Saga of the Two-World Emperor
Volume 1: A Spark in the Ashes
Chapter 10 – The First Coin and the Covenant
Finn stared into Adrian's cold eyes for a long moment, the playful glint in his own eyes slowly being replaced by a sharp, calculating light. Finally, his signature roguish grin returned, wider than before.
"Alright… I like the way you think," he said, waving a dismissive hand at his card-playing companions. "You guys carry on without me. I have some important 'business' to attend to."
The two travelers nodded knowingly, not asking any questions as they turned their attention back to the cards in their hands. This was the way of the Shadow Alley… you don't poke your nose into other people's business.
"Follow me, Young Master," Finn said as he stood up, leading the way into a deeper, darker part of the tavern.
Adrian pulled his hood lower and followed silently. They descended a set of rickety wooden stairs that creaked with every step. The air grew colder and damper, and the smell of mildew and strange herbs hit his nose.
Finn stopped in front of an old wooden door. He knocked in a specific rhythm… two quick taps… a slow one… and two more quick taps.
The sound of a chain rattling came from inside before the door creaked open, revealing the cloudy eyes of an old man.
"What is it, Finn? I told you not to bother me unless it's a matter of life and death," the old man said in a raspy voice.
"Easy now, Old Man Sol," Finn smiled amicably. "I've got something 'good' for you to see. I guarantee you'll like it."
The old man glanced suspiciously at Adrian before opening the door wider to let them in.
The room inside was incredibly small and cluttered. Glass jars filled with strange-colored liquids, dried herbs hanging from the ceiling, and old books piled up in every corner filled the space. The potent, pungent smell of various herbs was overwhelming. This was the workshop of the old apothecary, Sol, the most skilled herbalist in the black market.
"Well? What's this 'good' thing of yours?" Sol asked, looking unimpressed.
Finn nodded at Adrian. Adrian carefully placed his satchel on the table and unwrapped the linen cloth, revealing the Silverleaf Sage leaves, which shimmered with a silvery sheen under the lamplight.
The moment he saw the herbs, Sol's cloudy eyes widened. He rushed to the table, picking up a large magnifying glass to examine the leaves in detail. His wrinkled hands trembled slightly.
"No doubt about it… this is genuine Silverleaf Sage," Sol muttered to himself. "But… why are the leaves so perfect and the energy so concentrated… I haven't seen quality like this in twenty years."
He looked up at Finn and Adrian, his expression completely changed… from annoyance to sheer excitement.
"Where did you get this?"
"That's a trade secret, old man," Finn replied with a shrug. "All I need is your confirmation that it's real and of high quality."
"Higher than anything I've ever seen!" Sol confirmed emphatically. "If you're selling… I'll pay top price for it!"
"Hold your horses, old man," Finn laughed. "I have to give others a chance to admire such fine goods, don't I?"
After leaving Sol's room, news of the rare, high-quality herb spread through the black market like wildfire, thanks to Finn's silver tongue. He didn't make a loud announcement, but "whispered" to the right people… wealthy merchants, agents of nobles, and other apothecaries.
In less than an hour, three potential buyers, all ready to pay a high price, had appeared at the tavern. One was the head chef from Count Montgomery's manor, another was a representative from the Apothecary's Guild, and the last was a wealthy collector of rare herbs.
A small, informal auction took place in a private room of the tavern. Adrian sat silently in the shadows, sipping a glass of water, letting Finn handle everything with his brilliant salesmanship.
Finn didn't start with a price. He started with a story. He told of the great difficulty in acquiring this herb, of the confirmation of its quality from the esteemed Old Man Sol, and painted a picture of the honor and prestige that would come to whoever possessed it.
The bidding quickly became fierce, the price driven up to a startling amount.
In the end, the entire stock of "Silverleaf Sage" was sold to the head chef of Count Montgomery for a price that was double what Adrian had initially expected.
Finn placed a heavy pouch of coins on the table in front of Adrian, a satisfied grin on his face.
"Here's your share… after my ten percent cut, of course."
Adrian picked up the pouch, feeling its weight in his hand. This was his "starting capital." His first step towards freedom, earned by his own efforts.
"I told you, didn't I… that I would give you more than just ten percent," Adrian said.
He counted out a number of silver coins and pushed them towards Finn… it was twenty percent of the total sale.
Finn raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Generous, aren't we, Young Master?"
"This isn't generosity… it's an investment," Adrian stated. "I want you to work for me… not just as a middleman… but as my 'eyes' and 'ears' in this city."
He looked deep into Finn's sparkling eyes.
"I want to know everything… every whisper in the taverns… every secret of the nobles… every route in the black market… and I will pay you handsomely for every piece of valuable information."
Finn was silent for a moment, assessing the offer before him. This wasn't just a business deal… it was an invitation to join a "game" that was far more dangerous and grander than any he had ever played.
But as he looked into Adrian's cold, ambitious eyes… he knew instantly that this young man was no ordinary person.
He broke into a wide grin… the grin of a gambler ready to go all-in.
"Alright… I'll work for you… my lord."
The first covenant in the new world was forged.
Adrian left the Shadow Alley that night with the remaining pouch of silver and his first ally in the underworld. He made it back to his shabby bedroom just before dawn.
He sat on his bed and poured all the silver coins onto the old blanket. The moonlight streaming through the window reflected off the surface of the coins, making them sparkle and gleam… it was the most beautiful sight for him right now.
This was the first coin… the first victory… the first spark lit amidst the ashes.
He picked up a single silver coin, clenching it tightly in his fist. The cold, hard touch of the metal made him feel the "reality" of everything that had happened.
He looked at the system window that appeared before him… looked at his remaining transmigration points… and looked towards the future he was about to build with his own hands.
This chessboard… the game had only just begun.
(End of Chapter 10)