Chapter 9: Moscov
Even though this place has nothing to offer that could catch Elena's eye, that's not the case for everyone else.
Like everywhere else, the alchemy pavilion is very popular here too.
Inside the VIP section of Alchemy Pavillion, a place that is filled with all types of big shots, relatives of various nobles, and high-ranking mercenaries, a crowd was gathered in one place. It seems like they were waiting for the new stocks to arrive.
Since Elena didn't find anything else that could be helpful, she decided to go over and take a look.
Elena could see some subtle movement taking place as she went over. Elena knew that they had been watching her ever since she arrived. Even though they didn't make it obvious, Elena could feel their gaze at her. However, she didn't mind the occasional looks since these people were keeping things within a line.
It might be because they were all people of dignity. It could also be because Olen and Gia were accompanying her. For them, no one accompanied by the city lord's son should be provoked.
By the way, it seems Gia isn't just a normal attendant. While other attendants wore blue dresses, she was wearing a red one. She must have a better position than a mere attendant.
So when Elena came to take a look with Olen and Gia in toe, others immediately gave way for her. There was murmur everywhere. Some were about her, and some were about other stuff.
Elena quickly filtered out the things they were talking about her and listened.
"I heard this batch has pills made by Master Moscov." -One skinny guy said, trying to show his knowledge and connections to the masses. (For no actual purpose)
"Oh, where did you get the news." -said some nobody.
"Of course, I know. I'm from..." -The first man said boastfully.
People around gave them a disdainful look.
The people here are all influential or have some background. They all knew what today's batch contained.
Why was this joker barking in their ear? -They thought.
But they were gentlemen. It is not in them to try to step up to stop these dogs.
The reason they came was for this batch of pills. So, almost everyone should know what is going on here. The fact that this guy is bragging about it shows he has few connections and came to know of the schedule at the last moment. And if that is the case, he shouldn't be loaded enough to compete with the other people here.
These high-ranking mercenaries or noble family butlers couldn't be bothered if it weren't for the pills concocted by Master Moscov personally.
Master Moscov is a big name around here. There is no one as good as him in at least twenty surrounding cities. So, people from other cities have also come.
Every time he makes a batch, it gets sold on the spot. Even if it is only some ordinary pills... pills that could be produced by other Alchemists, the effects are better in the ones made by him.
When it comes to ordinary pills, all veteran mercenaries try to get pills made by him. It doesn't matter whether it is a spirit-refreshing pill or a physical enchantment pill. It gets sold on the spot as soon as they are put out to be sold.
On the other hand, the rank two yellow pills can only be made by him. So nobles like to keep them in hand as a trump card. That's why every pill of this grade is fought over.
"Hey, shrimp. What are you doing here? This place is for adults. Shrimps like you should stay in your mummy's arms." -said a boy. He is a typical playboy-type character with blond hair.
Normally people here wouldn't want to pick on the young master of the city lord's mansion. But there is always some exception to the rules.
"Oo heavenly angle, the radiance you have can't be covered by that simple veil of yours. Even the moon is pale in front of you. Though I may not be worthy, can I please know your noble name? As for me, you may address this humble me as Mitchell." saying the playboy cut in between Olen and Elena. He completely ignored Olen there.
Elena looked at the boy with disdain. This was the type of guy she hated the most.
"Not interested." saying so she turned around. These types of people should be stomped down mercilessly.
"Oh lady, don't be so quick to judge. You may not know, but I am the son of Viscount Gerald. A great beauty like you shouldn't waste time with a mere Baron's son." Mitchell shook his head in arrogance showing his authority.
"These poor guys can't compare to us. They are noble in name only." –he added.
"How dare you, Mitchell? You come to our domain and insult us. Do you think we would take it lying down?" said Olen.
"Hmm, what can you do? Who do you think you are? Can you threaten me?"
"You are just a shrimp. So, stand where you are." -Mitchell. He was clearly here to make trouble.
The bodyguards of Olen were hiding in the crowd. They frowned heavily seeing the situation.
But they refrained from moving. Because their movement would surely start a fight. In a sensitive situation like this, they would only move when the young master is in danger.
For now, they could only clench their fists. Hitting a Viscount's son would surely be an offense. And the consequence would surely be their head.
Also, there must be bodyguards on Mitchell's side too. They can't be sure to be able to do anything to the guy. For now, they can only hope their young master doesn't do anything rash.
Even if he is a kid, Olen is still a noble-born. He is educated adequately enough to not start a fight with a higher-class noble for no reason.
But seeing his future wife being harassed in front of him, he couldn't take it anymore. Just as he was about to shout back Elena started to talk.
"So, young master, what are you doing in this lowly Baron's territory anyway?" -She said.
"What other reason could there be if not for Master Moscov? Otherwise, there is nothing here that could bring me here?" –he said haughtily.
But the next moment, he mellowed down as he looked at Elena.
"But seeing you here, that could only be a secondary reason. The heavens must have been destined to meet here. Otherwise, why would you be here of all places that I meet you? Don't you think so too?"
