The Goldfred Merchant Guild
The afternoon sunlight painted the streets of Ferenz City in golden tones as Andras — or, as the city would soon call him, Young Wolf — set out toward the central building of the Goldfred Merchant Guild. The city bustled with life: merchants shouting, wagons rattling, and from the direction of the harbor a salty, spicy sea breeze drifted in.
The guild building was not hard to find. It was one of the largest and most impressive structures in the city: three stories tall, with marble steps, a gilded guild emblem, and two guards standing at the entrance. When Andras approached, the guards immediately saluted.
"Welcome, Young Goldfred sir. You are expected."
Andras paused for a moment.
It was still strange to hear that form of address.
Upon entering the spacious entrance hall, the guild employees bowed to him one after another. The weight of the Goldfred name could be felt in every corner. A young woman — the same type as the one who had handed over the inn's keys — stepped up to him.
"Young Wolf sir, how may we assist you?"
"I'm looking for staff for the inn," Andras began. "A cook, an innkeeper, a bartender, waitress girls, and two reliable guards. Wolf Lodge will open its doors soon."
The woman quickly took notes, then nodded.
"The guild will ensure that suitable candidates apply. By tomorrow morning, we will prepare a list of potential applicants."
Andras was about to turn away when the woman suddenly raised her hand.
"Please wait, sir. I must also deliver a letter."
She handed him the parchment with both hands, respectfully. Andras recognized the seal immediately: the shared emblem of the city's four major merchant guilds.
He broke the seal.
The letter was short, but heavy with significance:
**Honored Young Wolf,
Heir of the House of Wolfwood and representative of the Goldfred family.
We invite you to the Ferenz City Bathhouse this evening at sunset.
The leaders of the four great merchant guilds wish to meet you in person.
Attendance is mandatory.
Respectfully,
The Council of the Four Guilds**
Andras slowly folded the letter.
The woman spoke softly:
"The council rarely invites anyone. It seems they are watching you with great interest, sir."
Andras smiled.
The Wolfwood name, the Goldfred name, the presence of the Hero, the Gladiator Tournament…
The city's attention was fixed on them.
"Very well. I will be there."
He stepped out of the building and paused for a moment in the afternoon light.
The bathhouse… the leaders of the four guilds…
This was no simple visit.
This was politics.
This was power.
This was the heart of the Empire.
And he had just stepped into it for real.
Andrea and Eris Buying Armor
The afternoon bustle of the city swirled vividly around them as Andrea and Eris stepped out of Wolf Lodge. The Hero wore simple, light-colored clothes, making her look like any young girl from the city — except that every second passerby still turned to look at her.
Andrea glanced sideways.
"That's why you had to take off the armor. If this many people stare even now, imagine what it would be like with the golden hero crest."
"I can't help being this noticeable," Eris muttered, though the tips of her ears turned red.
The city's smithing district soon appeared before them: smoking chimneys, the rhythmic ringing of hammers, the scent of glowing metal. Most workshops had armor and weapons displayed outside to attract customers.
Andrea pointed toward a larger, more orderly smithy.
"We're going here. One of the Empire's best armor smiths works here."
A sign hung above the workshop door:
"Rothan & Sons – Royal Armor Smiths"
As they entered, the smith — a muscular, graying man — looked up from beside the anvil.
"Welcome, ladies! Looking for armor? Light? Heavy? Decorative? Combat?"
Andrea stepped forward.
"We're looking for something for my friend. Light, flexible, but strong. Nothing too flashy."
Rothan looked Eris up and down.
"Warrior?"
"Hero," Andrea said with complete casualness.
The hammer froze in the smith's hand.
"Hero?" he repeated, as if he hadn't heard correctly.
Eris quickly cut in:
"No, no! You don't have to call me that! I just… want some simple armor."
Andrea leaned toward her ear.
"See? This is why I told you not to wear the hero armor. You give yourself away even like this."
The smith eventually nodded and brought out three different women's armors.
1. The Black‑Silver Light Armor
"This is a lightweight steel armor.
Flexible, reinforced at the chest, and allows free movement at the shoulders.
Made for warrior women. Elegant, but not showy."
Eris tried it on.
The armor fit her perfectly, highlighting her posture, making her look both strong and feminine.
Andrea whistled approvingly.
"That looks really good on you."
2. The Dark Blue Leather Armor with Magical Threads
"This is magically reinforced leather.
Lightweight, allows fast movement, and the stitching contains weak protective magic."
Eris put it on and spun around.
"It's comfortable… but too soft."
Andrea nodded.
"You need more protection."
3. The White‑Black Composite Armor
"This is my most expensive piece," Rothan said.
"A mix of composite steel and magical fibers. Light but strong. We usually recommend it to Heroes."
