Chapter 600: Trade Prospects

Gawain didn’t waste time with lengthy preambles. Once the conversation naturally shifted toward economics and trade, he straightforwardly laid out his proposal. He believed that excessive subtlety or leading the discussion would come off as contrived, as if he had hidden agendas behind the trade plan. Besides, from his current impression of Rosetta Augustus, he sensed the emperor would appreciate this directness.

Sure enough, Rosetta’s expression flickered with interest—though on his typically stoic face, it was subtle. “Trade… I have indeed considered it. Typhon and Ansu share a border and each has unique products. They ought to complement each other. I once thought about opening a trade route between our nations, but never got around to implementing it.”

Though Typhon and Ansu had long been at odds, small-scale commerce among the people wasn’t forbidden. Merchants often traveled near the border. But the “trade route” Rosetta mentioned was clearly not about those minor exchanges maintained by itinerant traders or small caravans… He was already contemplating large-scale trade with Ansu? Just hadn’t started yet?

In a flash, Gawain pieced together the intelligence Daniel had provided about Typhon. It seemed “machine production” was gaining momentum there, beginning to show real strength. Increasingly more industrial goods were rolling out of factories and flooding the market. Rosetta Augustus had already realized these industrial products needed a larger market… Was he considering Ansu as a dumping ground?

If Gawain hadn’t met him now, Rosetta’s dumping target would likely be the Eastern Territories, which were currently at war and might accept Typhon’s “cheap goods” to temporarily sustain their frontlines. But in the long run, this would devastate their own production systems. Moreover, Prince Edmond and Selas Loren would probably adopt a similar strategy as with the Southern Territories—exchanging resources or even mining rights for Typhon’s industrial products…

Such familiar tactics.

Gawain smiled and glanced at Rosetta Augustus. In this ambitious imperial ruler’s face, he thought he saw a reflection of himself.

“The Cecilian people have always kept their doors open to friends,” he said cheerfully. “We could consider establishing a trade route between the Duchy of Cecily and Typhon first. I won’t hide it—the young Duchy of Cecily currently faces many shortages: magical materials, ores, timber, and of course, vast quantities of cloth. On the other hand, we have some uniquely crafted magical artifacts but lack markets for them.”

Rosetta didn’t respond immediately. He paused thoughtfully for a few seconds before slowly saying, “It seems trade would indeed benefit both sides. But you should know, the southern border of Ansu doesn’t directly touch Typhon…”

Gawain stroked his chin, feigning deep thought. After a minute or two, he said, “We have a mining site in the White Sand Hills and are planning a new road directly to the southern border. I can negotiate with the Duke of the Eastern Territories; he likely wouldn’t mind if we extend the road slightly eastward. Or we could open a new route further south, at the foot of the Dark Mountains. Along that mountain range, Cecily and Typhon could connect directly.”

Though Ansu’s southern border didn’t directly meet Typhon, the distance wasn’t great. A small mountain path separated the southeastern tip of the southern border from Typhon. Otherwise, the “Typhon task force” led by Solderin wouldn’t have infiltrated so easily near Cecilian territory.

Rosetta considered Gawain’s proposal carefully. Though both men tacitly understood the likely outcome, he still pondered for two minutes before cautiously saying, “This sounds feasible, but first I need to know what Cecily has that we need.”

Gawain kept smiling. Of course, he knew the best-case scenario for the emperor was that Typhon needed nothing from Cecily—that Typhon would simply export industrial products to Ansu, or rather to Cecily, which would pay with its gold, silver, or mineral resources. In this process, Typhon wouldn’t have to buy anything extra from Cecily.

Still, even though Gawain was prepared to let Typhon “dump” industrial goods on them, he wanted to control the outflow of gold and silver reserves as much as possible.

“Magical products—various alchemical potions, crafted artificial crystals, and… magic-powered vehicles.”

Rosetta’s pupils contracted slightly at the mention of “magic-powered vehicles.”

Gawain caught the subtle reaction.

“You mean the vehicles you arrived in?” Rosetta’s attention zeroed in on those machines. “They are truly incredible. I’ve heard of a wondrous technology called ‘magitek’ in Cecily. Are those vehicles products of magitek?”

Gawain nodded modestly. Of course Rosetta had heard of magitek—not only that, he had reverse-engineered it, succeeded in replicating it, and even mass-produced it industrially.

“Those vehicles are indeed part of what I call ‘transportation,’ but only a fraction. We have even larger, more efficient transport technologies,” Gawain said, glancing around. “If you don’t mind, I can demonstrate one here.”

Rosetta’s eyebrows lifted slightly, showing genuine interest. He raised a hand to signal the nearby musicians to stop playing. “I look forward to it. What does it look like?”

