Eps 189
Infinite Mage
Eps 189 Nors Shelter (4)
Indeed, such a situation was possible. It wasn't that items belonging to divine subject were impossible to purchase.
Nevertheless, the merit of limited editions was still considered to be maintained.
Above all, the merchant knew the customer's payment limit was two White Elixirs. The price he was greedy for was just one elixir, which was actually much cheaper than that.
"Can anyone use it?"
“Anyone can use it once installed. Hunting weapons like Signa, Exud, and Arc are universal, but drones are equipped with personal encryption devices. Even if you steal someone else's, you can't use it. However, this is still a new product that hasn't found an owner yet. So, it's for sale."
It was uncertain. There can't be any defects if it's new.
Is this a simple misunderstanding from not understanding this world? Or was the spirit of fire that difficult to obtain?
Shirone, unable to make a decision, asked Tess.
"Tess, do you want this?"
"Un! Shirone, I really want this. Buy me this. Other items are cheap anyway, so you can always get them later.”
Shirone burst out laughing. Her cool personality, even when asking for something, was definitely different from Amy's.
Anyway, it's best to use the elixirs for everyone. In that case, he would have to buy it, but he couldn't bargain because he didn't know what the defect was.
If he asked outright, he would definitely be swayed by the merchant, and Clove would not be of any help.
"Why won't you sell it! I brought exactly what you asked for!"
As Shirone was pondered, Canya's voice was heard.
Everyone turned toward her. Unlike Canya, the merchant wore a leisurely smile.
"Look here, miss. Where do you think we are, Purgatory? It's an auction, an auction. The price has gone up, and you can't just lower it as you please."
"But you definitely said that a month ago! One green elixir is enough to buy Epines! And you're adding thirty Red Elixirs on top of that, so why won't you sell?"
Epines.
Shirone recalled the white potion the pharmacist had recommended. (Herbalist changed to pharmacist.)
But Canya's reaction seemed too intense for just a stimulant. What could there be in Heaven that requires staying awake?
"It was that way a month ago. But now the price has gone up."
"No! There was no such talk two months ago, or three months ago! This is profiteering!"
"Miss, the price at an auction is determined by the buyer's desire. The more you want it, the higher the price goes, isn't that basic? You know the Ilhwa Elixir won't last much longer, right?"
"You..."
Canya's face turned pale. No matter how much a merhcant you are, how can you say something like that?
Even the usually unruly Clove frowned this time.
The merchant's expression didn't change even at the threat of violence. He never intended to sell the item to a divine subject in the first place.
"Trying to get Epines today means your family is dying within a few days. Therefore, you must buy it. So, what's the problem with charging a high price?"
"You! I won't let you get away with this!"
As Canya pulled out an Arc, Lena screamed and stopped her.
Violence is prohibited in Nors Shelter. When violence breaks out, it doesn't end with people being kicked out.
Maintaining the community is based on a rational majority's promise. The moment rules are broken, the community collapses.
"Sister! Please be patient! If you fight here, you will die!”
Lena pulled her sister's waist. Canya did not stop her verbal abuse even while being dragged away.
The merchant ignored the troublesome customer and caught the eye of the pharmacist across from him.
An unspoken agreement not to sell Epines.
It was a oligopoly.
Three months ago, when Canya came to purchase Epines, the merchant quoted a price she couldn't afford.
In reality, the item could be exchanged for about 40 Red Elixirs, but he demanded a Green Elixir.
Elixirs are different from currency. Arbitrary exchange is possible, but if the other party insists on a Green Elixir, no amount of Red Elixirs will suffice to purchase the item.
In the end, Canya had to purchase the green elixir at a higher price than its actual value. Then he came back to buy the goods, but the merchant said he would not sell them even at that price.
"Why is she so upset? What's this Ilhwa Elixir?"
"It's a potion of life regeneration."
Godlock's voice was heard. He was taking a nap and had just come out because the noisy stall.
He could guess the situation just by looking at Canya's murderous expression. It was their first meeting as customers, but he was well aware of the rumors circulating among the merchants.
"As you know, divine subjects have a set lifespan. When their time is up, they are reborn through the Ilhwa Elixir. That girl's mother is the subject in question."
"What exactly is this potion?"
Godlock narrowed one eye.
“I’d like to say less about that. As you can see, it's a sensitive issue. Divine subjects speak of the Ilhwa Elixir as a blessing. On the other hand, most heretics feel repulsed by the Ilhwa Elixir and have fled heaven. Same goes for the merchant over there. It's not about tormenting her over the elixir."
"But you said Canya's mother is nearing the end of her life. Then what role does the stimulant play? Can it save her life if she drinks it?"
"No. There are no exceptions to the law. To put it in the terms of heretics, Canya's mother will die soon. Yet, the desire to buy Epines is..."
Godlock groaned.
He too had been a divine subject once. He understood what Canya was willing to sacrifice everything for, which made him feel a degree of sympathy.
"It's nothing. Just a sliver of light given in despair. Like administering an anesthetic to someone dying of illness."
