After Karsipempas' reminder, everyone immediately realized: Due to the restrictions of the cabin and the top deck, the strange ship ahead can only be boarded from the bow and stern. These areas are narrower and raised, making it difficult to stand steadily once you jump on, instead, they make for easier targets for shooting...

"If the crossbows you mention are really that powerful, this type of ship is fine for defense, but during an attack, it can't catch up with enemy ships and serves no purpose," a pirate chief stubbornly said.

Karsipempas smiled.

Before he could speak, Diocles reminded, "Battling on a river is not like the vast sea. Look at Kupa River; it's only a few dozen meters wide. Seven or eight ships can block it, leaving enemy ships without a choice but to follow the current. This either takes them far away from home, into another tribe's territory, or forces them into shallow waters where they cannot move."

The pirate was speechless, while his companion curiously looked at the increasingly close strange ship and asked, "What is this ship trying to do by approaching us?"

"This is a patrol ship of the Nix. We've already entered the territory of the Nix." Karsipempas replied, took a deep breath, and shouted loudly towards the front, "I am Karsipenpas! I've come to deliver iron ore to you!"

Standing at the bow of the patrol ship was a man dressed in short clothes and a hood, who saluted and asked, "Elder Karsipempas, why have you arrived early this time?"

"I received an invitation from your leader. To catch the summer festival, I had to set off a bit earlier," Karsipempas answered.

The Alde iron mine transports iron ore every fifteen days, and each time, both a western and southern elder escort the cargo. Although the western mountainous tribes control the iron mine, the profits are shared among all Aldeans. The northern and eastern tribes gave up their rights to migrate to the Sava River, which resulted in a 60-40 split, with the western tribe receiving a greater share. Yet, there is room for maneuver during specific transactions. Hence, Karsipempas occasionally escorts the cargo personally, to deter the cunning southern elders from playing tricks.

"I really envy that you can attend the summer festival in Ophelia, while we are stuck with our duties and can't go, so we have to celebrate here," the man said regretfully, then remembered something: "By the way, your Great Chief Alistacas passed by here yesterday with his team, also to attend the summer festival."

"Oh." Karsipempas responded indifferently.

"How many ships have you brought this time?" the man asked while scanning Karsipempas' lead ship, quickly focusing his sharp gaze on the pirate chiefs aboard due to the crowded deck.

"Same as usual, twenty-five ships."

"These individuals—I don't seem to have seen them before. Are they also members of your tribe?" the man pointed at Agatakus and his group.

"They're friends I met at sea. I'm taking them to meet Leader Maximus this time for an important discussion," Karsipempas replied calmly.

"Elder Karsipempas, during the summer festival period, inspections throughout our tribe are stricter. To avoid trouble, I suggest you take them to Lord Xi E Pangbo to issue a certificate," the man stated solemnly.

"Alright, thank you for the reminder!" Karsipempas responded earnestly.

The man waved his hand, and the sailors behind him used a wooden pole to push against the ship's bottom, while the helmsman at the stern turned the rudder, moving the patrol ship aside and making way for the passage.

The fleet continued forward, brushing past the patrol ship as Agatakus and others got a closer look at the patrol ship's cabin, seeing several soldiers inside. Some held long spears, others wooden shields and short swords, while some soldiers carried new crossbows, strings drawn, aiming through wooden windows at the fleet. The sharp arrowheads glinted coldly, sending shivers down their spines...

The river port of Snowdonia has completely transformed compared to when first occupied by the Nix.

There are at least a dozen docks lined up along the riverbank of the settlement, appearing very busy with ships constantly coming and going, mainly traveling to and from the lower reaches of Kupa River, although some ships also come from Alde, resulting in a large number of both ships and laborers.

One particularly large dock is specifically for mooring large fleets, primarily serving those transporting iron and salt from Alde. Therefore, Karsipempas' group didn't have to wait long before docking all their ships at the dock.

The dock's overseer quickly arrived, first politely welcoming Karsipempas and his entourage off the ship, then directing the laborers to unload basket after basket of iron ore and load them onto prepared carriages.

