Chapter 1

“A sapphire worth 3 billion gold?” Kazal’s frows burrowed deeply they almost scrunched his nuzzle. While still wearing that expression of doubt and shock, he stared at Rein, one of his acquaintances in the world of trading who’s sitting in front of him on the stool facing the reception counter.

“Isn’t that price a bit too much for a mere sapphire?” Kazal added again. He finished shooting stares at Rein and continued appraising the new batch of jewels he received which is placed on top of the counter in front of him. His eyes squinted a bit while he gazed at one of the green jewels through the monocular.

Rein flapped his striped feline ears and sighed. “Aw come on, man. You missed one point there. I told you the jewel is enchanted. That’s why I told you to buy it.”

Kazal halted his appraising and heaved a sigh too. “Rein, even if I have the money, 3 billion gold is a no joke, okay? It will hurt me more if the so called enchanted jewel you spoke of turns out to not be enchanted at all. I’ll gnaw you to death if that happens.” Kazal flashed his pair of canines at Rein threateningly before returning to gaze at one of the jewels.

Though witnessing those threat, Rein still doesn’t look like he wanted to give up. He crossed his legs on one another and caned his elbow on the counter. “Come on, man. You’re a Golden Retriever so you should buy those expensive and out of the world jewels.”

Kazal halted again. This time, his expression contorted into an annoyed look. He rolled his eyes in exasperation before meeting eyes with Rein. “…Just because I have that ‘Golden’ in Golden Retriever doesn’t mean that I have to buy any expensive things out there. Moreover, I never heard of any rumors about that jewel circulating among the echelons or nobles. If that enchanted jewel exists they should have been in possession among one of our clients already.”

“Well, that is true.” Rein scratched his furry cheeks, his expression toned down from persistent to slightly reluctant. “I heard that they just found that jewel hidden in one of the ancient runes’ treasury. After a close inspection and appraising, they claimed that the jewel has the ability to make someone’s life prosper to a great level. That’s why I thought that you wouldn’t miss this chance.”

Kazal narrowed his eyelids, still tossing this cat merchant in front of him with a doubtful gaze. An enchanted jewel worth a godly amount of money, at single glance people won’t believe it. Even Kazal had a hard time believing in what Rein said. However, Rein has been one of his trusted vassal for years now, and he knows Rein never lies when it comes to giving information. Kazal placed his monocular down and cupped his nuzzle, pondering.

“Who is this person who appraised that jewel?” He asked Rein. Alongside him, who is a master appraiser, there are only two other people who are at the same level as him throughout the entire continent.

“It was Regis who first appraised the jewel. To further solidify the proof, he also let Vera appraise it too. They both said the same thing about the jewel’s enchantment.” Rein informed.

“I see.” To think that those two has already appraised the jewel and said the same thing, the dog demi human merchant pondered again.

“…I guess I’ll have to see this jewel you spoke of for myself. I’m not going to buy it though, just looking at it to make sure it’s not a fake.” Kazal spoke, causing Rein to broke into a wide happy grin.

“Alright let’s go! As long as you wanted to see the jewel then it’s all good.” He leaped off from the stool and landed in front of the tent’s entrance in a grandiose manner. Then he turned around his body to Kazal’s direction.

“By the way, you don’t have to travel anywhere just to get to the sapphire.”

Kazal was about to slip in his light blue outer robe when he stopped halfway and shot his gaze to Rein. “What do you mean?”

Rein motioned his hands to the entrance. Shortly after, a group of masked people entered the tent while bringing a large casket. Kazal froze while all of them, 12 people in total, entered the tent.

“Because I brought them all here!” Rein answered Kazal’s question proudly, ignoring the confused look on Kazal’s face.

It took Kazal a few seconds to pick himself up. He breathed a chuckle while rubbing his face. “You really never cease to amaze me in many ways, Rein.”

The cat grinned widely. “I have been your vassal for years now, Sire. Of course I have to serve you well.”

Kazal let out a chuckle and shook his head to Rein’s mischievous yet flamboyant behavior. He then shifted his gaze to the group of people. 

“Heya.” Vera stepped forward and took off her mask. “Seems like our grand entrance is received rather well for someone who said they wanted to travel alone for awhile. How you doing?”

“You don’t have to point that fact out, you know?” Kazal weakly chuckled as he muttered. “I’m good. Pretty idle during the daytime, but the nightime are busy with night elves trading for goods.”

