Chapter 189
Chapter 189
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Nor's Haven (4)
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Indeed, such a situation was possible. Just because an item belonged to a citizen didn't mean it couldn't be purchased.
Still, he believed the limited-edition merit remained.
Most importantly, the merchant knew the customer's payment limit was two White Elixirs. The fact that he was only asking for one elixir, despite his greed, meant the actual price was far lower.
"Can anyone use it?"
"Anyone can use it just by equipping it. Hunting weapons like the Signa, Exde, and Arc are for common use, but drones are personally encrypted. Even if you steal one, you can't use it. But this one is brand new, with no owner yet. That's why I can sell it."
He didn't know. If it was new, there couldn't be a defect.
Was this just a simple misunderstanding stemming from his lack of knowledge about this world? Or was a fire spirit that difficult to obtain?
Unable to decide, Shirone asked Tess.
"Tess, do you want this?"
"Yeah! Shirone, I really want it. Please buy it for me. The other things are cheap anyway, so we can get them anytime."
Shirone let out a small laugh. Her straightforward personality, even when asking for something, was certainly different from Amy's.
In any case, it was best to use the elixirs for everyone. He had to buy it, but without knowing what defect it might have, he couldn't haggle.
If he asked outright, the merchant would surely take advantage of him, and Klove wouldn't be of any help.
"Why won't you sell it! I brought exactly what you asked for!"
Just as Shirone was contemplating, he heard Kanya's voice.
Everyone turned to look. Unlike Kanya, the merchant wore a relaxed smile.
"Hey, young lady. Where in Purgatory do you find fixed prices? This is an auction, an auction. The price has gone up, you can't just lower it as you please."
"You said so a month ago! You said one Green Elixir would be enough for the Epines! I'm even offering 30 Red Elixirs on top of that, so why won't you sell it!"
Epines.
Shirone recalled the white potion the apothecary had recommended.
But Kanya's reaction was too intense for it to be a simple stimulant. What reason could there be to stay awake in Heaven?
"That was a month ago. But the price has gone up now."
"No! You didn't say that two months ago, or even three! This is extortion!"
"Young lady, the price at an auction is determined by the buyer's desire. Isn't it basic that the more you want something, the higher the price goes? The Rite of Passage must be just a few days away, right?"
"Y-You..."
Kanya's face turned pale. How could he say such a thing, even for a merchant?
Even the ill-mannered Klove frowned this time.
The merchant's expression didn't change despite the scorn. He never had any intention of selling to a citizen in the first place.
"Trying to get Epines today must mean a family member is dying in a few days. Therefore, you absolutely have to buy this. So what's the problem with me charging a high price for it?"
"You! I won't let you get away with this!"
As Kanya drew her Arc, Lena screamed and stopped her.
Violence was forbidden in Nor's Haven. An incident of violence wouldn't just end with being kicked out.
The community was maintained by an agreement among a rational majority. The moment the rules were broken, the community would collapse.
"Sister! Please, calm down! If you fight here, you'll die!"
Lena pulled her sister back by the waist. Kanya didn't stop her tirade even as she was being dragged away.
The merchant ignored the troublesome customer and made eye contact with the apothecary across the way.
A silent promise not to sell the Epines.
It was an oligopoly.
Three months ago, when Kanya came for the Epines, the merchant had quoted a price so high she couldn't possibly pay.
In reality, it was an item that could be traded for about 40 Red Elixirs, but he demanded a Green Elixir.
Elixirs were different from currency. While arbitrary exchanges were possible, if the other party insisted on a Green Elixir, you couldn't buy the item no matter how many Red Elixirs you collected.
In the end, Kanya had to buy a Green Elixir at a price higher than its actual value. And now that she had returned to buy the item, the merchant was saying he wouldn't sell it even at that price.
"Why is she so worked up? What's this 'Rite of Passage'?"
"It's a ritual of life's renewal."
Gadrak's voice was heard. He had been taking a nap and came out because of the noise from the stall.
He could guess the situation just by looking at Kanya's murderous expression. It was the first time he'd met her as a guide, but he had heard the rumors circulating among the merchants.
"As you know, the citizens have a set lifespan. When their time is up, they go through the Rite of Passage and are reborn. I heard that girl's mother is the one."
"What kind of ritual is it exactly?"
Gadrak winced.
"I'd rather not say much about it. As you can see, it's a sensitive issue. The citizens call the Rite of Passage a blessing. On the other hand, most heretics are people who fled Heaven because they feel a revulsion towards it. That merchant over there is one of them. He's not just tormenting her for the elixirs."
"But you said Kanya's mother is scheduled to have her lifespan end. So what role does the stimulant play? Can she live if she drinks it?"
"No. The Law is never broken. To put it in heretic terms, Kanya's mother will die soon. The reason she's trying to buy Epines despite that is..."
Gadrak let out a groan.
He, too, had once been a citizen. Knowing what Kanya was willing to risk her life for, he felt a pang of sympathy.
"It's nothing. Just a single ray of light given in the midst of despair. It's like giving an anesthetic to someone dying from an illness."
