Chapter 18: Chapter 18: The Salon

Chapter 18: The Salon

It was not the first time in her life that Marie had stood against an insurmountable challenge, but this time felt different. They were trapped and their opponent was clearly in another league. Why did this always happen to her after she had a bright future planned? Every time her luck turned, and everything fell apart. Even when they summoned the Demon Princess she had managed to survive and strike a favourable deal, but this felt worse. She hated it. She hated the world for being so mean to her, she hated Sevrin for being so foolish, and she hated herself because it always happened and she felt so weak.

“Better talk now or I will beat it out of you,” Veyth spat, the promise sharp in her face. For a moment Marie thought about telling the truth. It would be awful and funny to see him march to the Princess and demand more [Greater Healing Potions], but she was not insane. She would not damn her soul and possibly damn the whole world for a petty revenge. She braced herself and nodded as if she would answer his questions. Instead she shaped an incantation on her lips while pulling out the dagger.

The words came from one of the cultist spells she’d learned in Sevrin’s book, the first she’d memorized after reaching the [Acolyte] class in the [Cultist] branch. She cast [Hex of Weakness]. Black miasma spilled from her mouth as she spoke, gliding across the table like smoke with a mind of its own. The cloud moved toward the tall man, and Marie watched with a cold, small hope as it closed the distance between them.

Veyth looked surprised when the black miasma cloud came out of Marie’s mouth. He clearly had not expected a dark arts debuff spell coming from her. “So as expected, you are not mages… you are trash cultists,” he growled, holding his breath against the haze. But the brief distraction was enough for Sevrin to rise to his feet, steady himself, and hurl a [Fireball] toward the man.

Marie’s eyes widened. Sevrin was many things, but at least he was capable when it came to fighting. She seized the chance and rushed forward alongside the fireball. Her dagger was already engulfed in shadows as she swung with [Shadow Slash].

And then it happened again. The man moved faster than Marie could follow. He ducked under the fireball almost instantly and used the momentum to drive his fist upward into her stomach. When his fist connected, she felt nothing at first, only the shock of being lifted and thrown. But when she slammed against the wall, the pain came all at once. It was as if her stomach had exploded.

Marie spat blood and her vision blurred, all from a single punch. She heard Sevrin scream something as he cast another curse, but the mountain of a man ignored it and swung his fist into Sevrin’s head. Sevrin collapsed to the floor like a rag doll. The man spat on him and turned toward Marie, who watched through a hazy blur.

Her vision was not only fading from the blow to her stomach and the blood in her mouth. Tears were filling her eyes, the kind of tears she had sworn never to shed again. She felt weak, weaker than she had ever wanted to feel. As the man came closer she bit her lip, sobbing, and tried to worm away, but where could she go?

A diabolic grin spread across his face. “Since you’re trash cultists, no one will miss you. We will have a good time together here for the next week. I like your face with all the tears. Let’s see what other faces you can make.”

Primal fear gripped Marie, but just before he reached her, a knock came at the door. Four times, a pause, then once more. The man sighed. “We will see each other later. I have guests. Real guests. But don’t worry, we will have our fun after.”

He grabbed the [Greater Healing Potion] from the standing table and walked out. Marie realized then that the chamber was indeed not just a meeting room but also a prison cell. The iron door locked behind him as he left.

When he was gone, Marie forced herself to calm down. She steadied her breathing, blinked the tears away, and crawled slowly toward Sevrin to check if he was still alive.

☽⛧☾

Lily reached the auction hall with Gideon, and it towered above the street like a monument to wealth and pride. The front stretched high with arched windows that gleamed in the sunlight, each one guarded by ironwork shaped into curling patterns. Broad stone pillars stood at the top of a marble stairway, the steps worn smooth by years of use, leading to massive oak doors bound with dark iron.

