Lucavion stepped out of the tavern into the humid embrace of Stormhaven’s night. The salty tang of the ocean mingled with the cool breeze that whispered through the streets. Around him, the city bustled with nocturnal energy—merchants hawking their wares, sailors trading tales of distant shores, and workers toiling under lantern light.
He adjusted his coat against the wind, his dark eyes scanning the lively scene before settling into a steady stride.
[Why did you bring up the Duke’s daughter?] Vitaliara’s voice was soft yet pointed, cutting through the hum of the crowd. She drifted beside him, her translucent form flickering like a reflection caught in a rippling pool of light. [You knew something that wasn’t in the rumors.]
Lucavion’s lips quirked into a faint smirk. “I just heard it from somewhere,” he replied, his tone light and dismissive.
[Really?] Her tail flicked with a touch of exasperation, the glow of her form brightening momentarily.
“Absolutely,” he said with an easy shrug, his gaze fixed ahead. “Do you think I spend all my time sitting around? I listen, I observe, and sometimes, I just know things.”
Vitaliara narrowed her glowing eyes at him. [You’re deflecting again, Lucavion. That’s not an answer.]
He chuckled softly, the sound low and edged with amusement. “Perhaps not. But what can I say? Mystery is part of my charm.”
As they walked, the wind picked up, carrying with it the faint echo of the ocean’s waves crashing against the harbor walls. Lucavion’s pace slowed slightly, his smirk fading as his thoughts turned inward.
To think… Elara, here, and under such circumstances. Aelianna’s illness… the timing is almost poetic.
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He brushed the thought aside, his gloved hand trailing over the edge of his coat.
[What is it?] Vitaliara’s voice softened, the sharpness replaced by a note of curiosity. [You’re brooding again.]
“Am I?” Lucavion’s smirk returned, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I suppose I just find Stormhaven’s nightlife… inspiring.”
[Inspiring, my paw,] Vitaliara retorted, a playful flick of her tail brushing his arm. [You’re planning something.]
Lucavion glanced at her, his dark eyes gleaming faintly. “Aren’t I always?”
They continued down the cobbled streets, the vibrant energy of the city washing over them. Yet, as Lucavion’s steps carried him closer to the harbor, the threads of the night’s mysteries wove tighter around him.
The faint hum of voices and the occasional clatter of crates being moved filled the air, adding a sense of urgency to Stormhaven’s midnight rhythm.
[Where are you going now?] Vitaliara’s voice broke the silence between them, her presence faintly illuminated by the glow of the harbor’s lamps. Her inquisitive gaze studied him closely.
Lucavion didn’t break stride, his smirk reappearing, though it carried a hint of mischief. “Not much, really. There are quite a lot of things we need to do, don’t you think?”
[What do you mean?] Her tone was both curious and cautious, as though already anticipating a trick.
“Well,” he began, his voice taking on a conversational air, “we’ve been dealing with quite a few monsters, haven’t we? Taking down creatures, clearing obstacles, and all that heroic nonsense. Now, it’s time to make some money.”
[Ah.] Vitaliara’s tail flicked in mild amusement, the flicker of her form growing sharper in the dark. [Is that why you’ve been hoarding those storage rings from the elders of the Fire Serpent Sect?]
Lucavion chuckled, the sound low and deliberate. “Indeed.”
[But why here, of all places?] she asked, her head tilting slightly, the glow of her eyes narrowing with curiosity.
Lucavion stopped at the edge of the harbor, leaning casually against a weathered post as the cool breeze teased at his coat. His smirk deepened, the gleam in his dark eyes inviting Vitaliara to delve deeper into his logic.
“Let’s think this through, shall we?” he said, his tone measured and almost playful. “Start simple. For what reason do I collect monster carcasses and cores?”
[You sell them,] Vitaliara replied smoothly, her tail flicking in rhythm with her thought process.
“Exactly.” He gestured lightly with a gloved hand. “Now, for what reason did I hold onto those carcasses and cores instead of selling them earlier?”
Her glowing eyes narrowed slightly in concentration. [To sell them for more,] she ventured.
“Indeed.” Lucavion inclined his head, his smirk sharpening. “But then comes the key question—why would I sell them for more here, of all places?”
Vitaliara tilted her head, her translucent form shimmering faintly as she pondered his words. Her eyes suddenly brightened with realization. [Because of the Duke’s expedition?]
“Exactly.” He straightened, his gaze steady as he motioned toward the bustling harbor. “But here’s the twist—why? How are the expedition and these materials connected?”
