"Pfft!" Mr. Laine laughed, his smile was radiant: "Does Mr. Hadrian really think he can befriend me by giving me two insignificant slaves? Then my friendship would indeed be very cheap."
"At the auction arena, fair competition, since Mr. Hadrian insists on competing with me, then let him have it. But as for making friends, let's forget it. I don't need friends who would harm their own for the sake of attention." Mr. Laine shook his hand, ready to leave.
"No, no, no! Mr. Hadrian truly wants to be friends with you!" The steward quickly stopped Mr. Laine, bowing again: "We know these cheap slaves won't impress Mr. Laine, but… what if we add a Dark Elf?"
This time, Mr. Laine stopped in his tracks: "A Dark Elf?"
"Yes, let me put it simply, Mr. Hadrian is determined to get this Dark Elf! And this Dark Elf will become a testament to the friendship between Mr. Hadrian and Mr. Laine! This afternoon, we will deliver that Dark Elf and other slaves to Mr. Laine!" the steward continued: "Please, Mr. Laine, do come! Everything we are doing is to attract Mr. Laine's attention and friendship! No malice intended!"
Mr. Laine was now interested. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novęlfire.net
The Dark Elf had evidently caught the attention of most associations and many Great Nobles. They would openly say to let him have it as a sign of respect, as all the major associations had witnessed his strength and ferocity; they wouldn't want to offend him over such a trivial matter.
But Hadrian's Luigi Commerce Association was different. This big merchant from the south wanted to buy that Dark Elf, and he would have to fight a bloody path to achieve it.
Hadrian would have to spend at least a staggering amount.
"Buying that Dark Elf would cost several thousand Gold Coins, just to leave a good impression on me, is it worth it?" Mr. Laine chuckled.
"It's worth it! Because we all believe Mr. Laine is worth that price!" the steward replied with utmost seriousness.
This time, Mr. Laine truly felt Hadrian's sincerity. The accumulated displeasure and anger were turned around, and he began to feel curious about Hadrian's intentions.
He knew it might be a carefully crafted setup by Hadrian, hoping to gain his attention. However, in such a situation, someone willing to spend lavishly just to buy an opportunity for friendship—such implicit flattery is hard for anyone to refuse.
"Alright then, I live at… in the afternoon when delivering the goods, just inform the guards that they are for me, and they will let you pass. Also… if you truly want to gift them, send that girl named Miranda, the other two aren't necessary; too many people, the house can't accommodate." Mr. Laine finally nodded amidst the steward's ecstatic gaze.
The first floor only had two servants' rooms, though they could squeeze in, Mr. Laine thought Amelia should still have some personal space. Among the three slaves, Miranda had the best quality, so taking her would suffice.
"And the Dark Elf! We will send it along as well!" the steward immediately added.
"Interesting, let's see how Mr. Hadrian makes it happen then."
Afternoon, Amber Avenue 53.
"The auction this morning was quite lively." Mr. Laine changed into casual clothes, sitting by the warm fireplace reading a book. He eventually went back to witness the entire auction process of the Dark Elf. Amidst the frenzy of countless merchants and nobles in Marinburg, Hadrian purchased that Dark Elf at nearly ten times the starting price: "12,000 Gold Marks, the highest sale price in recent years for a slave."
"Truly a sky-high price indeed!" Amelia, now in a maid outfit, sat across from Mr. Laine. The girl initially planned to continue working, but Mr. Laine gestured for her to sit and chat.
The modified maid outfit had more decorations and patterns, the skirt's length changed from dragging on the ground to about five centimeters below the knee, revealing the girl's pretty calves in white stockings and black short boots.
"Has the multifunctional room on the third floor been set up yet?" Mr. Laine continued to ask.
"It's ready, Mr. Laine." Amelia nodded.
"Are you comfortable living here?"
"Very comfortable, thank you, Mr. Laine!"
Outside, heavy snow continued, but indoors it was as warm as spring. Laine and Amelia engaged in a series of questions and answers; the girl could feel Mr. Laine's care and respect for her. Thinking about the anxiety since coming to Marinburg and the peace and comfort under Laine's protection, Amelia felt that such days should continue forever.
However, if they were to continue indefinitely, wouldn't that mean… Thinking of this, the little maid blushed again.
"Amelia, you are nominally my maid, but I never regarded you as one. Regardless of your knowledge and understanding of the High Gothic Language, merely in terms of strength, you are certainly not inferior, am I right?" Laine looked at Amelia with a soft smile: "You are at least an Elite Initial Tier Wanderer, aren't you?"
"I'm an Elite Middle Tier Wanderer advancing to Master of Disguise, Mr. Laine." Amelia spoke the truth: "But please don't tell others."
"You always manage to surprise me, Amelia. Rest assured, you are merely my maid…" Laine's sentence was interrupted by a knock at the door, prompting him to signal Amelia to answer it.
There was a brief, hurried sound of footsteps, and Amelia peeked outside, then whispered: "May I ask who it is?"