Chapter 1903 The Offer
–Richmond Town, Laboon Empire, Tenola Continent–
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"Eggs! Eggs! Get your eggs right here! We have golden eggs, red eggs, white eggs, and green eggs! Get the last batch before curfew!"
"Barren woman for sale! She can do anything ya like! Only 4 copper coins!"
…
Maneuvering across the busy streets in the late evening hours, Frederik heard all sorts of deals auctioned out in the streets.
Many merchants and farmers were selling the last stock of goods they had with all their might. Who wants to return home with a wagon of goods?
It was already 11 Pm, and the entire city was already plunged into darkness. Yet, the hues from the many massive torches and candles illuminated the many establishments and homes wherever Frederik went. Frederik, who honestly looked like a handsome version of Mob from Mob Psycho 100, had a plain expression, underneath his brown hood. Decan, Bain, and Kilmonga were also with him, alongside several other hidden guards in the shadows. After walking for a bit, they soon reached a massive restaurant called the Phoenix Eatery. It was a grand restaurant, 6 floors tall with even grander customers stopping by for meals. The higher one goes, the more expensive the floor. Some dishes can only be served from floor 3 upwards, and more ordinary dishes were left for average folks.
Understand that some peasants save months and months of their salaries to take their families out to eat in such places. So in such a scenario, how can you expect wealthy people to get tables on the first floor?
What's more, deliveries and all sorts of inconveniences took place on the first floor, so you can just forget about it. The building was quite grand, with a circular hole running through the first to the 6th floor. And around this circle were stairways for guests to go up and down with. Guests on the 2nd floor could see the first floor down, guests on the 4th floor could see the first floor down and so on. From the 2nd floor to the 6th floor, all guests were seated in booths. Some booths overlooked the hole, and some booths had balconies, facing the outside busy streets instead.
And because most customers came from influential homes, the need for privacy was indeed a must. So the walls between each booth were made quite thick and somewhat sound proof enough that one might only hear a mumble from the booth beside them.
Again, who can truly hear a thing when the entire place was rowdy with people talking all around?
The place only becomes silent when storytellers come to tell tales. The restaurant has its own megaphone, allowing the story teller's words to travel quite far across the space. The structure of the building, aiding in echoing and carrying sound, so this was great.
Most storytellers were told to perform on the 1st floor , on the circular space where those from above could see them from. Sure, those on the 6th floor might only see a dot when looking down, but sometimes, seeing just this dot moving while listening to the tale was what gave the story it's captivating point.
Storytellers of this time sure were interesting. They had to immerse themselves in the stories they told, changing their voices for female or male characters. They had to dance if there was a dance in their story, mixing enough comedy and seriousness when telling the interaction between female and male lead.
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"We're here to dine with Sir Dark Vader."
One of the staff in a brown and yellow robe and yellow circular work hat, nodded before leading them in. "Sirs, please wait here." With that, the man quickly dashed towards the back and returned in a blink of an eye after confirming the matter from another man in blue robes with a ledger at hand. Then, they were led to the 4th floor, where a man in all black was seated.
"Sir Vader!" Frederik, Decan, Bain, and Kilmonga greeted while taking their seats.
It seems Sir Dark Vader was quite considerate, since he chose a booth that had a balcony facing the busy nightlife outside.
Frederik didn't even need to look twice to know that his hidden guards had all appeared outside the balcony, 4 stories high. They were in the booth, but there was a door between them and the balcony. They could choose to open or close the door if they liked.
In winter, closing it was a must, and in summer, most people loved keeping it open to stare at the moon while having their meal. However, for today's matter, Frederik and the otters preferred keeping it closed, with their guards hiding away outdoors. And then, they began their conversation in low whispery tones right after ordering their dish. Staring at the masked man who gave him so much confidence and wander, Frederik's heart couldn't help jumping in a determined stance.
"Sir Vader, will your master truly agree to my request if I take the throne?"
Everyone held their breaths in wait for any reaction from Mr. Vader. If there was even a slight hesitation, it meant Mr. Vader's master might not be as trustworthy as Vader made them believe. Fortunately, Vader showed no hesitation.
'This is good.'
Many people released loud sighs without even knowing it. ????????????.???
Once again, they felt Vader's master was quite odd. Who could go all out to support their side and place Frederik on the throne for the sake of world peace?
Was that truly all he wanted, or was there more Vader wasn't telling them?
Vader didn't say a thing, communicating to them in writing as he usually did. To be honest, they thought he might be a mute since none of them have ever heard him speak.
[Seeing is believing…. In 5 days, my Master's people will come to take you to see his Home. I guarantee you that you will be back to Tenola in no more than 4 weeks from when you left…. You were given 4 months to think about this. So, what do you say?]
