Penta returned to the Inn with the two girls.
He had to butter them up heavily with treats and meat buns before they forgave him for whatever wrong he unknowingly did.
After having brought them all back home. The girls excitedly chatted with Celia and Sasha. Celia was smiling brilliantly at the little Kaya for having passed the affinity test.
She was even more surprised at Penta for having received the black card which even she knew was extremely rare considering very few geniuses got that level of requirement with high-grade affinity but Kaya whispered some words into Celia's ear and the mood had changed ever so much.
"Oh, so it seems you had a lot of fun at the testing site Penta?" She said with a smile but her eyes were very much the opposite.
"Erh? Uhm... yeah. It passed off without a hitch. Is there something wrong?" Penta asked as he noticed the change in the atmosphere. While even Sasha was giving him an odd look.
"Oh, nothing is wrong Penta. Why would there be? I am just glad you had so much "fun" at the testing site and look you even got a black card. How wonderful." Celia said while keeping the same smile that really did not feel like a smile.
"Haha... yeah, that's good. Good indeed. I'm going to go buy some supplies then... see you girls." Penta said nervously and just found an excuse to leave the premise. He really didn't understand the whole scene that had just happened while thinking women sure are complicated.
While the girls and Celia just continued their discussions, they notably left any talks about Penta aside as though he didn't deserve any praise right now. Claud was laughing his ass off when he heard the whispers and couldn't blame them. After so many years, he had seen his fair share of things after all.
Penta walking along the streets couldn't help but grumble at how his closest people were treating him after getting a black card.
'I mean come on. It's a black card. You don't see this everyday no? WAIT! Was it because of Lynn? Sigh. I should probably get something for Celia on the way back. Damn it, woman! it was just a little flirting and it's not like you showed any interest in me in that way.' Penta sighed again as he realized his blunder.
Pushing aside such thoughts he decided to go see Ther. Penta had three days to prepare for his journey and though supplies seemed important, he had a better plan in mind.
This world was run by those of power and even an idiot could understand such things. He didn't want to go to the Storm tribe to just get bullied or worse, see Kaya and Sana get bullied without the ability to help them. With those thoughts in mind, he decided he may have to get some proper training done as he had been relaxing quite a bit since arriving at the City of Mirages.
Having arrived at the Tyr House of the Merchants Hall. He asked a receptionist that he spotted for Ther and was shown to a waiting room.
Having already done a bit of business with Tyr merchant house he didn't have to wait long for the man as Ther didn't seem too busy today.
"Penta my friend, how may I be of assistance today?" Ther said in his usual merchant style speech.
"Ther buddy, check this out," Penta said while fishing out a black card from his robe.
Ther having seen and fully known what that black card is was shocked. How could he have expected the guy he had gotten into a recent business agreement with could be such a talented recruit for the storm tribe.
Without more than a few seconds having passed, his attitude shifted immediately.
"Congratulations Penta, I did not expect you to be such a talented recruit. Another genius will appear in the Storm tribe it seems." Ther complimented quite thoroughly.
"Haha, thanks, buddy. Anyways I did not come just to show off but rather because I had a few questions for you in regards to some things I will be needing before I head off to the tribe."
"Oh, of course. Come with me to my office. We can continue there." Ther replied while leading him into his spacious office. Ther's business seemed to be going very well as Penta noticed quite a few shiny things adorning his office walls.
"So what might you be in need of?" Ther sat down on his beast skin made chair while adopting a completely professional attitude.
"Three things really. Firstly, are there any special ores that are excavated in the nearby area, and if so I would love to know if I may get access to a mine or even one that has been abandoned?."
"Special ores? Hmm. There are a few special regions that contain specific minerals that are considered above ordinary but they are all within the control of major powers in the City or the tribe but if it's an abandoned mine, I know of two near the Cloud Forest.
They contained Spectum, when smelted it offered a light but flexible metal that was used for many of our weapons. Though the mines have been thoroughly excavated, you may find some remaining in small quantities.
Are you perhaps trying to become a blacksmith?" Ther responded with quite a bit more detail than Penta expected but one of his goals was accomplished already.
"Haha, something like that. I need some special ores for some tests I'm running but it's more of a hobby than me trying to become a blacksmith.
Now about the other two things, I was wondering if any sort of special storage bag was available as I plan on hunting quite a bit in the next few days before leaving and don't have a way of carrying everything as lugging animal corpses one by one is an immense hassle.
While the other thing was simply to find out if you could get me a list of things from the Cloud Forest that the tribe or you may be in need of as that will be where I'm heading for the next three days." Penta said.
"Oh, actually you might have come just at the right time to help me out! Hahaha, who knew I would get such timely assistance from someone like you." Ther thought of a few things before happily smiling at the opportunity Penta presented.
"Haha guess my timing is great." Penta smiled as he thought about getting some money while training.
"Now the only issue here is the storage bag as things that can store large quantities of something without affecting movement are extremely precious. Unfortunately, we can't even rent one to you as you would need something that can be taken as collateral and trust me when I say that the collateral is heavy. Something that needs to be worth 3000 Purple Ony's minimum." Ther pointed out the only issue.
"3000 PURPLE ONY'S!?" Penta was alarmed at the ridiculous pricing and couldn't help but shout. His mind was quickly calculated the amount to be at three million iron ony's which was an enormous sum to him.
"Yes, these things aren't easy to come by and only the tribes ever get access and even there it's considered quite pricy or so I heard." Ther explained but seeing Penta being down, he offered an alternative.
"Though getting something for personal use is quite costly, our Tyr Merchant House can provide you with an alternative if you are interested?" Ther offered.
