The Flying Emporium

“Just remember what I told you. He is held in high regards and considered being one of the best at what he is doing.

Which means his services are highly sought after. You certainly won’t be the first to approach him. And obviously, no one has succeeded thus far.

Doesn’t make it easier that he is rich. Not just regular person rich, but actually rich.

You understand? This won’t be a question about money.”

“We have been over this. I know.”

“If you know, then why don’t you just-”

“No,” Severin shook his head, knowing where Mylana was going with this. Again.

Though it wasn’t like he didn’t understand where she was coming from. Still, even after careful consideration, he had rejected this option.

“I already told you, I already have plans for the last slot.

Maybe I’ll reconsider if nothing else works, or if one of the others ends up declining. But for now, I’d rather not.”

“But you do realize that the prospect of gaining access to [Identification] skill alone would be enough to convince someone like him, yes? Not to mention all the other benefits that would tempt any regular person. I tell you, you are being foolish.”

Here Severin hesitated. The [Identification] skill. He couldn’t deny this argument was a very strong one.

But ultimately he didn’t waver. He had already made up his mind and nothing Mylana said could change that.

“Maybe I am. But it doesn’t matter. With everything I know about him, I’m confident I’ll be able to convince him either way; then I can still always promote him afterwards when the opportunity presents itself.

“Oh?” Mylana questioned. But not in a challenging way. More like a teacher who was looking forward to a student’s answer to a particularly difficult question.

But the student wasn’t willing to waste any more time; Severin simply nodded.

Understanding his intent, Mylana, too, nodded and pushed herself out of her armchair. She then leaned over the balcony’s railing and looked at the crowd below. The auction had already concluded, but a majority of people had yet to disperse.

“Well, in that case, let’s go. Before things become hectic.” With that, Mylana turned around and once again led the way; Severin quickly followed suit.

The moment they stepped outside and into the corridor leading back, Severin was surprised to find a person standing in front of their door, apparently waiting for them.

“Dear guests. Are you ready to leave? If you would allow me to escort you back.”

If Mylana was similarly surprised by the other’s presence, then she didn’t let any of it show on her face.

“Please,” she answered, unperturbed. “But I wonder if it would be possible to meet Mr. Reigh in person. Only if it doesn’t cause too much trouble, of course.”

Severin could barely stifle his laughter. By now he was very aware of the status Mylana enjoyed and the kind of treatment she received from those in the know. There was no way these people would ever admit anything Mylana demanded of them was any sort of trouble.

Severin’s conjecture was immediately proven to be exactly right.

Though the servant tried their best to hide their surprise, for a moment, it had been very evident. As was the hint of reluctance. And yet their answer was one of confirmation.

“But of course. I am certain Mr. Reigh will be pleased to have the honor. Now if you would follow me.”

Silently Severin and Mylana were led through the long corridor, down the stairs, back into the foyer, through one of the cordoned off doors and deep into the not publicly accessible parts of White Hall.

Ten minutes after leaving their private auction booth, Mylana and Severin stood in Reigh’s personal dressing room.

The elderly man had already changed out of his costume and into clothes that looked more like Severin’s own; a stark contrast to their lavishly furnished surroundings.

Despite that, the man hadn’t lost any of his captivating presence. Even without the fancy dress he had been wearing just minutes earlier, Severin was certain Reigh was the center of attention, wherever he went.

“Lady Mylana, what a pleasure. What brings you here? I hope you enjoyed the auction?”

“Of course I did, my dear. But it’s not me who has come to see you.” She gestured towards the person accompanying her. “My boss did.”

Reigh’s eyes widened; a reaction, Severin got the feeling that for any other person would be tantamount to a surprised outcry.

Severin understood that this was Mylana’s effort to elevate his own status and smooth the way for him.

As to not let this opportunity slip, Severin quickly took the initiative. He nodded in acknowledgement of Mylana’s words, stepped forward, and reached out his hand.

“Severin. My pleasure.”

“I’ve heard rumors, but… But I’m being rude, my apologies.

Reigh. Likewise, a pleasure.”

After the first hiccup, Reigh was quick to adapt. “Please, what can I do for you?” he asked with the same courtesy he paid Mylana herself.

Severin didn’t beat around the bush.

“I will be direct with you. I want you to come work for me.”

The man didn’t even try to hide his displeasure; Severin had the suspicion there was a real chance the man would have laughed right in his face if it wasn’t for Mylana’s involvement.

But that wasn’t enough for him to get discouraged; after all, had yet to play any of his cards.

Instead of feeling offended, Severin held up both of his hands to forestall the otherwise inevitable rejection.

“Please, at least hear me out. I’m aware that over the years many people have tried to poach you away from White Hall, but-”

“-but none of them have been so brazen as to approach me in the White Hall itself. Much less in my private facilities. But I concede. The presence of Lady Mylana makes me curious. Go on.”

A smile he hoped was imperceptible to the other crept onto Severin’s face.

‘Got him,’ in Severin’s mind, this was all he needed. He was very confident in what he got to offer.

“In case you don’t know, I’m the owner of the Emporium. And all its surrounding premises,” Severin introduced himself in a little more detail; that the man hadn’t heard about the Emporium, to Severin was out of the question, and he wouldn’t humble himself so much as to pretend otherwise.

“I think you are aware that we are in a very unique situation,” he went on to explain. “One that sets us up for success. A situation no one else can compete with. Not even White Hall, that is.”

Seeing the doubtful expression on the other’s face, Severin explained further,

“I want to set up my own auction hall. And I want the best. Which, by all accounts, refers to you.”

“I’m flattered, Sir. But you still haven’t really explained yourself. Or why I would want to work for you.”

“Well, first of all, I offer you the opportunity to design it yourself. Your own auction house.”

“I already-”

“Please,” Severin quickly interrupted. “Let me paint you a picture. Imagine, for a moment, a flying metropolis. A trading outpost connecting to every capital on the continent.

And a dungeon that attracts flocks of adventurers of all skill-levels; a forge creating heroes, so to speak.

Imagine the wealth created when two such places coexist and become one. The items that will be exchanged in such a place that even the Adventurer’s Society can’t control. And right in the middle of it, your auctioning house.

Just imagine all the spectacular loot. The items. Literal treasures passing through your hands. And not just to end up in the hands of a few deadbeat nobles.”

The more he talked, the more excited Severin became himself. Something along these lines had always been his dream ever since he had arrived in this world. Now, with a dungeon on his doorstep, things were bound to pick up. Just its existence itself would attract all kinds of people, and therefore business. But then there was also the fact that he received a certain cut of the dungeon’s loot; this would lay the foundation of his own auction house.

When Severin ended his pitch, he wore his most confident smile.