It's been a week since she made that deal. She have done a lot of things in that duration.
Nahmat seems to have acquired a new hobby some days ago. It seems like she has been roaming around the streets and trying out food from different stalls or taverns.
So Nahmat is not with them. She only helps out when Austina is leaving for a quest.
Austina has been sticking around her whenever she have a chance. It seems like, outside of doing some quest, she always make sure to be close to her. Aozora didn't know much about her, but she remember Austina not being this protective. She is someone who loves adventures and heroes a lot more than her Master.
As far as she can remembers, she only sees her Master (The Player) to be a close friend. There are some hint of attraction on some of their bond stories, but it still portrays that of a close friend more than a lover.
Now, as for her, she have made some improvements on her games. Her two summons occasionally encounters some monsters anytime they go out to do some quest, so she can level up Austina using the in-game currency she got from it while Nahmat increases her EXP and levels up.
As for her third game, she learned about how she can acquire in-game coins. It seems like selling the items that originated from her Item Shop Simulator will net her the same amount of coins. One gold coin in this world seems to be converted into 10,000 in-game coins on the game.
The money she got in the real world and the one she got on the game is separate. Even if she uses the in-game currencies and upgrade some functions within it, it won't use the money she possessed in real life.
She also learned that the amount of in-game currency that she got on Item Shop Simulator also reflects how much she got as an EXP on her floating panel that lists all of her idle games.
So she have a lot of EXP that she can use to unlock a new game. Though she is thinking what kind of game she is going to unlock next.
Currently, she is walking on the streets along with Austina who is carrying a box full of potions.
After arriving at their destination, they quickly go inside and ask the guy at the reception about her potions. Then they were led inside by an unfamiliar person.
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"The amount is satisfactory." He nodded before gesturing for his men.
The suited guy bowed politely before moving and going somewhere. It only took awhile before he came back to the office along with a large pouch that seems to be brimming with coins.
"Please check the amount."
Aozora nodded before reaching her hand, though she stops when Austina suddenly grabs her shoulder and shakes her head.
"Let me do it, Milady."
Without waiting for her response, the sword princess stood up and begin counting the gold coins inside it by taking five of them and stacking them up on the table.
While that is happening, the guy that Markus ordered awhile ago goes to the box of potions carries it, and then leaves the room to take it somewhere.
After they were left alone, Markus leaned closer to them in his desk.
"It seems like your rank will increase with this delivery."
She raises her eyebrows. "What? Does it increase adventurer rank?"
"Huh?"
He seems to be dumbfounded at her question. The two of them looks at each other with a confuse look before he coughs.
"I think we are having a misunderstanding. Do you know of the Merchant's Guild?"
"Never heard of it. What is it?"
"You don't!?" He looks at her incredulously. "Why are you still not registering, that is such a waste!"
"Eh? I really don't know?"
Aozora is not kidding. She really didn't know. This is because she only stays at the inn while her summons takes care of the quest. She goes with them one time a day ago because her license will be revoked if she didn't do it, but other than that she didn't do much other than busy herself looking at her Idle Games.
"This is unacceptable. Come, let's register you to the Merchant's Guild!"
"Huh? Is it really required?"
He sighs. "It's not really required, but registering there will give you a lot of leeway when trading with someone. You can also build your own shop if you have the license."
"... Wait. Does it also act as a substitute for Citizen ID?"
"Of course!"
She immediately stood up. "Let's go!" She really didn't like to be an adventurer. She only registered because she wanted to get inside the cities and towns without being asked to pay for it.
In short, it is for convenience's sake!
They waited for Austina to finish counting the coins and after confirming that the amount is satisfactory, Austina took care on carrying it and they finally left.
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They have arrived at their destination in Markus' personal carriage.
The Merchant's Guild looks the same as the Adventurer's Guild on the outside. The interior is where the similarity ends.
There are still large reception desk, but it is further blocked by a column of bars, with a small opening on some of it where the people are lining up. There is no quest board and there are no tables, only a cushioned chair on the corner which acts as the waiting area.
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Markus led them personally to the reception desk and ignores the line. The people who are lining up seems to be going to protest but when they see his face, they clamped up and let them be.
'Wow. It seems like he is respected here.' That was her thoughts as she idly glances at them.
"Oh my. What can I do for you, Sir Prudle?" The beautiful lady on the other side of the barred reception desk inquired with a professional smile.
"I wanted to register this lady here for this guild. I'll take care of the fees."
The people nearby gasps when they heard it. She can feel a lot of stares behind her.
"Oh my. That is a surprise. One of the great merchants of this city is personally referring someone." She turned her gaze at Aozora and glances at her hair and eyes. "I see. I think we should do this inside. This place seems inappropriate for the next procedure."
With that, they led them to a certain room inside this guild.
Aozora is sweating for a bit as her mind goes somewhere. 'Isn't this a flag!?' Her steps were a bit heavier as she follows the others on the private room.
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The room they came to is a simple conference room with a table and two couches facing it each other. The window besides shows the roofs of some houses near this building.
The three of them sits on the left side while the receptionist awhile ago sits on the opposite side. She took a bell within her pocket and rings it. After ringing it, a young maid entered the room and stops just besides the receptionist lady with a bow.
"Please prepare some refreshments for our guests."
The maid lowered her bowing stature before she straightened up and leaves the room. The receptionist lady then turned her attention to them.
