Several months have passed since my previous entry.
This was not intentional.
Though admittedly, after everything that happened during the past year, maintaining a consistent writing habit felt considerably less important than remaining sane.
Still.
Operation Blind Mouse has concluded.
Successfully.
Very successfully.
The auction exceeded expectations.
Which means I should probably record the event while the details remain fresh.
The operation itself began several months ago.
Shortly after Yggdra.
Specifically after Miss DeLuna decided she would return to Isla de la Luna and stop traveling entirely.
At the time, I believed her.
In hindsight, that may have been my first mistake.
Shortly after separating from Master Eldar, we began discussing the possibility of a future operation involving Miss DeLuna.
My original proposal was straightforward.
Inform her.
Prepare her.
Train her.
Allow her to understand exactly what role she would play.
Master Eldar disagreed immediately.
According to him:
"Miss DeLuna functions best when she knows nothing."
At the time, I considered this a deeply irresponsible strategy.
Unfortunately, I also suspected he might be correct.
The longer I thought about it, the more difficult it became to argue.
After all, from the moment I met Miss DeLuna nearly a year ago, her behavior consistently suggested someone raised within an Old House.
Not because of status.
Not because of wealth.
Because of instinct.
The way she speaks.
The way she greets people.
The way she interacts with strangers.
The way she assumes certain things are normal.
Most importantly—
the way she remains completely unaware of any of it.
I remember telling Master Eldar there was a possibility she would not return after reaching Isla de la Luna.
The journey had changed her.
The world had changed her.
Perhaps she would simply stay home.
Master Eldar smiled.
Then said:
"Miss DeLuna will return."
No hesitation.
No uncertainty.
Just certainty.
At the time I was unconvinced.
Now I suspect arguing with that man is largely a waste of energy.
According to the plan, the operation officially began the moment rumors regarding a mysterious princess started appearing throughout the continent.
The first rumors reached me shortly after Grimhaven.
From there, I began using express couriers to exchange information with Master Eldar and the caravan.
Updates.
Timelines.
Adjustments.
Preparation.
Costume orders.
Logistics.
Everything needed to ensure certain items arrived exactly where they needed to be.
On time.
Fortunately, the results justified the effort.
Every auction item exceeded expectations.
Even the secondary merchandise performed extremely well.
The assorted "treasures" we acquired from the fifth floor of the Heartspike Catacombs sold out completely through the temporary stall we established.
As expected, Master Stonefist and Master Blackthorn remain frighteningly effective at convincing people to purchase things.
The auction results themselves were equally satisfying.
Everwarm Cloak
Target: 450 Gold Crown
Final: 2,250 Gold Crown
Dustless Lantern
Target: 280 Gold Crown
Final: 920 Gold Crown
Memory Thread
Target: 520 Gold Crown
Final: 2,200 Gold Crown
Self-Sharpening Knife
Target: 320 Gold Crown
Final: 1,500 Gold Crown
Clearwater Pouch
Target: 650 Gold Crown
Final: 3,700 Gold Crown
Silent Step Boots
Target: 750 Gold Crown
Final: 3,000 Gold Crown
Endless Inkwell
Target: 1,200 Gold Crown
Final: 5,000 Gold Crown
Tireless Quill
Target: 380 Gold Crown
Final: 1,500 Gold Crown
Scentless Satchel
Target: 420 Gold Crown
Final: 2,000 Gold Crown
Trueweight Scale
Target: 650 Gold Crown
Final: 3,000 Gold Crown
Reasonable returns for secondary artifacts.
The true centerpieces were always The Eternal Mirror and The Golden Whisper Orb.
Neither artifact possesses particularly impressive capabilities.
That was never the point.
The point was narrative.
The Orb functioned as an entry point.
The Mirror functioned as the destination.
Most people dramatically underestimate how easily rumors influence individuals operating outside trade professions.
Merchants understand value.
Many others simply understand desire.
The difference is expensive.
The total operational cost required to construct and maintain the narrative reached approximately 42,700 Gold Crown.
Acceptable.
Everything proceeded smoothly.
Except for Old Shard.
As always.
Every year the same problem emerges.
He is too honest.
Too direct.
Too stubborn.
This would be disastrous if we had not spent decades learning how to weaponize his honesty.
Fortunately, Master Grim and Master Ironbeard remain exceptionally talented at identifying exactly which emotional buttons to press.
Old Shard never lies.
That is precisely why nobody believes him.
This year worked no differently.
Though admittedly, the presence of Spathian expanded the scale of everything considerably.
The moment people learned a representative of the Resistance was involved, the atmosphere changed.
The Resistance has spent years quietly altering transportation infrastructure, shipping systems, and naval logistics across entire regions.
People pay attention when they appear.
Even when they should not.
There were, however, several developments I did not anticipate.
For example—
I was unaware Master Eldar spoke Quenya.
Apparently Daddy informed him about Miss DeLuna's education and her connection with Prince Elowen.
In retrospect, that explains several things.
It does not explain why Master Eldar continues collecting useful information like some sort of traveling intelligence network disguised as a merchant.
But I have stopped questioning certain habits.
Earlier this evening we finalized profit distributions.
Miss DeLuna received five percent of the revenue generated through items she directly contributed toward.
Predictably, she accepted the money without fully understanding why.
I remain fascinated by her ability to survive while maintaining this level of innocence.
The more I learn about her, the less confident I become that such behavior should be possible.
Old Shard refused payment entirely.
Again.
He accepted only the original appraised values.
Nothing more.
At this point I have abandoned all attempts to correct this behavior.
Some people cannot be negotiated with.
Old Shard is one of them.
Still.
I think he was happy.
Though he would never admit it.
I will end this entry here.
It has been a long time since I last wrote.
And after everything I have experienced during the past year—
I believe this may be the only journal page I have ever written that was not born from stress.
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