"Fate? That is not something I hold in my hand. Who knows what fate has in store for the future? But even if fate has made me come here to meet you, I can't say it is a pleasant experience." -Hearing Elena's words Olen felt happy. His future wife sure knows how to talk others down.
'Impudence. How dare he? He should be squashed under the foot like a bug.' -She thought. She was rather angry inside too.
Even those high nobles talked to her politely in the empire. And now a small noble from this barren place like this is trying to be so brazen to her? She would like to put him ten feet under the earth with hands and legs tied. So he couldn't get out.
And yet, she has to reign down her anger. It is simply not worth it.
But Mitchell didn't seem to hear the displeasure in her words. "Well, these things take time. So I wouldn't rush it. Let's just see what Master Moscov has brought this time for now." -Saying so, he stood right beside Elena.
In response, Elena conveniently pulled Olen by the shoulder and placed him in between.
'Yeah, I won't let that stinking guy near you.' -Olen thought as he happily stood between them as a barrier.
The products made by Master Moscov are sold almost immediately. Buyers are always on the lookout for the time when new products come into the store.
In the new product section, the first product that came on display was the 'spirit recovery pills'. But the grades of these are in level two second grade which is one level higher than the one available in the store.
Seeing the batch of spirit recovery pills, the ones most excited were the crude-looking mercenaries.
The ones here are all high-ranking ones. So, the demand for high-ranking recovery pills is higher.
It is because their job requires them to always be in top shape. Whenever there is a mission, they would try to get the best pills they can.
But that is not the case for nobles. Even though these pills are of higher grade, their interest in these pills is relatively low.
It is not cost-efficient for them.
It has to be known that spirit recovery medicine of either Level one, two, or three of second grade can all be consumed by all spiritualists in yellow grade. But the efficiency changes depending on whether it's used by light, moderate, or dark yellow-grade spiritualists.
It is best to use pills of the same level as the level of warriors.
Otherwise, there is too much waste or too little spirit recovered. Having too little may not have a long-lasting effect on the body but having too much can create a serious problem for spiritualists.
So the nobles who have to take care of a large number of subordinates definitely wouldn't waste money on high-grade pills.
They like to buy these consumable pills in bulk depending on the average level of their troops.
Anyway, it created a huge commotion.
Because of the rarity of the product, everyone wanted to get as many pills as they could.
As one by one the products were being revealed, it became more disastrous.
The commotion today was especially getting out of hand for no particular reason.
The employees just couldn't handle it anymore.
Elena stayed out of it and looked from afar. She is too poor to try buying anything here. Anyways, it's not like anything good caught her eye.
The things brought out are all a bit higher quality than the ones in the shop. Yet, it is nowhere near what she wanted.
At this moment, a crude-looking middle-aged man came into view.
"Everyone calm down." -he said.
Seeing the man, most of the people quieted down. They knew his man and the ones that didn't also shut up seeing the others.
This is the man who created the hype, master Moscov. People wouldn't dare to disrespect him.
"Everyone, we are all gentlemen here. Please be organized. Everyone here has their own needs. And I'd like all of you to get what you require too. But please don't make unnecessary commotion." –saying so, he looked around.
Then he instructed the attendants not to sell more than two portions of each medicine to anyone at once.
"Thank you, master Moscov for all your help." –Gina said from the side.
"Yes, you should have handled it on your own, right? You're inability caused me to waste my time." –he said with dissatisfaction.
"Yes, I'll... I'll keep that in mind." –Gina bowed in apology.
But before Moscov could say anything else, a third person cut in.
"Oh, Master, it is so nice to meet you." -It was Mitchell.
'This guy has the habit of butting in other people's businesses' -Elena thought.
"Master, it is not easy to get to see you." -Mitchell added.
Moscov looked at the newly arrived person. "Oh, If it isn't young master Gerald." –he said, clearly, it's not the first time they met.
But seeing the fake smile, Elena could tell that Moscov isn't very fond of this guy.
"Hearing the commotion, I couldn't take it in my room anymore. To find you here, after coming once... what an honor." –Moscov said though his face was telling that he wasn't very enthusiastic seeing this man. He still has to keep up the front.
"Oh, the honor is mine. I was a thing of finding you. It is not easy to get an appointment. But we meet in the end." –Mitchell.
Though they were a bit far, Elena could clearly hear what they were talking about and now understood what was happening there.
It seems the commotion was deliberately created by Mitchell's men who were trying to get in touch with Moscov, while Moscove was avoiding him too.
She didn't understand what the deal is, but she got a bit interested.
"Master, won't you give me a bit of your time?"
Moscov had a headache. This guy is such a pain in the ass. If he didn't hear him out, he wouldn't leave.
He already has an idea of what it is all about, and he doesn't want to get involved.
But this brat is from the viscount. Also, he heard the brat has some connection with the first prince.
He can't just soo him away.
"Okay, come this way. I'll hear you out." –Moscov said.