Chapter 106 - Invitation to the Auction House (1)
Freight wagons, engraved with the emblem of the Blue Cloud, were heading toward Mildruen.
Among them was a wagon modified for escort. Inside, the merchant guild master and Guard Captain Medin sat facing each other, recalling the time when a man from the Union had come to visit not long ago.
“The Union… the Union, huh…”
After a long silence, the guild master asked Medin.
“Medin, what do you think of doing business with the Union?”
“To be honest, I think it’s impossible.”
The reason the Union had come looking for the Blue Cloud Merchant Guild was only one, the trade of magic stones.
Opening trade with the Union was something that would be welcomed in this business, but… the amount of magic stones the Union demanded was outrageous.
“No matter what, to ask us to gather that many magic stones. With the scale of our guild, it’s impossible to handle. Well, not completely impossible, we could find a way, but if we did that…”
“We’d end up hostile to the other guilds in Mildruen. To secure that amount, we’d practically have to monopolize the supply of magic stones.”
The monopoly of a rare commodity often became the pride of a merchant.
But to monopolize an already existing product, and one in such high demand as magic stones? Profit aside, it could just as well lead to the guild being wiped out altogether.
Medin spoke.
“I can’t shake the feeling that the Union is trying to use our guild. Like something to be discarded after being used. Otherwise, how does it make sense that they’re forcing such a deal?”
“Well, merchants live by using each other, so it’s not strange in itself. The problem is, we’re the ones they’ve picked. Damn it, I’ve been thinking about nothing but the Union for days, it’s driving me insane. If we refuse, it’s certain we’ll be on their bad side.”
The guild master looked out the window.
Winter had deepened, and everything was covered in white snow.
“Hoo, for now, we’ll have to meet them in Mildruen as promised, and try to renegotiate. With some luck, yes, we might be able to lower the amount of magic stones a little. If they’re merchants themselves, that is.”
“…Won’t something go wrong?”
To Medin’s anxious words, the guild master only chuckled.
The scale of the deal was damnably large, but in the end, it was still just a trade of magic stones. It wasn’t as if they were being asked to transport some dangerous special cargo, it was just another ordinary deal.
The guild master answered simply,
“Come now, surely nothing’s going to happen.”
The wagons rolled on.
They were slowly nearing Mildruen.
***
Mining town, Mildruen.
It was a large town built around several massive mines, with a huge clock tower in the center, constructed to tell time to the miners.
By its nature, many merchant guilds came and went here. Magic stones and ores were practically essential to the world now.
‘Since it’s set in the mountains, it’s colder here than elsewhere.’
Verden had arrived in Mildruen.
In his eyes reflected the snowy mining city. It was a place where miners earned their wages through toil, but the white snow softened its bleakness.
It was a city with a certain charm.
After returning the horse he had rented from the transport guild, he strolled through the streets.
According to the information Perne had given him, the Blue Cloud Merchant Guild’s building was north of the clock tower. Walking along the main road, he soon saw a building marked with a cloud-shaped emblem.
The Blue Cloud Merchant Guild.
Without hesitation, Verden approached the building. A guard stepped forward, blocking the entrance.
“What business brings you here?”
“I’m here to see Medin.”
“Our Guard Captain? Pardon me, but what’s your business with him…”
Verden produced a letter of introduction.
On the addressee was written Medin’s name.
“I was given this by an acquaintance. They told me Medin would recognize it. So if you could call him for me, I’d be grateful.”
“Ah, yes! Please wait just a moment!”
The guard, holding the letter, hurried inside.
Moments later, a brown-haired man came rushing out. In his hand was Verden’s letter of introduction.
Looking at Verden, the man asked cautiously,
“Would you happen to be Sir Asher?”
When Verden nodded, the man bowed politely.
“I am Medin, nephew of Baron Pythe, and currently serving as Guard Captain of the Blue Cloud Merchant Guild. Through this letter I heard my uncle owes you a debt. Since it’s cold outside, would you care for a cup of tea inside?”
“Very well.”
Verden entered the building alongside Medin.
***
Creak, creak.
Every step made the old floorboards cry out. Not only the hallway, but the entire building was worn down.
