{I don't give a rat's ass that he's sorry! And frankly, I don't buy his apologies at all.} Having been played by him before and considering myself wisened by Chubu's incidents, I didn't believe a single word of his. Such a change in plans meant he couldn't even wait a few hours. And that could only be if, {Zelindo needs something from me.}

_______

"I understand it is appalling to be called on such short notice and in such a way, but there are reasons for it." Maybe I displayed some of my inner thoughts on my face, or Zelindo continued his prepared monologue. Yet, as I didn't answer the first wave of apologies, he continued with another one, only then mentioning what I had already concluded, there was a reason, and it was something related to me.

"While surprised, I do not hold it against you, Maester Zelindo. I'm sure the reasons behind such are enough to guarantee it." Again, if I learned something from Chubu, it was that, in many cases, it was better to play along politely. I mean, at least in place of revealing what I actually thought.

"Indeed there are. And I thank you for your understanding." Zelindo had dropped back on the chair, looking even older than usual, the paleness of his skin and bags below his eyes showing that whatever was going on wasn't easy for him. Then, he looked at the woman who escorted me and turned to Falko before commanding, "Now, leave us alone. I am sure that Lindar isn't related to what's happening."

Only after they left that Zelindo would start explaining, not before excusing himself again, this time for not even having a seat to offer me.

_______

The first part of Zelindo's long explanation didn't even touch the principal matter, only generalizing what I already more or less knew. Not that he didn't expand my knowledge about the [Cadowden Trade Guild], as he touched on topics that I had never even heard about.

From the benefits of being a member of the Guild, like not paying local taxes when trading with affiliated merchants or better prices compared to the market for locally produced goods or Guild-owned stores, to stuff like not even paying the Kingdom's tenth as it was already included in the quarter (25%!) that the Guild obtained from any trade of their members.

And while it first looked more like a loss, it actually wasn't so. The Guild provided several things to their affiliates, including cheap or even free guards (in some cases), exclusive contracts, contacts with all the other affiliated merchants, and so on. It even provided accommodations and storage in Guild-owned buildings or a hefty (in truth, the same 25% they usually took) discount on the inns and warehouses managed by other affiliates.

In short, it seemed more like a recruiting speech than practical information, at least, until Zelindo touched the crux of his explanation; about who was responsible for organizing and supervising all of that - the local or nearest (area-wise) branch head.

From that moment, Zelindo moved on to other things that a head did. From managing Guild-owned businesses to collecting money from the affiliates, also having to check the logs and all other documents to ensure the deals had been clean and the Guild obtained what it had to.

With the Guild also responsible for whatever one of their members sold, Zelindo mentioned my first task for him as one of his primary duties. After all, the Guild didn't only protect the merchants but itself as well, with a nearly 100% guarantee on what was sold under its banner being the stuff paid for. And actually, it wasn't just the merchants selling under the banner of the Guild but also any non-affiliated who sold Guild-related goods were to be checked and confirmed to avoid any incident.

Zelindo also mentioned that while the position was a hard one, it also had a lot of benefits, ranging from a percentage of the income to actual power, including all of the contacts with both local and Guild higher-ups. This latter to explain why the position was so sought after, even if one would have to work from sunrise to sunset (and some more).

_______

With such a long explanation, I could understand that between the security measures and this information, Zelindo's life wasn't one far from trouble. And indeed, after laying the groundwork, he would actually spell it out while explaining that it had gone from something constant to actual risk, "While any branch head is usually under constant threat, this time it went far above what I could call usual. Two actual intents to kill me, forcing me to hide in here, a prison for magic-using thieves or problems."

His words also hinted about the problem itself, prompting me to speak for the first time since he started, "So the attacks, and the danger, come from a magic user?"

"Yes, they do." Zelindo answered shortly, but before I could find even anything to say - like why the hell I was being summoned, with my magic skills being in the damn low, untrained, and without any genuine magic in my repertoire - he had already continued, "While you are an untrained mage, I do not hope you to go and solve something that not even the Viscount's mage managed to. It's not your work either, with you not even under my command anymore, not since you became an actual member."

