Anna's stall was off to the side from the rest, almost tucked away like a secret shop. A person would have to be actively looking for it between everything else to find it.

Which explained why I couldn't see it from just casually looking around earlier.

It didn't help that the stall itself was actually part of a wagon that opened up, leaving the inside covered in shadows.

No wonder why Anna was called the Secret Seller… Though I guess that made sense considering how valuable her wares were.

Anna let go of me after arriving in front of the stall and then stormed inside the wagon.

I paused, wondering if I should follow or not.

Loud clanging, thuds, and crashing echoed from inside the wagon, along with brief cursing.

…Maybe it was best for me to just stick around outside for a bit.

After a while, Anna reappeared from the shadows of her secret shop carrying a pile of books. She slammed them against the countertop and then glared at me. "You."

"…Me?"

She kept glaring for a while and then sighed, slumping over her countertop. "Never mind. I suppose I can't blame you too much. You've been busy too, I guess."

"Hm?"

Anna shook her head and straightened. "I suppose we should get introductions out of the way first." She put a bright smile on her face and held out her hand. "Name's Anna! I'm a merchant who slings wares all across Fodlan… and beyond!"

I grabbed her hand. "Byleth Eisner. Recently hired Professor at Garreg Mach Monastery… and the one that you requested to help on your latest venture, I believe?"

Anna shook my hand and then tilted her head. "Huh. You're a lot nicer than my intel says…"

"Intel, huh?" I let go of her hand and then crossed my arms. "Well, you can't believe everything you hear."

The red-headed merchant nodded. "Mmhm. Must've forgot about that in all the rush." She sighed and then looked at me again. "Well, should we get down to business? …Ah, this will probably be a while so… Hm. Well, someone that works at Garreg Mach should be trustworthy… here." She walked over to the side and opened up the door leading insider her shop.

I blinked and said, "Are you sure you want to let me inside?"

Anna huffed. "What do you take me for? I might like profits but for a merchant, trust is more valuable than gold. And I'm sure that's the same for you as a Professor, right? So stop standing around and get in here already."

Seeing that she wasn't going to budge, I decided to humor her and walk inside. As I did though, I glanced around at her wares.

Anna pulled out a chair and placed it across from her own seat. As she did, she noticed me looking and smiled. "See something you like?"

"A lot of things."

An entire shelf of magical rings. A rack of silver shields and a Hexlock shield propped in the center. A box full of Master Seals, another filled various items that emitted shocking amounts of pure mana.

I shook my head as I sat down on the chair and said, "I might frequent your shop more often if those are your normal wares… granted I'm a bit restricted by my salary, but maybe when payday comes."

Anna laughed, "Well I'll be looking forward to it then, Professor! Now… about the mission."

It seemed like pleasantries were done now. I nodded and focused on her.

"To begin with…" She looked at me and said, "How many students will be coming with us? I know that Captain Jeralt will be there, but are the knights coming too?"

I paused, considering that for a moment. "Well, I don't think any knights will be coming along since they're all busy…"

After all, if that wasn't the case then Rhea would have sent them instead.

"…As for students, it will be just my main core. The officers, I mean, so… ten?"

Anna frowned. "That's not a lot."

I nodded. "True. But out of everyone, they're the only ones combat ready."

The cadet students were doing well, but most of them couldn't even pass the basic conditioning regime without fainting at the end.

Considering how that was standard for our mercenary troop and that we hadn't lost any people once it had been implemented, I really didn't want to risk any lives if I didn't have to. Not to mention that using the Divine Pulse on something that could be prevented otherwise would be a waste… and a tip off to our foes.

Anna sighed. "Well, I suppose it's better than nothing."

"How many were you expecting?"

Anna leaned back and said, "Well that Pallardo guy said he'd bring a small caravan and supply the wagons. Considering that… hm, I'd say no less than twenty?"

"Twenty, huh?"

Knowing my luck and how things had been unfolding, that number would probably grow… Ah.

I looked to Anna and said, "What are we doing anyway? I know that you requested us for a business venture, but I haven't been informed yet."

Anna rolled her eyes and said, "Maybe if you had talked with me earlier, you would have found out already."

