That being said, the weapons in the store were all obviously high-quality. Swords were what I had the most knowledge about, but even I could tell that the other weapons lined up on the shelves were worth the hefty price tags. It was fun just to look at them all.
Once I’d finished perusing all of the weapons and armor in the store, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. After a moment of standing around, I decided to take a look at the next most interesting category of items: books.
I’d learned reading and writing at a young age—just like sword fighting—so I’d read a fair number of books over the years. You might even say I was a bit of a bookworm. Growing up, I’d read my favorite books of heroic legends over and over again.
As I scanned the shelves for any interesting titles, an autobiography caught my attention: The Travel Diaries of Otto the Botanist.
I’d never heard of “Otto the Botanist” before, nor did I have much interest in books on botany...but for some reason, I couldn’t tear my gaze away from it.
If it’s reasonably priced, maybe I’ll buy it, I thought. But when I picked it up to check how much it cost, I had to do a double take. It was selling for three gold coins—the same price as the sword I’d been eyeing earlier.
I could understand why old books might fetch a hefty sum, since they were likely to be rare and mostly out of circulation, but still...three whole gold coins was a lot to ask for.
I had no chance of affording it, which kind of defeated the purpose of picking it up in the first place, but seeing just how expensive it was actually only piqued my interest even more.
“You can read?” came a voice from behind me.
I startled, turning to see that it was Hester who’d asked the question. I’d been so engrossed in thinking about the book that I hadn’t noticed her standing right there behind me at all.
As I chastised myself internally for letting my guard down like that, I replied, “Yeah. I learned when I was young. Can’t you?”
“No. Um, hey...” she said, as if preparing to ask me something. Then, after a long pause, she seemed to change her mind. “Actually, never mind. It’s nothing.”
And just like that, she wandered off.
I was curious what she’d been about to say, but not enough to chase after her and press the issue. So, I pulled myself together and returned my attention to the book I was holding.
It was neatly sealed, so I couldn’t even take a peek at what was inside. From the text on the exterior, all I could glean was that it was the autobiography of a botanist named Otto.
I was really intrigued, but when I thought about what money I had on hand, I knew purchasing it would be out of the question.
Maybe I’ll ask Lugentz about it later, if there’s time, I thought.
Just as I was privately resigning myself to the idea that I might have to give up on it, Lugentz called me over. He’d apparently just finished appraising the items I’d brought in.
“Appreciate your patience. I’m all done here, so if you’re satisfied with the appraisal stamps, then I’d be happy to buy these from you.”
Appraisal stamps...?
Each of the items I’d brought in now had pieces of paper bearing various stamps affixed to them, but I had no idea what those stamps meant in terms of valuations. It would’ve probably been obvious to someone who regularly sold goods, but I didn’t have a clue.
“So, do these stamps represent the appraisal values?” I asked. “Sorry, but I’m not sure what they mean.”
“Oh? Well, my apologies. I’ll just give you a verbal appraisal, then. Let’s start with the accessories. These earrings are worth two silver coins, and the ring is worth four. I’ll pay three gold coins for the necklace.”
“Three gold?!” I exclaimed.
“Because of the inlaid sapphires. They’re small, but still quite valuable.”
I was shocked that the accessories were worth so much. My heart started racing as it dawned on me that they must have been my mom’s prized possessions.
But then I remembered how she’d always showered Claus with love and affection, never sparing me even so much as a glance, and how after the ceremony when Claus became the next Sparring heir, no one had been more overjoyed than her.
When I thought back to how Claus had tried to kill me (and had almost succeeded), an anger swelled up inside of me that quelled any guilt.
“Three gold coins?! That’s insane! Over all these years, I’ve only ever seen something valued that high once!”
“Now, now, Ralph. Good boys don’t eavesdrop.”
“Hey, it’s hard not to overhear when he’s literally yelling the price, okay?” Ralph protested. Then, turning to me, he asked, “So, is your family, like, crazy rich?”
“How many times do I have to tell you not to butt in when I’m in the middle of a negotiation? Save it for later,” Lugentz chided him. Then he addressed me again and said, “Now, then...on to the last item. This pocket watch is worth about one gold coin.”
“One gold, huh...?” I repeated.
That was actually a lot less than I’d expected the watch to sell for. Not that I knew all that much about watches, but from the way my dad had treasured it, I’d assumed it was worth a fair amount.
