Title: My First Trading Partner is An Awaken
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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"Aren't you going to earn credit by reclaiming the Kailan Region? This is a significant opportunity," Lady Rocca suggested, emphasizing the potential of the region to expand the kingdom's territory.
The king had already declared to the nobility the imperative to recapture the Kailan Region by any means necessary, given its strategic importance on the kingdom's frontier.
"I am eager to contribute, but I feel I must achieve at least a C-rank before engaging in warfare. I hope you understand, Lady Rocca," Tyler explained respectfully.
"Of course, no offense taken. If you have the resources to rank up, it will benefit us in the long term. A D-rank addition may not alter the course of war, but a C-rank or higher could spare many lives," Lady Rocca acknowledged, displaying her understanding of the situation.
"Thank you for your understanding, Lady Rocca," Tyler expressed his gratitude sincerely.
"However, I suggest you provide support; it still holds its own credit. Supplying us with more of those F-rank bombs will earn you recognition," Lady Rocca hinted, subtly pulling Tyler into her noble house for further discussion.
"I can certainly do that, Lady Rocca. I'm curious about the specifics of this credit system," Tyler inquired, intrigued by the proposition.
"We can discuss those details further. Your talent for bomb-making and willingness to take risks are invaluable. My house will provide you with materials in exchange for credit," the count proposed, outlining the arrangement.
"I'll consider it, Lady Rocca," Tyler replied thoughtfully, recognizing the benefits of focusing on producing F-rank bombs with the provided materials.
With the count's support, Tyler could concentrate on refining his bomb-making skills, further increasing his mastery of the blueprint, which currently stood at 40%.
"Creating bombs is costly, but the investment pays off. I'll need more F-rank or even E-rank crystals to enhance my strength to this level, even if it's expensive" Tyler contemplated, calculating the expenses involved.
With the onset of war, the price of F-rank crystals had risen from 5 to 7 gold coins per piece, while E-rank crystals fetched a staggering 100 gold coins each. The cost of using low-rank crystals to enhance his D-ranking power would be even higher, tripled from their original price.
Lady Rocca and Tyler Pierce reached an agreement on the credit system, a familiar arrangement she often extended to talented individuals like Tyler, cementing their partnership in such a credit system.
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Monday morning arrived.In front of the imposing city hall, a small crowd had gathered, their faces turned toward the flagpole where the national flag fluttered proudly in the air.
As the clock struck the hour, the solemn strains of the national anthem filled the air, and heads bowed reverently as the flag was raised high, a symbol of unity and pride for all who called this city home.
Among the onlookers stood Henry Ramirez, his chest swelling with patriotism as he stood tall and proud, his hand placed firmly over his heart.
As the last notes of the anthem faded into the morning air, a sense of anticipation filled the crowd as they awaited the next part of the ceremony.
Following the flag-raising, the attention shifted to the steps of the city hall, where a podium had been set up for the upcoming award ceremony.
Henry Ramirez stood at the forefront, his expression a mix of humility and pride as he awaited his moment in the spotlight.
He knew that he would never experience this without the assistance of many things. Firstly, the Platform that allows him to connect to other worlds. Second, is Tyler, his trading partner that allows him to step in the realm of the awakens.
As the mayor took to the podium, the crowd fell silent, their eyes fixed on the dignitary as he began to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and fellow citizens," the mayor began, his voice carrying across the square.
"Today, we gather to honor a true hero in our midst—a man whose bravery and quick thinking saved lives and brought justice to those who sought to do harm to our community."
Henry's heart swelled with pride as the mayor recounted the events that had led to his recognition—the thwarted robbery attempt at the DSH bank, where Henry had single-handedly apprehended three of the six would-be thieves, ensuring the swift resolution of the case.
"For his valor and selflessness in the face of danger, I am proud to present Henry Ramirez with the National Police Medal of Valor," the mayor announced, as applause erupted from the crowd.
But the accolades did not end there. As the applause died down, the mayor continued, "In addition to this honor, the city government is pleased to award Henry Ramirez with a monetary prize of 500,000 pesos, in recognition of his outstanding service to our community."
Gasps of surprise and admiration rippled through the crowd as the generous sum was announced, and Henry's heart swelled with gratitude for the recognition bestowed upon him.
The attendants on that Monday morning were stunned by such a rare occasion.
"Amazing! That's 500,000 cash. How long will it take me to earn that?" One of the attendees exclaimed
"It's nothing short of astonishing," remarked one attendee, her eyes alight with admiration. "His courage in apprehending those bank robbers is a testament to his character."
Beside her, one of the department heads nodded in fervent agreement. "Absolutely! Henry's heroism is beyond words. To think he's so young and yet so remarkably brave. I saw the footage of the video and I didn't know that some part of the city is connected through the sewers."
As the ceremony unfolded, all eyes turned to the stage where Henry Ramirez stood tall, his demeanor humble yet resolute. Applause thundered through the hall as he was presented with the Medal of Valor, a symbol of his extraordinary bravery in the face of danger.
