Chapter 197 - Libarn's Official Greeting to Oliver

"Mr. Oprian, I'm sorry but we need to hurry and deliver my goods so that I can continue my tour," Keldon stated, trying to sidestep the conversation.

"Nonsense, Keldon. I'm sure young Oliver will be delighted to have our input regarding the festivities taking place tomorrow. I'll even offer them on the house, a rare offer indeed."

Sighing, Keldon glanced Graent but found no help coming to his aid. "Mr. Oprian, I'm truly sorry but we really must be--"

"I'll be fine with Keldon's information alone."

Blinking, those from the Libarn Guild were astonished to hear Oli's frank reply. Graent and Reginol were especially stumped by the young man's brash comment, staring in curiosity and anticipation at what the young man would say next.

"Don't be silly, boy," remarked Reginol. "As Libarn's first manager, I'm more than knowledgable and my credentials make me a far better guide and public figure than Keldon, no offense to the lone merchant and his craft."

"I'm not saying you're incapable or unfit to be my guide, but I've already hired Keldon and find him more than capable on his own. But thank you for the offer."

Without waiting for a response, Oli began walking toward the city hall. Keldon followed after him in silence with a small, cheeky grin. It went to show how confident Oli was by nature and how fitting his personality was as Keldon's new and future boss.

"Excuse me, but I've made you an offer you shouldn't refuse."

"Reginol, we should--"

"Graent, your inexperience as a top manager is showing." Getting his junior to back down with a single comment, Reginol led his horse a few steps forward to block Oli's path. "What I have to offer dwarfs anything that Keldon could have, whether it's experience, merchandise, backing, anything."

"I don't know about that…" Oli sighed and shrugged.

"You doubt me? When there's no reason to? I suppose you don't yet understand exactly who the Libarn Guild is."

Feeling more fed up by the second, Oli bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry, but I'd rather not deal with a guild that once threatened my life."

"That what?"

Pointing to Mertin, Oli stated, "I may not have told Johan or Leon, but I already know it was Mertin and others from the Libarn Guild that tried to interfere with my last job from the Practor Family. Given our history, I have no reason to trust Libarn, regardless of your great influence throughout the city."

Taken aback, Mertin said nothing. He simply tilted his head back in shock and swallowed the saliva lodged in his throat.

"Oh? Then allow me to apologize on their behalf." Reginol suddenly hopped off his high horse and retrieved a good-sized coin purse. "As a token of my apology, please take this."

It only took a single glance for Oli to break out in laughter. He did so for a moment before regaining his composure, but recognizing the coin purse as the one he had given Hurman for the first payment was too unexpected.

"Excuse me, but it's quite rude to laugh at my courteous apology," stated Reginol, maintaining his cordial expression.

"Wow…" Not wanting to hold back any longer, Oli replied, "Now I want to visit the Libarn Guild with my own eyes."

Grinning wider, Reginol added, "Then why not join us for a meal? I'm sure you--"

"I hope I'm able to purchase some thick skin from you, as it seems your entire guild has it in abundance."

Keldon immediately broke out in laughter, having no reason to hold back. Even some of the bodyguards struggled to contain their initial chuckles. Graent managed to keep his neutral expression, however, that couldn't be said for Reginol. But Oli wasn't done yet.

"If your influence in the city is large as your ego, then perhaps I shouldn't overlook your guild. Maybe we can come to some sort of arrangement…"

"I'm sorry, but I must ask you to retract your words, boy. Your naivety is showing."

"And your ego seems to be spilling over. Please don't get much closer, as I'd rather not dirty my boots with your narcissism."

"We should be going, or I'll be late on my delivery," Keldon insisted, leading Oli around Reginol. "It was nice running into you, Graent. Reginol…"

"Sadly, the feeling isn't mutual," remarked Reginol, eyeing Oli's back.

The two of them left those of the Libarn Guild to talk freely, hurrying into the city hall. Lines were longer than the day before but Keldon walked directly to the counter with a written receipt in his hand. He called out to the nearest worker, "I've got a delivery for Assistant Lizbeth."

As one worker nodded and left, Keldon sighed, shook his head, and softly chuckled at Oli. "You know… I don't think I've ever seen someone talk to Reginol like that, or to anyone from Libarn for that matter."

"Are you saying I went too far?"

"Maybe… but it's not like you'll be here forever," Keldon added with a shrug. "But they'll still be putting a target on your back."

"They've already placed one on their back, so it's only to be expected," reasoned Oli. "They brought it on themselves. I only wanted to go about our business, not be stopped and offered my old coin purse."

"That was pretty funny, I'll agree with you there. But you should still keep an eye out for them. Reginol is especially arrogant, along with the second manager and the guild owner. Graent's an old friend and not so bad, but he's changed upon working for Libarn for so long."

"Whether I wanted them as rivals or foes, they would make me theirs so long as I don't join them. So why bother hiding it when I don't have to? If everything works out, maybe we'll get lucky and leave Libarn in financial ruin," Oli joked quietly.

"An interesting comment… Care to share more?"

Keldon bowed his head and took out a storage ring. "Here are the common weapons you've ordered, categorized by chests within the void ring you provided."

"Thank you, Keldon, but now I'm curious to meet this friend of yours."