Wearing a white platinum dress that would make all of Dallion’s earnings as a hunter seem like pocket change, Gloria came up to him, a radiant smile on her face. Dallion could see that she had increased her awakened level significantly since last he’d seen her, now reaching the mid-forties, if not higher. Given how ambitious she’d always been, it wouldn’t be out of the question for her to have reached a higher level than Falkner.

“You look well,” the woman said. Her outfit and platinum blond hair made her stand out in the crowd, as if she were a negative in a colored photo. No doubt the effect had specifically been created by a skilled tailor in the service of Falkner’s family. That would suggest that his father had approved of the union.

“You look better,” Dallion said. Guilt made him discreetly glance about in search of Eury. For better or worse, the gorgon had joined March and was discussing something. Her back was turned to Dallion, but he knew well that didn’t prevent Eury from seeing him. “How’s home?”

“Quite well. A lot has changed since you last visited. We’re a town now.”

“A town? I thought the Archduke didn’t allow settlement advancement.”

“He doesn’t,” Falkner said. “I had my father petition, so it was approved.”

That certainly was a way to get things moving. Dallion wondered whether that meant that Gloria had agreed to be the next overseer. It was a dark and chilling thought, but after his experience in the fallen south, Dallion feared that might very much be the case.

“Veil is in charge of it now. He’s a bit annoyed he didn’t get to be here to see you, but he has enough work to deal with back home.”

“I bet.” Dallion nodded.

Veil—Gloria’s bother—was even more ambitious and competitive. It would be no wonder if he had passed the fourth gate as well. Then again, it was also likely that he, as his sister, had hit the development wall. For the most part, people reached their limits around level twenty. Star-touched, inadvertently did better. Maybe that was one of the “gifts” they had received from the Star, making them as valuable as otherworlders and a lot more reliable.

“Congrats on your engagement,” Dallion said, finally acknowledging the fact. “Surprised not to hear about it earlier.”

“We kept it discreet.” Falkner stepped in. Dallion could feel that even now, he was protective of Gloria. That seemed sweet, also making Dallion slightly envious, especially after what was going on with him and Eury. Apparently, even in this world, the universe had a wicked sense of humor. “It’ll be a small event with a big announcement. I’ll talk to my father to invite you, of course.”

“I’ll do my best to be there.”

“What brings you here?” Gloria asked Dallion. “There was a lot of hubbub when you came to the city, but that’s about it. Even Falkner wasn’t able to find out anything.”

Dallion could almost feel all ears on him. On the surface, no one in the hall had skipped a beat, continuing the conversations they’d been having until now. However, Dallion felt curiosity oozing from everyone, almost overwhelming him.

Powerful, isn’t it? Nil asked. That’s why music is considered such a valuable skill, especially at the higher levels.

“I’m here with March,” Dallion replied, making it a point to not give any details. He had been warned about this, but even if he hadn’t, he knew better than blabbering out sensitive information. “That’s all I can say.”

Clearly versed in how the game was played, Falkner nodded. Gloria, on the other hand, apart from having a good, if limited in comparison, understanding of politics, had the determination to match.

“Since we’re all here, a small favor, if you don’t mind?” She pulled off a ring from her finger. To Dallion’s delight, it was the same ring that he had improved for her during his awakening acknowledgement back in Dherma. The simplicity of the piece of jewelry and the cheapness of the material, compared to the engagement ring beside it, clearly showed that she had kept it for sentimental reasons.

Don’t get any ideas, the armadil shield said. People have gotten into trouble for less.

What do you mean? Dallion asked.

She’s engaged to nobility now. Getting involved will only cause trouble. Eras might change, but romance and intrigue remain the same.

Are you serious? Dallion laughed in his mind. There’s nothing going on. We’re just friends.

The dryad guardian didn’t reply.

“Can you improve it a bit more?” Gloria asked.

“Sure.” Dallion smiled. “What do you want it to be? Gold? More?”

“Silver will be fine.”

Dallion reached for the ring. The moment he touched it, the familiar green rectangle appeared.

ITEM AWAKENING

That was weird. For one thing, he wasn’t the one who had initiated the realm entry. For another, Dallion wasn’t the only person there. Gloria and Falkner were as well. Faint bubbles of surprise formed within Falkner’s body. Unlike him, the predominant emotion visible in Gloria was determination.

“It’s better to talk here,” the woman said. “Far less of a crowd.”

If it were anyone else, Dallion would have been highly suspicious of the whole thing. Being pulled into a realm just like that wasn’t regarded as good awakened etiquette. However, since it was Gloria, he didn’t seem to mind.

“Why are you really here?” she pressed on.

“I really can’t tell you,” Dallion replied with a slight sigh. “It’s related to work. That’s all I can say at this point. It’s not related to you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Why did he add to that for? Of course, it wasn’t related to her. There was no reason anyone should think otherwise. The last time Dallion had visited his home village—currently town—he had pretty much cut all ties with the place and the people in it.

“Trouble always seems to follow you. If something crazy is going on here, I’d like to know before it happens.”

“Fair point. Let’s say that the city won’t be affected in any way.” Or at least, Dallion hoped so. “Good enough?”

“It’ll have to do.” It was obvious that Gloria wasn’t overly pleased with the answer, but she was willing to accept it.

