Chapter 250: Brother

The Guild Hall had settled into a steady rhythm by late afternoon. The earlier rush of registrations had calmed to a manageable flow, and Boren found himself comfortably navigating his duties behind the counter.

Names were recorded, badges distributed, and new Adventurers gathered at scattered tables, animatedly discussing teams, hunts, and potential profits.

The atmosphere inside the Hall transformed from the awkward noise of a place finding its footing into a lively hum filled with ambition and excitement.

Outside, the training ground echoed with faint sounds of sparring, wood clashing against wood as two young warriors tested their strength.

Boren was in the midst of writing down another name when he sensed a shift in the room. It was subtle at first; conversations began to quiet down in waves.

A few voices faded away, followed by the scraping sound of a chair halting mid-movement. The lively hum thinned out. Boren noticed this change immediately; he had been attuned to the room’s rhythm all day long.

Valeria, who had been leaning back with her eyes half-closed, slowly opened them and turned her gaze toward the entrance without moving her head.

Curious about the sudden silence, Boren looked up from his ledger and froze mid-stroke as he took in the sight at the entrance of the Guild Hall: an unexpected figure amidst hardened warriors.

A rotund middle-aged man stepped inside as if he were gracing a royal carpet laid out just for him. He wore an extravagant robe made of bright silk that clung tightly around his belly, seemingly protesting against being worn.

The fabric shimmered under the sunlight streaming through the doorway, adorned with embroidered patterns of gold thread across his sleeves and collar.

Each thick finger was embellished with gemstone rings, red, green, blue, and clear stones that sparkled brilliantly in the light. His hair was slicked back and oiled so heavily it shone like polished leather; tiny bead-like eyes peeked out from beneath folds of flesh while his double chin rested comfortably above a belly that swayed left and right with every step.

He walked confidently yet wobbled slightly with each movement, as if he were ten months pregnant.

Boren’s lips twitched violently as he stared at this approaching figure, struggling not to laugh at such an absurd sight. But then awareness struck him as he glanced down at his own belly jiggling slightly when he leaned forward. His expression stiffened instantly; laughter now would only invite laughter in return.

Trailing behind this flamboyant man were four well-dressed attendants, thinner and more serious-looking, who carried themselves with discipline while scanning the room as if ready to block any sudden movements. It was clear that their leader held significant importance.

Valeria remained seated with her cold expression intact but couldn’t suppress a slight twitch at the corner of her lips; even she found humor in this comical situation where two rotund figures stood opposite each other amid seasoned warriors, the contrast almost too much to bear.

Valeria remained seated, her expression cold and composed. Yet, despite herself, the corners of her lips twitched at the absurdity of the scene unfolding before her. In the center of the Guild Hall stood two rotund men facing off, their bellies jiggling with every breath.

The stark contrast between these portly figures and the hardened warriors around them was almost too much to bear.

Adventurers in the hall stifled laughter, some covering their mouths while others coughed loudly to mask their amusement. A few pretended to inspect their badges, lowering their heads as they tried to hide their grins. The earlier tension had morphed into a curious blend of amusement and intrigue.

The flamboyant man’s eyes lit up when he spotted Boren, as if he had found a kindred spirit. His tiny eyes widened slightly, and his round face broke into a broad smile. He raised one thick hand adorned with glimmering rings that caught the light.

“Brother!” he called out warmly, his voice booming yet smooth.

Boren blinked in surprise but quickly adjusted his posture, donning a professional smile. “Sir,” he replied politely, stepping forward from behind the counter.

Without hesitation, the flamboyant man approached the counter while his entourage formed a silent wall behind him.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” he announced grandly, placing a jeweled hand over his chest. “I am Garen Holtweiss, head of the Holtweiss Merchant Consortium.”

He paused expectantly as if waiting for his name to resonate within the hall.

A few warriors exchanged knowing glances; some nodded faintly in recognition.

Garen continued with pride in his voice. “Our consortium operates five mid-level trade ships along the Twilight River route. We facilitate trade across three regions connected by this riverway, transporting grain, spices, refined ore, and textiles, extending our network from southern markets all the way up to northern ports.”

