Chapter 35 - 34: Paper Shields and Silk Threads
Seris was sweeping the stall’s wooden floor, though more out of habit than necessity.
Though the encounter with the Artificer had left a bitter aftertaste, it hadn’t spoiled the day. Kael was already thinking ahead—about how to avoid guild entanglements, about expanding the stall, about what to do next.
A customer approached. Kael handed over the items he wanted, exchanged a few words, took the coins, then turned to the next in line.
This one stood out.
Dust clung to the folds of his travel-worn cloak, and the hilt of a longsword jutted from his belt.
"Is this from the flying city?" he asked, tapping one of the items with a gloved finger. "I heard they have stuff like this up there."
Flying city? What is that?
Kael shook his head, offering a faint, practiced smile. "Ah—no. It’s far from my country. What do you want?"
The traveler didn’t seem bothered by the curt reply. He nodded toward a stack of Canned food. "One of those. Twenty pieces."
"Of course."
Kael took twenty canned foods, put them in a cloth bag, and gave them to the man.