Gawain smiled, already prepared, and motioned for an aide to bring forward a small maginet terminal. Without activating its communication functions, the Typhon delegates would likely see it as a strange crystal embedded in an unusual base—something not uncommon in high society.

Gawain adjusted the terminal and activated a stored video.

A clear holographic projection appeared in midair: a steel serpent coiled on artificial tracks, carrying thousands of tons of cargo as it slowly accelerated. A sharp whistle sounded from the image, and the sight of the “serpent” moving forward radiated a chilling power.

This was the broadcast footage from Cecily just days ago!

The clip was short—less than thirty seconds—because Gawain had erased the latter half, which would have included an advertisement for the “Cecilian Railway Company.” At this stage, he didn’t want the Typhon people to know too much beyond the magic-powered train itself.

The hall fell silent. Nearly everyone’s eyes widened.

All gazes fixed on the hologram, on the now-stationary train image. The whistle’s echo seemed to linger in their minds, stirring countless questions and speculations. Even Rosetta Augustus kept his eyes on the projection for over a minute—yet he was the first to regain composure. He looked seriously at Gawain. “What exactly is this?”

“A magitek train. You can think of it as an exceptionally large and powerful vehicle, though its technology is far more complex,” Gawain explained. “It’s actually a new technology for us as well.”

“You’re willing to sell it?” Rosetta seemed incredulous. He glanced again at the astonishing “magical vehicle,” his expression a mix of complexity and confusion. “Why?”

Just from a glance, the Typhon emperor grasped the immense significance of this transport, and its potential impact on passenger travel, freight, and military logistics. He didn’t believe Gawain, the creator of such magitek wonders, hadn’t considered this. So instinctively, he felt wary and suspicious.

Gawain spread his hands, a hint of helplessness in his tone. “As I said, the young Duchy of Cecily… faces many shortages.”

Technology alone can’t be turned into wealth overnight? Developing magitek has caused serious gaps in civilian supplies? Or… they’re facing a dire financial crisis?

Rosetta Augustus immediately recalled the intelligence he’d gathered through various channels, speculating on Cecily’s current situation. He concluded the latter two reasons were most likely.

Since its founding, the Duchy of Cecily had been engaged in relentless, large-scale construction—expanding cities, relocating populations, pouring massive manpower and resources into pioneering new lands—all while recovering from a recent unification war!

If Cecily weren’t truly in economic and material distress, a legendary hero like Gawain Cecily wouldn’t be so proactive in initiating a discussion about “trade.”

“If you’re willing to sell, we would… certainly be very interested,” Rosetta said, still cautious. “But from what I see, such a massive thing… it seems to require a dedicated ‘road’? How exactly do you plan to ‘sell’ this?”

“Correct. It needs a special infrastructure called an ‘energy track,’ or commonly, a ‘railway’ to operate. There’s also maintenance and control technology, and transporting the train itself isn’t easy,” Gawain nodded. “We’ll handle the entire package. First, we can build a road along the Cecily-Typhon trade line to deliver the train cars and technicians to Typhon. Then we’ll help you build the tracks and stations—according to your requirements. The train itself has a fixed price, but as for the railway…”

Gawain glanced at Rosetta. Under that deep, scrutinizing gaze, he refrained from saying “we’ll build the railway for free.”

That would raise suspicions, and alert the entire advisory council behind Rosetta. Ansu had a saying: “Bread found on the ground is often poisoned.” He was sure Rosetta knew it too.

If only a few parts were free, that would be one thing. But something that expensive, enough to bankrupt ordinary minor nobles at a glance, was too suspicious.

“We’re willing to offer the best deal possible, but the costs are high. Here’s a proposal: if Typhon can provide the raw materials needed for railway construction, we’ll only charge for dispatching technicians and a portion of the ‘technology cooperation fee.’ The cost won’t exceed the labor expenses for building the railway, calculated by actual track length.”

After further reflection, Rosetta nodded slightly. “A ‘cost price’ in another sense. That sounds like a fair and generous offer.”

Then he shifted gears. “But there’s one thing—I don’t yet know enough about this ‘magitek train’ you mentioned, or even the magical vehicles you brought. I can’t make a decision based on a first impression.”

“Reasonable concern,” Gawain laughed. “I’ll provide more information, and you’re welcome to send people to see the magitek train in operation. As for those ‘magical vehicles’… if we reach a trade agreement, I’m willing to personally gift you one, as a token of goodwill.”

“You are truly a knight among knights. Such generosity and integrity are moving,” Rosetta said solemnly, then casually added, “So… if this trade agreement is finalized, will it be a deal between Typhon and Ansu, or Typhon and Cecily?”

Gawain studied Rosetta Augustus quietly for a moment, then a faint smile curved his lips.

“This is a friendship between Typhon and Cecily.

“I neither can nor intend to represent Ansu.”

(End of chapter)