Intruders part 1

Then you're using good quality tea indeed. And I see the tea set is also of

wonderful quality. Forgive me for saying this, but from what I can see of the

couch, as well as the table... Isn't the furniture a little too high-quality to be

used for greeting small trade customers?" Kyle asked, trying to draw out more

on the topic from Amira.

The space they were sitting in was set up with partitions to imitate a private

room. The couch and sofa placed there were both of such high quality, they

could easily be used in a conference room for high profile guests.

Amira's face lit up with a happy smile as she answered Kyle with pride. "Fufu,

the best business transaction starts with the perfect business environment!

That's our guild motto, sir. And it doesn't change depending on the scale of the transaction."

"...I see. That must be one of the secrets to the Rose Guild's sudden growth.

With attendants as young and cute as you, Miss Amira, I can understand why

people feel inclined to empty their wallets."

Oh, you flatter me." Amira covered her mouth with a hand in refined

bashfulness.

"No, I truly believe that. I have some other items I am in need of, which I am

thinking of purchasing here as well."

"Fufu. In that case, how about we resume our business discussions? It is the

job of a merchant to meet the demands of the customer, after all. We will

gladly prepare all the items you need for your journey."

Thus, Kyle and Amira resumed their talk.

Kyle still needed preserved food and various ingredients, as well as the utensils

to prepare them, and he was able to purchase all of the items he needed

through the Rose Guild's service. Some of the items were somewhat pricey, but

other items he wouldn't have been able to find elsewhere, like many of the

spices cultivated and imported from the southern islands. And with his main

purpose of purchasing pasta accomplished, Kyle was extremely satisfied with the

outcome of his visit.

"Is there anything else you require?"

"No, that's all I need. But if your guild also offers mail delivery services, I

would like to request that too..." Kyle made one last inquiry once all of their

business discussions had wrapped up.

He couldn't leave the Norvenia region without sending a letter to William.

"We do have that service available, but we don't deliver to certain regions.

Where do you wish to deliver your mail?"

"The capital of the kingdom of Erugenia." Her favorable answer prompted Kyle

to tell her his letter destination.

"That won't be a problem. Your items will take a moment to prepare, so

would you like to write your letter during that time?

Yes, please."

Kyle paid for his purchases with coins and Amira left the meeting room to make

a few preparations. Not too long after, a female store attendant appeared with

some parchment, quill, and ink for Kyle to write his letter. Kyle accepted the

equipment and — after a moment's hesitation — slouched over the table and

dipped the quill in the ink. His hand moved steadily over the parchment and

scratched out neat characters.

The letter spoke of his journey so far: that he was in Avalon at the moment,

and other little things that happened on the way. He signed it off as 'Kyle' at

the end. After he finished writing, he waited a while for the ink to dry, then

rolled the parchment into a scroll. He used the candle on the table to melt the

sealing wax and drip it onto the scroll before sealing it. With the seal of the

Rose Guild on the scroll, the letter was finally complete.

Having the merchant guild that was run by a duke's daughter responsible for

delivering the letter was a lot more reassuring than asking any random

organization or individual, as there was a much lower risk of losing the letter or

breaking confidentiality.

Kyle called over a nearby attendant and informed her that he was done

writing. The attendant retreated to the back for a moment before returning

with Amira and the tea-serving attendant from earlier. All of Kyle's purchases had

been prepared and left outside the meeting space.

"Please deliver this to Professor William of the Royal Academy of Erugenia faculty." Kyle handed the important letter to Amira.

"Understood. The address is the Royal Academy of Erugenia, for Professor

William. We will be sure to deliver it, sir. Your order items have also been

gathered, so please confirm that everything is present." Amira's eyes widened

faintly when she heard the addressee was William, but only someone who was

next to her would recognize the change in her expression — and only upon

close observation. Kyle packed the items into his backpack as he checked them. It was quite a

large number of items, but his backpack was large enough to accommodate

everything. Once the backpack was packed full, Kyle swung it over his shoulder easily, making Amira's eyes widen in shock.

"I see that you have a lot of strength. Fitting for an adventurer."

"Traveling can be harsh, after all... I made sure to prepare myself for it. Now, I

shall take my leave." Kyle said, Amira's words making him smile. With those

parting words, he bowed once and turned on his heel.

"Thank you for your patronage, sir. If you ever pass through Eldoria again,

our doors will always be open to you." Amira gave her words of farewell, then

bowed alongside the attendant next to her.

Just as he was about to take his first step outside, the guild doors swung open with a deafening crash. A group of masked individuals stormed in, brandishing wicked-looking weapons. The air crackled with an ominous tension as panic gripped the guild members. "Guys take down guards and close all the entrances immediately

". One of the masked individuals which seemed to be the leader of the group shouted loudly.