After loading, the driver guided the carriages towards a warehouse not far from the dock, followed by a retinue from both Karsipempas and the dock's overseer.

Another carriage soon replaced the first at the dock, continuing the loading process. Though there were many busy individuals at the dock, everything was orderly and efficient, clearing out half of the iron-carrying ships in less than half an hour.

Diocles watched the nearly naked laborers, tanned dark from the sun and barely wearing a piece of cloth for modesty, and couldn't help but ask quietly, "Boss, didn't you say the Nix Tribe has no slaves? What are these people?"

"Indeed, the Nix Tribe has no slaves, but they have foreign auxiliaries, captives defeated by the Nix. Unlike slaves, they can become reserve tribe members by working hard for several years, receiving dozens of acres of land...

Most of these people are foreign auxiliaries, and I recognize several who previously worked in our iron mine," Karsipempas said, with a complex expression as he watched the busy laborers. "Among them are not only foreign auxiliaries from the Nix but also our own Alde tribesmen."

"What?" Diocles and Nikaradas were shocked.

"It's not surprising." Karsipempas attempted to remain neutral in tone. "I've mentioned before that Nix-made items are very popular with our people. However, some lack goods for exchange, so they come here for work to obtain what they need. The Nix treat our working tribesmen fairly well, providing food and shelter, and even medical treatment if they fall ill..."

Nikaradas surprisingly added, "These tribesmen are foolish; they might as well join the Nix Tribe, saving themselves the hard labor and enjoying more benefits."

"What nonsense! They're Aldeans; how could they join another tribe?" Karsipempas scolded reflexively.

"But aren't we about to join?" Nikaradas retorted.

"You—" Karsipempas was momentarily at a loss for words, thinking rapidly before responding as calmly as possible, "You've been at sea for years, your ties to the tribe have faded unlike their reluctance to leave their ancestral lands and tribe..."

"In truth, they are foolish," Nikaradas stated bluntly. "I now believe joining the Nix might be a good choice."

Karsipempas did not retort, perhaps secretly agreeing with the statement.

Sometime later, the dock overseer invited Karsipempas and his group to rest inside the dock's management office.

Karsipempas and Temisplous did not refuse.

Arriving at a wooden house next to the warehouse, the overseer first arranged for his subordinates to entertain Agatakus and other pirates, then led Karsipempas and Temisplous into the management office, offered them seats, and poured each a jug of water.

Feeling somewhat thirsty, Karsipempas drank deeply, immediately widening his eyes in surprise, "Roxias, what did you add to this water?"

Roxias, the overseer who obviously knew the two well, smiled and asked, "Does it taste good?"

"Sweet with a bit of sourness, excellent, very refreshing!" Karsipempas praised.

Temisplous curiously asked as well, "What is this thing that makes the water sweet?"

"It's a new dairy nectar water created by our Chief of Internal Affairs, Lady Acronis. It's very popular among Ophelia's citizens, and Snowdonia's eateries have just learned how to make it," Roxias explained. "It's said to be made by adding a little fermented goat milk to heated and cooled water, along with some—honey!"

"Honey!" Karsipempas was surprised. "You Nix can produce honey now?!"

"Some of our tribesmen previously worked as slaves, beekeeping for Roman Nobles in Italy. After settling here, they frequently searched for hives in the forest and cultivated bee colonies. A few years ago, they were already producing honey.

However, production is low, and the taste wasn't great as the bees had to forage wildflowers in the hills, and the honey was mostly bought by Lady Acronis.

Eventually, the leader approved the establishment of a beekeeping workshop managed by these tribesmen, allocating large tracts of land for flower cultivation. Consequently, more honey was produced, and the taste improved. Just last month, honey made its way to the market's eateries for sale."

"So, does that mean we can also buy it?" Temisplous asked, intrigued.

"Of course."

The two exchanged glances, and Temisplous further inquired, "What is the price of honey?"

"To my knowledge, a box of bees produces about 10 catties of honey per year. Despite their hard work, the beekeeping workshop doesn't produce much honey each year, so it's quite expensive, requiring 1,000 catties of iron ore per catty." Roxias readily provided the answer.

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