Chapter 74
“R-Reschenhardt…?”
The green-haired man, Peillat, stared blankly at the young man seated across from him.
“Why are you here…?”
“…Was it the third son who carries the bloodline in Portplum?”
The mont Aquila Reschenhardt entered the inn, the patrons who had frozen in place began whispering among themselves.
None had expected that a Reschenhardt would appear in such a place.
Shock and murmurs rippled through the room.
The reason he drew such attention was not only because of his red hair—the mark of having received the blessing of a great ancient dragon—but also because of the recent rumors circulating throughout Portplum.
They said Aquila Reschenhardt had perford a miracle, that he was acquainted with a saint, and that he had been the one riding the wyvern that crossed the skies above Portplum yesterday….
Moreover, the person who had entered with him wore a robe on the outside, but beneath it glead sturdy silver armor.
Though his helt obscured his face entirely, several recognized him as a Temple Knight affiliated with the Grand Temple of Portplum.
Why would the man who has been the subject of so many rumors lately co here?
Those who had been eating and drinking fell silent almost as if by prior agreent, all eyes fixed on Aquila.
The red-haired young man, however, did not spare a single glance for his surroundings.
His interest lay solely in the person before him.
“…Happy, Lat. I do not know what you are struggling over, but if that is ant to be a na, I cannot recomnd it.”
Aquila lifted one brow as he read the words written upside down.
“Ah—ah! This is nothing at all…!”
Peillat flushed instantly and covered the paper with both arms.
He seed to know well enough that the na was sowhat ridiculous.
Aquila cast a sidelong glance at the paper before rolling his eyes.
He must be worrying over the na of his rchant company. Though he will end up using his own na anyway.
Aside from handling herbs and running a company, Peillat possessed not a shred of what could be called refinent.
Not only with the na of his company, but even with the nas of his products.
No matter how grand he attempted to make them sound, they always ended up as straightforward labels such as “Health Potion,” “Mana Potion,” or “Elixir.”
With a slight shrug, Aquila called for a server. After a mont’s hesitation, a staff mber approached their table cautiously.
“Do you drink? Shall I order sothing for you?”
“I am on duty. And I believe you are not yet of age.”
“Food, then? I hear the dishes here are quite famous.”
“I am on duty.”
Heinen’s curt replies continued without pause.
Since Aquila had expected as much, he did not press further and turned his head.
He ordered six spicy chicken skewers, fried chicken skin, and a sausage assortnt to be packed.
Heinen’s gaze lingered briefly on him.
…One ought to drink dark beer at Kemiah’s Dance.
Aquila smacked his lips in faint regret before turning his attention back to the man opposite him.
“Herbalist Peillat. That is correct, is it not? There is sothing I wish to purchase, but if possible, I would prefer to speak sowhere quieter.”
The instant his na left Aquila’s lips, Peillat’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit’s.
“H-How do you know my na…?”
Before he could voice the full question, however, Peillat arrived at the answer himself.
At the Old Items Auction, very little was concealed.
That applied equally to buyers and sellers.
Only those who consented to register their nas and whose identities were verified could participate.
It was therefore not strange that Aquila Reschenhardt knew Peillat’s na.
That he knew where Peillat was staying and had co directly to him was another matter entirely.
The one who purchased Quija’s Smile… He has not co in person because there is so problem, has he?
Swallowing hard, Peillat rolled up the paper on the table and stuffed it into a side pocket of his bag.
His past dealings with nobles had rarely ended well. This ti, too, he felt an ominous premonition.
He cleared his throat, striving to keep defiance from entering his tone.
“Ahem. If you wish to purchase sothing, that can be done here. What herbs do you require?”
He hesitated over how to address the young man before adding in a small voice, “M-My lord…?”
To call an eighteen-year-old youth “my lord.”
Aquila found it absurd, yet did not dwell on it.
“If that is what you prefer.”
“…Aquila Reschenhardt.”
Heinen murmured softly, just loud enough for him to hear.
After all, Aquila had left Shen and Cahena outside, intending to move to a quieter place.
But if Peillat preferred to remain here, that was acceptable.
Despite his sowhat dull appearance, Peillat was cautious by nature, and Aquila had no intention of discussing anything particularly serious.
If he wishes to draw attention so badly…
Shaking his head slightly at Heinen, Aquila leaned back against the chair.
“I would like to purchase Porcelain Mushroom Spores and Tunai Flowers.”
“…Those are rather unusual materials. They grow only in the west.”
Peillat had half expected so accusation or complaint, but the specific list of materials caught him off guard.
Had the man truly co as a custor?
Relaxing the suspicion that had tightened his brow, Peillat pushed aside his bowl of soup, bread, and beer mug before placing his herb bag on the table.
“Hmm, let us see… I believe I stored them here….”
He reached in confidently and withdrew a small vial.
Inside were pink spores.
Setting it down, he reached into the bag once more and produced a pouch tied with string.
When he opened it, a dark purple dried flower lay within.
