Year 2, Sumr, Second Month, Third Week.
Lew cleaned the sweat off his forehead and looked towards the approaching village with unease. From a distance, the village didnt seem special, but he knew it held many secrets. The trip hadnt been long but he couldnt brush away the discomfort inside his heart, being a wanted criminal was far from the shining path his father drew for him. However, de didnt bla himself, bad things kept happening in his life, would this too bring him more problems?
He reached for the big crystal inside his pouch, the cold sensation of the high dense energy made him feel confident again. Although he suffered many setbacks, he got another HQ energy crystal. The crystal had cost him a lot, he had to exchange three MQ elental crystals and the Enchanters book to get it, but it was worth it. Even after being sched and hunted through Kingdom, if he t his father he would be able to give back the treasure that represented all of his fathers life work.
When he received the first HQ crystal, his father said he didnt need to give it back, it was sothing to protect him, a life-saving item. But Lews pride would compel him to give it back to his father one day, so he didnt regret paying a lot to get another crystal. However, he felt bad about using the Enchanters book as paynt, the man had saved him and only asked for one thing in exchange, but how could he understand what that ssage ant? It was better to give it to soone the could use it, who knew if another Mage wouldnt end up fulfilling the request. He had done what he could, writing the words he rembered and asking for Keller to pass it together with the book.
Anyway, now was ti to see what Alchemy is. After seeing the other enhanced weapons and the lightened cart, Lew didnt doubt it anymore. However, he didnt believe such a magical thing had really co from this small village.
In the days to co, Caiset would change everything Lew believed about the Kingdoms commoners. The first lesson ca when they arrived, the organization and discipline displayed by the village escorts, made him re-evaluate their abilities. The Council had decided to keep the military display for their future deals, it would help them keep the professional relations with Keller, after all, they could rely on him blindly.
Since Lew was an ex-Captain, he was used to dealing with villagers regularly, so the differences in their health condition, posture and behavior were clear to him. From that mont, he decided to never underestimate them again.
As usual, Diana was responsible for welcoming and escorting the visitors to the village. Lew could clearly see that she was more trained than the others, probably since she was able to, she good foundations that couldnt be built in less than three years. Apparently, the village wasnt simple at all.
Welco to Caiset, I rembered everybody from your last visit, except him
Oh, Im sorry Im Lew, I work for Keller I ca to help with the delivery and offer my services
Hmm Services? Anyway, we can talk about it later, lets head inside first I bet youre tired and hungry from your journey
Yes, Miss!
Kellers employees couldnt hide their eagerness to eat the villages food. They didnt care about the poor accommodation if they could eat the magic-infused als. They even fought back in Wind Castle to see who would co to make the delivery.
***
Thats How could they serve this to us? In the middle of the day nonetheless You said they eat like this every day?
Lew couldnt stop staring at the food, it tasted even more delicious than what he rembered. Actually, Lew had eaten a lot of at during his trip into the Death Forest, but the food in the village tasted better than anything he had tried in his entire life. The magic properties he felt from the al seed to be stronger than when he ate the MQ at.
If you dont want it, I can eat it for you
Everyone looked shocked at the shalessness of the glutton man. But Lew didnt care, he was too focused on trying to discover how they made it taste so heavenly. He tasted another piece of at, slowly chewing it, the alkaline and salty taste could only be earth at, he was sure of it, but he couldnt accept its tenderness. The at continued to shred inside his month, leaving behind the rich mineral taste. That wasnt how earth at should feel like, it was supposed to be tough and difficult to chew. He couldnt restrain himself any longer, when he saw a villager passing he asked about the al.
It tastes great, doesnt it? We dont eat it every day The wind als are much more common, we only eat earth als two or three tis a month
Lew almost coughed blood when he heard how lightly the villager treated their heavenly and extrely expensive als. But, how could they know how much all of it was worth in the city?
***
This is the Council pavilion, you can wait inside if want to, the Council mbers should be here soon
Thank you.
Lew wanted to walk around the village but the guide (watcher), insisted the other places were out of limits for visitors, how they would keep it hidden when the inspectors ca next spring was a mystery to him. Fortunately, the Council mbers arrived in few minutes and everyone entered the room. Lew looked around, but couldnt see anything worth out of the ordinary. The furniture was a little more well crafted than he expected from common villages, but nothing too surprising, making him feel a little disappointed.
Oro didnt bother making any presentations and jumped right into the matter.
So, Mister Lew, how can we help you?
Ah Keller showed your enhancents and I beca interested
Oh, I thought I made it clear that he should keep it a secret for now, but maybe he doesnt appreciate our deal
He didnt tell others about it I work for him, so you should consider like the other guys he sent, just A little more independent, but I still work for him I asked him to co here to offer you my services as a Fighter instructor
Hmm, I see We thank you for coming this far, but we arent interested.
Lew was speechless, the service of a Fighter wasnt sothing just anyone could get. Even rchants would pay a heavy price for it, but the villagers didnt seem to care about it at all. He was prepared to haggle on prices or for them to say they couldnt afford it, but he didnt have an answer for this.
OK So, could we negotiate so enhancents for my weapons?
Oro exchanged a look with Karl, who made a negative sign.
Im sorry, we have too much work on our hands Cant you buy the enhanced weapons from Keller?
Unless you have a hybrid crystal or a MQ crystal
Everyone was surprised by Reiners intervention, but since Karl didnt correct her, they guessed she was right. Lew almost choke with the womans greedy expression, he unconsciously looked at his pouch, which held his last possessions. He felt a little unwilling, but he could only steel his heart and offer them so good things if he wanted to learn more about their magic craft.
I have so crystals with , Im sure they would satisfy you How much would you give for the crystals? In enhancents, of course
Since Reiner was the one that asked, they decided to let her negotiate. Karl was also fine with it, his mother was responsible for the Alchemy Departnt and already knew everything about the crystals.
It would depend on what crystals you have We would only want it if we have a use for it
Lew felt a sting in his heart, but he could only clench his teeth while searching inside his pouch. He took three different-sized blackish crystals and placed them on the table. Marlen, Bill and Oro quickly reacted, almost standing up from their chairs. Karl didnt miss their reactions, but his mother soon demanded his attention. She looked at him and said hesitantly:
Are those Are those death crystals?
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