Chapter 205 — Mira's Silver Moon and the Palace Negotiation
S.C. 1512 — Noon
Kingdom of Ilusia — Royal Commerce District
The Silver Moon caravan moved through the bright marble streets of Ilusia with steady precision.
Twenty wagons.
Industrial goods.
Medicinal herbs.
Refined metal tools.
Salt bricks.
Fruit crates.
Barrels of fortified milk.
A clean, organized procession.
Villagers whispered:
"Silver Moon…"
"The merchant group from East Blue…"
"They say their goods last longer than kingdom-made ones…"
"Is that the fox-woman leader?"
At the head walked Mira, long coat flowing behind her, wolf-like reflexes subtly guiding her movements.
Her silver hair caught the sun.
Her golden eyes scanned every rooftop.
Her steps were silent… yet powerful.
Two soldiers at the palace gates straightened, startled by her presence.
One tried to compose himself.
"State your business!"
Mira's voice was smooth, calm, and firm.
"Silver Moon of the Meridian Group.
We have a trade appointment with Minister Roderick."
The soldiers exchanged a look.
"Y-Yes. Right this way."
---
1. Inside the Palace
The palace interior was polished stone and tall stained windows.
Silver Moon members followed Mira—silent, disciplined, each wearing the neatly tailored gray and silver uniform.
Their insignia shone:
A crescent moon over waves.
Trade. Order. Progress.
A few priests and nobles stopped to watch.
"Who trained these people?"
"They move like elite guards."
"Not pirates… but not normal merchants either…"
Mira ignored the whispers.
Her senses stretched subtly.
Footsteps…
Heartbeats…
Air displacement…
She could feel guards hidden behind curtains, archers above balconies, courtiers watching from shadows.
Not hostile.
Just… cautious.
This was a kingdom after all.
---
2. Minister Roderick
The doors to the Commerce Hall opened.
Inside sat Minister Roderick, a round-bellied noble with shrewd eyes, golden rings on every finger.
Beside him were two advisors taking notes.
Roderick stood with a forced smile.
"Mira of Silver Moon! The famous merchant leader of the East Blue.
Please, sit."
Mira did not sit immediately.
She walked slowly to the seat…
Checked its stability with her senses…
Then took her place.
Roderick swallowed.
That small moment told him everything—
She was not someone to deceive easily.
"Your shipments were impressive," Roderick began. "Durable tools, strong building materials, refined oil, fruits of unusual quality…"
He leaned forward, greed shining in his eyes.
"But your prices are… higher than expected."
Silver Moon had expected this.
Mira kept her tone neutral.
"Quality has cost.
If your kingdom wants long-lasting goods for your ports and army supply lines, we can provide them."
Roderick smiled thinly.
"But I heard your group is new.
Small.
Unproven."
One of Mira's subordinates, Yuna, tensed.
Mira raised a hand discreetly—stay calm.
---
3. Negotiation — Mira's Way
Mira opened a folder and slid across the table three documents:
• Map of Silver Moon trade routes
• Product durability report
• Service guarantee contract
Roderick raised an eyebrow.
"You came… prepared."
Mira replied softly:
"We do not come to beg for deals.
We come to offer stable partnership."
Roderick tapped the table.
"And what if we demand lower prices?"
Mira leaned back slightly.
"Then you can buy inferior goods from someone else."
The advisor choked on his tea.
Roderick froze.
"…Excuse me?"
Mira's eyes sharpened—wolf instinct silently flaring.
"We sell quality.
Not scraps.
Not leftovers.
Our trade improves every port we touch."
She slid another folder across the table.
Inside were signatures from three small island chiefs who already purchased Meridian products.
Roderick swallowed again.
This wasn't a desperate merchant group.
This was a rising power.
Still, he pushed one last time.
"And what guarantee do I have that Silver Moon won't crumble within a year?"
Mira lifted her gaze.
"We are protected by Meridian.
By New Dawn.
By our own island.
And…"
A long pause.
"…by me."
There was no arrogance in her voice.
Just certainty.
The advisors instinctively leaned back, sensing danger without knowing why.
---
4. Attempted Intimidation
Roderick tapped the table impatiently.
"I still think you're asking too much.
Perhaps we should speak in private. Just you and me."
He waved his hand dismissively toward her team.
"Your… servants can wait outside."
Mira's eyes cooled instantly.
"In Silver Moon, we don't use that word.
And I do not leave my people behind."
Roderick smiled slyly.
"Then I insist."
Four large palace guards stepped forward.
The tension snapped like a drawn bow.
Mira slowly turned her head toward the guards.
Her wolf senses measured them precisely:
Heart rate.
Muscle density.
Foot placement.
Breaths per second.
None were stronger than 200 doriki.
She stood.
And the guards instinctively stepped back.
Mira's voice was low and sharp enough to cut stone.
"Is this how you negotiate?"
The entire hall went silent.
Even the advisors froze.
Roderick's confidence cracked.
"N-No. Just… protocol."
Mira exhaled slowly.
"I will give you my answer, Minister."
She leaned slightly forward—
Eyes glowing faintly with predatory focus.
"Try to strong-arm Silver Moon again…
and we will take our goods elsewhere."
Roderick's face turned pale.
---
5. Closing the Deal
Mira placed a final document on the table.
A partnership contract with fair profit for both sides.
"Sign this, and Ilusia will receive guaranteed monthly supply shipments."
Roderick grabbed a pen with trembling hands.
He signed.
"…We welcome Silver Moon to Ilusia."
Mira nodded politely.
"Good. Our ships will arrive next week. Expect high-quality goods."
She rose.
Silver Moon members followed—movements smooth, unified, disciplined.
---
6. Outside the Palace
Once outside the gates, Yuna whispered:
"Boss… your pressure was terrifying in there."
Another member grinned.
"I thought those guards would wet themselves."
Mira didn't smile.
"Negotiations are not about fear or strength.
They must understand we cannot be pushed."
She adjusted her cloak.
"We return to the ship.
Prepare next shipments.
Send word to Ren: First diplomatic success secured."
Her team cheered quietly.
---
7. Nightfall — A Leader's Reflection
That night on the ship, Mira stood alone on deck.
She watched the stars reflect across the sea surface.
"Ren…
This path you guided me to—
I won't fail it."
Her wolf senses picked up footsteps behind her.
Yuna approached.
"Captain… after today, I think Silver Moon will grow faster than we expected."
Mira's golden eyes softened.
"Yes.
And when trouble comes, we'll be ready."
The Silver Moon ship sailed into the night—
Carrying its calm, deadly leader toward the next kingdom.
---
End of Chapter 205