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Lucy and Sera arrived back from their hunt just before the dawn of the next day with satisfied smiles upon their faces.

Last night’s hunt was one of their best to say the least. The duo were able to feed twice after happening upon two sets of sailors finishing up some late night unloading.

Even though Lucy still preferred magic beast blood she could now see the convenience in feeding from humans.

They were a vampires most abundant food source, especially in port towns like Blackwood. The constant influx and outflux of large amounts of people allowed Lucy and Sera easy pickings.

After waiting some hours after dawn Lucy and Sera prepared to embark on their trip to the marketplace.

Sera’s vulnerability to sunlight posed a significant challenge but they managed to find a solution. They had acquired a black cloth umbrella from a local shopkeep as well as a thick hooded cloak

. Their plan was for Sera to hide from the sun inside Lucy’s blouse in bat form, under the robe, and umbrella. And after several ‘tests’ Lucy herself was sure the sunlight wouldn’t reach her.

Just like the commoners of Blackwood the rich and upper class loved to shop too if not more.

Uppity nobles could be seen paying exorbitant prices for finery, the city ki knights stood guard in their shining runic armor, even mages would come to buy spell models and magical plants.

Like a melting pot, the marketplace of Blackwood was one of the few places the fiercely segregated social classes would mingle

The marketplace was in the center of Port Blackwood and easily discernible on its 40x40 meter circular brick pavement.

Rules of the city dictated only buyers and sellers were allowed on the brick pavement. As such this place was usually devoid of homes and buildings but instead was arranged in long rows with stalls on either side.

With elegant and confident steps, a young woman carrying a large umbrella and wearing a loose red robe strode into the busy marketplace of Port Blackwood.

From all looks and appearances, she was the type of beauty that many would call ‘peerless’ or ‘jaw dropping’.

From her countenance alone she was able to part the mass of writhing bodies as she slowly perused the wares of stall after stall.

As she passed, the terms ‘noble’, ‘expert’, and ‘mage’ were whispered with reverence and shock by some people to describe her.

However, if these people had x-ray vision, they perhaps would choose the word ‘weird’ instead to describe her.

Weird because women don’t often keep beasts in their blouses… at least not human women.

‘Master can you do magic?’ Sera asked telepathically as her furry bat body shifted in Lucy’s bosom.

‘No, I lost that power a long time ago’ replied Lucy as she discretely pushed Sera’s further into her bosom, ‘now keep still down there!’

‘Of course, master’ said Sera as she ceased moving, ‘but then why do all these people think you can?’

Lucy smirked slightly as she moved towards another vendor’s stall, ‘Because perception is everything Sera’

Getting right to it, Lucy used her supernatural hearing and vision to locate the various vendors of the supplies she needed.

Namely books and encyclopedias on Aleria, waterskin flasks, clothing for Sera, and of course some Rank 2 beast blood.

With quick succession Lucy proceeded to purchase one item after another placing each in the knapsack at her waist.

She only chose the best quality items, yet she also made sure to pay attention to price. Lucy was not going to be taken for anyone’s fool.

Despite her royal upbringing Lucy was an expert haggler and could charm the pants off anyone.

Figuratively of course because she couldn’t waste blood energy by using Compulsion today. She had never been to the human market let alone during daylight, so she planned on keeping her wits and strength about her.

“Come one come all. For today only I’ll sell this Fireball spell model for only 1 gold coin “ advertised one merchant .

“Have you ever wanted to be invisible?! Slit your enemy’s throats without them knowing with this spell model! Only 5 gold coins!” Screamed another

After grabbing her necessities ,Lucy continued her marketplace day just looking and absorbing the different prices and interactions going on around her

‘Today’s going swimmingly so far, I’ve gotten everything I need already. And I’ve only spent a quarter of my funds. I just can’t seem to find any magic treasures to boost my cultivation though... Oh! What’s that?’

As Lucy passed down a more secluded row of stalls, a small twinkle from the corner of her eye caught her attention.

Upon the wooden table of one old vendor, nestled amongst other wares, was an inconspicuous ring.

The ring was small and dainty, as if made for feminine hands. It was a dark onyx color with an eye-catching circular shaped  ruby gem inlaid on its surface.

Most eye-catching of all however were the intricate runic lines running across the band of the ring.

