Chương 617: Chapter 616: Guests

Clang, Clang, Clang! I felt the pain in my arm as I defended against the purple fists. There are only three fists, each the size of my head, and they are coming at me from all sides at a speed I could barely see, even with my Lord's Eyes. These fists are aura methods that Bell is attacking me with. They are intentionally weakened, but I could barely defend against them. Bam! One of the fists slipped past my sword and hit my body. Crashing against the layers of spell armor and destroying them while sending me back.

"Seventh," counted Bell and kept with her attacks. This marks the seventh time I would have been slain—or at least gravely wounded—if this were a real battle. The spell armor again appeared on me as I kept dodging and defending against her attacks. My focus is on my target, not her attacks, but she isn't letting me get any closer to her. Each fist hit like a cannonball, but are also unlike cannonballs. When I was using a half-artifact and covering it with an aura, these fists couldn't be ripped into two.

It is a full-fledged aura method. It's tough to defend against them, even with the powerful weapons. I sharpened my aura on the sword and tried to control it finely to harness even greater power. I am making progress, but not enough to get closer to her. She is very good and improving fast. Over a year ago, she could barely attack the thief with her aura. Now, she could kill ten of them within a second. She is sparring with me, Stone, Jon, and Carla, who employs aura and the spells.

She has improved so much that even Stone can't defeat her anymore. He did a few times at the start, but not anymore. This is good because it forces him to work hard on his elder power. Earlier, he trained a few times a week, but now he trains every day. Bam! Once again, a fist hit me. This time, it struck my shoulder, nearly knocking me off balance, but I managed the impact and stepped back as new armor materialized on my body. Every part of my body is screaming in pain.

She might have lowered the power of her aura method and lowered it further when it was about to hit, but despite that, it's still powerful. I wanted to use the healing spells, but I controlled myself and kept on fighting. Time passed as I continued sparring. I pushed myself, even when I felt tired, because I knew I would need to push myself in battle. My enemies are strong, and they want to destroy me and everything I hold dear. Bam! Once more, the fist hit me.

This time, squarely on the chest, sending me crashing against the wall, hard. We started in the middle of this underground sparring field, but she slowly pushed me back until I crashed against the wall.

"Twenty-fifth," she counted. A moment later, the healing spells covered me. It was a combination of divine and mage spells that healed 90% of the damage while letting my body deal with the rest on its own.

"It was as bad as last time," I said as I got up once the healing spells took effect.

"No, you were a little better than the last time," Bell corrected.

"It didn't feel like it," I replied, shaking my head. I might have said that, but I could feel my subtle progress. Last time, I didn't last this long or dodge and defend this effectively. The next time, I will try harder. I walked out of the sparring ground while Bell remained with Jon. I didn't go to the upper floors but to the underground room, which they had finished a few days ago. This made things easier, as I didn't have to go to the top floor for a shower.

Though I use my skills, nothing can refresh me like a shower does. Once I had showered and put on a clean suit, I rested before taking the elevator to the top floor.

"They are waiting for you," informed Jill. I nodded and entered the conference room, where Caena, Margaux, Maeve, and our guests were seated. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Lord Silver," they got up and greeted.

"Everyone," I replied and sat down before turning to the three elves. I looked at the leader, the middle-aged elf with ocean-blue hair and greenish-brown eyes, the shade only elves have. He is a Tyxanil Saltyr, husband of Aelys Saltyr, master of Aelys Sanctum—the legacy spa. The green-haired elf was in his mid-thirties to his left. Sera Chance was the official from the Elven Glade, the Elven Kingdom. The old elf with greying hair is Carter Hall, one of the spa managers.

"I hope you had a safe journey, Lord Saltyr?" I asked.

"It was, Lord Silver," he replied.

"I'm glad. These days, even the safe routes aren't safe anymore," I said, shaking my head.

"You're absolutely right about that, Lord Silver," the man agreed.

"How do you like our legacy so far?" I asked. They arrived yesterday afternoon and will sign an agreement on resources, expertise exchange, etc.

"Amazing! I had heard so much about the Velvet Garden, but every word paled when I saw the real thing," he replied, looking around.

"Good. I have asked Madam Caena to provide you with everything you require. If you need anything more, don't hesitate to ask me," I said.

"Of course," he replied. A few minutes later, the meeting ended, and I walked out with Caena and Margaux while Maeve led them to the spa.

"They are willing to offer many things," informed Caena.

"Really?" I asked. These snobs weren't so willing when I first asked for their help. However, they have straightened up and are now willing to give us nearly everything we requested.

"Yes. As long as we provide them with enough resources," she replied with a smile.