Boren nodded slowly to show interest. “A pleasure to meet you, Merchant Holtweiss.”

Garen’s smile widened further. “The pleasure is mine! I’ve heard much about your Adventurer Guild; even here in Riverdale, your reputation precedes you. The recent events in Greyvale only showcased your resilience.”

Valeria’s gaze sharpened slightly at that remark but she remained silent.

Boren folded his hands calmly on the counter. “We appreciate your recognition. What brings you to our humble branch today?”

Leaning closer and lowering his voice for emphasis, Garen replied earnestly: “I’m here to commission a mission.”

His words landed like a stone dropped into still water.

Instantly, every Adventurer lifted their heads; conversations halted mid-sentence as curiosity filled the air like electricity. Eyes that had been relaxed moments ago now gleamed with hunger, this was no longer just about joining something new; it was about opportunity.

Commissioning a mission meant coin. It also meant danger, but more importantly, it meant pay.

The warriors’ eyes glimmered with interest as they turned their focus on Garen Holtweiss, resembling a pack of wolves spotting their prey. Valeria observed the shift with calm composure; she could almost feel the tension in the air.

Boren’s smile remained unchanged, yet his mind sharpened instantly. This was the Guild’s first official commission in Riverdale, and it had to be executed flawlessly.

“That’s excellent news,” Boren said smoothly. “Please, tell us more.”

Garen nodded, clearly pleased by their reaction. “Over the past month,” he began, resting both hands on the counter where his rings clinked softly against the wood, “two of my ships have been attacked along the Twilight River route.”

A murmur rippled through the Hall.

“River pirates?” one of the warriors whispered.

Garen raised a thick finger. “That’s what we thought at first. But these attacks are different. The ships weren’t completely looted, only specific cargo crates were taken. The attackers were organized and disciplined; they struck quickly and vanished before my guards could respond effectively.”

Boren listened intently. “What kind of cargo was taken?”

“High-grade refined mana ore,” Garen replied calmly. “And once, a shipment of alchemical reagents.”

Valeria narrowed her eyes slightly.

“That doesn’t sound like random theft,” she remarked quietly from her seat.

Garen turned toward her and nodded in agreement. “Exactly. That’s why I’m here.”

Boren interlaced his fingers thoughtfully. “You want protection for your next shipment?”

Garen shook his head firmly. “Protection is just part of it. I want to find those attackers, identify them and eliminate them.”

The word “eliminate” echoed softly through the Hall.

A few experienced warriors leaned forward with keen interest.

“And what’s the reward?” someone asked bluntly from a nearby table.

Garen didn’t seem offended by the question; instead, he smiled confidently.

“Five hundred thousand gold,” he stated clearly.”

A ripple of excitement coursed through the Hall.

Five hundred thousand wasn’t a small sum, especially for a newly opened branch and it was enough to attract serious attention.

Boren maintained a calm demeanor while feeling an internal surge of satisfaction; even on its first day, their Guild had drawn interest from such an influential merchant.

“That’s quite generous,” Boren replied evenly. “We’ll need details: dates of the attacks, locations, survivor accounts, and cargo manifests.”

Garen nodded in agreement. “All prepared.”

He gestured to one of his attendants who stepped forward to place a sealed document on the counter as all eyes followed every movement intently.

Valeria rose slowly from her seat and made her way to the counter. Just her presence was enough to make a few of the more restless Adventurers sit up straighter. She glanced at the document before turning her attention to Garen.

“Do you have anyone specific in mind?” she asked.

Garen’s small eyes flickered for a moment. “I have my suspicions,” he admitted, “but no solid proof. That’s why I’m here. The Guild’s reputation relies on results.”

Boren placed a hand on the sealed document and nodded. “The mission will be reviewed and posted,” he said calmly. “Anyone interested can apply, and we’ll select a team.”

Excited glances passed among the Adventurers in the Hall.

Boren surveyed the crowd before looking back at Garen Holtweiss, whose belly swayed slightly as he shifted his weight.

The Guild’s first commission in Riverdale had come through quicker than anticipated, and judging by the eager gleam in the Adventurers’ eyes, things were about to pick up speed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep