"I have things that are already attracting so much attention. I don't need things to make me look even more noticeable. Accessories that are for fashion are useless. I want something that I can use for my advantage," Ryder answered to Rale's query as he cleared his desire.
"I think I know just the right place," Rale acknowledged as he nodded. "It's in this direction."
He told Ryder the direction to walk in while taking the lead, and Ryder followed.
Everyone on the street moved to the side to clear the path for Ryder and Rale.
The street that was filled a moment ago seemed entirely empty now as people stood on the opposing sides of the road.
An ancient-looking building stood near the end of the marketplace.
"This is a place which is most famous for selling the treasured accessories," Rale introduced the shop to Ryder as he walked towards the glass door of the shop. He pushed the door open and held it open for Ryder.
"It looks good," Ryder complimented as he entered the shop. His hands were behind his back.
After Ryder entered, Rale also stepped inside.
"Hmm? High Duke Eston's portrait? And my Master Salem's portrait beside him? I understand why someone will have their Emperor's portrait, but why to have the portrait of only one High Duke and not all?" Ryder asked curiously as he noticed the two portraits on top of the wall.
The portrait of Salem seemed to be higher, while the portrait of High Duke Eston was lower.
"This is a shop which belongs to the family of High Duke Eston. That's why his portrait is here. We placed it over there as a form of respect to the owner," a voice fell over Ryder's ears.
Ryder looked left and saw a woman walking towards him. The woman seemed like she was in her thirties. She was wearing a long yellow gown.
"Greetings to Your Highness," She continued as she dropped to both knees.
As her gown didn't allow for her to get down on one knee, she had to get down on both her knees, or it would be considered disrespectful.
"Greetings to the Royal Commander," she said as she greeted Rale as well.
"You may stand," Ryder responded as he proceeded towards the wall where many bracelets could be seen.
The girl stood up and walked behind Ryder.
"Are you the only one here? You manage this shop alone?" Ryder asked the girl. She seemed to be the only one here.
"I'm not the only one. We actually have five more people. Unfortunately, they're all sick today. That leaves only me to handle," the girl answered respectfully.
"Why didn't you ask High Duke Eston's estate to send more people for help? It's not like he would lack people there. It's also his business, after all," Ryder asked curiously.
"There is no need for that. The five of us who handle this shop are experienced. Just for one or two days, if we ask for help from inexperienced people, it would be less helpful. So we didn't ask for help. I'm fully able to handle the shop alone," the girl answered.
"Oh?" Ryder turned back and gazed at the face of the girl. "What is your name?" he asked.
"I am Kia," the girl answered respectfully.
"So, Kia. What will you do if, right now, another person steps inside the shop? Will you keep them waiting while you help us?" Ryder inquired with a curious look on his face.
He shook his head before he shifted his focus back to the accessories. "As I said, one person, to handle such a big place, it's not good for you. Well, it's your wish. I won't force you."
The girl also didn't stay behind as she answered instantly, "When Your Highness is here, even nobles would think twice before entering this place, let alone normal people."
This was an answer which Ryder didn't expect. It surprised him a little.
"I want some treasure accessories. What do you have that can be good for me? I need something diverse and useful," he told the girl.
"Oh, we have many incredible treasures. Let me show you some of our best pieces," the girl asserted as she walked back towards a shelf.
"Hmm?" Ryder looked back in confusion. He thought she was going to show something from the items on the wall, which Ryder was observing already, but she was showing something else entirely?
"The items on the wall are the worst items in the shop. They are cheap and for commoners who come here to buy. The special items are kept in the back," Rale explained to Ryder as he noticed his confusion.
"Oh, so that's what it is," Ryder muttered as he understood. He looked at the girl who came back with a small box in her hand.
She placed the box on the table, which was near the wall. "These are the most precious treasures that are available here. I'm only allowed to show these when someone from the highest ranks of nobility comes here. No one less than the Dukes is allowed to possess these items."
"Interesting. Items that are reserved for High Dukes and above." Ryder observed the box, which seemed like a normal box. There was nothing strange about the box.
It seemed to be made of normal wood as well.
"Shouldn't these special items be kept in some special-looking box?" He asked the girl.
Rale brought his face near Ryder and whispered in his ears, "This box only looks old. It's made from the most special mystical wood."
He made sure to speak in a low voice so that the girl wouldn't hear. He knew that Ryder wasn't from this place. So it was not strange that he thought of this box as a useless box.
Rale could have answered openly, but that would be like showing Ryder didn't know such basic things before a stranger who didn't know where Ryder was from.
After informing Ryder, Rale returned to his original position and got back to damage control.
"Your Highness is right. It would be fascinating to have these items in some special looking back to improve the presentation. Even though Mystical wood is good, its looks are average. I agree with Your Highness," he said to make it seem like that was what Ryder meant.
"I would suggest this to Master," the girl acknowledged their concern.
She opened the box and revealed the things that were inside, but as Ryder and Rale were standing farther from the box, they didn't see.
"Let's start with one of the most precious items even amongst this box," she let out as she brought an item outside. It was a silver bracelet that had a green wings pattern.
"This is the Nature Fairy Bracelet which is contributed to our collection by High Duke Eston himself. He had received it after he helped a Nature Fairy during his younger days. The fairy gifted him this bracelet as a form of thanks," Kia informed Ryder about the bracelet.
'Nature fairy? There is a myth about the nature fairies in the world of Divinity. It was expected that I'd hear about their lore in later stages of the game. Albeit it is just now that I see something related to them,' Ryder thought as he observed the bracelet.
He reached out his hand towards the bracelet to take it in his hand.
Usually, the girl wouldn't have let anyone else touch the bracelet, but it was the Prince of the Demon Realm. It would be preposterous for her to even think about stopping Ryder. She gave the bracelet to him.
As Ryder took the bracelet and ran his analysis on it, he could see more about the bracelet.
[Name: Nature Fairy Bracelet]
[Grade: Epic Grade]
[Description: A bracelet made by the fairy queen of the Nature Fairies. It is said only to be given to the most high ranking Nature Fairies as a gift by the Fairy Queen for certain achievements]
[Stats]
[HP: +25000
MP: +5000
Strength: +1000
Defense: +1000
Speed: +200
Dexterity: +50
Stamina: +700
Intelligence: +20]
[Special Ability: Invisibility for one minute
Cooldown time: 24 hours]
'Incredible. These stats are definitely not bad. Did Eston actually save the Nature Fairy Queen in his younger days since she makes it? Or he saved some other high-ranking fairy that received it as a gift? In any case, he was definitely lucky,' Ryder thought as he observed the status.
"It even comes with an Invisibility skill. The duration of skill is not high, but it's a very useful skill," he muttered softly.
"As expected of Your Highness. You managed to see what's so special about it without me even telling," the girl said as she nodded her head, seemingly impressed.
"That's right. This bracelet gives the wearer ability to go invisible," she continued.
"It's definitely a good item. How much is it worth?" Ryder asked right away. He hadn't expected that he would be impressed by the first item itself.
