"Hmm, I'll show you," Eric said, a smirk in his voice. "But won't you show your face to an old friend? It's been five years, after all."
"First you, then me," Alfred replied coolly.
Eric removed his owl mask. His face, weathered by time and experience, still held a certain sharpness—his strong jawline and high cheekbones giving him a regal bearing. Long, silver hair flowed past his shoulders, contrasting sharply with his dark eyebrows. His eyes, a vivid shade of blue, glimmered with wisdom and untold stories. He looked to be in his early forties, carrying the marks of a full life, yet with a youthful energy that refused to fade.
He's quite handsome for his age, Soren thought, quietly impressed.
With a sigh, Alfred pulled down his cloak. His face was just as composed and grounded as always.
"You look the same as ever," Eric remarked.
"You still look like the playboy you used to be," Alfred said dryly.
As the two old friends chuckled and exchanged casual jabs, Soren sat between them, shifting awkwardly in his seat. It's starting to feel weird being the only one still hiding my face, he thought, clutching his cloak a little tighter.
As the two men chatted, Soren, thinking neither of them was paying much attention to him anymore, slowly pulled back his cloak, revealing his face.
Eric glanced his way—and immediately grinned. "He really does look like a little princess."
"Hey, don't tease him too much," Alfred said with a chuckle, though he didn't bother hiding his amusement.
"I am not a princess," Soren said, trying to keep his voice firm and mature. "I would appreciate it if you refrained from calling me that. It's impolite, Mister Eric."
Eric let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha! Such a cute boy. Where'd you find this lad, Alfred?"
"Found him in Duke Alexander's mansion, crying his eyes out and hugging his teddy bear," Alfred said casually.
"Hey! That was confidential information!" Soren protested, his face turning red with embarrassment.
Eric blinked, then turned to Alfred with mock horror. "Wait, you brought the Duke's son here without permission? Are you trying to die? And from the way you describe him, he really does sound like a little princess in disguise."
"I am not! And I was crying because I just found out I'm going to be amputated, understand?" Soren snapped, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "So stop making fun of me."
Eric's expression softened immediately. "Ah… I see. I'm sorry, kid." He turned to Alfred and gave him a sharp jab in the stomach. "And you should've told me earlier. Still heartless as ever, huh?"
Alfred winced slightly but didn't argue.
"So that's why you're here?" Eric asked, his tone now more serious, concern lining his voice as he looked back at Soren.
"Yes, we're looking for an artifact that can work as prosthetics. Can you provide something like that?" Soren asked, his tone now serious.
Eric nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, we can. But it depends on what exactly you're looking for. Do you have any specific needs—or a price limit?"
"What's the highest-ranked artifact you have, and how much would it cost?" Soren asked directly.
"That's not the real issue," Alfred interjected. "The problem is, every artifact comes with a negative effect—a flaw. Making an ideal one that balances power and practicality is tricky. That's why you need to be specific."
Soren gave Alfred a sharp look, the kind that clearly said How am I supposed to know that? I'm new to all this stuff!
"Hmm… let me see," Eric said, reaching toward the white rose on the table.
"I have four at the moment that could be used by you," he continued. "Each one has a different ranking, a different flaw, and a different power."
As he picked up the rose, it shimmered in his hand and transformed into a floating projector. Light bloomed from its center, casting detailed images mid-air—each one depicting a different artifact.
"Hmm, let me see... I have four options available for now," Eric said, lifting the white rose from the table. As he touched it, the gem transformed into a glowing projector that cast an image into the air.
The first projection showed a high-heeled prosthetic leg. The heel was an intricate marvel of golden filigree, swirling like vines and culminating in a sharp, crystalline point. The shoe's body was crafted from clear glass, encasing a vibrant green cylinder glowing with inner light. Small orbs floated within it, pulsing gently. A band of deep purple adorned the top, giving it a regal and arcane feel.
"This is the first one," Eric explained. "It's crafted using characteristics from a Thread 10 wielder of the Hunter Depth. It allows the user to walk on walls, enhances positioning for precise attacks, and can increase your speed tenfold if you feed it with Elixie Olil. It also grants uncanny movement accuracy."
"And the flaw?" Alfred asked, knowingly.
Eric nodded. "It causes severe dizziness after six hours of use and constant drowsiness while wearing it."
Soren blinked, staring at the elegant yet odd design. "Why does it have a heel?"
"That should not be your main concern," Eric said with a smirk.
Eric shifted the projection, and the image changed to reveal a pair of legs wrapped in intricate, artistic designs.
The left leg was a detailed metallic prosthetic, with a lattice-like structure decorated with delicate floral motifs and small red gemstones. Rose patterns and twisting vines made it look almost like a piece of fine jewelry. The right leg appeared natural, its skin adorned with symmetrical tattoos or henna designs—dots, stars, and floral shapes climbing from ankle to knee. Both legs wore elegant metallic high-heeled shoes, encrusted with more gemstones and elaborate patterns, adding to the luxurious and artistic feel. The entire image was set against a solid black background, making every detail stand out sharply.
"These belong to the Verdant Grace Depth," Eric explained. "It's the depth tied to elves and plants. If you wear these in a forest, no one will be able to tell you apart from the trees. And the elves themselves would see you as one of their own—almost like a specimen.
"What's its flaw? And which Thread does it correspond to?" Soren asked, still visibly upset about the heels on this one too.
"It corresponds to Thread 10," Eric replied. "As for the flaw—well, it attracts bees and wasps to you."
The third picture showed prosthetic legs designed with an artistic, ice-like aesthetic. The prosthetics extended from just below the knees down to the feet, featuring a translucent, crystalline structure that resembled shards of ice or glass. The material looked lightweight and reflective, with jagged, feather-like extensions protruding outward, giving the legs a delicate yet striking appearance. The heels were elevated, mimicking high-heeled shoes with sharp, pointed tips that enhanced the ethereal, otherworldly look. The overall design blended functionality with avant-garde fashion, creating a visually stunning and imaginative take on prosthetic limbs.
"Why do they all look like they're made for women?" Soren asked, raising an eyebrow.
Eric smirked. "Because the ones made for men wouldn't fit you, princess."
"Hey, stop teasing me, Mr. Eric!" Soren protested, trying to sound stern but failing.
Alfred chuckled and added, "He's telling the truth, you know. Those wouldn't fit you."
"Ugh, not you too!" Soren groaned, rolling his eyes.
Eric continued, "This one belongs to the Frostbound Veil Depth, Thread 9. It provides cold resistance, makes walking on snow easy, lets you create ice to freeze someone completely, and even converts into skis when you're on ice. Plus, it prevents any cold-environment animals from detecting you. But it does have a big flaw."
"You'll become extremely sensitive to hot weather," Eric explained. "You'll crave ice all day, sweat excessively, and even the smallest taunt will make you feel like crying if you wear it for more than five hours."