Legacy of the Tarot (Laoyon)

Lord Vaylen (Jeweler & Wealthy Merchant), Carina the Appraiser (Gem & Relic Expert)

The moment they set foot on Goldcrest Avenue, it was as if they had entered an entirely different world. Unlike the lively bustle of the Golden Harvest Market or the rugged charm of the Gilded Chest Supplies, this district exuded an air of refined elegance. The streets were paved with polished stone, the buildings adorned with intricate gold and silver accents, and the scent of exotic perfumes drifted through the air.

"This place feels expensive," Arden muttered, eyeing the finely dressed merchants and noble patrons strolling about with an almost arrogant grace.

"Because it is expensive," Selva said, smirking. "Welcome to The Merchant's Vault—where people don't buy things because they need them, but because they can."

Leigh barely heard them.

The moment her gaze landed on the towering boutique, her breath hitched. The Merchant's Vault was unlike any shop they had visited before. Tall, pristine glass windows showcased glittering displays of necklaces, rings, enchanted bangles, and rare relics. Soft golden light illuminated the showroom inside, making the gemstones sparkle like captured stardust.

Arden whistled. "Well… this is fancy."

Dominic raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Leigh. "Uh, Leigh?"

She didn't respond.

Instead, she stepped forward as if drawn in by an invisible force, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Oh no," Arden said in realization.

Selva amused. "Oh, yes."

By the time they caught up with Leigh, she was already inside. The interior of The Merchant's Vault was even more extravagant than its exterior. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over velvet-lined counters, each displaying treasures more dazzling than the last.

A well-dressed man with sharp, calculating eyes and a presence that demanded respect turned to them with a practiced smile. He was Lord Vaylen, the most renowned jeweler in Veyne and an influential member of the Merchant Council.

"Ah," he greeted smoothly, his voice as rich as the wares surrounding him. "What an unexpected pleasure." His gaze flickered briefly to Selva, then to Leigh, before finally settling on the trio. "The heroes of Veyne, in my humble establishment. To what do I owe this honor?"

Before any of them could respond, another figure stepped forward—a woman with keen eyes and a jeweler's loupe resting on her brow. This was Carina the Appraiser, a master in evaluating rare gems and relics. She had already taken one look at Leigh's wrist and let out a small gasp.

"The Emerald Bangle," Carina murmured, stepping closer. "That's not just an accessory, my dear. That's a piece of history."

Leigh instinctively placed her hand over the bracelet. "You recognize it?"

Carina nodded, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Indeed. This was thought to be lost for generations. The craftsmanship, the enchantments woven into the emerald—this belonged to the Viridian Empress, a ruler from over a thousand years ago."

Lord Vaylen folded his hands together, intrigued. "And how, may I ask, did it find its way to you?"

Arden, arms crossed, leaned against a display case. "Oh, you know. Just a casual battle against a cursed wyvern terrorizing the countryside."

Carina's eyes widened. "You… you mean the Lone Cursed Wyvern?"

Dominic smirked. "The very same."

A ripple of silence passed through the shop. Then Lord Vaylen let out a slow chuckle. "Ah… that explains the rumors." He gave them a measured look. "You truly are extraordinary."

Leigh shifted, uncertain. "So… what does that mean for this bangle?"

Carina smiled. "It means it's priceless."

Arden blinked. "Priceless? As in, can't sell it?"

Carina laughed softly. "I wouldn't say that, but if you did… the bidding would start at no less than 200,000 gold."

Leigh's grip tightened on the bracelet.

Arden visibly struggled not to choke. "Two… hundred thousand?!" he wheezed. "And you're just wearing it?"

Leigh frowned, completely unfazed. "It's mine."

Arden stared at her like she had just declared war on common sense. "You could buy an army with that."

Leigh, unimpressed, crossed her arms. "I am the army."

Dominic smirked, watching the exchange unfold with amusement. "She's got a point."

Lord Vaylen, ever the businessman, stepped in smoothly. "Of course, should you ever wish to part with it, I would personally ensure it finds a worthy collector."

Leigh smiled politely. "I appreciate the offer, but… I think I'll hold onto it for now."

Carina nodded approvingly. "A wise choice."

Before they could move on, Lord Vaylen gestured toward the shop's displays. "But while you're here, surely there's something else that might interest you?"

That was when Leigh's composure cracked.

Because the moment she looked around—really looked around—the temptation hit her like a tidal wave.

Her refined, responsible demeanor wavered as her eyes flitted from one beautifully crafted piece to another. The enchanted silver cuffs. The delicately engraved rings. The sapphire-embedded earrings imbued with protective magic.

Leigh. Lost. Control.

"Oh, no," Arden muttered, watching the shift. "She's gone."

Dominic chuckled. "Finally, it's her turn."

Leigh took in a sharp breath. "I just… I mean, we do have some extra gold—"

Arden cut in. "And suddenly spending money recklessly is fine?"

