The merchant's guidance

The blacksmith entered the item shop. He inspected the products that were for sale, acting as if he was interested in buying something. Surprisingly, no one showed up to assist him.

He approached the counter believing his footsteps would alarm the owner that a customer had arrived. Even so, no one came through the hanging beads behind the counter.

"—Welcome to our business sir!" Instead, the blacksmith was greeted by a boy that had popped out from behind the counter.

William was startled, "Geez kid, you almost gave me a heart attack!" He said, touching his chest, checking that his heart didn't explode.

The boy sighed with relief, "I'm glad I didn't. You see, that would be bad for our shop. Papa would be troubled if it were to happen."

The blacksmith wryly smiled, "Already watching over the family business… If I were you, I would be checking the child labor laws."

The child cocked his head, "What's that?"

William had a mischievous grin, "You should ask your father. He will like that."

The blacksmith was currently in Paul's shop. He had never set foot in that place. Paul went to such lengths to promote it, to the point of finding a grey area in the merchant guild rules. The blacksmith thought it was appropriate to visit the place out of respect for the merchant's hard work.

—Yeah, it's definitely not because I was worried about him or anything…

He looked around the shop, but the merchant was nowhere to be seen. "Speaking of him, is the man of the house around?"

The kid nodded, "Yeah, I'll go get him for you. Please wait here. Papa, they're asking for you!"

The little boy ran inside the shop as he called for his father. The man of the hour stepped out of the hanging beads on the door frame, being pulled by his little child. "What is it, Tommy? I told you, there are no refunds for this legitimate business."

"There's nothing legitimate about that."

The merchant took a quick look at the blacksmith and was immediately disinterested, "Oh, it's you."

"It's nice to see you too, Paul."

Paul crossed his arms, "You came here to buy something? If so, then hurry because you're disrupting the flow of the shop."

"You currently have no customers in this shop. You can't spare a few minutes to talk to your friend?"

"I don't remember having such a relationship with you."

"So cold! Don't be like that Paul. Hey Tommy, don't go mimicking father's bad behavior. Your face is too adorable for that."

"Alright, sir."

"Call me big bro."

"Stop talking to my kid if you're going to keep spouting him nonsense!"

William could see Paul's nostrils flaring up. He was clearly already fed up with the blacksmith. It almost made William break into a smile. He was glad to see the merchant in good health.

"Can't you exchange a few words for a bit?"

Paul sighed, "If it's going to get you out of here quicker, then fine." The merchant flipped up the countertop. "Step inside." He said as he gestured with his head to come over.

"I don't know why, but what you just did seemed very manly."

"Are you extra stupid today or something?"

Before Paul went through the hanging beads, he looked at Tommy and said, "Tommy, I'll leave you in charge."

The child saluted his father, "Alright, papa!"

"Is it okay to leave him alone like that?"

"He can run a shop better than you, Jaeger."

"That's not what I meant…"

"Keep quiet and follow me."

Both men proceeded to walk through the hallway. When they reached the door on the far right, the merchant slowly opened it, barely making any noise.

The room seemed to be a private study area, but it looked like it could serve to be a place to tend to guests. Paul gestured William to sit on one of the chairs as he sat on the opposite side.

"Well... you wanted to talk, then let's talk. What do you want, Jaeger?"

The truth of the matter is that William was worried. It had been a few days since he had seen the merchant. Considering the interaction he witnessed, he thought he had been harmed or got himself in trouble with the merchant guild.

The blacksmith scratched the back of his head, "Listen, it's embarrassing to say this, but I was worried about you. You disappeared from your stand and haven't given any sign of life since then. I thought you were dead."

The merchant laughed, "I won't be killed off so easily. There isn't a foe that can take me down just yet."

"I thought those men the other day had done something to you. They looked like the sneaky sleaze bag type."

Paul snorted, "You saw that? Nah, the dumb, dumber and dumbest have nothing on me."

If the men of the guild weren't the reason for Paul's withdrawal, the blacksmith wondered what had possibly caused the merchant to step back, "Then, why did you leave?"

"—Who was at the shop dear? Hm?"

A woman had opened the door and realized she had interrupted the conversation.

"I apologize, I didn't know you were having a meeting..."

"It's alright honey. It's just this guy."

"Why do you make it sound like I was some sort of lowlife?"

"Did you need something?" Paul asked his wife, ignoring the blacksmith's remark.

"I was coming to tell you that her fever has calmed down, but she still needs more rest."

Paul stood up from his seat, "That's good to hear. Let me get her a wet towel just in case. Honey, please entertain our visitor for a moment."

"I-I, um, sure."

"Will you be alright?"

The woman nodded, "Yes, please go. I'll tend to our visitor."

Paul smiled, the first time William had ever seen it, and left the room. His wife shifted her attention towards the blacksmith as he quickly stood up and bowed, "Sorry for intruding."

"Not at all. I'm actually glad we have a guest. I just tend to feel awkward at first. My name is Gloria Smith. It's nice to see you again, William Jaeger."

"You already knew me?"

The woman nodded, "You are famous around here, but I know you from way back when you were at the main house. It's nice to finally have a word with you."

"I've heard about you from your husband. It is a pleasure to meet you as well. I'm not able to recall a time when I saw you in the main household, but then again, I didn't get to see many visitors."

"That's true, I wish I could've done something about it."

"It's not something that you're able to change, but I thank you for your sentiment."

"Yes, but it doesn't mean that I don't regret it."

"Hm?"

"—Papa, are you there?"

"Yes, baby. I'm here."

The merchant left the door open and through the crack the blacksmith could see him in the opposite room kneeling beside a bed. He had a wet towel in his hand and placed it on his daughter. The daughter struggled to speak. Even so, she let out her selfish desire.

