Legacy of the Dark Sage

Reynard and Kyran entered the vault's archive room to discuss the materials the latter wanted. The room was relatively small, with two couches on one side and a tablet on one side just below a panel hanging on the wall.

While Kyran verbally listed the materials he wanted, Reynard searched the archive using the tablet, and the panel showed information on them, along with how many were in stock.

Kyran was quite impressed at the Crespuscule's detailed archive system and was interested in getting it. If possible, he would even trade it for a different potion or pill he had on hand. The Crepuscule would disagree because their archive system included far more in-depth information on their treasures than Reynard allowed him to see.

As far as Kyran was concerned, Reynard's access level was high enough to show more. Still, at the moment, the only data being displayed on the panel was limited to an overview of the materials and how many were available.

After a while, Kyran noticed something on the panel that made him frown inwardly. Some of the materials had two icons right next to the number of stock available. One was an icon similar to a hut, while the other was a steel box. Seeing that gave Kyran a bad feeling, and he took a mental note of which materials had those icons.

An hour later, the two finalized their negotiation and agreed to the exchange the following day. To be honest, Kyran wanted to get the materials the same day, but Reynard needed to prepare the materials, and during their talk, he asked for more of the potions and pills he wanted to buy.

Kyran had enough potions and pills with him, but if he had said that, Reynard might have been suspicious of how spacious his storage space was. To avoid that, Kyran had no choice but to agree with the exchange tomorrow, saying that he would also prepare all the items.

The two left the room afterward and returned to the open auction using the same route.

"Oh, that reminds me," Reynard suddenly said as they made their way to the private room where Cyneah and the others were still waiting. "Do you mind if I ask where you are staying in the outer city?"

Kyran looked at him sideways and replied with an unreadable expression.

"We're staying at an inn called City Lodge."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Oh?" Reynard exclaimed with a smile. "I am familiar with the owner of that place."

He looked at Kyran and added, "If you want, I can ask him to have your group transfer to the best room they can provide."

"We're fine," Kyran replied, shaking his head. "It's not like we're staying for long."

Reynard stopped in his tracks with raised brows, seemingly surprised at hearing Kyran's response.

"Not staying for long? That is no good. You barely experienced what the Crespuscule Clan can offer by staying in the outer city," he said, sounding distraught at the idea of him and his group leaving too soon.

Kyran stopped walking and looked at Reynard with a faint smile, "We're good. We visited a lot of places in the city already."

"That is only in the outer city," Reynard replied, emphasizing the outer word. He said, "This won't do," shaking his head before adding, "How about looking around the inner city? I can give you and your companions a special pass so you can enter."

Before Kyran could reply, someone spoke from behind, almost making his heart stop.

"I have a better idea. How about coming back and joining us for dinner?"

"Lady Estrid!" Reynard exclaimed in surprise. However, judging by the glint in his eyes, he was not surprised at seeing the woman behind them. He bowed his head respectfully and added, "Please pardon my lack of manners of not greeting you immediately."

"There is no need for that," Estrid replied dismissively. "You are with an important guest. How could I possibly ask you to prioritize me over playing host?"

It took Kyran a deal of self-control not to react too much to Estrid's appearance. He calmly turned to look at her, hoping that she would not notice his face-altering mask.

However, as soon as he came face to face with Estrid, the smile and the glint in her golden eyes showed that she was aware of his disguise.

Kyran had the sudden urge to run, but the words that came out of Estrid's lip made him change his mind.

"I heard a lot about you from your companions, sir Null. And I am very much interested in your Alchemy skills. I hope you will agree to join us."

"... Sure," Kyran replied, only hesitating for a second. "I am also interested in meeting the most knowledgeable Alchemist of the realm."

Estrid chuckled, "There is no need to humble yourself before me. I know very well how skilled you are."

"!"

Reynard looked at Estrid in genuine surprise. He knew that Kyran's alchemy proficiency was very high and that his skills might be even better than his. However, he did not expect Estrid to have such a high opinion of Kyran when they barely met.

Going back a few hours ago, when Reynard escorted Kyran to the transmission room, the mage in charge reported his request to go to the clan's treasure vault with a guest to Estrid right away. Reynard might have a high status in the auction house, but that did not mean he could bring anyone to the treasure vault on a whim.

In any case, the mage was prepared to wait for Estrid's response and anticipated that Reynard and his quest would have to wait for a while. However, to the mage's surprise, Estrid replied almost immediately and confirmed Reynard had already told her of his plan of entering the vault with a guest and that she had approved it.

The mage's worry was unwarranted. Reynard was no fool. He would not have invited Kyran over if he did not receive Estrid's approval. As a matter of fact, she already had her eyes on Kyran because of the potions and pills he submitted to the open auction. This was why she assigned Reynard to check the quality of his items.

Estrid also told Reynard to offer to buy Kyran's items if their quality was high. If Kyran refused, he should do everything he could to make him agree. She even permitted him to use the Treasure Vault as a bargaining chip.

Of course, Estrid knew Reynard's negotiation skills were not that good. Thus, she also made a move on her side. And what best to use against her opponent than the people he cared about?

Considering this, Estrid kept an eye on Kyran's companions. She decided to curry their favor by assisting them with any items they wanted to buy in the open auction. To her dismay, they did not bid for any of the items. Thus, she decided to visit them personally.

Upon meeting them, she immediately noticed that they were all in disguise. Moreover, she was intrigued by how well they concealed their actual magic signatures.

Estrid talked to them and tried to build a rapport. However, she soon noticed how nervous they were in her presence. She was not that surprised, though. Even the most powerful mage in the Higher Realm would lower his head before her. That fact alone was enough to make the others fear her.

In any case, Estrid invited them for dinner inside the inner city, to which they somewhat reluctantly agreed.

Again, Estrid was not surprised at their reaction because she knew how nervous they were. While instructing her people to escort Kyran's companions to the inner city, Estrid received a report of Reynard's return. Thus, she decided to greet him and have them come.

Fortunately, Reynard was good enough to offer Kyran and his companions a pass to enter the inner city. However, preparing those passes would have taken a long time, and there was also a chance for Kyran to decline the offer, so Estrid decided to step in.

Fast-forward to the present, Estrid observed Kyran with narrowed eyes as she said, "I understand that you have already concluded your negotiation with Reynard here. However, I hope you don't mind discussing another with me."

"...I don't think I have anything else worth negotiating," Kyran replied with a somewhat embarrassed smile. "I have already laid out all I could offer with sir Reynard."

"I did not know you like to jest, sir Null," Estrid replied with a smile that would have bewitched any other mage. "From what I can see, there is still something you have that you can offer."

"..."

Estrid's slitted golden eyes glinted mischievously as she gestured back toward the transmission room.

"Shall we go? Don't worry, I already had your lady companions escorted to my mansion," she said with a smile. Without waiting for Kyran or Reynard to respond, she walked on ahead.

Reynard gestured for Kyran to go before him, and he followed suit.

The three entered the transmission room, where the mage was already waiting.

"To my mansion," Estrid told the mage as she stepped on the platform.