Chapter 250 - The Ark Of The District By Day

"What do you expect us to do?" asked Bryan.

"To brawl," replied Mavislin.

"We humans use something called 'speech' first," said Bryan, shaking his head.

"Enough talk, let's get back to my place," said Gab, showing the way.

The streets of Albion had changed significantly ever since the fall of Congregation. Ysabeau seemed impressed at the rate of recovery within the human community.

"To think it was a peasant's town just a hundred years ago..." murmured Ysabeau, looking around with intrigue.

"Albion was called what now?" asked Gab, seemingly offended.

"Peasant Town, since all the newbies from the fallen Congregation are housed here. If you were here a hundred years ago, these people would be begging on the streets, not selling anything," explained Ysabeau.

"But now it's so different!" said Mavislin, going nearer to a stall to see some flowers.

"Yep. You did a great job, Baron Tuazon. You made the lowest thrive," praised Ysabeau, with prideful eyes.

Gab smiled as well. Small huts were everywhere, selling things from food to clothing. They had baskets full of their items, situated at the doorways of the huts.

The humans were quite noisy, especially the shopowners who were all trying to upsell whatever they had in their store. Mavislin's keen sense of hearing was not a fan of this. Especially when she wanted a small snack from a random stall.

"My! My! What a pretty lass! What would you like for the day?" asked the shopowner, with high-strung spirits.

"I'd like something sweet, is this sweet?" asked Mavislin, holding a candied apple.

"Yes! The finest, freshest!" yelled the shopowner.

Mavislin was close to tears as she started pouting. Gab decided to step in.

"Let's get a score then, I'll pay this time," said Gab, tossing the shopowner a pouch full of money.

The shop owner was shocked as Mavislin peered at the sack of money. She then pulled on Gab's coat.

"What's that?" asked the Valkyrie with her big, round eyes.

"Money. Pieces of metal to exchange for goods. In this case, your candied apples," explained Gab as the shopowner rushed to pack the giant order.

"Oh... That's how trade works in the human community..." murmured Mavislin.

"Well, what do your people use?" asked Bryan, seemingly interested.

The Valkyrie pointed at her temple.

"We use memories to trade. The more expensive the item, the more memories have to be revealed. Even secrets are used, though not recommended. For example, this apple would cost me a memory of what I ate yesterday, a bag full of it would cost me what I did for the whole week," replied Mavislin.

"How about the 'secrets'? How is that used?" asked Bryan, looking at Mavislin.

"One secret can be worth a whole century's memories. That would be the base thinking but it's more complicated than that. A secret of mine can probably buy a mansion if Earth was like Valokia."

"That's quite an abundance. A great way," said Bryan.

"Not really, because if the information traded is too expensive, you use a secret. If that secret is given to the wrong hands, it would have crippled the kingdom," explained Mavislin, as her eyes darkened.

"Ah! Thank you! Come back for more!" shouted the shop owner.

With a sack full of snacks, Mavislin was contented. As she happily shoved apples into her mouth, Gab explained to Bryan why no one has recognized him as of yet.

"Unlike my flashy teammates, I prefer to lay low. Out of the noble ranks within the humans' eyes, the title 'Baron' is the lowest, compared to the Five Kings. Thus, there is no reason to flaunt my title or for the common folk to know who I am," said Gab, walking towards his shop.

"But you are sure to make a statement if you continue to buy stuff in bulk," replied Bryan, pointing at Mavislin's sack of apples.

Gab merely chuckled while Ysabeau tried to stifle her laughter. Bryan's eyebrows furrowed in frustration.

"What's so amusing?" asked the Slayer.

"My boy, haven't you known? After the fall of the Congregation..." said Gab, shaking his head.

"Albion is the ric.h.e.s.t Domain out of all the Five Domains. They can afford to buy items in bulk," replies Ysabeau.

"Apple?" asked Mavislin, handing the young Slayer a candied apple.

He gladly accepted it, with Mavislin smiling happily.

"What is that smell?" asked Ysabeau, scrunching up her nose in disgust.

"It's called 'coffee'. The energy of humans. Muddy bean water," explained Bryan, rather rudely.

"Be nice, she has no idea on human beverages as of yet," said Mavislin as they entered into the Baron's cafe.

The cafe was beautifully rustic, with the smell of freshly roasted coffee writhing through the area. Dark oak tables and chairs were all around with ceramic mugs hanging around the drinks area.