"Well then, sorry for the delay. Let us start your registration." She took a document and put it on the table. "Please fill it out."
Aozora looks into it and is surprise to see that it was in her language. She quickly turned her expression neutral as she took the pen that she gave to her and then started filling out the form.
Name, age, gender, profession, level, birth place, current residence, and a lot more. Thankfully most of it are optional so she skips what she can skip and only write what she can't skim through.
While doing that, the maid came back pushing a steel cart containing a tea set and some cookies. She put it on the table gracefully, along with a stylish cup on each of them before pouring them some tea. After that, she put the pitcher back on the tray, bowed, and then stood on the corner.
The receptionist lady gestured for them to start and the two of them sips their tea. Aozora haven't notice that, being too busy on filling out the forms.
"Oh my, are you a noble lady perchance?" The receptionist lady looks at Austina in intrigue.
The princess put the tea cup back on the table in a graceful manner. "You could say that." She gave her a smile.
"Now that piques my curiosity. I recall you saying that your her servant. There seems to be a story behind there." Markus interjected.
"Well, all I can say is that she's the Master that I have been waiting for."
Her smile seems to be a bit strained and there is a hint of melancholy in it.
"Okay. I won't pry anymore." The old man nodded.
Aozora is just done writing her signature. "It's done!" She slides the form back to the receptionist lady.
The lady took a cursory look at it, and then she nodded after a moment. "Anything is satisfactory." She picks it up and handed it behind her.
The maid waiting on the corner moves with measured steps and took it without hesitation. Then she bowed to them once again before leaving the room. The receptionist lady leaned close to them.
"So, while we are waiting for it, why don't we talk about something. I am curious about your relation with Sir Prudle."
"Oh. I just came with him to sell some potions."
"Oh my. Is that the same potion that was quickly sold out in it's release?"
Markus chuckles. "It seems like I can't hide this." He gestured to Aozora. "This is the genius behind those potion, a descendant of a Transmigrator!"
"Eh? Am I not allowed to say it?"
"No, it's fine. We have not signed any non disclosure agreements." He did a dismissal wave of his hand.
The receptionist's eyes brightened, her gaze pointing at her in interest. "So you really are a descendant. Are you a pure breed, or is one of your parents a native here?"
Aozora didn't know what that means, but she can make a quick conjecture. "Both my parents are Japanese."
"I see." She nodded. "Don't worry. I won't pry that much."
"By the way, I forgot asking about this so... what's your name?"
"Oh my, my apologies for that." She straightened herself. "I'm Helena Brighton. Nice to meet you, Miss Aozora!"
She nodded to her in satisfaction.
"Anyway, may I ask what you planned after registering?" She asked with a tilt of her head.
"What? Well... what can I do as a Merchant?"
"My, if it was that then I can give you a crash course!"
With her nod, Helena started telling her about the Merchant's Guild and it's members.
The Merchant's Guild is an organization that manages trade internationally, except the ones officially owned by the Government. They are a non-aligned organization who takes care of all products, ranging from daily necessities up to the distribution of resources and weapons for the locals and other armed forces. Though, they are limited on the military and other economic distribution because the government is in charge of it, and they can't just take the market solely to themselves.
This means that while they take care of any products, they have some restrictions from distributing military and territorial resources from different countries.
This is made to ensure that merchants won't just distribute something too dangerous that can threaten the nation, either if it's resources or weapons. The Merchant's Guild must abide from this rule or they will be kicked out of the country.
Of course, any nations won't do that. They will just threaten the Merchant's Guild because the existence of this guild makes a lot of things easier in their nations. They are the one taking care of the needs of their citizens after all.
Anyway, selling directly to royalty, nobles, any high authority, and even the military is strictly prohibited. Only if they got the permission of one of those they can sell it to that specific person.
Now, as for the members of this guild, their license can be considered as a substitute for a visa. Which means they can roam around the nation and use it to enter other places, even go to other countries. It is just like the Adventurer's Guild.
Members of this guild have a ranking system, just like the one from the Adventurer's Guild. They can build their business depending on their ranking.
As Helena is just done explaining things, the maid came back with a metallic plate that is the same as her Adventurer's Card. The maid handed it to her politely and she takes it.
As she touches it, the card shines for a bit before something is carved on that plate. Looking at it, she saw the newly installed information.
> Name : Aozora
> Gender : Female
> Age : 16
> Class : None
> Affiliation : None
> Rank : F
It's literally the same. She can't help but feel disappointed with this.
"So, do you have any plans?" Helena asked with a look of interest.
"Let me think about it." She simply responded.
"Okay." She took a cough. "Congratulations on your registration. I hope we have a great relationship!"
Aozora glances at her and nodded before they leave. Austina also bowed politely as they walk to the door.
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"Thank you for helping me there."
"Your a valued partner, so that much is nothing." He did a dismissal wave.
"Still, thanks for helping me. Without you, I might have taken a long time just lining up in there."
"Okay. I'll accept your gratitude." He gave her a wry smile before turning to his carriage. "Well then, feel free to visit our shop anytime."
"Okay. See you next time!"
They waved back at him as he goes inside his carriage before that carriage left.
The two of them looks at each other. "Wanna eat something?" Aozora asked.
"Yes Milady!"
With that decided, they move towards the streets and go to the place where many street stalls are located.
They spent their entire day going around the street, meeting Nahmat along the way, and having fun eating whatever they fancied.