Lucas unzipped the bag, revealing it was full of money. Without counting it, he tossed the bag into his open spatial backpack.
He downed the drink in one go and said to Billy, "Goodbye! I doubt you'll have much business tonight. You should close up early and get some rest."
"Goodbye, Miss Ela."
Lucas stood up and walked out.
But as he exited the Assassin's Tavern, the lizardman Billy caught up with him from behind.
"Miss Ela, my boss asked me to give you this." Billy handed over a silver dagger, adorned with golden patterns, extraordinarily ornate and beautiful.
Lucas didn't take the dagger right away. Instead, he asked Billy, "Is the Silver Blade of the Brotherhood of the Blade something that can be given away so easily?"
Billy replied, "The boss said: 'The assassination of Jumu was so spectacular that many people are asking about you. If you find it bothersome, you can show them this dagger. While the Brotherhood of the Blade isn't as powerful as it once was, some people will still show respect.'"
Lucas took the dagger, twirling it a few times before placing it in his spatial backpack.
"Since it's a gift, I'll accept it. Please thank your boss again for me, but I won't promise to do anything for him."
Billy bowed and said, "The boss just wants to make friends with a powerful elf like you."
"I'll consider him a friend then. Goodbye."
Lucas jumped onto the rooftop, quickly disappearing into the night.
The Brotherhood of the Blade was an early Argent Empire group formed by nobles to resist royal power. They were once powerful enough to draw swords and argue with the emperor in the palace.
However, with the rise of technology and the emergence of new industrialist nobility, the old nobles who resisted new culture rapidly declined.
Later, extremist members of the Brotherhood of the Blade initiated persecution and massacres against cyborgs, prompting imperial suppression and further accelerating the decline of the old nobility.
The Brotherhood of the Blade never regained its former glory, but because its members were mostly ancient hereditary nobles, it still held considerable influence within the empire.
As a conservative faction among the empire's conservatives, Lucas preferred to keep his distance from the Brotherhood of the Blade.
Even though the Assassin's Tavern boss was an enlightened member of the Brotherhood, it was better to avoid trouble.
However, the Brotherhood of the Blade's status was indeed useful. No reason not to use it.
For instance, in the central district, encountering patrolling officers, showing the Silver Blade of the Brotherhood would immediately grant him a salute and passage.
Walking the streets of the central district, the contrast with the Seawall District was stark.
The roads were wide and clean, with streetlights at regular intervals that stayed on all night. Some main roads even had steam-powered trolley tracks.
Even the patrolling officers lacked the roughness seen in Seawall District officers.
The sense of security allowed some shops to stay open late into the night.
It was a scene of prosperity and vibrancy.
With Ela at level 60, power consumption was minimal, and Lucas strolled leisurely to his destination.
Whisperer's Mystery Shop.
In the Epoch game, this was where one could buy items related to esoteric arts. Apart from high-level secret language materials, most common tools could be found here.
He pushed the door open and walked in.
Under the soft purple lighting, the shop exuded an air of mystery.
Near the entrance, a young girl was dozing off at the counter, her chin resting on her hands. The shop's hall was filled with a variety of items—bottles, jars, clocks, vintage armor, old books—resembling a general store.
The door's movement caused a bell above the counter to ring. The young girl immediately woke up.
"Welcome, esteemed... elf lady. My name is Lisa. How can I assist you? You are truly beautiful; I've never seen an elf as lovely as you."
"Thank you for the compliment." Lucas, as Ela, had grown accustomed to the praise and stares that came with her appearance. "I need some tools and materials. Can you help me find them?"
"Of course." Lisa walked out from behind the counter, boasting, "Our Whisperer's Mystery Shop has the most comprehensive collection of mystical tools and materials in the central district. Many wizards and alchemists come here to purchase mystical items. What do you need? I'll help you find them."
Lucas read off his prepared list, "Four lamps that burn long-beard whale oil, six sheets of 120cm×120cm clover paper, three pots of paint made from lantern flower nectar and stone slip powder, ten ritual drawing pens.
Fifty crystals, fifty bloodstones, ten kilograms of sulfur, one kilogram of resonant bronze, 300 grams of mithril, one adult male red bat corpse, fourteen molar wolf fangs..."
As Lucas listed his required items, Lisa hurried back behind the counter to grab paper and pen.
"Sorry, miss. I didn't expect you to buy so much. Could you please repeat your list more slowly so I can write it all down?"
"Sure..."
Lucas slowly recited his list of mystical tools and materials. Lisa meticulously recorded everything, then set off to gather the items.
With many items to find, it would take some time. Lucas began browsing the shop, looking for anything else he might need.
Soon, a wooden carving caught Lucas's attention.
The carving was a cylindrical piece, about the size of a water cup, placed on a shelf among other miscellaneous items. Made of black-veined oilwood, its surface featured a relief carving of a coiled snake.
The snake's eyes and tongue were painted red, making them particularly striking.
Lucas held up the carving and asked Lisa, "Is this item for sale?"
Lisa came over and examined the carving. "Our mystery shop, besides having fixed suppliers, also accepts mystical items from walk-in customers. This carving was sold to us by a customer.
Judging by the material and carving style, it likely comes from a snake-worshiping troll tribe in the Mandell Jungle. It possesses strong mystical energy.
It could probably be used for secret arts involving snakes, poison, or curses. Do you want it?"
Lucas handed the carving to Lisa and said, "You're right. It is from the Mandell Jungle. It's an unexpected find for me. Please pack it up."
"Yes, beautiful elf lady."
Lisa happily took the carving to package it. This elf customer was an unexpected boon, buying so many mystical items that would earn her a generous commission.
Lucas continued to wander through the shop, picking out interesting mystical items and giving them to Lisa to pack.
Soon, the counter was filled with packed boxes.
As Lisa tallied the items and calculated the total cost, an Imperial Secret Agent wearing a leather jacket and a bowler hat pushed open the door and entered.