CHAPTER 184: NEW SHOP [2]

Akamir leaned forward, his fingers now laced together.

"List them," he said. "And start keeping eyes on their movements."

The man bowed his head deeply. "Yes, my lord."

"Also," Akamir added. "I have a task for you."

The man bowed his head deeply. "Tell me what you want, my lord."

"Wait, what’s your name again?" Akamir asked, as he wasn’t sure what to call him.

"It’s Dax, my lord."

’What type of stupid name is that?’

Akamir thought, but he didn’t let it show on his face.

"Alright, Dax, stand up."

The man stood up immediately.

"Right now, I am giving you an important task," Akamir said, looking at him. "Very important."

The man gulped down as he nodded. "I am listening."

"I want you to issue a notice," he said, looking dead into his eyes. "The Imoyan company is looking for Alchemists."

Dax blinked.

"Alchemists, my lord?" he repeated, just to be sure.

Akamir gave a small nod. "Yes. All kinds. From certified masters to freelance potion-brewers. I want every one of them that’s not a total fraud."

Dax looked a bit confused. "May I ask... why?"

Akamir leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

"We are holding a competition," Akamir replied, looking at him. "A competition which has the prize money of ten thousand gold coins."

Dax’s eyes widened in astonishment. "That much, my lord??"

"Yes," Akamir nodded once. "I want to lure as many of them as possible."

"And why would you do that?" Nayomi asked, folding her hands.

"You know, I haven’t seen any Alchemists since I came here," Akamir said, looking at her. "I know they make potions and all, but I want to know how."

"You won’t hold a grand competition for that," Nayomi replied, looking at him suspiciously. "Tell me, what are you thinking?"

"Nothing much," he replied, smiling. "I plan to use them for my advantage."

Nayomi remained silent before her eyes widened. "Wait, the spirit herbs!"

"Exactly!" Akamir replied, clapping his hand. "I want to see what they can make with the spirit herbs."

"And when they do, you will copy them, finding a way to make more profit," she added, smiling softly.

"Even if that doesn’t work, you can leave mimickers in their shadows and make them steal their lifelong researches."

Akamir’s smile faded as he looked away. "I don’t like how accurate you are with your judgement."

Nayomi smiled as she bumped into him. "Don’t be like that," she said. "I have seen something like that back in my old world."

"Yeah, whatever," Akamir replied, shaking her away. "Dax!"

Dax straightened up like he’d been struck by lightning. "Yes, my lord!"

"Put out the notice in every city connected to our trade routes," Akamir ordered.

"I want it in taverns, adventurer guilds, and even magic schools if possible. Make the reward sound tempting. Use words like ’fame,’ ’fortune,’ and ’royal opportunity.’ That usually makes fools come running."

Dax nodded quickly, already reaching for a small notebook at his side. "It will be done within the day."

"Oh, and one more thing," Akamir added, tapping the table thoughtfully. "Once they’re here, house them in the company district. I want a place prepared — something that looks luxurious enough to make them feel important, but still keeps them contained."

"Like a golden cage," Nayomi murmured, amused.

"Exactly," Akamir said, not bothering to deny it.

Dax scribbled furiously, then looked back up. "Should I inform the royal guilds?"

"No. Not yet," Akamir said, leaning back in his chair. "Inara would bug me if she knows about it."

"But you already hinted her you own the company," Nayomi replied, shaking her head. "She would definitely come for your ass."

"Shut up!" he rebuked, standing up from his seat. "We will see about that later on."

Akamir adjusted the cuffs of his coat and turned toward the window, watching the hustle of the estate courtyard below.

Nayomi strolled up beside him, her arms folded. "So what’s the real plan?"

Akamir glanced at her. "Didn’t we just talk about this?"

She narrowed her eyes. "I know you long enough to say it isn’t all," she said. "You are someone who has multi-layers of planning."

Akamir shrugged. "Well, you will know about it when the time is right."

Dax bowed one final time and left the room, his steps hurried and nervous as he mumbled to himself, already calculating the logistics in his head.

Once he was gone, silence settled in the chamber.

Nayomi leaned against the edge of the table now, arms crossed and her expression thoughtful.

"You really think they’ll come?" she asked. "Alchemists aren’t exactly the most trusting crowd. They hide their recipes tighter than nobles hide their scandals."

Akamir gave a slight smirk. "They’ll come."

"And why’s that?"

"Because I’m not asking them to give me their secrets," he said calmly. "I’m asking them to show off."

Nayomi blinked, then gave a slow, knowing smile. "Ah... ego bait."

"Exactly." Akamir stepped away from the window. "What I want is to know what they can make with spirit herbs."

Nayomi didn’t say anything else as Akamir began to walk out of the room.

He was still in the mood to look around the place, as it was the first time being here.

Akamir stepped out into the upper hallway of the estate, hands tucked into his coat pockets.

The warm buzz of the place hadn’t died down.

Even from inside, he could still hear the muffled shouts of merchants haggling.

He walked slowly, glancing around.

"I like this place," Akamir muttered to himself. "Not too flashy, but strong where it counts."

Nayomi followed a step behind, now floating casually again, her feet just above the floor.

Akamir stretched his body as he reached the outside of the place once again.

’Well, when I get the Alchemist of my liking I can make them join the company.’

Akamir had a lot of things that he already planned in his mind.

If things go as he wanted them to be, then he might find a way to make more profit.

’Man, I am acting like an old fat money-hungry person.’

Still, Akamir had to do something as he can’t put all his eggs in one basket.

’If things go south with the elves, I can definitely use this as a chance to make use of spirit herbs.’

"Hmm?"

But just as he reached out, he found someone stepping down from a carriage.

She was a girl, same age as him, with long wavy lavender hair.

"Zaina?"

Akamir mumbled, walking towards her.

’What is she doing here?’