Firearms in a Fantasy World 2

Chapter 208: Outlook

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Mayor Theodore of Frand Port warmly hosted Quik and his crew at City Hall. Aside from the sailors from the Southern Star, the most active participants at the banquet were a group of merchants.

"The buildings there are tall and grand, even the houses of commoners are beautifully decorated."

"Merchants are highly respected there and have influence over the government."

"People dress well, live comfortably, and are willing to spend money on goods."

Surrounding the four representatives who had toured Horns Bay, everyone eagerly and passionately discussed their experiences in this foreign land.

Based on the descriptions provided by these representatives, Horns Bay had already become a merchant paradise in everyone's minds. Many regretted not being born there.

"I spent a whole day at the docks just counting the number of large merchant ships coming in and out of the port all day. Guess what? There were fifty-five large merchant ships entering and leaving the port that day!"

"Oh, my goodness! What a sight it must have been!"

Upon hearing one representative's account, Mr. Bennett, who made his fortune through shipping, sighed. Compared to this, there were barely a few merchant ships that visited Frand Port in a week. However, with recent efforts by the Municipal Council to support industry and commerce, the port was gradually coming to life, and hopefully, it would become as prosperous as Horns Bay.

"The market in Niceport gathers goods from all over, from specialty products that are hard to store to anything else you can imagine."

A factory owner who had established a porcelain factory asked in surprise, "Even porcelain? We haven't been producing porcelain here for long."

Another representative looked resentful, placing a hand over his mouth and whispered, "Let me tell you something."

Seeing him cautious, everyone leaned in.

The representative whispered, "Porcelain has already appeared in Horns Bay. Our Lord Grayman has quietly started business with Horns Bay, and the Foster family, who also holds a seat in the Horns Bay Alliance Council, is their partner."

"What? So Lord Grayman has already connected with them? Without telling us."

"When I was in Alden Town, I saw a distinctly different merchant caravan. Their attire was completely foreign. Could they be from the Foster family?"

"They must have come overland. That's quite a distance, at least two months round trip. And they had to pass through the territory of the Southern Rebels."

"With the status and influence of the Foster family, even the royal families of various countries have to show some respect. I bet Duke Giles wouldn't dare to trouble the Foster family's merchant caravan unless he doesn't want to do business with our Southern neighbors."

The merchants discussed animatedly, surprised by the established trade connections between Alden and Horns Bay.

The representative continued, "But I've only seen decorative porcelain in the headquarters of a merchant guild. I haven't seen porcelain for sale in the market yet. I imagine it's due to limited overland transport capacity. Once it arrives in Horns Bay, it sells out immediately. The demand exceeds supply. Besides, Earl Grayman's porcelain factory doesn't produce a large quantity."

The excited factory owner exclaimed, "So if I can ship goods to Horns Bay, I'm sure to make a fortune?"

"Of course! The wealth of Horns Bay residents is beyond the reach of us poor souls here. Even the nobles in the Northwest region are barely holding on. Oh! I mean, except for Lord Grayman."