She let her eyes wander for a moment. Even after the grandeur of the bank, this place still managed to feel heavier, something more intimidating. And yet she caught herself enjoying it. On the way here she had forced the darker thoughts aside—the questions about the past, her guild, her entire twisted situation. For now she let herself feel like a tourist. After all, in her past life she would have killed for the chance to see a fantasy world like Xantia with her own eyes. Why not take in the calm moments while they lasted?

Inside, Gideon gently let go of her arm and moved ahead with the easy grace of a man at home among nobles. He walked straight to the main counter in the entry hall. The receptionist looked up, recognized him immediately, and adjusted her posture.

“Good afternoon,” Gideon said. His tone was polite. “I request entry to the Salon of Noble Connoisseurs, and I bring a guest whom I wish to introduce. Inform those present in the Salon that I have arrived, and that Lady Lysaria Greenwood will accompany me today.”

The receptionist bowed slightly and noted something in the ledger. “Of course, Master Vexley. The Salon will be notified at once. An attendant will come to escort you and your guest.”

While they waited, Gideon turned toward Lily with a knowing smile. “The Salon is an old circle, Lysaria. You will find noblemen and noblewomen there who collect anything their hearts desire, from paintings to ancient weapons, from rare wines to magical curiosities. And of course, a few merchants of high standing, like yourself. I am sure you will be delighted to meet them.”

He took a casual sip from his flask, he had produced out of his jacket, before continuing. “I have been part of the Salon for many years, both here in Tiara and in other chapters. You will find it also in Burma and in most of the larger cities of the kingdom. Wherever wealth gathers, the Salon takes root.”

Lily tilted her head, genuinely curious. “And the auction hall itself?”

“Ah, yes,” Gideon said, lowering his voice as though sharing a secret. “This hall has stood here for almost two centuries. Built at the height of Tiara’s rise as a trade hub. Generations of nobles and merchants have walked these steps, trading fortunes, reputations, even entire estates within these walls. To this day, nothing in this city speaks of power louder than a successful bid inside that chamber.”

Lily let her lips curve into a smile. “Impressive. I can see why you insisted I come with you.” And she meant it. For a moment she allowed herself to feel the weight of history around her, and she liked it.

Before Gideon could answer, a side door opened and an attendant in a dark, well-tailored uniform approached with a polite bow. “Master Vexley, Lady Greenwood, if you will follow me. The Salon awaits your presence.”

“Ahh, here we are,” Gideon said, and they followed the attendant through the side door.

The corridor behind was narrow and long, lined with many polished wooden doors, each with a small brass plate and rune-mark to show ownership. Their footsteps echoed softly on the marble floor as they walked. Gideon leaned toward Lily. “Behind each of these doors lies another salon or a private chamber. Each circle keeps its own company, but the Noble Connoisseurs have the finest.”

At last the attendant stopped, turned a brass key, and opened one of the tall doors for them. Gideon entered first with Lily close behind.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

The Salon of Noble Connoisseurs spread before her like a private lounge carved out of wealth itself. High-paneled walls of dark oak were hung with paintings, some old masters, some depicting battle scenes, others rare landscapes. Tall windows let in shafts of daylight, softened by heavy curtains of deep green velvet. The air smelled faintly of pipe smoke, spiced wine, and polished leather.

A long table of carved mahogany stretched across the center, its surface gleaming under a chandelier of wrought iron and crystal. Plush chairs and low couches were arranged in clusters, inviting quiet conversation. Along one side, a cabinet of glass displayed a row of rare artifacts—an old sword with runes, a jeweled chalice, and even a dragon’s scale set on a velvet cushion.

Several men and women sat already in their places, dressed in rich fabrics, their voices low but full of practiced ease. Servants in muted uniforms moved between them, pouring drinks and refilling trays with fruits and small pastries.

Gideon stepped forward, his voice carrying easily through the room. “Ladies and gentlemen, I called you here today to introduce a new friend of mine. Lady Lysaria Greenwood, a high-profile merchant I had the pleasant surprise of meeting in the Golden Swan Inn. She comes from far away, from the elven lands as you can probably see, and she is here to make some truly exorbitant deals. Naturally, I invited her to join us.”

