"Bring me the list of alchemical goods for this shipment. Let me have a look."
"Alright, Boss Merlin."
Remy quickly brought over a list, detailing dozens of alchemical goods. The majority were alchemical potions. After asking Remy, Leon learned it was because the Silvermoon Mercenary Corps' recent expedition to the Blade Rift hadn't gone well. There were heavy casualties even at the outskirts, so most of the recent orders were for alchemical potions.
"Alchemical potions..." Leon was starting to understand...
Looks like this trouble was stirred up by the Elixir of Hope...
If that's really the case, then there's no need to rush. Leon was certain the Viper's Nest would come knocking sooner or later.
Leon put down the list and didn't ask Remy anything else. He settled in at the Gilded Rose, waiting patiently. In fact, he didn't have to wait long—less than an hour had passed when Remy knocked on the door.
"Boss Merlin, Boss Merlin..." Remy's voice sounded anxious.
Leon remained calm and opened the door, asking, "So, someone arrived?"
"Y-yes. Two people just came by—a mage and a warrior. They said they're from Viper's Nest and want to see the owner of the Gilded Rose."
"Alright, I understand. Go greet them for now, I'll be there soon."
Leon changed into a clean black robe and walked slowly to the reception room on the first floor. As soon as he opened the door, he saw two guests already waiting inside.
One looked to be around forty, with red hair and a medium build. A long scar on his face gave him a fierce look. He wore red leather armor, and the greatsword by his right hand emitted a faint magical aura—clearly a fine enchanted weapon.
Leon glanced at him and knew right away: this was likely a Swordmaster.
And a newly advanced Swordmaster at that.
Only those who had just advanced to Swordmaster struggled to fully control their battle aura, letting it ripple out constantly—making it easy for others to judge their true strength at a glance.
It's just like a Grand Mage who has only recently shattered their Mana Vortex...
Leon, on the other hand, had no such problem. Aside from the occasional runes flickering in his eyes, no one could judge his true power from his magical aura.
Besides the newly advanced Swordmaster, there was another person in the reception room—a familiar face. It was the Ninth-Rank Mage who, together with Felix and a group from Viper's Nest, had come to Leon's house to catch a thief.
But in the end, they didn't catch the thief. Instead, the Ninth-Rank Mage ended up in Leon's house, playing the 'Q&A' game with him for half the day.
"Master Larry, long time no see." Leon greeted politely as he entered the reception room.
Originally, the Ninth-Rank Mage was lounging comfortably, eyes closed and waiting for someone to attend to him. But as soon as Leon spoke, Master Larry stiffened, first opening his eyes in disbelief, then leaping to his feet.
"M-Master Merlin!"
"Heh, Master Larry, we meet again."
"Y-yeah, haha, what a coincidence." Larry forced a stiff smile, wishing he could slap himself.
Damn it, how could I forget—the Gilded Rose is this guy's business! And I just waltzed right in...
This is the same monster who can sling a dozen spells in a row without even breaking a sweat.
Just thinking about that terrifying scene made the Ninth-Rank Mage inch his chair closer to the Swordmaster, trying to hide behind him.
"What's wrong?" The Swordmaster glanced at his companion, puzzled by the usually ruthless Larry's odd behavior.
"N-nothing." Larry lifted his head, saw Leon watching him, and immediately shrank back, refusing to say another word.
Fortunately, the Swordmaster didn't take it to heart. Since he couldn't get an answer, he let it go and simply stood up, bracing his hands on the long table in the reception room. With his battle aura radiating from him, he really did give off a sense of pressure.
"Are you Matthew Merlin?"
"That's right, I'm Matthew Merlin." Leon nodded and sat down across from the Swordmaster.
"Good. Matthew Merlin, I'm only here to ask you one thing: your Gilded Rose caravan has trespassed into Viper's Nest territory four times now. Are you trying to test the limits of Viper's Nest's patience?"
You had to admit, the Swordmaster's forceful questioning, combined with his intimidating posture, really did make him seem commanding. A more timid person would probably be scared out of their wits.
Too bad Leon was never the timid type...
"If I may ask..." Leon didn't even blink, just stared at the unknown Swordmaster from afar. "Who are you, exactly?"
"I..." The Swordmaster nearly choked on his own saliva. My question was so imposing, and yours is so... basic? Of all things, why ask who I am!
Calm down, calm down...
The Swordmaster silently counted to ten, forcing himself to relax. Only then did he answer, face proud once more: "I'm Rios."
"Ah, Rios, I've heard so much about you..." Leon yawned while repeating the phrase.
...
Rios, who had just calmed down, suddenly felt a vein throbbing on his forehead.
"Matthew Merlin, don't change the subject. I'm here today to ask you: your Goldspark Trading Company caravan has trespassed into Viper's Nest territory four times. Are you trying to provoke Viper's Nest?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Good..." Rios's expression finally eased a little. Annoying as Matthew Merlin was, at least he knew better than to cross Viper's Nest. Rios coughed, cleared his throat, and once again braced his hands on the table, his face proud: "Now, Viper's Nest needs an explanation."
"What kind of explanation?"
"Figure it out for yourself."
"You mean compensation?"
"Hmph!" Rios snorted, but inwardly he was delighted. Clearly, he was a negotiation genius. A little intimidation and Matthew Merlin fell right in line. Once he got the formula for the Elixir of Hope, Boss Soth would surely reward him handsomely.
Too bad that idiot Larry would get some of the credit...
Right, Larry...
Rios suddenly found it odd. Ever since Matthew Merlin walked in, Larry had been acting strange—like a mouse seeing a cat.