Night Market (2)

All sorts of people were visible at the festival. Nobles, of course, but also merchants, commoners, and even beggars could frequently be seen.

Though they didn't grab passersby to beg, smiles had risen to their faces as well.

Even those beggars who always wore gloomy expressions. Strangely enough, their arms and faces looked quite clean—probably due to some implemented measures.

This world remained stuck in medieval times yet was oddly particular about hygiene.

"Hehehe."

"My, you seem to be in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠especially good spirits today."

A passing merchant tossed a copper coin into the beggar's bowl as he said this.

"Oh my, thank you, kind sir."

The commoners, also in high spirits from the festival, didn't hesitate to give them money. I never thought I'd see such ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠an atmosphere in this world.

Perhaps it was thanks to Abel's competence. Rumor had it that the night market's full-scale activation was also due to the policies he implemented.

That said, not everyone looked pleased. Some frowned in clear disapproval, clicking their tongues at the sight.

Their antiquated attire and mannerisms suggested they were nobles.

Yet they couldn't do anything—no doubt because this was Abel's duchy. Abel was practically an Irregular among nobles, after all.

"Look, that one looks delicious too!"

"Sure, let's check it out."

We approached the stall Lily pointed at with her finger. Unlike the others, it was enclosed by an expensive tent.

The stall owner, likely a member of the Magic Tower, wore a purple robe draped over his shoulders. Judging by the sign, he seemed to be selling ice cream.

Perhaps made using warmth magic or freezing magic.

The existence of magic made this world's development incredibly uneven. Who would've thought you could sell something like ice cream in the middle of a medieval market?

Yet ironically, aspects like sanitation weren't much different from medieval times.

"What's this?"

I pointed at the ice cream displayed inside a glass case and asked the owner.

He had been quietly reading a book beside the desk and only seemed to notice me then, hurriedly standing up.

After carelessly placing the book on the side table, the owner cleared his throat with an "Ahem."

Then, he slowly began explaining the ice cream.

"This is a type of dessert made from ice."

I waited for his explanation to continue. Misinterpreting my silence, he quickly added in a flustered voice,

"Ah, though it's made using magic, we've thoroughly removed the mana, so there's no need to worry."

Mana removal was indeed a critical issue. If done improperly, residual mana left in someone's intestines could explode.

The Magic Tower took special precautions ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to prevent such incidents.

Since this person had received permission from the Magic Tower to run a stall, he must be well aware of that.

"I see."

"Wow... Is this all made of ice?"

Lily was staring wide-eyed at the ice cream from less than a hand's breadth away. Amused, I chuckled and pulled out my wallet.

At that, the man approached me with a delighted expression. Judging by his reaction, business hadn't been great.

"One silver per serving."

One silver per serving...

One hundred copper equaled one silver. In other words, you could buy one ice cream for the price of twelve grilled squid skewers.

No wonder it wasn't popular, considering the cost. Even if there were many nobles here, they couldn't compare to the number of commoners.

Not many would pay a whole silver for a treat that barely filled one palm.

"Just a moment..."

I counted the leftover copper in my wallet.

I didn't have enough to buy it because the remaining copper was awkwardly insufficient. Then again, after over two hours of indulging in food and drink while wandering around, it made sense to have spent most of it.

I'd brought copper and gold with me, but of all things, I hadn't brought any silver. Who knew it would come to this?

'100 silver equals 1 gold...'

I was starting to feel a little bad for the owner. But I had no other choice.

I'd have to pay with gold for now.

"Then I'll take two."

When I handed over a gold coin, the man panicked and frantically rummaged through his bag. After counting his remaining change, his face fell.

"My apologies... I don't have enough silver on me right now..."

Most of what was in his wallet was gold. Well, if he'd mostly sold to nobles, they would've paid in gold.

Had I known, I would've brought silver too. But if I went back to the ducal residence now, today's festival would be over.

And Lily had plans tomorrow—a long-awaited trip back to her hometown to visit family.

If I couldn't buy it for her today, she'd be genuinely disappointed.

As I stood there, torn between options, a familiar-faced woman approached me.

"Oh my, Adel. Hello there."

