"So she was here!" Lyra said to Mr. Coon after the commotion Gildfredo caused died down. Mr. Coon had settled to talk to Lyra at the staff's dining hall.
"Yes we did have an Eastian looking guest here - as for the light haired girl you might be talking about our inn's maid, Hetty."
"But she's not here anymore? Do you have any idea where she went?" Lyra asked.
"Before I answer that, what is it that you need from her?" Mr. Coon treaded carefully.
"It's nothing important." Lyra said sheepishly.
"I know you very well Lyra, surely during recruitment season a vice guild master isn't leisurely enough to just randomly chase little girls right?"
"Well that's nothing for you to concern yourself about." Lyra tried to hide her irritation.
"Such a ruthless person like you. I don't think it's safe to just give someone's location" Mr. Coon smiled teasingly.
Glisinda interrupted the tension, "Here Vice Guild Master Lyra, it's not much but this tea is delicious with some honey."
"Wow you're serving the expensive kind to Lyra, has she become your savior?" Mr. Coon changed his target to tease.
Glisinda blushed "I mean - not just my savior, If anything she's yours too. On behalf of the Padfoot Inn thank you for saving Mr. Coon from the imperial jail!"
Lyra choked on her tea, nearly spitting it out. "You were where?!"
"The imperial jail" Mr. Coon said cooly as if nothing happened.
"And you didn't tell me!" Lyra said clearly annoyed.
"How could I? I was in jail, they don't allow anyone to send letters from jail." Mr. Coon pointed out as a matter factly.
"I won't keep any secrets from you wife I promise" Bridge with puffy eyes and still trying to woe his wife was facing the wall. Lyra's form of punishment for him after he secretly followed her.
"Keep your face on that wall!" Lyra shot daggers at him.
"Wait if you didn't know, how did you manage to get out?" Glisinda was trying to make sense how the impossible was made possible.
"A witnessed stepped in and well Mr. Ofster hired a really expensive Noble Barrister." Mr. Coon explained.
"You mean Master Merchant Ofster? Of the Sandwalker Merchant Guild?" Lyra raised her eyebrows.
Glisinda furrowed her eyebrows, "That man is usually quite aloof, I didn't know Padfoot Inn had a connection with him?"
"Even though he may not be the richest merchant he's got quite a good reputation and a vast network of channels spreading from Eastian and Westerndom."
"I don't personally have a connection with him, but someone in Padfoot Inn does" Mr. Coon smiled at a seemingly empty dark corner.
"What are you staring at?" Glisinda looked and saw nothing there.
"Is that!" Lyra's eyes wide open following Mr. Coon's gaze "I can't believe it!" Lyra stood astonished at what she's seeing.
Glisinda on the other hand was taken at back and stared at the seemingly empty dark corner again. "What's the matter Vice Guild Master Lyra?"
"Honey! Are you okay what's wrong!" Bridge barreled towards Lyra thinking she was in trouble. His flailing threw a large pan in the air and was about to land at the seemingly empty dark corner but Mr. Coon quickly caught the pan before it landed on Hetty's head.
Hetty was startled by the pan that she lost concentration and her shadow covered her disappeared. She looked at Mr Coon "How - did you know I was here?"
"I always knew" Mr. Coon smiled at her patting her head.
Lyra's eyes twinkled, at this discovery. She squealed and ran to Hetty. Lyra held Hetty's hands "Are you shadow manipulator?"
"A shadow what?" Hetty asked not quite understanding
"Never mind that! Are you an adventurer?"
"N-no - "
"Have you gone through the ranking ceremony?"
"No"
Tears welled in Lyra's eyes, her composure cracking beneath the weight of relief and pride.
Then, in a voice steady but thick with emotion, she said, "Would you do us the honor of joining Boundless Guild?"
Hetty felt such a warm feeling. Her heart thundered. This wasn't just an offer—it was recognition. A door opening.
But before she could speak, a colder voice pierced the moment.
"Don't be silly," Mr. Coon said flatly, arms crossed, eyes unreadable. "She's just a maid at Padfoot Inn."
Lyra turned sharply to him, startled by the shift in tone. "What are you saying?"
He didn't look at Lyra instead his gaze was locked on Hetty, hard and testing. "A scrawny stray like her... an adventurer?"
