Piltover's cable car district didn't have many skyscrapers; a four-story villa was already the tallest building. Sitting in the rickshaw, Durin gazed at the towering commercial buildings in other districts in the distance, which seemed to obscure the sky.
A sense of oppression and groundedness coexisted in Piltover, the City of Progress.
The people here enjoyed the blessings of modern technology, yet lived a leisurely life akin to the Middle Ages, with the Piltover Guard ensuring a certain order, a stark contrast to the atmosphere on Zaun's streets.
But Piltover's current prosperity and brilliance were not achieved by sacrificing Zaun's environment.
After approximately twenty minutes, the rickshaw finally arrived at Hundred Wine Street. After paying the fare, Durin walked to the tavern with a bull skull hanging above its entrance.
As he pushed the door open, the wind chimes on the doorframe chimed with a crisp, pleasant sound.
Aqii, who was lounging idly at the counter, was playing with a shimmering gold coin, flicking it back and forth between her fingers.
Upon hearing the wind chimes, she didn't even lift her head, merely repeating the welcome message in a somewhat stiff voice: "Good morning, would you like a drink? Although it's not yet noon, if you wish to dine, you can order now."
"Ms. Aqii, could you please help me contact Butler Wes of the Spencer Family?" Durin said proactively, "And while you're at it, I'll have a glass of kumquat wine and two liang of walrus meat."
As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur came from nearby.
"Isn't that a drink for women?!"
This was followed by a suppressed burst of laughter.
Kumquat wine is made from small kumquats, not much larger than cherries. It is known for its sweet and crisp taste, and rich, enchanting aroma. Because its alcohol content is very low and it's not easy to get drunk, it's generally a favorite drink among ladies.
Durin instinctively wanted to turn around and see which idiot had said such a foolish thing.
However, Aqii, the sharp-witted boss behind the bar, instantly looked up. Upon seeing that the speaker was Durin, she immediately shouted loudly at the mercenaries, "Shut up! You bastards, one glass of this is worth several bottles of your stuff! If you've got the guts, buy the most expensive bottles of liquor on my shelf, then you can call yourselves men… And open your dog eyes, he's not someone you can joke with, this is a mage! A legitimate mage studying at Piltover University!"
As she spoke, her pair of fluffy rabbit ears on top of her head instantly stood erect, and her ruby-like eyes widened immensely.
Her shout instantly stiffened the expressions of the mercenaries waiting for work. They lowered their heads somewhat awkwardly, and some even deliberately pulled down the brims of their hats, silently standing up and keeping their distance from them.
After all, they were just ordinary mercenaries, with little ability but big spenders, each living for the moment.
In front of a legitimate mage educated at Piltover University, they weren't even fit to carry his shoes.
A single glass of kumquat wine cost 15 copper circle coins, enough for them to drink cheap ale for a whole week.
Durin then gently raised the small glass goblet, less than three liang in capacity, specifically used for expensive spirits, and took a sip of the pale golden liquid. The sweet and slightly tart aroma of kumquat brightened his mood.
Placing 35 copper circle coins on the bar, Durin said, "Help me tell Butler Wes of the Spencer Family: I have what he wants in my hands, and he should meet me at Hundred Wine Street. Um… and don't forget the payment he promised me before. Of course, if he brings anyone else with him to meet me, I guarantee he'll never see the item again in his life."
Aqii raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.
She picked up a handful of copper circle coins from the counter. Although she had doubts, she knew the broker's principle: do not ask the employer too many questions.
Then, she swayed her hips and walked towards a small room, but it was the round, fluffy short tail growing on her Hips that attracted the attention of the mercenaries in the tavern. After staying inside for a while, she lifted the curtain again and returned to the counter, nodding at Durin.
Her red eyes rolled dramatically, and then Aqii's face broke into a brilliant smile as she eagerly asked, "Mr. Durin, are you still interested in taking on commissions recently? I have quite a few well-paid tasks here that are very suitable for your current status."
She instinctively leaned her upper body forward, and Durin turned his head, looking with extraordinary vision to see the soft, pale snow peaks wrapped beneath her clothes.
"Hmm... I am interested, but I just finished a commission and I'm quite tired. Let me rest for a while, and we can talk about it in a few days!" Durin mused, then replied.
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