Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Contract (5) - Rare Shop
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1.
"...So that's how it happened."
After I relayed everything the thugs had told me, Amelia let out a deep sigh.
She probably never imagined things would turn out like this. They'd planned to stay just one night—two at most—before moving on right away.
"So, what do you plan to do?"
Anne asked in her upright posture. Her face showed unwavering loyalty, ready to follow any command.
"That's the question. What should we do about this? It's my first time dealing with something like this, so I'm really torn."
She seemed to ponder for a moment before asking,
"Is there any precedent we could reference?"
"To my knowledge, there isn't even a similar case. Who would dare attack a noble?"
That was certainly true.
No matter how chaotic the world had become, assaulting a noble like this was beyond comprehension. Unless someone had truly lost their mind, it made no sense.
'What the hell was the village chief thinking?'
Questions lingered, but I'd never get answers. He was already gone from this world.
"This is tricky."
The simplest solution was to wipe out the entire village. Regardless of what Amelia thought, most nobles would opt for that.
It was straightforward and convenient, no matter the reason. The justification was solid too. But she didn't seem ruthless enough for that.
'She looked pretty cold when she contracted with me.'
Thinking she was softer than expected, I watched quietly. After much deliberation, Amelia sighed deeply and spoke.
"...We'll pretend it never happened."
Everyone's eyes widened at her words. Mine included.
"Lady Amelia, what do you mean? Those scum tried to kill you! The whole village was in on it! And you're just going to let it slide?"
Anne rarely raised her voice like that. The maids nearby nodded in agreement.
"Mercy and forgiveness are the domain of the strong, but sometimes they're choices made precisely because we're weak."
"I know. And I'm not saying I won't take any action."
"Then what do you plan to do?"
"Where are we headed?"
"To Edanbora, the fortress city—your family's home."
Amelia nodded slowly.
"Exactly. So why are we rushing there?"
"...I'm too ignorant to say."
"It's to help the cities and villages under our family's rule. If something's happened to Father and the family is in chaos... someone has to step up."
This was a rare kind of noble in these times.
"Even if Father is fine, the plan stands. I'll make them pay later."
"Will you send knights and soldiers to deal with them directly?"
Anne asked brightly, but Amelia shook her head.
"No. I'm going to abandon Lotus Village entirely. I'll aid other cities and villages, but never this one."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Finally, we're leaving."
"Tell me about it."
A maid smiled brightly as she transferred luggage to the carriage.
They'd only stayed two days in the village, but it had felt unbearable. The villagers avoided them like the plague. When they did cross paths, they bowed so low their heads nearly touched the ground.
'Can't exactly relax like that.'
Still, there were upsides: bonding with the maids and refilling the empty carriage.
"Where'd you get all this food? The market hasn't opened since the attack."
"Where else? Went door-to-door and took it from anyone who looked stocked up."
"Wow... Hanson, you're a real devil. A devil."
"Devil? Be grateful I didn't kill them."
"Fair point."
Once food ran low village-wide, it'd turn to hell. That's why I'd targeted supplies specifically.
"Let's roll out!"
With everything loaded, we climbed aboard. The village faded behind us. Surprisingly, no emotions stirred.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Name: Hanson Lv. 65 ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You've met specific conditions, upgrading the 'Shop' by one rank. From now on, the EXP required for level-ups will increase! It had been a while since I last checked my status and shop. These messages popped up.
'About time for an upgrade.'
I'd felt my leveling slow down. Sure, killing humans or stronger monsters still yielded good EXP, unlike zombies.
'Wonder what got added to the shop.'
🛒 Rare Shop 🛒 Two Hearts 50,000G Acceleration 30,000G ... Raging Wind 40,000G "Holy shit."
The Rare Shop had slashed gold units into a whole new league. Prices incomparable to before.
Current Gold: 5,427G With my current gold, I couldn't buy jack.
'Back in the day, this would've bought a feast.'
Nothing pressing, so I browsed the shop, eyeing a few items.
Golden Pride Chicken – 8,000G The chicken caught my eye first. "Golden" suggested a famous franchise.
'Bet it tastes amazing.'
Price was insane, though—no way I'd buy. Couldn't afford it anyway.
'Gotta grind hard.'
Vowed to snag it someday, added to wishlist, and moved on.
Basic Mana Cultivation Method – 15,000G Next up: this gem. Mana cultivation.
Basic Mana Cultivation Method
A foundational technique commonly taught to third-rate knights. Efficiency is low, but it builds the base to accumulate mana in your body.
The description hooked me.
'Accumulate mana in the body...'
Did that mean building mana without spending stats? Or literally storing it in the flesh?
'Intriguing.'
If the former, I'd wasted stats till now. If the latter, how did it work?
'Prioritize this.'
Tons of tempting shop items, but mana was most urgent.
The gap between wielding mana and not was night and day.
'Hope I can afford it soon.'
Closed the shop window and flopped in the carriage. Three remaining points, but holding off. Wait for the right moment.
"Ah, no bandits hit us again?"
Muttered what would've drawn Anne's sword, then shut my eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Unlike my hopes, the journey went smoothly. Plenty of supplies from Lotus Village, no bandit attacks.
"There it is! Look!"
We reached our goal: Edanbora, the fortress city, unscathed. Plains nearby deterred ambushes, so we caught up to the lead carriage.
"Looks intact, right?"
"Hard to tell. Walls and buildings seem fine, but..."
"Can't judge by appearances."
"Yeah. Gotta go inside to know."
The outer moat, inner wall, towering spire—all impressive. A blue lion banner fluttered atop.
'Cool design.'
Looked primed against external threats. But zombie apocalypses brewed from within.
"City layout?"
"Sprawling. Planned from the start—roads, districts. But..."
"But?"
"Limited space means densely packed houses. That's the worry."
"Makes sense..."
Even spacious Dina Village fell in a day. Surprise disaster and inept militia didn't help.
'Zombie traits don't paint a rosy picture.'
The carriage approached steadily—not too slow, not rushed. As the gates came into view...
"Ah...!"
Amelia shot to her feet.