"Alright. Let's get this over with."
Paul flashed his pendant at the guards stationed outside the merchant guild's front gate. They gave a nod, letting him pass. As he entered the grand hall, muffled whispers trickled toward him from his so-called colleagues. Their hushed tones weren't exactly subtle, and Paul didn't care to indulge in the idle gossip of old men.
A second set of guards opened the door leading to the meeting chamber. Inside, only about twenty of the fifty invited members were present. Most merchants didn't bother with these private reunions—typically little more than stock talk or market chatter. But today felt different.
"I made it very clear that a gosti was coming. All the signs were there."
Paul had been named an informant weeks ago. That alone had tipped him off—something big was coming. He'd tried getting more out of his superior, but the man had acted like revealing any more would cost him his life.
"It looked like he was going to puke from the stress."
Paul settled into his seat—the farthest from the stage, of course. Not a surprise. Of all the merchants, he was the least wealthy.
He sighed, leaning back, propping his feet up on the empty chair ahead of him."Might as well relax before the show starts. Wish they'd hurry up. I need to get back to my daughter."
He'd debated even coming. His daughter was sick, frail. Leaving her had been hard, but his wife insisted they'd manage. Still, something about the sudden meeting stirred his curiosity.
A mid-season assembly with the wealthiest of the guild?"Could it be some sort of underground bidding war?" he murmured. "Nah… too clean for that."
The merchant guild had only been around for less than a decade, yet it already worked hand-in-hand with the kingdom's political machinery. A secretive bid would be wildly out of character—officially, anyway.
"Well, look who it is. Our dear friend Paul."
Paul turned, already regretting it. "Oh. Great. Dumb, Dumber, and Dumbest."
"Careful with that mouth," one sneered.
"Remember your place, low rank."
"Hmph, hmph."
Richy, Dicky, and Chatty strutted over, smug as ever. Paul didn't bother hiding his disdain.
"Can you beat it? I'm trying to enjoy a little peace before the circus starts."
Richy scoffed, pushing Paul's feet off the chair. "You won't see much anyway. Might as well stay quiet and let the real players work."
Paul smirked. "Just 'cause you got here a few months before me doesn't make you better. I made twice your yearly profit this month. Honestly, you should be the one sitting behind me. Let's see what you say after this year's review."
Richy's face darkened. "Why, you—"
"—Settle down, everyone. We're about to begin."
At the podium stood a man in a green robe, gray hair flowing to his torso, white beard perfectly groomed. His crow's feet deepened as he adjusted his glasses and scanned the room.
"A shame so few of you who were summoned actually came. The young should learn to show up if they want to thrive. Still, it speaks volumes about those of you who are here. I have high hopes."
He paused, then waved a hand.
"You weren't called to hear an old man rant. But to understand what's ahead, I must speak briefly on our history."
"Hmph, hmph."
"You're right, Chatty. If the guild master's talking, this'll take all night," Dicky muttered. "Should've stayed home."
"Shut it," Richy snapped. "I'm trying to listen."
Dicky raised a brow. "You? Actually interested?"
Richy nodded slowly. "Patience. I've got a feeling they're building up to something big."
Paul rolled his eyes, but deep down, he agreed.
"This guild was founded unlike most. Usually, a guild forms for mutual aid, product standards, fair trade practices. But this guild... it was made for something else entirely: to bring noble families together. One district. One purpose."
Uncomfortable murmurs broke out. While everyone in the room was noble in some form, that didn't mean they were equals. Wealth and rank still divided them.
"Like it or not, you're all nobles. And despite your political differences, I brought you here for unity. That is this guild's true purpose."
A man stood, visibly annoyed. "Bringing noble families together isn't a simple task. What lengths did you go to make that happen?"
"The answer," the guild master said, turning, "will be given by our special guest."
He stepped aside. A woman in a dark robe approached the podium. Hooded, her face was hidden, but her hands were delicate, adorned with pearls. She touched the wood lightly, took a breath, then spoke.
"Thank you for being here tonight. I wish the circumstances were better. Time, however, is not on our side."
She turned to the man who had questioned the guild master.
"You asked what drove this unity. The answer is simple. You all belong to the kingdom's most influential families. This was not planned for our time, but fate has rushed our hand. We need your help—urgently."
A woman stood. "Can we skip the buildup? We've heard nothing but vague warnings and history. What's actually happening?"
The woman raised her head. Though her face remained hidden, her voice was clear.
"What's happening… is the end of the world as we know it."
Silence.
"The end of the world," Dicky whispered.
"Hmph, hmph."
"This is bad," Richy muttered.
"There it is," Paul said. "That's the bomb."
Murmurs erupted. Shock turned to panic.
The guild master raised his hand. "Calm yourselves. The session isn't over."
"How do you expect us to accept this? A stranger walks in and announces the apocalypse?"
"This is absurd!"
For the first time, Paul saw the guild master's calm crack.
"Silence! How dare you—"
"It's alright, Gandorf." The woman raised a hand. "They don't know who I am. Their reaction is expected."
The guild master took a step back. She now held the room.
"I know you have questions. I'll answer what I can. But let's keep it civil."
A noble raised his hand. "How do you know the world is ending?"
"I've seen the signs. The future is heading toward disaster. We must act now."
"Then where are the knights of Heratia?"
"They're away, tied up in the south. Spread too thin."
"Then what of the adventurers?"
"We've reached out. They won't move without funding. That's why I'm here. The kingdom needs its nobles."
She answered each challenge with poise and authority. Paul couldn't help but be impressed. She had the room in the palm of her hand.
Still, there was one question lingering.
"This is madness! Who even are you?"
The woman sighed. "Then so be it. I hadn't intended to reveal myself yet, but I see now that transparency is needed."
She raised her hands to her hood. Slowly, she pulled it back. Gasps echoed across the chamber. All motion stopped. The nobles stood, stunned, breath caught in their throats. Then, as one, they dropped to their knees.
For standing before them, regal and composed, was their queen.