Leigh, eyes locked on a pair of Celestial Teardrop Earrings gleaming under the soft glow of enchanted display lights, barely registered Arden's presence beside her. She reached out, tracing a finger just above the delicate silver filigree that encased luminous sapphire-like stones, their depths swirling with a faint celestial shimmer.

Arden leaned in, arms crossed, already seeing the impending disaster. "Leigh."

Leigh, without even looking at him, simply said, "This is an investment."

Selva cackled from behind them, nudging Dominic. "Oh, now she sounds like him."

Dominic grinned, clearly enjoying the irony. "I was about to say."

Arden scoffed, pointing at her accusingly. "No, no, no—don't you use my words against me. I invest in survival. I invest in things that keep us alive. You—" he gestured dramatically toward the earrings, "—are investing in shinies."

Leigh, still completely ignoring him, turned to Carina the Appraiser, her expression one of refined interest. "Tell me more about these."

Carina, a woman who clearly understood the mind of a connoisseur, smiled warmly. "Ah, a woman with fine taste. These are Celestial Teardrop Earrings—crafted from enchanted silver and inlaid with Moonveil sapphires, stones that capture and reflect ambient mana. They subtly enhance spiritual resonance, making them favored among healers and magic users alike."

Leigh tilted her head, intrigued. "So, not just decoration."

Carina nodded. "Far from it. They help attune the wearer's spirit energy, sharpening focus and improving balance in delicate combat maneuvers. A perfect match for someone with a graceful sword style."

Leigh, impressed, lifted one earring, watching as it caught the light in a mesmerizing shimmer. "And the price?"

"4,000 Gold."

Arden made a sound somewhere between a groan and a muffled scream. "Leigh, you don't even use magic."

Leigh simply gave him a sidelong glance. "No. But I am elegant."

Dominic snorted, shaking his head as he pretended to inspect a nearby bracelet.

Arden threw his hands in the air. "Okay, I see how it is. So I spend 9,500 Gold on meat, and it's an 'irresponsible waste of resources.' But you drop 4,000 Gold on earrings, and it's an 'investment?'"

Leigh nodded. "Correct."

Selva was practically wheezing now. "Oh, I love this."

Leigh hummed in consideration as she admired the Celestial Teardrop Earrings, the way they subtly shimmered under the shop's ambient light. They were elegant, refined—perfect.

Carina, sensing her interest, smiled. "If you'd like, we also have a matching bracelet to complete the set." She gestured to a silver wrist piece inlaid with the same celestial stones. "It carries the same enchantments, amplifying balance and grace."

Leigh glanced at her left wrist, where the Agility Bands (1,500 Gold)—thin, silver-threaded wristbands enchanted to enhance movement speed and reflexes—were already snugly fitted.

She shook her head with a polite smile. "I already have something for my wrist."

Carina nodded in understanding. "A woman who knows her balance. Very well."

Arden, still visibly suffering from secondhand stress, brush up his hair with his hand. "So let me get this straight. You're not going for the set because you already have enchanted wristbands, but the earrings—which, mind you, do nothing for survival—you need?"

Leigh didn't miss a beat. "Correct."

Selva, barely holding back laughter, patted Arden on the shoulder. "Give up, champ. You've lost this one."

Arden groaned. "I can't give up, Selva! If I do, she's going to keep burning through gold like it's—"

Leigh, who had already moved on, picked up the earrings and turned to Carina. "I'll take them."

Arden sagged in defeat. "Like it's nothing," he finished weakly.

Carina smiled approvingly, carefully boxing the earrings. "A fine choice, Lady Leigh. Would you like them wrapped for travel?"

Leigh shook her head. "No need." She took the box and secured it inside her belt's storage pouch before turning to Arden, smirking. "Don't look so betrayed. I'm still spending less than you."

Arden pointed at her. "That's because I feed people, Leigh. I am the reason we eat."

Leigh smiled sweetly. "And I am the reason we don't look homeless."

Selva and Dominic both lost it.

As Leigh wandered toward the necklace display, a faint whisper echoed in her mind—Venya.

"Ask about that one."

Leigh's eyes instinctively drifted to a seemingly unremarkable silver necklace with a small, intricately carved pendant resting among the more extravagant pieces. It wasn't adorned with glowing gemstones, nor did it shimmer with the telltale aura of enchantment like the rest. It was… plain.

"Take it. No matter the cost." Venya's voice held an unusual sense of urgency, something Leigh had never heard before.

Curious but composed, she gestured toward the piece, catching Carina's attention. "This one… tell me about it."

Carina followed her gaze and blinked. "Oh? That old thing?" She picked it up, rolling the pendant between her fingers. "It was found among some relics from an estate sale a few years back. No magic, no enchantment—just a finely crafted silver necklace. It's been sitting here ever since."

Leigh frowned slightly, her thoughts stirring. No magic? Then why is Venya so insistent?

Carina smiled, misinterpreting her hesitation. "I'll be honest, Lady Valverde, this isn't one of our more… valuable pieces. If you want something with actual enhancements, I'd recommend—"

"How much?" Leigh interrupted.

Carina blinked at the abruptness but quickly responded, "2,500 gold."

