Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 397

Chapter 397: Chapter 397 - Taming the Chaos Before War - 10

Hedda’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her neutral expression.

"Farewell? I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Of course you don’t," Vex smiled, but there was something different about that smile. Softer, less calculated. It was the kind of expression that broke through years of careful merchant training, revealing the human being underneath the professional facade.

"Simply an old fool who sees patterns where none exist."

He put the crystals back in their box and slid it toward her across the wooden counter.

"Take them. Same amount as the last transaction and the box at no cost... Buy good armor with the remaining money. Our cute princess lets you have it if you haggle well, right?"

"Master Vex, these are better quality and..." Hedda began, genuinely surprised by the unexpected generosity. In Yino’s culture, such gifts always came with hidden costs or expectations.

"I said, buy armor and forget about it," he repeated firmly. "Consider this... an investment in future transactions."

Hedda looked at the box, then at Vex, seeing for the first time beyond the mask of the cunning merchant. There was something resembling genuine concern in his eyes, carefully hidden but present nonetheless.

The weight of that concern was almost overwhelming. In her world where every interaction was a performance, where every relationship served a calculated purpose, this moment of authentic care felt almost forbidden.

"This will probably be the last time you see me for a while," she finally admitted, her voice softer than it had been all day. "I’m being... reassigned."

Vex nodded as if he had been expecting that confirmation.

"I see. And I suppose this ’reassignment’ doesn’t involve more errands for spoiled princesses."

"Not exactly... It’s a more... frontline position."

Vex disappeared again toward the back room. This time, when he returned, he carried something wrapped in black silk. His movements were deliberate, almost ceremonial, as if he were handling something of great importance.

"Then you’ll want this too," he said, carefully unwrapping a small pendant. It was simple but elegant, a black stone set in silver that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, the kind of work that spoke of master artisans and considerable expense.

"Mana concealment talisman. Very useful for... situations where one prefers not to be noticed when their rank doesn’t exceed silver."

"Master Vex, I can’t accept..."

"You can and you will," he interrupted, with a firmness that brooked no argument. His merchant’s facade had dropped completely, replaced by something that looked almost paternal. "Call it... a bonus for a loyal customer."

He took Hedda’s hand and closed her fingers around the pendant.

"Besides," he added, his voice regaining some of its usual mocking tone, "if you survive whatever awaits you, come back here. I always enjoy working for someone with... difficult and interesting orders."

Hedda felt something strange in her throat. When was the last time someone had shown genuine concern for her? Not concern for her usefulness, or her mission, or her value as an asset, but simple human worry for her wellbeing.

The sensation was so unfamiliar it was almost disorienting.

"Thank you," she said simply, and for once, there was no performance in her voice.

Vex smiled, and this time the smile reached his eyes.

"Now go, before I get too sentimental and ruin my reputation as a ruthless merchant."

As Hedda headed toward the door, Vex called her one last time.

"Hedda?"

"Yes?"

"Do me the favor of staying as far back as possible on that bridge. Keep your head down, but your eyes open. And remember... on the battlefield, sometimes retreat is the smartest victory."