In the market district of the Amber Rose capital, inside a small antique book shop, a bear beast kin wearing glasses that is over 2 meters tall is dusting the shelves. The big furry man was randomly humming some tunes, enjoying his leisurely work because not many customers went into the shop.
'RING'
Suddenly, the humming is interrupted by the ring of the entrance bell. A human boy look that looks around 8 years old, enter the store with a man. Both wore winter noble's clothes.
"Must be his father." The bear man thought.
"Welcome to our humble store. My name is Emilio. How can I help you?" Emilio greeted the two of the politely with a big smile showing his fangs underneath.
The boy stares at him with stars in his eyes.
"What? Never see a bear man before?" Emilio asks in his thoughts.
The man points at the boy with his eye to Emilio. The bear man turns his head to the tiny boy.
"Ah… Sorry, is there books about spear and hand to hand technique here? If not, can I still browse here? This store looks interesting." The boy asks politely.
"Of course. You can look over there. That is the battle section. You can browse any shelves here but you can't damage or open the books. It is protected by magic. Please, help yourself." Emilio points at the battle section while giving the store rules.
"Thank you" The boy said and rushed to the shelves while leaving his father who is massaging his head at the entrance.
1 hour… 2 hours… 3 hours later
The boy's father already lying sleeping on the sofa next to the paying counter.
"Are they really nobles?" Emilio is wondering he had been scammed for free housing.
Finally, the boy returns with 9 books. Emilio's eyes widen.
"Wasn't he only looking for combat techniques. No wonder he is late." Emilio though
"Sorry, I was taking my time, there are many interesting books here. DAD! Wake up! I'm done." The boy woke up his dad.
"Huh? What? Done?" The man startled and woke up.
"That's fine. Let me check out your purchases." Emilio said while smile politely.
The boy chooses many weird books. There is the mention spear and hand to hand combat manuals. There's also about music, languages and a thick black book with chains wrapped around it.
"Boy where did you get this book?" Emilio points with his claws to the chained book.
"It's on the shelves at the back over there." The boy points at the location he found the book.
Emilio huffs and start summing the amount. As long as it's on the shelves it's on sale.
"The total is 9 gold and 20 silvers for these 9 books. The books from the language shelves are 2 gold each, combat shelves 500 silvers each, music 10 silvers each and the miscellaneous shelves 1 gold." Emilio totalling the books honestly.
"Alright. Dad, if you please." The boy immediately agrees on the cost. Emilio liked the boy's attitude, no haggling and respecting the books.
"Urgh… Okay, okay, Adrian. Glad you find a bookstore you like after 5 bookstores. Lunch time almost end. Here Emilio, 10 gold. Keep the 980 silvers for yourself as thank you service letting me nap here." Malcom pays generously while thanking Emilio.
"No problem. Thank you for your generosity. Please come again." Emilio thanked while bowing repeatedly.
"Will do! I will come here again in the future." Adrian wave goodbye and left with his father.
"Let's have lunch and search for souvenirs next." Malcom said to Adrian and searching for a good place to have lunch.
Later on in the mid-afternoon, a small girl with pointed ears wearing a witch robe and witch pointed hat enter the bookstore. Seeing Emilio was lazing on the sofa.
"Emilio! Why are you lazing around? Don't tell me we don't have single customer again today? Argh… I don't want to move locations again. What is wrong with the people of Twilight Kingdom don't they want precious knowledge from the Amaranthine Empire. We show them grace but they ignored it. Sigh…" The small girl complained while letting out a sigh.
"3rd Eld… I mean Boss Veronica. No, no, we do have a customer today. He bought nine books totalling 9 golds and 20 silvers. Here are the coins." Emilio jolted up and hand over the coins to his boss.
"Oh?... What a joyous day indeed. I'm in a good mood you can take these 20 silvers. I'm continuing my research at the backroom." Veronica smiled happily seeing 9 gold in her hands.
"Tch… why are humans more generous than that old woman nowadays?"
Seeing the loli elf went inside the backroom, Emilio clicks his tongue and complain.
Not long after, the backroom's door slam open and a small figure is searching through the shelves.
"EMILIO! Where is it? Where is that book?" Veronica screamed searching for a book.
"Yes. I'm only at the counter. You don't need to shout so loud. What book? We are a bookstore. Can you please be more specific?" Emilio said while having a tired expression
"The book I throw out the room yesterday. The one wrapped in chains. I've been studying it for over 200 years. No way you wouldn't know about it" Veronica gave the description.
"B… b… book wrapped in ch… ch… chains? I… I don… don't know what you research back there you never let anyone inside. Wh… why do you throw the book outside? I… I didn't pick it up yesterday." Emilio nervously replied while try to reason it out.
"Ah yes, I remember I was frustrated and throw the book out. Then when I was going out the book is still on the floor. I picked it up and place it on the shelves here." Veronica embarrassingly retracing her steps.
"Ah… Congratulations. The book now had a new owner. I just do as the boss says "as long it's on the shelves it's for sale."". Emilio raised his hands stating he is innocent.
"WHAT?! A CUSTOMER PURCHASE IT?" A scream is heard through the streets.
"That book is… is… What is it? I don't know anymore. Argh… it has been over 200 years I research it, I still don't know what it is about. Argh… forget it. It must be fate. I can finally be free from that accursed book. I forgive you this time but it's all your fault. I will not pay you this month." Veronica let out her statement and sentence to Emilio.
"Okay." Emilio nodded.
Then Veronica left the bookstore. Emilio relieved everything is over just like that.
"Bless you kid. It seems like you are off the radar of the most dangerous existence in this continent." Emilio looked at the gold coin he received today.
It's lightly snowing, the sky is already dark but the capital had a bell tower to remind time. The party starts at the 8th ring. Inside the inn, Adrian wearing a light blue tailcoat suit outlined with gold. He is holding the chained book.
"Analyse"
[Name: Grimoire of the Fallen]
[Type: God Artifact]
[Warning. Contents are locked.]
"A god artifact besides the Magic Tower. A precious find" Adrian let out a wide smile from ear to ear.
"Adrian, you look as dashing as me. Let's go." Malcom compliments himself while wearing bright blue tailcoat suit.
"Wait, dad. Can you lock our briefcase with your mana signature. You know, as extra security." Adrian don't want to take any chances. He now held a God Artifact. He can't lose it.
"Okay. Sure. It's good you are cautious son." Malcom nodded and lock all their stuff inside their briefcase.
"Let's go" Adrian sees that it is secure he grabs and wear his thick white fur coat made him look like he is the lord of the Cross family. He also bring the presents.
They ride the carriage to the Royal palace. After some time, they arrive, walking on snow coated red carpet and entered the hall with his father.
"From Cross Family, Family Head Count Malcom Cross with Eldest son Adrian Cross. Had Arrived." The door attender shout reaches the crowds.
The crowds turned their heads seeing a handsome man wearing blue tailcoat suit with thick black fur winter coat and a handsome boy wearing light blue outlined with gold tailcoat suit with thick white fur winter coat.
Adrian scans the majestic palace walls, feeling amazed. He also notices the crowd's eyes on him.
"Let's have some fun." Adrian thought while giving a sweet smile to the crowd.