Eric knew what Brunhild was hesitating about, so he gave her another offer. "Sister Brunhild, if you like that high-grade Tier 1 bow, then keep it. You can still purchase peak-grade Tier 1 arrows. I can sell them to you, and... they all have runes engraved as well."
Hearing this, Brunhild's expression brightened. Indeed, she could just purchase peak Tier 1 arrows!
Although it would be too wasteful to use them all the time, she could still keep them as her trump card.
But soon, her face couldn't help but contort.
Just who the hell wastes resources to engrave arrows with runes?!
She had never heard of arrows being engraved with runes. Was that even possible? Runes needed space to be carved, and arrows were far too thin.
"They are truly engraved with runes?" She couldn't help but ask with suspicion.
Livy blushed upon hearing Brunhild's odd tone. She had plenty of resources, so she had indeed engraved arrows because it was possible and also served as perfect practice. Furthermore, a failed engraving on an arrow was still better than failing on swords or other expensive gear, though she had to agree that engraving arrows with runes was tens, if not a hundred times more difficult than doing so even on throwing knives.
In fact, Lyria also had to go through a lot to make those arrows, as it was not that easy to forge any Tier-ranked arrows. It was far from as simple as crafting mortal Tier arrows. But thanks to her mastery of enchantments and blacksmithing, she could make dozens of them at a time.
Eric pulled out ten arrows for Brunhild's satisfaction.
All the arrows had different runes engraved and looked ornate and exquisite, all thanks to Lyria's finest craftsmanship and the precious materials used. The runes further enhanced them, making them look mystical and otherworldly.
Not only these, but Eric was even willing to sell Brunhild a rare set of acceleration rune arrows if she purchased more arrows. This acceleration rune was no joke and could even penetrate through that steel-like body of the Night Hag Arachnid, killing it in one shot.
'The more you buy, the thicker my wallet gets.' Eric seemed to have heard something profound like that in his past life, but he couldn't remember exactly where.
Brunhild's eyes immediately lit up and, in a flash, she grabbed all ten arrows with both hands.
She found the arrows too beautiful and felt it would be a waste to shoot anyone with them.
Since these arrows were of peak grade Tier 1, not only their sharpness but also their toughness was off the charts. Brunhild felt she could probably use these arrows multiple times before they might snap.
While Brunhild sat in her chair and was lovingly stroking the arrows, Caius knocked on the open door and walked in with a smile.
He had heard from the servants where Eric and the others were. He had been to this guest house before, so he had no problem finding it.
Soon, his smile froze as he gazed at the exquisite-looking arrows in Brunhild's hands. They were releasing a frightening presence that even scared him. He had no doubt that he would die if he were shot by one.
Caius could guess they were either high or peak grade Tier 1 arrows, enough to even kill a late-stage Rank 3 if properly used. That was because arrows were far more lethal than other weapons, but equally fragile and useless if they missed.
After observing the arrows for just a short instance, he felt as if he were shot right through his beating heart—all because of his shock.
Who the hell wastes resources and so much hard work on engraving runes over damn arrows?!
Arrows were largely one-time-use items; engraving them with runes was waste upon waste!
After calming down, Caius grew impatient to hold his own peak-grade Tier 1 longsword. He decided to amass his wealth quickly by this evening and get it.
Brunhild noticed Caius and swiftly moved the arrows away, in case they started growing fungus due to Caius's dirty gaze.
Caius smiled awkwardly and ignored Brunhild. He came over and sat in the chair where City Lord Gideon had previously been seated.
Looking at the empty cup in front of him, he asked, puzzled, "Was Madam Marabeth here?"
"No, Lord Gideon came," Brunhild calmly answered.
Caius gaped. But before he could say anything, Eric stood up and waved his hand. "Let's leave for the library now."
Caius nodded, but then he paused and informed everyone with a regretful tone, "I just learned from Guild Master Rodger that the Space Gateway was ruined and cannot be used for now."
None of them were surprised. Eric nodded, "The old man has already informed us." He then turned towards Brunhild, "Sister Brunhild, can you take Ly and Liv with you to purchase that bird? Also, is it fine to keep it here in the stables?"
"Yes, there's no problem," Brunhild nodded with confirmation. "The stable was built in a way to accommodate larger mounts." She then asked gently, "Don't you guys want to have lunch before leaving?"
At this moment, Lyria stood up with her arms full of money bags and declared, "It's fine, we are not hungry. Let's go and grab that bird first."
Brunhild also stood up with her hands filled with the long, elegant arrows. She hesitated and pleaded with a blushing face, "I-Is it fine to keep these arrows? I will definitely pay later!" She couldn't bear to return these arrows; she had already fallen in unquestionable love with them.
