"Ian, long time no see!"
Ian looked at Audrey standing before him.
Blonde-haired, blue-eyed, with a slender, graceful figure.
Today, she wore a pale golden gown, her bearing extraordinary, like an elf.
"I'm truly sorry. I was away for the past two months, and only saw your message after I returned. Let's go inside and talk."
Audrey's face was full of apology.
Ian nodded.
He surveyed the surroundings.
This was a tavern in the central district of the fifth level, and nearly everyone coming and going was a Third-Rank Wizard Apprentice.
The moment they entered, the tavern manager swiftly came up to them.
Looking at Audrey, he said, "Miss Audrey, the room you reserved has been vacated. I'll take you there."
Audrey nodded.
As though she was accustomed to it.
Watching this from the side, Ian was somewhat surprised.
He knew Audrey came from a family in the City of Elements, but now it seemed her background was anything but ordinary.
Very soon, the two arrived at a room.
The wine cabinet, the high-grade alchemical lamps, even the carpets and sofas all gave off a faint first-ring aura. They seemed to have been made with the fur of first-ring Magic Beasts.
Everything here seemed to indicate that this was no ordinary place—and that Audrey's identity was far from simple.
The two sat down.
Before long, Ian learned about Audrey's background as well.
It turned out that she belonged to the Pierce Family, and the Pierce Chamber of Commerce they operated was one of the best-developed chambers of commerce on the fourth level of the City of Elements.
Their business involved the flow of goods between the City of Elements and other regions. In particular, they had a hand in large-scale trade across the last three levels.
As for Audrey, she