"And the fact that he's being recognized with such a generous cash prize is truly well-deserved," another person remarked, his voice filled with admiration.
The tales of Henry's selfless acts echoed among the attendees, each story a testament to his unwavering dedication to serving others.
"I couldn't agree more," someone also chimed in, her voice tinged with emotion. "Henry Ramirez embodies the essence of a true hero, selflessly putting himself in harm's way for the apprehension of those robbers. I heard that all the robbers were apprehended and all the money was recovered!"
As the ceremony drew to a close, one of the attendees reflected on the significance of Henry's actions. "Absolutely," he murmured thoughtfully. "They said that it's more than 50 million pesos that were recovered!"
Spectator 1 nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on Henry as he accepted his award with grace and humility. "Well said," she replied, her voice soft yet resolute. "That's correct. Also, the police said that without the intervention of Henry, the ingenious planning of the robbers would be a nightmare to their record."
"True! The chief said it outright during the interview. It was something from a movie. Their preparation is so damn good that without Henry, it would be the biggest bank robbery heist in the century!" One of the attendees said.
The conversation between the government employees and other people who join the Monday morning flag raising ceremony continue their conversation taking reference from the news they heard about the DSH failed robbery.
As he stood on the steps of the city hall, surrounded by the applause and adulation of his fellow citizens, Henry Ramirez couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and fulfillment.
Henry Ramirez didn't want to do this actually but when his father personally received the summons and his dad let him spill it out, the family learned about the hero behind the apprehension of the robbers that happened four days ago.
Jimmy, Henry's dad, urges him to go as this would make him proud. With this newfound avenue of showing talent, Jimmy urges Sheinna and Amelia, Henry's sisters, to start drinking the herbal medicine that they drink.
High ranking officials met and had the same talks with Henry Ramirez. It took him some time to excuse himself from the praises of the councilors and different department heads of the city.
Just when he was done with it, he was then requested privately in the presence of Mayor Sales.
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Mayor Sales, like his predecessor Mayor Morante, had delved into the intricate web of connections surrounding the Ramirez family, uncovering subtle ties to the esteemed PAL Jewelry Owner, Mister Fernandez.
These clandestine affiliations had served as a shield, protecting the Ramirez family from the prying eyes of rival organizations within the city.
Mayor Sales couldn't shake the sense of relief that washed over him, knowing that Willy Morante, the former mayor, had exercised restraint in his investigation of the Ramirez clan, despite his son's stirring up trouble.
"Mayor, Henry Ramirez is here," the aide announced, interrupting Mayor Sales' train of thought.
"Thank you. Please, show him in, and prepare tea for our esteemed visitor as well," Mayor Sales instructed, his tone betraying none of the internal turmoil swirling beneath the surface.
As Henry took his seat, Mayor Sales gestured for him to make himself comfortable, his expression grave, hinting at the weightiness of the impending conversation.
"Indeed, Henry. Please, have a seat," Mayor Sales gestured towards a plush chair, his expression grave, hinting at the seriousness of the impending discussion. Henry complied, settling into the seat, a mix of curiosity and concern evident in his demeanor.
"I appreciate you making time for this meeting on such short notice," Mayor Sales began, his tone measured. "I understand you're a busy young man, so I'll get straight to the point."
"It's alright. I have my father's assistance with regards to my business. It seems that what you wanted to talk about is important," Henry replied, his voice steady despite the undercurrent of curiosity.
"Yes, it's regarding Ethan," the mayor continued, his gaze steady. "I heard about his swift recovery from his grave injuries, and I must admit, I resorted to desperate measures to obtain that information from the hospital."
Henry's brow furrowed in confusion. "I appreciate your concern, Mayor, but was Dylan's recovery truly that miraculous?" he questioned, his tone tinged with skepticism. "And why the need for secrecy?"
Mayor Sales sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of the revelation he was about to disclose. "Yes, it was indeed remarkable, and the need for secrecy stems from a request made by one of your associates," he explained, choosing his words carefully.
"Blocked? Whose friend are you referring to, Mayor?" Henry inquired, his confusion deepening. "I can't recall having a friend with such influence."
"As for your clandestine associate, it's up to them whether they reveal themselves to you or not," Mayor Sales replied cryptically, his expression unreadable. "Unfortunately, I don't have the authority to disclose their identity."
As Henry absorbed the information revealed by the mayor, a newfound understanding dawned upon him. The intricacies of the clandestine arrangements shed light on the peculiarities of recent interactions with the Morante family, with whom Ramirez had a history of skirmishes.
"The Morantes are aware of this as well, I assume?" Henry ventured, seeking confirmation of his suspicions.
The mayor nodded solemnly, his expression betraying a depth of knowledge born from experience. He had not only uncovered the subtle nuances of the Ramirez-Morante dynamic but also gleaned insights into the motivations that drove each faction.
"Yes, they are aware," Mayor Sales confirmed, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "The interactions between your families have not escaped my attention, and they have played a role in my discovery of certain secrets."