Hetty flinched. She couldn't tell if he meant it. He'd always protected her but now why was he saying such things.
"You think she can hold her own out there?" Mr. Coon continued, each word like a stone dropped in cold water. "She won't last a day."
There was a silence. A heavy, aching one.
Then, softer—barely a whisper—he added, "She's just a burden. She can't help herself how can she help others? "
It wasn't just a question. It was a mirror. One he was forcing her to look into, to confront a deeper and darker feeling. Those were her own words she kept saying to herself. It was happening again darkness is starting to engulf her. She could not breathe, the world warping around her as shadows writhed at her feet like living smoke. A haunting chill surged through her veins.
Bridge stood by Lyra's holding her steady. Glisinda suddenly stood up frightened the darkness around felt like it was consuming them.
Lyra stepped back, watching quietly now. This wasn't about her offer anymore. She understood now, this was about Hetty and her resolve.
Hetty kept her gaze down avoiding Mr Coon's. Tears started to form she closed her eyes ready to be consumed by darkness.
She looked at Mr. Coon, her breath unsteady but her eyes shining with resolve. Her voice cracked, trembling as if it hadn't been used in ages: "I will - "
Mr. Coon met her gaze, unflinching, his tone steady and challenging. "You will what?"
"I will become strong and help others, I'll accept your offer. I will become an adventurer!" Hetty declared to the group and in flash the shadow engulfing the room vanished against the light.
"Alright, it's settled then Vice Guild Master Lyra I leave Hetty in your care." Mr. Coon clapped and he was back to his usual cheery self.
Lyra reaching out her hand to Hetty "Are you sure this road cannot be taken half-heartedly"
"Yes I will become an adventurer!" Hetty firmly shaking Lyra's hand. Her resolve unwavering.
Mr. Coon looked at Hetty smiling with pride.
*****
"Who would want to become an adventurer with treatment like this?!" Leif wailed, dramatically rolling across the guild hall floor. "I'm done with G-rank requests!"
Rin, ignoring his theatrics, stood calmly before the quest board, eyes fixed on a familiar posting. He read aloud, voice flat but focused:
Subjugation Quest
Formerly: Baron Amari's Territory
Now: Joridge of Sandwalker's Merchant Guild
Reward: 500 silver daily allowance for adventurers who sign up today
Includes: Food and lodging
Quest Duration: Until the zone is secured (Currently Yellow Zone → Goal: Green Zone)
Note: Mana Stones recovered may be kept as personal spoils
"It really is the same place," Rin murmured. "The one where we met Elysia."
"I told you!" Leif howled, now sprawled like a tragic hero. "We cleaned out that monster nest—and now they're handing out silver like candy and we get nothing?! This is adventurer exploitation!
"This is your fault!" Leif turned to Rin "We could have waited a few days and we'd have gotten some reward at least!"
"Isn't helping those folks reward enough?" Rin asked a sulking Leif.
"I want my 500 silver allowance!" Leif continued rolling.
"What are they arguing about this time?" A veteran guild member asked.
"Guild Quest and Rewards" a member responded.
"They sure argue like an old married couple" chimed another member.
"Well here's an easy G-Rank quest we can do" Rin took a quest from the Guild Board.
"I'm not going on another quest with you anymore. I'm staying here until that stupid Guild Master comes back. I need to petition my quest reward for the Manalara Trees." Leif said stubbornly
"Are you sure you don't want to take this quest?" Rin showed him the quest.
Leif saw the details and immediately stood up "Is this a scam or something they should do a better job at filtering this quest."
Auction Night Get into the Sandwalker Auction Night and purchase the last item
Reward: 10 Gold
Rank Requirement: Any
"Hang on the requestor's name" Leif looked at the requestor's name written on.
"Hello again!" Elysia out of nowhere greeted them.
"WHA!" Leif jumped surprised.
"Hello" Rin waved casually trying to hide his blushing face.
"What are you doing here!" Leif asked
"I was looking for Hal and Sal have you seen them?"
"Those twin devils - they're probably trai - " before Leif could complete his sentence. A pair of feet kick him to the side.
Rin swiftly dodge the flying Leif and the flying kick.
"Elysia!" The twins said landing to where Leif was.