"There it is," I said. Unlike us, their spa has been around for decades. They are almost entirely self-sufficient, handling everything from staff training to producing the products used in their spa. If they could get the resources that I have. They could improve their spa even further. We have also been trying to achieve that, but our legacy is barely a year old. Still, we are progressing in every aspect, including crafting our spa products. We have found gifted alchemists who are leading those efforts.

Still, it will take time before we can become as self-sufficient as they are. We will be one day. Soon, we reached one of the most exclusive halls on the top floor and entered the hall. There were people in it, not the patrons but the girls.

"Master Silver," they greeted in unison. Thirty-two girls had completed the interview, but only fourteen had been accepted. We wanted to take more, but the others weren't ready. In the coming months, we will establish a leadership program to train the next generation of Velvet Garden leaders. They will be trained in college as well as being sent abroad. I did that earlier, but only a small number of trusted people were sent out due to the risk of them being poached or turning into spies.

The risk is there, but we must take it. I need more leaders from the legacy.

"Congratulations to you all." I congratulated the fourteen, the youngest of whom is eighteen, and the oldest is forty-four. They belong to all races. For the first time, we have full-blooded elves and orcs, as well as half-elves, half-orcs, and those with the blood of the races in ancestry.

"Your journey hasn't been easy, but the true challenge begins now. From here on, you will be tested at every turn and entrusted with responsibilities that demand excellence."

"It is fine if you make mistakes, but we expect each of you to learn from them."

"I fully believe that you will. It is why you have been chosen," I finished, looking at the faces.

"We will not disappoint you, Master Silver," they replied. Margaux and Caena also spoke a few words before we left them in Senar's care. She will be responsible for the trainees. It is an enormous responsibility, but she is capable. Margaux went toward the elevator while I went toward my office with Caena.

'They had found and sunk the undead ship,' informed Shaun. The undead may have paused their attacks against us, but they are still building their forces. They are also very sneaky, but the merchants' states' spy network is one of the best on the continent. They still found the ships, and the empire sunk them. This means I will have to send a bit extra emotional essence to the princess and the merchant state. It is an unspoken agreement we have.

I recognize my fragile situation and must ensure the backers' satisfaction. The emotion essence does that. Soon, we reached my office and discussed a few important things.

'Master Silver, Sister Tara is here,' Jill informed.

"Send her in," I replied. Click! A moment later, the girl walked in. She looked to be in her twenties, with flowing raven hair and dark eyes. She is pretty but not as strikingly beautiful as Lola or Andrea. At first glance, she is nothing worthwhile until she turns to you. On the first day, I came to Greltheaven, I asked Carla to give me a list of girls ranked from highest to lowest potential. This girl was at the bottom. She changed, and her change was transformational.

If anyone had absorbed lessons better, it would be her—especially regarding etiquette, communication, and seduction. She had utterly transformed herself through them. From the bottom of the list, she had reached the top. We call her 'Seductress' not because of her class, which is also her class, but because of her ability to seduce; she can seduce anyone. She captivates and enthralls people, leaving them so obsessed with her that they send gifts for months, even after spending only a few hours in her presence.

She is one of the few girls who is free from a schedule and can work at any time she wants. She only works two to three days a week, and even then, she spends time with patrons if she likes them.

"Master Silver, Madam," she greeted in a smooth, flowing voice.

"Take a seat, Tara," I replied. She thanked and sat down with effortless grace.

"Have you made the preparations for the trip?" asked Caena.

"Yes, and I am excited about it," she replied, a bright smile appearing on her face. However, our expressions turned serious.

"There is something we haven't told you. Something we want you to do," I said. I don't like what we're about to ask her. We've never done this before, but this time, we'll need to ask her for the survival of the Velvet Garden.

"I had expected that much, or you wouldn't have been sending me there," she replied, her expression turning serious. I sensed her gaze and the heaviness of what I was about to ask her, but I knew I had to.

"I want you to collect the blood of Master of Tranquill Bathhouse. A drop would be enough," I said, and a smile appeared on her face. The one that enchants everyone.

"So, I will have to sleep with him?" she asked, looking at her nails. We can't just take the blood directly. He is a master and is well-protected. We must find a novel way to obtain his blood, which is crucial for the spell.

"Yes, but if you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to," I replied, feeling Caena's eyes. I wanted to finish with just the 'yes,' but I couldn't stop.

"I think it is the first time you have asked that of any girl," she said with a smile that would charm anyone.

"I wouldn't have if not for the very survival of the Velvet Garden, depending on it," I sighed heavily.

"I would even sacrifice my life for you and the Velvet Garden. This is just a small thing, and I think it will be interesting," she replied with a grin. All I could do was smile in gratefulness.