"This time, Tuls will take you to familiarize yourself, and from now on, you'll go by yourself.
The herb merchants there all know my name, and they also recognize Tuls, so they'll let you put it on account first."
Saying this, he handed a long herb list to Durin.
Kreslin looked up at the wall clock and continued, "Time is almost up.
You clean up first, remember to tidy the alchemical table.
Then, you can get off work."
Then, he took out a handful of copper circle coins from a small cloth pouch at his waist and placed them on the table, neither more nor less, exactly 20 copper circle coins.
"This is your pay for today."
Durin picked up the 20 copper circle coins from the table, put them in his pocket, and began to diligently clean.
Of course, the alchemical table was the first place to be tidied, pouring the useless dregs into the trash bag, and then washing the bottles and jars clean.
When all of this was done, it was exactly 6 PM.
At this moment, the male servant standing at the door, dressed in a long grey linen robe, smiled and suggested when he saw Durin come out, "Mr. Durin, I received notice from Mr. Kreslin; I'll take you to buy herbs."
"Okay, thank you."
Durin readily agreed.
The butler, dressed in a grey linen robe, extended his hand and said with a smile, "My name is Tuls. Please take care of me from now on."
"Please take care of me."
Durin and the butler, who introduced himself as Tuls, left Building 753 together and walked towards the public elevator to go to the Boundary Markets.
Upon arriving at the Boundary Markets, Durin, led by Tuls, walked towards a merchant selling herbs.
After he handed over the herb list, it wasn't long before the herb merchant spread his hands to Durin and said, "Esteemed customer, I no longer have several of the medicinal herbs you wish to purchase."
"You don't have them?"
Durin frowned instantly upon hearing this.
"If it were in the past, I would indeed have everything, but in the past few days, the supply has been insufficient."
"Why is the supply insufficient?"
The herb merchant sighed and said helplessly, "You wouldn't know, but those noble lords from Piltover are getting more and more restless. They've had their Blue Hat lackeys seal off many medicine transport ships, which has cut off our supply."
"Not even if I pay more?"
"Without the medicine transport ships, there's nothing we can do," the herb merchant shook his head.
Durin was a bit disappointed, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you. I won't bother you any longer for now."
Afterward, led by Tuls, he went to other herb merchants to purchase the medicinal herbs needed on the list.
"These herbs you want are all good medicinal materials, but the price will be slightly higher. For example, this Snow Lotus, it's fifty copper circle coins per liang. How much do you want? I'll weigh it for you right away," a sharp-faced, monkey-like herb merchant said.
Tuls, the butler in a grey-white long gown, immediately looked troubled upon hearing the price.
"Fifty copper circle coins per liang is really a bit too expensive. Boss, can you lower the price? You know I'm buying this on behalf of Kreslin the Mage."
"I can't help it. It's been incredibly difficult to transport herbs in recently. I even have some distant relative who's a Blue Hat, which is why I'm allowed to sell. If you don't believe me, ask around, no one else's medicine can compare to mine. If you don't want it, then forget it!"
As soon as Tuls heard that the shop owner wasn't planning to sell, he quickly grabbed the herb merchant.
"Fifty copper circle coins per liang it is, then. Please weigh it for me according to the amount on the list!"
"Alright!"
After the purchase, Durin carried a large bag full of herbs back to Building 753 first. After carefully placing all the herbs in the cabinet, he closed the door again.
Before leaving, Tuls glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. It was about nine o'clock at night, and neither of them had eaten yet.
After completely locking the door, Tuls proactively invited Durin, "Mr. Durin, you've worked hard tonight. Let me treat you to a drink and a meal!"
Durin immediately grinned and said with a chuckle, "Then I'd be honored to accept!"
Since the other party was Tuls, whom Kreslin the Mage had mentioned, and also Kreslin the Mage's personal butler, he would surely know more about the Mage. Durin could also gain a more comprehensive understanding of Kreslin the Mage, such as his personality and habits, to avoid offending him in the future.
"I happen to know a reasonably priced tavern that hasn't been sealed off by the Piltoverians," Tuls said excitedly.
The two walked along Third Avenue, seeing many shops already sealed off along the way.
Even taverns couldn't avoid it. When they arrived at Sixth Avenue, Durin discovered that an ordinary tavern had also been sealed off, and this tavern was where Miss Amy worked.
"This tavern was sealed off? When did that happen?" Durin asked with some surprise.
Tuls glanced at it, sighed, and said helplessly, "Probably two or three days ago! I used to like this tavern too; the prices were reasonable. It's truly a pity."
Two or three days ago?
Wasn't that the night Miss Amy invited him to dinner? So, at that time, she had actually already lost her job.
No wonder, when he returned home last night, he saw the oil lamp lit in her room.
Perhaps, she must be having a headache now about how to pay the rent that will soon be due.
If she couldn't pay the rent then and was kicked out, could she still live in Zaun?
Durin was lost in thought. After a short while, he and Tuls arrived at a tavern in the East District of Seventh Avenue.