"Hal and Sal how have you been!" Elysia hugged them because she missed them dearly. "Ah look everybody misses you."
Rin just stared in the air as little orb lights, who Elysia kept calling Sprite surrounded the twins.
"What are you doing here?" Sal asked.
"Hey don't just go kicking your seniors like that!" Leif said recovering from the brutal kick.
Hal looked at Leif "Oh! It's you G-Ranker long time no see man!"
"You're bells are ringing so loud again? Do you know these two?" Rin asked Elysia.
"Yes! They're well - " Elysia paused to think "I guess my little brothers!"
Sal felt like big stoned "LITTLE BROTHERS" words fell from the sky and landed on his head.
Leif tried to stifle a laugh slightly enjoying Sal's sudden shocked face.
Hal protectively blocked Elysia from Rin. "I've seen you before you like to gawk at the new recruits. Are you stalker or something?"
Rin knew he'd get a weird rumor going around if he kept doing favors for Vice Guild Master Lyra.
"Don't be rude Hal. This person's name is Rin he saved me last time when I was out in the forest."
The twins gave her a look. "Out in the forest where?"
"Well you know just a normal forest"
Hal interrogated "You weren't doing anything dangerous we're you?"
"You really should be more careful when you're out in about especially since we're not with you" Sal said taking her hand.
"Hey isn't that my line? I am older sister?"
"I never agreed to call you older sister!" Sal protested.
Rin immediately covered her mouth "Hey don't go telling people you were in a yellow-zone forest. As a non-adventurer you'd be breaking imperial law"
Elysia gasped "I completely forgot."
"Hey what the heck are you whispering so close to her about" Sal and Leif chorused. The Sprite siblings also surround Rin swarming him like an angry swarm or bees .
"Just please be careful" Hal reminded her while wiping her lips as thought something dirty touched it. "You still didn't answer our question, what are you doing here?"
"Ah Right!" Elysia headed to the Guild reception "I'm here to check on the status of my quest."
"You mean the one for the Master Hut?" Hal asked
"Ah no I already check on that yesterday and didn't have any clues yet. It looks like I have to search somewhere else soon"
"What does that mean you're leaving?" Sal had a little panic in his voice.
"I'll need an updated map first since I don't know about zones and I heard you can't cross on certain zones."
"You'll have no choice but to travel through portals and you know you can't" Hal pointed out.
"Just stay here for awhile until we become adventurers. Then we'll escort you anywhere"
Hal & Sal took each of Elysia hands trying to convince her to stay longer in Arvandale. But then Aaron grabbed both of them by the collar. "Oh who's this playing hookie here?"
"Master Instructor!" The twins yelped, practically ripped away from Elysia.
"We don't have a lot of time until the ranking ceremony and yet both of you have time to hang out at the guild hall" Aaron's eyes we're menacing as he dragged both of them back to the training hall.
"Elysia! We'll come back for you!" Hal called out.
Sal reminded "Don't talk to strangers!"
Rin then realized, "So you're the requestor for this"
"My quest! Yes It's rather urgent since the auction's tonight say will you two be interested in taking it."
"Since it's in the city it won't cost us to go. What do you think Leif?" " Rin handed Leif the quest.
"Please I really need help since I'm going somewhere for a few days."
"Well we'll need money upfront actually since auction's usually settle the payment before leaving"
"Ah Right of course! No problem here" Elysia gave him her coin pouched pulled from her storage ring.
Rin was about to open it when Leif grabbed his hand "What are you doing giving out your coin purse to a complete stranger!"
"I mean you're not a complete stranger. Please I'll even give you 5% commission if you successfully purchase the last item, as a bonus" Elysia asked desperately.
"I'll put it back if you don't want I suppose someone can help her out" Rin said going towards the board.
"Why are you deciding by yourself I'm the party leader here! Flora we're taking this quest!" Leif quickly changing his tune when he heard of the 5% commission.
"Great then! I'll leave it to you guys remember you have to get the last item at any cost" Elysia said assured that her quest was in good hands.
****
"Wearing this stupid thing wasn't part of the quest requirement" Leif grumbled.
Leif and Rin were in que to enter the auction house. The Grand Emporium of Rarities gleamed of opulence. Its white stone walls enchanted to shimmer under moonlight. A wide circular courtyard leads to arched entrance with floating crystal torches and velvet canopies.
