Wearing a white platinum dress that would make all of Dallions earnings as a hunter seem like pocket change, Gloria ca up to him, a radiant smile on her face. Dallion could see that she had increased her awakened level significantly since last hed seen her, now reaching the mid-forties, if not higher. Given how ambitious shed always been, it wouldnt be out of the question for her to have reached a higher level than Falkner.
You look well, the woman said. Her outfit and platinum blond hair made her stand out in the crowd, as if she were a negative in a colored photo. No doubt the effect had specifically been created by a skilled tailor in the service of Falkners family. That would suggest that his father had approved of the union.
You look better, Dallion said. Guilt made him discreetly glance about in search of Eury. For better or worse, the gorgon had joined March and was discussing sothing. Her back was turned to Dallion, but he knew well that didnt prevent Eury from seeing him. Hows ho?
Quite well. A lot has changed since you last visited. Were a town now.
A town? I thought the Archduke didnt allow settlent advancent.
He doesnt, Falkner said. I had my father petition, so it was approved.
That certainly was a way to get things moving. Dallion wondered whether that ant that Gloria had agreed to be the next overseer. It was a dark and chilling thought, but after his experience in the fallen south, Dallion feared that might very much be the case.
Veil is in charge of it now. Hes a bit annoyed he didnt get to be here to see you, but he has enough work to deal with back ho.
I bet. Dallion nodded.
VeilGlorias botherwas even more ambitious and competitive. It would be no wonder if he had passed the fourth gate as well. Then again, it was also likely that he, as his sister, had hit the developnt wall. For the most part, people reached their limits around level twenty. Star-touched, inadvertently did better. Maybe that was one of the gifts they had received from the Star, making them as valuable as otherworlders and a lot more reliable.
Congrats on your engagent, Dallion said, finally acknowledging the fact. Surprised not to hear about it earlier.
We kept it discreet. Falkner stepped in. Dallion could feel that even now, he was protective of Gloria. That seed sweet, also making Dallion slightly envious, especially after what was going on with him and Eury. Apparently, even in this world, the universe had a wicked sense of humor. Itll be a small event with a big announcent. Ill talk to my father to invite you, of course.
Ill do my best to be there.
What brings you here? Gloria asked Dallion. There was a lot of rhubarb when you ca to the city, but thats about it. Even Falkner wasnt able to find out anything.
Dallion could almost feel all ears on him. On the surface, no one in the hall had skipped a beat, continuing the conversations theyd been having until now. However, Dallion felt curiosity oozing from everyone, almost overwhelming him.
Powerful, isnt it? Nil asked. Thats why music is considered such a valuable skill, especially at the higher levels.
Im here with March, Dallion replied, making it a point to not give any details. He had been warned about this, but even if he hadnt, he knew better than blabbering out sensitive information. Thats all I can say.
Clearly versed in how the ga was played, Falkner nodded. Gloria, on the other hand, apart from having a good, if limited in comparison, understanding of politics, had the determination to match.
Since were all here, a small favor, if you dont mind? She pulled off a ring from her finger. To Dallions delight, it was the sa ring that he had improved for her during his awakening acknowledgent back in Dherma. The simplicity of the piece of jewelry and the cheapness of the material, compared to the engagent ring beside it, clearly showed that she had kept it for sentintal reasons.
Dont get any ideas, the armadil shield said. People have gotten into trouble for less.
What do you an? Dallion asked.
Shes engaged to nobility now. Getting involved will only cause trouble. Eras might change, but romance and intrigue remain the sa.
Are you serious? Dallion laughed in his mind. Theres nothing going on. Were just friends.
The dryad guardian didnt reply.
Can you improve it a bit more? Gloria asked.
Sure. Dallion smiled. What do you want it to be? Gold? More?
Silver will be fine.
Dallion reached for the ring. The mont he touched it, the familiar green rectangle appeared.
ITEM AWAKENING
That was weird. For one thing, he wasnt the one who had initiated the realm entry. For another, Dallion wasnt the only person there. Gloria and Falkner were as well. Faint bubbles of surprise ford within Falkners body. Unlike him, the predominant emotion visible in Gloria was determination.
Its better to talk here, the woman said. Far less of a crowd.
If it were anyone else, Dallion would have been highly suspicious of the whole thing. Being pulled into a realm just like that wasnt regarded as good awakened etiquette. However, since it was Gloria, he didnt seem to mind.
Why are you really here? she pressed on.
I really cant tell you, Dallion replied with a slight sigh. Its related to work. Thats all I can say at this point. Its not related to you, if thats what youre worried about.
Why did he add to that for? Of course, it wasnt related to her. There was no reason anyone should think otherwise. The last ti Dallion had visited his ho villagecurrently townhe had pretty much cut all ties with the place and the people in it.
Trouble always seems to follow you. If sothing crazy is going on here, Id like to know before it happens.
Fair point. Lets say that the city wont be affected in any way. Or at least, Dallion hoped so. Good enough?
