In the Kingdom of Bernes, somewhere underground.
Three men in a small yet luxurious room had some paintings and high-quality furniture.
The two of the men wore the same black clothing with a silver emblem of a coin, under the coin was the word `union´ written in gold.
Opposite those men, sitting there was a man with white and blue clothing of similar quality as the two men or even much better. That man was around this early 40 with bright brown hair which was pushed back and seemed like he always had a serious face the whole time.
The man's name was Allerk Stela Delani, the current head of the Stela family which controlled the slums and was a massive figure in the slave trade.
Taking a sip from this glass filled with tea, he raised his head and closed his eyes, enjoying the taste of this beverage.
This joy was short-lived as the taste has already gone by now. Putting the glass back on the table, Delani with a frown on their face said.
"I have waited long enough, where has my order been that was supposedly delayed?" This voice sounded calm and relax, but behind these words was a hidden meaning.
"As embarrassing as it is to say that to the one you Sir Delani, we will have to give you some apology according to for your purchase." Bowing their head toward this client, he continued.
"There has been an accident with one of our providers, thus canceling your order...We of the Merchant union promise you equal compensation and more." The man bit lightly his lips while cursing from the inside.
At first, he thought that he will be promoted to a higher officer and given the chance to make deals with the nobility, by accepting this job. He viewed it as a form of test given by the union to prove this worth.
But in the end, he was turned into a mere scapegoat instead!
Looking at both men bowing towards him, Delani's mood turned sour.
"What´s the meaning of this? I didn´t ask for some worthless apologies. What happend to my order?"
Griding these teeth, the man pushed slightly this partner to the left, which result in him bringing a purple gem out that showed hovering pictures of the carriage that of Oliver's.
"The order that she Sir Delani had was procured by one of our people named Oliver, a slave merchant who work under us for more than 5 years. He was supposed to bring you to order yesterday, but he and these products were found dead near the `storage´ in the slums." Turning around and pulling some papers from this bag, he throws them on the table while pointing at them.
"Our current suspects are three in total. We think it was either of the two dark elves that you had ordered or an unknown mercenary that was seen together with Oliver before entering the capital. Unless it was assassination for another party, these are our suspects..."
"Hmm..." Taking a glance at the papers, Delani couldn't scoff out loud.
"You think that someone would dare to harm the products of the merchant union and my? Do you think I am stupid!? The dark elves would even kill that incompetent guy even before entering the Capital! That leaves us with the mercenary scum! Did you already catch him?"
"That..." Looking at the awkward face that both of the men were making, his previous calm expression of Delani turned into an enraged one.
"Tell me already who the man is that dared to do this! I will deal with him myself without the help of you incompetent fools."
"Sadly sir we got to no information behind that man's identity...He gave himself as a mercenary, but after taking a look at our information there was not a single mercenary that fitted this description. The only thing we know is that he was seen around the middle district."
Hearing that, Delani got off this sit and went towards the door that was opened by a maid.
"Tell your higher-ups that I might have to consider stopping my funds towards the union if the bastard isn't going to be found any time soon. Oh yeah, I will also be expecting the promised compassion that you guys talked about."
Both men with black clothing paled upon hearing that.
Losing the funds of such a noble would be one way to the afterlife for both of them, followed by torture before meeting their end.
Taking a last glance at them, Delani said.
"When you find him I want him alive! I want to personally kill him with my own two hands!"
***
*Splash
"Ugh...How did I end up like this." I grumbled while I was on my way toward the weird dwarf.
It has been a day since I came here and I was already looking wet from everywhere...
Compared to the beautiful sunlight that was illuminating this whole place yesterday morning, the night wasn't all that nice.
Leaving the dwarf shop made me realize that I had nothing else to do for the next 24 hours, which at first I didn't mind.
I simply started doing some window shopping just to pass some time.
But out of the clue clouds started to suddenly show up and the next thing I knew it started raining heavily everywhere...
The first idea that came to my mind was to look for an inn for the day.
Reality though was ever so cruel...
Every inn that I went inside asked me for some kind of modification card or other stuff that could prove to me who I was...
Thus forcing me to sit under a big tree somewhere in the night, although the tree helped to keep some rain away, it didn't stop the rain from falling above me.
"Sigh...let's hope the armor would start rusting out of the blue..."
After Drying myself with some cheap cloth that I bought, I reached the 'Ouru'Fire Smith'
Entering the shop, I was slightly surprised to see the dwarf on the first floor right away.
"You finally decided to come- what happend to you?" Pointed the dwarf towards the wet ground under me.
'Crap! I forgot to dry my inside bag!'
Pretending to be ignorant about the mess I was making, I jumped right to the case.
"So, you even done with my sheath?"
"Hmph, who do you think I am" the dwarf scoffed out loud.
Removing the gray cloth from the table, a long brown sheath with the sides being from a dark material was to see.
The brown leather had the design of scales and we're capable to reflect some light in where the dark part looked sturdy and not slippery at all.
"Can I..?"
"Sure..."
Putting the Veren into this sheath and going in smoothly made me honestly impressed.
After all, I haven't given the dwarf that much time to look and take measurements in Veren since I left so fast...
"Hehe, you sure like it don't you"
Although I was hiding my face with the helmet, it felt like the dwarf knew that I was happy with what he had crafted.
"Although I promised you that I will give the sheath for free of charge. Wouldn't be fair to at least hear me out before deciding to leave?"
Thinking about it I nodded at the dwarf.
After all, leaving after taking this goodwill will not only be rude but make my future purchases on armor here more awkward.
Since I currently do not possess the rune Veren that repairs my equipment. Looking realistic the current heavy armor that I wear wouldn't last forever on.
"Alright, as I said before I want you to work on placing runes on what I want to create. And since gold doesn't interest you as much I thought of what could sway and that is...connections!" The dwarf said while laughing proudly.
But I simply continued to look at him confused.
"Connecting? On what kind of connections would you possibly be talking about? I replied.
"Of course, I am talking of the black market! With my help, you will be able to buy whatever you might need! Even a better-enchanted armor that you already wearing!"
Hearing that my glowing eyes lighten up for an instant.
'If what he is saying is the truth then staying here would even be for the best if they have those things...'
"By everything, do they for example also sell...Magic scrolls?"
The dwarf eyes widen as he was surprised by my question.
"Hmm, magic scrolls huh? They do sell some but not that many similar to a grimoire."
Nodding in understanding, I made up my mind.
But before that...
"I accept your offer, but under one condition..."
"And that will be?" The dwarf arm trembled slightly as he was trying to keep this excitement to himself.
"The condition is...give me a room for me to stay!" I said shamelessly to the dwarf.
"Sure, I have a room left on the upper floor. You can use it as you please."
"Alright, it's a deal then," I said while I pushed my hand towards him for a handshake.
"It's a deal." Shaking our hands the dwarf added.
"My name is Iffuro Gerak, your friend?"
Suddenly I froze.
'A name huh... What should I even call myself?
Being asked what my name was made me fall into a deep contemplation with myself, which resulted in awkward silence in the room.
Scratching this beard, the dwarf said.
"If you don't want yo-" But before he could finish I cut him short.
"My name is..."