"Melina, good morning! We're almost done with the booth," Barrett said, waving his hand in greeting.
"It looks great," Melina said, getting off the cart and admiring their handiwork.
It wasn't anything fancy, just a basic market stall with an awning to shield her and customers from the summer heat. Although it was still overcast, an uncharacteristic gloom still hung over the town. Aeriganta claimed that a powerful storm was approaching, and Melina believed her. One didn't have to be a siren to know that the weather would soon turn nasty.
"We'll also be staying close while you sell your macarons. To make sure no incidents happen," Dorian, the middle-aged archer, said, tapping on his bow for emphasis.
"I really appreciate it. But I'm hoping that the macaron selling event will pass by without any need for your services."
"Trust me, we're hoping the same," Barrett nodded. "Now, we'll finish the booth. You can bring out the goodies. We do get some, too, right?"
Melina chuckled. "Of course. Guards a box for free while every Sunglower gets a 30% discount."
"Erina will be delighted to hear that," Barrett laughed as he returned to work.
Meanwhile, Adrien and Roxie nervously stuck as close to Melina as possible, each for a different reason.
"It'll be fine, you two. All you have to do is sell macarons. Help me set up the booth," Melina instructed, pointing to the many boxes at the back of the cart.
"I do have a question," Adrien said, then pointed at Knight, who was glaring daggers at every person passing by. "Are we keeping him around?"
Knight snorted in response, as if somebody had insulted him. Melina knew that the nightmare wouldn't leave willingly at this point. He got to taste a few of the macarons as well, and it was needless to say that he would seize every opportunity to get one. On the bright side, if something were to happen, then having a nightmare horse by one's side would surely be reassuring.
"Extra security never hurts," Melina shrugged in response.
Adrien nodded. "I agree. Watch our backs, Knight."
Knight just snorted in response while eagerly looking at the boxes of macarons they were all carrying over to the stall.
"I'll give you some in the end if you behave yourself," Melina warned, and Knight seemed to perk up at that. Perhaps, she wouldn't have to worry about him trying to kick anyone.
Another hour was spent in busy preparation—setting up the stall, putting up the sign and setting macarons out on display. Milo had quickly made her a simple sign saying "Melina's Macarons," which should be more than enough for the day.
As they bustled about, people were already gathering, peering curiously at the treats on display. Roxie looked more nervous the more people appeared, and Adrien was looking at the people, no doubt searching for the priests.
"Are you two ready?" Melina asked once everything was set up.
"No…" Roxie admitted honestly.
"As ready as I'll ever be, which admittedly isn't very ready," Adrien said.
"It'll be fine. We'll just be selling macarons. The only thing you two need to worry about is giving macarons to customers and taking money. Any talking you can leave up to me," Melina said.
Both of them nodded, still looking nervous. But with them here, Melina would be able to keep a proper eye on exactly who visited the booth instead of rushing to service customers.
Once she announced the booth to be open, the people rushed to form lines. It was mayhem as everyone tried to push in to be first, but Melina politely but sternly told everyone to form two orderly lines. Adrien quickly forgot his fears and turned on his best customer face, smiling graciously and servicing them with great efficiency.
Roxie was… struggling. She was very nervous, often stumbling with her words or even messing up orders. Melina would step in to correct her mistakes and apologise to customers if necessary. Initially, this would make Roxie even more nervous, but Melina reassured her that it was expected on her first time and encouraged her to keep going at her own pace, instead of matching Adrien's.
Eventually, things settled down as the first flurry of customers passed by. Most of them were Sunglowers, so they got the generous discount. A few tourists got curious, but there was no sign of any priests yet. Melina was evaluating any strangers whether they could be System users, but she saw no signs.
No typical twitchiness of the warrior, no odd glances in Knight's direction. A System user should be able to recognise him as a nightmare, especially if they have an identification skill of some sort. Melina also made a point of opening her Status Screen once in a while and deliberately reading it. See who would react. Some Sunglowers did recognise the notion, but likely because they already knew she was a System user.
