Chapter 218
Chapter 218
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: 87. Black Devil (1)
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Yuri was treated to dinner by the Ireine Merchant Company.
The provisions were plentiful enough for a group that had traveled a long way, but the menu wasn't anything special. They had come a great distance themselves, so they weren't in a position to splurge.
A stew made from dried meat came out, along with various preserved foods spiced up for flavor.
Fortunately, there was plenty of alcohol.
"This is delicious."
"You pick up a few tricks when you've traveled with trading caravans as much as we have."
"I picked up some skills myself during my military days, but you seem even better at it."
"You're too kind, Your Highness. I'm just good with spices."
"This has a unique aroma."
"It's from the East. Heh heh..."
The Ireine Merchant Company had hired quite a few escort warriors to protect the caravan, and they kept stealing glances at Yuri from a distance.
As swordsmen themselves—even if not knights—they admired Yuri Brioll, whose fame spread across the continent.
Yuri wanted to teach them a move or two, but he had business to attend to.
"Alright. Time to show me the goods."
"Yes, of course."
"You have to fill your belly before buying anything."
"Why is that?"
"Hunger makes you buy useless junk. If we'd come before dinner, I might've bought a whole sack of those spices."
"That makes sense. You're truly wise, Your Highness. I should make this the Ireine Merchant Company's policy from now on. Hahaha..."
Rick was exceptionally skilled at flattery. Yuri found the conversation enjoyable. No matter what he said, Rick turned it into praise.
"Rick, I always brush my teeth after eating."
"That explains why your teeth look so healthy. If I have kids in the future, I'll teach them to brush like you, Your Highness."
"You know what? I let my fists do the talking before my words."
"A man of action. The world belongs to those who act, not those who talk. Just like the Ireine Merchant Company."
His companions, listening from behind, didn't look too pleased, but Yuri paid them no mind.
As they chatted away, they arrived at a large tent.
Several carts were stacked inside, and as if Rick had given prior notice, a few Ireine Merchant Company staff emerged from the tent.
Rick opened the tent flap and said,
"I've had the items organized already. Take your time looking."
Yuri stepped inside.
"Hm..."
It was arranged like a shop made just for him, neatly organized.
The items were categorized: clothing, accessories, mysterious objects and books, and even precious metals—all looking valuable.
"Oh, and these are here too."
A box arrived late. When opened, a distinctive fragrance wafted out.
"These are containers of spices. Some are only found in the East, and we have some special ones we've acquired. They're all unique—even the same pepper varies a bit."
"Hooh..."
Yuri nodded to his companions behind him.
"Go ahead and look. I'll buy whatever you want."
"Thank you."
"Thanks."
Jared and Francesco rushed in, while Simon and Guinness hesitated before following.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"I. Have. Lots. Of. Money."
Yuri watched them browse, arms crossed behind him.
Rick asked,
"Aren't you going to look around, Your Highness?"
"I need to think a bit."
Yuri scanned the Eastern items one by one. He didn't need to get close; his eyesight caught every detail flawlessly.
He had no intention of buying clothes or accessories anyway.
"What's that?"
Yuri uncrossed his arms and pointed at something.
"Ah, that's..."
It was a bowl-shaped vessel and a thick wooden striker.
Rick fetched them.
"It's called a singing bowl."
"A singing bowl?"
"Yes. Also known as a meditation bowl. Eastern monks use it for meditation. Like this..."
Rick ran the striker around the bowl's rim in a circle. A strange, humming sound resonated.
It felt like a tone from another world. Listening to it calmed the mind, yet also stirred unease.
Then Rick lightly tapped the bowl with the striker. A clear, bell-like note lingered, echoing long after.
"They say ringing it drives away evil beings. Who knows if it's true."
"Is it?"
"Yes. In the East, there are these 'Taoists' who use it to vanquish evil spirits."
"I see..."
"It's good for focusing the mind too. Helps with meditation. I wouldn't know since I don't meditate, but doesn't it give you that feeling just listening?"
"It's somehow majestic."
"Exactly. It fills the chest with grandeur."
Rick circled the striker around the bowl again. The subtle tone filled the air.
Yuri closed his eyes, savoring the sound, then said,
"I'll take this one."
"Excellent choice. This one's made in the workshop of the Shaolin Temple, the foremost sect in the East. Even the striker is from lightning-struck jujube wood, not ordinary timber. You won't regret it."
Yuri bought the enigmatic tool called the singing bowl.
There was orichalcum metal, so there was no reason evil-repelling instruments couldn't exist. He was heading to Valshard anyway; he could test it there.
Yuri reached out again.
"What's that?"
"An Eastern inner cultivation method. We call them mana circulation methods. From what we've seen, their martial arts are more systematically developed than ours. We've added annotations translated via interpreters. That's the Three Realms Heart Method."
"Three Realms Heart Method..."
"It pairs with the Three Realms Sword Art. They say it's a peerless martial art where heaven, earth, and man harmonize as one."
"Peerless martial art."
"Yes. Master it to perfection, and you'll be among the top experts in the world."
"Can I take a look?"
"We normally prohibit browsing before purchase, but for you, Your Highness, of course."
Rick brought the book and opened it for Yuri.
"Feel free to browse."
