Chapter 15: The Humane Pawnbrokers

Daegal and Abaddon were walking down the streets of Central Pulchra City. With Aine in the back of their minds, they seek something that could lighten the mood. And it seemed Abaddon had something to do with just that.

"Alright, so welcome to Central Pulchra," said Abaddon.

"Woah, I am way out of my league here," said Daegal as he looked around.

Central Pulchra is the most luxurious place on the entire continent. Jewelers and clothing shops lined the street. Extravagant cafes where all the rich spend their days eating colorful macarons. There wasn't a single man not wearing a suit and not a single woman not wearing a dress or gown.

"I stand out like a sore thumb with these clothes," said Daegal.

"I mean, I've never seen anyone rock a cowboy hat as good as you. Keep the look; it'll help with your brand," said Abaddon.

"Thanks, wait, what brand?" Asked Daegal.

Abaddon pointed to an empty shop at the junction.

"It's yours," said Abaddon.

"Holy shit! What?" Shouted Daegal.

Daegal ran to see the shop. The shop was old, but it looked very fancy. It was entirely made out of wood and sits right on a busy junction.

"Perfect foot traffic. The only reason this place didn't sell earlier was because the price was way out of reach," said Abaddon.

"Wait, how much did this cost?" Asked Daegal.

"8.000 fickens. And that's just the down payment," said Abaddon.

"E-Eight Thousand?! What's the full price?" asked Daegal, surprised.

"About 30.000 fickens total," answered Abaddon.

Daegal was at a loss for words. Daegal had never heard of such an exorbitant amount of money.

"Okay, what's the catch?" Asked Daegal.

"What catch? There is no catch," replied Abaddon.

"No? Nothing? None of that; I have to make at least 10.000 fickens in a month sort of deal?" Asked Daegal.

Abaddon looked at Daegal with a slight smirk on his face.

"You helped her once, correct?" Asked Abaddon.

"In the forest? I guess," said Daegal.

"Well, she helped me. If you hadn't helped her back then, she would have never helped me," said Abaddon.

"What are you saying?" said Daegal.

"What I'm saying is that I'm paying it forward," said Abaddon as he grabbed Daegal's hand.

Abaddon took Daegal's hand and placed something inside it. Daegal looked to see what Abaddon had given him; it was a key.

"That's the key to this place. I want this place to open by next week, you hear me?" said Abaddon.

Daegal couldn't help but smile.

"Yes, sir, next week for sure!" said Daegal.

They both laughed, like brothers that have been reunited after a prolonged separation. It is hard to imagine a regular trader being this close to a herald. As their laughs began to slowly fade off, Abaddon said something to Daegal.

"We wouldn't be here if it weren't for her," said Abaddon.

Daegal nodded and said, "Which is why now we must be there for her."

Daegal entered his new shop. A maid was there to greet them as they entered.

"Master Abaddon, welcome back," said the maid as she bowed.

"Daegal, meet Orphelin; she will be the one keeping this place clean. And Orphelin, this is Daegal, your new boss," said Abaddon as they introduced them both to each other.

The short-statured woman standing in front of Daegal was Orphelin. Orphelin looked only slightly shorter than Aine. Her chest, however, was slightly more voluptuous than Aine's. She wore a complete and very polite-looking maid outfit from top to bottom. She had black hair, amber-colored eyes, and a nimble-looking body. Her hair was styled in twintails.

"Master Daegal, it is an honor to finally meet you. I am Orphelin, the maid for this fine establishment. I look forward to being of service to you, Master Daegal," said Orphelin as she continued to bow.

"O-Oh, umm, thank you, Orphelin. I look forward to working here as well," said Daegal.

"Where's the accountant?" Asked Abaddon.

"Oh, he's out right now, my lord. He's buying a new shelf," answered Orphelin.

It seems Daegal's new accountant was making some last-minute preparations for the shop. Just then, someone was knocking at the door.

"Hey, Orphelin, I need help with the last shelf," said a man, shouting from the outside.

"Oh! Anton! He must be back with the new shelf," said Orphelin as she rushed outside.

Abaddon and Daegal followed outside to see two new, identical-looking shelves standing outside. The shelves had a sliding glass door that kept all the contents inside safe for display.

"Master Abaddon! I didn't see you there! My apologies for not greeting you earlier," said Anton as he bowed.

