Chapter 100: Merchant Guild (2/2)
The other two boroughs was mostly a residential district, where the people of Winged city made their homes. This place best fits the image that came to mind when one thought of a city. Although there were also some residential areas in the north borough, it was mostly for military personnel.
There were several plazas in these two boroughs, and the largest of them was called the Central Winged Plaza. It was filled with high-rise stalls selling quality vegetables, spices, and other such commercial products.
Amidst the crowds, the stall owners energetically shouted their sales pitches to the people walking by and even the carries that slowly drove by, while the older women haggled with the merchants as they looked for fresh food. Drawn by fragrant scents, young men purchased skewers of roasted meat that oozed with warm juices that watered their cold mouths.
The moon now ruled the sky as its light penetrated through the thick ashen clouds. Although the snow hadn't fallen the entire day, there were still some layers of snow on the streets that were slowly being cleared by workers. However, this did nothing to derail the rowdy atmosphere in this place. It seems to go on like this as if aiming to continue till dawn.
The magic lamps on the side of the streets lit up the plaza almost as well as the sun would and the crowd of people produced enough body heat to make this place feel warm. However, the plaza suddenly went silent as a majestic beast drew a carriage and entered the plaza, heading for a seven-story building nearby.
Everyone in the plaza froze where they stood, their eyes were drawn by the imposing six-eyed bull as it slowly came to a stop in front of the building. Their eyes were naturally drawn to the two figures that alighted from a carriage that had been pulled by such a rare beast.
Naturally, they would be curious about its owners as the majority of the carries used in this city were pulled by ordinary horses. Even the highest-level merchant and members of the Zorak family would only use tier 2 demonic horses. Anyone who could possess such a rare and valuable creature would not be so ordinary.
The two figures completely alighted from the carriage and the crowd could finally see them. One of these two people was a girl, who looked to be in her late teens. Her eyes gleamed in the moonlight, while her thick and lustrous black hair was lazily styled in a single large braid. Her tanned skin made her cheeks look a little flushed and slightly twitching dog ears rekindled a tickling sensation in the crowd that made them want to protect her.
What drew their attention the most though was the slight air of elegance which surrounded her, followed closely by her exotic beauty and the innocent look in her eyes that would make anyone do a double-take. Although the blackish-grey thick robe she wore was plain in make, it still looked like an opulent dress on her.
Her partner soon followed after her but no one could tell what the gender was. It was a tall figure who wore a long black coat that completely hid his figure, a hood also covered most, if not all of his/her face.
However, this did not matter to the men in the crowd who already fell for the young girl. Their hearts burned with rage at the sight of this figure who showed no respect to the adorable girl he rode with. Their minds had processed all sorts of scenarios about the nature of their relationship and had already painted that figure their life sworn enemy.
The pair then looked around a bit before the girl happily leads the cloaked individual into the building. This only seemed to anger the men in the crowd more.
The onlookers watched the pair vanish into the seven-story building, and then immediately began whispering about what they had seen. They no longer seemed afraid of the identities of this pair as nobles didn't tend to move around with beastkins or other subsidiary races.
The other reason they didn't care anymore was that the building they had entered was the Merchant Guild and judging by the type of carriage and the rare beast that pulled it, they were most likely foreign merchants that came from a faraway region.
••••••••••
The pair walked into the large lobby of the almost empty merchant guild building. Normally this place would be bursting with a crowd of merchants making deals and providing a commission for escorts including other activities provided by the guild.
The merchant guild provided a platform for all the different merchant groups that came from all over the continent to be acquainted with each other, providing more opportunities for those who were able to build multiple connections.
The guild also helped the merchants send requests to the hunter's guild for merchants that require protection during a trip which was cheaper for unknown or rookie merchants that had no reputation, it prevents them from being cheated.
There was only a single receptionist on duty at this time, perhaps it was due to the late hour.
Tyler and Nadine strolled over to the young male receptionist and Tyler spoke first.
”Good day, we would like to trade some wares with the guild.”
The male receptionist looked a little nervous by being spoken to by a fully cloaked man he couldn't see the face of, he looked to his partner and she smiled at him making his heart flutter. He found some courage and answered the man's question.
”D-do you have a merchant license from the guild ”
”No.”
”Are you by chance a hunter or part of the magic institute?”
”No.”
”Well if you're are not part of any of those institutions, extra charges would be applied to any trade you make with us. Would you like to join the guild?”
”No ”
The receptionist's face twitched, he composed himself and rephrased his question.
”Joining the guild would provide you with some additional benefits and we would be able to buy your ware at market price. Would you consider joining the guild?”
”...”
There was finally a pause from the series of short responses and the male receptionist sighed inwardly. This was his first week working here and being rejected like this was beginning to damage his confidence, but it looked like he had finally gotten through to this guy when...
”No.”
Another devastating denial, he could no longer handle it so he had to give up on his recruitment. The guild didn't urgently need more members and although he was new, he was still just doing this newbie a favor, besides how much ware could these two provide the guild anyway. The girl may be a beauty but they were still just subraces like him and he didn't have to show them any more courtesy.
”Alright, please have a seat. I'll send someone to count and confirm the quality of your products.”
Tyler and Nadine went over to the side and took a seat. It took the guild a while to confirm everything about the product they had in the carriage. After about 30 minutes the same male receptionist ran over to them in a panic and apologized profusely for the delay while inviting them to the third floor and inside a private meeting room or rather a V.I.P room.
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