After a full day of procurement, Gaia hired a carriage driven by Roy to return to Greenland immediately. Meanwhile, Gaia and Magistrate Strong would stay overnight to pay their respects to Lord Lauten, the branch leader of the Adventurers' Guild's Mainz City chapter, early the next morning.
Upon entering the city today, Strong had immediately made the appointment. Word was the Guildmaster's schedule was packed, hence the meeting was only scheduled for tomorrow.
Gaia felt no irritation over this. He didn't see himself as a noble lord at all. In truth, only he understood his own predicament: a lord who was nothing, an unwanted heir abandoned—even targeted for death—by his own family. Coupled with countless experiences from his past life of waiting in line to meet important figures, he remained utterly unfazed. Poor Magistrate Strong, however, remained constantly on edge, fearing Gaia might suddenly lose his temper.
Early the next morning, Gaia appeared at the gates of the Adventurers' Guild's Mainz branch alongside Strong, dressed in a brand-new linen robe—specifically prepared yesterday for today's meeting. Gaia dared not spend money frivolously; there were far more pressing needs awaiting his funds.
After Strong made their introduction, they were led into a modest room where three others were already waiting.
The Adventurers' Guild staff member who ushered them in casually gestured toward a simple bench: "Wait here. Someone will call you when it's your turn."
Maintaining the composure befitting a noble, Gaia nodded politely and settled onto a chair, calm despite Strong's anxious gaze.
The wait stretched on for half a day. Standing beside Gaia, Strong watched as noon approached. When Gaia's stomach growled, he couldn't help but feel a pang of unease.
Gaia flushed slightly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Finally, the three people ahead had been called in. It was almost Gaia's turn when a servant stepped forward and announced loudly, "The Guildmaster is about to have lunch. You may continue waiting here or go out to eat first." With that, the servant turned and left. The people in the room murmured in complaint before departing to find food. Gaia beckoned to Strong: Go buy me something to eat and bring it back."
Strong was taken aback. "My lord, you..."
Gaia waved him off. "If we go out and come back in, someone else might have jumped ahead of us. Go on, I'll be fine." "But..." Strong was deeply moved. He didn't know much about this young lord yet, but in that moment, he was already convinced: this boy's future was limitless! If nothing else, this very persistence alone could forge his legacy.
Strong said no more, merely nodding before leaving.
Gaia remained alone in the room, waiting.
Strong hurried back with some dark bread and smoked meat. Master and servant shared their lunch together in the humble dwelling. Strong did not return after finishing his own meal but chose to dine with Gaia, clearly demonstrating his loyalty to share both hardship and comfort with his master.
Finally, in the afternoon, the servant returned to the room and summoned Gaia for an audience. Gaia tidied his clothes and followed the servant inside.
From the corridor to the parlor, simple stone carvings adorned the walls. In the imperial capital of Dragonrage City, such decorations would be considered modest, but in the frigid northern city of Mein, they were practically luxurious.
Clearly not the main reception hall, this room measured only about a hundred square meters. A middle-aged man with a beard and gaunt features sat waiting at the table.
Gaia raised his right hand to his chest, performing the customary noble greeting: "Lord Gaia of Greenland, offering sincere greetings to His Excellency, the weary Branch Leader."
"You are a lord?" Lord Louton furrowed his brow, seemingly surprised to encounter a nobleman in such a reception.
"I am Greenland's new lord," Gaia replied without condescension or arrogance. "I have come to request an authorization letter for the Adventurers' Guild office and to ask that you assign personnel to maintain a permanent presence at the Greenland branch."
Lord Louton knew what Greenland was like—everyone in the Adventurers' Guild knew what Greenland was like. Once an Adventurers' Guild office was established there, personnel would need to be stationed year-round. It was a grueling assignment, one no one would willingly take.
That was precisely why, when Strong had come to Main City requesting the permit, he was told the lord himself must make the application. In truth, the Adventurers' Guild knew nobles would never deign to personally meet with a branch leader—they intended to sabotage the matter.
Strong was well aware of this, which is why he'd been so nervous throughout his journey. But he couldn't discuss these matters with Gaia Ming, so he simply pretended ignorance.
To everyone's surprise, Gaia actually arrived.