"At ease. Speaking of which, these are nice shelves," said Abaddon as he touched one of the shelves.

A man named Anton stood in front of them. He was dressed in a black old-fashioned suit, black leather pants, black elevator shoes, and a monocle on his left eye. He had stylish white hair, a tall stature,and a clean, beard-less face.

Orphelin then shot a magic beam at one of the shelves, causing it to levitate. The shelf was surrounded by a pink aura, and it slowly flew through the front door of the shop.

"A little bit down, Orphelin. We don't want to scratch it," said Anton.

Daegal looked at Abaddon.

"These are my employees? Bro, they're stronger than me!" Said Daegal.

"Calm down, calm down; they're loyal. They won't question any order you state, no matter how bizarre it is," said Abaddon.

Anton approached Daegal as he was talking with Abaddon.

"You must be the owner of this place, correct?" Anton asked Daegal.

"That's right. The name's Daegal," said Daegal.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Antonius, your humble accountant," said Anton as he bowed.

Orphelin got one of the shelves in and placed it properly. She then walked back out to get the other one. She did the same thing as before with the shelf while Daegal and Anton talked.

"So, can you do magic?" Asked Daegal.

"Of course I can; I am capable of using water and ice magic. What about you, Master?" Anton asked Daegal.

"Uhm, well, I'm really good with a knife," said Daegal as he took out his knife.

Abaddon looked at Daegal's knife. He was planning something.

"You can't do magic? Well, no matter, I'm sure your eye for true antiques will be like magic," said Anton optimistically.

"You know, I can get you an enchanted knife," said Abaddon.

Daegal looked at Abaddon with a surprised face.

"Really?" asked Daegal.

"Yep. Do you want it now?" Asked Abaddon.

"Now?" Shouted Daegal in shock.

Fire accumulated on Abaddon's palm, and it burned itself onto Daegal's knife. A damascus-like pattern formed on the knife as it glowed a brilliant red.

"This knife can now really do some damage if needed," said Abaddon.

The glow of the knife dimmed.

"So, how do I use it?" Asked Daegal.

"It will work; just use it as you would a regular knife, and it will match your moves," said Abaddon.

The other shelf was safely moved into the shop. Orphelin walked out of the shop.

"It's done!" She said this as she bowed.

"Nice work, Orphelin," said Anton as he patted Orphelin's head.

Daegal went inside the shop and looked around.

"So, this is a pawn shop. You buy stuff from customers and then resell it for a profit. I will give you 10.000 fickens as capital," said Abaddon.

"Thank you, Abaddon; I will use it well," said Daegal.

Abaddon slightly lifted his hand, signaling a handshake. Daegal grabbed Abaddon's hand firmly and shook it up and down. Abaddon laughed joyfully as he walked out of the shop.

Orphelin and Anton were standing beside the door. As Abaddon walked out of the door, they bowed and helped him with the door.

"Right then, where do we start?" Asked Daegal.

"I suggest we take a visit to the night market," said Anton.

"Oh, the night market! There are so many random goods there; I go there often," said Orphelin.

"Alright then, let's go," said Daegal.

They all walked out of the shop. Anton locked the doors to the shop and even placed a magic seal on the lock.

"Oh, Master, we need a name for the shop," said Orphelin.

"A name, hmm," pondered Daegal.

The lock glowed blue as Anton removed the key. The key looked regal and had a blue tint.

"Alright, boss, here's the key to the place. Keep it safe," said Anton as he handed the key.

"Woah, very luxurious," said Daegal.

"If necessary, you can twist the stem of the key, and it will begin counting down," said Anton.

"That's right, no shop is more important than your life, Master," said Orphelin.

"Wait, what countdown?" Asked Daegal.

"It's a smoke bomb and a flashbang," said Anton.

"It makes them blind AND deaf!" emphasized Orphelin.

Daegal looked at the key fearfully. "What if it explodes in my pockets?" He thought, "Will it make my ass blind and deaf?" "Is one's ass even capable of being blind and deaf?" He continued pondering.

"Don't worry about it. Just remember it; it might come useful in the future," said Anton.

"Anyways, Master, let's go to the night market," said Orphelin.