"Aren't you a little overdressed, you're sticking out like sore thumb" Leif looked at Rin who was wearing a well-fitted navy coat with silver trim, his worn boots freshly polished and a modest family crest of the Orecul Baroncy pinned to his chest. Rin, as the brother of the Baron exuded nobility quite naturally.
"Auction houses are formal attire. You can just take my other coat if you want?" Rin suggested to Leif. Leif who despite wearing his cleanest linen shirt and patched leather vest was quite underdress compared to the silk and grandeur around him.
"I don't want to borrow your coat you charge me every time I use any of your stuff"
"Since this is a quest I'll only charge you 50 silver this time" Rin tried to bargain
"I'm fine as it is"
Guests step out from their carriages, polished boots and jeweled cloaks as they present their identification tags to the waiting ushers. Each tag—etched with guild sigils or noble seals.
Adventurers dress in polished gear and clean cloaks, trading battlefield grit for a touch of formality. Merchants wore finely embroidered coats and silk vests, blending wealth with practicality and subtle enchantments. Nobles arrive in shimmering gowns and tailored doublets adorned with crests and jewels. The ladies wear their hair swept high into elegant updos, adorned with jeweled pins and softly glowing enchantments.
"Is that an actual bird?" Leif gawked at the one madam who had a chirping bird perched at her hair that was intricately shaped like a bird cage.
"Don't point at random nobles, do you want your fingers cut off?" Rin reminded him.
Two muscle men shoved Rin and Leif aside with a rude "Move it"
Then a man flamboyantly dressed, in a garish violet coat and too many rings loudly approached the madam with bird hair "Duchess Sparrow! What an honor it is to run into you! Gildfredo Reedly of the Reedly Imports at your service"
"What the heck! Why I ought to!" Leif raising his fist.
Rin stopped him "Let's not draw attention otherwise we'll get thrown out."
"Is this how all nobility dress?"
"Please don't lump me with the likes of them" Rin sighed.
Again as though Gildfredo was announcing to everyone within earshot "I would be honored if you joined me in private box! Reedly Imports connections only provides the best of the best for it's clients."
"What's his deal he's so loud it's irritating" Leif complained.
"Welcome to auction night, sirs. May I have your invitation?" the usher asked Leif and Rin.
Rin replied calmly, "We don't have an invitation. Isn't this an open auction house?"
Gildfredo's mocking laugh rang out as he skipped the que and were now behind Leif and Rin. "A sight to see, isn't it, Madam Sparrow? The auction has even attracted country bumpkins."
"You boy! let us in first can't you see I am with the Duchess Sparrow?" Gildfredo threatened the usher.
"I apologize duchess allow me to escort you in personally." The usher bowed and rushed to lead the way.
Gildfredo sneered as he entered, his voice dripping with mockery, "You'd best go home—this place isn't for the likes of you. I doubt you could even spare a single coin here."
Leif was about to start an argument but Rin gave him a stare reminding him that they had a quest today.
Another usher stepped forward to take over the task of permitting entry, he smiled at Rin and Leif "I apologize for that sirs but to answer your question from earlier no unfortunately this isn't an open auction."
"Great now how are we getting in?"
Rin reached for his tag, this time it wasn't a Guild Identification card but his family crest "May we enter with this"
"The Orecul crest, Baron Orecul we do have you in our guest list but we did not receive your confirmation we did not prepare a table for you." The usher browsed.
"I am not the Baron, I am his brother." Rin corrected.
"I see! I apologize my lord but still that invitation was for the Baron House, we don't have a table in nobility section we do have one in a different section will that be alright?"
"I would be grateful if you could give us that space then please."
Leif and Rin was escorted inside. Inside the auction house was a cathedral of luxury—soaring ceilings enchanted with floating stars and chandeliers that pulse with ambient light. Marble floors inlaid with rare metals form intricate mana circuits that both power the auction wards and guide foot traffic.
The private booths had soundproofing spells line the upper balconies for nobles and high-end merchants. There were velvet lounges with access to enchanted menus for food, drink, and item previews.
Leif and Rin were guided to a small corner table quaint yet an elegant oak and velvet cushion. A modest array of refreshments awaited them, thinly sliced cheese, crisp crackers, candied nuts, and a small bowl of dark grapes glistening under the chandelier's soft glow.
