Arknightcraft Modpack (Minecraft x Arknight) (Steve on Arknight)

"If this issue can truly be resolved as you claim, then your requested share isn't out of the question. However... when will you be able to deliver?"

Carmen narrowed his eyes as he looked at Steven. 

If this young man truly considered himself a merchant, then he should at least have his own trading company or caravan.

Otherwise, simply supplying enough potato seedlings for Iberia was already beyond the capability of a single individual.

"Will Iberia need to dispatch a mobile city for transportation? Or do you have a professional logistics team?"

To be honest, Carmen didn't want any third party involved.

But given the scale of this project, it was impossible to manage without a logistics company.

There was no way this young man could just make the goods appear out of thin air, right?

—And yet, the next second, Steven shattered the old saint's assumptions with a reality-defying display.

With a smile, the young man casually pointed to the corner of the church.

Then, with a snap of his fingers, a mountain of potatoes suddenly materialized from thin air, tumbling down into a massive heap.

"Who needs logistics? I'm the best logistics company there is."

Steven shook his hands off as if this was nothing, effortlessly dispelling Carmen's concerns.

Just like how Carmen didn't want third parties meddling, Steven also hated middlemen taking a cut.

Why deal with logistics companies when he could personally handle transportation faster and more efficiently?

Especially when he had Teleportation and Waystones—he could easily smuggle goods between Iberia and Ursus, two nations tens of thousands of miles apart, with nothing more than a wave of his hand.

And with his Transmutation Table, he didn't even have to worry about inventory space—the only real limitation he would've faced.

"..."

"Mr. Steven, your ability to surprise people… truly exceeds expectations."

Carmen picked up a single potato, inspecting it closely.

Once he confirmed that it was indeed real and not an illusion, he could only sigh in amazement.

Even after living so many years, he had barely glimpsed the tip of the iceberg when it came to this world's mysteries.

But rather than feeling frustrated, Carmen felt ecstatic.

Because transporting these potatoes was a massive issue.

This was precious food in Iberia—countless people had their eyes on it.

Even the Inquisition couldn't guarantee a perfectly safe delivery.

But Steven?

Carmen looked at the young man standing before him—a figure devoid of any Originium Arts.

He wasn't physically imposing, yet the Feranmut-like aura and killing intent he exuded were undeniable.

Even Carmen himself wasn't confident that he could take Steven in a fight—let alone after witnessing his brutal combat techniques firsthand.

If Steven personally handled transportation, Carmen seriously doubted anyone would be able to stop him.

"Well, I have an even bigger surprise for you."

"Since we're working together, that technically means you guys are my employees now."

"Gather all the remaining Inquisitors and High Inquisitors in this town."

"There's something very important we need to do."

Steven didn't think the Inquisition would reject this lifeline. The partnership was already set in stone—all that remained were some minor disputes over interests.

But Steven didn't care about that.

What he needed was a nation to cover for him. That way, when he wanted to sell all sorts of things, he would have a legitimate identity and a proper trade channel.

Carmen understood this as well, but rather than feeling disappointed, he only felt gratitude.

To Iberia, any chance—no matter how small—that could help them hold on was a blessing.

Compared to waiting for their inevitable demise, the Inquisition would much rather bet everything on a last chance at glory.

Although Carmen had no idea what Steven planned to do by gathering the Inquisitors, he simply nodded and silently walked out the door.

Only after he left did Irene finally dare to lower her tiny hands, which had been covering her ears the whole time.

She leaned in toward Steven, staring at him as if he were some kind of monster.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Don't tell me you seriously didn't hear anything just now."

"The fact that he let me bring you in means he already acknowledged your identity in the first place."

Steven casually pulled out a folding chair from his pocket (Inventory) and sat down.

Ever since he started carrying [Yamato], he found that these chairs were surprisingly comfortable—especially in Iberia's hot weather, where they provided some nice ventilation.

"Do you really think a pile of potatoes can save Iberia?"

Irene pointed at the heap of potatoes in the corner, clearly skeptical.

She didn't even bother asking how Steven had pulled them out of thin air—what she really wanted to know was why both he and Carmen believed these potatoes could turn Iberia's decline around.

