Chapter 15: Phlegrei (2)

"How do you like your outfit, young master? It looks quite good on you. Surprisingly." Urch muttered as he stared at Caellum curiously.

 

"Does it now?" Caellum replied lightly as he stared at his reflection in the provided mirror.

 

He was currently dressed in what the shopkeeper promised was all the rage among the young and stylish merchants who would surely make a name for themselves.

 

He was dressed in sturdy black trousers, well-fitting black leather boots, a simple white shirt with minimal frills, a tan doublet with simple buttons and black embroidery, a black-brimmed hat with all his hair tucked underneath, and, most importantly, a pair of tinted circular glasses that were supposedly all the rage.

 

Considering that it looked quite similar to what a few people were wearing around the city, Caellum was quite satisfied with it.

 

Especially the glasses, which perfectly covered his all-too-distinct eyes.

 

Taking the glasses off and examining them, Caellum turned to the shopkeeper, who was staring at him with the greedy, assured eyes of a merchant who knew he had a satisfied customer.

 

"How much for it all?"

 

"Usually, I would charge two gold. But for you, my good friend, only 1. I'm giving you a 50% discount because you're my friend, you know?"

 

1 gold?

 

Hearing the ridiculously high quoted price, Caellum began thinking that some things really didn't change, no matter where you were.

 

The sea was nice, people tried to rob you, and shopkeepers always tried to rip you off if you looked like an easy mark.

 

Pushing his glasses back on, Caellum laughed before telling the shopkeeper his mind.

 

"I'm willing to pay 2 copper and not a copper more."

 

"Sir! What kind of nonsense is that? They sell biscuits for more than one copper," the shopkeeper protested.

 

"Eh? Nonsense? Weren't we listing unrealistic prices? Since you've clearly lost your mind, I thought that I might as well join you."

 

"Do you know where the thread for this well-woven doublet is from? I personally spun the thread-"

 

"Aish, what nonsense are you saying? You want me to believe that you spun the thread used to make this? What next, you'll tell me you rose from the dead in three days? Rubbish."

 

As the shopkeeper began trying to upsell his wares and Caellum ruthlessly slashed the prices, the age-old battle that transcended worlds, nations, and languages proceeded.

 

And after an hour-

 

Whistle~

 

Caellum stepped out, whistling happily while carrying a small bag full of his old clothes and other goodies, while Urch stared as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

 

What the heck had he just witnessed?

 

It felt like he had just witnessed a high-level battle between knights, except their tongues were their weapons and shield.

 

Never in his life had he seen somebody beat down a shopkeeper like this.

 

And not only that, this young master had come out on top and even gotten the shopkeeper to add extra goods?

 

Who the heck was he?

 

The heir to some great merchant or the spirit of bartering himself?

 

Knock knock.

 

A harsh tap on his head quickly broke Urch out of his thoughts.

 

"Why are you staring and walking behind me. Walk in front and lead the way to the bank. I'm looking for a branch of the Argent Circle." Caellum listed one of the banks he had read about in the library.

 

"Ah, of course, young master. Please follow me. It's a short walk from here."

 

As Urch began walking ahead quickly, Caellum strolled along behind him, taking in the different shops of the merchant district where they were shopping, the people rushing by, and the occasional city guard that walked past.

 

He took the opportunity to window shop while also listening to different street vendors and noted the various prices.

 

Soon enough, Urch led him to a modest-sized building between what looked like a bakery and a stationery store.

 

Built completely of black stone with no windows and a singular door, the only identifier was a wooden signpost that had silver lettering that stated 'Argent Circle' with a snakeskin-patterned silver ring around it.

 

"Here we are, young master. A branch of the Argent Circle. If you're not satisfied, I can hire another carriage and take you to the main office by the city square."

 

"This is fine. You just stand out here and wait for me," Caellum instructed while handing Urch some coppers, "Get yourself something to eat; it might take a while."

