Chapter 223 - Networking (2) (1/2)

”Welcome to my boss' territory, you must be Dax's envoy.”

Having returned from the As'li desert, it had been a month since Lia's boss had sent out word that he wanted to talk with Dax. In response, someone other than Dax showed up.

”That's correct. He has entrusted this matter entirely to me, any word out of my mouth should be respected and treated as his word.”

Speaking in a confident manner the envoy revealed herself to be an angel which Lia judged to be a lesser one based on the sound her wings were made.

”Understood. I'll guide you through the city.”

Extending a hand towards the envoy, Lia was lifted up on the carriage with the angel's help, taking a seat next to her.

”My name is Solaris. Nice to meet you, Lia.”

Immediately striking up a conversation before Lia got the chance to, the beastkin cleaner was caught slightly off guard.

”N-nice to meet you Solaris… I don't know if you've done stuff like this, but this not how it's done.”

”I'm aware, but this is how Dax does it.”

(... This is going to be another really long day, isn't it?)

Feeling a familiar overbearing friendliness that she had when she had been to the south, Lia sighed deeply in her mind. Being guided through the city in the heart of the Empire, Solaris easily saw through the bright and clean facade.

(The Empire truly is dying. The people might still be healthy, but the cracks in the society that has been there for so many years are slowly starting to tear apart the foundation…)

Arriving at a truly massive mansion Lia quickly excused herself after showing Solaris to a guest room after telling Solaris about the party which would be held in Dax's honour later in the night, leaving Solaris nothing to do other than call home.

”... Can I talk with Dax please?”

[No you can't, he's on a mission. As are you I believe.]

But instead of hearing Dax's voice like she had been hoping, Solaris was greeted by a not so happy sounding Lux.

”Please?”

[... Can you just please give a status report so we can get this shit over with?]

”Okay then, it's a scenario 9.”

With great reluctance, Solaris finally answered Lux who cut off the communication after confirming she had received the message.

”... Okay, now for the hard part.”

Breathing a deep sigh, Solaris took off her travel gear and prepared for the so called, 'evening party'.

-

”Miss Solaris, it's time.”

”Ah, Lia. Good timing, help me out will you?”

On Solaris' request, Lia reluctantly entered the guest room.

”Could you close up my dress please?”

”You know I'm blind right?”

With a burst of short laughter from Solaris, Lia assumed that she was no longer needed and turned to leave when the angel finally responded to her rhetorical question.

”Yeah I do, I also know that you can still 'see' me without issue. Dax said as much.”

”... Fine, turn around.”

Having admitted defeat, Lia started feeling for whatever she needed to close along Solaris' back, finding her wings instead.

”Wow…”

”Yeah, they are surprisingly soft, right? Dax thinks so too.”

”I'm sorry.”

”No need to apologize, you can touch them anytime you want to, just ask.”

(She really is interesting~)

After playing a bit more around with Lia (against the subject's will of course) Solaris was led to a large and overly luxurious banquet hall where she was introduced as the guest of honour. After socializing with various nobles for a few hours, the parties organizer, Mr Randall finally stepped up and introduced himself. With an age which could be considered about the prime of his years, Mr Randall looked way older than he actually was. What little natural hair that was still on his head had been hidden by a toupee which didn't really fit him, his small black eyes almost sunk into his skull due to overweight and for some reason, he seemed to be constantly sweating as if he was out of shape.

”Welcome to my city miss Solaris, my name is Rudolf Randall. Although I am pleasantly surprised by being visited by such a beauty I was expecting someone else.”

”Dax is preoccupied so he sent me instead. But don't worry, I have been given full authority on this matter.”

”Ah, yes. My bloodhound did tell me that. Let's find a more private place to talk business.”

With a slightly uneasy smile on his face, Mr Randall and 10 of his goons (plus Lia) led Solaris to an office with a central table flanked by couches. After sitting down himself, Mr Randall gestured for Solaris to take a seat on the opposing couch as goons surrounded her and Lia took her place behind Mr Randell's couch.

”Have you looked over the proposal?”

”Yes, of course. It's a bit lacking in some regards but I think we can come to an agreement with you taking your time to visit.”

In a split second, Mr Randell's atmosphere completely changed, making Solaris who had been looking down on him take her job more seriously.

”That was the belief Dax held when he sent me to meet you, for that very same reason I have arrived with a bonus.”

”Ah, yes. All the gold in your carriage. While that is a good start I don't think that will cover everything.”

”Really? That's too bad as only a fifth of that gold is yours.”