On guard duty, Chara accompanied Eric, his presence a comforting routine in their shared responsibilities. He noticed Eric's furrowed brow and asked, "Why do you have such a worried face today?"
Eric sighed, glancing at him. "It's Roy. He wants to take up the profession of a merchant."
Chara raised an eyebrow but nodded thoughtfully. "Even if merchants are considered the lowest class by some, many nobles try to curry favor with them because they have wealth and connections. Take Granada, for example. It's called the Merchants' City because it was primarily developed by merchants. It was once a small village that lived on selling fish."
Eric listened intently, absorbing Chara's perspective. "But not everyone in this profession is successful," he said, still hesitant.
Chara smiled, his eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and determination. "True, but it's also about the effort and resourcefulness one puts into it. How about this: let Roy be an apprentice under Waqas, my childhood friend? He's a seasoned trader and could help Roy learn the ropes. Roy could start by doing small trades with nearby villages."
Eric considered this for a moment. "Waqas, huh? I remember you mentioning him before. Do you think he'd be willing to take Roy on?"
Chara nodded. "I believe so. Waqas has always been supportive, and he's done well for himself. He understands the market and has valuable contacts. Plus, starting with small trades would be a safer way for Roy to get his feet wet."
Eric's face softened as he weighed the idea. "Alright, I'll talk to Roy about it. Maybe this way, he can pursue his goals without diving headfirst into danger."
The conversation lightened Eric's mood, and he felt a sense of hope. Later that evening, he sat down with Roy and explained Chara's suggestion.
"I talked to Chara today, and he had an interesting idea," Eric began. "He suggested you could apprentice under his friend Waqas. He's an experienced trader. You could start by doing small trades with nearby villages, learning from him while staying relatively safe."
Roy's eyes lit up with excitement. "That sounds like a great idea, Eric! I'd love to learn from someone experienced and start small."
Eric smiled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "Alright then, let's make arrangements to meet Waqas. But remember, you need to be careful and take things step by step."
With a plan in place, Roy felt more confident and optimistic about his future. The prospect of apprenticing under Waqas provided a path forward that balanced his ambitions with safety. The following days were filled with preparations and anticipation for this new venture, as Roy, Eric, and Chara worked together to ensure a smooth start to Roy's journey into the world of trade.