As the last trick to catch System users, Melina would secretly let Sienna scuttle about their place. Priests and others from the Church always got nervous around her, while others were mostly curious about the oddly colored gecko. Sunflowers obviously weren't by Sienna at all; some even went out of their way to pet her.
But after a few hours, the main mass of customers shifted more towards tourists and also reluctant but curious priests. Adrien tensed up when he saw one of the priests approach; however, Roxie swiftly jumped in and serviced him instead, earning a grateful nod from the boy.
At first, it was just a few priests who came, most likely to check what exactly Melina was doing. But then more and more of them appeared, coming in at a slow but steady flow. It was clear that even they, with all their Church discipline, couldn't resist her delectable treats. Melina wasn't surprised about that—after all, luminfruit invoked a sense of happiness in anyone who ate it. Who wouldn't want to feel happy?
Melina also caught a glimpse of a few System users. An unassuming woman who at first glance might be mistaken for a local, if not for the way a bit of mana appeared at her fingertips, when Knight let out an annoyed snort. Melina brought up her Status Screen, reading over it just to make sure.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
[Name: Melina Dufour]
[Level: 41]
[Class: Arcane Baker]
[Familiar: Sienna — Ember Wyrm Level 49; Mango — Ice Kitsune Level 1 (unique)]
[Intelligence: 26]
[Agility: 10]
[Strength: 10]
[Skill: 32]
[Charm: 15]
[Active Skills: 11]
[
,
[Passive Skills: 3]
[
The woman stared at Melina for a good while as she read the Status Screen. She was definitely a System user, so Melina signalled Barrett. He was noting down every System user noticed, writing down their features and profile to later show to the Guildmaster.
After her came a few more. A tall man with a lean, muscular build, whose gaze instantly snapped to Sienna. He never stopped watching her. There was a bulky man who most obviously was a System user. One couldn't get so huge with just training alone; there were definitely some System enhancements going on. He didn't seem to notice either Knight or Sienna, merely chowing down on the macarons without a care in the world.
Most of the System users, however, were unassuming. They blended with the crowd well, and sometimes it was difficult to tell whether they really had the System. But Melina trusted her gut and signalled about every man and woman that seemed suspicious. It was better that she identified somebody wrongly than missed someone.
They continued selling the macarons for a few more hours before Heiliger appeared, a pleasant smile on her lips as she approached the booth. Adrien flinched noticeably at her approach, and she could see how the boy was struggling to keep up a calm appearance. Roxie noticed that too and grabbed his hand underneath the counter, making him flinch in response, but then slowly relax.
"Bishop Heiliger, how wonderful of you to come visit my humble macaron booth," Melina greeted her with a smile, inserting herself in front of both teenagers.
"I just heard that there was a booth with treats being sold by the famous Sunglow baker. It'd be a shame if I didn't get any, wouldn't it?" Heiliger said, looking down at the macarons.
"A shame indeed," Melina said, but she could feel herself tense.
"I imagine this is a way for you to unload stress. A very admirable hobby indeed. I do hope that you're going to be prepared for what's to come in two days. You cannot forget about the things you need to do," Heiliger said with a smile.
Melina didn't even need to ask to know what she was referring to. The expedition to the Monster Realm. She wondered how best to respond when Melina noticed that people surrounding the booth were mostly priests and strangers. Some were the System users she identified before, and there must have been more of them around.
Meanwhile, Melina only had Sienna, Knight, Dorian and Barrett. Heiliger was displaying just how much power she had, and she was doing it in broad daylight. Had she come to make sure that Melina would do as she was told?
"I'd never forget my goal," Melina said with a smile.
The Heiliger picked up one of the macarons, assessing it from every direction. "Your goal? I do hope this goal is the one that aligns with ours. You haven't forgotten our conversation from a few days ago."
Melina wanted to do nothing more than to say that she can shove her plans in the place where the sun doesn't shine. Melina would make sure that Heiliger would not get her hands on whatever it was she wanted to gain from the Monster Realm. But she couldn't do it when she was so obviously outnumbered. Not to mention that it was for the best that, for the time being, she went along with what the woman demanded.