Laodun frowned, sensing this was a thorny issue. No matter who was sent, they'd surely be reluctant. Just as he was about to refuse, two names suddenly came to mind.
A cold smile touched Laodun's lips. "Establishing an adventurers' office in a place like Greenland? What a waste!" Gaia had anticipated this reaction and replied with confidence:
"All right then, grant me three months. During this period, I will cover the salaries of the branch office staff. If after three months you still believe Greenland is utterly unworthy of a branch office, then please proceed with your decision." "How about this? Grant me three months. During this period, I'll cover the salaries of the branch office staff. If after three months you still believe Greenland is unworthy of a branch office, then withdraw them. But if you deem Greenland qualified, then the branch office in my domain will become an official Adventurers' Guild branch. What do you say?"
Lord Laodun smiled faintly. "I still believe Greenland Town doesn't warrant a branch office... An adventurers' tavern would suffice. My lord, I shall assign two individuals to you, under the terms you've proposed."
Gaia pressed his hand to his chest once more, bowed slightly, and withdrew.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, my lord. Gaia takes his leave."
No sooner had Gaia departed than a trusted aide entered: "My lord, are you truly intent on establishing a branch in that godforsaken place like Greenland?" Lord Laodun gave a cold laugh: "Greenland sees fewer than ten adventurer groups pass through in a year. Why would such a place need a branch? But he is nobility after all. He came to pay his respects personally. I couldn't refuse him outright. Besides, it's the perfect opportunity to eliminate those two thorns in my side!"
The aide immediately gave a fawning thumbs-up. "You are truly brilliant, my lord! To receive an audience with a nobleman is an honor worthy of boasting about for a lifetime..." Laodun stroked his beard with a satisfied smile. ...
A crowd gathered before the branch office's noticeboard. What caught Gaia's attention was that many among them weren't dressed as adventurers—they were merchants.
Curiosity drawing him closer, Gaia observed the massive magical noticeboard. Blue flame-formed magical text scrolled endlessly across it, displaying one quest after another. At the very top of the board, three lines of red magical text remained static—these required an additional fee.
The topmost line read: Magic Weapon Clan Tier-1 Distributor Competition.
The Magic Weapon Clan was the largest weapons manufacturer in the empire's north. A Tier-1 distributor was essentially the regional master distributor. For Mein City, the territory covered by a Level 1 distributor included the surrounding towns of Modo and Greenland.
Gaia's interest piqued. Just as he was about to head toward the branch office to register, a sudden commotion erupted from behind the crowd. A haughty, arrogant voice bellowed: "Make way! Make way! Young Master Cristiano is coming! Everyone, clear the path..."
A sudden force surged from behind, catching Gaia and Strong off guard. They stumbled as the crowd pushed them aside. Gaia watched as a group of people shielded the so-called Young Master Cristiano, shoving through the throng and into the branch office.
Gaia was puzzled. Adventurers were usually the kind to stir up trouble—why were they so patient with this arrogant rich kid?
He whispered to someone nearby, "Excuse me, who exactly is this young master Cristiano?" Before the person could answer, one of the "young master's" attendants overheard. An attendant burst out laughing: "You ask who our young master is? Kid, you an adventurer? Let me tell you, in Main City, adventurers who cross our young master never end well!" The attendant shoved him aside. "Move! Don't block our young master's path."
Gaia shrugged his shoulders, causing the guard to push into thin air. With a swift flick of his wrist, Gaia sent the guard tumbling headfirst into the crowd.
Though the adventurers dared not openly defy the young master, they could secretly take a dig at his guard. With unspoken coordination, the group parted, and the guard immediately took a face-plant.
"Ouch! " The attendant smashed his teeth on the ground, two front teeth shattered. He scrambled up, blood streaming down his face. This commotion caught the young master's attention. He whipped his head around, and in a flash, his seven or eight attendants closed in, surrounding Gaia and Strong. Strong tensed, about to step forward and reveal Gaia's identity.
Gaia grabbed his arm and shot Strong a warning glance. Strong hesitated, then stepped back.
"Kid, do you know what our young master does? Ever heard of the Golden Spear Armory? We're a top-tier distributor for the Magic Weapon Clan in Main City, and we're about to renew our contract with them. If you dare offend our young master, just one word from him, and I guarantee you won't be able to buy a single iron arrow anywhere near Main City!"