(Warning: be ready for plain naivety)
The hum of conversation spread through the hall like a low tide as the masked attendees began calling for assistants carrying with them stacks of blank paper, and envelopes
Erwin watched the room settle into the familiar structure of a Beyonder gathering cautious exchanges and veiled requests. He still felt the faint unreality of the moment days ago he had been reading about events like this now he was living one
Around the hall hands lifted. Attendees waved for assistants scribbling down needs, offers, secrets and prices. Notes were folded passed off and brought to the large board at the front of the room
After a few minutes the board filled
Erwin glanced at the others a small nod passed between them
They wrote their postings
Solar High Priest — Sequence 7 formula Selling
Briber — Sequence 7 formula Selling
Pyromaniac — Sequence 7 formula Selling
Assistants pinned them up it didn't take long two of the notes received responses
Pyromaniac received a signal first, Briber gained a request soon after while the Solar High Priest remained untouched
As expected
---
Louis followed an assistant to one of the small side rooms
The moment Louis stepped inside the buyer shut the door behind him a little too quickly almost slamming it
"You.. you're the seller?" the man asked in a hushed, breathless voice. His accent was unmistakable the nasal sound when speaking. Intisian "You have both of the formulas yes? The Sequence 8 and Sequence 7?"
Louis's gaze flicked over the man he seemed to be slightly nervous. Dilated pupils an impatient tremor
A low Sequence 9 Hunter who's desperate to improve himself probably part of the Intis Embassy's beyonder detachment. And probably in trouble
"Yes" Louis said simply. "I have both. But you seem… pressed for time"
Pressed was an understatement
The man pressed his hands firmly together "I.. I need them immediately my superiors.. well.. no I mean their are certain.. expectations that are putting pressure on me to advance.. They're expecting results.. real progress. By the time I must return home.. or they'll push me out of the family entirely"
Louis leaned back slightly letting a hint of disinterest show, an old trick to make desperate buyers reveal more
The man took the bait "Please.. I need both formulas.. I.. I can pay above market.. I'm not poor… I can even buy any materials for the formula you might have"
Louis's expression remained still but internally a smile flickered
Pay above market don't mind if I do
"The market price for the Pyromaniac formulas is around twelve hundred pounds" Louis said
"But since you offered to pay above market price I will take you up on that offer"
The Intisian nodded frantically
Louis tapped the table once "Fifteen hundred pounds"
A sharp intake of breath more shock than refusal but still the man didn't hesitate for a second before blurting "Deal! Yes.. deal! Fifteen hundred right now"
Louis grabbed fountain pen and blank papers from the side table and started writting the formulas down. The man inspected them with trembling hands then sealed then called the assistant outside and handed the selaed envelopes with 20 pounds for verification
The sealed envelopes returned quick. And with a nod of approval from the assistant the man dumped an envelope of banknotes into Louis's hands
As Louis tucked the money away the man added in a hushed tone "Now I can stop worrying about that stupid old gezeer.. when I go home"
Louis gave a small nod and said "Good luck. And try not to burn yourself or anything down"
The man swallowed hard and scurried out of the room like a shadow dissappearing when illuminated
Louis waited until his footsteps faded then exhaled slowly
That was almost too easy
---
Abel slipped into the small side room pointed out by the assistant expecting the usual nervous amateur or desperate merchant
Instead the man waiting for him stood the moment he entered boots clicking together as if he were greeting a superior officer. His posture was rigid and his eyes shone with an anxious intensity
"Your… your lordship" the man said bowing slightly
Abel froze for half a heartbeat then remembered the clothes he had deliberately chosen tailored tuxedo subtle but undeniably expensive accessories. He had worn them only to maintain a façade of confidence among other Sequence 9s. He hadn't expected anyone to overinterpret them
But the mans gaze flickered evaluating him testing him with a trace of suspicion beneath the respect
"Forgive me my lord" he said carefully "but… before we proceed I must confirm something. No ordinary noble or officer would handle a Briber formula directly. And nobody with common sense would dare post it in the open" His fingers twitched at his side "If you truly are who you appear to be then I must show proper respect. If not… then I'll have to end our conversation here"
Ahh so he was cautious after all
Abel tilted his head letting silence stretch just long enough to unnerve him. Then he said tone mild
"We must be drilling the recruits well if the new agents have this level skepticism"
The man inhaled sharply caught
He bowed again quick "Agent Merrick I only joined a few months ago"
His posture loosened a fraction as if confessing had lifted a weight from his chest
Abel maintaining his composed façade, waved a hand dismissively "Relax if I intended to expose you I would have asked whether you worked under in Qonas… or Pantek's departments" His tone cooled slightly thoughtful "Perhaps Celt's division or maybe even Her Highness Georgina's unit"
Merrick's eyes widened at the casual mention of powerful names people only the well connected or dangerously informed would know
That was all the confirmation he needed
He dropped to one knee so fast Abel almost stepped back
"My lord forgive my earlier doubt I simply couldn't believe someone of your reach would appear here. If you are connected to any of them could I…" His voice cracked "I won't hide it I need a backer someone above the petty supervisors who can protect me if I bring in results. I recognised your bearing immediately and if you are willing to trade a Lawyer pathway potion… then you must have influence there as well"
Abel almost laughed almost instead he slipped effortlessly into the role handed to him tone calm
"I see you're deffinately the ambitious type "
"Yes my lord"
"And loyal?"
"Completely my lord!"
Abel nodded as if evaluating a servant an auction. Then he reached over to the side table and grabbed a blank paper and started writting something titled 'SQ8 Barbarian potion'
Merrick blinked stunned "My lord… this is"
"Free" Abel said smoothly as if giving away pastries "Consider it an investment your performance and loyalty will determine whether further… opportunities… come your way"
The man trembled "I.. I won't disappoint you I swear on my life"
Abel gestured toward the door "Good from now on, you will report to me only at this gathering. Each time bring everything you've learned since the last meeting. Do Not contact me elsewhere"
"Yes my lord, Thank you"
Merrick bowed and left the room with the joy of a man who believed he had just been saved from obscurity
Abel waited until the door closed before allowing himself a quiet exhale
Well… that's one accidental subordinate gained
---
Back in the main hall Erwin watched assistants move between tables. His Solar High Priest note remained untouched
But then a new listing appeared
Selling: Whole Human-Faced Rose
Erwin went still
A crucial Clown ingredient here
He signaled the assistant immediately afraid others would take it first
The seller was an older woman with a cracked mask and steady voice "Three hundred and twenty pounds"
"Done"
Erwin walked away with the rose sealed inside a small jar
his mind racing now that he had one of the main materials for the Clown potion ready
---
Free Discussion Period
Mr. A announced the open discussion portion, groups formed and conversations shifted
An adventurer team took center floor
"We're preparing for a 4th Epoch ruin" their leader said. "Departure in a couple of weeks Need capable Sequence 8s and 9s. High risk high reward"
Louis's interest spiked "Sounds fun."
Abel sighed. "We'll die next"
Erwin nodded "Later. We need to get a little stronger before we start going into death traps"
Other requests followed escort missions, hunts, odd jobs nothing fitting their needs
Eventually the gathering concluded
---
The trio stepped outside one after another waiting just across the street and down the small alley
Braveheart Bar was only a block away
Erwin exhaled "Let's get the IDs"
Louis nodded "And something strong"
Abel slipped his hands into his pockets "We can afford a bottle or two after tonight"
The three walked down the street side by side
With money earned, connections formed, and materials gained their path in Backlund had officially begun
(A/N: Any feedback or ideas on where to take the story from here is appreciated)