Chapter 207: Trade Winds of Elbaf

If only I’d known, why didn’t I jump on this business myself?

Damn it, the original story never even mentioned the Giant Kingdom, so I let my guard down.

We’re talking a hundredfold profit here!

If I’d realized Elbaf was like this, would I have bothered making a trip to Skypiea just to haul back gold?

Just trading with the Giant Kingdom would have filled my coffers in no time.

Talk about a blunder, a real slip-up!

Still, at least I figured it out now. Haha, it’s mine—all of it, mine!

“Alright, if you trust me enough, from now on I’ll represent the Rocks Family and start official trade with Elbaf.”

“And no lowballing on price either. Whatever it’s worth, that’s what you’ll get.”

“What do you all think?”

Brogy and Dorry shot uncertain glances at Oden, having no clue about the current market rates.

“Of course, no problem, Brother Karl. We’ll leave all the trading to you from now on.” Oden couldn’t hide his delight.

A chunk of gold the size of a fist used to fetch only 400,000 Berries, but now Karl was offering 40 million for the same piece—a hundred times more! How could he not be thrilled?

“Come on, let’s head to the village to talk!” Oden’s joy was written all over his face.

He didn’t give the slightest thought to the prey they’d left in the forest; instead, he eagerly led the group—Karl included—into the Warrior Village of Elbaf.

“Everyone, look who’s back!” As soon as Oden reached the village gates, he shouted inside.

The giants who were farming, resting, and chatting all lifted their heads to see who had arrived.

“Who is that?”

“That’s Captain Brogy… and Captain Dorry!”

“What? They’re really back?”

“You made it home at last!”

Some pounded their chests with emotion, others burst with joy, and more dropped what they were doing and ran straight for the village entrance.

They’d been yearning for Brogy and Dorry’s return to the Warrior Village for decades.

Sure, Giants can live for 350 years, but sixty years is still no small number.

“Yeah, we’re back,” Brogy and Dorry stepped forward and hugged their excited tribesmen.

“Are you leaving again this time?”

An elderly giant, hair as white as snow, leaned on his cane and spoke in a trembling voice.

The others looked on with a hint of fear, worried their return might just be a fleeting visit.

“We’re not leaving. Now that we’re back, we’re here to stay.”

Both Brogy and Dorry had red eyes.

This time, they truly didn’t plan to leave Elbaf’s Warrior Village again. Even though they were set on forming a pirate crew, their base would once more be at Elbaf’s harbor.

“That’s wonderful, it’s good to have you home.” The old giant wept tears of joy.

“Come on, come inside and sit!” The whole group marched straight for the Warrior Village’s meeting hall.

Dozens of giants gathered together, trading greetings while Dorry and Brogy regaled them with tales of what they’d experienced out in the world.

“Well then, do any of you still feel the courage to set out to sea?”

Dorry suddenly steered the conversation in that direction.

The place fell silent. Even Brogy thought nothing would change—for a moment.

“Thump!”

“The young ones of the village have been waiting for this day,”

declared a giant with a white beard, striking the ground with his cane.

“That’s right, we’ve all been waiting for you to come home.”

“Let’s spread the good news!” Oden immediately led three younger giants outside—they had to let the former Giant Pirates know.

That night, in the Elbaf Giant Village, a colossal bonfire was lit.

Karl joined in, too. Even though his main goal was to ease the Giants’ hostility toward Charlotte Linlin, he wasn’t about to keep Brogy, Dorry, and the others from reuniting.

“Brother Karl, how’s that trade plan coming along?” As Karl nursed a drink alone in the corner, Oden came over and asked quietly.

Now that he was in charge of the Warrior Village’s logistics, Oden took Karl’s proposal more seriously than anyone.

“I’m ready any time. The question is, what do you all need specifically?” Karl wanted to earn the Giants’ money, but what he really wanted was to make them part of his strength. So there would be no cheating in trade.

Compared to winning the Giants’ support, a little trade markup didn’t matter much.

“Mainly clothing, food, weapons…”

Watching Oden rattle on, Karl quickly raised a hand to stop him. “Hold up a sec.”

He reached into his coat and pulled out a Den Den Mushi. “Bururu bururu!”

“Hello? Is this Karl?” Charlotte Linlin answered the Den Den Mushi.

“Linlin, it’s me. I’ve arrived at the Elbaf Giant Village,” Karl replied.

Linlin had already guessed Karl was headed for Elbaf. He would never call this late at night unless something big had happened.

“Ma ma ma ma!”

“So, is there some new development?” Linlin sounded a bit puzzled.

Could it be Karl still hadn’t figured out how to win the Giants’ forgiveness?

But before Linlin could overthink it, Karl’s voice came through. “I’ve already found the solution. For a while, I’ll stop using the Den Den Mushi.”

“The pressing task now is to send some family members to trade with Elbaf Village. We have to let the Giants experience fair prices and great quality.”

“I’ve already made arrangements. When your people arrive in Elbaf Giant Village, just ask for someone named Oden.” Karl filled Linlin in on everything.

And since Oden was right beside him, some things were best left unsaid—he hoped Linlin would pick up on that.

“Ma ma ma ma!”

“Leave me a contact. I’ll send Krell over.” Charlotte Linlin was relieved to hear things were resolved, but her joy doubled when she learned of the new trade deal.

She knew all too well the kind of profits that could be made trading with the Giants.

But because her relationship with them was so strained, the Giants flat-out refused to do business with her.

Now, with Karl as the link between them, the whole thing was actually coming together.

Still, the phrase ‘fair prices and great quality’ made Linlin pause and think.

Her wits might not be legendary, but Linlin had weathered plenty, and with medicine and Daoist spells had even overcome her hunger madness.

In a flash she figured out why Karl had put so much emphasis on that sentence.

“Don’t worry, leave it all to me.”

Karl got the Giants’ phone number from Oden and passed the digits to Charlotte Linlin.

They chatted a bit longer before hanging up, then Karl turned to Oden.

“Relax, someone will be here soon to handle the deal.”

“That’s fantastic!”

“Here’s to you!”

Oden raised his cup and toasted Karl, draining it in one gulp.

Karl grinned and finished his drink as well.