Chapter 610: Baron Cedric
A fair-haired adolescent boy, approximately 15 years of age, casually strolled along the bustling thoroughfare, eventually reaching a shop called 'Myriad Smith.' Clad in an ordinary linen garment, he wrapped a black cloth around his head, exuding the appearance of an average youth commonly encountered in both the Western and Eastern Borough.
He shouldered a worn leather satchel at that moment, displaying signs of fatigue and weariness.
Noticing his arrival, a brawny-looking male shopkeeper sized him up and down and asked in a rough voice.
"What do you want, lad? If you aren't here to buy anything, scram." His tone was harsh.
"I'm here to sell," Charles said without minding his cold look and calmly took out a 15 cm long blackish tooth.
"Hmm? A Magic Beast's tooth? Dread Marauder's tooth? It is also a mature one." The shopkeeper inspected the tooth in mere seconds and hurriedly invited him into the shop.
Charles didn't say another word and calmly followed him.
As Charles stepped into the dimly lit interior of the shop, he found himself surrounded by an eclectic assortment of swords, spears, shields, and peculiar weapons. Shelves lined with curious trinkets and shelves stacked with many unique magical materials created an atmosphere of mystery and enchantment.
As he looked around, the shopkeeper took a monocle from the nearby drawer and asked.
"Where did you get this thing, kid? If you tell me the location, I'll buy this tooth at 20 Silvers."
Charles showed a cocky smile and slowly put down the baggage on the table.
"I hunted it." He said and opened the baggage, revealing all the stored materials inside.
Upon seeing this, the shopkeeper let a shocking gasp and soon gave him a deep look.
"You don't look strong, though." He said before shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter." Saying so, he inspected every item and finally spoke.
"Although you brought some good stuff, your dismantling skill is the worst. The eyes have many scratches, the skins are not cut in line, and even blood extraction is done poorly. I'll take everything wholesale for 750 Silver coins. Even though the items are below average, many alchemists will only buy it at half price."
Charles knew this man was lying to make more profit but didn't mind.
"Okay. But I want a good sword as compensation for ripping me off. After all, even the damaged eyes will sell for 400 silvers. Not only that, all twenty teeth, skin, fangs, and blood will sell for 1 Sacred Gold coin without any problem." He said with a smirk.
"Tsk, so you indeed know the market value of these items." The shopkeeper finally realized this young man was playing him and admitted his defeat.
"I lost. Take any good sword on the second shelf. Each one cost no less than 500 silvers." He said before putting all the dismantled items in a separate box.
On the other hand, Charles used his faceless eye and checked every sword's information.
After a short search, he finally found a reddish 'Scimitar' made of a hard metal called 'Red Rock.'
...
[Name: Moonfire
Item: Weapon (Red Rock)
Rank: Rare
Durability: 650/650
Weapon Skill: Dash (Once/Day).]
...
The blade of the Scimitar bore a rich crimson hue reminiscent of molten lava flowing through the veins of the earth. Its surface was adorned with intricate etchings and patterns that seemed to flicker and dance like flames, further enhancing its enigmatic allure.
'A simple rare weapon costs 640 silvers.' He picked up the Scimitar and a sheath without a second thought and walked toward the front reception desk.
At that moment, the shopkeeper had already put the silvers in a leather pouch and gave it to him.
"You've good eyes, lad. Suppose you managed to hunt any similar Magical Beasts, feel free to come here. I'll buy it at the market price." The shopkeeper said with a polite smile.
"I'll think about it," Charles nodded his head, took the empty baggage, and quietly walked out of the smithy.
Silently, he reached into his baggage, extracting additional skins of the Dread Marauder from his space ring before carefully stowing them away. With that done, he hailed a modest wooden carriage and traveled towards the heart of the Central Borough, where the Silvercrest family mansion was.
Within minutes, the four-wheeled carriage stopped before the grand entrance of the three-story mansion. The ornate iron gates marked the threshold of a world steeped in opulence and intrigue. Stepping down from the carriage, Charles settled the carriage fees with the coachman, offering a nod of gratitude, before proceeding purposefully towards the compound gate.
Upon noticing his approach, the gatekeeper showed confusion and a shocked look and hurriedly bowed.
