Chapter 42 – On House.

Next morning, I packed my stuff and travelled straight to Melkin city. The roads were paved well. It didn’t take long until I reached Melkin. The city had an aristocratic feel to it. Everything was expensive and to be able to stay in Melkin you have to be well off. Guards were on duty at every entrance and were logging the details of travellers into two different documents. One of them had to be on traveller at all times, and by presenting it you could take your leave from the city. As much as I understood the second document was collected by Marquis Lucchi’s officials at nights and written onto ledgers throughout the night alphabetically. Those updated ledgers were given back to guards in the morning to identify the traveller. I think it was a hard job to do, and I didn’t understand why they were wasting resources, especially manpower on matters such as that one. Weapons and armory were confiscated at etrance to be picked up on exitting the city.

[Guard]: What’s your name?

[Me]: Akira. Akira Hakkinen.

[Guard]: Spell it.

[Me]: A-k-i-r-a H-a-k-k-i-n-e-n.

[Guard]: Where do you come from?

[Me]: I’m from Artarian Kingdom but I’m travelling from Marlings Kingdom. I’m a travelling merchant.

[Guard]: Okay, travelling merchant. Is it your first time in Melkin?

[Me]: Yes.

[Guard]: Alright, this is your copy of documents, second copy is going to stay with us. You are to stay in Melkin at least for 1 day. If you want to stay for more than 15 days you should inform milice. You will be searched by another guard for weapons and arms, if you have any on you right now you shall give them to me now. If the guard finds anything on you, your travel documents will be useless and you will not be able to enter the city for another year.

[Me]: Thank you.

Melkin city was more marvelous than any other city which I had ever seen. It was divided into three parts. Mall was the name of the shopping district. It was like a huge market and you could find anything and everything that you could think of. Shops, blacksmiths, markets, butcheries, and so on were advertising products and services. You could get lost in here. Thousands of people were roaming around. Everything was expensive but you were paying for top quality products. The people who were working in shopping district were living in second part of the city called the Pallazo. Discrict was named after the first person who built the first inn in Melkin. Nobody owned any housing or inn in the Pallazo. Only renting options were avialable. The third and the most exclusive district was called Belgravia. It was home to Marquis Lucchi’s estate. Only the original citizens of the Melkin city had their houses in there. Lands and properties in Pallazo and Mall were owned by people who lived in Belgravia. At nights parties and different kind of entertainments were held in Belgravia, or that’s what I heard about from the owners of the jewelry shop where I sold my merchendise. I told them I would like to enter the Belgravia but they said me I will need special invitation from a person who lived in Belgravia district for entrance. I had around 800 gold coins with me after selling the jewelry.

Pallazo had inns according to everyones needs and pocket. I booked a suite in Emerald Pier inn for 20 golds per night. Believe me or not, its up to you, but I had my private chef and personal fitness trainer during my stay. The suite has gold and ivory furniture. There was a library and dining room. The most important of all was the butler. His name was Raj. The guy was know it all. He could get you anywhere if you tipped him enough.

[Me]: Raj, main reason why I choose Melkin to trade is to spend a night in any Belgravian party.

[Raj]: It is a must for a man of worldly desires.

[Me]: I have heard so, but I do not know how to get there. It’s amusing to look but not to touch. You know what I mean Raj?

[Raj]: I know sir. I know.

[Me]: So?

[Raj]: So you should by clothing first and arrange a party in here. I can help you out with that. I can help you out with sending invitation to Baron Mirun Svaldr.

[Me]: A baron?

[Raj]: He is a smart man. Moreover he is Marquis Lucchi’s cousin and closest advisor.

[Me]: I assume you know what you are doing.

[Raj]: Sir, I will not let your investment to go to waste!

[Me]: 10 golds should be enough?

[Raj]: 20 sir. That’s for invitations. The rest is on house. ;)

Next: Chapter 43 - Mansion