"You won't leave me again, will you?"

"No honey. I'll stay here as long as it takes."

Gloria was also looking at the vendor with a sad look on her face. She grabbed a cup, put in some ice cubes and poured alcohol into it. She took it to the blacksmith, and he politely accepted it and sat back on the seat.

"She has been like this for quite some time. Just recently, her fever got worse. That's when Paul decided to come back."

"I see, so that's what happened. He was so determined to get every penny that he could during his time there too."

"He did. He earned way more than we had in years. We're way past being filthy rich."

"What a way to rub it in mam'!"

Gloria sat on the opposite chair to the blacksmith, "Paul is insatiable, but not towards money. It's about how far he can get. It's almost as if he wants to prove something, even though he already has, multiple times in fact."

"I'm sorry to ask but, was this a setback for him?"

"Not at all. In fact, having children changed him. He would let go of anything for them, even his dream. That's why he's here."

"That's good. It's nice that their children have him around."

"William…"

The woman was at a loss for words. She looked regretful towards William. She looked down, almost afraid to look at the blacksmith in the eyes, and it confused him.

"—I'm back. Thank you for entertaining our visitor dear. If we can even call him that."

"Of course, I am! If not, what would I be?"

"I don't know. A house invader?"

"That's what I am to you right now?"

The woman chuckled, "It was no problem." She stood up from the chair and bowed to the blacksmith. "It was nice to see you again. I hope we can have more conversations like this in the future."

The blacksmith stood up as well and bowed, "Yes, likewise, Ms. Smith."

The woman waved towards the blacksmith before closing the door behind her.

"Now then, I see she already got you a drink. Let me serve myself one as well."

"She's a very nice woman. I can't believe she married a person like you. Then again, opposites attract."

Paul scoffed and sat back on the chair, "There's more to it than that, but it's not something that your ass needs to know. Tell me, why are you really here?"

The blacksmith was taken back, "I don't know what you're talking about. I came to check on you, of course."

"I'm not doubting that you did, but with Jaegers, there's always something else."

The blacksmith gritted his teeth, "I would like you to never put me in the same category as them."

"I'll be the judge of that. You Jaegers tend to behave in the same manner."

"I don't want your friendship in order to gain something."

"It doesn't matter to me if you want something from me or not. It tells me that I'm a valuable piece to you in some way. What matters is the intention in which you seek what I have."

"I'm not as cruel as them to think in such ways."

"You aren't. In fact, the only difference you have against them is that you're nice… too nice."

—Says the man who has a soft spot for kids.

The blacksmith was left with a bad taste in his mouth. He hated to be compared to his family. He thought he had his emotions under control, but with all this new information about his family, he was on edge. Even so, he continued, "I guess I should discuss it with you. Maybe you can shed some light on this. I was asked a request. It's not a normal one like blacksmithing. I was asked to basically be cargo."

The merchant snorted, "In what world are you the cargo?"

"In this one, apparently. I'm being taken out of the village, the forest, all the way to the east of this country."

Paul was lost in thought, "The east? As far as I know, there's nothing there."

The blacksmith nodded, "That is what I've been told as well, but my great grandfather's notes said otherwise. Have you heard about the temple of Ouram?"

"The urban legend? Who hasn't?"

"It's apparently located there. It's the reason I'm being taken there in the first place."

The butler didn't mention the location of the temple. The blacksmith thought it was to prevent any eavesdroppers from sharing the information. William's great grandfather detailed everything in his letter, even the conditions of how to get in.

"So what? Are you going to the supposed temple?"

"It's likely. I was just hoping to know if you've heard the name Pagida Spathi."

Paul shook his head, "Never heard of it."

Paul had worked with the Jaeger family for years. They had been business partners in the past. Personal matters tend to get mixed up with business. William thought the merchant had a glimpse of this newfound reality, but even that information was taken to the grave by the Jaegers.

"Hm, I guess you don't know about these matters..."

"I do know this, Jaeger." The merchant looked seriously at William's eyes, "Wherever you're taking the request or not, you do the job and leave. It's best to stay away from your family history… It's nothing but bloody business."

"Believe me. I know all too well."

The blacksmith didn't even need to know what business his family had in the past. Just by how they treated him, he knew what type of people they were and what they were capable of doing.

—That's why I'm living here and not there…

That blacksmith stood up, "Thank you for the suggestion. I should be going. I have a kid waiting at home now. Wow, that felt weird to say."

"That devil kid? How's he doing?"

—Funny, he calls you the devil as well.

"He's good. I got him learning some few smithing techniques. Who knows? Maybe he'll be my successor."

"Good. If he gets set on a straight path, he might be treated better by the world just like you wanted. Although, it's not clear, you are in charge of him."

"It felt like I was being mocked rather than complimented."

"It's both… Alright, let me escort you out."

Both men walked back to the store counter. Tommy was playing with some toys on the floor to pass the time. The blacksmith realized that's why he wasn't able to see him the first time.

"Bye Tommy."

"Already leaving?"

"Yeah, but don't worry. Big Bro will come back in a few weeks! Wait for me, okay?"

"Alright. Bye, bye!"

"Before you go, I need to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Tonight is when the guild will have their visitor at the main building."

"What a way to give the deadline, Paul!"

"You were my grey area, remember? It's not like you're going anyways. Especially now."

The blacksmith chuckled, "Alright. I'll see you later Paul."

"See ya…"

Looking at the back of the blacksmith as he exited the shop made the merchant feel guilty. He didn't know if his decision back there was the right one, but it's not like the old days. He had a family to protect. Sometimes, pretending to know less than what one really knows is the best option.

"Hey papa, what's child labor law?"

"Huh?!"