Chapter 274: Vaulting Anyone? (2/2)
”That's right. Just think of all the time, money, and resources we'll be saving if we don't have to worry about staying in inns or camping as we travel. Not to mention security, since it would be functionally impossible for someone to steal anything we have stored inside it.”
[Then we'd just have to worry about the knob itself getting taken, I guess.] He thought to himself, but he could already tell that they'd made up their minds.
Signalling Torthan, he indicated the knob and said. ”I would like to pick that doorknob as my final selection.”
The minister followed his pointing finger and stared at the item in question for a few moments before looking back. ”While I appreciate the gesture, Sir Dragonknight, it is not necessary to take a worthless item for your third choice as compensation for the Hero Relic you selected as your second. Please feel free to take anything in this room. I can assure you that the treasures of true value, or at least those that we are aware of, are stored elsewhere.”
”With all due respect, I've already made my choice.”
Torthan shrugged. ”Very well.”
It didn't take long before the tarnished knob was delivered into Mike's waiting hand. After taking a few moments to feel its surprising weight, he slipped it into a pocket for safe keeping. He planned on experimenting with it once they got back to the dorms.
Once he'd finished inspecting the item, the minister announced, ”With the three selections made, this concludes our trip here. Caretaker, guide us back to the Entrance Hall now.”
It took them about fifteen minutes of walking before they were back where they started. As they rounded the corner, Mike caught sight of Barkas with his back turned towards them. The secretary was seemingly looking at something in his hand.
”I see you made it in time, Barkas.” Torthan commented loudly as they approached, causing the other man to jump and swiftly stuff whatever it was he was holding into a pocket.
”Yes, sir. I was able to isolate the issue. Apparently there were some slight mana fluctuations in the defense grid. It didn't take long to fix.” The secretary replied, a little nervously.
Torthan frowned. ”What have I told you about fiddling with the defense grid? You know how dangerous that is to do without a trained artificer present. You could have activated the vault's lockdown procedures and trapped us all here for the next few weeks, and that's only if you didn't get us all killed in the process.”
”I was careful. Like I said, it was only a minor glitch.”
Sighing, the minister glanced over at the other three. ”We will continue this conversation in my office. Regardless, I have one last task before we depart.”
He motioned to one of the Caretakers who were currently standing along the edge of the room. The puppet walked over and handed him a small, wrapped package before that he promptly passed on to Tal. ”Please accept this small token of the nation's appreciation for your efforts on our behalf. We have been holding this particular item for quite some time, and the council thought now would be an excellent time to return it to your people.”
The elf calmly accepted the package with a simple thank you.
The minister nodded back, ”Then, without further ado, we should make our departure.”
To reinforce that statement, he promptly began climbing the ramp leading back to the vault's entrance. The rest of the group fell in behind him.
As they were walking, Barkas gave Mike a slightly unnerving smile. ”So, Sir Dragonknight, did you find what you were looking for? Any more hidden gems lying buried beneath accumulated dross?”
Finding himself wishing that the strange man would stop talking to him, Mike replied. ”I made my final selection, and I am quite happy with it, if that's what you are asking.”
”Oh! Of course. I couldn't imagine it any other way. Would you perhaps be willing to show me what you ended up choosing, and maybe tell me why you did so?”
”You forget yourself, Barkas!” Torthan broke in sharply. ”As custodians of the vault, we do not question our visitors or the choices they make. It seems that once we are done here, we will need to have a serious conversation concerning your behavior.”
”It's alright. No harm done.” Mike commented amiably, trying to avoid getting caught in the middle of an argument. The secretary had gone quiet, seemingly chastised, but there was something tense about his posture which made him appear ready to snap.
”That's gracious of you, sir.” The minister replied, voice still cold with professional distaste. ”Please rest assured that I will make sure that such a breach of etiquette is not repeated.”
The rest of the trip was spent in silence, which only ended once they were back out in the foyer with the Royal Guardsmen. Once they'd arrived, Torthan turned to the trio and explained, ”This is where I take my leave. I will have a clerk guide you to the administrative offices to receive your monetary reward in Miss Talitha's case, and finalize the paperwork for your line of credit, Sir Dragonknight. I once again thank you for all that you have done for our country. I will pray for your safe travels.”
After saying their goodbyes, the three of them followed a young male clerk out of the room. Before leaving, Mike glanced back at Torthan and his secretary as they moved towards a different passage. Although he couldn't determine the content of their conversation, he could guess by the minister's dark expression and rigid body posture that he was giving Barkas a serious talking to.
The secretary for his part appeared to be sullenly accepting his superior's words, at least superficially. However, just as they were rounding the corner into the passageway, Mike caught a glimpse of the man's face and noted the look of pure hatred twisting his features as he glared at Torthan's back.
He also noticed that Barkas's hand was surreptitiously resting on his hip, where his robes might have a pocket. Almost as if he were protecting something, or reassuring himself that it was still there.
For a brief moment, Mike considered getting involved. Based on what he'd seen, it was very probable that the secretary was up to no good, but the exact nature of the situation largely eluded him. If he took his suspicions to the palace authorities, they would likely move to investigate based on his clout alone.
However, the last thing he wanted to do was tie himself into some kind of embezzlement scandal just as he was trying to leave the country. He could already anticipate the kind of rumors that might start circulating as a result. Besides, it wasn't as if he owed this kingdom anything at this point.
[Eh, whatever. If the guy wants to steal a few things to get back at his boss, I can't really be bothered. Based on what Torthan explained, I doubt he could do any real harm during this trip.]
Despite that line of thinking, he couldn't quite shake the feeling that he needed to do something, at least.
[Maybe an anonymous tip wouldn't hurt…]