“Th-This is an insane amount of money…”
Kudo had completely underestimated the situation.
The change that came over the shop clerks as soon as Utsuwa appeared had been something of a surprise in itself… But the moment she explained that “these people are from the Forbidden Land and they’re willing to sell some medicine that restores mana,” there was such an uproar, it was like the whole place had been turned upside down.
The store faced the main street, and was evidently in the business of wizard carriages. Utsuwa said she’d been there before when her mother bought her a solo wizard carriage as a gift. She ordinarily rode in it anytime she went out, but this time she’d left it behind when she rushed out after Kudo.
While Utsuwa was explaining all this to Kudo, the shop owner examined one of the mana potions with a skeptical eye.
If the guy has even a passing knowledge of sorcery, it should be clear as day that they’re the real deal.
“…It’s genuine,” the carriage store owner mumbled in blank amazement. “And you’re willing to sell this? To me…?”
“Yeah, but only three of ’em.”
“Three?!”
“Well, I’ve only got four on me. I’d like ta hang onto one just in case, but you can take the others off my hands.”
“W-Wait a moment. You almost make it sound as if…you have more of these somewhere?”
“There’s five thousand on the ship, so it ain’t like we’ve got a bottomless supply, but yeah. I figure the higher-ups are negotiating with the little princess’s mom about that right now, though. If you’re not interested, don’t worry about it. I can try somewhere else.”
“Somewhere else?! You must be joking!” the shopkeeper cried. “Name your price!”
He had his subordinates open the safe straight away, and began piling bundles of paper on the counter in front of Kudo. At first the beastfallen had no idea what they were, but he was informed they represented the currency of the New World. There were coins as well, but for some bizarre reasons these “bills” were much more valuable.
“I got no idea what price to name… Princess, how much do you want?”
“Enough to pay for all the snacks Utsuwa’s ever eaten.”
“Right, you heard her. No idea how much that would be, though.”
The store owner gave him a strange look. “The foodstuffs Lady Utsuwa enjoys are all quite expensive, but even a lifetime’s supply of them would never amount to the value of these medicines. Would you…come with me a moment?”
At his request, Kudo followed the man into the back room. Lily and Utsuwa stayed at the counter, tearing into the treats the shop had provided. One of Lily’s mouse friends burrowed into Kudo’s clothing in her place. Kudo was in awe of how constantly aware she was of her surroundings.
“You said your name was Kudo? I really do intend to compensate you properly. So please… Even if it’s just a small portion of the stock… Couldn’t you find some way to accommodate us?”
The shopkeeper was speaking in hushed tones, almost as if he was proposing something criminal.
“Didn’t you hear me? Our higher-ups are selling that stuff to the little princess’s mother. I’m sure it’ll find its way down to you eventual─”
“It won’t.”
Kudo blinked at him in surprise.
“There are countless wizards here so gravely short of mana that their very lives are in danger. But the Grand Magisters in their towers will monopolize the stock you bring and divide it amongst their disciples. There’s a very good chance they won’t even let us Ignas know this medicine exists.”
There were fox ears atop the shopkeeper’s head.
Ignas, right─that’s what people with beast ears are called here…while the ones with horns are called Exinov, and revered for it.
Most of the people Kudo had seen walking around town were animal-eared Ignas.
But if even a store this big is run by an Ignas, then the Exinov… Shit, they must be so exalted, they don’t hafta work at all. Either way, doesn’t seem like these plebeian Ignas have much faith in the ruling class.
“Ain’t much difference between the Forbidden Land and this New World after all, I guess…” With a bitter grin, Kudo took out all the mana potions he had with him and pushed them into the man’s hands.
“I was lyin’ to you before. I’ve actually got five on me─an’ I’ll sell you all five. Just gimme whatever you think is a fair price.”
And so it was that Kudo found himself in possession of the aforementioned “insane amount of money.”
I don’t wanna hafta carry all this around with me, thought Kudo when he saw the bundles of notes spilling out of the bulging bag. So when the shopkeeper said, “You could even buy a wizard carriage with that much,” Kudo decided to do just that.
It was a two-wheeled vehicle with a luggage rack attached to the side. Its shape reminded Kudo a little of a horse, which ultimately sealed the deal for him.
“You’re supposed to have a license, but…well, anyone can drive these things, and they never tip over. I can’t imagine they’d give someone from the Forbidden Land a hard time for driving without a license anyway.”
“I probably shouldn’t let ’em know where I bought this thing if they do, though…”
“Don’t worry about that. The registration number will lead them here either way.”
“It’s fine! So long as Utsuwa says she wanted it, no one will be able to accuse you of anything!”
“Gotcha… So we just hafta leave the mana potions out of it and say we took this for the princess to ride in.”
“Yes. It needs to be a secret that we paid for it. Oh, to be keeping secrets from Mother…! What a wonderful day this is!”