Chapter 53 New Opportunities
"You know what I want to ask you, don't you?" Zayne asked with a slight smile.
"Hah, of course. Don't worry, like I said by morning I'd check everything out and give my evaluation. Do you want to hear the price now or shall we walk to my mansion first?" Feto's eyes narrowed as he began to rub his palms.
Zayne replied without hesitation, "Then what are you waiting for? We need to get to your house as soon as possible!"
"Hahahahahaha! It's true! Harald, thanks for your help, though... it was your fault, but anyway... you're actually a good doctor." Feto said with a complicated expression before heading for the exit.
Harald nodded silently, making no comment. Their little conflict was closed as Feto now had all his teeth in place.
"See you later, Zayne. I hope that Fate will continue to favor you." Amelia smiled, waving her hand.
...
Back at Feto's mansion, they headed to his room where all the treasures were arranged in sections.
'Wow, Feto did a good job, I didn't think he would take it so seriously. He seems to really love what he does.' Zayne inwardly muttered looking at the shiny jewelry lying on the massive oak table.
"I see your eyes are already glittering. I bet you want to know how much it's all worth." Feto smirked.
"Sure... I am..." Zayne nodded.
"Well, I have two pieces of news for you, bad and good. The bad news is that everything you see here is only worth 300 Gold Coins." Feto calmly said with a wave of his hand.
Zayne's face instantly darkened as the smile disappeared from his face. It wasn't a bad sum, especially considering how much he made a month, but he was counting on more.
"Wait... There's good news, right?" Zayne asked hopefully.
Feto answered nothing. He leaned over the table and lifted the massive chest.
"Ouch... My back still hurts..." Feto's face creased in pain as he gripped his back with both hands.
"Ah, I see, you've moved all your most valuable treasures into this chest, right?" Zayne sighed in relief.
"Nope." Feto opened the chest, "It's empty."
Zayne was completely lost as all of his expectations were suddenly shattered in the most normal way.
"Hahaha, don't get so upset, I told you it was good news. Do you really think I'm going to lie to you?" Feto smirked as he put his hand on the chest, "The thing is, this particular chest itself is worth 600 Gold Coins."
"What...?" Zayne's eyes went wide in disbelief.
"I understand your surprise, so let me explain. I don't know what was supposed to be stored in this chest, but it is made of a very rare fire-resistant oak, even with magic such a chest would be difficult to destroy. At first, I didn't believe it, but after a few checks I was convinced." Feto ran his hand over the chest then his ring glowed.
He wanted to pass to Zayne, 900 Gold Coins but stopped as his gaze grew deeper as if he were making some important decision.
"Agh... So be it." Feto muttered with a bitter smile as a single gray coin appeared in his hand which he tossed to Zayne.
Zayne caught it and with a confused expression asked, "What is that...?"
"It's a Platinum Coin. Perhaps you already know that 1 Gold Coin is equal to 10 Silver Coins, just as 1 Silver Coin is equal to 1 Copper Coin. However, 1 Platinum Coin is equal to 1,000 Gold Coins." Feto said seriously as he crossed his arms across his chest.
[You got 1 Platinum Coin!]
pαndα,noνɐ1,сoМ "Wait... Doesn't that mean you gave me 100 Gold Coins more?" Zayne was surprised.
"Yes. Consider it a gratitude, for without you Fate Blessing would never have descended on this village. What's more, I've already started setting up a new fruit trade! Hahaha!" Feto laughed happily with a golden glint in his eyes, "Agh... Plus, I'm impressed with your progress. Consider it a small investment in our I hope long friendship."
Zayne nodded gratefully, then a mocking smile appeared on his face, "Hah, aren't you a little too honest for a merchant?"
"Hahahahahaha, I can't help myself. Well, it was a pleasure doing business with you." Feto laughed and held out his hand.
"Yeah, me too." Zayne glanced at Platinum Coin, then squeezed Feto's hand tightly.
Crackle.
At the same moment, the doors opened as a maid entered the room. It was the same girl Zayne had seen yesterday.
"Hmm? Did something urgent happen?" Feto looked at her puzzled, as he asked not to be disturbed.
"Not really, or rather it doesn't apply to you. Mr. Zayne, Elder Aron has asked that you come to him as soon as possible." The girl said respectfully, keeping her hands folded.
"Well, in that case, I won't keep the Elder waiting, see you soon!" Zayne said, quickly leaving Feto's Mansion.
The maid looked at the massive trunk, then stared sternly at Feto, "Have you been lifting heavy things again? For such a wealthy man, you are behaving too recklessly!"
Feto silently bowed his head, he had no excuse.
...
In a few minutes, Zayne reached the main building in the village where Aron and not only him was already waiting for him.
"Wow, you came faster than we expected." Roland looked at Zayne in surprise.
"Pfff, last time he managed to outrun me so it's no shock." Elin said arrogantly, but as soon as she looked at Zayne her gaze became more gentle.
"Hi! I hope Chaos isn't bothering you anymore?" Rina asked uncertainly with an awkward expression.
"Hi. I see something really important is going on, isn't it?" Zayne sat down next to Rina, which made Elin frown for a moment, though he did so because there was more room on Rina's side.
"Yes." Aron took a deep breath, "Zayne, as you know, Roland, Elin, and Rina came here because of Chaos Hearth, thanks to our combined efforts and especially you, we were able to deal with this threat."
Zayne nodded.
[Disaster at the Village - Quest Successfully Completed!]
[Quest turned out to be much more difficult than originally thought. Rewards increased, as well as a unique feature was added!]
[You have received 300 Exp!]
[You gained 9 Levels!]
[You gain 3 Status Points!]
[Talk to Commander Roland, he has a special offer for you!]
Zayne looked at Roland, who as if understandingly took a letter out of his pocket. This letter looked like a work of art, with gold trim, a slightly visible pattern, and a thick red seal with a feather mark, the same as on Roland's armor.
"Such an event could not go unnoticed, so you were invited to visit Ozryn, or the Red Feather City. It is the main city in the Lax River Region, it is from this city that Knights are sent to help in areas where Chaos Hearth or other dangerous things appear." Roland said seriously as he placed the letter on the table.
"Go ahead. Open the letter." Aron said quietly as he pointed with his hand, "Ordinary people don't get personal invitations from a noble family, I'm sure this is something unusual."