 

"I'll be waiting for you right here, young master! I won't move a single step." Urch said enthusiastically as the coins disappeared into his sleeves.

 

"Sure."

 

Not saying anything else, Caellum walked into the bank, his expression becoming serious.

 

As he entered, he glanced around, noting that it was quite minimal and smaller than he expected.

 

There was a large wooden desk where a woman wearing a neat black-and-white suit sat, and a smooth, white wall that ran the width of the building behind her.

 

She was most likely the receptionist, and the operation was probably in the back.

 

Neat.

 

"I'd like to speak with a manager." Caellum calmly requested, getting her attention.

 

The receptionist smiled back politely as she brought out a thick booklet.

 

"Good morning, Mr. ?"

 

"Silver," Caellum replied casually, and the receptionist's face stiffened.

 

"Good morning, Mr. Silver. I don't recall seeing your name as a visitor today. Do you have an appointment?"

 

"No."

 

Her face stiffened again as she began looking over Caellum in irritation.

 

Was this another young merchant who thought he was important just because he'd made a little bit of money?

 

How annoying.

 

This was the problem with new money; they had so much arrogance and couldn't respect tradition.

 

Especially this one! What kind of person wore sunshades and a hat indoors?

 

Wasn't he simply a pig wearing pearls?

 

Truly, class couldn't be bought.

 

Finding her professionalism, the receptionist smugly relayed the bank's policy to Caellum.

 

"If you don't have an appointment, then you'll have to make an appointment and come back at a later date. Our manager is very busy, and he doesn't have time to see everyone who comes and demands his time. The bank operates on an appointment basis. We don't take walk-ins."

 

Caellum glanced at the woman for a second before bringing out his royal identification badge and plopping it on her desk.

 

She glanced at the identification badge, which gleamed a bright gold, before stiffening as she stared back at the young man in front of her.

 

This…

 

Wasn't this a noble badge? And with this gleam and shine…

 

The royal family?

 

Gulp.

 

The receptionist couldn't help but gulp as she met Caellum's eyes before standing up and bowing.

 

Arching a brow at her, he simply said two words, "Manager. Now."

 

"Yes, Mr. Silver, sir! Please give me a moment, sir! I'll bring the manager right out, sir! Can I get you something to eat? Drink?"

 

"Just go get the manager. Quietly and without making a fuss."

 

"Of course, sir! Please give me a moment!"

 

The receptionist quickly tapped a pattern at her desk, and a door opened in the wall behind her.

 

She quickly entered, and the door shut behind her, causing Caellum to look at it curiously.

 

Was this magic?

 

Engineering?

 

It was much fancier than what he had seen in the royal palace, and for a second, he began wondering how it worked before shrugging.

 

It didn't really matter as long as he could get good service.

 

According to the books in the library, while the Argent Circle wasn't the biggest or most renowned bank, especially in the capital, it had the most branches in every major city and even smaller ones, because it originally was a merchant organization.

 

As someone who planned to leave the capital, Caellum found it better to use a widely available bank to store his money so he could access it from anywhere.

 

As he was lost in thought, a different door opened, and a man dressed in white robes and silver glasses came out before bowing politely at Caellum.

 

"I'm sorry for any offense our worker may have caused, Mr. Silver. I'm the manager, Ghani. Please come this way."

 

Although he most likely knew that the name was a pseudonym, Ghani still said it with the utmost respect.

 

Caellum quickly examined the man, noting the golden-brown skin, dark hair and eyes, features that differed from those of the people he had seen walking about, and a slight accent, before nodding.

 

"Sure."

 

Ghani led him into the open doorway, and Caellum followed behind him.

 

The door behind them slid shut on its own, and Ghani immediately opened another one to his right, leading Caellum into a simple office with pieces that looked expensive but timeless.

 

As Caellum took a seat, Ghani walked to what looked like a bar stocked with an exquisitely painted kettle, a matching tray, and cups, along with crystal bottles filled with different liquids, then spoke.