I gave her a blank stare.

Anna shook her head and said, "Argh, whatever." She picked up one of her book and placed it in front of me, opening it. "I've found some notes rummaging around a recent purchase mentioning ancient ruins predating the Adrestrian Empire."

"Ancient ruins, hm?" I glanced down at the book to skim what it said.

Four apostles, an ancient treasure, and… the goddess?

I frowned and looked back up at Anna.

She smiled and said, "Interesting, isn't it? I can already feel the gold coins pouring in once we get this information out!"

I placed my hand on my chin. "No wonder Seteth said this was important."

"Hm?"

I lowered my hand and shook my head. "Nothing." At least, nothing I could say out loud to Anna. I had my suspicions about what this was about… but I couldn't say anything quite yet.

"Well anyway, the reason why I wanted to hire you guys was because of that other guy. He seems somewhat reliable since he frequents the monastery, but it's always good to bring some insurance along, you see?"

I nodded. "And it'd be hard for them to pressure you if you had Knights of Seiros escorting you."

Anna smile. "Quick on the uptake! I like that. Much better than some dull nobles I have to deal with."

"I try. But anyway, where exactly is this ancient ruin and when are we leaving? Also, what exactly do you expect us to do?"

"In order," Anna said, "Near a forest at the edge of Enbarr, the nineteenth, and escort me while keeping an eye on that Pallardo guy."

Enbarr, huh? It really seemed like Fate was trying to pull all the houses away… Claude was probably right about needing to be careful. Also, the nineteenth… that gave me a little over two weeks to prepare.

Anna continued. "If all goes well, we can split the profits fifty-fifty!" She paused and said, "Well I guess for you it'd be more like a quarter since the church would take the other part. I hope you don't mind?"

I shook my head. "I'd have to take my students on a mission regardless, so the fact that we're doing this is actually a plus for me."

"Great!" Anna smiled and held out her hand. "To a pleasant cooperation!"

I blinked and then shook her hand. "To a pleasant cooperation."

Anna finished the handshake and then leaned back to stretch, letting out a long sigh. "Finally, that's out of the way."

I raised an eyebrow. "Was it that stressful?"

Anna frowned and crossed her arms. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to find people on such short notice for something like this? Especially qualified help?"

I paused and then remembered that my dad liked to have a month's preparation for requests like Anna's and then nodded. "You have a point."

"I was really stressed out, you know? I'd be losing out on a lot if I just let this go and that Pallardo guy already found out about it too!"

"Pallardo…" I frowned and said, "You keep mentioning that guy. Is he someone important?"

Anna frowned. "Hm? Don't you- Ah, you probably haven't met him yet if you haven't even met me." She placed a finger on her chin and said, "Hm… well, he's a bit of a weird guy with a funny hair cut? Like what a noble might have but funnier. Brown hair, green eyes… Kinda shady?"

An image flickered in my mind. A memory not from when I played the game, but from an actual battle.

A rough bandit, making off with stolen goods from the dormitories. Teleportation magic. Running away like a coward… and stealing the gifts that I gave my students.

"Ah. Pallardo." I narrowed my eyes. "That guy."

Anna blinked and then her face grew serious. "You know something, Professor?"

"…Let's just say that it'll be good to stay on our toes." I wasn't sure if it was the same person… after all, I didn't remember going on this mission in either of my memories. However, if it was and knowing how everything was going off the rails, it was better safe than sorry.

She nodded. "I'll remember to keep that in mind."

I shook my head. "Sorry to place more stress on your plate."

Anna stretched and said, "It's fine. A merchant's gotta get used to these kinds of things." She paused and said, "But sorry about dragging you away earlier. I usually keep a cooler head, promise." She frowned. "It's just… I've been arguing back and forth with that guy the past few days about whether I'd actually be bringing people along and…"

I shrugged. "It's fine. Stress is stress."

Anna sighed. "I'm glad. I don't know how I'd face my sisters if they heard I messed up such a big deal… You have no idea how much I've invested coming all the way to Fodlan."

I nodded, but made sure to keep a straight face.

