Chapter 210 — Mira's Negotiation in the Capital of Norsin
S.C. 1512 — Two Days Later
Norsin Kingdom — Royal Capital of Vendale
The city of Vendale was nothing like the quiet villages of East Blue.
Tall white stone walls curved around the capital.
Colorful banners fluttered from towers.
Guards marched in crisp lines along the inner roads.
Noble carriages rattled past in polished rows.
The Silver Moon convoy moved slowly through the main gate.
Two wagons filled with salt, distilled oil, fertile saplings, and preserved fruits.
Five carts carrying tools, fabrics, and high-grade herbs.
And one reinforced carriage containing Mira herself.
Leo wasn't here.
Kiro wasn't here.
This mission was hers alone.
Mira pulled her cloak tighter as they approached the inner courtyard of the Lord's estate.
Her wolf-enhanced senses caught everything—
The hush of whispers behind gates,
The clank of armor,
The nervous heartbeat of her own escort.
Her silver eyes scanned the guards.
"Stay close," she instructed calmly.
"Yes, Commander Mira."
The escort was already intimidated—not by nobles, but by her aura.
Focused, calm, controlled.
Born from training… amplified by wolf genes.
A court official approached.
He eyed the caravan, the horses, the workers… then his gaze landed on Mira.
"You are Mira of the… Silver Moon?"
"Yes," she replied with a polite bow.
He blinked—surprised by her composed tone and stillness.
"Lord Calden is expecting you. Follow me."
Mira nodded once.
1. Inside the Royal Estate
The estate was lavish.
Marble floors.
Gold-inlaid pillars.
Paintings of Norsin's kings.
Guards with polished halberds.
Mira walked silently, steps controlled, posture flawless.
Her wolf instincts mapped the environment automatically—
window exits,
guard patterns,
weapons on walls,
the scent of anxiety from nearby servants.
She didn't show any reaction.
But her mind filed everything away.
They were led into a wide hall decorated with tapestries of battles and royal hunts.
At the far end sat Lord Calden—a tall, refined noble with sharp eyes and a calculating aura.
He stood.
"Welcome, merchant of Meridian Group. I expected someone… older."
Mira bowed again.
"I speak on behalf of the Meridian Group's Silver Moon Division. Age will not hinder our trade."
Lord Calden chuckled softly.
"Confident. Good."
He motioned toward the table.
"Sit."
2. Negotiation Begins
Mira placed her sealed scrolls and warehouse lists on the polished table.
"Lord Calden, we bring goods that are rare in this region:
high-grade salt
refined oils
special herbs
medicinal plants
and two crates of our signature preserved fruit."
Calden skimmed the list.
"These are impressive.
But merchants from Loguetown sometimes offer similar goods at lower prices."
Mira didn't flinch.
"Our quality is higher."
Calden raised a brow.
"And proof?"
Mira snapped her fingers lightly.
One of her escorts opened a crate and presented a jar of preserved sun-fruit.
The aroma filled the hall—sweet, vibrant, natural.
Calden's eyes widened slightly.
"This scent…"
Mira continued, calm and controlled.
"Our group uses unique preservation techniques. The fruit retains flavor and nutrients for months without spoiling. This jar traveled across two seas and still smells like it was harvested yesterday."
She didn't brag.
She didn't oversell.
Just facts.
Calden tapped the table.
"You are well-spoken."
Mira simply replied:
"I speak what is true."
3. Unexpected Challenge
A nobleman entered abruptly.
Young.
Arrogant.
Carrying a cane more for decoration than support.
"Lord Calden, is this her? The one representing that… new merchant group?"
Calden sighed.
"Yes, Baron Dirk. She is."
The baron snorted.
"She looks like a villager pretending to be a businesswoman."
Mira didn't react.
Calden rubbed his forehead.
"Dirk—"
"No, let me test her," the baron said smugly.
"If she wants to do business with Norsin, she must prove she can handle pressure."
He leaned toward Mira.
"Tell me, girl.
Why should we buy from you, rather than seasoned traders in the west?"
Her wolf instincts sensed provocation.
But her mind stayed still.
She met his gaze.
"Because seasoned traders bring only what exists.
We bring what others cannot make."
A ripple went through the hall.
Calden almost smiled.
Baron Dirk's face twisted.
He opened his mouth to retort—
Mira cut in softly.
"And if your concern is my youth, then you should worry more about the age of your own market. It is not keeping up."
The baron froze.
Calden burst into laughter.
"Baron Dirk… I believe you've been answered."
Dirk turned red and stormed out.
Calden leaned back, impressed.
"You do not raise your voice. You do not tremble. Yet you strike precisely."
He folded his hands.
"I approve."
4. Agreement
Calden stamped the contract with a golden seal of Norsin Kingdom.
"I grant Silver Moon exclusive selling permission within my territory.
You may establish a permanent warehouse near the south gate.
Tax reduced to 2%.
Security provided."
Mira inhaled softly.
That was… incredibly good.
"Lord Calden," she said with a professional bow, "Meridian Group is grateful."
Calden smiled thinly.
"Do not disappoint me.
Your goods… and your people… will be watched with interest."
Mira didn't take the bait.
"We understand."
5. Calm Victory
As Mira exited the estate, her escort whispered:
"Commander, you handled them like… like some noble diplomat."
Mira pulled her cloak tighter.
"I listened. I answered. That is enough."
The escort swallowed.
"You never get nervous?"
Her eyes softened slightly.
"…I do. I simply don't show it."
Outside the gates, the Silver Moon caravan gathered around her.
"Commander! How did it go?"
Mira gave a rare smile.
"We succeeded.
Begin setting up the warehouse."
Cheers erupted.
One man exclaimed:
"Silver Moon's first official base!"
Another:
"Mira did it—first big deal!"
Mira stepped aside, looking toward the setting sun.
Her wolf instincts stayed alert.
Her mind stayed focused.
Trade routes would open.
New talent would emerge.
Meridian Group was growing.
She whispered to herself:
"Ren… the path you built is becoming real."
Zemo wasn't here to hear it.
But if he were, he would have howled proudly.
End of Chapter 210