Chapter 49: Prelude to Opening a Shop
Eight hours later, just at the end of Elaina’s shift.
Marcus was already waiting outside of the adventurer’s guild, waiting for Elaina to co out from the door.
He waited and waited, until Elaina stepped out of the door along with her colleagues.
He approached her and Elaina and her colleagues stopped in their tracks when he was in their way.
"Marcus..."
"That’s your boyfriend, the one who killed the wyverns," one of her colleagues said, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and excitent.
The others looked at Marcus more closely now.
Not just as the man from rumors, but as soone standing right in front of them.
Marcus gave a small nod.
"That’s ."
He glanced at them briefly, then added with a faint smirk,
"Didn’t expect to et the rest of the staff like this."
Elaina shifted slightly beside them.
"...Marcus."
Her tone carried a warning.
Marcus ignored it.
He looked at her colleagues again, more casually this ti.
"Good evening, ladies."
That caught them off guard.
A couple of them blinked.
"...Ladies?" one repeated, slightly flustered.
Marcus nodded.
"Yeah. Elaina works with you, so I figured I should at least greet properly."
One of them covered her mouth lightly, clearly trying not to smile too much.
"You’re... more normal than I expected," she said.
"Is that a complint?" Marcus asked.
"I think so," another one replied, laughing quietly.
Marcus glanced between them.
"Not bad," he said. "Elaina’s been working with a good group."
Elaina narrowed her eyes slightly.
"...What’s that supposed to an?"
Marcus shrugged.
"They’re all nice."
Then he added, just enough to make it clear.
"But not on your level."
The group reacted imdiately.
"...Oh?"
"...He just said that in front of us?"
"That’s unfair."
Elaina’s face turned red again.
"...You didn’t have to say that."
Marcus looked at her.
"I’m just being honest."
One of her colleagues stepped forward slightly, smiling now.
"He’s straightforward," she said. "I see why you like him."
Elaina froze.
"I didn’t say that."
"You didn’t have to," another one added.
Marcus glanced at Elaina, amused.
"Looks like they already figured it out."
Elaina looked away, clearly trying to regain control of the situation.
"Are you done?"
Marcus nodded.
"Yeah."
Then he stepped a bit closer to her.
"Your shift’s over, right?"
Elaina gave a small nod.
"Yes."
Marcus turned slightly, gesturing down the street.
"Let’s go."
Elaina hesitated for a second, then looked back at her colleagues.
"I’ll see you tomorrow."
"Okay, good bye! Have fun with your boyfriend."
"I will," Elaina said, waving her hand as she watched her friends disappeared into the distance.
Then, he faced Marcus.
"What are you doing?"
"Well, just speaking the truth. I have been waiting for you."
"You are waiting for ? Since when?"
"Since hours ago, but don’t worry. I took a nap and I don’t feel like taking missions today as I am focusing myself on this rcenary group I am planning on opening. I want to discuss it with you now. I’ll treat you to dinner, eat all you can."
"Really..!" Elaina’s eyes bead at the ntion of food.
"Yeah, so co follow , and we will find a spot to discuss my plans."
"Okay."
Her tone shifted imdiately, the fatigue from her shift gone just like that. She stepped closer to him, naturally falling into place beside him as they started walking.
Marcus glanced at her.
"...You really like food that much."
Elaina looked at him.
"I do," she said without any sha. "After a full day of work, it’s the best thing."
Marcus huffed lightly.
"Fair enough."
They walked through the evening streets, the lanterns already lit, casting a warm glow along the path. The city felt alive again, different from the quiet of the morning. People filled the roads, voices overlapping, the scent of cooked food drifting from different directions.
Marcus scanned the area briefly.
Then he stopped.
"This one."
Elaina looked up.
In front of them was a proper restaurant, not just a street stall. Wooden doors, open windows, warm light spilling out. Inside, tables were already filled with people eating and talking, the sound contained but lively.
"...You’re not going to the stalls?" she asked.
Marcus shook his head.
"Not today."
He pushed the door open.
"Co on."
They stepped inside.
A few heads turned, but not as much as in the guild. The environnt here was more focused on food than reputation.
A server approached them quickly.
"Two?" he asked.
Marcus nodded.
"Yeah."
They were led to a table near the window. Marcus pulled out the chair slightly, and Elaina sat down.
"...Thanks," she said.
Marcus sat across from her.
The nu was placed in front of them.
Marcus didn’t even look at his.
He pushed it toward her.
"Order whatever you want."
Elaina blinked.
"...Anything?"
Marcus nodded.
"Anything."
There was no hesitation in his tone.
No limit.
Elaina looked down at the nu.
Then back at him.
"...You’re serious."
Marcus leaned back slightly.
"I said eat all you want."
That was enough.
Elaina picked up the nu.
Her eyes moved quickly across it.
"...Okay."
Marcus watched her.
Within seconds—
"I’ll take the roasted lamb, the buttered vegetables, two servings of at stew, grilled fish, and... bread. A lot of bread."
She paused.
Then looked up.
"...And juice."
Marcus didn’t react.
"Alright."
The server blinked once.
"...That’s all?"
Elaina hesitated.
Then looked at Marcus.
"...Can I add more later?"
Marcus nodded.
"Yeah."
Elaina turned back to the server.
"That’s all for now."
The server nodded and walked off, still slightly surprised.
Marcus looked at her.
"...You weren’t kidding."
Elaina set the nu down.
"I told you."
Marcus smirked faintly.
"I’m starting to believe it."
Elaina leaned back slightly in her chair, more relaxed now.
"...So," she said, "your rcenary group."
Marcus nodded.
"Yeah."
He leaned forward slightly, resting his arm on the table.
"So, here is what we are going to need," Marcus began. "First, of course is that I legally open one. And then, recruitnt. I’m going to need more or less 10 people as soldiers. You are going to help
find those n, as a receptionist, you must have access to the files of the adventurers. Again, even an E-rank or D-rank would do. Then, we are going to need a base of operations so we need to look for land where we can construct our base from, and lastly, clients. Did you get it?"
Elaina simply nodded. "Easy, consider it done tomorrow."
Reviews
All reviews (0)