บท 51: Chapter 51: Things are going on...

With the costliest equipment as the selected Aura equipment, I messaged the lord about my decision.

"Are you sure you want this equipment?" He asked after reading my message.

"Sure, I do like the aesthetics of this equipment much more than the others on the list. Are you telling me I can't take it because it's absurdly pricey?" I retorted, feeling like he was trying to dissuade me from choosing it based on its cost.

"No, it's just that this equipment doesn't have anything going for it other than being overpriced. I mean, any other equipment would have been a great option. Don't you think, sir?" His message could have made me angry, but I kept my cool.

"Are you calling me a greedy bastard for selecting this equipment without any buffs just because it costs the maximum contribution points of any equipment here?" I replied, adopting a more assertive tone.

"Ahem, you've misunderstood me. I just wanted to ask if this is your final decision." He clarified, sensing my frustration.

"Yup, that's final. I'm taking that piece of equipment as compensation for participating in the mission and protecting your important guests."

I just stopped responding to any message from the lord after telling my final decision.

With the job at hand completed, it was now time to enjoy the time of peace and 'tranquility' all by myself. I wasn't interested in touching on the topic of runes today as my mind was still in the trauma of having freaked by the rune yesterday. So, the best thing for me today was to study some legendary figures that roamed this world.

Today's legend was the true Dragon of the fire " Elezair" who ruled over fire magic for the times immemorial.

" Just wanted to re-read the legend of a true dragon today." The gauntlet did make me remember this epic legend with great adventurers that it has been a part of.

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Inside the manor of the Lord..

Inside the Lord's manor, within a chamber reserved exclusively for esteemed guests, seven individuals engaged in a discussion concerning Grey and the mission ahead.

"How did he respond to our proposal?" The leader of the party inquired, addressing the Lord who stood before him, smiling slightly at the youth seated atop the throne.

"It went smoothly. He accepted our offer," the Lord replied casually, his demeanor reminiscent of his calm during the stampede, his closely fitting robe concealing the pulsating magical energy within.

"Wonderful. We've secured a scapegoat in case anything goes awry during the mission," remarked the burly member of the group, flexing his muscles with confidence.

"Did he choose equipment from the list we provided?" queried the female member.

"No, he said he would inform me once he selects an item," the guild leader responded, his gaze shifting between the youth on the throne and the others with unwavering confidence.

"He selected the equipment. The one with the highest contribution points." Lord said as he looked at the message projected to him.

"Ah, splendid! 'Claw of the Dragon'... Hmm, what was the item with the highest contribution points?" The warrior's arrogance shone through his expression.

"Yes, indeed. He chose the 'Draconic Claws of Oblivion,' just as you predicted," the Lord confirmed, smiling slightly at the warrior's satisfaction.

"Isn't he a greedy bastard then? He chose the worst equipment just because it was the most expensive of the bunch." The leader sneered as he listened to the lord who was standing in front of him.

"Well, Can't demean someone who is trying to live his life out there. Let's prepare for the upcoming mission as I don't want to make a slight mistake this time. Father is giving me the chance to prove myself. So, Don't forget to remind him about the mission, drill him with everything that he has to do during the mission." He added while moving outside the chamber with four others following him.

The only two who were left were the Lord and the Guild leader who couldn't shake their head in dissatisfaction looking at the youngster who was throwing his weight around because of his father who was stronger than they were.

"Don't forget to ask him to prepare well for the mission. I think it's going to be a tad bit difficult with such an arrogant leader who is going to lead the mission all by himself." The guild leader patted the Lord's shoulder before leaving the chamber while sighing.

"Don't you forget to protect these five during the mission! If any one of them dies, the pressure we will be forced to handle will be something that could even force us to leave this town and move to another Duchy."

"Haha... Isn't he going to be protecting these people from the shadows?" The guild leader was as free as before, he wasn't even bothered at all.

The Lord could only look at his friend's confident gait before shaking his head with a wry smile etched on his face.

"Let's hope the mission goes as you think, my friend."

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Back to Grey's place.

Inside the kitchen...

I was looking at the bubbling broth made up of the monster meat and bones, my appetite growing as the spices mixed in the broth wafted, tickling my nose in the process. The noodles were already ready with all the other toppings prepared. I was only waiting for the broth to simmer for about five more minutes before having a sumptuous dinner today.

As for the 'Draconic Claws of Oblivion', I would have to visit the guild to take it from the Guild Master. The equipment wasn't my main interest as I could just ask the guild master to parcel it to my place if I wasn't even in the mood to visit the guild.

"I had just done that and asked the Guildmaster to send it through the hands of his trusted aid in the guild."

Enough about the Aura Equipment for now; the broth was ready. I dug into dinner without bothering to clean my hands, as I was using cutlery today. These utensils were a gift from the Lord, and I hadn't had the chance to use them until now. So, they were going to be properly utilized today—or were they? Even I didn't know.

After filling my stomach, I went directly to bed, wanting to have a great rest. I was still not mentally refreshed, even after enjoying the day tending the garden, eating the fruits, and watching the lively fish swimming in the pond, all while listening to the chirping of the birds. I might have enjoyed the day but my mind was still weary from everything that had happened while inscribing the 'Rune of Tranquility' in my soul.

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Next Day...

I woke up feeling refreshed and did all the chores before raiding the Dungeon to battle the monsters.

I had raided the 'Cathedral of Fairies' as I was hell-bent on mastering the 'Rune of Blood' as soon as possible. I massacred every monster there, activating the 'Rune of Blood', letting it go rampant as it enjoyed the blood from the monsters there. Any monsters that were killed had their vitality absorbed making them nothing more than husks with the shape of a fairy. Their blood, none was left.

It also worked as an excuse for me to collect the Equipment from the guild that I had selected yesterday. The parcel was wrapped in monster hide and didn't have anything to protect the Gauntlet much to my amazement.

Even the equipment was provided to me via the teller while I was selling the monster cores I had collected from the Dungeon.

"Was I really scammed?" This thought came to my mind as the way something as expensive as this equipment was handled so casually wasn't something I had on my mind when coming here. The feeling that I was scammed was getting greater as I looked at the nonchalant teller in front of me but I didn't lash out as he might not even have any idea about the riches inside this seemingly normal package.

"Where was the Guild leader?"

"Why wasn't I taken to one of the VIP halls and provided with the equipment?"

"Did I really get scammed?"

There were several questions but no answers. I was left with no other choice other than to ask the Guild leader directly.

"Did you guys scam me with the fake equipment?" The tone of the message was somewhat assertive as I really wanted to know whether they had scammed me or not.

"Nope. The parcel you have with you is the equipment you had selected yesterday. I don't have any interest in cheating on someone who is going to protect the people from Duchy." The reply came just as I had asked him about the Equipment.

"Was he already expecting me to question him once I obtained the Parcel today?" Well, I don't know and wasn't interested in knowing too.

The fact that the thing inside this unassuming parcel was the 'Draconic Claw of Oblivion' was enough. I was going to learn whether the description they had provided about this gauntlet was correct or not once I started to utilize it.