In a way, it was only natural. The Blue Cloud Merchant Guild’s core business was logistics and transport. Unless they were in a great city, there was no need to waste money decorating buildings in a mining town where usage was low. It was far more profitable to invest that money into maintaining their wagons.
Still, it was embarrassing.
Especially when it came to showing such a place to the family’s benefactor.
Medin cleared his throat.
“Ehem, my apologies. I really must arrange repairs soon…”
“Don’t concern yourself.”
Verden’s attention was solely on the invitation to the auction house.
He had no interest in the creaking planks. Medin, mistaking this for kindness, smiled faintly.
“Thank you for saying so. Ah, please, this way.”
The two entered Medin’s office and sat facing each other on sofas.
An employee soon brought in hot tea. Taking a sip, Medin looked at Verden.
“My uncle told me, Sir Asher is an extraordinary mage. I don’t know the exact circumstances, but for him to write such a letter of introduction, you must surely be remarkable. May I ask what business brings you here?”
The conversation immediately came to the point.
There was no need to circle around. Verden answered plainly,
“I need an invitation to the auction house.”
“Ah! You mean the underground auction house.”
Medin nodded in understanding.
“Well, with about three months left, it’s about time people started seeking invitations. As it happens, our guild holds two. We had originally planned to sell one, but… I cannot disregard a benefactor of my family. However, the ownership belongs to the guild master, so I cannot simply give it away.”
“I will pay the price.”
“Hmm, in that case…”
Medin tapped his fingers lightly on the sofa.
After thinking for a while, he spoke.
“I will try to persuade the guild master, but you should expect the price to be around sixty million, up to one hundred and ten million Elks. Normally, invitations released to the market go for about two hundred million each. The guild master will not accept less than that range.”
“Very well. Once the price is set, I will pay in cash.”
Verden answered without hesitation.
The amount Medin suggested was reasonable enough. He also wouldn’t have to compete with others.
That he showed not a trace of hesitation, even with sums in the hundred millions, made Medin blink in surprise.
“But when will the deal be possible?”
“Eh? Ah, yes. I would like to hand it over quickly, but… we are expecting a ‘guest’ soon, so at the earliest, I can contact you tomorrow or the day after. The deal is large, and the guild master is on edge. If you stay at an inn nearby, I will make sure to send someone.”
A day or two.
That was within expectations.
“Understood.”
With Medin’s escort, Verden left the building.
As the sun was setting, the crimson glow filled the city. In front of the building, a group of people in luxurious clothing were gathered. Among them, a dignified man was conversing with an old man, and to him, Medin bowed.
“You’ve arrived, guild master.”
“I just arrived. I happened to meet with people from the Union on the way. Now I’m on my way to dine, and this person beside you is…?”
“A guest who has come a long way to see me. I’ll explain later, for now please head to the restaurant. Allow me to escort you.”
“Mm, very well.”
The guild master nodded and began walking down the main road with the old man.
Since it was nearby, there was no need for a wagon. A pair, a man and woman, followed behind them.
“Then, Sir Asher, I’ll be in touch with you later.”
Bidding farewell, Medin also followed after the guild master.
Left behind, Verden turned his steps toward finding an expensive inn. At the same time, he recalled those who had come from the Union.
An old man, his face covered in liver spots. And a young man and woman.
It was the man and woman that Verden paid attention to. Because he could sense magic power from them. Judging by estimation, they were around the third tier. Lower than Verden himself, but by the world’s standards, power equal to knights.
To employ such mages merely as personal escorts.
It seemed the Union’s influence was stronger than he had thought.
‘Not that it has anything to do with me.’
Verden’s goal was only the invitation.
As for the Union, he had no interest. Unless, that is, they interfered with him.
***
Day gave way to night.
After dinner, the guild master and the old man returned to the Blue Cloud Merchant Guild’s building to continue their conversation. They had gotten along so well that the atmosphere was warm and pleasant.
Until just now.
Clatter!
The cup the guild master had been holding slipped from his hand and fell to the floor.
“What… what did you just say?”
“I said, gather magic stones, regardless of how other guilds or merchants react. From the lowest grade to the highest.”
“If we were to do such a thing, our guild would be ruined! And I already told you about this matter before! Ched, you even said you understood!”