It was possible Anna just meant coming from outside of Fodlan like to Almyra and the other countries, but considering her role in the other games… Well, I didn't want to risk the chance that she might know or be involved in the Outrealms.

If Anna was and the Agarthans caught wind of that… Well, things would get complicated.

I'd rather not let it get that way, so I made sure to keep calm.

"Well," Anna said. "Time is money and I've spent a lot of it already… Not to mention that business has been a bit slow lately." She stood up and said, "Now, I don't want to come across as rude, but would you kindly leave? Ah, unless you've got some other business with me."

I paused, remembering the other reason I came to meet Anna and said, "You wouldn't happen to sell coffee beans by any chance, would you?"

Anna huffed. "Do I sell coffee beans, you ask? The better question would be…" She moved to the side and dragged out a wooden chest, stuffed to the brim with familiar dark beans. "How much do you want?"

"Well…"


Anna grabbed my right hand with both of hers and gave it a firm shake with a bright smile on her face. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Professor! If you've got any other requests, by all means send them my way! Especially if you've got any more of those gems to sell!"

I nodded. "I'll definitely remember that. On a side note, we need to have tea sometime." I picked up the bags of coffee beans I'd bought and tucked them under my arms.

"Here, let me show you out." Anna walked over to the door and opened it, holding it for me on the outside.

I nodded at her and walked through.

"By the way," Anna said. "You and Blacksmith were working on something when I grabbed you, right? Are you in need of any weapons? Because I've got a bunch if you are."

I paused, considering it for a moment, and then said, "Send me a flyer with your stock when you've got the chance. I'll take a look and get back to you on that."

"It's a deal!"

"Good." I nodded and said, "Then I'll be off."

"Wait."

"Hm?" I turned around to look at Anna.

The red-headed merchant stared at me, a finger on her chin. She frowned, as if concentrating and said, "I didn't want to point it out earlier… but there's something odd about you. My merchant senses are saying that you've got a big secret, one that could lead to fortune if you use it right."

I coughed and averted my gaze. "Yeah, well… We can talk about that after the mission over tea or something."

Anna gasped. "Why Professor! Are you flirting with me? I might sell a lot of things, but I'm not for sale!" She paused and then said, "…Well, if you have anything else like those colored diamonds lying around, it might be negotiable."

I immediately placed my bags down and crossed my arms. "Nope. Not happening."

The fact that I was already engaged to Delly and was fending off Dorothea's romantic advances already aside, getting romantically involved with Anna… any Anna considering my true nature was bound to end in a huge mess.

I already had a lot on my plate, so I definitely didn't want to mess with that chaos.

Anna laughed. "Just teasing you, Professor." She leaned against the side of her shop and said, "You've got such a stern face that I couldn't help it."

I picked up my coffee again and said, "Yeah, well I'd like for you not to try that again. I might take my business elsewhere if you do."

Anna dropped her cheerful expression and looked a bit panicked. "Hey! Don't go threatening a girl's source of income like that! What am I going to do if word gets out that I got blacklisted by a professor at Garreg Mach?!"

I rolled my eyes. "Then don't go around messing with people. Golden rule and all, you know? Treat people like how you want to be treated." I paused. "But you're right about that. Sorry. Didn't mean to make you panic."

Anna let out a sigh. "Guess I deserved that…"

I glanced up at the sky and said, "Anyway, I should get going. Time is… well, not money for me, but very limited regardless."

Anna nodded. "Alright, Professor. See you around then… Ah, but I am interested in tea. If you're serious about working with me, I have a few other business ventures I want to pass your way."

"I'll keep that in mind." With that, I headed on my way back to the monastery… or so I planned. Before I did though, I went to check on Blacksmith to see the progress on her mystery weapon.


Author's Notes:

Had to make arrangements to get ready for IRL things last week... and then Cindered Shadows dropped. Let's just say I was a bit busy.

The next chapter will be coming out tomorrow. I'm a hundred percent sure that things are squared away now, so I can finally get back to the usual update pace.

Thanks for reading and leaving your input! It keeps me inspired to keep writing, so I always really appreciate it.

See you tomorrow! Specifically, within 24 hours!