The Flying Emporium

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Severin heard the barely disguised objection and therefore, in an attempt to placate the man, added <>

Bandur grunted his reluctant agreement and Severin cut his conversation with the dwarf short as at that point he reached his store; Severin turned his attention back to his wide-eyed guests that had been following him like a bunch of ducklings.

Now standing next to the door of his store, allowing a pair of customers inside, while another one was leaving, he started pointing.

“This right here is the main business is. In there, we produce and sell all kinds of different consumables-most of them with very unique effects and benefits, I have been told-and a few other services which are also in high demand. Mostly by adventurers and certainly by classbearers. You can see the details of it for yourself in just a minute.

Then this over there is the kitchen,” Severin again pointed, this time towards the building partly hidden behind the bustling seating area.

“I think you can already see why I wanted to hire a waiter. Right now it is up to our chef himself to…”

At this moment, as if to underline his words, the door of the kitchen flung open and a small man with multiple plates in his arms came charging outside and straight towards one of the many tables; the dwarf could have eased his burden considerably if only he chose to directly summon the food from the store’s inventory itself. As this, however, would reveal his possession of a class-if [Employee] really could be counted as such-he decided to do without; especially not in front of so many people, who, at least some of them, had definitely already recognized the little man; most of these people who arrived so soon after Richard’s advertisement during the Games had belonged to Hanvia’s higher circles, after all, and were therefore familiar with the palace’s resident dwarf.

“…well... you get the idea. Anyway. Next is this,” Severin said, and this time specifically addressed the Guild’s other two clients, his own would-be employees. If everything went according to plan, that was.” In here we have the living accommodations for myself and all my employees. That would also include your own, if you should choose to stay with us.

For now, every unit consists of two separate rooms.”

If they started working here, they have to loosen up a bit, Severin thought as they were only silently nodding in response and still with eyes full of wonder; for now, however, not only did he not mind their reaction, or rather the lack thereof, but instead was rather pleased by it.

“And finally this,” he paused shortly for effect. “Based on the very recognizable…”

“Society,” One of his guests blurted out, and was all that needed to be said.

“That’s right. We are currently in an official business relationship with them. They were the first to recognize our potential to grow not only our own business, but with it the entire mountain, into a flourishing commercial outpost. Since then, they have approached us and are now leasing some of our land. You can see the results.” Severin said and sneaked a glance at the inspector to gauge his reaction.

He was pleased by what he saw, but forced himself not to overdo it any further; it was about time to let the man do his work.

Severin cleared his throat.

“Well, then. Shall we go inside?”

Met with no objections, he led the way.

Inside, only a relatively small line was waiting in front of the counter, but it was still more than enough to keep Em busy. Severin felt a sense of pride welling up in him when he saw the girl dutifully absorbed in her work, multitasking between serving customers and brewing supplies, but was more than glad that soon he would be able to offer her some respite.

A larger group was surrounding the two machines sitting in the back.

“And that’s that.”

Severin invited the group with a sweeping gesture.

“Please take a look around and do whatever it is you have to do. And please don’t hesitate to ask questions,” he said to the inspector, who was obviously way in over his head; this was not the kind of business he usually dealt with.

And then to the other two people,

“the same naturally goes for you as well. Make yourselves familiar if you like, and if you too have any questions, just go ahead and ask.”

Ahem

“Soo. One gold, you said, right? Per day?”