They were the Porcelain Mushroom Spores and the Tunai Flower.
“You are fortunate I happen to have both. Here they are.”
Peillat slid the items across the table.
Even at a glance, their pristine condition was evident.
“This… It is identical to the illustration in the book. I recall reading that it is difficult to dry them without damage.”
Peillat’s shoulders twitched.
“T-That is not so—”
“I ca on the chance that you might have rare herbs, but this exceeds my expectations.”
At that, Peillat leaned forward slightly, ears practically straining to catch every word. The corners of his mouth trembled upward.
“Ahem. Well, I have often been told I possess considerable skill in handling herbs.”
He laughed awkwardly, though his gaze flickered expectantly.
Aquila did not ignore it.
On the contrary, he nodded earnestly.
“You are skilled. Impressive.”
“Ah—hahaha! You flatter ! They were difficult to obtain, but this is well within my abilities!”
Peillat covered his mouth as he cleared his throat, yet from the mont the praise reached him, his eyes shone brightly. Behind his thick lenses, his face seed almost to glow.
He is just as weak to praise as ever.
Aquila suppressed a sigh.
Winning Peillat over was simple.
His pride in his craft was imnse, and a few sincere complints would quickly open his heart.
It helped that his skill truly was widely acknowledged; there was no need for empty flattery.
“Very well. I will purchase them all.”
“A most excellent choice, my lord. Thank you.”
Aquila reached into his coat and produced a heavy pouch of gold, which he had prepared before leaving the lodging.
“This should suffice.”
“T-This much…?”
Peillat accepted the pouch as though entranced and checked its contents, then nearly gasped.
The materials were of the highest quality, but Aquila had added more than the price Peillat had intended to request.
“If you had not possessed them, I would have commissioned you to procure them from the west. In that sense, they were yours to begin with. And you have delivered such fine goods without delay.”
“M-My lord…! To speak so generously…!”
Moved to near tears, Peillat clasped the pouch as though it were Aquila’s very hand.
The sight of his uncontrollable grin was almost comical.
But Aquila was not yet finished.
“If I require materials in the future, may I contact you again? I have a keen interest in herbs, and it would be regrettable to lose such a skilled herbalist.”
“…M-?”
Peillat looked even more astonished than when he had first received the heavy pouch of gold.
Just as he had never dread of selling Quija’s Smile for ten million gold, he had never imagined such a proposal.
What fortune is this!
The young man before him had already greatly aided the funds he had been saving to establish his company—and now he wished to continue trading!
It was an extraordinary opportunity.
An opportunity to form ties with House Reschenhardt itself.
How could he possibly refuse such an overwhelming fortune?
With fervor, Peillat agreed without hesitation.
At his eager nod, Aquila’s lips curved faintly.
There is no need to bring up elixirs at our first eting. We must grow closer gradually. Gold and praise—that is the surest way to win him over.
Ding!
[Information regarding the keyword ‘Peillat’ has been unlocked!]
No. That will not be necessary.
Aquila dismissed the window at once.
Aside from being a rchant, there was little worth noting—except perhaps the nickna Aquila had once given him.
The Praise Fiend. The Gold Fiend.
Smiling with a face that betrayed none of his thoughts, Aquila explained that the Founding Festival had ended and he would likely return to Igrail in a few days. He would send word through a courier before departing.
He also inford Peillat of the lodging where he was currently staying, just in case.
“Then I shall contact you soon.”
“Yes. Thank you. Travel safely, my lord.”
After placing the purchased materials into his coat’s inner pocket, Aquila rose from his seat.
As he did, he cast a subtle glance around.
Many still watched with curiosity, but among them were a few whose gazes had changed.
From the mont he handed Peillat the pouch of gold.
It was easy to predict what might occur after he left.
After paying the server, Aquila picked up the packaged food himself before Heinen could reach for it.
“Be careful.”
Peillat was capable enough to wander dangerous regions alone, so concern was likely unnecessary—but one never knew.
With that brief warning and a gesture to Heinen, Aquila stepped out of the inn.
The door swung open.
At the sound, Shen and Cahena turned toward him at once.
“I was wondering why you had not co out—what were you doing inside…? What are you carrying? Allow , young master.”
Unable to tolerate the sight of his master carrying anything, Shen promptly took the packaged food.
“…Oh dear. I thought you ant to lure him out, but it seems you finished everything inside. Or you did not leave the two of us standing outside while you ate, did you?”
“I did not eat.”
Heinen answered crisply.
All he had done inside was silently observe Aquila Reschenhardt smiling with unsettling intent at another man.
Inwardly, Heinen revised his impression of Aquila slightly.
“Slling the food for so long has made hungry enough to faint. Shall we return?”
Cahena rubbed her empty stomach.
“There was one more place to go… but no. Let us return.”
Aquila, too, felt sowhat hungry after sitting inside.
There is nothing urgent left to do anyway. I may as well summon him.
Nodding to himself, Aquila walked toward the carriage.
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