Chapter 119
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Eldrasil Luxury Shop
Jeon's group didn't leave the Drowning Pub until evening, just as the sun was setting.
They had spent quite some time planning how to proceed since they'd agreed to work together, but even so, dragging it out until dinner was entirely due to Jeon.
"Ah, I want to eat it again."
"We just finished eating and you're already craving more...?"
"It tasted like home."
"Like home?"
"Yeah, something like that."
Lena stared at Jeon, who patted his full belly with a satisfied look, her face a picture of utter confusion.
'Who would've thought I'd taste ramen in a place like this.'
The reason Jeon had lingered until evening was that stew which reminded him of ramen.
The spicy flavor, something he hadn't had in ages, had stirred up a massive wave of nostalgia.
'If things go well, I should come back for more before heading home.'
He even found himself thinking he could ask for extra pasta noodles to make it feel even more like ramen.
"It was too spicy for me. I couldn't eat much."
Unlike Jeon, who was thoroughly satisfied, Lena hadn't been a big fan of the stew.
She admitted it was tasty, but it was too spicy for her to finish even one bowl.
"Spice wimp."
"What?"
"That's a thing."
Jeon glanced at Lena with eyes that said she was being ridiculous, then brushed off her protesting glare and kept walking.
"Alright, let's get going!"
"I'll take the lead."
Risar, who had the best sense of direction in the group, handled navigation.
He had memorized the map perfectly once again and moved forward without hesitation.
'This is the complete opposite of the way here.'
On the way in, they had gone from bustling streets to increasingly seedy back alleys.
Now, they were heading from dingy back alleys toward the heart of the city.
At some point, they entered streets even more prosperous—no, luxurious—than what they'd seen upon arriving from the station.
The neatly paved roads and surrounding buildings were so well-maintained they looked brand new.
The signs of the shops lining the streets all bore magical effects, each flaunting dazzling displays in their own way.
Not only did the letters sparkle and flash, but some writhed and moved, while others even made sounds.
"...I've never seen anything this flashy in my life."
It was a novel sight even for Lena, who had lived the proper noble life, which made Jeon's group newly realize just how impressive Eldrasil was as a city.
"But... we're still a ways from our destination, right?"
"Yes. We need to go a bit further into the center."
Yet their destination hadn't appeared yet.
And rightly so—their target was the 'Eldrasil Luxury Shop'.
As the name brazenly included the capital Eldrasil, it was located on the most bustling street in the city.
"We're here."
"This is the Luxury Shop?"
"...Looks like it?"
They finally arrived at a five-story building.
And only one sign hung on that building.
'Eldrasil Luxury Shop'.
The capital's top fashion and jewelry store occupied the entire five-story structure.
'No wonder... They said it has connections not just with nobles but royalty too.'
Jeon had wondered how a mere clothing shop could build such networks, but seeing the scale firsthand made it instantly believable.
"...That uncle guy really has connections with the owner here?"
But as Lena muttered.
If anything, it was harder to believe that the owner of a place like this was friends with Taikan from that rundown back-alley pub.
"Don't overthink it. Focus on what we came here to do."
Jeon tapped Lena's shoulder to snap her out of it.
Regardless of how surprising Taikan's connections were, it was time to get to work.
"Yeah, got it."
Lena shook herself alert at Jeon's words and nodded with clear, focused eyes.
This time, she took the lead and stepped into the store.
"Welcome! This is Eldrasil Luxury Shop!"
A friendly voice, neither too loud nor too soft, greeted them the moment they entered.
Along with it came a single clerk with a perfectly measured smile, bowing politely as she approached.
"Nice to meet you. Is this your first time shopping with us?"
"Yes, first time."
"I see. Are you looking for something specific?"
"Actually, I'm searching for an outfit to wear to Princess Katrina's birthday party coming up soon."
Lena handled the approaching clerk with surprising poise.
'She really looks every bit the noble lady in moments like this.'
With Jeon, she often seemed her age—or even younger.
But otherwise, Lena exuded the poise and aura of someone born and bred in nobility.
Even in her unassuming attire, the clerk picked up on her refined speech and demeanor, avoiding direct eye contact as she continued serving them.
"Shall I show you our highest-end items, then?"
"Yes, that would be perfect."