Steven laughed.

"No, not potatoes—Agricultural Trade. You're just uneducated, I don't blame you."

He reached out and ruffled Irene's hair, flashing her a playful smile.

Unlike Carmen, she couldn't see the bigger picture yet.

These weren't just potatoes—they were the foundation of a new agricultural industry.

Why had Iberia fallen into ruin?

Because after the Profound Silence, both industry and maritime trade had completely collapsed, leaving most of the population unemployed.

But now?

They were being told that growing potatoes could not only sustain them, but also generate revenue by exporting them to other nations.

If the people had work and the country had trade, then wouldn't Iberia start moving forward again?

Sometimes, problems had simple solutions—people just lacked the brute-force methods that Steven had at his disposal.

After all, not just anyone could pull magic potatoes out of nowhere.

Irene shook her head, trying to get Steven's hand off her, but when she failed, she gave up.

Instead, she started thinking—until she finally pieced together the real reason behind their recent troubles.

"So… is this why we got targeted?"

If there was any group in Iberia that couldn't stand the idea of a revival, it could only be the Church of the Deep.

If Steven's trade system truly had such a massive impact, then it was only natural that they would be targeted.

Steven smirked.

"Looks like your little birdbrain hasn't rusted yet."

"I can't think of any other reason either."

Steven moved his hand away from Irene's head.

This issue was pretty obvious, but that didn't mean he had no way to deal with it.

For most people, rooting out traitors was a difficult task.

But he was a Minecrafter—trying to hide from him?

That was going to be a real challenge.

"Would it be better if I hadn't heard all this?"

"After all, I might just become a burden to you."

Irene, for once, didn't snap back at him like a feisty little bird.

Instead, she lowered her head seriously, let out a sigh, and spoke a harsh reality.

Compared to Steven and Carmen, her strength was nowhere near their level.

Now that she knew too much, the Church of the Deep would never let her go.

From now on, they would only come after her more aggressively.

In other words, the more she knew, the more trouble she would bring to Steven.

Steven nodded solemnly, pretending to be serious.

"Hmm… if I had to be brutally honest, yeah, that's pretty much the case."

But she had overlooked one crucial fact—Steven's strength.

"But I think there's no need to hide anything from a friend."

"Otherwise, you'd just keep pestering me all day, chirping about it anyway."

"As for the consequences… you really think that Church of the Deep still dares to mess with you?"

"Don't they know that I'm about to go mess with them instead?"

Steven's lips curled into a dark, villainous smirk.

He hated the feeling of someone scheming against him in the shadows.

Instead of waiting for them to pull off their little conspiracy, why not strike first?

Teach them a lesson.

Better yet, wipe them out completely.

Steven wasn't the kind of person who liked being passive.

"Go after the Church of the Deep?"

"But… do you even know where they're hiding?"

"They conceal themselves so well—even the Inquisition is infiltrated by their spies."

"It's not that easy to find them."

Irene sighed.

Steven made it sound simple, but executing it was far from easy.

The Church of the Deep had been infiltrating Iberia for years.

Even after years of struggle, the Inquisition had barely uncovered a fraction of their secrets.

Steven's eyes narrowed.

"You see, didn't you just say there is the Church of the Deep spy inside the Inquisition? You might not know which citizens are members of the Church of the Deep, but they surely do."

He ruffled Irene's hair again, grinning.

She had already pointed out the key detail without even realizing it.

"…Wait, you mean—"

"…Hold on, is that why you told Saint Carmen to gather the Inquisitors?"

"But if you make a mistake, it could tear the Inquisition apart!"

Irene's eyes widened in shock.

She finally understood what Steven was planning.

But if he falsely accused someone, it could destroy the fragile unity within the Inquisition.

Steven just shrugged.

"Maybe."

"But you see, I might not be great at everything…"

"…but when it comes to catching traitors?"

"I think I can manage."

"After all, I'm not colorblind, am I?"

Steven glanced at his mini-map.

Outside, a group of neutral white dots had gathered, among them, however…

A few red dots—representing hostile enemies—were mixed in.

His lips curled into a confident smirk.

<+>

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