“See something you like missy?” asked the old shopkeep as he caught Lucy staring, “come on over and get a closer look!”

Wasting no time Lucy hurriedly approached the stall as she admired the ring up close. As her eyes inspected every inch of the ring Lucy fell more and more in love with it.

‘Now this is a ring fit for a Queen’ Lucy thought as she tried it on, ‘I simply must have it!’

“I’ll take it. How much for it?” Lucy asked the old vendor straightforwardly as she readily pulled out her black pouch of gold coins.

In the back of her mind Lucy felt this ring was as good as hers. Because of her excellent haggling skills, she hadn’t had to pay much today on anything.

She was sure she had more than enough gold coins left to buy this old vendor’s whole table.

“T-Thank you that’ll be 2000 gold coins young lady” said the old vendor unblinking.

A long moment of silence passed as Lucy registered his words and their meaning.

“2000 gold coins?” she asked with a suddenly dry mouth

“Yes, ma’am 2000” the old shopkeep repeated with a smile

Lucy couldn’t believe her supernaturally enhanced hearing.

The ring on her finger that looked like it couldn’t be worth more than 200 gold coins was being sold at 2000 gold coins?!

The even bigger pill to swallow was the fact that for the first time in her life, she couldn’t afford something.

These two things she refused to believe.

“Haha there must be some mistake. This thing here isn’t even worth 1000 gold coins, the materials aren’t even precious!” Lucy said clutching the wooden table with a slight audible crunch.

‘Master is everything alright’ Sera asked telepathically

‘I’m fine, everything’s under control’ Lucy replied as she relaxed her grip on the creaking table.

“M-Ma’am I assure you that ring is definitely worth 2000 gold coins. Maybe even more!” said the old vendor unflinching, “ You see ma’am its more precious than common jewelry or finery. That ring is a -“

“Space Ring” finished a younger deeper sounding voice from behind Lucy, “And one of the cheaper models if I do say so myself, I’d say it could store about 3 cubic meters worth of stuff…maybe hehe”

‘Wait… this ring can store stuff! No wonder it’s so expensive’ realized Lucy as she hid her surprise

“And you would be…who? And how does this concern you?” she asked haughtily with a whip of her thick hair over her right shoulder.

Hehe feisty, just how I like em” said the interrupting stranger, “They call me Mr. Coldwind, I’m sure you’ve heard of me. And I just couldn’t help but interject just now when I noticed such a beautiful damsel in distress”

Lucy barely resisted the urge to hiss at her uninvited guest.

Standing at 5’9 the young man had deep dark eyes and thick onyx black hair. His boyish face was complete with a set of dimples and had not a sign of facial hair to be seen.

He appeared no older than 18, a young lad really in Lucy’s eyes.

He was dressed well and expensively in fine hand embroidered white robes. And after giving him a quick once over Lucy could tell he must come from wealth or have some type of backing.

“Coldwind was it?” Lucy asked with a low voice and a raised brow, “ You’re mistaken there’s no damsel in distress here, now if you’ll excuse me.”

“Sir?” she turned her attention back to the old vendor.

Lucy knew she was coming off rude but she didn’t care.

She was already in a bad mood because of the vendor and didn’t like this human trying to sneak up on her.

Granted she knew he was coming before he appeared thanks to her senses, but she’d much rather he mind his business.

She wondered What did he want? And feared that he was interested in the ring for himself.

But just as had Lucy turned back to begin haggling with the old vendor, Mr. Coldwind surprised everyone present by taking a small pouch from his waist and slamming it on the table.

“2000 gold coins right? Count it, it’s all there” he said with a smug smirk at Lucy and the vendor’s astonished gazes.

After his shock had passed the old vendor quickly grabbed the pouch as he did a once over of it’s contents.

To his surprise all of the money was there, the youngster could really put his money where his mouth was.

With no further delay the old vendor greedily snatched the bag of coins as he moved to take the ring from Lucy

“It’s all yours sir. Just one moment, I’m sorry missy but that belongs to him now” said the old shopkeep as Lucy’s hand jerked away from his.

“Hehe it’s all hers” said Mr. Coldwind with a hungry look in his eyes, “My woman only deserves the best luxuries in life. And as the leader of one of the top mercenary companies in this town I have all the power and money to give it to you”

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