Chapter 8: Two VIPs

Time passed quickly, and the day arrived for our journey to central Horizon.

“Thirty Sour Potatoes, twenty Star Soufflés, fifty Glaze Fruits… and maybe some Parfait Flower, just in case?”

“Jaehan, are you ready?”

“Almost!”

I can’t live in this rundown cabin forever. I need money. Lots of money. Especially now that I’ve… ahem… dealt with Mr. Kim.

But as if by divine intervention, a golden opportunity presented itself: Byzel, the massive guild controlling all produce distribution in Horizon, sent me a letter. Their Guild Master personally wanted to inspect my crops.

“Let’s go, Jaehan.”

I can’t let Vega wear these rags forever. I need to buy a decent house, good food, and proper clothes for her. I need to earn three times what that
… I mean, Mr. Kim, paid me.

“Alright, before we go… Slimes, assemble!”

“Squeak!”

They drop the crops they’re nibbling on and rush over.

“First, thank you for telling Vega about my kidnapping.”

“Squeak squeak!”

They puff out their chests proudly, especially the big one at the back. But gratitude aside…

“Vega and I will be gone for a few days. Can you guard the house?”

“Squeek squeek!”

“No causing trouble, no going to dangerous places?”

“Squeak!”

“And no eating the crops?”

“…”

“…No eating the crops?”

“…Squeak.”

“…Good. Behave yourselves.”

“Jaehan, we really need to go.”

I didn’t realize, until we were already outside the gate…

“…Squeak squeak!”

…how dangerous their appetites truly are.

Vega waits for me outside, the produce loaded and ready.

“We can take a carriage or an airship. Which one?”

“To save time…”

Crackle… sizzle…

“I’ll take care of it.”

Black magic flows from Vega’s hand, forming a giant raven.

Caw!

With a powerful cry, the raven takes flight, carrying us towards central Horizon.

The journey from my remote village to central Horizon takes about four weeks by carriage, one week by airship. This raven, however, gets us there in four hours.

“Wow… it’s even more impressive than I remember.”

The central city of Horizon is truly a sight to behold. We land in a quiet spot to avoid attention and head towards Byzel, our hoods pulled low.

“Is this it?”

Following the map included in the letter, we arrive at the largest, most magnificent building I’ve ever seen: the Byzel Guild.

“Let’s go in…”

“Jaehan, wait.”

“What’s wrong?”

“…I need to go somewhere.”

“Alone? Are you sure?”

Vega is still a wanted criminal. It’s dangerous for her to wander around.

“…It’s important. I’ll be back soon.”

Her ruby eyes plead with me.

“Okay. Be careful.”

She vanishes in an instant.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

Vega moves swiftly. She has two tasks before Jaehan finishes his business at Byzel.

First, retrieve her magical weapon, the [Dawnbringer Sword], from her mansion. After Ebert’s attack, she knows she needs to be stronger to protect Jaehan. What if the First Prince, learning of Ebert’s failure, sends her “rival,” Eve White, the Saint, the strongest shield in Horizon? Vega isn’t strong enough to face her yet.

Her second task…

“They said they sell ‘Enchantment Potion’ at the market…”

She saw a poster on her way to Byzel. The Enchantment Potion, a potion said to completely captivate the opposite s*x. She knows Jaehan is attracted to her, but…

‘…He hesitates.’

No matter how forward she is, he treats her with care, with tenderness. She likes that, but it’s not enough. She wants more. She wants a mark, a powerful claim that declares her, Vega Spica, as Jin Jaehan’s.

‘…Calm down. There’s no rush. Jaehan will always be with me.’

Despite her thoughts, her pace quickens.

“Oof!”

“Ugh…”

Lost in thought, she bumps into a cloaked woman.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Hmph! It’s fine. Glad you’re not hurt!”

The woman pouts, but her tone is forgiving.

‘…Strange woman.’

Vega tries to move on, but…

“Wait a minute! You…”

The woman grabs Vega’s arm, snatching the Parfait Flower ointment from her pocket with incredible speed.

“This is my ointment…”

“…!!”

“Where did you get this? I never shared the recipe!”

“Jaehan gave it to me…”

“Jaehan? Who is that? Did he make this?!”

Crackle… sizzle…!!

Vega’s magic flares, but she’s short on time. She snatches the ointment and vanishes.

“What was that? That was definitely my ointment…”

The woman removes her hood, revealing long, red hair and a captivating face, both cute and alluring, illuminated by the setting sun.

“Jaehan, was it?”

She is Hera Nemesis, the [Star Witch Who Aligns the Heavens], a member of the Hero’s party and descendant of the witch who challenged the gods.

“Whoever he is, I need to talk to him!”

I’m utterly stunned.

“I… I think I misheard. Could you repeat that?”

“As I said, Mr. Jaehan.”

I was surprised to learn that Merdain, the man guiding me, is the Vice Guild Master of Byzel, but that was nothing compared to his reaction to my produce.

“We will purchase all of your produce for 680 million gold.”

“W-what?!”

To put this in perspective, I used to sell a similar amount to Mr. Kim for 800 gold.

‘…And he never even paid me in full.’

I was expecting maybe 2400 gold, three times what I used to get…

‘H-how much is that?!’

“Especially these Star Soufflés. They are of the highest quality we’ve ever seen.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. And…”

Slice

“Huh?”

Merdain cuts his arm deeply.

“Are you okay?!”

He ignores me and takes a bite of a Star Soufflé.

Flash!

“What?”

“As you can see, simply consuming it heals wounds. We are fortunate to acquire such produce at this price. And…”

He pulls out a piece of paper.

“What’s this?”

“A certificate of authenticity from our Guild Master, recognizing the quality of your produce.”

“!!”

“Please accept this as a token of our desire for a continued partnership.”

The Guild Master’s recognition means I can sell my produce anywhere at a premium price.

“Thank you so much.”

“We are the ones who should be thanking you, Mr. Jaehan.”

As I express my gratitude, someone whispers in Merdain’s ear.

“…I see. Understood.”

“What is it?”

“The Guild Master wishes to see you.”

“What?!”

“Are you free?”

“Of course!”

“This way.”

Things are going so well! I grin and follow Merdain, completely oblivious to the impending chaos.

After Jaehan leaves, two influential figures arrive on the first floor of Byzel. One is Eve White, the Saint, the holy nation’s strongest shield and partner of the First Prince.

“Is Beatrice available? I have a request.”

The other is Hera Nemesis, the [Star Witch Who Aligns the Heavens], the strongest mage of the Hero’s party.

“Let’s see what good ingredients they have today!”