Karsipengpas pointed to the laborers ahead who were straining to transport the iron ore and said in a low voice, "See, these poor fellows used to be the high and mighty Sarabians, always shouting to kill us."
Onomabatis suddenly realized and said, "No wonder these guys are so clumsy at handling goods, so that’s why!"
"There are many good things in that marketplace, all looted from the homes of wealthy Sarabians, but they’re sold very cheaply. The new clothes your sister-in-law is wearing and that beautiful set of drinkware we used last time we drank were bought here. Once we’re done with our tasks, you can browse the marketplace; maybe you’ll find something nice you want."
Though what Karsipengpas said intrigued Onomabatis, he cautiously replied, "If things go smoothly, I’ll consider it."
"Trust me, it will go smoothly!" Karsipengpas responded confidently.
Once inside the warehouse, Onomabatis saw heaps of grain stacked on one side and countless bundles of wool on the other, as several elegantly dressed merchants were counting and directing laborers to carry them.
"Are those Sicilian merchants?" asked Karsipengpas.
"Yes." The accountant from earlier at the dock didn’t hide anything and sighed, "This time they came to sell grain and buy wool, but they encountered a Roman patrol ship on their way, almost got caught, scared them terribly. Not sure if they’ll come again next time."
"Right now, Roman warships are acting tyrannically in the Adriatic Sea, it’s really infuriating! Besides us, no one dares provoke them!" Karsipengpas took the opportunity to promote himself.
"Indeed, we’ll have to rely on you more in the future." The clerk echoed.
The inspection and weighing of the iron ore were completed quickly. The clerk looked at Karsipengpas and said seriously, "The iron ore you brought this time totals 5530 pounds. According to the price we previously agreed on, each pound is 10 Asi, which totals to... hmm, you should be paid 55300 Asi, right?"
Karsipengpas counted on his fingers for a good while but still wasn’t too clear. However, he answered without hesitation, "That’s correct!"
Beside him, Onomabatis stood with his mouth slightly open, dazed.
He remembered clearly that Karsipengpas had pretended to be a merchant ship for his trip, entered the port outside the city on the Istria Peninsula, spent less than 30,000 Asi, and in just over a day brought a ship of Noric iron ore here, doubling the money. This money was too easy to earn!
"Then come with me, let’s go see the overseer of Alakosia."
"Onomabatis, come with me to meet our fellow countryman." Karsipengpas called Onomabatis, and together with the accountant, the three left the warehouse and entered an adjacent building, heading up to the second floor.
While walking along the hallway, Onomabatis took the chance to glance outside and happened to see several hundred soldiers in armor, wielding weapons, doing formation training in the open space not far behind the warehouse. He trembled a bit inside: No wonder the people at the port weren’t afraid of them; they had a military presence nearby for protection. Luckily, Karsipengpas had warned them to put back their weapons, otherwise, if they misunderstood... that would have been—"
Onomabatis was a bit scared, but a tug from Karsipengpas brought him back to the present: "Why are you dazing off, hurry up and get inside!"
Onomabatis stumbled into the room, where sat a man in his thirties, with blue eyes, gray hair, a flat forehead, robust body — a typical Illyrian Mountain People appearance.
Seeing the three of them enter, his face immediately broke into a smile as he stood up to greet them, complaining, "Karsipengpas, it’s been so many days without seeing you, I thought you were caught by the Romans."
"Alakosia, shut your crow’s mouth, I only left 5 days ago, how’s that many days? Looks like your memory isn’t that great anymore." The two bantered while shaking hands tightly.
Onomabatis was a bit dazed. He remembered Karsipengpas saying he met this fellow countryman from the Free Italy army on his first trip to Sarabia Port two months ago, but the two seemed like close friends at the moment.
"Let me introduce you, this is my little brother Onomabatis, also an Illyrian, used to work under me for a while, now he’s saved for a ship, becoming a captain and working on his own." Karsipengpas pointed to Onomabatis and introduced.
Onomabatis immediately leaned slightly and said, "Hello, Alakosia, I’ve heard Karsipengpas speak of you many times, meeting you today is my honor!"
"We’re all compatriots, no need to be so formal." Alakosia said warmly, "We’re very welcome for you to come here!" After saying this, he shook hands with Onomabatis and invited both to sit.
The accountant whispered a few words to Alakosia and handed him a wax tablet with the quantity and total price of iron ore loaded on Karsipengpas’s ship.
After reading it, Alakosia picked up an iron pen and signed his name.
The accountant took back the wax tablet and walked out quickly.
"There are rules for taking money here. I am specifically responsible for trade on our Illyrian side. After I sign the trade slip to confirm, my superior, Commerce Officer Pigeris, also needs to sign, then you can go to the city’s Financial Officer to get the money, so you two will need to wait here a while longer." Alakosia explained.