This man, whom Ben assumed would be more than joyous for the incredible success of the auction, now appeared really troubled.

He also wondered what kind of help he could offer to such a person when he’s only been in this world for a few days,

Kalem seemed to have read the confused expression on Ben’s face, so he added....

"Sorry for pulling such a heavy statement after only meeting for the first time...."

"I am just out of options at the moment."

"No, it’s fine. What can I help you with, Mr Kalem?’ Ben said to him.

"To first put things into perspective...."

"Our Dawn Auction House has been operating in the Wolfe duchy from even before the former duke took over from his own father...."

Kalem narrated as Ben took slow sips of his wine, nodding attentively.

"We’ve always had a smooth relationship with the Wolfe duchy; fifteen percent of everything gained for the year is given as tribute.

"However, ever since the last duke ran away two winters ago, things have changed, and it is getting worse."

"I am sure you know of Lord Dongwhisper, right ?"

Hearing such a question and name from Kalem, Ben had to adjust in his seat as he nodded.

Reading Kalem’s expression, he could tell he wasn’t about to say anything good about this person.

"Well, he directly doubled the tribute we had to pay the last time, and just a month ago, we received a mandate that we are required to now pay a full fifty percent...."

"....Both times signed unilaterally by the chancellor."

Ben was in shock, but he didn’t interrupt and allowed the man to continue.

"This.... We can’t do this, Master Hadwood. Since these funds are needed to purchase even more valuable goods for our future auctions...or our branch ceases to matter."

"But all the petitions we sent over to the duchess’s estate, we received no replies whatsoever."

"It was only recently we found that none of our petitions ever reached the duchess in the first place... "

"That person... he has too much influence over there...."

Kalem paused as he reached into his fabric and pulled out a parchment wrapped with a thin rope.

"Please lend us your assistance in delivering this directly to the duchess..."

"We ask this because we’ve heard a very valued Mahji healer had appeared in the duchess’s employ; that’s you, right ?"

Ben nodded with a smile, realizing he was becoming more famous than he planned.

"As I thought...and I know for certain that he doesn’t have his hooks in you, so please, do us this favor,"

Kalem added with a persuasive smile, as he stretched the wrapped parchment to Ben.

"Of course, I am not asking you to do this for free...."

As Kalen said this, Lutia walked over and placed a large pouch on the small table that jibbled, before opening it up to reveal a plentiful quantity of gold coins.

"Please accept this, and render us your assistance."

"We love the Wolfe Duchy, so we wouldn’t want to be forced to leave or to resort to using our own connections."

Ben understood Kalem’s meaning. He was essentially stating that if they were pushed too far, they would stop remaining passive.

A lot of things were being confirmed now to Ben.

It seemed Dongwhisper was ruthlessly draining all the resources of the duchy.....

But for what purpose? What was he using it for ? Ben wondered.

Little skimming off the top was normal for most fraudulent officials, but this was blatantly excessive and easily revealed to anyone who bothered to dig.

And the bald headed shrewd man Ben had seen that day was certainly not a careless person. However sometimes deepiration can turn a careful man careless.

"You have my word."

Ben said to Kalem with an reassuring smile as he accepted the parchment as well as the pouch of gold coins, which he fastened to his person.

Since he was in a hurry to catch up with someone else, Ben was already standing up from his seat as he prepared to leave when Kalem began to say....

"Thank you so much, Mr Hardwood.....

"But there was something else I would like your help with in the future."

"In the future ?" Ben asked the man, a little confused.

"Yes. please, when you reach the master realm, I would like your help as a mahji with a client." He said to Ben with a hopeful smile.

"Master realm?.....you do know it could take me years, right?" He asked the man.

To others, Ben simply appeared as a mort. And before the master realm, their is the apprentice and warrior realm. It would certainly take years to reach did level.....if Ben was a normal person, that is.

"Yes. I know. But please make me this promise... "

"And I promise to always support you in whatever way you need."

Ben was shocked by this man’s declaration. Getting the unconditional support of this person who essentially owns this branch of the Dawn auction house, and might even be from an immediate line of the Dawn nobles, was nothing to scoff at.

"I dont get it, though....."

"Why go so far when you can simply get other experienced mahji healers for your client?...."

"I know healer mahji’s are scarce, but they are available to those with connections such as yourself."

Ben said to the man, suspicion written all over his face.

"I know. Just...promise me."

Kalem insisted with a bright smile, and for some reason Ben found him to be genuine at the moment.

This made him even more suspicious, thinking there was some more complex reason why he was targeted by this person.

For one thing, Ben was no mahji at all. So this client would just forever be disappointed, he thought.

However, throwing away such a powerful connection would be foolish on his part.

Smiling, Ben accepted the man’s handshake, telling him they had a deal, even though he had no means of fulfilling it, before walking out of the room.

After Ben had left the office, Kalem walked over to go sit behind his desk, and Lutia calmly went over to stand in front of him, hopeful curiosity written all over her face as she asked....

"So?..... "

"I see you told him about that... does that mean...."

Kalem had an unusual smile on his face as he nodded at Lutia, causing even her to ask in surprise, seeing her boss’s excited state....

"Then.....how bright was it?"

Kalem’s smile stretched as he sat back properly in his seat, looking Lutia in the eyes as he responded.....

"Blinding!"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!

Report chapter

Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter