As they arrived at the guild, Ivar and Jasper were met with an unexpected sight—a group of merchants clustered outside their guildhall. Their fine attire marked them as men of trade, yet their presence here was puzzling. Ivar shot Jasper a questioning glance, but he only got a shrug in response.
Looming from afar, Falcon spotted the carriage and swiftly shooed the unwelcome visitors aside, swinging the gates open for his boss.
Creak!
The carriage passed through the gate, with these people staring at it, inspecting every detail. Their gaze wasn't that of some newbie merchants.
Jasper stepped down from the carriage, his cloak hiding his appearance. He gestured to Ivar to ride the carriage to the guild's backside. Falcon, in hurried steps, approached, whispering, "Boss, these people here are asking to join our guild."
"Humph, more like spying on our guild. This is a crucial time, and I can't let anyone or anything disturb me," Jasper muttered.
With confident strides, he approached the gate and raised his voice. "We are not accepting any requests to join the guild during this period of time. You can come again if you want, but this decision won't be changed anytime soon."
The merchants did not like the answer; their expressions showed immediate hostility. "At least give us a proper reason," one demanded.
Jasper shook his head in a slow movement. He raised his hands with a theatrical shrug that sent his cloak rippling. "Oh, you haven't guessed it yet?"
The silence stretched taut as a bowstring. Even the usual sounds of this noisy place seemed to fade, waiting.
"It's because I'm ugly."
The words ambiguously float in the air. The merchants exchanged bewildered glances, their mouths opening and closing rapidly. "That's not even a reason to reject us," one finally sputtered.
"Of course, that's not a reason, but a certain guild gave me this exact reason when I applied to join it." Jasper's hooded head turned with precision toward one particular face—a face he'd memorized in the burning clarity of humiliation. His voice dropped to a whisper that somehow carried more menace than a shout. "You are uglier than I, and your stench is so horrible that even the rats in this area would flee. So please, crawl back to whatever perfumed shithole spawned you. I'm not so free to waste my time on the likes of you."
The merchants raged at his rude manner and his way of speaking. "You will regret this."
Jasper waved his hand, shooing them. "Shoo, shoo. I'm already regretting wasting my time speaking to you."
"No wonder this guild was built in the Sunken Slums. Its future is to sink; everything built here will eventually sink," they mocked as they walked away.
Falcon's fists clenched, fury boiling in his veins—but Jasper stopped him with a tap on the shoulder. "We are trying our best to elevate the reputation of this place, we can't just assault anyone the way you all did in the past."
"Sorry, boss. I nearly lost control of myself." Falcon muttered, jaw tight.
"This place is no longer called Sunken Slums, it's Suncrest. Keep that in mind."
Falcon smiled, "Yes, boss!"
With a reassuring pat on his shoulder, Jasper entered the guild's building and was welcomed by everyone warmly. "Welcome back, Master!" all the girls said in unison.
Lina and Lysandra were as cheerful as ever, Mina seemed slightly weary, and Lisa lingered a few meters away, as usual.
"These people are so annoying. They stand here every day, wanting to join the guild," Lysandra complained, her pout more charming than irritated. "Persistent like buzzing mosquitoes."
"It's a good sign," Jasper remarked, smiling beneath his hood. "It means they no longer fear the so-called slums. Soon enough, they'll rename this place Suncrest, burying its history as slums beneath the new name."
"Exactly," Breeze said, stepping out of his room with an easy smile and a welcoming gesture. "I've heard the same all over the city. People can't stop talking about how much the slums have changed."
Jasper's gaze softened with pride at the result of his and the others' efforts. "We owe that to Lysandra's idea."
Lysandra chuckled, playfully brushing off the praise, though her eyes sparkled with satisfaction. Breeze smiled and ruffled her hair before turning to Jasper. "So, was your journey fruitful?"
"Ah, right!" Jasper grinned. "Lysandra, guess who we brought back with us?"
"Azm?" she answered without hesitation.
Jasper groaned, smacking his forehead. "Stupid question. Of course you'd guess him—he's the only one you know besides me and Ivar."
"Azm?" Breeze's expression darkened as hearing a man's name leaving his sister's mouth. "Who is that?"
Lysandra giggled at her brother's protectiveness. "Relax, brother. He's one of us—He was the first slave that Master bought. We helped save his wife, and need I remind you, he's a barbarian?"
Breeze felt his jaw drop at the shocking words he'd just heard, "A barbarian as a slave?" His reaction was exactly what they'd expected—so much so that Jasper, Ivar, and Lysandra burst into laughter, remembering the sheer stupidity of Edward, the slaver.
"Alright, Breeze, Ivar—come with me," Jasper said, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.
They moved to the back of the building, where the armbrace had marked the spot for digging. Thankfully, the ground was soft soil rather than rock, or the task would have taken far longer.
Two hours later, the hole was complete. Now, all they had to do was wait for those titans to rise from the ground in a few days. Initially, Jasper had considered digging from this side while the others worked from the opposite end. But after reconsidering, he realized he couldn't leave Breeze and Ivar to handle the bulk of the labor alone—nor could he bring in extra help without risking exposure.
As Jasper retreated to his room to resume his game, a faint splashing sound came from his pouch. He opened it and drew out the bottle. The inky depths of the Tier 10, Stage 1 Neural-Chem Catalyst pulled him into a trance, and a radiant smile bloomed across his ghostly pale face.
He whirled around, vaulted down the stairs in a single leap, and tore through the backyard with inhuman speed before launching himself onto his horse.
Clip!-Clop! Clip!-Clop!
The moment Falcon heard the rhythmic beat of hooves on cobblestone, he flung the gate open—yet still stepped forward to block his boss's path. "Where are you off to, boss? You just got back from a long trip."
"Don't worry, Falcon. I'll return before you miss me. I have urgent business to deal with." Jasper's voice thrummed with barely contained excitement as he urged his horse past the gate.
Falcon scratched the back of his head. "Well, as long as you are happy, who am I to stand in your way?"
Jasper reined in before a flower shop whose windows bloomed with color like a picturesque painting trapped in glass. He selected an extravagant bouquet—roses red as heart's blood, lilies white as fresh snow, and baby's breath that added clouds of delicate texture. The florist wrapped them with artistic care, her skilled fingers creating something worthy of a palace, generously compensated for transforming mere flowers into poetry. Cradling the flowers gently, he set off toward Heinrich's mansion.
With every stride closer, his composure frayed further. He started visualizing scenarios of how he would act in front of Jessica, but each more mortifying than the last. Still, he was elated living in his own fantasy.
"If Ivar were here, he would have smirked wickedly, mocking me on every possible occasion." Jasper gave a firm nod, confirming that leaving him home was the right call.
Once he reached his destination, the gate guard squinted at the familiar silhouette looming in the distance. He recognized Jasper; nevertheless, he couldn't help but stop him, as he hadn't received any orders about Jasper's arrival that day.
"Good day, sir. What business brings you here?" the guard asked.
"Of course, to meet Miss Jesss—Ahem, to meet Mr. Heinrich."
'Could you be any more obvious?' the guard thought—or at least, that's how it appeared.
The guard turned to his partner signaling him to inform his master about Jasper's arrival.
The guard came running back, carrying the orders to let the visitor pass.
Within moments, the gates swung open. Jasper's heart hammered faster than his horse's gallop.
Heinrich stood at the entrance, arms spread in greeting as Jasper dismounted.
"It's a pleasure to see you visiting us again, Guild Master Jasper. Last time, you vanished without so much as a goodbye."
"Oh, please forgive my rude behavior, Mr. Heinrich. You know… I have almost no experience with women; it's good enough that my second visit isn't next year."
Heinrich laughed, praising Jasper's humorous side, not knowing he was telling the truth. Leading the way inside his mansion, he turned to a maid and asked her to inform Jessica about Jasper's arrival. Then, they stationed themselves in the guest room.
Polite formalities were exchanged, as custom demanded, before Jessica glided into the room. Her practiced curtsy was flawless, her smile warm. "It's lovely to see you again, Mr. Jasper."
Jasper shot to his feet—and froze. Words evaporated. The bouquet trembled in his grip as he forced himself forward, each step like walking on burning coals. He thrust the flowers toward her, then retreated to his seat in silence.
'What's wrong with me?' Jasper felt his face boiling. 'I consider myself confident—even if I stood before all the nations' kings, I wouldn't be shaken like this. Yet facing Jessica, my lips won't even dare to move.'
"Let's cut to the chase, Mr. Jasper. What's your purpose for visiting?" Heinrich paused, his gaze sharp. "Don't tell me my daughter left an unforgettable impression on your heart. What made you decide to come back really quick?"
"Father!" Jessica glared, her cheeks flushing at unnecessary his teasing.
Heinrich chuckled, the sound carrying both amusement and apology. "Forgive me, my dear. Just a father's jest, though perhaps poorly timed."
Jasper exhaled slowly, steeling himself. "I won't deny your words. Your daughter did leave me… deeply affected the last time I was here. But my visit concerns something she mentioned."
"Oh?" Heinrich's brow arched with curiosity
"She talked about her bedridden mother," Jasper said, sneaking glances at Jessica between his words. Unable to look directly yet unable to look away.
A shadow crossed Heinrich's face, his earlier amusement fading. "And why would my wife's condition interest you?"
Jasper shook his head, making his hood sway side to side. "It's not your wife's situation that piqued my interest—it's your daughter's sadness. So I wanted to help relieve some of that burden." His heart felt like it might explode as he spoke.
Jessica's breath hitched. His sincerity struck her like an arrow, warmth flooding her face.
"Your kind words are more than enough, Mr. Jasper." Heinrich said, offering a thin smile.
Jasper pressed even further, "I'm not here to support you with kind words" Jasper leaned forward, "I'm here to show my support in action."
"Enough." Heinrich's voice turned brittle. "I've spent fortunes—doctors, medicines from across the continent—yet nothing changes. She was frail from the start, and every year worsens. I—"
"Forgive my interruption." Jasper's tone was firm. "What I offer can't be bought. At least, not yet. I hope you can understand my resolve. I'm truly giving up a precious medicine."
Jessica moved before her father could speak. "Let me guide you, Sir Jasper."
"Jessica! Stop right there!" Heinrich's order cut through the room, "I can barely stand to see her as she is. If I lose her… I'm not sure how I'll react." His voice frayed. "At least I'm still able to communicate with her. To me this is better than witnessing her death." He turned to Jasper. "I'm so grateful for your consideration, Mr. Jasper, but I hope you don't interfere in this matter any further."
Jasper remembered how he had clung to his father's hand—right before it fell limp. However this didn't sway his resolve.
"Let's make things clear. I'm doing this for the sake of my future wife, not for your sake, Mr. Heinrich. And I'm ready to give up my guild and my head for what I'm about to do."
Silence stretched as Heinrich studied him. Finally, he spoke, low and measured. "I care nothing for your guild or your life. But if your medicine harms her…" His jaw tightened. "You will leave and never return."
"Father!" Jessica's cry was raw as an open wound, her voice breaking with emotion. "How can you show such cruelty when he's trying to save her? When he's offering hope where we've found only despair?"
Heinrich turned away, unable to meet his daughter's pain-filled gaze. "My terms are final and not open to negotiation. This way, Mr. Jasper." His voice carried the weight of a man who had already lost everything that mattered and was determined to protect what little remained.