Chapter 69: Soul Nectar
The bald manager hurried down the stairs with the attendant following closely behind.
When they reached the place where Rios was waiting, the manager immediately slowed his pace, walking as carefully as though he were stepping on eggshells, afraid they might crack beneath his feet.
Rios noticed the newcomer, stood up, and nodded politely.
"Hello. Are you the manager?"
He extended his hand.
"My name is Ozir. I came to purchase large quantities of ordinary fruits and crops. I heard you’re among the best in this field."
"N-No... we wouldn’t dare claim such a thing. But we will do everything in our power to fulfill your request, Your Excellency."
The manager rubbed his hands together, bowed slightly, and replied in a somewhat trembling voice.
"Then do you have a catalog of the goods you sell or something similar?"
Rios found the manager’s excessive politeness rather strange, but he quickly concluded that it was probably because of Lily.
"W-We do, Your Excellency. Please, come this way, and I’ll show you everything you need."
The manager smiled happily and gestured toward the stairs leading to the third floor.
Rios followed him upstairs until they arrived at the manager’s office.
"Please... please have a seat, Your Excellency. The Green Branch Palace has truly been blessed by your visit today. Please, sit here."
The manager pulled out a comfortable chair, placed it before the desk, and invited Rios to sit.
After Rios sat down, he looked at the manager, who had taken his own seat behind the desk.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
"Hahaha, there’s no need to thank us, Your Excellency. We don’t deserve your gratitude. On the contrary, we’re the ones who should thank you for honoring our humble palace with your presence today."
The manager laughed awkwardly.
Had this been the real world, sweat would’ve been pouring down his forehead by now.
He then turned toward the attendant, who was standing stiffly like a statue, narrowed his eyes, and shouted,
"What are you standing there for, you fool?! Go at once and bring a drink for His Excellency!"
The attendant jumped in fright but quickly recovered.
"Right away, Manager!"
"Hahaha... he’s just a foolish employee. I hope he hasn’t offended you in any way, Your Excellency. I’ll personally make sure to reprimand and punish him later."
"N-No need. He didn’t do anything."
Rios was genuinely surprised by both the manager’s reaction and the order he’d given.
There are drinks in this world?
He thought to himself in surprise but wisely kept it to himself so he wouldn’t appear ignorant.
"Here you are, Your Excellency. This is the complete catalog of all the fruits and crops we have."
The manager tapped the table, causing a green screen to appear before him, then slid it toward Rios.
But before Rios could begin browsing through it—
"Your drink has arrived, Your Excellency."
The attendant hurried inside carrying a small tray.
Resting upon it was a cup that looked as though it had been carved from emerald-green crystal, filled with a milk-white beverage.
"Your Excellency, this is called Soul Nectar. It’s a famous drink throughout The Eternal Night Heaven and enjoys an excellent reputation. It soothes the soul and helps clear the mind."
The manager handed the drink to Rios while explaining its effects.
He then stood up, grabbed the attendant by the arm, bowed respectfully toward Rios, and asked for permission.
"If you’ll excuse me, Your Excellency, I’ll return in about five minutes. By the time you’ve finished browsing our products and enjoying the Soul Nectar, I’ll be back."
"Mmm."
Rios nodded.
He was beginning to feel that things had become far stranger than they should’ve ever since arriving here.
"Come with me."
After receiving Rios’s permission, the manager pulled the attendant out of the room and quietly closed the door behind them.
"Stand guard here until I return. Don’t let anyone enter."
After giving the attendant those instructions, the manager instantly disappeared from The Eternal Night Heaven.
---
Elsewhere in the universe...
Inside a magnificent, seemingly endless corridor adorned with countless carvings of flowers and plants, colorful blossoms decorated every pillar and wall.
A powerfully built, bald old man with a thick green beard ran through the corridor.
Unlike humans, his skin was completely white like milk, while his eyes shone with a brilliant emerald-green light.
When he reached the end of the corridor, he found himself before the enormous gate of a garden, guarded by two soldiers clad in silver armor.
"Stop right there, Manager Delar. Her Majesty the Empress is currently resting. No one is permitted to disturb her."
The two guards crossed their spears, blocking Delar’s path.
"Out of my way, you idiots! This matter can’t be delayed!"
Manager Delar tried to force his way through, but the guards immediately released the auras of Wis (6), threatening him.
Faced with their pressure, Manager Delar didn’t retreat a single step.
Instead, he unleashed his own aura at the peak of Wis (6), pushing back against theirs.
The three remained locked in place, neither side gaining an inch.
The atmosphere instantly became deadlocked.
A few moments later...
"You may enter, Manager Delar."
A melodious voice drifted from within the garden.
It was a voice that seemed capable of breathing life into all things and filling every listener with hope.
"Hmph!"
Manager Delar shoved the two guards aside and strode quickly into the garden.
When he reached his destination, he found a breathtaking woman who appeared to be in her thirties.
She wore a green dress and a golden crown woven from tree branches upon her head.
She sat beneath a colossal tree, surrounded by flowers in every direction.
Her skin was pure white with the faintest rosy tint.
She possessed a stunning figure, her curves slightly above average yet perfectly proportioned.
Her silky green hair flowed all the way down to her lower back.
Her large emerald-green eyes were tranquil, as though untouched by the world’s cruelty and endless conflicts.
They resembled two dazzling emerald gemstones, captivating anyone who gazed into them.
"What brings you here, Manager Delar?"
The woman looked at him calmly and asked with a gentle smile.
"It had better be something important... or you won’t like the consequences."
Comments