Close to high noon, the radiant sunlight that had been illuminating the city of Anspia until just a moment ago, in a trice, was hidden by dark and ragged clouds occupying the city's vast sky. Later on, the clouds released a sudden burst of shower, accompanied by brisk wind sweeping the falling waters across the populous land. At the same time, a flash of forked lightning and a great clap of thunder came close upon each other to enliven the horizon, the violent light and sound they produced frightened those who lived underneath.
In this depressing weather, many prefer to stay inside the safety of their home or buildings to avoid encountering the pouring and howling disturbance.
---Yet, on the drenched main street, there was a group of people nonchalantly walking, unfazed by the unwelcoming atmosphere. Each member wore equipment specifically picked to emphasize his or her unique personalities and abilities. Despite of their diversity, each step they took was uniformly collected and determined. Their destination was none other than the robust three story-building with atypical architecture in the city; the Association.
The people were adventurers, and their group was not the only adventurers group heading toward said place.
The foremost reason adventurers were heading to the Association was related to quests; to accept new quests, report successfully accomplished quests, or their failed attempt on quests.
Quests represented plight of the people, an organization, a village, a city, or even a country, and a quest reward depended on the quest giver's financial capacity. As a result, quests were not created equally.
Certainly, there were adventurers accepting quests with pure intention to help, without fully considering rewards, and in more ways than one were truly commendable acts. Notwithstanding, the rest of the adventurers were actually rational bunches. To them, quests were a job, a means to earn a living, nothing more, nothing less. If the quests seemed profitable they would take it. Conversely, if the other way around, they simply ignored it, no matter how much suffering befell on the quest giver.
That, was how this business worked.
Nevertheless, to accommodate both the quest givers and adventures at all time, the Association and its branches, as well as their staffs continually opened their doors to welcome them, and meeting rooms were available to discuss quest arrangements.
Currently, one of the meeting rooms was occupied, not for talking about quest, but for other important issue.
"We truly apologize!"
"...…."
An oval wooden table was placed at the centre of the white-dominated room, and simple chairs aligned on all side of the table. Concurrently, two people were sitting on the opposite side of one another. And, one of them was bowing to offer an apology to the other party, creating a ticklish mood.
"...Due to emergency situation, the branch just decided to conserve cash and limit business transactions until further notice. Consequently, we can only purchase one-hundred Greater Grade Potions today..."
"…Don't worry Ms. Welsh, it's an emergency after all…"
However, the one sincerely apologizing was not Alfraed, the person who knowingly did not manage to fulfil his end of the agreement. But, Vanessa instead. Actually, he intended to bow his head as low as possible the moment they sat on their respective chairs, but she was a second faster than him.
"Thank you for your understanding Mr. Logick, we real…...Wait, a minute. You are hiding something, aren't you?" in the middle of finishing her sentence, Vanessa suddenly raised one of her eyebrows and threw a suspicious gaze to Alfraed.
"…Whatever do you mean Ms. Welsh? I simply comprehend the unexpected situation you are in, there are things we just couldn't take control of no matter how much effort we pledge…" replied Alfraed in a sophisticated tone, he even wondered whether the person who said it was himself.
"…I would have believed what you said just now, if not for that excessive happiness you've shown on your expression from the very beginning"
Alfraed did not realize, but, he was showing a flawless crescent moon-shaped smile. In addition, his eyes were also, undoubtedly, smiling, signalling all of this was good news for him, which, normally, should be the contrary.
"…I believe, that's simply your imagination Ms. Welsh..." answered Alfraed, doing as best as he could to maintain his artificial calmness and hid his overbearing smile, the latter proved to be difficult.
"...." Vanessa continued to glare at Alfraed, without giving him any reply.
"...."
"...."
".....I'm sorry!" unable to handle the pressure any longer, Alfraed bowed his head as low as possible, matching his initial plan. He judged that it would be best to come clean with her, and explained the full situation.…
"Hahaha, oh, Mr. Logick, give me back my apology! Hahaha"
Vanessa unable to muster enough willpower to hold her laughter after hearing the story, especially around the part how he accepted the order without thinking, and his intention to apologize, yet she bested him by a fraction of moment. Her stomach began hurt.
Due to her busy schedule, it had been a while since she could laugh like this, it was refreshing...
"…Erhm, let's get back to business, shall we?"
"…Yes…"
After letting out all the giggling within her, Vanessa swiftly returned to her professional manner as if nothing happened, and Alfraed was amazed in her ability to change mood and conduct within an instant smoothly.
"As mentioned earlier, the Association will buy a hundred Greater Grade Potions, comprises of fifty Health Potions and fifty Mana Potions. The agreed price for each potion is eighty-thousand rune. So, our total purchase is eight-million rune, correct?"
"Yes, that is correct"
"Please bring all the potions on this table, so our appraiser can inspect them. When all is done, the payment will be released"
Following her instruction, Alfraed put the items on the table.
As soon as he finished, a fine and dandy middle-aged man wearing a monocle and first-class suit entered the room with well-maintained pace. Alfraed had no idea who the eccentric person was, until he handled each bottle of potion with notable care, and was in awe by the bluish transparent liquid within it. The appraiser displayed no wasted movement, prioritizing efficiency in his motion. Nonetheless, he was brimming with elegance of the highest degree like a seasoned performer or actor.
"Mademoiselle Vanessa, each of thiz beauty iz superb!"
After almost an hour, the appraiser completed his task beautifully, and informed Vanessa of the satisfactory result with over the top way of speaking and gesture before he splendidly left the room.
'...Is he alright...?' was Alfraed's inner thought. He definitely would not be able to forget what he witnessed even if he wished to.