He paused, a faint grin tugging at his mouth. “Also, we are coming straight from the Asara Bank branch, where she sold a named item to me.”

A ripple of surprise went through the room. Several of the nobles shifted in their chairs, a few faces tightening with annoyance. Gideon had secured a deal before any of them even had the chance to compete for it, and the sting showed. Still, curiosity won out, and soon enough every gaze settled firmly on Lily.

One older gentleman with a neatly trimmed beard leaned forward first. “Lady Greenwood, welcome. If you are dealing in named items, then you have already caught our attention. Please, sit.”

A woman in a shimmering blue gown gave Lily a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. “Yes, welcome. I do hope Master Vexley has not convinced you to part with everything already. Surely you have other treasures to show us?”

Another voice, younger and sharper, chimed in from the far side of the table. “Exorbitant deals, you said, Gideon? Now you tease us. Lady Greenwood, what markets do you usually serve? Exotic goods, perhaps? Or rare artifacts?”

The invitations overlapped with one another, a current of polite eagerness flowing just beneath the surface. A servant pulled out a chair for Lily near Gideon’s side, and all eyes followed as she took her seat.

Something in Lily was pleased. The whole situation reminded her of how she used to roleplay in Xantia, or even of the daydreams she had back in her old life. To walk into a circle of nobles as a stranger and be recognized, with all eyes on her—what was this feeling? She didn’t know, but it stirred something deep.

She snapped into her new merchant persona without hesitation. A smile touched her lips, and her emerald eyes scanned the room as she began. “Oh, I am glad to meet you all here. As Gideon already said, I am here as a merchant after all, so do not worry. I have enough connections and exotic items from outside to satisfy everyone of course. But in the first place, I came to Tiara because I heard of the auction hall, and that a great auction will take place here in the next days.”

There was a murmur of agreement around the table. “So the rumors are true,” someone said softly.

“But,” Lily continued, her tone warm, “as a token of gratitude for being welcomed among such esteemed people…”

She already knew the perfect item. Her inventory shimmered in her mind’s eye, and she paused a moment to glance at the familiar description, curious if it would read the same here:

[[Scepter of Wealth] (RP Relic Item)

Effects:

+ Coin Magnetism: Auto-loots nearby dropped crowns within a 3m radius, stacking with bag perks.

+ Ornate Gesture: Cosmetic emote tool, projecting golden runes during speeches or roleplay.

+ Prestige Aura (RP): Emits a faint golden glow, marking the wielder as “Prosperous.”

+ Wealth’s Memory: Keeps a private ledger of recent trades and coin flow, viewable via a unique interface.

- Cannot be used as a weapon (0 ATK).

"A lavish scepter carried by merchant-kings of old, its jeweled crown glimmers with the promise of fortune and subtle influence."]

The Coin Magnetism effect almost made her laugh. She imagined just walking through the streets and sucking up every lost crown into her purse. Still, she had always loved the scepter for its flair, though she never used it herself, it was a roleplay relic, and not a weapon, also it didn’t fit her style.

With a flick of will she drew it out. The [Scepter of Wealth] appeared on the polished table in front of her. The jeweled crown caught the light, scattering golden gleams across the wood.

All voices muted in an instant.

Lily smiled faintly and finished, “…I will show you esteemed collectors the item I intend to sell at the auction hall, so you may have a grasp and a lead before the other bidders.”

Every person present leaned forward with enthusiasm, their voices tumbling over each other as they bombarded Lily with questions. She answered only briefly, keeping her merchant poise. Yes, she knew the effects. Yes, this was a named item with at least four properties. That was enough. The less she revealed, the more their curiosity burned.

The nobles were flabbergasted, their eyes locked on the scepter as if it might vanish. Some whispered to each other, others simply stared. Gideon chuckled into his sleeve. “Lysaria, as I said, you’re the real fox here.”

Then the door opened again.

