arguing fiercely for weeks afterward would squander their current decisiveness!