🎀 Wisteria 🎀

- It depends on the nature of the challenges he faces, Your Majesty. You are absolutely right that many of our members follow the path of a warrior, and they would be very happy if they could fight for a just cause - but! - the merchant raised his finger and paused dramatically. - Not for some ephemeral ideals of past centuries and millennia, many of which were due to the peculiarities of local cultures and are not very applicable to current realities, but for actual, meaningful, rational, material, and sensory ones. Modern problems require modern solutions, and in the young, dynamically developing, and full of potential Airisufir, I personally believe there is a certain demand for them. Of course, maintaining the organization's functionality also requires certain costs, - Raphael sighed. - Therefore, the ideal scenario would be if all paths coincided. A talented person, whose potential is wasted by the need to earn a few coins to avoid starving, is a loss for society, the universe, and, most importantly, for the country. But, unfortunately, besides me, no one in our organization is concerned with such issues...
He gestured and changed his tone of voice, shifting the attention to the next point.
- In addition to the direct combat focus, there are a couple of decent mages and several members with a humanitarian mindset in our ranks - natural sciences, history, and archeology, just a little, taking into account the specifics of the training programs in the places where they received their education. And finally, your humble servant - I myself come from a merchant family, but my heart lies in art, and specifically - in painting. To be honest... - Raphael looked down embarrassed. - My heart has been yearning all this time to try to capture Your Majesty on canvas, if you would grant me that permission...
He bowed respectfully, and with an effort of will, he forced himself to blush.
- Ah yes! - he exclaimed dramatically. - And here's another thing. Mentioning my own merchant origins, I forgot to add that I am in charge of a modest jewelry business in my homeland, and I brought with me a selection of the finest jewelry for sale. Unfortunately, I have never seen Your Majesty in person until today, so I could not select a piece that would perfectly match your preferred attire, hairstyle, or eye color, but nevertheless, I would very much like to present it to you as a gift.
He took out an exquisite case from his clothes, containing a luxurious necklace, the best in his collection, and raised it on outstretched hands, waiting for one of the servants or guards to take it.