As I got ready to head out to the merchants guild, with the three skarpans, I get stopped by Lenore.

"Hey Earl!?" She called me over, and I walked over.

"Yes?"

"Well the other day, remember when you beat that brat?"

"Yes, of course, that was quite memorable." I respond indifferently. The incident wasn't really worth recollecting personally.

"Well, y'know, I was thinking about how you used you- what do I call it? Your other self?" She asked hesitantly, unsure how to address the other head.

"Ore, his name is ore." I say decisively. Ore may be a part of me, but I think I can confidently say he's a different individual.

"Okay then. Ore. When I saw you using Ore as a weapon, I just kind of wondered what the limit was? You know he seems elastic, so I was kind of wondering. Is he just a weapon, or can he be used for more?" she asked, and I paused, thinking about it.

To what extent could ore be used. I've mostly used ore as weapons, but is that all ore could do?

Hmm.

"Thank you Lenore. You've given me something worthwhile to think about." I said sincerely, thanking Lenore.

She chuckled. "No problem. Your strength is our strength you know? It's not a bad thing if you're stronger. You know, we should have a spar sometime." she suggested nonchalantly, and I smile.

"Yes, that does sound nice. Once I've tested ore's limits, I wouldn't mind seeking your guidance to refine our efforts. " I agree, and I have to admit, I'm slightly fired up by the thought.

Sure, as a human I've faced greater warriors, bt that was with a stronger body. Currently, my body isn't as strong as it once was, bing merely C-rank in level, but my martial level should be the same as it once was.

A bout between warriors is never something to look down upon.

Seeing that I agreed, she waived me off. "Awesome. I won't hold you anymore, since you're probably going to be busy helping those skarpans sharpen their merchant skills. Later."

"Mm. Keep an eye on Leon for me, and if you can, give him a few tips about handling a dagger. Borsch, go get the others." I tell the large skarpan as he puts away his book and joins me. And quickly the other three skarpans rushed over in their elven form as we walked over to the merchants guild.

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The merchants guild.

How should I describe it?

In bigger and more populous cities, I'd say it's stuffy and gives off the airs of a noble place, given that in such places many merchants either have ties to noble families, being 2nd or third cousins, or have noble support, and thus often have their backers there.

Its more of a personal lounge to the point that another merchants guild building had to be made for the, ah, "less desirables".

Not that anyone minded. The nobles got to avoid the riff raff, and commoners without influence got to avoid nobles who could easily sentence them to death.

This place feels... warmer. Yes, like most merchant centers further out in the empire, it feels looser and more comfortable.

Like a tunic.

I've always preferred these.

Walking up to the middle of the center, I greeted the receptionist.

"Morning!" I greet as I walk over, and and begin interacting with the lady at the desk.

"Hey! Here for a license to sell right?" She said casually.

Indeed, much better than the capital.

"Yeah, want a stall for my friends here." I say, indicating at the four skarpans trailing behind.

She shrugs. "Sure. 5 silvers for the month. Of course, if you want a space though, you'll have to secure one yourself."

clink

The sound of coins can be heard as I drop the silvers into her hand, courtesy of the bandits I looted.

Seeing that the silver is good, she nods and takes out a certificate, stamped and everything.

"Anything else?" she asks, and I nod. "Yes, actually I was planning to sell this here basket of fruit." I say as I pull out the basket I had prepared ahead of time, to avoid the sight of me growing it, or pulling it out of the space the system offered.

She looked at the basket, eyeing the fruit. Amongst the fruit, one in particular stood out. "Lychees huh. Quite rare around these parts. Got any more?" she asked earnestly.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

I nod.

"How much?" she asks tentatively. "A few baskets or so. I plan to move on in a few days but I thought I'd drop some stock before I go."

Hearing this, her eyes lit up and she gets up. "Wait just one minute, I'll see if the guildmaster is available."

I understood why of course. Aside from the lychees I'm also offering a variety of fruits that are rare and hard to get around here these parts.

The lychees stand out because they're usually found in the Qing empire.

Though not enemies currently, the Qing and Romana empire are far from friends.

The two have but heads in the past over territory, and to say many have died is an understatement to say the least.

The Qing empire is also rather treacherous, with spiritual beasts instead of monsters, many of whom will live centuries centuries, if not countless millennia.

It is said that they practice secret methods of immortality there which gives them the longevity and power to split mountains and knowing the old daoist at his house, it's probably true.

The Qing empire lost because though its cultivators were strong, they were no match for the pantheon, and thus were forced back, and the heavenly palace's power declined due to the rise of cultivators. The only reason neither ever put 100 percent in was due to the Qing's lands lacking in mana, and the Romana empire lacking in Qi making it pointless for war to continue too long.

Regardless, it's not hard to figure out why lychees are so hard to come by knowing this. They're a rare delicacy, with merchants rarely coming from such lands, and going back. For most it's a one way trip.