“Since we’re here, there’s a favor I’d like to ask as well.” This wasn’t what Dallion had planned, but one of the things about being a hunter was to take advantage of every sudden opportunity. “I’d like an invite to the Night Auction.”

Surprise and concern ballooned in Falkner. It was also interesting to see clusters of curiosity fill Gloria’s head and arms. It seemed like this was something she was unaware of.

“What’s the Night Auction?” She turned to her future husband.

“It’s…” he began, but the word quickly trailed off. “It’s impossible,” he turned to Dallion. “Not at such a short notice.”

“Impossible for someone who managed to get permission for settlement improvement?” Dallion pressed. “I think you’re selling yourself short.”

“That was my father. He’s not here now.”

“What’s the Night Auction?” Gloria asked again.

“It’s a special auction,” Dallion said. “Very exclusive. You need to be of major importance to get there. Or to be invited by someone who was.”

“That’s not even close.” Falkner suppressed a sigh. “It’s an auction organized by Archdukes at which the rarest things in the world are bought and sold. Things that otherwise can’t be bought. It takes a fortune even to buy the trivial items. I don’t know how you even know about it.”

“I’m a hunter, after all. You seem to know quite a bit about it as well.”

“Have you been to one?” Gloria asked.

“My father took me a few times when I was a child. I remember I was amazed at the things there. Looking at them was almost as exciting as buying the thing. Why do you want to go, anyway? You can’t possibly have the funds to get anything. Can you?”

“That’s for me to worry about. Can you get me an invite?”

“No.” A large blob of guilt emerged in the young noble’s chest.

Thank you, music skills, Dallion thought. “You can, can’t you?”

“It’s not that simple. If you’d asked me a month ago, maybe I could have managed something. Right now…” he waved a hand.

“What are you hiding?”

Falkner didn’t respond.

“Fal,” Gloria said gently. “Can you get an invitation to the auction?”

“I can only invite one other,” Falkner said at last. Apparently, this was one aspect he hadn’t changed since Dallion the Icepicker guild—he had difficulty standing up to those who were close to him. “I planned on inviting you and buying something you liked,” he turned to the blonde.

“So, you have the invite?”

Falkner nodded.

“Let Dallion be your guest. I’ll get other chances to go see it. Besides,” she placed her hand on his cheek. “This way you get to surprise me.”

Well played, Dallion thought. Looking with terrified fascination at how she handled him. If he didn’t know better, he’d almost say she was using music skills. In truth, she was just very good at convincing people when she wanted it. After all, she had also managed to get Dallion to help her level up back in Dherma when she needed it.

Conflict raged within Falkner for several seconds. Dallion could see emotions flaring up, clashing, then being consumed. For a moment, there was no telling which side would win. In the end, the young man folded.

“Alright,” he whispered. “I’ll talk to my uncle. The auction will start at midnight, during the banquet. I’ll come get you.”

Gloria gave Dallion a glance saying “you owe me one,” then kissed Falkner on the cheek.

“Where will it be?” Dallion asked.

“Right here, in the palace. It’s always here. With so many valuables, there’s no place better.”

That made sense. Only someone mad would attack an Archduke in their own home.

“Thanks, Falkner. If you ever need a creature caught or something from the wilderness, let me know. You get one for free.”

“I’ll remember that.” Falkner forced a smile half-way. It was obvious that he had other plans for the evening.

“Well, now that’s all this is settled, I think we should get back to the banquet,” Gloria changed the topic. “Of course, after you do what you promised.” She looked at Dallion. “I expect the silver to be flawless.”

With both Gloria and her fiancé leaving, Dallion was left to improve the ring. Doing so brought a certain feeling of nostalgia. The colossus that was the guardian of the ring was the first one Dallion had fought. At the time, he was a mere level one with a single guard skill. Now, he had the skills and power to defeat the guardian in one strike.

Of course, that wasn’t the course he chose. Entering the guardian’s chamber, Dallion decided to spend a while having a nice conversation with the entity. Interestingly enough, it turned out that the language wasn’t one he’d known before. Learning it was easy, of course, and earned him another point in scholar skills.

The conversation between him and the guardian was exactly as one would expect—two distant friends catching up after a chance meeting centuries after the last. The topic of conversation varied, with the two main focuses being Gloria and Dallion. Strangely enough, the colossus still had a mixed opinion on Falkner. She acknowledged his strength and feelings for Gloria, but still wasn’t a hundred percent certain he was a good match.

Once the topics were exhausted, Dallion offered the guardian to surrender. While it was clear that the fight would be extremely one-sided, she refused. It was a matter of principle above everything else. As a result, Dallion proceeded to defeat her a dozen times, until the material of the ring was improved to silver. And just for the sake of it, he used nothing but his original guard buckler to do so. Near the end, the colossus even managed to get a few hits. Of course, at his current level, Dallion’s overall health decreased by no more than ten percent in total.

Improving an item so many times at once is never a good idea, Nil grumbled.

She’s fine, Dallion replied. She’s strong enough to handle it.

Possibly, but that’s not the point. Moving too fast often has a tendency of taking you back. Keep that in mind.

I always do, Dallion said, and returned to the real world.