Linkin closed the door and walked with Val'Niya to the end of the table as he took a seat. He politely gestured for Val'Niya to sit next to him with a warm smile on his face.
Val'Niya gracefully sat next to Linkin as she carefully pushed the hair that covered the right side of her face behind her ear.
From the moment she stepped into the room and introduced herself, the eyes of nearly every man present became locked onto Val'Niya as they were taken aback by her beauty. There was an expression of awe on their faces and most of them could not hide the lust in their eyes.
Even Richard, who had just been staring daggers at Linkin for having someone interrupt them, looked as though he had completely forgotten about everything that upset him.
Val'Niya glanced over at Linkin discreetly. But what she saw caused a look of surprise to flash through her eyes.
Unlike the others whose thoughts were clear, Linkin maintained a warm smile on his face as though he were entirely unfazed by her presence.
The next moment, Val'Niya adjusted her gaze forward as her lips curled into a light smile.
'Oh? Look at her. Is she trying to test me as well? I can't say I dislike it. Unfortunately, my lovely assistant, you are one hundred years too earlier to test me.'
Needless to say, Linkin was not blind to Val'Niya's beauty. In truth, he believed that the picture of her in the Book of Assistants did not do her justice. That said, Linkin was used to dealing with captivating beauties because of his previous line of work back on earth.
Early on in his trade, Linkin nearly lost his life numerous times because he fell to the temptation of some deadly beauties. From then on, Linkin learned how to control his desires and no longer allowed himself to be so easily swayed.
Lynda loudly cleared her throat with a look of annoyance as she broke the awkward silence that filled the private room.
Richard released a light cough and said, "W-well, where were we? Right, the contract—Mr. Lovell, please continue with your signature."
"R-right, the contract..." Lovell stuttered with an expression of shame on his face.
At the moment, Lovell wanted nothing more than to finish things as quickly as possible and leave the private room out of sheer embarrassment.
Lovell looked down at the contract and prepared to sign it as he reached out to finish what he had initially started.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Lovell," Linkin said casually as he interlocked his fingers together and leaned forward slightly to rest his chin at their center.
He then continued, "Won't you find it a great shame to give up on your dreams to keep your smithy here and now?"
"Hm? What are you saying?" Lovell stated with a visible frown as he paused his actions.
This was the first time Linkin had spoken to him directly; however, Lovell found that Linkin's words were too inconsiderate. Wasn't he listening to their entire conversation? Give up on keeping the smithy? Of course, he wanted to keep his smithy! But what other path was left for him to take?
Richard had already deemed such a thing impossible; therefore, Linkin's words were like rubbing salt in a freshly opened wound.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" Richard asked concealing his anger as his cold gaze landed on Linkin.
"What am I doing? Well, nothing much, really. It's just that hearing Mr. Lovell's passion and seeing the heartbreaking stress he's under, I couldn't help but be moved. Obtaining a dream is rather challenging. Keeping that dream alive, on the other hand, is ten times more difficult. That's why, Mr. Lovell, I'll ask you again—won't you find it a great shame to quit now?" Linkin said without fumbling over his words.
Val'Niya narrowed her eyes as she glanced over at Linkin.
"Strange... Is he not a newly appointed Class 5 Merchant? Based on his appearance, that man sitting over there should be Richard Hyblaze, the head of a Class 3 Merchant Group. Is he trying to pick a fight by poaching his client from right under his nose? Is it blind confidence or blissful ignorance? Either way, since he meets my minimum requirement, I suppose I'll at least stay until this meeting is over." Val'Niya thought to herself.
It was not uncommon for new Merchants to pick fights with high-ranked Merchant Groups. After all, it was hard for them to find any footing starting out if they failed to take risks. However, a difference of two classes was too wide of a gap to overcome through sheer willpower and determination alone.
Simply put, in Val'Niya's eyes, it was a fool's errand for Linkin to attempt to compete with Richard and the Flame Wreathed Serpent Merchant Group.
It was the same as placing a target on his back and would only make it exceedingly difficult for him to form connections with those who may not want to risk offending a Class 3 Merchant Group.