Chapter 78: Kept You Waiting |
At the top floor of the Artisans’ Association office building, inside a spacious conference room, the atmosphere was solemn and focused.
President Mario, along with several core senior members of the association, was gathered with representatives of the dwarf race around a large unfolded map, fully absorbed in discussing the site selection details of a joint workshop.
However, the conference room doors were suddenly struck by an ill-timed, somewhat hurried knocking.
Knock knock knock—
Everyone inside the room frowned almost in unison, casting dissatisfied looks toward the heavy wooden door.
Mario’s graying brows knitted together, a trace of displeasure flashing through his eyes.
The importance of this meeting was extremely high—he had repeatedly emphasized it—so how could someone still come to disturb them?
Outside the conference room, Fuke stood drenched in sweat.
After receiving the report from his subordinate, he had quickly met with O’Brien to verify the situation, then rushed over to the conference room.
If Master Ryan became angered and left, then he would truly be in deep trouble.
“My apologies, everyone. My subordinate lacks proper sense.”
Mario suppressed his irritation, smiled apologetically at Elder Burlo Warhammer, then turned to a capable-looking middle-aged woman beside him.
“Molly, go see what’s going on.”
Runemaster Molly nodded and stood up, walking out of the conference room.
She stepped outside, closed the door behind her, then frowned as she looked at the nervous, sweat-covered Fuke.
“Speak. What could be so important that you dared interrupt such a meeting?”
Molly dressed plainly and wore no adornments, but her sharp, authoritative presence made Fuke feel immense pressure.
“Elder Molly, that rumored Grandmaster-level Forgemaster patron of the Silver Moon Chamber of Commerce—Master Ryan—has arrived!”
Fuke blurted it out in one breath at his fastest speed.
Molly’s expression, which had carried reproach, froze instantly. She asked uncertainly:
“Who did you say?”
“Master Ryan!”
“What?!”
Molly exclaimed in a lowered voice.
“Are you sure?”
“Uh… Elder Molly, I haven’t seen Master Ryan myself, so I can’t confirm whether it’s truly him. But I’ve verified his Forgemaster badge—it’s genuine, officially certified by the Adventurers’ Guild. There’s absolutely no mistake.”
Fuke raised his hand as if swearing an oath.
Molly suddenly felt her throat go dry. She herself was only an Elite high-tier Runemaster—not even at the Master level.
And that recently famous Master Ryan was a high-tier Grandmaster Forgemaster. It was said that in the recent large-scale auction, there would even be a full set of top-tier equipment forged by him.
Items worthy of being included in such an auction were far beyond their imagination.
But why would such a figure suddenly come to a place like the Artisans’ Association, composed mostly of low-tier professionals and commoners?
She simply could not understand it.
Yet there was no time for her to think. She couldn’t possibly run over to verify his identity personally.
If he truly was Master Ryan, then she had to notify the president immediately. Within the association, only the president was qualified to receive him.
Anyone else going would clearly be considered a slight.
But now…
Molly glanced at the tightly shut conference room door and fell into hesitation.
The dwarves had come with great sincerity, and the discussions were going well—they were at a critical juncture. If the president left directly now, then…
She had not yet reached the Master level, so she couldn’t project her spiritual power, nor could she use a warrior’s sound transmission technique. There was simply no way to discreetly pass the message to the president.
For a moment, this decisive and capable woman found herself caught in a dilemma, frozen in place, unable to advance or retreat.
In the end, Molly’s entire body felt stiff—she didn’t even know how she managed to return to the conference room.
Under everyone’s puzzled gazes, she forced herself to endure the pressure, quickly walked to Mario’s side, bent down, and quietly reported the news of Master Ryan’s arrival.
Now it was Mario’s turn to be stunned.
But he quickly composed himself—he had seen all kinds of storms.
Taking a deep breath, President Mario forcefully suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and gave an apologetic smile to Burlo Warhammer.
“Elder Warhammer, my deepest apologies. The association has suddenly encountered an extremely important and urgent matter that requires my personal attention.”
He kept his voice as steady as possible.
“Regarding our cooperation, could we pause the meeting briefly? You may take this time to look around the Artisans’ Association and tour some of our proudest works.”
Burlo had naturally heard the words “Master Ryan” and “Grandmaster Forgemaster.” He had also recently heard rumors about this man.
It was said that he was a top-tier Forgemaster invited from elsewhere by the Silver Moon Chamber of Commerce to participate in the auction.
He was also quite curious as to why the man would suddenly come to the Artisans’ Association.
This time, for the sake of cooperation with the association, he had personally skipped the auction, only sending a few subordinates to bid on his behalf.
If I wasn’t mistaken, the man had come here right after the auction ended?
Burlo narrowed his eyes and stroked his braided beard, speaking in a deep, rumbling voice:
“No matter. President Mario, attend to your business first. However, I am also quite interested in this ‘Master Ryan’ who has suddenly arrived. You wouldn’t mind if I meet him later, would you?”
Mario paused internally, unsure how to respond, so he answered vaguely:
“You jest, Elder. Let me first arrange the meeting and see Master Ryan’s intentions. Please excuse me for a moment.”
With that, he wasted no time. He gave Molly a look, and the two hurriedly left the conference room.
The moment the door closed, the atmosphere inside became somewhat subtle. The remaining senior members of the association could only force themselves to keep spirits up, trying to ease the mood while entertaining the dwarf representatives.
Meanwhile, Burlo gazed thoughtfully toward the door, remaining silent.
In the corridor, when Fuke saw the president come out, he finally let out a sigh of relief and quickly led the way ahead.
***
O’Brien stood with his hands behind his back in front of the reception room window.
Looking at the bustling, lively crowd outside, a faint smile curved at the corner of his lips.
These workers, craftsmen, and assistants, though busy and tired, clearly carried hope for a better life on their faces.
The Artisans’ Association, as their backing, allowed them to work in peace—without fear of oppression or exploitation—and ensured that their daily labor was properly rewarded.
If other places also had organizations like the Artisans’ Association, ordinary people’s lives would likely be much better.
Unfortunately, for now, that seemed nothing more than wishful thinking.
The establishment of the Artisans’ Association in Coral Thorn City had only been possible due to guidance from Kyle, that vampire behind the scenes. In other places, nobles, merchant groups, and bureaucrats would never allow such an organization to exist.
O’Brien had once asked Kyle why, when the association had nearly been forced to disband by the nobles some time ago, he had not intervened.
Kyle’s answer was that it was part of experimental data—he wanted to see how far ordinary people could go when pushed to the brink.
However, because of O’Brien’s appearance, along with a series of subsequent unexpected events, the collapse that had once loomed over the Artisans’ Association had instead been overturned, bringing about new vitality.
Perhaps this was simply the unpredictability of life.
Knock knock!
After two brief knocks, the reception room door was pushed open.
President Mario appeared at the doorway with an apologetic smile, followed by the tense Molly and Fuke behind him.
“Apologies, Master Ryan, for keeping you waiting!”