“I said I understood, but I never said I agreed.”
Ched smirked.
At the absurd response, the guild master’s hand trembled.
“This is outrageous…! So the Union really does intend to use our guild and then discard us, is that it? If not, then what in the world are you thinking…?”
“That’s exactly right. The Union intends to use the Blue Cloud Guild to gather magic stones, then throw it away. Is that not the natural fate of a guild whose usefulness has ended?”
The guild master could not comprehend Ched’s attitude.
Why he was so desperate to collect magic stones, and why he would so brazenly reveal the Union’s plan. Holding back his fury, the guild master asked,
“…And you think that after hearing this, I would still trade with the Union?”
“Then, may I take that as a refusal?”
“Of course!”
Bang! The guild master slammed his desk.
Ched was still smiling. Raising his finger, he pointed it toward the guild master.
“Then it can’t be helped.”
<Bone Needle>
Thud.
A sharp shard of bone, conjured by magic, pierced directly into the guild master’s heart. Blood slowly spread through his clothes as his heart convulsed.
Clutching his chest, the guild master collapsed noisily onto the desk.
“Ghhk… kkhh…”
“I did my best to persuade you. You refused, so don’t hold it against me. Honestly, it’s more convenient for me to control your corpse anyway.”
Ched’s tone was no longer that of a merchant. It was the arrogance and authority of a mage.
Soon the guild master’s breathing ceased. Ched infused his corpse with magic power.
“I’ll make good use of your guild.”
<Marionette>
The dead guild master rose to his feet.
***
────Crash!
“What was that noise…?”
Hearing it from his room, Medin stepped out into the corridor.
It was late at night, and there was no one in the guild. The only people in the building were the guild master, Medin, and the three from the Union.
Creak, creak.
Medin walked toward the guild master’s chamber. He could hear voices from Ched and the guild master, but… just in case, he quietly opened the door a crack to peek inside.
The two of them were conversing amiably, just as they had during dinner. Fortunately, it seemed the negotiations had gone well.
‘But… what is this feeling?’
The voices, the tone, even the mannerisms were the same as always.
Yet somehow, the guild master’s profile looked different. So much so that it gave off a chilling aura. Hard to describe, but impossible to ignore.
Unknowingly, Medin stepped backward.
Turning his head, he saw the woman from the Union standing in the middle of the corridor, staring at him.
A strange woman, with tear tattoos etched beneath her eyes.
Only then did Medin realize something was terribly wrong.
Cold sweat ran down his face as the woman spoke,
“You noticed?”
“Damn it…!”
Medin drew his sword swiftly, but even faster, sharp chains burst forth from the woman’s shadow, slashing across his shoulder.
A kind of magic he had never seen before.
Luckily, his armor kept his shoulder from being torn away, but he was certain that if this went on, he would die. His heart pounded as his thoughts raced.
Creak.
Hearing that sound, Medin drew in his energy and struck the floor.
Boom!
The old flooring collapsed, and Medin fell to the first floor.
Debris scraped his face, drawing blood. He lost his sword along the way, but there was no time to care. He smashed through a window and escaped into the deserted streets of Mildruen, running with all his strength.
‘I survived.’
But not yet.
Turning at the ominous feeling, he saw something made of bone rushing after him. Too fast to even scream.
The distance closed rapidly. A sharp bone slashed his leg, sending him rolling across the ground. Desperately crawling, but unable to escape.
He tried to resist, but soon his arm was cut deeply as well. Medin realized he could not win. Especially without a weapon.
The creature drew nearer.
Trembling in fear, Medin screamed at the top of his lungs,
“Please, save me!”
Instinct for survival.
There was no time for shame. He wanted to live, so he cried out for help.
But the night streets remained silent.
Such was the world, harsh and dangerous. Especially in mountain towns like this one. To rush in and help was to risk a meaningless death.
There was no knight here, so righteous as to defy death to save another. No mighty warrior who could stand against any danger.
Until yesterday, that is.
<Earthen Wall>
A wall rose in front of Medin, blocking the monster’s strike.
Verden.
He stepped out from the shadows.
Está interesante, lo voy a seguir.