Shirone felt a lump in his chest. He didn't know how different the thought processes of divine subjects and heretics were, but he believed that the sincerity of wanting to ease a parent's suffering would resonate anywhere.
Yet, even the law distinguished between them.
Top of Form
Canya went back to bargaining. It was clear that she was restraining her anger to buy Epines.
There were two stalls selling Epines, and perhaps today was her last chance.
Shirone glanced at the pharmacist across. He lowered his head as if his conscience pricked him.
Would everything be resolved if he bought Epines from him and gave it to Canya?
As if reading Shirone's thoughts, the merchant quietly put Epines away. Since the contract is absolute to the Nors, this was done to prevent the situation from escalating by causing a fuss.
Canya suggested a last resort.
"Fine! Then, I'll take it on credit. I'll do whatever it takes to bring you the elixirs, so please give me the Epines."
"What can you bring?"
"Anything! I'll hunt for a lifetime if I have to!"
"So, I'm asking. What will you bring?"
The merchant no longer hid his emotions.
He detested divine subjects to a terrible extent. And he hated Heaven. No matter how potent the medicine, it couldn't erase the memories of living in Heaven. The law of Ra was that powerful.
"Even if I give everything, you say no. So, you tell me. How exactly will you sell the potion?"
"Really? Then, even if you say no, I'll buy it. Hmm, what to do..."
Pretending to think, the merchant looked back at Shirone and said.
"Maybe all the elixirs that boy has would suffice?"
Shirone realized the merchant's strategy had swiftly changed.
Probably, from the moment Canya brought Shirone, the merchant had been calculating.
It was natural for a merchant. But it was ruthless.
He became greedy seeing the White Elixir, but he had no high-value items to offer. So, he entangled Canya.
Disregarding emotions, it was a sound strategy.
He heard that the Nors was good at business. He was certainly a skilled merchant, but not a commendable one.
Canya was so flabbergasted she couldn't speak. The more the situation clarified, the more she felt played by a swindler.
"Now I get it. You never intended to sell from the beginning. For three months, you've enjoyed hoping I would die in Purgatory! What have I ever done to you?"
Shirone felt sorry. Emotional responses like Canya's don't work on mages. This is because they are skilled at using the other person's psychology to turn the situation to their advantage.
To provoke a mage, you must confront them in the same manner.
"You make me out to be the villain. This only makes it harder for you. It's not impossible, is it? It's much easier to take that boy's elixir than to spend a lifetime hunting. Is not it?"
"That's theft! Robbery! Beside, we can't even fight here! How am I supposed to take the elixirs from someone who has nothing to do with me?"
"There are ways, aren't there? The lady is a woman, and that boy is a man, so it's up to you to find it."
Canya's lips trembled. She wanted to shoot the merchant's face with an Arc. But the realization that there were no more chances calmed her down.
How would Shirone react if she asked for the elixirs? The elixirs that were as precious as life to a heretic.
Yet, perhaps... she thought he might help. Because Lena, despite immature, had a good judgment of character.
- I don't like brother Shirone because he's handsome, I like him because he's kind.
At the time, she scoffed, but indeed, he was different from an ordinary heretic. Perhaps he would hand over the elixir? That expensive White Elixir? Maybe. Just maybe!
It was all hypothetical. Yet, the reality that she had to rely on assumptions was miserable.
She had to do whatever it took for her mother. She couldn't let her mother, who had lived only half as long as an ordinary divine subject, leave this world just like that.
Canya left the merchant's sneering laugh behind and turned to Shirone. Shirone, who already knew the situation through conversation, had a calm expression on his face.
Canya shivered. What was he thinking? It wouldn't be anything good. He would probably ask why she was approaching him. What relationship they had.
Nevertheless, she would plead. She was prepared to give up everything.
Canya approached Shirone and spoke with a miserable feeling.
"Um..."
"Here."
Shirone extended his hand. A White Elixir was placed on it.
Canya was overwhelmed. The rising emotion was similar to anger but not painful at all.
Why is this man being like this? Shouldn't he at least give her the chance to kneel? Wasn't it the purpose of good deeds to buy emotions with money? What meaning does this kind of mercy have?
Canya thought she should listen. But whether she could speak properly was doubtful.
"Why..."
"Go buy the Epines first. It's important to you."
"But..."
It's not important to you.
She wanted to say this, but her throat was choked and no sound came out.
This boy was different. Different from humans, different from extraterrestrials, and even... different from Ra.
The moment a blasphemous thought crossed her mind, Canya had a thrilling experience. She wondered if this was the beginning of her fall.
"Thank you."
Canya, who could barely get a word out, returned to the merchant.
As expected, Purgatory is a different place from Heaven. Strange emotions she had never felt in her life crossed over her.
With weary steps, she approached the merchant and handed over the elixir.
"Here, now give me the Epines."
"No, I can't sell it for this."
"Why…. Why again?”
Canya didn't even have the strength to scream. Her determination to hold back her tears was the only thing keeping her standing on her own two feet.
"I said all the elixirs that boy had. And by my calculation, there should still be one more elixir, right?"
"No. I have no more Elixirs left."
|Note
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