 

"Would you like something to drink, Mr. Silver? Khat? Water? Juice? Wine? Spirits? Or would you prefer a meal?"

 

"Are you Qasmiran?" Caellum asked rather than answering.

 

From his reading, Caellum knew that Qasmira was the desert nation to the north of the Emberfield Empire on the eastern continent. 

 

And from the mentioned drink 'Khat', and Ghani's dressing, he might be from there, or at least well acquainted.

 

It wouldn't hurt to try to build rapport.

 

At the question, Ghani's expression quickly lit up.

 

"Ah, yes, I am. Are you familiar with Qasmira? Sel varath, dur mahvel(Come leave the sun's burden, and shelter with the many)?" Ghani quickly said the greeting that all who were familiar with Qasmiran culture would know.

 

"Dureth mahven(I shall endure with the many). Rather than being familiar, I've done a little studying, so please forgive my accent. Also, I'd like some Khat." Caellum replied politely, doing his best to imitate Ghani's accent.

 

"As expected of nobility such as yourself. You're well learned. And as we say in Qasmira, it is better to know and try than not to know at all. Please give me a moment to prepare the khat."

 

With a much friendlier smile, Ghani tapped the teapot in a specific pattern, and within seconds, steam began to rise from the spout as the water began to boil.

 

Seeing Caellum's curious eyes, the bank manager explained.

 

"As you know, magical devices are the Qasmiran specialty, and since I am an aficionado of tea, I requested this one be made for me. It's my treasure."

 

"It's beautiful. I would be interested in acquiring one for myself one day, but I know, I know. No business before khat."

 

"Haha, you know us Qasmirans well."

 

With smooth, practiced motions, Ghani quickly made a spiced tea and brought it over with an assortment of sweeteners, pastries, and milk.

 

The two of them chatted about this and that until they finished their tea, then they got right down to business.

 

"How may I help you today, Mr. Silver? Are you looking for something light or heavy?" Ghani asked, his glasses flashing as he became serious.

 

"Heavy, I would say. To start with, I'd like to open an account to store some money, and I want to use the bank as a proxy for several of my investments."

 

"Oh, investments? What exactly are you looking for? How can I be of service?" Ghani sat forward in his seat with more interest.

 

"I was thinking of getting into the buying and selling. I want to buy construction materials. Stone, timber, mortar, and the like."

 

"Oh, a merchant in the making? Or are you planning on building something?"

 

Rather than building, Caellum planned to make a killing by selling the construction materials at a high price to the royal family and other nobles after the capital was inevitably half-destroyed by the Phlegrei incident.

 

Of course, he couldn't come out and say that, so let's come up with a plausible excuse.

 

"Yes. I'm thinking of buying some land outside the city to build a villa, and I also plan to renovate my current home, so I want to get a head start on gathering materials. Also, I would like to buy large amounts of food and water. I'm thinking of making a pilgrimage to Qasmira so I can hopefully get a teapot as nice as yours. Ah, I'm also interested in buying some debt."

 

"I see that we have quite a lot to discuss today. More khat?"

 

"Sure."

 

It wasn't until five hours later that Caellum left the bank with a lighter wallet but a happier heart.

 

As he stepped outside, he saw that Urch truly hadn't moved from where he left him, and the sun was much lower than earlier.

 

"You're out, young master! Where should I take you next?"

 

Seeing the boy wobbling where he stood and hearing the little stomach growl hungrily, Caellum shook his head.

 

"Let's go eat. And after that, let's find a craftsman."

 

"Ah? Of course, you're hungry. What kind of place should I take you, young master? There are restaurants by the docks, or we could go to the town square area, or even by the gates. Which one do you want?"

 

"None of them. Lead the way to the seedier parts of town, I'm interested in slumming it today."

 

And interested in seeing where criminals gather.