They walked down the street in Central Pulchra. Central Pulchra is the single most luxurious place on the entire continent. Everyone here is mostly owners of big corporations, from the head of the company that provides food, magic services, industry, education, you name it.

The Pulchra Night Market was located more outward. So, they had a bit of distance to cover before they reached it. However, Anton provided an alternative to walking.

"Why don't we take the tram?" Asked Anton.

"The tram?" asked Daegal.

"You see these tracks in the middle of the road? A little train usually passes through here. All we have to do is wave at an oncoming tram, and they will stop for us if they're empty," said Orphelin.

As Orphelin finished her explanation, a tram car came into view. Anton waved at the tram, and it began to slow down. The tram stopped in front of them.

"Greetings, where to?" Asked the conductor.

"Night market," said Anton.

"Right away, sir; however, you'll have to share the vehicle," said the conductor.

Anton looked at Daegal.

"We're sharing the tram; do you still want it?" Asked Anton.

"I don't see what's so wrong. I share my carriage with a lot of people anyways," said Daegal.

"We'll take it," said Orphelin from the back.

They all hopped on the tram. There was already a well-dressed man inside the tram; he was accompanied by two bodyguards. Daegal, Orphelin, and Anton stayed silent as the tram began to move. Everyone was minding their own businesses. Until...

"Hey," called the well-dressed man.

Daegal paid no mind; he thought he was calling someone else.

"Hey, bucket head," called the man again.

Daegal looked over.

"H-How can I help you?" answered Daegal.

"How much for the girl?" Asked the man.

"What?" Said Daegal, bewildered.

"Name your price; I want her. I can pay," said the man.

Daegal looked at Orphelin. Orphelin promptly looked up at Daegal, but after just a glance, she looked back down.

"It's okay, Master. If you need the money," said Orphelin.

"Five thousand," said the man confidently.

Daegal did not look impressed.

"Not enough, eh? I see, how about six?" He offered again.

Orphelin was looking down and staying silent the whole time. Anton was also just standing there quietly. It seems it was all up to Daegal.

"I refuse," said Daegal.

Orphelin looked back up at Daegal.

"You can't put a price on life. I'm sorry, but she's with me," said Daegal.

"I see. Well, that's a shame," said the man.

The man walked to the conductor and told him to stop the tram. He and all his bodyguards walked out of the tram in silence. Orphelin hugged Daegal.

"Did you really mean all those things?" Asked Orphelin.

"Of course, life is more important than anything. No amount of money can bring someone back to life," said Daegal.

"That's the first owner that has ever said that," said Anton.

It seemed Daegal really touched something in them.

"We've been bought and sold many times. Everyone here thinks money is the most important thing," said Anton.

"Anyone else would've sold us off right then and there," said Orphelin.

"If they didn't sell us, they would say unspeakable things to us. To show others that they own us," said Anton.

"I don't see any of you as items," said Daegal.

"Then you, Daegal, are human," said Anton.

Daegal sympathized with them. Daegal was also someone from Pauperis who risked it all to get a better life in Pulchra. They probably also came from Pauperis.

"Are you from Pauperis?" Asked Daegal.

"Yes, we are," said Anton and Orphelin.

"Okay, we're the same there," said Daegal.

"Are you also from Pauperis?" Asked Anton.

"Yes, I am," said Daegal proudly.

The tram stopped.

"Night market," said the conductor.

Everyone left the tram, and Anton paid the conductor. They continued to walk down the street to reach the entrance to the night market.

"Are you two related?" Asked Daegal as they walked.

"Nope," said Anton.

"But we did come from the same orphanage," said Orphelin.

"We've been close ever since we were toddlers. We're also bought and sold as a pair," said Anton.

They've arrived at the night market.

"You said something before that's really been bugging me," said Daegal.

"What is it?" Asked Anton.

"You called me human," said Daegal.

"I mean, it's true," said Anton.

"Humanity is a rarity these days. I've almost forgotten the compassion of a true human," said Orphelin.

"The Humane Pawnbrokers has a nice ring to it, don't you think?" Asked Daegal.

It seems Daegal has found the name for his new store.

"Truly a brilliant name; I like it," said Anton.

"You're a genius, Master!" Praised Orphelin.

The Humane Pawnbrokers now head into the night market in search of things to fill their pawn shop and hopefully attract some high-ranking customers.