Just before the duo was about to enter, two imposing and armed guards blocked their path. From a glance, they possessed an impressive array of weaponry — swords, bows, daggers and quivers full of arrows — which was a clear indication of the level of security such prestige brought.
"Identify yourselves."
Both already had their hilts in hand, ready to strike in case they didn't comply. But despite their impressive presence, Lloyd couldn't help but think that they paled in comparison to the might of Alexander. Their courage to challenge, or perhaps foolishness, someone of the General's caliber was almost laughable which, luckily for them, seemed to amuse the legendary figure more than anything else. Still, Lloyd would not risk another incident. This had to go smoothly.
"I am Merchant Lloyd and this is my guard, Alexander. I believe we're expected."
His introduction did… nothing. Their expressions hadn't even twitched, nor had their stances.
"Can you show me your pass?"
He was surprised. Hadn't they been announced? Had the butler been wrong? Regardless, he complied and drew out the gold-plated token. At its sight, the guards nodded before stepping aside, their silence making the exchange even more unsettling. With that seemingly taken care of, they both moved forward, only to be halted once more by another figure rushing towards them.
"Welcome! Welcome! I'm very sorry for being late. I hope these two didn't bother you too much."
The new arrival then threw a reproachful glance at the guards, who frightfully lowered their heads. The person now facing them was a burly man who was neither tall nor short, with facial features that were quite simple: a short pointy nose, high cheeks, a small mouth and hooded brown eyes. His attire was a white silk robe embroidered with gold, which was a nice complement to his short black hair. If Lloyd had to guess, he'd assume this was the person in charge.
"My name's Gregory, and I'm this establishment's manager. It's a pleasure to meet you, Merchant Lloyd."
Bingo.
"Please follow me. I'll bring you to your rooms since you must be exhausted."
This sounded heavenly, as his day had been quite hectic, to say the least… But just as he was about to acquiesce, Alexander interjected.
"Before that, could you show us the facilities? I'd like to train during my stay."
Lloyd inwardly cried… Couldn't this wait until tomorrow?!
"How careless! I completely forgot that you're new here. Let me show you around."
Gregory wasted no time before leading them through the grand steel doors, with the interior instantly amazing the newcomers. It was truly unlike anything they had ever seen: floating chandeliers made of precious stones, polished black marble floors, intricately woven tapestries hung next to abstract paintings… It was the epitome of opulence. What was even more surprising, though, was the sheer number of guests. If Alejandro's words were to be believed, these people were some of the most influential and powerful in Arcadia. A legion of butlers, more than Christopher could count, also moved like a well-choreographed dance troupe, each and every action exuding a level of professionalism only ever seen in movies. The engineer had to say that this type of setting felt quite uncomfortable for him, but since it was all paid for, he'd at least enjoy its novelty. However, nothing ever went according to plan.
Right on cue, the tranquil ambiance was abruptly shattered, with the room descending into a flurry of hushed whispers and stifled gasps during Alexander's entrance.
"Who's that? How is he allowed here? Aren't soldiers forbidden from coming inside the United?"
Every eye in the room seemed magnetically drawn to him, and Lloyd could practically taste the pressure thickening in the air. The General was a prideful man, meaning that such a blatantly disrespectful reaction was sure to make his blood roil. This would turn quite ugly if nothing was done.
"Esteemed guests, allow me to introduce Merchant Lloyd and his guard, Alexander. They are the newest patrons at the United, and I trust that you are all well versed with the repercussions of disturbing guests, particularly new ones. I implore you to continue your merriment without further ado."
Gregory's voice loudly rang out before creating a resonant echo that reverberated around the room, its authority unmistakable. The murmurs then evaporated as quickly as they had risen, instead replaced by stolen, lingering glances tossed in their direction.
"I'm very sorry, Merchant Lloyd. As you may know, our clientele mostly consists of figures who sometimes forget this isn't their domain. Please, pay them no mind."
Gregory's power simply shocked him. This was not the influence a mere manager could wield, especially on people who were described as only beneath the Emperor. This created a multitude of questions, but he decided to hold his tongue for now. He'd just have to wait and share his interrogations with Alejandro at a more opportune time.
"It's alright. After all, we really shouldn't be here."
He sounded awkward, but sincere, to which Gregory laughed at and dismissed.
"You shouldn't say that. As a referral of one of our most generous benefactors, you have every right to be here."
Christopher's expression morphed into one of startled surprise. One of their most significant benefactors? This sudden revelation stoked the flames of his inquisitiveness, raising even more questions than answers. Alexander, too, perked up on that statement. If their sponsor really was someone who held sway here, it implied wealth that bordered on the infinite, meaning that their lives would be in immediate danger the moment they slipped up.
"Anyway, let me show you the United's facilities."
Gregory then led them across the entire room, where it once again became apparent that they were still under the heavy scrutiny of everyone present. Christopher surmised this was due to them being possibly new competitors. Since only the very top could enter this place, it meant that everyone here was either ally or foe, and for merchants, he represented a new rival that needed to be monitored and, perhaps, neutered. Thankfully, nobody disturbed them again, and they were able to leave undeterred.
For their first stop, they went to the training center, where Alexander nearly fainted from excitement. Its amenities were simply state-of-the-art, with magic modules for swordsmanship practice, instructors that stood at the ready to spar and even an arsenal of top-notch weapons. It was a warrior's utopia. Lloyd was equally impressed, albeit for entirely different reasons. The intricacies of some of the modules fascinated him and made him wonder if magic could truly be omnipotent.
"As you can see, this room is equipped to cater to your every need when it comes to fighting. But there's somewhere else that holds a special place in my heart."
This comment piqued the duo's interest, although not before marveling a few more moments. Once their curiosity was satisfied, they proceeded further into the bowels of the grand edifice, where they soon found themselves in front of an imposing entrance flanked by two massive bronze doors. The intricate artwork etched into them, which represented unknown symbols and animals, also left them astounded.
"Welcome to the United Inn's library!"
Lloyd's heart skipped a beat.
"A... library??"