Although not grandiose, the building architect had great taste. It looked like it had been carved from a giant block of pink salt, and a few golden scriptures adorned the faade. Concepts hadn't built the building - it wasn't perfect enough. It was, however, too perfect to have been created by mankind. So, even before entering, the visitor knew he wasn't dealing with just any rchant.
Priam had no idea how rcury had been able to transport the edifice, but it seed that the rchant's supporters in the world of Concepts were influential. And rich.
Whoever had brought this building wanted to impress his custors. Standing before his ho, you got a second impression of its owner. The first impression was given by his na. rcury, the God of contracts, trade, and thieves
During the Tutorial, the System asked the user for their na. A na chosen by parents or society was of no interest to Concepts. Your na was a choice that indicated your ambitions or imagination. Priam was not his birth na.
Just behind him, less than two hundred ters away, was the Ducal Palace. rcury was the only rchant to have succeeded in constructing a building in the central square of the Do. The residences near the palace were closed to the public, but rcury had circumvented the ban. It was this kind of detail that showed the man's true power.
He checked that his new hood was down. Sphinx had insisted on giving him new clothes - his old ones had been destroyed during the fight. Dressed in the Do's colors, black and gold, Priam entered. He wanted to remain discreet, even if he hadn't yet been able to learn [Mask]. To identify him from afar, one would have to see him, and the hood helped to counteract this.
As for [Mask], Sphinx had confird that he would die without adequate preparation. Learning a rare skill through planning was not recomnded for Tier 0. When he had asked about an epic skill, Sphinx had laughed.
Priam entered the building. The lobby was spacious, and a secretary approached him, wearing a polite smile. She didn't seem perturbed by the way the young man protected his anonymity. A professional.
"Good afternoon, Sir. What can I do for you?"
The building didn't display a sign specifying the rchant's na or the business that could be done there. Those who ca here knew why. Quite naturally, it was word-of-mouth that advertised the information rchant.
"I've co to see rcury," Priam announced. "I intend to discuss... business with him. Please tell him a Baron is here." There was no reason not to be polite to the staff.
Priam had no intention of hiding his identity from rcury. The rchant would find out in the course of their conversation, and if he were as good as Tjay had said, then the secretary would hold her tongue.
She did indeed seem competent. Priam didn't detect any sign of surprise on her face - and with his perception, he could see the slightest twitch of her facial muscles. Unless he was already waiting for ...
"Of course, Baron. Master rcury will see you now. If you'll follow ," she said.
A man who knows how to be flexible. That's a good sign.
The secretary led him down a short corridor. He arrived at a covered balcony overlooking a small garden and fountain. The building ran around the patio, ensuring privacy and secrecy for conversations. The house was tastefully decorated, with no display of wealth.
A man in his forties, a polite, confident smile on his lips, watched Priam's entrance. He was dressed in an almost modern Roman toga. The quality of the garnt imdiately indicated that its owner had been successful in business. Priam instantly appreciated rcurys clear eyes.
rcury stepped forward to shake hands with Priam, a golden bracelet on the wrist. The secretary withdrew silently, leaving the two n to talk alone.
"Hello, Baron Priam. Welco to what I would like to be my modest ho. Unfortunately, it's only on loan. For now. We, humans, have received many gifts, haven't we?"
Priam smiled at the rchant's introduction. He was eloquent and hadn't wasted a second probing his allegiances. This discussion was already shaping into a battle, reminding him of his talk with Maya, captain of the rcenaries.
"Hello, rcury. Thank you for your welco and congratulations for your ho. Indeed, so have had good luck with generous patrons. Let's spare the formalities if you don't mind," Priam replied.
He preferred a direct and fruitful conversation. Sphinx gave him two hours before setting off again while she was preparing his training.
"Of course, Priam, the custor is king. Or Baron here. An impressive performance by the way. I was surprised when the announcent was made. It's rare for a civilization to get a champion so quickly. Let's sit down in the shade if you don't mind," said rcury, pointing to a small table. The setting was intimate and favorable to secrets. "How about a chat while we eat? The chef is preparing an alabhey. It's a kind of ga smoked and then marinated in honey and herbs. I still can't decide whether it tastes like at or fish, but it's delicious."
"With pleasure. I always enjoy making culinary discoveries," smiled Priam. Conquering a man's heart often involved his stomach, but Priam had decided to let himself be convinced.
Seated around a low table on which a few servants had placed a few appetizers, Priam and rcury began to chat, probing each other's personalities. The young man knew they'd have so ti left before the al was over, so he wasn't worried about starting negotiations too quickly. They would have plenty of ti to discuss more professional matters afterward.
The two n took advantage of the aperitif to discuss their lives before the Tutorial - or the Apocalypse, as rcury called it.
Priam was also trying to make a good impression as he was going to ask so sensitive questions. If rcury didn't think their interests were aligned, he wouldn't answer his questions.
For his part, Priam had to be sure of the rchant's seriousness and trustworthiness. Asking for secret information about the System was complicated enough, but he also wanted help finding his family. It would be dramatic if the rchant found them and used them to put pressure on Priam.
And so, Priam and rcury found themselves drinking and sizing each other. Priam assessed his interlocutor and wondered about the next step in their relationship. Would they beco friends, partners, or enemies?
When the alabhey was served - it was delicious and [Poison Body] didn't seem to react, which was a good on - the two n began to discuss more serious matters.
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