Yet, he had called for me, and with such urgency. Thus, there was something he had to ask me to do, as otherwise there was no reason for it, not with him himself acknowledging the fact that my bronze-member status, one that was yet to formalize but the badge already issued, made me able to refuse any of his commands, at least if they weren't related to something involving the entire Guild.

With this in mind, I asked directly, "If Maester knows about my status and lack of magic skill, why was I summoned?" And as I asked, I mentally thanked Gudea for his unexpected bonus - which I had, initially and wrongly, assumed to be worthless except for more unrestricted travel.

"Because while I am here, I am safe but unable to confirm why I got targeted in such a way." Unexpectedly, Zelindo's answer was direct as well.

"So you want me to go and confirm it? Why not send someone else?" With our conversation suddenly becoming so straightforward - I decided to keep asking without minding my words.

"Truthfully?" His question could be rhetorical, but he would only continue after I nodded, "No one of the clerks can defend themselves, and if I send one of the mercenaries or guards, I doubt he will find something."

"And what about sending a pair? Or even a group? You got a lot of new people around-" I hinted at the [Monster Hunter] Guild guards and even waited a bit for him to nod, "-so I don't think it's just about fighting force or lacking the brains. So once again, why me?"

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Because not only do you combine both, at

least in my eyes. But also because you are the only one who can enter the premises required to investigate." Zelindo's answer was as straightforward as before, but it sent my mind into a spiral of thoughts.

{I can accept the first part, as between what I showed and what he knows about Chubu's events, he can consider me so, but what about that only I can enter somewhere? I have no noble status or renown. So, what does he mean then? No actual contacts around here either, so what does he mean?}

"What do you mean?" It took me a whole minute to calm myself enough to ask, during which Zelindo kept silent.

"Before giving the location or revealing anything else, I need to know you will do it." Zelindo didn't continue his explanation, changing topics without answering my question. He would neither give me a moment to speak, as he continued right away, "Since the start, I had you stay in Megvuroz to help me check on the branch's operations, not for tasks akin to the trade deal with the [Sharagzian Kingdom] representatives."

"..." His sudden recalling of what I initially had agreed to was surprising, so I didn't try to speak, waiting for him to explain further. But he didn't, in turn choosing to go with Chubu's events.

"Even so, you did complete the task. And even if you unwantedly had to participate in the power play in the city, you returned with the cargo intact and nearly in time. Furthermore, thanks to your actions, you helped both the Crown and the Guild, even becoming a member of the Guild as part of the rewards you obtained." Zelindo's words were calm, but he nearly scowled at the part of power play, making me recall that he was against any interaction with Gudea and company since the start.

Still, Hearing him recount what I already knew almost made me snap at him, but I managed to feel there was a reason for it and kept calm as he took a breath from all the talking.

"Usually, I couldn't give orders to any official member of the Guild, at least if he is not part of my own branch. Yet, if whatever is going on can affect the entire Guild, and the death of a head is definitively one of such cases, I am able to command anyone below my rank." Zelindo still spoke as if he was explaining something, but I couldn't avoid noticing how his tone slightly changed when he touched on his commanding rights.

{So, he can order me to do it? No carrot, just the stick?} Honestly, I cared nothing about the Guild, and I doubt that refusing could lead to anything worse than my official titling never happening because of his interference and commentaries to the higher-ups. Still, it affected my bad mood, making me snarl at the man, "Orders? I am not even an official member yet."

"I know, and that's why I wouldn't try to order you." Zelindo showed no care about my reaction, yet his words made no sense. {If he speaks about his right to command and then that he will not use them, what does he want to convey, exactly?!}

"Then..?"

"I will just ask you to do it, no strings attached. If you refuse, I will consider that this talk never happened." His words were unexpected indeed. Prompting me to give him a questioning gaze in place of saying anything.

