The flowering tree stood magnificently outside the cottage, with its flaming red flowers covering almost every leaf. It looked like the legendary Flaming Tree of the Pheonix Kyran read in the book titled Saint Botanical Life in Stella's study.
Earlier, when Kyran checked the array around the cottage, he found that this tree was the heart of the array, meaning it would not function without it. He also wanted to grasp the whole calculation of the array contained on the tree to draft a new, improved one.
Kyran decided not to draft a new array because it was already a very good one. The only issue with it was its restrictions on the use of his magic. Lifting the restrictions would not be a problem for him, however, not knowing the whole array calculation and forcibly lifting the restriction would destroy it. He also needed to confirm all materials used in making the array, so it would be easy for him to get the additional materials he would need to improve it.
It was the reason why he wanted to check the array's calculation now rather than later. Since he was going to the Chamber of Commerce, he could buy the materials he would need at the same time.
Kyran stood in front of the tree and felt a huge amount of magic energy circulating its trunk. He placed his hand on the tree and closed his eyes to observe this energy and understand the calculation within.
It took him less than five minutes to memorize the calculation. After that, he did not hang about and left.
Using his warp ability, Kyran arrived near Noser's west entrance without much trouble. He successfully avoided the detection of people he found lurking around the forest.
Nolan said that the Templar Code had a way to record a mage's aura and magic signature. However, Kyran reckoned they likely did not have the Dark Sage. His magic signature was considered confidential and would only be available within the Royal Army. Even though he had suspicions that the Templar Code might be working together with the Royal Family, it only concerned matters inside the Shaiha Ruins. The Royal Family would never share information about the Dark Sage. That much Kyran understood, mainly because the Royal Family had a lot to hide when it came to the Dark Sage.
Kyran looked ahead and saw the fifty-meter-high wall that surrounded Noser. Before approaching the entrance, he took out his mask and wore it. Immediately, his face changed to Tyr. He also removed his coat and took out the Blacksmith Order's uniform, and changed into it.
Getting inside Noser was not particularly easy. Unlike most cities, where the Royal Army did not require people to present identification tokens when entering or leaving the city because of the identity-scan array set up at the city gates, Noser had a manual registration site. Unless the person could present a Templar Code certified token, everyone had to register.
Of course, Kyran did not need to go through the registration process. Because the token issued to him by the Conclave as 'Tyr' was already certified by the Templar Code. After all, although Noser was under the Templar Code's jurisdiction, the businesses under the Conclave still operated inside. The Conclave had certain privileges when issuing their people's identification tokens because of their reputation and neutral status. Apart from this, Tyr was known as Noir's disciple. With Noir's reputation as a renowned Array Master, Tyr also shared some of his special privileges as his disciple.
However, Kyran was aware that once he entered Noser, the Templar Code would monitor his movements. But it would not pose a big problem. Since he did not enter Bearch City when he went south, 'Tyr' did not have a record of appearing there. The report he submitted to the army on 'Kyran's' last known location, although he submitted it only a few days ago, even if the army investigated Tyr's background and activity, they would not be suspicious if he appeared in Noser because travelling from Starhorn to Noser typically took four days. And five days had already passed from the date Tyr submitted 'Kyran's' information. Besides, it was easy for the Conclave to adjust Tyr's entry record in Starhorn because the city was under their jurisdiction.
After entering Noser, Kyran went to the market square and easily located the Chamber of Commerce building. All the while, he already felt so many eyes on him. He did not realize that the Templar Code would immediately move and get people to keep watch.
It was a two-story building and was smaller compared to some of the buildings around the market square. But Kyran knew that this building only had a store on the ground floor and an administrative office on the upper floor. As for the storage room, it was below the ground of the building. It was a piece of information unknown to the public. Even the Templar Code did not know because another warehouse situated in a different location in Noser was under the Chamber of Commerce. The warehouse still had some materials stored in it. However, all the rare and important ones were in the underground storage of the building in the market square.
"Good day, how may I help you good sir?" A female attendant greeted the moment Kyran entered the building.
Just like the other attendants inside who were serving other customers inside, the young woman was wearing an all-red with white accents upper coat, which was the Chamber of Commerce's primary color, while her knee-high skirt was black. On the other hand, the male attendants were wearing white pants.
Upon seeing Kyran's face and seeing his black uniform, the woman was surprised and instantly reddened. She said, "Pardon good sir, I did not realize you are from the Blacksmith Order."
"May I ask who our esteemed guest is?" She asked respectfully, after seeing that the Blacksmith Order's hammer emblem on Kyran's uniform had a bronze hilt, symbolizing his status as an officer.
Kyran nodded his head and took out his token while saying, "Hello. I am here on an errand by Chief Vaness, my name is Tyr. Is the manager in?"
He showed his token to the young woman.
The moment Kyran said who he was, the young woman's eyes widened, and she gasped while exclaiming in an unladylike way, "Tyr? You are that Tyr? Chairman Noir's disciple?"
The young woman's reaction had drawn the attention of the other attendants and customers nearby.
Similar to her reaction, the female attendants and customers started to whisper with each other admiring him. Even the male attendants and customers admired 'Tyr's' looks though some also felt a little envious.
"Such a good looking young man!"
"Even his clothes fit him very well. How is it possible to find someone as perfect as him?"