Shirone's heart felt heavy. He didn't know how different the mindsets of citizens and heretics were, but he thought the sincere desire to ease a parent's suffering would be understood anywhere.
But the Law drew a line even there.
Kanya went back to haggling. It was obvious she was suppressing her anger to buy the Epines.
There were two stalls selling Epines, and Kanya probably wouldn't have another chance after today.
Shirone glanced at the apothecary on the other side. He was looking down, as if pricked by his conscience.
If he bought the Epines from him and gave it to Kanya, wouldn't that solve everything?
As if reading Shirone's thoughts, the man stealthily put the Epines away. Contracts were absolute to the Nor, so he was preventing any trouble that might escalate the situation.
Kanya proposed her last resort.
"Fine! I'll buy it on credit. I'll do whatever it takes to get you the elixirs, so just give me the Epines."
"And what can you get?"
"Anything! I'll hunt for the rest of my life to get it for you!"
"That's what I'm asking. What are you going to get?"
The merchant no longer hid his emotions.
He despised citizens to a horrifying degree. And he hated Heaven. No matter what potent medicine he took, he couldn't erase the memories of living in Heaven. The Law of Ra was that powerful.
"You say no even when I offer everything, so you tell me. What will it take for you to sell me that potion?"
"Really? Well, since you insist on buying it even when I refuse, I'll tell you. Hmm, what should I do..."
Pretending to think, the merchant turned to Shirone and said.
"How about all the elixirs that boy has?"
Shirone realized the merchant's strategy had been hastily revised.
He had probably been calculating things since Kanya brought Shirone here.
It was natural for a merchant. But it was vicious.
He grew greedy upon seeing the White Elixir, but he had no high-priced goods in his inventory. So he decided to entangle Kanya in it.
Putting emotions aside, it was a decent strategy.
He'd heard the Nor were skilled traders. This man was certainly a skilled merchant. But he was by no means a respectable one.
Kanya was so dumbfounded she couldn't speak. The more she understood the situation, the more she felt she was being played by a swindler.
"I get it now. You never intended to sell it from the start. For three months, you've been enjoying the thought of me dying in Purgatory! What did I ever do to you?"
Shirone felt a pang of pity. An emotional response like Kanya's wouldn't work on a mage. They were masters at manipulating psychology to their advantage.
If you wanted to anger a mage, you had to fight fire with fire.
"You're making me out to be the bad guy. This only makes things harder for you, young lady. It's not like I suggested the impossible. It's much easier to get that boy's elixirs than to hunt for the rest of your life. Isn't it?"
"That's theft! Robbery! Besides, we can't even fight here! How am I supposed to get the elixirs from someone who has nothing to do with me?"
"There are various ways, aren't there? You're a woman, and that boy is a man. I'm sure you can figure something out."
Kanya's lips trembled. She wanted to blast the merchant's face with her Arc. But the fact that she had no more chances calmed her down.
How would Shirone react if she asked for his elixirs? Elixirs that were like life itself to a heretic.
And yet... a thought crossed her mind that maybe he would help. Lena might be immature, but she was a good judge of character.
-It's not because Shirone is handsome that I like him, it's because he's kind.
She had scoffed at the time, but he was certainly different from ordinary heretics. Maybe he would give her the elixirs? That expensive White Elixir? Maybe. Maybe!
It was all speculation. Yet her reality was so miserable that she had no choice but to rely on it.
She had to do anything for her mother. She couldn't let her mother, who had lived only half the life of an ordinary citizen, pass away like this.
Leaving the merchant's foul smile behind, Kanya walked toward Shirone. Having already heard the conversation, Shirone's expression was calm.
Kanya felt a chill. What was he thinking? It probably wasn't anything good. He would ask why she was walking over. He would ask what their relationship was.
Still, she would plead. She was prepared to give up everything.
Approaching Shirone, Kanya spoke with a miserable heart.
"Um..."
"Here."
Shirone held out his hand. A White Elixir lay in his palm.
Kanya was overcome with emotion. The surging feeling was similar to anger, but it didn't hurt at all.
What was with this man? Shouldn't he at least give her a chance to kneel? Wasn't the purpose of a good deed to buy emotion with money? What meaning was there in this kind of mercy?
Kanya thought she had to ask. But she doubted the words would come out right.
"Why..."
"Just go and buy the Epines. It's important to you, isn't it?"
"But..."
*It's not important to you.*
She wanted to spit out those words, but her throat was tight, and no sound came out.
This boy was different. Different from humans, different from the celestial species. He was even... different from Ra.
The moment the blasphemous thought occurred to her, Kanya felt a thrill. Perhaps this was the prelude to her fall.
"Thank you."
Barely able to utter that one word, Kanya returned to the merchant.
Purgatory really was a different place from Heaven. Strange emotions she had never felt in her life swirled within her.
She approached the merchant with weary steps and handed him the elixir.
"Here, now give me the Epines."
"No. I can't sell it for this."
"Why... Why again?"
Kanya didn't even have the strength to scream. The sole determination to hold back her tears was the only thing keeping her on her feet.
"I said all the elixirs that boy has. And according to my calculations, there should be one more."
"No. I don't have any more elixirs."