The left page showed a diagram of the human body, the right had Eastern script alongside continental common tongue translations.
Skimming the illustrations and text, Yuri got the gist.
"The guy who sold this called it a peerless martial art?"
"Yes."
"Cut ties with him."
"Pardon?"
"It's fine for building foundations, but not that advanced. No different from the mana circulation methods soldiers learn. And this Three Realms Sword Art is only suitable for beginners."
"I-is that so?"
Rick clicked his tongue.
"We bought it from the Hao Sect, a famed orthodox faction. We'll be more careful from now on. Of course they wouldn't sell something truly precious so easily."
"It's definitely an orthodox sect?"
"So they claimed."
"Verify it."
From what Yuri had heard from Moyong Chan, Eastern orthodox sects staked their lives on reputation and rarely deceived.
Rick seemed duped, but since trade with the East was new, some losses were to be expected.
He checked other books, but nothing useful for him.
"They won't leak real treasures. Take an expert along next time to inspect properly."
"Noted."
"I'll introduce you to someone good."
As both customer and co-owner of the Ireine Merchant Company, Yuri advised Rick.
"That's enough martial arts..."
Yuri examined the weapons.
Different styles from the continent, but good quality. Still, with Guilty as his treasured sword, he had no need.
He turned to his companions.
"No interest in weapons?"
"Hmm..."
"It's a bit different from what we use."
"Check this out."
Yuri went deeper and pulled out a few daggers.
"These are nice, right?"
He spun a dagger in the air, then hurled it at a corner.
It embedded perfectly in a tent pole.
"Whoa..."
Yuri grinned at Rick.
"Add pole repair to the bill."
"Hahaha..."
"Come on, don't just stick to swords. Learn these too. They'll help in fights."
As a mercenary, Yuri had benefited much from such tricks.
They were hindrances to him now, but survival aids for the others.
"The East excels in hidden weapons. This is from the Sichuan Tang Clan."
Rick demonstrated various concealed arms.
Jared, Simon, and Guinness each grabbed a handful.
"And you, Francesco?"
"I'm good."
He shook his head.
"Buying that would be like admitting I can't regain my mana."
Yuri understood Francesco's feelings.
Once one of the Ten Strongest, renowned across the world, now mana-less.
But Yuri had given him hope: that he could reclaim it. That meant everything to him.
"Got it."
Yuri grinned and clapped Francesco hard on the back.
"Don't worry."
"Ugh..."
"Once you get your mana back, spar with me for real, Francesco."
"Deal. Be ready then."
"You bet."
Yuri could see the dark power clinging to Francesco's body. Remove it, and his mana would return.
"Finally..."
With the singing bowl tucked under his arm, clinking as he moved, Yuri scanned the interior.
"Hm..."
It was the accessories section.
Gems processed in simple, subtle styles alien to continental tastes gleamed elegantly. Yuri gazed at them and pointed.
"This one."
A butterfly-shaped hairband.
Wearing it would look like a sparkling butterfly had alighted.
"Got someone special in mind?"
"Maybe. It's just pretty."
He planned to gift it to Marirose for her hard work.
Rick smiled.
"Princess Ekaterina picked that one."
"What?"
Yuri stared at him.
"Princess Ekaterina has exquisite taste in such items. When we first opened trade with the East, she inspected the goods. We treat her selections specially as our standard."
Yuri unwittingly set the butterfly hairband down.
"I see."
It wasn't surprising.
His sense of what was pretty in accessories came entirely from Ekaterina in his past life.
Now viewing through that lens, everything looked different.
Items she would choose stood out vividly.
"That one too?"
"Uh..."
A beautiful silk garment. As Yuri lifted it, the fabric rippled like water.
"Yes, that's right."
"Figures."
Yuri looked around and picked another.
"This."
A golden toad.
Something Ekaterina would never select.
"Not this, right?"
"Well..."
"I'll take th..."
"That one's from the princess too..."
"What?"
Yuri's eyes widened.
Ekaterina choosing this crude, ugly golden toad? Unbelievable.
Maybe she'd taken a lover in secret, some bumpkin whose taste was so tacky she'd forced herself to pick one as a gift despite hating it.
Rick spoke up.
"She just advised us. Said it was the kind of thing stupid nobles would like."
"Ah, really?"
"Yes."
"Phew..."
"Is something wrong...?"
"No."
"In the East, golden toads symbolize attracting luck, fortune, and glory. Perfect for the empire's nouveau riche."
"Good thinking."
Yuri relaxed.
"Alright, this one then."
He chose a flower-shaped brooch made of gems. The continent had plenty like it, but the Eastern ones had a plainer, more elegant charm. The flower design was refined.
Marirose already had flashy jewels galore; something like this suited her better.
"Ah, this is a new arrival. Pretty, right? I'm thinking of gifting one to my wife."
"Same here, for someone I'm grateful to."
"Outstanding choice."
As they wrapped up, a commotion erupted outside the tent.
"We're under attack! Orcs!"
"Battle stations, everyone!"
"Weapons up! There's a lot of them!"
"Come out quick, Your Highness!"
Yuri and Rick exchanged glances.
Yuri grinned and placed a hand on Rick's shoulder.
"You'll cover the fee, right?"