"One of the most profitable trades that the Guild merchants of this area have is the one of mundane quasi-enchanted items. [Flick Orbs], [Fiery Blocks], you name it. Being made by craftspeople under our wing under our agreement, each item is nearly a quarter of pure profit, even after all costs and the Guild's contributions. A similar situation is the one we have with several actual enchanted items, especially the [Knowledge Orbs], but there the profit range is even higher, as we are the only ones to sell them. Also, except for the Kingdom, only the Guild has rights for their production." Zelindo switched gears once again, suddenly returning to his explanations.

"And what does all that have with me, and whatever you want me to do?" Tired of all the going around, I almost stomped my foot down as I asked directly.

"Everything." I was already on the verge of cursing as Zelindo continued, "About a week before we met, I received a report about [Knowledge Orbs] without the Guild mark. With everything going on, I ignored the matter until three days ago, when I was delivered this-" Zelindo pointed to a brownish orb on the table "-while the orb itself is of common make, as there never was a monopoly on [Learning Orbs] produced by the enchanters, the information that it contains IS identical to the one that only the Guild is supposed to be able to get and sell."

"Can I?" Intrigued by the object, I asked while stepping toward the table. I did touch it only after Zelindo nodded, though.

Seeing that I was examining it, Zelindo gave a short explanation, "When someone shakes a [Learning Orb], it activates and produces text that floats above the surface of the orb. And it can show up to ten pages of text stored in it. While expensive, it is a fairly common tool among nobles."

"And what's the difference between a [Learning] and a [Knowledge] one?" I shook the orb, and it projected a square of whitish color full of text.

"Resumed to one word? Knowledge." Zelindo didn't explain until I looked at him, "[Learning orbs] are empty, and they will simply store the words from whatever papers you imprint on them. But [Knowledge orbs] already come with information, some of which isn't available by other means, at least without traveling to where it is stored."

"Huh?" My eyes darted between Zelindo and the text floating near me, "But what about writing it down?"

"Oh, you obviously can. But let's be honest, paper is easily damaged, and no one's memory is perfect. The traveling expenses and the costs of paper, ink, and a competent scribe to write it down, not to mention the enormous fee the tower demand for every paper piece you take outside. All that combined make the orbs a far better alternative, at least if you have the money to buy them."

"Tower?" Hearing the word tower, one I could only connect with mages, I immediately looked at Zelindo.

"Known as the [Knowledge Spire], but in all truths, nothing more than a tower filled with books and scrolls that only a few can see. And as it does have some mages coming in and out, it also could be called a tower by now." Zelindo explained why he used that word, showing that he perfectly understood the reason behind my question.

Note; The two local languages, imperial (human) and common (mixed), had two words for the word tower.

The first one, [Ladez] (imperial) and [Drer] (common), meant the same as in English, tower as in a building.

But [Laodl] (imperial) and [Draoz] (common) had a very different meaning, something closer to [Magical Building].

The former is used for the fortifications and generally tower-shaped buildings, while the latter is only for the mage towers, or as I understood, for any construction related to (and probably inhabited by) mages.

"So, what exactly do you want me to do?" Once again, I asked. As before, I didn't really care about my current status, and even if Zelindo threatened me with the permits or the house, I really had no problem buying a property in the city, at least for the girls. Still, I can not say that I wasn't interested in the [Spire] or the information used for the orbs. Even if the one in my hands wasn't useful, who says all would be like that?

"To get to the bottom of this, you will have to go and investigate where the orbs are imbued with information. I tried to do it by my channels, but I got nothing. Also, the attacks started after I showed interest in the matter, so if you accept, I implore you to proceed with caution." Zelindo, at last, revealed the task he wanted to ask of me.

"I see. But still, why me? It's not like I can walk in there, right?" Not that I had no questions.

"The [Knowledge Spire] is hard to access, at least if you do not have a permit or studied at one of the mage towers. Or, as in your case, you do not know someone who is already in and has the right to invite other people."

Zelindo didn't need to mention the name, as I called it as soon as he paused for a breath, "Azar!"