"What would that be?" Penta asked curious at the alternatives.
"Though it isn't as effective, we do have a relay station available at a specific point in the Cloud Forest that the tribe and mercenaries use where you can sell directly. The pricing is on the lower side but at the very least you can continue your hunt." Ther elaborated.
"That might just be what I need. Yeah, will this affect our previous agreement?" Penta asked to which Ther explained that the Tyr house had their own representative there so he will simply inform them of the deal though pricing will remain the same that Ther offered. Ther did not want to miss a chance to get closer to someone who may one day become an important figure of the Storm Tribe and Penta realized this point as well and so the deal went off without a hitch.
Penta received a map of the abandoned mine locations as well as a list of specific herbs and beast materials that he was to look out for as well as their descriptions and images. He notified Ther he would start tomorrow and they finalized everything.
"Need anything else?" Ther asked out of habit.
"Oh, actually. Got anything that may interest Celia?" Penta questioned as Ther did seem to know Celia from a while ago.
"Haha, Penta are you after the mirage feast's beauty as well? Well, you two do seem close so I guess it was to be expected. Hahaha, come follow me." Ther laughed as he brought Penta along.
"You got it wrong bud, I think I might have pissed her off alongside my little sisters... so I'm trying to find a way to compensate. Sigh, women." Penta sighed as he followed Ther to a section where many furniture and tablewares were present.
"Hahaha, trust me I've been married for over 20 years. I can tell you I completely understand such things. Here's just the thing you should get her. She wanted to spruce up the Inn last time she came and left this on reserve for when she had enough, though we do reserve, it may get bought directly so you might as well get her these sets of tableware and get back on her good side." Ther showed brand new sets of tableware that were sparkling new.
"Ther, this favor might be worth more than what we previously discussed. You got a customer for life with this. Ha, at least with this I can eat in peace when I get back tonight. I'll take it!" Penta smiled at Ther for his thoughtfulness and considered him a good guy with this transaction.
"Haha, wonderful! It seems you are going to be the type of customer that just keeps on giving Penta. Don't worry, as long as you do business with me, Ther, I will make sure you are satisfied."
With everything finally done, Penta was carrying back three slightly large crates that were strapped together on his back while humming a tune.
On his way back to Inn, he noticed the two brothel thugs from his encounter with the little girls but they had a vacant look in their eyes as though they lost their souls. Penta was a little surprised as he looks down at his hand as he realized he may have gone a little overboard with the slaps he gave them.
"Concussions seem to be a real thing this emperor should watch out for," Penta mumbled before speeding past them.
Arriving back at the Inn, he noticed the lively atmosphere and happily made his way in. He saw the girls were eating something Claud had made and excitedly smiled at him before suddenly turning their heads away as though they were still mad.
"Girls, come on. I'm sorry for whatever I did. Don't be like this to me now. I won't be able to take it." Penta tried apologizing as he didn't want this to go on any longer.
"Come on now, I got a surprise for Celia, and I'm sure you two can help her with it too." He threw the bait and walked into the kitchen where Celia was arranging something.
"Celia! I'm back." Penta softly said while unloading the crates from his back.
"Hmph, welcome back. Mister Penta." Celia politely replied while curiously looking at the boxes from Tyr Merchant House.
"Oh come now, you can't seriously be calling me mister. You actually upset?" Penta asked while frowning at the reply.
"Oho, it seems you figured out they were upset. Good job on that one, now let's see how you handle this. Hahaha." Claud laughed as he manned his wok.
"Father! I'm not upset at anything." Celia retorted as she didn't want Penta to think she was jealous or anything. She was just playing along with the girls and while she didn't really know why, she also felt slightly irritated that Penta was so obviously flirting with a girl from the Storm Tribe which she heard in detail from Kaya.
"Of course, of course, my dear." Claud shut up and continued cooking while looking over at me with a grin.
"Sigh, anyways Celia, I know you aren't upset but as I'll be leaving tomorrow morning and will need you to take care of the girls until the 3 day limit. I brought you a little something to compensate." Penta smiled while placing the crates, side by side gently, before motioning the girls to come closer.
"What is this?" Little Sana was too curious and ran over immediately while the other two gave up on making things too hard for Penta before arriving at the side as well.
Penta grinned before opening all three crates.
"Voila, a present for taking care of me and the girls."
"These!?"
"So pwetty!"
"Ahh, they look so nice."
The three were surprised, to say the least, but Celia questioned.
"Why did you get these?"
"Well, I saw Ther for some things and he told me they would get sold as they were only reserved so I figured I'd be nice considering everything you guys did for us. Even letting the little ones stay here." He replied.
"Oh so Ther told you?" Celia said as she grabbed one of the plates and looked it over. She really wanted these sets to increase the quality of the Inn's reputation but they were quite expensive so she wanted to wait a little longer before purchasing them but here they were.
"You like them?" Penta asked slightly expectantly as he didn't want the girls to stay mad.
"Yes, Thank you, Penta!" She smiled as she realized she couldn't really stay mad and really, she loved that he got her three crates of them. She only reserved one but Penta negotiated with his new status and the favor he was doing Ther to get all three for her.
"I guess, he can still be considered honorable," Kaya whispered while Celia giggled and Sana continued playing with the pretty plates that had plum blossom designs.
While the girls were putting the plates away. Claud walked to his side and tapped him on the back.
"Good job, really thought you would mess it up and get kicked out but who knew you had some tact."
"Oh please, this honorable me is amazing and you know it!" Penta replied as usual to which he got the usual reply.
"Still a dumb barbarian to me, I also take the compliment back." Claud left with those parting words which nearly popped a vein on his head.