Her glow flickered, signaling hesitation. [Hmm… I don’t know. How are they related?]
Lucavion’s smirk widened, a glint of triumph lighting his features. “The answer lies in industry, Vitaliara. Monster hides, cores, and other materials are essential for crafting artifacts, armors, and weapons—everything a warrior needs for combat. Now, think about it. Who needs those materials most urgently right now?”
She blinked, her tail swishing as she pieced it together. [The adventurers and warriors gearing up for the Duke’s expedition?]
“Precisely.” Lucavion’s voice carried a note of satisfaction. “The Duke’s venture into uncharted waters has stirred the city into a frenzy. Stormhaven’s adventurers, ship crews, and soldiers—all of them need supplies to survive whatever lies out there. But with so many adventurers swallowed by the sea recently, the supply chain for monster materials is strained.”
Vitaliara’s eyes gleamed with understanding. [And that scarcity drives the prices higher.]
Lucavion nodded, his smirk shifting into a faint smile of approval. “Exactly. Timing, Vitaliara, is everything. Selling here and now means turning what was already valuable into something invaluable. I didn’t just hoard those materials; I waited for the perfect storm.”
[So, you’re capitalizing on their desperation,] she said, her tone a blend of awe and subtle reproach.
He laughed softly, spreading his arms in a mock display of innocence. “Is it my fault the world aligns so conveniently? Supply and demand, my dear Vitaliara. It’s not just about strength; it’s about knowing where to apply it.”
As the wind carried the faint hum of a distant ship’s horn, Lucavion turned, his stride purposeful as he moved deeper into the harbor’s lively chaos. Vitaliara trailed behind, her gaze lingering on him with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.
The harbor was a hive of activity, even at this late hour. Lucavion wove through the crowd with practiced ease, his dark eyes scanning the various stalls and shops lining the waterfront. Most were closing up for the night, but a few remained open, catering to the nocturnal needs of sailors and night owls.
He paused before a weathered storefront, its windows glowing with warm lamplight. A wooden sign swung gently in the breeze, bearing the faded image of a crossed sword and quill. “Ah, here we are,” Lucavion murmured, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
[The Adventurer’s Guild?] Vitaliara queried, her translucent form shimmering as she read the sign.
“Indeed,” Lucavion replied, reaching for the door. “The perfect place to start our little trade.”
As Lucavion pushed open the heavy wooden door, the scent of parchment, ink, and leather wafted out to greet them. The interior of the Adventurer’s Guild was a stark contrast to the bustling harbor outside—quiet, dimly lit, and filled with an air of anticipation.
A few late-night adventurers huddled around tables, poring over maps or discussing their next quests in hushed tones. Behind a long counter, a middle-aged woman with graying hair tied back in a severe bun looked up from her ledger, her eyes narrowing as she took in Lucavion’s appearance.
“We’re about to close,” she said, her tone clipped and businesslike. “If you’re looking to post or accept a quest, you’ll have to come back in the morning.”
Lucavion’s lips curved into a charming smile as he smiled. “Are you sure you wish to waste this opportunity?”
Lucavion’s smile never wavered as he approached the counter, his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet room. The woman’s eyebrow arched skeptically, her quill poised above the ledger.
“What opportunity?” she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. “I’m afraid the opportunity you’re seeking is no longer here. The Duke’s expedition has already taken the best of our adventurers and resources.”
Lucavion leaned in slightly, his dark eyes glinting in the lamplight. “Ah, but that’s precisely where you’re mistaken, my dear,” he said, his voice a low, conspiratorial whisper. “The opportunity I bring is born from the very absence you speak of.”
The woman’s brow furrowed, her interest piqued despite her initial dismissal. “Go on,” she said, setting her eyes on him. After all, she was somehow curious about this young man’s confidence.
‘I wonder where he gets this confidence from?’
She asked herself. And that curiosity was indeed what Lucavion had been wanting from the start.
With a fluid motion, Lucavion reached into his coat and produced an intricate device that gleamed in the dim light. It was a spatial ring. Its face shimmered with an iridescence, and symbols danced across its surface.
“Behold,” Lucavion said, his voice barely above a whisper, “the fruits of my labor.”
[Don’t be cringe Lucavion.]
‘Why not have a little fun my little Vitaliara?’
He tapped the ring’s face with a gloved finger, and the spatial ring worked.
“What?”
And quite a bit of monster carcasses fell to the ground….