Vera offered a handshake, which Kazal accepted. While shaking hands, Vera said, “Apart from wanting to say that it’s a crazy and an amazing work mingling with the night elves, I sincerely hope that you could return to Briggs. Your company needs you.”

Kazal squeezed her dwarven hand a bit. “It’s not like I don’t do my work here, Vera. I am just physically away from my workers for awhile.”

Vera squeezed back, “Yeah, and your workers need you physically. Your presence is a great mental boost for all of them.”

“You jest.” Kazal broke into a shy chuckle and let go of her hand. He is not really good with compliments, especially when it’s the people who he deemed on par with him. “Anyways, I believe you brought that jewel with you?”

Kazal eyed the group of people one by one. Regis seemed to also tag along as he ordered the people to place the casket on the counter. While the workers were opening the casket, he then shook hands with Kazal like Vera, a few shaking and squeezing while persuading him to come back to Briggs trading company, a well known trading company owned by Kazal and is based in Battingham Kingdom, the central kingdom for the Hazaris continent.

Even though he is extremely rich and influental even amongst the royalties, Kazal decided that living his life as a wandering merchant best suits him. That is why the workers of Briggs company or even his friends have a hard time seeing him in person.

Knowing how his personality is, Kazal made and distributed a few magic compasses connected to his location to all his six close vassals so they could find him if something important that requires his physical judgement were to happen.

“I am very glad that your location on the compass stayed the same. It would take us another few days of travelling if you were to move.” Regis uttered as he took out the compass from his robe. The needle of the compass was pointing directly at Kazal.

Kazal giggled. “I would if Rein hadn’t suddenly contact me and said that he has something important to tell. Would be a disaster if all he wanted to do is have a chat with me.”    

“What? Can’t I do that? I literally didn’t meet you for a whole year so there’s nothing wrong with a little chat.” Rein pouted. At these times, Kazal wondered if Rein is a different type of cat. He gets lonely too easily. Then again, a year is indeed a long period of time that won’t be solved by just talking via communication device. Kazal thought that he probably should return to Battingham soon to meet his workers and friends.

“Here is the sapphire.” Vera motioned to the casket. Inside the glass case, a square shaped jewel rested on a red colored cushion. Kazal sauntered close to take a better look.

To Kazal’s surprise, the sapphire’s blue hue is the most radiant than any sapphire he has ever seen before. The color resembles that of a deep blue sea, yet the edges seems to be glowing. Kazal closed his eyes a bit to clear his mind, and opened it again to look at the jewel. The sapphire is still looking like it’s glowing.

“…Bring me my monocle.” Kazal extended one of his hands. Swiftly, Rein retrieved his monocle he used to appraise the jewels earlier and placed it on his palm. Kazal checked the monocle a bit while the workers lifted the glass case from it’s base.

He then leaned in a bit while staring at the sapphire through the monocle. The air instantly went still.

For a good few seconds, not even the sound of wind was heard outside of Kazal’s tent. It was enchanted to block most of the sounds but this tent was erected in the middle of the forest so there should be animals or monsters making noises. However, there was none, as if the land itself quieted down to let Kazal appraise the sapphire.

While he stared at the sapphire with unblinking eyes, suddenly he saw a bright orange glint coming from the jewel. Kazal immediately shot back up and retreated a few steps as his eyes widened in shock.

“Sire?” Vera patted Kazal on his back, which woke him from his trance.

“Did…” He paused a bit and fluttered his eyes. Even though he had snapped out from it, he was still confused. He then turned his head to Vera. “Did you see that?”

Vera blinked her eyes, before slowly turning to the others as she passed her gaze to each of them. Then she returned to look at Kazal.

“See what, Sire?”

Kazal’s brows twitchd a bit. “There is a an orange glint coming from the sapphire earlier. It was so bright that it shocked me.” Kazal lowered his gaze, hesitating a bit. Was the glint perhaps a trick of his mind?

“…Nevermind, it’s nothing.” Kazal squeezed his temple.

Vera stared at him for a short while before she said, “We can rest for a bit before you continue looking.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll take a look at the sapphire again.” Kazal placed his hand on Vera’s shoulders and gave it a gentle squeeze then turned around facing the counter. He stepped near once more and began appraising the sapphire.  

“Let’s see…” He mumbled. His eyes dilated a bit as he used his skills, [Appraisal] which was bestowed upon him as one of his skills besides the skill [Merchant].

Based on his appraisal, the sapphire indeed has the ability to bring prosperity, but…

“T-This is…!”