"Hey, his clothes... doesn't it look the same as those from the Blacksmith Order?"
"It doesn't look the same! It is the same! How come I haven't seen him there before? Is he new? Oh, I will definitely request my new magic weapon be made by him!"
The unusually loud whispers among the females inside filled the air.
Kyran suddenly felt uneasy. It only occurred to him that most people of the Conclave, not to mention outsides, had never met Tyr. And with his impossibly handsome looks, he would definitely draw unwanted attention. Now he wondered if the 'looks' he felt earlier were from people admiring Tyr's looks rather than from the Templar Code's people.
Kyran cleared his throat to remind the young woman in front of him about his inquiry.
The young woman immediately came around and turned beet red. She hastily said, "M-My apologies, sir Tyr. Yes, manager Kent is in. I'll inform him of your arrival at once. Please follow me."
Kyran nodded and followed her while she led him up the stairs.
As they walked up the stairs, he felt eyes from most of the people there bore on him. It was pretty intimidating. He could not help but curse Stella for making Tyr too handsome.
To be honest, Tyr, with black hair, was more handsome than Tyr, with auburn hair. Because with his all-black attire, combined with black hair yet unusually mesmerizing aquamarine eyes, Tyr appeared cold and mysterious. With auburn hair, Tyr looked friendlier.
But Kyran did not know that, and the others were also not aware of that.
The young woman led Kyran in a receiving room while she reluctantly left to inform Manager Kent of his presence.
The receiving room had two long couches facing each other with a small table between, right in the middle of the room. A map of the whole Noser City was mounted on one wall, while a painting of a beautiful ocean cliff with a light tower was mounted on the opposite wall. As for the side facing the room's door, the windows had red and white curtains slightly draping on the sides. There were also potted plants placed on each corner of the room, giving it a more relaxing atmosphere.
Kyran did not sit on the couch and instead went over to the window to look outside.
The street outside was bustling with people. Some were going inside the buildings or stores across and street.
But Kyran was not interested in watching these people. The reason why he looked out was that he felt a dangerous aura coming from across the building.
Kyran pretended to look below the street while activating the Concealing Array on his hand. Then he activated the Regis Body Tempering Technique enhancing all his senses.
'This feeling... It is similar to the feeling I get from the combat mage masters in military school,' Kyran thought, frowning slightly.
He remembered that the Templar Code was known for their combat mages.
'It seems, there are people already watching.' He thought after realizing that there were more combat mages stationed from different points outside.
Kyran could not help but wonder if these people were watching because of him or had been watching the Chamber of Commerce.
The door to the room opened from behind, and a male voice spoke.
"Sir Tyr! Welcome to the Chamber of Commerce, Noser Branch." Kent greeted at once.
Kyran turned to look at him.
Kent was a man in his early thirties, with short dark brown hair and eyes. He appeared weak with his thin and small stature. However, Vaness had told him that Kent was very competent in terms of managing businesses. And Kent wearing glasses had nothing to do with him being 'intelligent'. He only had poor eyesight.
Kyran nodded in greeting.
The young woman also returned with Kent, but she remained at the side of the door as if awaiting further instructions.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Kent laughed and gestured for Kyran to sit.
"Please, sir Tyr, have a seat."
Kyran shook his head and said, "No need. I won't take too much of your time."
Without waiting for Kent to reply, Kyran stated his business.
"Manager Kent, I'd like the requested items to be returned immediately and wait for the order's new requested list."
What Kyran said was actually vague if others heard him. However, Kent's expression slightly changed as he looked at Kyran meaningfully.
"I see. Is the items' performance not to your liking?" He asked vaguely.
Kyran shook his head, "No. There have been some changes in the blueprint so I decided to return the items."
Kent nodded in understanding, "Very well."
"And also, I'd like to buy some materials."
"No need to buy them. Just let us know what you needed and we will provide it as much as we can. You can say it is compensation for not providing satisfactory items."
Kyran did not refute his words and only nodded. He took out a pen and a parchment and listed the names of the materials he needed.
He gave it to Kent, who instructed the young woman to gather the materials immediately.
While the young woman left, Kent engaged Kyran with small talk.
They mostly talked about business-related stuff.
Kent was actually surprised when Kyran managed to follow through with his talk. He was not that familiar with Tyr's background, but he always thought Tyr was an Array maniac to get Chairman Noir's approval. Learning that Tyr also had good business knowledge was a surprise to Kent.
After almost twenty minutes, the young woman had returned with a low-grade space storage ring. It contained all of the materials from Kyran's list.
Kent asked Kyran to check it but only said it was not necessary and had already excused himself.
Kyran's attitude might offend others, but Kent knew how pressed for time he was and did not insist.
Before leaving, Kyran and Kent shook hands.
Five minutes after Kyran left, Kent unclenched his hand that shook Kyran's hand. There was a small crumbled parchment inside. He did not read the parchment but instead used his magic sense to look into it.
His eyes narrowed after sensing what was written in it:
'There are combat mages nearby watching the Chamber of Commerce. Lay low for now.'
Taking a deep breath, Kent put the crumbled parchment in his space storage ring.
'It seems, the Templar Code has gotten wind of our movements. I better ask the Mercenary Guild's assistance to cover our tracks,' he thought and went back to his office.
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