Arden, who had been watching silently, nearly choked. "Wait. Hold on. You're telling me the earrings cost 4,000 gold, but this thing—" He gestured dramatically at the simple necklace, "—is only 2,500?!"

Carina chuckled. "Well, yes. It's just silver. No magical properties, no enchantments. A fine accessory, nothing more."

Arden looked at Leigh expectantly. "And this is where you decide to be frugal, right? Right, Leigh?"

Without answering him, Leigh simply reached into her pouch, placed the gold on the counter, and took the necklace.

Arden groaned. "Of course. Of course."

Dominic raised an eyebrow, sensing something strange. "Leigh, why do you want that one?"

Leigh clasped the necklace around her neck without hesitation. "Call it instinct."

Selva smirked, watching the exchange. "Or maybe she just likes keeping secrets."

Leigh said nothing, but deep inside, she wondered… Why did Venya want her to take this?

The answer, it seemed, would come in time.

Leigh wandered over to the ring section, her fingers grazing over the display cases filled with intricately designed bands. Some shimmered with faint magical energy, others boasted gemstones so polished they reflected the warm glow of the lanterns above.

One particular ring caught her attention—a sleek silver ring with an engraved pattern that seemed to shift under the light. Unlike the others, it didn't hum with magic, nor did it carry an extravagant price tag. It sat there, unassuming, as if waiting.

Carina, ever observant, took notice. "Ah, that one," she mused, stepping closer. "A fine piece, though we couldn't detect any strong magical properties from it." She tapped the glass gently, eyes gleaming with interest. "However, it does provide passive resistance against poison, fire, energy, and death energy."

Leigh tilted her head, intrigued. "No magic, but still protective?"

Carina nodded. "It's a curious piece. It doesn't emit a strong aura, but the enchantment is woven deep into the metal itself, making it far more subtle than most magical rings." She gave Leigh a knowing smile. "For someone with a discerning eye, I'd say it's a rare find."

Leigh reached out, lifting the ring between her fingers. The moment her skin touched the cool metal, she felt it—a faint, lingering warmth, like a quiet assurance of safety.

"How much?" she asked.

Carina tapped her chin, considering. "For you, 3,200 gold. A fair price, I'd say."

Leigh didn't hesitate. She placed the gold on the counter and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, light as a feather, yet comforting in its presence.

Arden leaned over with a grin. "Alright, now that's a smart purchase."

Dominic arched an eyebrow. "Oh? No grand speech about 'investing in life' this time?"

Leigh smirked, flexing her fingers. "No need. This one speaks for itself."

Arden and Dominic could only watch in horror as Leigh, the responsible one, the budgeting expert, the sane one—started dropping gold faster than Arden at a steakhouse.

Arden slumped against a counter. "I'm in pain."

Dominic smirked. "This is the best day of my life."

Selva wiped a tear of laughter from her eye. "I am never letting her live this down."

Lord Vaylen, watching his newest favorite customer, simply smiled. "A pleasure doing business with you."

As they finally stepped out of The Merchant's Vault, Leigh looked almost reluctant, her eyes flicking back toward the shop as if she could still find one last thing to buy. Arden, however, wasn't taking any chances—he casually draped an arm over her shoulder and steered her away from the entrance.

"Alright, before you start making excuses to go back in," he said, "let's go over the damage." He turned to Leigh expectantly. "How much do we have left?"

Leigh sighed but pulled out her notepad, flipping to the latest tally. "Alright, listen up. Arden, after your food festival and minimal spending here, you're down to 24,450 gold."

Arden winced. "Future-me is definitely going to hate past-me."

Leigh smirked before continuing, "Dominic, with your… responsible spending, you now have 32,300 gold left."

Dominic adjusted his cloak, nodding. "Still well within a comfortable budget."

Leigh took a deep breath before reading her own. "And me? Well… I had 34,200 before we walked in."

Arden raised an eyebrow. "And now?"

Leigh coughed into her hand, flipping the page and mumbling, "27,500 gold."

Arden and Dominic simultaneously turned to look at her.

Dominic smirked. "That's… quite the drop."

Arden let out a low whistle. "Wow. And here I thought I was bad."

Leigh crossed her arms defensively. "Excuse me, I bought practical things. Jewelry is a long-term investment."

Arden chuckled. "Right. Because a girl definitely needs three new accessories for a survival mission."

Leigh shot him a glare. "At least mine won't expire like your overpriced meat."

Selva, watching from the sidelines, was struggling to hold in her laughter. "I hate to break this moment, but we should probably move on before someone gets tempted to run back in."

Leigh straightened, tucking her notepad away. "Fine. Next stop."

Arden smirked, already knowing the answer. "Oh, this one I got to see."

Leigh rolled her eyes and sighed. "The Arcane Bazaar."

Dominic, now fully engaged, adjusted his sleeves. "Finally. Somewhere worth spending gold."

With that, the group made their way down Mystic Way, heading toward The Arcane Bazaar—where Dominic would finally get his turn to empty his wallet.