"Right this way..."
"Oh, while you're at it, could we see your top designer line? I hear it's the best."
"Of course. Do you have a specific line in mind?"
"Something called... Haven, I think."
"...Understood. If you'd follow me this way?"
But the clerk, who had been handling things smoothly, hesitated briefly when Lena mentioned 'Haven'.
Of course, as a Luxury Shop employee, it was only a split-second reaction.
But Jeon, whose perception far exceeded normal humans, caught it clearly.
'He said just mentioning it would work... And it did.'
Haven.
It was a sort of code word Taikan had taught Jeon's group.
He'd said that if they went to Eldrasil Luxury Shop, asked to see the designer line, and named it 'Haven', any clerk would arrange a meeting with the owner.
And sure enough, it worked on the first try—they were led straight to the top floor.
The top floor felt less like a store and more like an office, unlike the floors below.
It even resembled a shared office space, divided into multiple rooms.
"This way, please."
The clerk guided the curiously looking group to an office at the far end.
Knock knock.
"Who is it?"
A somewhat irritable voice came from inside after the clerk's careful knock.
"This is Anna from the first floor. I have customers looking for the Haven line."
"...Haven?"
"Yes."
"Let them in first."
With permission granted, the clerk opened the door and ushered Jeon's group inside.
'What can I say... It really feels like a designer's studio.'
The room looked strikingly similar to the fashion designer offices Jeon had occasionally seen in media from his past life.
Fabrics strewn about everywhere, mannequins lined up by body type.
And at the desk in the back sat a woman with long, voluminous red hair, her brows furrowed.
"Ms. Celi, these are the customers I mentioned."
"Got it. You can go now."
She waved off the politely reporting clerk, then turned her gaze to Jeon's group.
Her eyes first landed on Lena, who stood at the front.
"Foxkin?"
"Ah... Yes."
"Hmm~ So, what's your connection to Taikan?"
Celi, spotting Lena's ears and deducing her race, propped her chin on her desk and asked.
"We're working together starting today."
"...Working with Taikan?"
Though Celi had asked Lena, Jeon answered.
Celi slowly shifted her fixed gaze from Lena to Jeon.
"To be precise, we received some information from Mr. Taikan."
"If that guy's selling my connections, it won't be trivial info... So, what's the job?"
"Have you heard the name Towns?"
"Towns? Of course. He's a client of mine—and like you, he came on Taikan's introduction."
"And you introduced him?"
"I did."
Celi's reaction remained flat even as Towns came up.
She acted as if she had no idea what had happened to him.
So Jeon cut straight to it.
"We'd like to meet that person you introduced him to."
"You?"
"Yes."
"Did Taikan explain what kind of person I am?"
"Yes, he did."
"Hmm."
Celi's already furrowed brow creased even deeper at Jeon's words.
She rose slowly from her seat, revealing her slender, model-like figure that Jeon remembered from his past life.
"And you come to me asking for that?"
"Is that a problem?"
"Obviously. You think I can just introduce anyone to royalty? Think about my position here."
Click-clack.
She stepped out from behind the desk toward the group, continuing the conversation with Jeon.
Up close, her height was nearly equal to Risar's—tremendously tall for a woman.
"We're from a noble house ourselves."
"I figured. But that doesn't mean I can just make introductions willy-nilly. Towns himself went missing, didn't he?"
"Are you worried about us?"
"...I'm worried about my reputation."
Celi's eyebrow twitched at Jeon's question.
'She feels guilty. Worried we'll end up the same.'
Ever since he could properly handle Purple Mystery, Jeon had grown more sensitive to the emotional shifts in people's actions and reactions.
That brief response let him gauge her character.
"No need to worry about your reputation."
"Why not?"
Jeon shrugged at Celi's retort.
There were plenty of ways to prove their credentials.
Showing Lena's family background or her 4th Circle achievement at a young age, or demonstrating his own abilities.
But Jeon opted for something simpler—visible and instantly convincing.
He opened his bag, pulled out an item, and offered it to Celi.
"Here."
"Th-this is...?"
Celi's pupils and voice trembled violently at the sight.
"Correct. The Imperial Guardian Medal."
And rightly so.
What Jeon casually pulled from his bag was the very Imperial Guardian Medal he'd received from Lucian.