Eris froze.
"No! I don't want armor recommended for Heroes!"
Andrea laughed.
"Then we're going with the first one."
The Choice
Eris finally decided on the black‑silver light armor.
The smith also recommended matching bracers and boots, which Andrea bought for her without hesitation — despite Eris's protests.
"But Andrea, that's too much money!"
"You're a member of the Wolfwood House now. Your equipment should be worthy of you. Besides, the Princess is paying."
Eris blushed.
"Thank you… really."
The smith packed the armor and bowed respectfully to them.
"If you ever need repairs or new equipment… just let me know. Friends of the Hero always receive priority."
Eris sighed.
"Again…"
Andrea wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Come on, we'll get you a cloak too. You need something to hide your figure with the armor."
"Why?"
"Because you're too pretty, and too many people stare."
Eris's ears turned red again.
Anita and Fireburp's City Adventure
The afternoon bustle of the city could already be heard from afar when Anita and Fireburp stepped out through the gate of Wolf Lodge. The dragon girl's eyes sparkled with excitement, her tail swishing back and forth as if she were already ready to cause trouble.
Anita glanced at her.
"I'm warning you, Fireburp. In the city we do not set things on fire. We do not breathe fire. We do not sneeze flames. We do not roast anyone."
"But I'm just breathing!" the dragon girl protested. "Sometimes even the air catches fire inside me."
"That's exactly why you're coming with me. If you breathe fire, I'll freeze you. Simple as that."
Fireburp huffed indignantly — luckily only smoke came out.
"Fiiine… but then we're eating something tasty, right?"
"If you don't burn down the market, then yes."
The City Market — Where Everyone Stares at the Dragon
As soon as they reached the market, every gaze turned toward them.
No wonder: a red‑scaled dragon girl with horns and a tail was a rare sight in the Empire.
A fishmonger dropped the fish he was holding.
A fruit seller crossed herself.
A child shouted:
"Mom, look! A fire creature!"
Fireburp proudly straightened her back.
"See, Anita? I'm already popular."
"You're not popular, you're scary."
Anita nudged her gently. "And don't smile like that, your teeth are showing."
"But they like my teeth too!"
"No, Fireburp. They do not."
At the Fruit Vendor — The Almost‑Fire
They stopped in front of a fruit vendor's stall. Fireburp's eyes immediately locked onto a pile of red apples.
"Anitaaa… I want one. Just one!"
"Alright. But ask nicely."
Fireburp leaned toward the vendor.
"May I have an apple? In exchange, I won't burn down your stand."
The vendor turned pale.
"T‑t‑take it! Take it! It's free! Free!"
Anita slapped her forehead.
"Fireburp! We do NOT threaten people!"
"I just wanted to be nice…"
"That's not niceness. That's terror."
The dragon girl thought for a moment.
"Then… thank you very much, kind human!" she said, trying to smile.
The vendor nearly fainted.
At the Spice Seller — The Sneeze
As they continued walking, something tickled Fireburp's nose.
"Anita… it tickles… my nose tickles…"
Anita froze instantly.
"Do. NOT. Sneeze."
"But… it tickles…"
"Fireburp, if you sneeze now, half the market will explode!"
The dragon girl desperately tried to hold it back.
"Hap… hap… HAP…"
Anita was already prepared to activate her ice magic.
"HAPCH—"
Instead of flames, only a small puff of smoke came out.
The market crowd screamed in unison and jumped back.
Anita sighed.
"This was the better outcome."
Fireburp proudly straightened her back.
"See? I can be careful."
The City Guard — The Misunderstanding
As they walked on, two city guards stepped in front of them.
"Hey! You two!" one of them said. "We heard a dragon threatened the market!"
Anita stepped forward.
"She didn't threaten anyone. She just asked for an apple."
"She said she wouldn't burn down the stand if she got one!"
Anita took a deep breath.
"That… counts as kindness for her."
The guards exchanged looks.
"That's… kindness?"
Fireburp nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! And I didn't burn anything! See? I'm very good!"
The guards hesitantly nodded.
"Well… nothing actually burned down."
Anita quickly grabbed Fireburp by the arm.
"Let's go before someone asks you to perform a fire trick."
"I could show one!" Fireburp's eyes sparkled.
"NO."
End of the Day — A Little Sweet Treat
At the edge of the city, they found a sweets vendor. Anita bought two honey pastries.
"Here. You deserve it. You behaved pretty well."
Fireburp happily munched on the pastry.
"Anita… do you think… we can come again tomorrow?"
"If you don't burn down the inn tonight, then yes."
"I'll try not to sneeze."
"That's already something."
The two girls walked back toward Wolf Lodge laughing — and the city breathed a sigh of relief that the dragon girl had left.