Lucen was quite surprised to meet Aldric Marren, the very same merchant who, in the game, would somehow always appear in dungeons, uncharted ruins, or the middle of nowhere, just in time to sell the protagonist group some wares.
In the game, Aldric had always been a walking mystery, an unassuming merchant who somehow knew exactly when and where the protagonist needed supplies. A crumbling dungeon? He’d be there with lanterns and antidotes. A bandit ambush in a snowy pass? Aldric would already have a small fire going and tea brewing like he’d booked a reservation.
Lucen used to laugh about it with other players online. They’d joke that Aldric must’ve been the real final boss or an unpatched bug with a quest marker stuck to him. He was a meme, a legend, and somehow, also a beloved NPC.
Now, seeing him here, real and breathing, Lucen was both amused and unsettled. There was no explanation for how he survived those places. Unless sheer luck was a stat, and if so, Aldric had maxed it out.
’In-game, his appearing anywhere the protagonist was, especially before a big battle, made sense, but in reality, I’m starting to question how he did it... This guy wasn’t some powerful knight or a great mage... Then how?... No use thinking about it.’
Lucen’s thoughts drifted again when he realized something else. Aside from Aldric, he’d already met several named characters from the game.
This was surprising since Lucen had never stepped foot in Caelhart, where most of Alexander’s story took place.
Yet even here in the North, he was already crossing paths with characters who had roles in the game’s main storyline.
’Well, these guys should originally be from the North, so I guess bumping into them would have been a matter of time.’
Their presence, like pieces scattered too early on a chessboard, was both exciting and deeply concerning.
It meant that they were moving in ways he couldn’t predict, which means the enemies and bosses were also going to move in a way that is not the same as the game.
Some enemies in the game only turned hostile because of specific events. If those haven’t happened yet... Then maybe, just maybe, some of them are still neutral.
Those were Lucen’s thoughts as he told the carpenters about making several territory war boards and pieces.
They were reluctant at first. Sure, they found Territory War fun to play, but making it was another matter entirely.
That reluctance quickly changed the moment Lucen mentioned they’d be paid a bit more than usual. This motivated them to start working.
’I guess everyone just loves money. It’s the same in this life as it was in my past life... What did they say back then, money might not be able to buy happiness, but it can rent you paradise.’
Lucen was reminded of that quote he had heard from a show he had watched back in his past life. As he stepped out of the workshop, he met one of the patrolling knights.
"Young master, the lord has been looking for you. He said that you need to head to his study at once."
Lucen, who was planning to eat after this, sighed when he heard that his father had summoned him.
’Of course he did...’
Lucen, who had just been here this morning, having a heartfelt conversation with his father, was back again near evening.
"Sir, you called for me?"
Vardon didn’t speak at first. His ink-stained fingers paused mid-sentence as he finished writing something with deliberate strokes. Only then did he raise his gaze, and Lucen felt the full weight of his father’s eyes, calm, unreadable, the kind of gaze that had once made barbarian chieftains hesitate mid-charge.
The fire crackled gently in the corner, but the study itself felt cold. Steel armor stood polished on a mannequin by the wall, and a sword rested above the mantle, its presence more of a warning than a decoration.
"It seems you have been busy the second we finished our conversation. To think that you were able to create something ."
Vardon then showed that he had the game of territory war on his table.
"I heard about it from Robert," Vardon said, his voice neutral but tinged with amusement. "He came here to challenge me. At first, I thought it was something formal, perhaps a duel... but no, it turns out he just wanted to play a game."
Vardon placed a piece on the board with a light clack, his expression thoughtful.
"A curious game you’ve created. Territory War, was it? A contest of area and control. Simple at first glance, but deceptively deep. The one who dominates the board wins."
He gestured to the set more closely.
"I had the carpenters make me one. They even added your Thornefang insignia. I can already guess what you intend... But I want to hear it from you, son. What do you plan to do with this?"
"Earlier today, you said that I need a coin to make Dorsen into what I want it to be. This is my way to get that coin," Lucen answered.
"As expected, so how do you plan to sell these? Are you going to use a big merchant group, or do you want my help in introducing you to the ones who usually buy our monster parts?"
"I already have a merchant in mind to sell my game. He’s a travelling merchant who seems to have just started, but I think he has good instincts."
"A new merchant without any backing?"
"I know that it might seem foolish to have someone like him sell my game, but I have a good feeling about him. He also feels like quite the lucky person, so I’m willing to bet on him."
"... You may do as you wish, since this is your game that you wish to sell... Still, I must warn you that a traveling merchant might have some difficulties later if your game spreads as intended."
"What do you mean, Father?"
"We as knights and nobles do battle both on the battlefield with sword at hand, and in the court with words. On the other hand, merchants fight for resources. An emerging merchant will have to face some of the big merchant groups eventually, but worst of all, he might catch the eye of the merchant Edrim Lysark."
Hearing that name from his father’s mouth caught Lucen off guard.
’Edrim Lysark, the merchant of death, the boss of Chapter 2 in the game. To think I would hear the name of another named character in the game...’
Unaware of Lucen’s thoughts, Vardon continued speaking.
"Edrim is a dangerous individual who seems to have the backing of one of the royals. He is known as a merchant who would do anything to get what he wants. From kidnapping to killing competitors. Of course, there is no proof of this, and even if there were, the royal backing them would make it disappear."
"Is he really that powerful?" Lucen asked, feigning curiosity.
Vardon leaned back in his chair. "Powerful? No. But dangerous? Without a doubt. He doesn’t fight with swords or spells. He fights with influence, with coin, and he knows how to use both. Spies and assassins are his usual partners."
Lucen already knew all this, since the current Edrim was no different from the one he saw in the game.
"He might seem like a merchant, but don’t let that fool you. He operates like a warlord with paperwork instead of weapons. If he sees your game as competition, he won’t play fair."
"I understand, Father. I will warn Aldric about that."
"That’s it, are you not going to do anything?" Vardon asked curiously.
"Not at all, I will let Aldric do what he thinks he needs to do."
"Do you trust that merchant you just met today?"
Lucen didn’t answer right away. He thought back to the way Aldric had smiled earlier, unbothered by frost, unfazed by risk. The man treated danger like a polite inconvenience.
"I trust his luck," Lucen said, then added with a wry smile. "I already told you, Father, I feel that the person has incredible optimism, wit, and luck. A good combination for a merchant."
Lucen answered with confidence. Even though he was surprised to hear the name of the second Chapter’s boss this early, he wasn’t that concerned.
Even in the game, Edrim found Aldric an eyesore, but was unable to do much to the other party.
’If he survived Edrim’s schemes in the game, then he’ll survive them here too. Events may change, but people remain the same. He’s still Aldric Marren, the merchant mad enough to set up shop in a collapsing ruin and walk out richer than before.’
Of course, Lucen wasn’t just going to leave everything to luck. He was already making plans for what to do, just in case Edrim decided to interfere and take it too far.
Vardon remained silent for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Then let us see how far that merchant... And your game... Can go."
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