The mass amounts of paperwork I have to read and sign take me hours to get through. I am guessing this is a special case since I am not a born noble, I can't see most nobles being willing to do this much boring work. By the time I am done signing papers my hand is cramping and I am starving.

So as soon as they give me my signet and patent of nobility I leave and head straight back to the inn. The papers for Pol's merchant enterprise were delivered while I was out, so I sign and seal them while I am eating lunch. Once I am done with the papers I hand over my new seal to Sarah for safekeeping.

Sarah says "So, what's the plan for after lunch?"

"Next on my list is to visit all the crafters among the summoned and talk to them about supplying goods to the beastmen."

Sarah says "That shouldn't be too hard, no one buys the goods they make for humans."

Isabella says "Not even the adventurers?"

Sarah says "No, even they can't risk offending any of the nobles."

Isabella says "If they can't sell anything how are they surviving?"

Sarah says "Lord Ambrose was providing me a stipend each month to keep everyone fed. I guess now that money will need to come from you, Ash."

"Well, for now this is what we have, until Isabella returns anyway. If that runs out before she gets back, ask the church for some money."

Sarah says "The church bought this street for you right?"

"Yeah, the goddesses have ordered their followers to support me."

Sarah says "That is certainly helpful! Why aren't we just getting everything we need from them?"

"Because, I don't want to depend on anyone. Once we are making money I intend to pay them back for this street."

Sarah says "While I can understand the desire for independence, aren't you pushing things a little too hard?"

"Maybe, but I am working with a time limit here, I can't afford to go easy with things."

Sarah says "I will do whatever I can to assist you."

Isabella says "I will complete my mission so that money won't be an issue."

"I appreciate the both of you and everything you can do to help."

They both seem a little embarrassed, but I finish eating and get up to leave which breaks the tension. I am almost to the stairs when I realize I am forgetting something, but when I look around I can't see it anywhere. I walk over and take a quick look into each room and while I spot Drog sleeping in a corner I can't see the backpack anywhere.

"Isabella, where is the backpack?"

Isabella says "Oh, it is under the bed, why?"

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"I'm going to empty some stuff out of it before you leave with it tomorrow."

Isabella says "Okay, let me fetch it for you."

Isabella quickly gets up and goes to get the backpack, once she gives it to me I sling it over my shoulder and head downstairs. As much as I hate talking to him I decide I need to go see Walter first, I'm curious if he finished my armor. So I walk down the street trying to remember which shop was his, why the shops don't have signs I don't know.

Eventually I give up and stick my head in a shop to ask only to find out I passed it already. As I backtrack looking for it I decide to ask Sarah later why there are no signs. If it is an issue of money I will tell her to get signs made and I will pay for it.

Walter says "Finally! Get in here and try it on!"

He doesn't even let me answer but physically drags me into the shop and points at an armor stand. I feel my mouth drop open as I stare at the armor, it is beautiful. It is mostly red with black and white accents, the white are made of bone so Mitch must have helped, the black are dyed leather.

"It is beautiful, Walter!"

Walter says "Shut up, take off that trash, and try it on!"

He isn't giving me much choice, and I must admit I want to try it on, but the fact that he called what Xinun gave me trash bothers me a little. As I put the new armor on I am amazed at how well it fits, I know he had my measurements, but this is perfect. As I finish putting it on the armor feels like a second skin, it fits every part of me perfectly.

Finally Walter hands me a helmet that goes with the armor and I realize that my trusty Lionheart helm just doesn't go with the new armor. So I take it off and store it in my pouch and then try on the new helmet, which is styled to look like a drake's head. The lower jaw is hinged so that when it's open my face is visible and when it's closed only my eyes are visible.

The total effect is both awe inspiring and terrifying at the same time, it will be perfect for the party. At Walter's request I move around and even do some gymnastics to test the armor's fit. It doesn't restrict my movements at all, I can move around like I am not wearing armor.

"Walter, it fits perfectly! I can move like I'm not wearing armor! It's a masterpiece!"

Walter says "It's adequate. It is the best I can do with my current skill, which isn't up to the quality of the materials. If only I had better materials to practice on!"

"Actually, that is part of why I came today. Would you have any problems making gear for the beastmen?"

Walter says "I don't care who I make things for."

"We will pay you a fair price for what you make."

Walter says "I don't care about that! As long as I have a place to work and food to eat, all I want is to perfect my art, and for that I need better materials!"

"Don't the beastmen bring in hide and leather from beasts?"

Walter says "Yes, but the merchants buy it all and won't sell me anything."

"Well, I am working on a plan that would allow me to provide you with those hides."

Walter says "If it will hurt the merchants I will help!"

"So, my guy Pol is going to take trade goods made by the summoned to trade to the beastmen. We are going to attempt to take complete control of the trade right out from under them."

Walter cheers and says "That will ruin them, I love it! Pol can have whatever he wants out of what I have made, but none of it is anything good."

"If you made it, I'm sure it is better than anything the beastmen have."

Walter says "The materials are just common leather, and not even good leather."

"Speaking of materials, I've got some for you."

The fur from the behemoth like beast comes out first, then every piece of leather I have left in my pouch. As much as I like working on crafts I decided it is time to put them aside and focus on what I need to do before the invasion. So I am going to hand over all the materials I have to the summoned crafters who can make better use of them anyway.

That way they will have trade goods for Pol to take to the beastmen, the more Pol has to trade the better. That way he can bring back more materials and give them all to the summoned. Then the noble's crafters can suffer from lack of materials like the summoned have had to do.

Walter says "I can do something with these, what else can I do to help?"

"Just make things that will fit beastmen, the more Pol has to trade the more materials he can get."

Walter says "In that case get out so I can get started! Oh, leave the old armor, I might be able to salvage something from it."

"Alright, I'm going!"