It's why I was so confident in selling the fruit.

Seeing her hurry over merely affirmed the thought.

"The guildmaster is ready to see you." She said, leading me to the guildmaster's office

Which led me to... this.

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"It's you!!!!!" Came the fierce shriek, as a rather familiar brat barged into the room, screeching as spittle flew.

Ugh.

... Seriously?

Why's it him again.

The pompous brat from the bar is here again, this time pestering the guild master.

I say fed up, because the the expression on his face says everything. He's clearly tired of the attitude.

Ridley either can't tell, or doesn't care.

"KICK HIM OUT! He'S A DANGEROUS MAN! CRAZY!"

I sigh, looking at the guards in the corner, who avoid my gaze quietly.

"If this isn't the best time, I can always come back another time?" I ask uncertainly.

No point in bothering in threatening the punk. I can just wait till later.

Even if he is only a distant relative according to rumors, he may be related to a big family, and if that is the case, there's no point in causing trouble by being snarky.

"No, no, it's fine." He glared at Ridley. "Either quiet down, or get out!" He shouted, and Ridley shrank back, quietly slinking back into the corner, but not leaving.

I snort inwardly, and walk over, sitting down.

The guild master is a stout man, but not an unpleasant one.

A bushy little mustache, and a small top hat to cover his mildly balding head.

And a pair of rosy cheeks to boot.

He stood out in this town of warriors.

"Sir Toppin Hat" he introduced himself politely, putting his hand out for a handshake.

"Earl" I respond, putting my hand out in turn, responding to the handshake.

The man nodded in appreciation. "Firm grasp, not too damp, not too dry." He commented appreciatively, as his appreciation seemed to grow.

"So, I heard that you have something to show me." He said, sitting down casually.

I responded by pulling out the basket, unveiling the fruit presented.

He looked indifferent at first, even as he eye the more exotic fruit, but when it landed on the lychees, his eyes finally widened in appreciation

I guess bananas are easier to access given their ability to be imported from Australia.

"Lychees!" He marveled, holding the fruit. "I haven't had one in a decade! They look ripe too." He said, viewing the fruit, and even the brat in the background look excited.

His sharp eyes looked at me as he responded immediately. "25 gold!" He stated immediately.

"Deal." I respond immediately.

Why wouldn't I? It's a sweet profit for me that costs me not even a copper.

I'm not actually sure of their qi count, but honestly, qi or not, it's a good deal for him.

Lychees are an extremely rare fruit, and are a symbol of prestige. Being able to show some off, let alone eat it in public, can raise one's reputation.

And even if bananas are available from Australia, they're still expensive to import, especially in large stocks.

And these are just two types of fruit mentioned, amongst countless others. Even with teleportation, fruits tend to remain in local areas, with the exception of the capital, where the most powerful and influential live.

For a mere 20 gold, he gets reputation, and for a few mana, I get a win-win.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you." I say with a smile, and he responds politely in turn.

"Of course. I just hope that if you have any future business to do around this town, that you come to me, hmm?" He said as his mustache twitched happily.

"Of course! I may have a few more baskets of these in stock." I hint blatantly, yet I'm sure he doesn't care.

We both know it's intentionally blatant.

We also both know that means there is to be more business between us.

We both share mysterious smiles and looks as we depart from one another, looking forward to our next venture.

And just in case, a strong backer never hurts. The old coot would've called it a thigh to hug, the pervert.

----------------------------------------

As Earl left the room, Ridley piped up, as if he'd finally thought of something intelligent.

"Why don't we have them killed and we can take all their fruits?" He asked the merchant excitedly.

I said as if.

The merchant truly gave the brat a scathing glare, one that warned him not to put his nose in the wrong place.

"Let me warn you one last time boy! I only tolerate your actions so much! How do you think your family would react if he heard how callously you throw away life, hmm? Your house may not be above killing competitors, but skinning gooses before they can lay eggs is something only a fool does!"

The jolly old fellow from before had become an intimidating beast of a man. Even the jolliest and stoutest men around here still had northern blood after all.

They hated treachery, and were fierce warriors.

To the cowardly fool before him, he was like a beast before prey, and the fool cannot help but cower before him.

"A goose?" he stammered. "For all you know that may be the only basket he has!" he protests, only to see ridicule in the merchants face.

"Anyone who can bring me a basket of exotic fruit like that is extraordinary enough for my attention. No wonder your family sends you out here if that's all you're worth." he spat, causing Ridley's face to burn in humiliation.

He stormed out of the room, muttering "Just you wait..." with the guards alongside him sighing.

They could only hope when their boss arrives that the brat doesn't act so abhorrent.

But if he did, maybe they wouldn't be burdened with this anymore...

The elven operatives were filled with many conflicting thoughts that day.