The outing had ended by mid-afternoon, and Karl found himself alongside Aurelia inside a hall being escorted by Edward. The man had arrived an hour after they had finished their tour. The precise time of his arrival in relation to their return was unnerving, though the duo did not let any of that show.
"I hope you enjoyed your tour of the city." Edward spoke. "The clear atmosphere ought to have been more refreshing than your home."
"It was wonderful, indeed." Aurelia answered.
"And your hospitality was exceptional." Karl added.
The trio stood inside the hall, somewhat removed from the two wooden doors that no doubt led to the meeting room. In Edward's words—'Due to the busy state of Golden Leaf Emporium, High Mage Hope is currently in a session regarding the sales of Jade Eggs, recovered from the Wild Realm.'
It was such a blatant use of power, petty in fact. Having dealt with his fair share of politicking, Karl could understand what was being done here. To say he was unimpressed would be an understatement; it was pathetic.
"I see that Liam has done an agreeable service." Edward stated.
"Agreeable is underselling it, Sir Edward," Karl said. "I found his company congenial."
"That's good to hear." Edward spoke with narrowed eyes. "I did, after all, instruct him to treat you with the same amount of respect as he does to me."
Karl let a playful smile adorn his face. "I thought Sir Edward wouldn't be too disposed toward me."
"Glad to have proven you wrong then," Edward said.
As the trio exchanged words, trading barbs and making witty remarks, a call rang out. Edward glanced up and then down at his wristwatch. "It's time," he spoke.
"Good luck." He offered. "I hope you earn what you came here for."
"That's kind of you." Karl remarked while they walked toward the door. "I shall see you later, then."
As Karl took his first step inside, he was greeted by the white lighting and warm ambiance. A thick wooden table in circular shape sat in the very centre with the chairs circling the table. Right in the middle was a smaller, yet thicker box with a glass jutting out from the front. Probably one of those technologies that he didn't understand. Cinis was happy to provide an answer.
"This one is called Projector." She exclaimed. "Unlike displaying images on the screen, this one projects them on a surface, usually white, to reflect an appropriate amount of light and to maintain the quality. They use it for presentations and such."
It was weird how giving a name to something changed how you perceived that object. Karl had been exposed to more in these last few hours than in his entire life. It was a novel feeling, but one he found a bit disconcerting.
"Please take a seat; Madam will be with you shortly." A young woman with short black hair, wearing a black blazer atop a white shirt and a pencil skirt. She also wore nylon stockings, and Karl found those particularly eye-catching.
A nudge from Aurelia pushed him to take a seat while the young woman retreated somewhere behind the door. "So, what did you find admirable, the legwear or the legs?" She asked.
Karl felt his lips twitch slightly. "Um." He hesitated before speaking, "I was just thinking about how lovely they would look on you."
Aurelia narrowed her eyes at him. Just as she was about to speak, a spoke sounded from behind.
"I'm sure she would look delightful." The voice prompted the duo to turn around, and as they looked, they saw a beautiful woman wearing tight blue jeans and a strappy crop top that highlighted her bountiful bosom. What drew the most attention, though, was the bellowing cape strapped to her shoulders. "Good evening, Count Bloodthrone." She greeted.
As the woman took her seat before them, Karl had a good look at her angelic visage. Long, curly, blonde hair with aquamarine blue eyes. Her face was beautiful with a hint of rosiness to her cheeks, and her pale red lips only increased her allure. Unlike her angelic features, her body was a sinful delight. Lush and bountiful bosom almost to the point of spilling out, and Karl had no doubt would be soft as feathers. Her heart-shaped bottom drew every gaze in the room and looked every bit as delectable as he had found that dessert. She was a voluptuous and curvaceous woman whom he couldn't help but admire.
"Pleasure meeting you, High Mage Hope." He extended. "I have heard much about you, but words do your beauty no justice."
"You flatter me, Lord Karl. Not to mention you have such a gorgeous companion, not at all inferior to me."
Karl smiled at that. Whether she was being courteous or not, to him, Aurelia was no doubt more beautiful. Nothing could compare to her in his eyes.
"And please call me Ann." She added.
"Then I would also have to request you to drop the formalities." He spoke. "And this is my cousin, Aurelia."
Aurelia bowed slightly, as was the proper etiquette to display toward those stronger than yourself. Karl's status allowed him some leeway, but there was a reason he was fine with Ann calling him Karl.
"You might not believe this, but I have heard much about you." Ann spoke. "And you too, Aurelia. You're an excellent Knight, even at such a young age."
"Thank you," Aurelia offered.
"I was hoping to finish the matter at the earliest." Karl spoke. "As you're already aware, we are on time constraints."
Ann smiled and leaned back. "I'm well aware." She said. "And I suppose you're already familiar with our policies. What we ask for in exchange for providing help."
"Yes." He nodded. "Though I'm not here to ask for your help."
Her smile stifled, a neutral look taking over. It wouldn't be wrong to say that she was finally revealing her true feelings after wearing that flimsy facade. "What do you mean by that?" She asked.
"I believe I can offer you something for a small amount of capital." He leaned forward with a smile tracing his lips. "I have come here to offer you a business opportunity."
Silence pervaded the atmosphere as the two tried to gauge each other's reaction. As tense few seconds passed, Ann spoke up. "I think the reputation of our Golden Leaf Emporium is well established. I also believe that there's very little that we cannot acquire with our own resources. So, tell me, Karl, what exactly do you have to offer?"
Golden Leaf Emporium.
Leaving the Aether Realm aside, they had roots in the Moon Realm and even the Night Realm. Most of the relics were distributed under their purview, and they had almost a monopolistic hold on the market regarding potions. Ann wasn't being arrogant in stating that they could obtain almost anything. But the key factor he was betting on was this 'almost.'.
"A potion." He held a hand just as he saw her open her mouth to interrupt. "Listen to what I have to say first. This is a healing potion, but unlike your Health Cross Potion, this is significantly better."
"It's not my first time hearing that argument." Ann spoke. "Many have come to this place claiming exactly what you are asserting now. They believe their potions are better, and in some cases they are. The only difference being a monumental cost just to achieve a slightly more potent version of the potion. Which is not practical at all."
Karl raised a brow at that; the information was something he had no knowledge about. In retrospect, though, it was obvious. How many confident men claimed to have exceeded their quality? Suddenly, her sceptical attitude was lent more credence.
"I understand your doubt, but you would have to trust me on this." He spoke. "What I am willing to provide, though, requires a certain level of confidentiality."
"I can promise your secret will be kept safe with me," she said, "though anything more would require some proof on your behalf."
Karl nodded and leaned back. Taking a moment to think things through, he let out a breath and fished out a glass vial out of his pocket. Inside it was a red liquid with a golden sheen.
"I call it Blood Cross Potion." He spoke, resting the potion on the table. "Not only is it vastly better than your potion, it can even regenerate limbs so long as the passage of time has not exceeded a year. Now, I believe you owe me something."
Ann sat silently gazing at the glass vial. Then her eyes lifted to Karl's handsome visage, and she frowned. "Is this some sort of joke?"
Karl squinted his eyes. "Do you think I came here, leaving my territory in the midst of wolves, just so that I could perform a joke on you?"
"And I am supposed to believe this?" She asked.
"I think a mana-oath is in order." He stated. "My veracity and your reticence. I believe it's a fair exchange."
Ann looked at him, trying to find any hint of a lie or deception. Alas, she found none.
"A promise is a promise."