Eric waved it off, "Don't be strangers, it's fine. Also, please inform the others to get their money and purchase their weapons tomorrow morning."
He then took out the necromancers' donations from his pocket watch and passed them to Lyria.
After that, Eric walked out of the guest house, and Caius chased after him.
Soon, both of them rode their horses towards the guild library.
It took them an hour or so, and by the time they arrived, it was already dusk.
Caius used his guild card to enter the outer gate of the guild library together with Eric.
Eric looked at the tall building in front of them with amazement.
He hadn't visited Caius's house, but the current building was definitely the tallest he had seen since arriving in this world, including the city wall.
There was a sole tall building within the compound. It only had four floors, but in height, it was as tall as seven floors. The building was well-maintained and seemed like a palace from the outside. In front of it was an open garden with various places to sit and stand; currently, both Eric and Caius stood in one corner of this garden.
There were people going in and out of the library, while couples and individuals sat on the garden chairs conversing among themselves or reading books. The atmosphere was harmonious and peaceful.
Although Eric managed to enter the outer gate with Caius's card, entering the library itself was another matter.
Caius introduced, "This is the Batley City Guild Library, and I have heard all other cities which have both Adventurer and Mercenary guilds have this library, though the number of floors varies."
Eric nodded and asked, "How does this library work? You said no one can take books without permission, but what if someone puts the books inside their space pouches? Do they search everything when someone leaves?"
Searching space objects was considered taboo, which was what he had learned from Caius and the others, as no sane person would want their belongings to be searched by others.
Caius shook his head, "They don't normally." He paused and explained, "If a book is removed for more than three hours from its position on the shelves without registering, then they will check, and depending upon the situation, they will ask the guilds to find the culprit. Also, there are arrays placed both in hidden and open areas, though I am not sure what they do. In short, stealing or breaking the rules will get you a penalty, and it might even lead to the permanent suspension of your permit; there could also be much more severe consequences. So usually, no one dares to mess with the Guild Library or Guild Shop, as these places are much more secure than the Guild itself."
Eric nodded to show he understood and then signaled Caius to see if he could also enter.
Caius went to talk with the librarian.
After a while, he came back and shook his head in dejection. "Brother Eric, I tried to explain, and also indirectly suggested that you have a great background, but they refused vehemently. They told me to either get a direct recommendation from either of the Guild Masters or from the City Lord, or for you to register by using a valid identity proof."
Eric had already expected as much.
"Brother Caius, thank you for trying. I will go somewhere else now and will return by night. You should return home now."
"Do you need me to accompany you?" Caius offered. "Perhaps I can help you find where you want to go."
Eric smiled and shook his head, "Thank you for your consideration, I will be fine. Please take my horse with you as well." Eric pointed at the horses behind Caius.
Caius glanced back towards the horses and nodded. He had no problem, as his house was not far from Brunhild's.
Suddenly, he felt confused. If he returned the horse, how would Eric return? Wasn't it better to keep it and travel to wherever he planned to go? Carriages were not always reliable.
He turned back and was taken aback; in fact, he was horrified. It had been a mere second, and Eric had completely disappeared!
Caius quickly looked around, but the entire place showed no sign or shadow of Eric. It was as if he had never existed!
Caius grabbed his forehead and wondered if he was hallucinating. Was he all alone since the beginning, and Eric had never actually come with him?
He turned around and noticed both horses were present, so he wasn't dreaming. Though, he somehow felt that both horses stood a bit too rigid, as if they too were horrified and shocked.
Caius sighed internally. Eric, Lyria, and Livy were all too mysterious; what their limits were was well beyond him or anyone in Batley City. Just the fact that Eric had knocked down tens of Mana Wielders with just his spiritual pressure was mind-blowing; it just showed how much of a monster he was.
Unlike what City Lord Gideon, the Guild Masters, or even the dozens of guards who were knocked down thought—that Eric had used some sort of artifact to achieve it—Caius and the rest of the Eclipse team didn't doubt at all that it was Eric's own power.
Perhaps if he and the Eclipse team hadn't seen Eric kill the Night Hag Arachnid and the necromancer Rottgar with their own eyes, they too would doubt the plausibility of it. After all, a Mana Wielder who could fight against a trained minor rank higher than them without relying on any tricks was considered a genius, and people who could win against a major rank above were considered monsters or legends. And for people who could defeat enemies even beyond that? There was no title, as such people had never existed in the history of the world! Even fictional story writers wouldn't write such nonsense, or else people would laugh at the author's ignorance of the massive gap in stats between each rank.
Caius shook his head and jumped back onto his horse. He took Eric's horse by its reins and began his return journey.