A very tall man entered, a pipe in his mouth trailing smoke, his voice rolling through the room before he had even fully stepped inside. “I am sorry, fellow Connoisseurs, that I am late. I had some troubles I needed to take care of…”

He paused when his eyes fell on the table and the hum of excitement around it. His stride slowed as he came closer, his gaze fixed on the glittering scepter. Like the others his eyes shone with greed, but he carried himself with control, measuring the mood.

“We have a new merchant among us, I see.” He gave a short bow toward Lily and extended his large hand. “Nathanel Veyth. Collector, auctioneer, and businessman of Tiara. I am glad to make your acquaintance.”

Lily rose slightly, took the offered hand, and answered with a smooth smile. “Lysaria Greenwood, merchant. The pleasure is mine.”

Then, before the others could protest, she flicked her wrist and the [Scepter of Wealth] vanished back into her inventory. A murmur of disappointment spread across the table, every eye following the empty space where the relic had stood a moment before.

Lily chuckled, her emerald eyes scanning each of their faces. “Do not worry. I am sure we will find the time to do one or two trades without an auction.”

That lifted the mood, and soon everyone, like Veyth, stood and introduced themselves to her. In all it were around ten people. After the introductions they returned to their seats and the talk shifted toward the upcoming auction. Gideon guided Lily toward Mr. Veyth again, who seemed pleasantly surprised when they approached.

“As he introduced himself earlier,” Gideon said with a smile, “this big fellow here is Mr. Veyth, an auctioneer. And this is Lysaria Greenwood, my dear friend Nathan. Lady Greenwood intends to sell the scepter you saw earlier at tonight’s auction, Nathan.”

“Not often do I have the honor to meet an elven merchant in this part of the continent,” Veyth said, his deep voice respectful and now completely focusing on Lily. “And since you are a friend of Gideon, you are a friend of mine.” He smiled, then added, “As an auctioneer I would take five percent of the price, and the auction hall takes fifteen. So you will receive eighty percent of whatever the item reaches. I hope this suits you.”

“That is fine,” Lily said with a nod. “I am glad to meet an auctioneer here in the Salon at all. Gideon did not promise too much.”

Gideon chuckled, and Veyth leaned in slightly. He had something on his mind. “Since you are obviously a high-profile merchant, you would also buy items, would you not?”

“Of course,” Lily said, “when the item is worth it.”

Veyth nodded. “Then today is my lucky day. I acquired something of high worth, and I do not know if I can sell it in Tiara itself. But as we are in our Salon, I can speak more openly. Since you are Gideon’s friend, I will share it with you.”

Lily kept her smile, but her eyes sharpened. “I am listening.”

“The item is valuable, but if I sold it openly, the wrong person might recognize it.”

Gideon raised a brow. “Something illegal?”

Veyth shook his head. “Not illegal itself, no. But I acquired it from an illegal source. Some cultists. As you both know, they are outlaws under the law, and you can kill them on sight for a bounty.”

Lily froze. Cultists. But probably not her cultists, right? He spoke of an item, not a mithril crown. And the only item she had given her own idiots was the [Campfire Stone], still sitting in the clearing. She forced herself to relax.

“So you dealt with cultists?” Gideon asked curiously.

“Something like that. They came to me, I haggled them down. But I do not know if they stole it themselves. That is why I want to sell it outward, to someone discreet.”

Lily bit her lip behind her faint smile. How many cultists were active in this country? Probably many. If her cultists were such a bunch of idiots, then there had to be others more capable. Outwardly she nodded, her emerald eyes watching Veyth closely. “I would be delighted to inspect your item and see if we can reach an agreement, if it is worth my attention.”

Veyth nodded back, satisfied. Lily could tell something was fishy here. The man did not look like someone who cared much about legality. And he clearly wanted to ship this item out of town quickly. Still, she felt no real danger from him, so she decided to follow the flow.

“So,” Veyth said, “if you have time after this meeting, I will show you the item in my office. We can also speak about your scepter for tonight’s auction.”

Lily gave a calm nod. “Agreed.”