paranoianovel Chapter 168: Visiting the Emporium
Chapter 168: Visiting the Emporium
Chapter 168: Visiting the Emporium
"I've been blessed with the opportunity your mother presented to me, and I seized that chance...."
Raymond replied, his voice carrying both depth and a tinge of melancholy.
"At first, I was interested in her offer, but I only took immediate action after knowing of her connection with Kiera and you."
"I've always wished for a chance to grow into something more than a relic merchant in the black market..."
"So seeing this all go down makes me... you know."
Emir nodded with a smile.
"And we're glad to have you on board, and speaking of, I need something that could help with our situation."
"So before we continue talking, do you know where I'd get a burner terminal?"
Raymond turned his head towards his terminal and began to type out a message while saying:
"I've got someone that could deliver that for you; it won't take long. I know you're busy, so by the time we finish talking, he'll have shown up already."
"Good, and why don't we sit in the office? It doesn't seem like our customers are coming anytime soon." Emir suggested, motioning towards the concealed office space behind the counter.
Raymond silently agreed and led the way, leaving the door for Emir to come in.
As they settled into the office, Emir took a seat on the office chair placed behind the main desk.
The office was simple but organized, with shelves containing various artifacts and relics, and a large window offering a view of the surrounding area.
He leaned back slightly in the chair and looked at Raymond.
"Do you know where your boss is today?"
"Yes. Boss Laura is off with Miss Mariane, setting up shop."
"Are the other guys here as well?"
"Do you mean Logan and Jamal? Yeah, they're the same people, you know. Jamal is fixing up some relic in his workshop at the moment, while Longshot is helping out the boss."
"I see... Well, I'm glad to have you guys; a friend of Kiera's is a friend of mine after all."
Stroking his white beard, Raymond commented:
"You don't really care, do you?"
"...Nah, I don't," Emir admitted with a snicker.
"I know that you've been vetted by Amanda, and as long as you passed her inspection, then you're good in my book."
Raising a brow, the old man asked:
"Amanda? Do you mean Lyra?"
Letting out an "Oh," Emir nodded his head.
"Her contract was strict, wasn't it?"
"That would be an understatement, Sir Emir; it was worse than what I had under the Academy." Raymond replied with a chuckle.
"So you're one of those, huh?"
"Yes, excommunicado."
drawings of a...
'Dragon? ...A ghost-like dragon with a weird specter-like body and red eyes....'
'Cool.' He mused.
He then turned his attention to the blades, only to let out a smile.
The blades were the deepest shade of black, as if absorbing all the light surrounding them,
appearing to be the embodiment of death itself.
"You guys know my taste well." Emir said with a snicker as he looked at the old man.
Raymond scoffed while stroking his beard.
"You just like the color black, so as long as whatever we bring you is that, then you'd be
happy."
"What can I say? It looks good on me..." Emir said while sheathing them and turning around,
heading back to the
office.
But just as he was about to exit the room, the shop's bell rang out.
Emir tensed for a moment before realizing that it was likely just the delivery man.
"It's one of my guys, sir. I request that you don't kill him." Raymond reminded.
Shrugging his shoulders Emir stepped close to the frail-looking man.
"Show me the terminal."
The man simply nodded and retrieved it from his backpack, handing it over to Emir after
turning it on.
Emir accepted the device with a nod and headed to the office, with Raymond joining him after
saying:
"Thanks, mate. Be on your way now."
Taking a seat in the office chair, Emir heard the shop's bell tingle once more, indicating the
man's departure.
"Do you mind if I ask who it is you're planning to contact?"
Emir looked up from the terminal, his gaze fixed on Raymond for a moment.
After a pause, he responded:
"I don't mind.... It's Elijah, the Moon's kid."
Raymond raised his eyebrows but refrained from commenting, allowing Emir to focus on his
task.
'Now, let's see here...'