"I guess flashing that noble crest finally paid off. Think we could score free bath tokens or discount at Inns?" Leif grinned as he happily munched on the array of food before him.
"I'm just a second son, not a walking coupon. Please stop exaggerating." Rin replied dryly.
The crowd around them buzzed with focused conversations, each voice layered with anticipation.
"Is it true the final item is something extremely rare?"
"Yes, I heard it straight from Master Merchant Ofster. Best to hold your bids until the end."
"No can do—I've got my eyes on those Manalara trees."
"Hey, if we pool our coin, maybe we can snag a whole cartload. What do you say?"
"Just don't outbid me if I raise my paddle, alright?"
"Our merchant guild's been discussing a marriage alliance. The Master Merchant sent me personally to secure something specific."
Suddenly, a booming voice rang from the balcony above, cutting clean through the hum of conversation as if the speaker had deliberately disabled the booth's noise-dampening magic.
"Madam Sparrow! I make no promises about the final item. Word is—it's exceptionally rare. Reedly Imports is prepared to claim it, no matter the cost!"
Gasps and whispers rippled through the hall.
"You heard that?"
"Did he say Reedly Imports?"
"The Reedly Imports? Imperial merchants for two generations!"
"If they're that prepared, no one's outbidding them."
"We should probably aim for the lesser items before we end up going home empty-handed."
"Did you see the bodyguards he brought? They look like elite adventurers."
"Have you heard what happened to him at the Padfoot Inn?"
"Why would someone from Reedly Imports stay at Padfoot Inn it's being run by a beastkin wolf I hear! Surely that's just a rumor"
"I thought they were in a decline"
"Could a merchant reserve a private box if they were in a decline?"
"Still I'm not taking my chances I'd rather bid early on"
Rin turned to Leif "Did you hear that? It's that Reedly from outside"
"What was that?" Leif said between mouthfuls clearly not listening in the gossip just enjoying his food.
Rin looked at him exasperated "Is the food that good?"
The lights soon dimmed, casting a single spotlight at the center stage where velvet curtains parted with practiced grace. The auctioneer stepped forward, cloaked in midnight blue with a gilded mask that shimmered under the light, commanding the room with a poised silence before announcing, "Welcome, honored guests. Tonight, fortune favors the bold—let the auction commence."
One after the other the items we're sold off.
"600 kg of Manalara lumber sold for 1,200 Gold"
"Manalara Tree Harp Sold for 10,000 Gold!"
"A dozen of C-class grade mana stone sold for 80,000 Gold!"
"Manalara Bow and Arrow with Myrtil detailing sold for 200,000 Gold to our patron from the private box!"
Rin diligently wrote down each item and corresponding price following the guild quest.
"The prices of Manalara trees has rise quite a bit." Rin looked at his notes.
Meanwhile Leif was growing paler and paler after hearing the prices go higher and higher "If I knew manalara trees were rare I should have stuffed a bunch of branches in my pocket."
"A twig would probably sell for 1 gold at least in today's market" Rin's words hit Leif drenching him with despair for not knowing the value of the trees he was hacking.
"Now dear guest! we're excited to announce the final item for this evening" The auctioneer's voice commanded the crowd's attention.
The crowd had a mix reaction.
"What it's the last item already! But the I haven't won a single thing yet"
"The marriage alliance will be safe as I have secured a Manalara Carriage for the bride's wedding"
"Hey I thought we were pooling our money together how could you betray me like that"
"Who bought that bow and arrow for 200,00 gold ! Quick we must introduce ourselves!"
"Do you think it was an adventurer, surely that bow and arrow would be an A-Rank item at the very least."
"Ladies and Gentlemen feast your eyes on our last item" The auctioneer revealed the largest mana stone the auction room has ever seen.
The crowd again had mix reaction
"Is that a mana stone"
"It's so light even the C-rank mana stones from earlier had a deeper purple hue"
"How could that be the last item surely Master Merchant Ofster didn't exaggerate that this is a rare item."
The auctioneer was about to share the details of the item "Now folks this is no ordinary mana stone it is actually a rare mana crystal!"
"Seriously he's joking right?"
"I've never heard such a thing."