I can’t believe my mom’s necklace was worth more...
“So, what’ll it be? Are you happy with me buying the lot?”
“Hmm... I’d like to sell all of it except for the watch,” I decided.
“All right, then. Here’s three gold and six silver for the accessories.” He handed me the coins, along with the pocket watch I’d decided to keep.
Money was the priority right now, and I knew it was kind of pointless to hold on to this watch...but for one gold coin, I just wasn’t ready to part with it yet.
Was it the lingering guilt for stealing from my parents that stopped me? Or was it the curse it felt like my dad had cast on me at a young age, still binding me even now? Even I couldn’t say for sure as I shoved the money and the pocket watch roughly into my bag.
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver,” I said.
“No need to thank me. I bought these off you at a discount, on account of them being stolen, and I’ve got no doubt I’ll make a tidy profit off of them. Anything else I can do for you?”
“No, that’s all—” I began but stopped when I remembered the book that had caught my attention earlier.
I’d been so stunned by how much I’d been able to get for my mom’s necklace that I’d completely forgotten about it until now.
“Actually, I was curious about one of the books you’re selling: The Travel Diaries of Otto the Botanist. What can you tell me about it?”
“Caught your eye, did it? It’s a rare find. To tell you the truth, I was pretty taken with it myself—hence the steep price tag. It’s been sitting on that shelf for years now, though.”
“Oh... I see. I thought it must have been about someone really extraordinary to be selling for that much, but I guess not, huh?”
“Well, Otto isn’t exactly a household name, is he? I’m sure it won’t surprise you all that much to hear he didn’t exactly make any groundbreaking discoveries or accomplish anything out of this world. But to the trained eye...I suspect his autobiography would be of profound interest,” Lugentz said, flashing me a smile.
The way he said it, practically with a wink, piqued my curiosity. My excitement was quickly starting to get the best of me, but I knew that I didn’t really have three gold coins to spare.
Taking into account the money I’d just made, I now had a total of only four gold coins.
I’d come here for the express purpose of being able to buy some necessities, so I knew it would be insane to blow most of it on a book. I needed that money.
“Honestly, I’m dying to read it, but...I can’t afford to spend what I just made at the moment. I think I’ll have to pass for now, but I’d love to buy it next time I visit if it’s still here,” I said.
“Dying to read it, you say...? Well, if it’s piqued your interest that much, then how about you take it now and pay for it later? I can wait until you’ve got the money. But when you have enough to pay for it, I expect you to be prompt about it. What do you say?”
I stared at Lugentz with wide eyes, not believing my own ears. It seemed like an insane proposal for him to make.
I thought he must have lost his mind, but he just kept smiling at me and looking me straight in the eyes.
“You’d really be okay with that?” I asked. “I might not ever be able to pay you back. And, uh, I know I might be hurting my case here, but...I came to your store to sell stolen goods, remember?”
Lugentz let out a hearty laugh.
“Don’t you worry about me, boy. I don’t go around making offers like this to just anyone, you understand. Besides, you may recall how I mentioned that this book has been gathering dust on the shelf for several years now, and it’s only worth as much as it is because I said so. I don’t lose anything letting you walk out of here with it for free.”
“But...”
“As long as you come back to pay for it one day, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you. Far better than never selling it at all, wouldn’t you agree? And on the off chance that you don’t ever come back, I’ll just make Ralph here your guarantor.”
“Huh?! No way in hell am I paying for that!” cried Ralph, who’d been suddenly roped into our arrangement.
One look at Ralph’s face sent Lugentz into a fit of uproarious laughter.
“Think of it this way: You’ll be doing me a favor clearing off my shelf. So, will you buy it?”
“Well... If you’re really okay with this, then how can I refuse?”
“Hey! Hold on just a minute here! I’m not paying, okay?! You can’t make me!”
Lugentz chuckled. “Just wait here a moment,” he told me. “I’ll grab it for you.”
After one final push from Lugentz, I decided to accept his offer gratefully. Despite Ralph’s fervent protests, I took the book from him.
“I’ll come back and pay for this as soon as I can. I really owe you one for this—and for buying my stuff,” I said.
“It was no trouble, really. Just be sure to pay me back before I’m six feet under.”
“I will. I promise.”
“This transaction’s got nothing to do with me, got that?! I’m not footing your bill!”