Itll have to do. It was obvious that Gloria wasnt overly pleased with the answer, but she was willing to accept it.
Since were here, theres a favor Id like to ask as well. This wasnt what Dallion had planned, but one of the things about being a hunter was to take advantage of every sudden opportunity. Id like an invite to the Night Auction.
Surprise and concern ballooned in Falkner. It was also interesting to see clusters of curiosity fill Glorias head and arms. It seed like this was sothing she was unaware of.
Whats the Night Auction? She turned to her future husband.
Its he began, but the word quickly trailed off. Its impossible, he turned to Dallion. Not at such a short notice.
Impossible for soone who managed to get permission for settlent improvent? Dallion pressed. I think youre selling yourself short.
That was my father. Hes not here now.
Whats the Night Auction? Gloria asked again.
Its a special auction action, Dallion said. Very exclusive. You need to be of major importance to get there. Or to be invited by soone who was.
Thats not even close. Falkner suppressed a sigh. Its an auction organized by Archdukes at which the rarest things in the world are bought and sold. Things that otherwise cant be bought. It takes a fortune even to buy the trivial items. I dont know how you even know about it.
Im a hunter, after all. You seem to know about it quite a bit as well.
Have you been to one? Gloria asked.
My father took a few tis when I was a child. I rember I was amazed at the things there. Looking at them was almost as exciting as buying the thing. Why do you want to go, anyway? You cant possibly have the funds to get anything. Can you?
Thats for to worry about. Can you get an invite?
No. A large blob of quilt erged in the young nobles chest.
Thank you, music skills, Dallion thought. You can, cant you?
Its not that simple. If youd asked a month ago, maybe I could have managed sothing. Right now he waved a hand.
What are you hiding?
Falkner didnt respond.
Fal, Gloria said gently. Can you get an invitation to the auction?
I can only invite one other, Falkner said at last. Apparently, this was one aspect he hadnt changed since Dallion the Icepicker guildhe had difficulty standing up to those who were close to him. I planned on inviting you and buying sothing you liked, he turned to the blonde.
So, you have the invite?
Falkner nodded.
Let Dallion be your guest. Ill get other chances to go see it. Besides, she placed her hand on his cheek. This way you get to surprise .
Well played, Dallion thought. Looking with terrified fascination at how she handled him. If he didnt know better, hed almost say she was using music skills. In truth, she was just very good at convincing people when she wanted it. After all, she had also managed to get Dallion to help her level up back in Dherma when she needed it.
Conflict raged within Falkner for several seconds. Dallion could see emotions flaring up, clashing, then being consud. For a mont, there was no telling which side would win. In the end, the young man folded.
Alright, he whispered. Ill talk to my uncle. The auction will start at midnight, during the banquet. Ill co get you.
Gloria gave Dallion a glance saying you owe one, then kissed Falkner on the cheek.
Where will it be? Dallion asked.
Right here, in the palace. Its always here. With so many valuables, theres no place better.
That made sense. Only soone mad would attack an Archduke in their own ho.
Thanks, Falkner. If you ever need a creature caught or sothing from the wilderness, let know. You get one for free.
Ill rember that. Falkner forced a smile half-way. It was obvious that he had other plans for the evening.
Well, now thats all this is settled, I think we should get back to the banquet, Gloria changed the topic. Of course, after you do what you promised. She looked at Dallion. I expect the silver to be flawless.
With both Gloria and her fianc leaving, Dallion was left to improve the ring. Doing so brought a certain feeling of nostalgia. The colossus that was the guardian of the ring was the first one Dallion had fought. At the ti, he was a re level one with a single guard skill. Now, he had the skills and power to defeat the guardian in one strike.
Of course, that wasnt the course he chose. Entering the guardians chamber, Dallion decided to spend a while having a nice conversation with the entity. Interestingly enough, it turned out that the language wasnt one hed known before. Learning it was easy, of course, and earned him another point in scholar skills.
The conversation between him and the guardian was exactly as one would expecttwo distant friends catching up after a chance eting centuries after the last. The topic of conversation varied, with the two main focuses being Gloria and Dallion. Strangely enough, the colossus still had a mixed opinion on Falkner. She acknowledged his strength and feelings for Gloria, but still wasnt a hundred percent certain he was a good match.
Once the topics were exhausted, Dallion offered the guardian to surrender. While it was clear that the fight would be extrely one-sided, she refused. It was a matter of principle above everything else. As a result, Dallion proceeded to defeat her a dozen tis, until the material of the ring was improved to silver. And just for the sake of it, he used nothing but his original guard buckler to do so. Near the end, the colossus even managed to get a few hits. Of course, at his current level, Dallions overall health decreased by no more than ten percent in total.
Improving an item so many tis at once is never a good idea, Nil grumbled.
Shes fine, Dallion replied. Shes strong enough to handle it.
Possibly, but thats not the point. Moving too fast often has a tendency of taking you back. Keep that in mind.
I always do, Dallion said, and returned to the real world.
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