Moonlight glinted softly on her silver hair as golden eyes sparkled. Estelle von Ruise greeted me with a smile.

"Ah, it's been a while, Estelle."

"Yes. It certainly has been some time."

Estelle chuckled with a kind smile. Though there was something oddly unreadable about that smile, I chose to let it pass.

There had been a time when I'd doubted her, but all those misunderstandings had long since been cleared up.

"Did something happen? You seem troubled."

"Ah, well. I only have gold coins left... so there's a bit of a problem with the payment."

"Ahh. I think I understand."

Estelle nodded sympathetically. Being a noble young lady herself, she seemed to relate to this particular predicament.

Though, if commoners heard this, they'd probably scoff at us for being out of touch.

Honestly, even if I were a commoner, I might have reacted the same way.

"Hmm, then shall I help you?"

"Huh? How—"

"Here."

Before I could finish, Estelle plucked the gold coin from my hand and, with her other hand, handed me a small pouch.

As I stood frozen in surprise at her sudden action, she pointed at the pouch with a finger.

"Open it."

"This is..."

Inside the pouch was filled to the brim with silver coins. At a glance, there had to be at least a hundred.

Surely she didn't mean to exchange one gold for all this. My voice trembled slightly as I asked in disbelief.

"The amount is too much. I only—"

"Shh. You'll be coming to the festival tomorrow too, right?"

She pressed a finger to her lips as she asked. Without thinking, I nodded.

"Well, yes, but..."

"Then you can repay me then."

She beamed, mischief dancing in her eyes.

Her playful expression made me chuckle despite myself, and I bowed my head in gratitude.

"Thank you. I would've been in trouble without you, Estelle."

"Adel, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you should bring more silver next time, okay?"

"Understood."

At my reply, Estelle nodded—then, as if suddenly remembering something, she stepped closer to me.

Before I could react to her abrupt approach, she leaned in and whispered something in my ear.

'I saw how well you fought in the subjugation expedition, Knight.'

"...Huh?"

Stunned, I could only stammer out a confused response. But Estelle merely smiled cryptically before turning away.

Desperate to ask what she meant by "Knight," I whirled around—but she was already far ahead, disappearing into the crowd.

How did she even know about my involvement in the subjugation expedition?

As I struggled to process her bombshell words, Estelle had already melted into the sea of people.

Lily, who had been blankly staring after Estelle, turned to me with wide eyes.

"You two have gotten quite close, haven't you?"

"...Yeah, somehow."

Perhaps she felt guilty over the Crown Prince's past misdeeds toward me.

And since I held no grudge against her, we naturally grew closer.

Though for Lily, who had only ever seen me lash out at Estelle before, this must be an unfamiliar sight.

'As for the subjugation expedition... I'll ask her about it later.'

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I refocused.

First, I needed to order the ice cream. Lingering here any longer would just inconvenience the people passing by.

"Two ice creams, please."

I handed over two silver coins. The vendor hastily accepted them and immediately began preparing the treats.

The ice cream took shape in the form of cones.

After a few flashes of magic, two ice creams materialized before us.

"Here you go. Thank you, miss."

"Mm. Take care."

Accepting both cones, I passed one to Lily.

She took it and stared intently at the cone, as if trying to decipher it.

"What's this?"

"A snack. I think it's made so you can eat it together with the ice cream."

"Oh, how interesting."

She rotated the cone curiously before taking a bite.

The unexpected coldness made her flinch, but she quickly swallowed the mouthful.

Her eyes sparkled as she turned to me.

"It's delicious!"

"I'm glad."

Following her lead, I took a bite of my own.

A familiar yet foreign taste filled my mouth—cool and sweet, but with a firm texture rather than creamy.

Well, it wasn't like they could make soft-serve ice cream yet.

Still, the flavor wasn't bad at all. It was more like a hard ice cream molded into a cone.

At one silver per cone, it was a bit pricey, but the taste was comparable to the ice cream from my past life.

Not a waste of money, at least.

"How is yours, Lady Adel?"

"Mmm. It's good."

"Right?!"

Lily chattered excitedly about how this was her first time trying something like this. Her bright expression made me smile without realizing it.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to go out like this together sometimes.