Chapter 7:- Meeting the guild master

The muscular man, far more polite now than he had been earlier, asked, "Would you care to step into our premium room? We'll hand over your payment there."Kaito gave a small nod of agreement.

The towering man led them down a quiet corridor and into a private room. Kaito and Iris took their seats on a plush sofa, while the silent, shadow-like figure who accompanied them remained standing behind them, ever watchful.

After a brief wait, the man returned — this time accompanied by someone new. The thin man gestured to his companion and spoke smoothly. "This is our guild branch manager, Mr. Togashi."

Togashi greeted them with a broad, practiced smile and settled himself on the opposite end of the sofa. Without wasting a second, he launched straight into conversation.

"At first, when my appraiser told me he had bought one hundred sheets of paper for fifty gold coins, I was furious. Honestly, I was a heartbeat away from killing the fool. But then… he handed me the paper." Togashi's eyes gleamed as he leaned forward slightly. "When I saw the quality — I was stunned. Truly amazed."

Kaito's tone cut through the air, sharp and unamused. "Get to the point, Mr. Togashi."

The branch manager's smile faltered. Realizing flattery wouldn't get him far, he dropped the pretense and spoke more directly."I'd like to secure exclusive rights to purchase and sell your paper. Our guild is prepared to pay generously for such a contract. Additionally, I can guarantee we will buy every sheet you bring in."

Kaito's reply was blunt. "Not interested. Now, kindly hand over the payment for what we've already sold."

Togashi let out a quiet sigh and gave a resigned nod. "Very well. I do hope you'll consider doing more business with us in the future."

With that, he glanced at the appraiser behind him. The man scurried away and quickly returned, carrying a tray loaded with fifty gold coins. He placed it carefully on the table in front of them.

Kaito turned to Iris, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Darling, would you check the payment?"

Iris flushed pink, lifting a hand to her mouth for a brief second before composing herself. Swiftly and efficiently, she counted the coins and inspected them for counterfeits. In mere moments, she was done.

Mr. Togashi leaned forward slightly, his voice smooth but laced with curiosity. "If you don't mind me asking, Mr. Eric, which region was this remarkable paper produced in? And… what do you call it?"

Kaito's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "I'm afraid I won't be telling you where it was made," he replied coolly. "But I can at least give you the name. It's called Nihon Ultra Special Paper."

A quiet chuckle escaped him as he spoke the words, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. The name had slipped into his mind hastily — an odd little relic from a memory he hadn't expected to recall.

Across from him, Togashi remained stone-faced, unfazed by the strange name. His expression was grave as he nodded slowly."I will remember that," he said solemnly. "And I look forward to our next trade."

Without another word, Kaito turned to Iris. "Iris, take the coins."

With a graceful nod, she gathered the fifty gold coins from the tray and slid them into the pouch at her waist. Her movements were precise and elegant, as always.

Rising from their seats, Kaito and his companions strode out of the private room and made their way through the quiet corridors. Moments later, they stepped out of the merchant guild and into the bustling streets once more — their business concluded, for now.

Kaito strode leisurely along the stone pathway, the steady rhythm of his boots echoing faintly beneath the hum of the bustling city. As always, Iris and the silent shadow knight followed close behind — one graceful and composed, the other a looming, wordless sentinel.

After some time weaving through narrow streets and merchant stalls, they arrived at the heart of the central market — a wide plaza teeming with activity where daily trades took place. The familiar clatter of wooden carts, sharp calls of merchants, and the rustle of fabric stalls filled the air. But it wasn't the commerce that caught Kaito's attention this time.

A crowd had gathered near a towering wooden notice board, clustered tight around a freshly tacked parchment. His brow arched with mild curiosity."Let's take a look," Kaito muttered, casually strolling toward it with his hands tucked into his pockets. Iris and the shadow knight followed without a word, slipping effortlessly through the milling crowd.

Pinned among a patchwork of faded and tattered parchments was a freshly posted notice, the bold lettering still dark and crisp:

Announcement from the Dukal family of IronvaleThe annual Master's Competition will be held on the 21st of June, Year 222 of the Majestic Empire. Participants may register on the day of the match. The reward for the victor will be 1,000 gold coins and a mansion located east of the central market.

As Kaito's sharp eyes scanned the notice, something sparked inside him. His thoughts raced, quick and nimble, leaping like a rabbit that had just sensed an open field of opportunity. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned to Iris.

"What's today's date?" he asked, his tone brisk.

Iris, ever calm and precise, answered smoothly. "It is the 21st of June, Year 222 of the Majestic Empire."

Kaito's grin widened. "Where's this competition being held? And do we still have time?"

"It will take place in the arena of the Ducal family," Iris replied, her voice steady and unhurried. "Given that it's currently around ten in the morning, we have roughly two hours before the matches begin."

A slow, confident smile stretched across Kaito's face as he shifted his gaze to the silent figure behind him. His shadow knight stood motionless, cloaked in stoic darkness — an immovable wall of power.Kaito's voice dropped, a note of quiet amusement threading through it. "You'll fight in the arena, won't you?"

The knight bowed his head slightly, his deep voice unwavering. "If that is your wish, Master, I will do anything."

Kaito chuckled under his breath, his mind already spinning with calculations. A thousand gold and a mansion… without him lifting a finger.

"Good," he said, turning toward the direction of the arena. "Then let's make ourselves richer."