It wasn't easy. Melina didn't want to appear weak in front of her. She didn't want to give this woman the satisfaction of that. But she had to play her cards smartly. So Melina inclined her head towards Heiliger in a show of respect. "Of course. I'll do anything within my power to aid you."
The grin on Heiliger's face grew wide, almost predatory. "My, I'm so glad you understand. I'm sure that donating the rest of these small treats to the Church would be the first step to achieving that."
Melina froze. Give up her remaining macarons to the Church? It was ludicrous. These were expensive goods. The ingredients were expensive and rare. Melina was selling one macaron for 15 silver coins, which was by no means cheap. For Sunglowers, she lowered the price to 12 silver coins. She couldn't just give them away for free.
But at the same time, could she even reject her? Was she in a position to say no? The System users loomed behind Heiliger, exuding palpable pressure on the area. Barrett and Dorian both shifted uncomfortably, while Roxie's and Adrien's hands trembled behind the booth. They did their best to hide and put on brave faces. But it was clear they weren't feeling brave at all.
"You see—" Melina began, trying to think of an excuse. She couldn't just give up her macarons to this woman. They still had so many left to sell.
"It's such a small thing, isn't it? You could easily make more, couldn't you?" Heiliger continued to exude pressure, and a few of the System users stepped closer.
Dammit! What do I do? If I give up the macarons, then it's like I'm admitting defeat. But if I don't, then who knows how Heiliger will react to it?
Melina had witnessed firsthand how quickly this woman could change her expression. One moment calm and smiling, the next—cold and cruel as she watched somebody get whipped to near death because they disobeyed her orders. Heiliger could easily decide to punish everyone else but Melina, just to make a point.
"I'm afraid that she's sold out," a familiar voice said loudly, making Melina's heart skip a beat. She turned and saw none other than Alistair approaching her booth with about fifty Sinclair soldiers following after him. "I promised some of the macarons to my soldiers, so I asked Melina to reserve some for them. Isn't that right, love?"
Melina wanted to drop everything and run into his arms. He was back! He was finally back. The real Alistair, not Aeriganta taking his shape. How did she know that? Besides the obvious troop of Sinclair soldiers behind him. Little Mango was nuzzled in his embrace, mewling happily. How did she get to him so fast?
"Yes, of course!" Melina confirmed, tears of joy forming in the corner of her eyes. "I'm afraid the rest of the macarons have already been sold."
Heiliger narrowed her eyes as Alistair strode up to the booth, soldiers neatly following behind him.
"Why have you brought so many soldiers with you?" She asked suspiciously.
"To assist your expedition to the Monster Realm, of course. I was hoping to make it back before you departed, and I'm glad to see that I did. My father and I wish for this mission to be an absolute success. We want to see Sunglow grow and flourish."
Heiliger took a step back and plastered her polite smile on her lips again. "Of course. I'm overjoyed to hear that. I hope you'll be open to discussing the details tomorrow. We'll need to make a few adjustments to account for so many new soldiers joining the cause."
"Of course," Alistair replied diplomatically.
Heiliger nodded. "Very well. I do hope that you'll treat us to your delightful macarons some other time, Melina."
The bishop didn't wait for the reply, instead turning on her heel and leaving. Some of the System users gave Melina a long look before leaving themselves.
"I thought we'd have to give it all up…" Roxie exhaled in relief.
"You couldn't have come at a better time," Melina turned towards Alistair in joy. But she even realized it, he had pulled her into a tight embrace and was planting small kisses all over her face.
"I missed you so much! I'm so sorry I was gone for so long. So many things happened," he said, nuzzling into her hair.
Melina buried herself in his warmth. He was finally back, and suddenly everything was right again. She felt whole, she felt strong. With him by her side, she was ready to tackle the world again.
"As long as you're back," she muttered, and backed away to look at him properly. "We have a lot to discuss."
"We do. There's no time left. I'll tell you about everything that my father and I talked about," Alistair nodded in confirmation.