“I am surprised that they actually agreed to procure nearly everything you asked for.” Mrazivý said after she and Marcus finished ordering items from the adventurers guild.

“Well, we did have to fork over a good chunk of money for some of the items. Though, the guild must really be serious about this expedition to give out so much for free.”

Marcus had asked for several thousand kilograms of food and cold storage magic devices to store the perishable items in.

The staff members were wondering how he planned to carry all of this, but when he demonstrated the absurd capacity of his item box they were stunned.

Of course, food was not all he had wanted. He also asked for forging equipment and materials.

“It really did cost a lot though. Five thousand gold coins per ingot.” 

“Naturally, they were not just going to give you adamantine. Still, the fact that they were willing to sell you some for so cheap was a surprise. You got them at the minimum standard market rate. I did not expect them to be so willing to provide such a quantity even if you are paying for it.” Mrazivý said.

Marcus had managed to convince the guild to sell him twenty-five ingots of adamantine. This was more than enough to have on hand for any repairs that might need to be done during the expedition.

He had likewise attempted to purchase amethros, but that went beyond what the guild was able to supply for any amount of money. The metal was simply too rare to be easily obtainable using only cash.

Luckily, Marcus still had a bit of amethros leftover, though not enough to really create anything. Only what he would need for a few small repairs.

“I just hope you don’t shatter your weapon this time. I certainly would not be able to repair your amethros saber if that happened.” Marcus said, remembering the fate of the weapon she used in Aezam’s Muharib Festival.

“Hey! You make it sound like it was entirely my fault. That sword simply could not hold up to my full power. But my amethros saber that Thabon made can. I already tested it out.”

“Yes, I know that my master made you a quality weapon. Still, I cannot help but feel like you might be able to break it as well.” Marcus responded with a sigh and looked towards Mrazivý’s sword with exaggerated pity.

“Why are you acting all high and mighty when you have broken your own weapon before? I remember during your match with Quillon that you shattered your mithril scythe.” 

“Yeah, that did happen. But Quillon did have an amethros sword. I am lucky he did not slice right through my weapon from the start.”

Marcus and Mrazivý continued to bicker with each other for a bit longer, but soon enough their façades broke down and the two of them could not help laughing.

It had been a while since they had verbally jabbed at each other in a playful manner like this and it was refreshing to do so.

“But in all seriousness, don’t feel ashamed to ask me to do some repairs if your sword gets damaged. I actually do doubt you could break it easily, but it could get nicked since the creatures on the island are apparently incredibly tough. Best to be prepared for anything.”

“Thanks. It honestly is comforting to know you have my back here.” Mrazivý responded with a smile.

Once they finished ordering items from the guild, the two of them killed some time by looking at the mission board even if they knew they did not have the time to accept anything.

“Looks like ti is about time.” Marcus said as he looked towards his portable clock.

He had agreed to meet with Evette two hours after the expedition meeting ended and it was fifteen minutes until then.

“Just try to be careful. She may have been acting cordial when we first met to lure you into a false sense of security and could prove hostile. You remember what Aerial said. Some spirits won’t take kindly to you because of your origins and your opposing affinities of light and darkness.” 

“Yeah, I will be on guard, but I do not get the feeling she plans to harm me. She seems to be fairly similar to me.” 

After Mrazivý gave him a warning, Marcus set off to the room that Evette had reserved for them. Just as she was interested in him, he was equally interested in her.

When he arrived at the designated room, he moved to knock, but the door opened before he could and inside, he saw Evette sitting down at a table that had tea and snacks on it.

“Please, come in and enjoy my hospitality if you wish. It is not much but I prepared some refreshments.” Evette said as she stood up and bowed towards Marcus.

“Sure, I will be happy to partake. But if I could ask you to relax a bit and be less formal, that would help put me at ease. It is hard to converse when you are walking on eggshells around me.” 

“If that is what you want, then I have no problem with being more informal.” 

“Oh, this smells nice. I do not believe I have had a tea like this before.” Marcus said as he looked down at the cup in front of him.

“Yes, I imagine that you would not find this particular blend in Borealia. The leaves used to make it are native to my home.” 

Picking up the cup Marcus took a sip before eating one of the cookies that had been provided along with the tea.

As he did, he noticed that Evette had begun taking off her veil and headdress.

Within a couple of seconds, her previously covered face and hair were revealed.

For a moment Marcus stared at her stunned by her beautiful features.

Her hair was dark like the night sky, but her eyes were a piercing gold.

If he was still human, Marcus was certain he would have been entranced by her otherworldly beauty that seemed to be trying to draw him in.

“It seems I was correct to believe that you would be able to resist seeing my face.” Evette said with a brilliant smile.

“Is this the power of some sort of charm skill you possess?” Marcus asked.

The allure he was feeling was certainly not just from her attractiveness but something more sinister. It was having no effect on him, but he could still feel the power attempting to infect his mind.

“Yes, this is the work of my unique skill, Ethereal Beauty. It is honestly more of a curse than a boon.” 

Seeing the sad look on her face, Marcus could tell that she truly was disturbed by her own power.

While it may not have worked on him, Marcus was certain that anyone that this unique skill took ahold of would end up as a near mindless slave to Evette.