"G-Greetings, Young Master."
Even though Zephyr's mother was a commoner, he was still a child of Baron Cedric and a part of the Silvercrest Household.
So, the gatekeeper didn't even try to say anything against him and hurriedly opened the compound gate.
On the other hand, Charles calmly waved his hand and entered the yard, filled with ornamental plants and flowers.
As Charles walked through the well-manicured yard, he inhaled the sweet fragrance of the flowers that filled the air. The meticulously maintained gardens were a testament to the wealth and care bestowed upon the Silvercrest estate.
Reaching the mansion's main entrance, Charles was greeted by the imposing figure of the butler.
'He must be Butler Nigel.' He guessed.
In a crisp black suit, the middle-aged man's stoic expression softened slightly upon seeing Charles.
'Butler Nigel was the only person who was nice to Zypher in this mansion house.'
"Welcome back, Young Master Zypher," Mr. Nigel said, his voice carrying an air of formality. "Your father has been eagerly awaiting your return."
It was, of course, a lie to make Zypher feel not down.
Charles nodded, acknowledging the butler's words.
"I'll go and meet him now," Charles said while carrying the worn-out baggage.
"B-But why don't you take a bath and change your clothing, Young Master? Meeting him with this outfit might leave a bad impression on Lord Baron." Nigel suggested.
"No need for that. I'm not going to meet Lord Baron but my father." Charles's cold voice echoed through the entrance as he entered the mansion.
At that moment, not only Butler Nigel but even a few guards and maids, who had been overhearing their conversation, felt something changed about the usual timid boy.
Passing through the grand entrance, Charles found himself in the opulent foyer adorned with marble columns, intricate chandeliers, and lavish tapestries. His footsteps echoed through the spacious hall as he approached the main living quarters and went to the second floor through the split staircase. Then, he stepped into the left side hallway and soon arrived before the office room.
He calmly raised his right hand and knocked it twice.
"Who is it?" A rough yet gentle voice came from the other side, causing Charles to raise his eyebrows.
"It's me, Zypher." Charles didn't even call him 'father' and said rudely.
A strange silence appeared for five seconds, followed by a deep sigh.
"Come in," Finally, Baron Cedric responded.
Meanwhile, Charles kept his eyes cold, grabbed the doorknob before turning it downward, and opened the door.
Upon entering the study room, Charles finally saw Zephyr's father, Lord Cedric Silvercrest.
He was a man in his sixties, with hair that had turned grey over the years, a face that showed subtle lines of age, a complexion that bore the fairness of his skin, and a pair of brown eyes accentuated by his extended eyebrows. He adorned a black surcoat over his elegant attire in that particular instant, appearing engrossed in writing with a traditional wooden quill.
Even after Charles entered the room, he didn't glance at him and continued to write.
'This guy sure looks down on this kid.'
"I'm back, Father."
Cedric stopped writing and looked at Charles with a cold gaze.
"Guard Captain Kenneth said you ran away during the fight against a magical beast and almost caused the whole squad to get annihilated. Is it true?"
"They tried to harm me by putting me in a harmful position multiple times, Father-"
"You always call me Lord Baron and never even dare to look into my eyes straight. But now you are not only calling me father casually, but you are also even talking back. Who permits you to speak?" Sharp words came out of Baron Cedric's mouth, causing Charles's lips to twitch.
'This guy is so arrogant.' Charles shook his head before walking towards the table and putting the baggage on the table.
"What do you think are you doing?" Baron Cedric's face darkened at his rude behavior.
Charles sighed and calmly added while taking a few steps back.
"Look inside."
Although Charles's rude words slightly angered Baron Cedric, he controlled himself and opened the baggage.
A second later, he couldn't help but let out a gasp as he saw the thick dark skin of a magical beast and also a fist-sized Magic stone!
"A Perfect Magic Stone? No, although it still hasn't reached perfect rank, its worth should be more than 20 Sacred Gold coins." After all, Magic Stones were always precious materials for Artisan Class Mystics and Alchemists.
After taking a good look at the stone, he slowly turned his gaze toward his son and frowned.
"Where did you steal it?" That was the next sentence that came out of his mouth.
