hooklinebooks Chapter 29 Elf Stickers
Chapter 29 Elf Stickers
After returning from her adventure in the ruins of the Moonlit Forest, Andrea 2 asked Mana 1 for the contact information of an antique dealer.
Andrea 2 navigated the city through many twists and turns before finally finding the address—an old house hidden deep in the alleys of the black market. Andrea 2 covered her face and ears with a scarf and knocked on the door.
"Introduction to Mana 1"
A man opened the door a crack, looked around, glanced at the woman, and asked nothing.
"10 silver coins."
Andrea 2 paid the money. The man frowned when he saw that the silver coins he handed over did not have a lord's portrait on them, and closed the door. After a moment, he reopened the door with a slightly obsequious expression on his face, raised his hand and pointed to the west, saying vaguely, "Turn left onto the third street, the red trading building. Don't go through the main gate; there's a small door on the side of the building. Tell him Shaman will recommend you."
Andrea nodded and was about to leave when the man at the door called her back.
"Miss, where did you get such pure silver coins? I can sell you information for 10 gold coins."
"This is not for sale."
Andrea thought to herself, "This is the allowance Terra gave me."
"Here are 7 gold coins. Take them for now. If you change your mind later, please come find me." The man emphasized the word "I."
Andrea 2 took the gold coin, nodded, and left.
The man smiled and closed the door after seeing the woman across from him take his money.
Following the direction the man pointed out, she walked through a narrow alleyway filled with the smells of musty and spices. She stopped in front of a small red shop.
The trading post was a two-story building. The shops on each floor were very small, and it was difficult to see what was inside. There was a simply maintained lawn in front of the building, and on the other side was a street that was right next to the black market.
Andrea 2 walked around the front yard and saw a narrow doorway about half a person's width on the side of the building.
He knocked on the door and whispered the code. The door opened a crack, revealing a young male servant.
Andrea 2 said, "Shaman introduced me to the art collection."
The door opened, and Andrea 2 slipped inside, following the male servant into the trading house.
Upon entering, there was a narrow foyer, but the staircase leading to the basement was surprisingly wide. Following the male servant down, the air grew increasingly chilly, and the basement was much larger than expected. Dim, yellowish magic lamps were embedded in the walls.
Unlike the cramped feeling of the above-ground buildings, the basement is much more spacious and luxurious.
Under the lights, artifacts are quietly displayed on wooden shelves and velvet cloth.
Andrea 2's gaze swept quickly across the pottery jar, the broken stone slab, the elf angel statue...
She had seen several of them in the Amber Room; these were things that had flowed out of Andrea's homeland.
"Is there something special you're looking for, young lady?" an old man's voice sounded from behind, his tone kind.
Andrea 2 turned around: "None of these artifacts are what I want. Do you have the Great Moon Laurel Crown from the Old Empire?"
Andrea 2 handed the servant two gold coins and told him to leave.
"That's all you've got so far." The old man rubbed his hands together, a regretful expression on his face, after noticing the lady's generosity. "I do have other little laurel wreaths, though."
The old man led her to a display case: "This is a golden crown from the end of the two emperors' reign, with a ruby set in the center. It cost me quite a bit of money."
"It's good, but not what I want."
"If you're referring to the one from the time of the Five Wise Emperors, that's the most magnificent treasure, and I've always wanted it too. It's said that the words of the High Elves are inscribed on that crown, words that, according to the Elven records, can only be understood by so-called high beings. Unfortunately, it's not with me right now."
"You actually know about these things? But those are just legends, there's no evidence."
"I'm surprised that you, Madam, know these things. Those are all ancient Elvish documents, and even these antique dealers don't know many words."
The old man took a few steps closer and lowered his voice, "You can invite your husband over later. If you value something, I can give you a slight discount. In return, if you come across any rare treasures in the future, be sure to come to me. I will offer you a price that satisfies you."
Andrea2 thought of Terra. If that guy came, she would just buy it for free. How could she possibly pay for it?
The two chatted briefly about topics such as cultural relics.
After a long while, the male servant returned to the basement, came to the old woman's side, and said, "She's here."
The old man frowned almost imperceptibly, then acted as if nothing had happened and let the servant leave.
"That's enough for today. I still have some official business to attend to. Please return, Madam."
Andrea nodded and left.
The old man saw her to the door, smiling and bowing, saying, "You're welcome to come again anytime."
After the door closed, he straightened up and muttered to himself in the shadows, "Looks like another newly rich man's mistress, but she does have some knowledge."
Andrea 2 left the trading post and walked down the dimly lit street, her jaw clenching painfully.
"Why should I pay to buy back what was stolen from my homeland? It's as if it really belongs to him!" She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
She plans to launch a surprise attack here tonight.
*
It was late at night before we knew it.
Andrea 2 silently circled back to the underground market, where the red building appeared ochre-red under the bright sunlight.
The narrow door on the side of the trading house was tightly closed, but there was a small window above it. Andrea 2 looked around and, after confirming that no one was there, quietly and nimbly climbed up. After reaching the window, she carefully pried open the rusty latch with her dagger, and pushed the window open with a very slight "creak".
She paused for a moment to make sure no one heard her.
The stairs to the basement were just ahead. Andrea 2 took off her boots and stepped barefoot onto the stairs. At the end, in the darkness, the outline of the artifacts was faintly discernible.
She quickly took several items and stuffed them into her bosom. Just as she was about to turn to the display case on the inside, a blinding magical light suddenly shone all around her.
Good evening, guest.
Several figures darted out from the corner, moving with incredible speed.
Before Andrea 2 could react, her arms were twisted behind her back, she was pushed to the ground, and then she was tied up with a thick rope and dragged to a chair.
The magical light faded, and all the basement lights came on. Andrea 2 squinted and saw the kind old man from earlier that day standing in front of her, still smiling, but his eyes were devoid of warmth.
"Ah, it's the lady of the day." The old man leaned closer, reaching out to lift the hood of her cloak, revealing her pointed ears. "So, you're an elf, madam? My apologies, my apologies, my men were rude."
He turned to the person next to him and said, "Tie it tighter."
Andrea 2 struggled for a moment, the knot digging into her skin.
"What are you looking for?" The old man slowly walked to the display case, unlocked it, and took out a laurel wreath and a statue of an elven goddess holding a crystal heart. "This? Or this?"
He picked up the goddess statue, stuck out his tongue, and slowly licked the statue's cheek. Saliva remained at the corner of the goddess's eye, like a deformed tear.
"You beasts!" Andrea 2 squeezed out the words through clenched teeth.
"No, no, no," the old man put down the stone statue, took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands, "I actually have a lot of respect for elves. Besides, I don't blame you for stealing; after all, I did it when I was young too."
"I admire you, on the contrary. You, like me, understand the value of these broken stones and scrap metals." He bent down and suggested to Andrea 2, "How about we do it together? This industry is highly profitable, and it will allow you to personally reclaim more of the Elven things. What do you say?"
Andrea 2 stared at him and spat.
The old man's smile vanished instantly, his eyes turning contemptuous and cold.
He tilted his head to the side, opened his mouth, and flicked his tongue lightly against the roof of his mouth, making a soft "tap" sound.
"You handle it," he said lazily.
The next moment, Andrea 2 felt a pair of slender hands grab her neck from behind. The fingers were icy cold, but the grip was incredibly strong, and at the same time, a familiar scent wafted into her nostrils.