Wandering Agent
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Machinist of Mana Chapter 83 Party Planning
🕑 Added 2024-12-31 10:05:30 +0000 UTC"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” I said to the vendor, a tallish wispy man named Pino who ran the only ballroom I would be able to rent on such short notice.
“Not at all young man, you're quite the fellow to know,” he said with a smile.
“Sir?”
“Oh come now Lord Percival, I've heard of your heroics, even if some of them aren't truly public knowledge. The way you saved that girl from those goblins, the beast you slew in defense of helpless children. Even your inventions, yes, I've heard so very much.” He walked me through the place, several backrooms, powder rooms for ladies, a healthy kitchen, everything I would need and at a truly reasonable price.
“I wasn't aware the goblins were public knowledge,” I said, narrowing my eyes a bit.
“All men of note have their contacts,” he answered with a smile. “If you don't mind, may I ask what you make of them? I've only heard stories of such creatures myself.”
“Dangerous, smart, but luckily contained for now. I'm also not entirely sure that there isn't a way for peaceful resolution. What about your contacts, what do they say?”
“Not much other than descriptions, similar to that though without the hope for peace. I heard they do terrible things to women...”
“That's something I would doubt,” I said. “Well, not entirely, as I think that some of the clan here are truly insane, but not... certain things at least. Doesn't seem to benefit them.”
“For breeding purposes?” he asked curiously.
“No, I don't think they're doing that, more like some kind of magic.”
“Most alarming.”
“Who were your contacts?” I asked, wondering if Ignus had a leak.
“Oh, I've a few friends in the local law enforcement, though most of what I heard came from some old stories from Elazia. Took up reading some of the old literature as a boy for my education you see...”
“Huh, grandfather didn't mention any such stories, though I can't really expect him to know everything now can I?”
“Your grandfather speaks the elven tongue?”
“He's an elf, or part at least, I'm not entirely sure how it all works. Sadly I've not yet had the time to learn the language yet.”
I felt his eyes flick to my ears, briefly examining them before he spoke again. Sadly I had only the barest of indications of that bit of lineage, a slight pointing, easily mistaken for just a bit of an odd shape to my ears.
“I didn't know that, but it's a true shame you haven't gotten to look into your heritage, such a lovely history the elves have. Do you think it had something to do with your successes so far?”
“I don't know about that, but I will say that grandfather at least had a huge impact on me. Without him to guide and work with I'm not sure I'd have achieved all the things I have in such a time span. Though that's how we all feel about our forbears isn't it? Standing upon the shoulders of the giants that came before us and all that,” I said, mangling the old quote a bit but still getting the idea across.
“Couldn't have put it better myself. I've some books on the language if you're interested...”
“Ah, my problem on that particular subject isn't interest but rather time, during the school year I'm afraid I have barely a few moments to anything other than mountains of work. Once I'm done though I'll likely try to pursue it, I've heard it helps with the runes immensely.” He gave a satisfied chortle and I moved on. “Enough about me though. If you don't mind my asking, why exactly are you giving us such a good deal?”
He was too, as normally reserving such a space would cost twenty percent more than he'd quoted me. For a few moments I'd wondered if there were something wrong with the space, but on my examination had found nothing of the sort. Perhaps it wasn't in the fanciest part of town, but certainly not in a bad area, nor was it the most impressive venue, but large enough and well made enough for my needs.
“Well, I see no reason to lie there. I was both interested in seeing what you might do and am a fan of charity myself. Helping those less fortunate than ourselves is a public good after all.” We'd circled around and come back to the main ballroom by this point. “I mean, is there really a point to all of this if we're not doing any good deeds at all? What I'm doing is a mere pittance, and if you're successful I'm sure others will benefit from it.”
He opened his hands to the large room before us, a stage where normally musicians or plays were put on, which in our case would serve as the auctioneers area as well. Plenty of space, with well done floors and tastefully decorated walls. Understated accents that didn't scream gaudy wealth but spoke of value to those who knew where to look. A bit of a refreshing change from some of the places I frequented honestly.
There were even a few subtle indications of magic in use here and there. Lights were hidden away that glowed a color unknown to any form of lighting in this world other than the power of mana. My ears also picked up a distinct lack of echoes, as if the walls were eating sound. That was a subtle bit of spellcasting, but one that would surely be useful if there were many guests all chattering at once. There would be no roar of the crowd unless they got loud, instead their conversations muted ever so slightly by the walls around them.
“I certainly hope it succeeds, if we can have fun and aid others all at once all the better.” Turning to him I bid him well. “Now, I hate to go, but I've another meeting today.”
He laughed and nodded. “Please be well sir.”
Simon and I needed to talk, so he could show me the things he'd made. There was another thing though, today would be the first time I met Priscilla, the girl he had his heart set on. Perhaps my friend would have avoided joining me in this venture, or required me to pay him, but it appeared word had gotten to the young lady in question and she'd somehow convinced him to play along with my ploy. I'd need to find some way to make it up to him later, but on that note I was sadly drawing a blank. Perhaps meeting the young priestess would hep, since it s
eemed I owed her one too for the pressure she'd applied.
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