"This mana crystal's rank is ... " the auctioneer said trying to prolong the anticipation.
The crowd was quite hanging onto his words but before he could complete his sentence in the private box of somebody shouted "300,000 Gold!"
"Wait a moment dear guest the bidding has not started"
When the crowd turn to see who placed the bid they saw a tall form though aged and silver-haired, he carried himself with the unshakable presence of a seasoned warrior - he raised his bidding paddle in the air with urgency.
"Sir what are you doing?" Paula who was assigned to escort him tried to stop him.
"It's the former Guild Master of Coolemore Guild!" the guest murmured.
"What is he doing has he gone senile to bid that much?"
"310,000 Gold!" another shouted. "I Gildfredo Reedly, the heir of Reedly Imports will not lose to you old man!"
"It's him again, why does he always have to say his name?"
"Reedly Imports is bidding"
"350,000 Gold" another shouted this time it was a butler from a noble house raised. A noble lady was instructing him behind a screen door.
"Alright I guest we're bidding now! 350,000 to the young lady at the booth do I head 360,000?" The auctioneer quickly adapated!
"500,000 Gold!" The former guild master again raised determination in his eyes.
"510,00 Gold" Gildfredo said his his pride on the line.
"580,00 Gold" The butler raised for the young lady behind the screen door. Then he whispered to his lady "My Lady are you certain your father will surely be displeased if he finds out you've spent more than 500,000 in an auction."
The young lady's form visibly panicked.
"600,000" The Old Guild Master of Coolemore announced.
"610,000" Gildfredo gulped but he could feel the crowd's eyes on him. All his talk about Reedly imports will be for not if he could not secure this auction.
"800,000" The former guild master raised his bid but the door to his booth slammed open Peytra appeared visibly distressed.
Meanwhile in the other booth Madam sparrows mockingly commented "What's the matter Mr. Reedly? Can you not bid up to 810,000?"
Mr. Reedly gulped "810,00" he raised this was his maximum if he sold all the rings on his fingers he could surely pull the money together.
Meanwhile at the Coolemore Guild's booth Peytra slammed the booth door open, "Former Guild Master there you are!" Her smile fierce. "Paula didn't I tell you to keep an eye on him?"
"Sister! I tried but he said he'd use a portal map if I didn't come with him" Paula cowered fearing her sister.
Peytra quickly grabbed the old guild master forcing him to follow her "Please this way sir!"
"No wait you don't understand! That is an S-Rank Mana Crystal I've only ever seen in in my youth at the imperial palace. This can't fall into the wrong hands" He tried to protest as he was dragged outside by Peytra, his voice wasn't audible to the crowd outside.
"Alright it seems we're at 810,000 do I hear another bid?"
"One Million" Rin raised his paddle calmly.
The auctioneer's eyes gleamed with excitement. "One million gold coins to the fine young gentleman! Do I hear anything higher? Going once—"
Leif grabbed Rin's sleeve, his voice lowering to an urgent whisper. "I know Elysia said to bid on the last item at any cost, but I don't think she meant literally any cost! Do you think she actually has that kind of money?"
Rin, entirely unfazed, pulled out a small purse and held it up. "She did give me this."
Leif's eye twitched. "You're kidding, right? Do you think there's a million gold coins in there? Do you even know how much a million gold coins is?"
"Yes," Rin replied flatly. "I did study mathematics."
Leif pinched the bridge of his nose. "Then don't you think that purse is a little too small to carry that much gold?"
"You never know. She might have..." Rin paused, tapping his chin. "Something more practical. Statements of credit, perhaps?"
Around them, murmurs rippled through the audience. Merchants whispered among themselves, forming quiet alliances. Nobles fumed, their pride wounded—none of them had expected to be outbid by a mystery buyer sitting at the D-section table.
"Going twice!" The auctioneer's voice rang through the hall, barely audible over the growing hum of discontent.
Leif turned desperate. "Deu. Please. Let someone else bid."
The hall fell silent. Anticipation thickened the air. Eyes darted around, waiting for a challenger to raise the stakes.
"...SOLD! To the gentleman in Section D!"
The room erupted into gasps and hushed exclamations.
Leif sank into his chair, his face buried in his hands. "We're doomed."
But Rin opened the coin bag his usual stoic face formed a dubious smile.