How Much More Would You Pay for That?
Scribble—scratch—scrawl—scribble—scratch—scrawl—
"Hmmm…… Hmmm……."
Now the Pepper Count let out a heavy nasal breath, brazenly writing signals on Lady Marien's palm right in front of everyone. Judging by how relentlessly they kept scribbling on each other's palms, the two couldn't bridge their gap on the number of mana stones they needed to agree on.
Of course they'd be agonizing over it. They've only just started to truly feel how safely cataract surgery can be performed.
After the Pepper Count expressed his intent to undergo cataract surgery, I didn't jump straight into haggling over the mana stones like some amateur. First, I showed him several pre-prepared promotional videos detailing the surgery and recovery process—complete with photos of successful cases.
Cataract cases are a dime a dozen. And the numbers keep climbing every year.
Among the various types of cataracts, most patients suffer from age-related ones. But the annual surgery count, which used to hover between 150,000 and 250,000, had ballooned to nearly 700,000.
That's more people getting cataract surgery every year than the total number of Republic of Korea armed forces personnel.
Unlike the past, the recent surge came from a sharp rise in 30s and 40s patients.
They blame increased UV exposure from more outdoor activities…… but honestly, the real driver is insurance coverage making it affordable.
Once cataract surgery got included in actual-cost reimbursement insurance, it exploded in popularity. But that wasn't all upside. Cataracts might require reoperation sometimes, but eyes are delicate—you ideally want to operate just once, so caution is key.
Still, with insurance periods expiring soon, more patients were rushing into unnecessary surgeries just to cash in. And the biggest issue? Greedy quack doctors who didn't give a damn about patient welfare, eagerly ushering them in for the payday.
Thinking of those back-alley hacks in my home country, I smirked bitterly. That's when the tightly shut mouth of the Pepper Count finally opened.
"Hmmm…… How about one mana stone for the white-eye—no, cataract surgery?"
One mana stone equaled 2,000 gold—around 200 million won at local rates. Without insurance, a cataract surgery back home ran about 10 million won. Twenty times the max fee? Couldn't complain.
Of course, that only worked when I was still clueless about this world's realities.
A sly grin crept across my face. It was the year 563 by the Ailene calendar, and I was in my third year of isekai life.
These people treated a single facial mole like an incurable disease, so charging a mere twentyfold markup for the miracle of restoring sight? That would undervalue me.
I had to set my own worth. Just like now.
"Haha, Lord Pepper. That's an adorably quaint offer."
"Adorably quaint? What do you mean by that?"
"It means your proposal is cutely modest compared to your ambitions. A count as savvy in trade as you surely researched the Beauty Tower before coming here."
I continued with a relaxed smile as the Pepper Count feigned confusion.
"In my hospital, the Beauty Tower, we apply a noblesse oblige fee to all consultations and treatments. Just as higher nobles pay more to the territorial office, we charge tiered fees based on status."
"Lord Gold! Even for sight-restoring surgery, one mana stone is a hefty sum—"
"Hey now, hold it! I'm not done. Let me finish."
True to his merchant roots, the Pepper Count tried to wedge in like a needle. But I wagged a raised index finger, shutting him down.
Real haggling hadn't even started.
"The one mana stone you propose is the rate for a standard cataract surgery. For commoners."
"W-what? You mean all those videos and photos of people getting cataract surgery—they all paid 2,000 gold? That's absurd!"
As I geared up for serious negotiation, the Pepper Count's face twitched with feigned outrage. Amusing. His micro-expressions betrayed his true intent: to lowball the fee.
"Haha, whether it's absurd isn't for you to decide, Lord Pepper."
His mask was so transparent, I pressed on with a leisurely smile.
"Of course, not everyone paid that."
"Then—"
"But those who came to me for cataract surgery provided something I needed—not always money—so I adjusted accordingly."
"……."
"Some covered it with years' worth of food or clothing. But that's beside the point. What you need to know is that right now, I need mana stones."
"Ahem……."
No knife to my throat, no lowballing. He had one choice left.
"……Two. I can offer two northern mana stones for the surgery."
"Haha, Lord Pepper. Let's call the surgery off. I wouldn't perform a unique procedure continent-wide for pocket change—especially not from the wealthiest count's house in the West Continent. Now I'm almost offended."
"N-no, are two mana stones not enough? Just how much are you thinking for the surgery?"
Finally, with a voice trembling in mock panic, he said what I wanted. If you'd led with that, this would've been easier.
"Hmm, your tiny, cute offer makes me think I don't need to state my price…… But since it's out there: ten times your initial proposal."
"Ten…… ten times? Ten northern mana stones?!"
"Exactly. Ten mana stones for the cataract surgery—"
Clatter—
"Forget the surgery. Up you get, Marien!"
"F-Father, calm down and sit."
"Ahem."
After all that palm-scribbling, they even had this skit ready? As the Pepper Count shot up, Marien frantically held him back. He reluctantly sat, arms crossed—looking downright cute.
Whatever they did, their intentions shone through in micro-expressions.
"Lord Gold, if Father can regain his sight, I'd even gouge out my own eyes. Still, ten northern mana stones is outrageously high. Our Pepper territory gets an allocation of just two per month from the Lancaster Duchy—24 a year total."
While the Pepper Count 'simmered,' Marien took over.
"Giving ten would be nearly half our annual purchase—practically impossible."
"Impossible, you say……."
I trailed off, and Marien nodded cautiously.
"How about four mana stones instead?"
"Marien!"
A bellow like boiled leather burst from the Pepper Count. Emotional, sure—but still acting.
Time for compromise. Stretch the rubber band too far, and it snaps.
"Hmm…… Hearing your house's plight, I suppose I can yield a bit."
"So four mana stones?"
"Yielding doesn't mean giving it away. Eight mana stones, and we proceed."
"L-Lord Gold! That's too much! Didn't my daughter say? Pepper territory buys only 24 a year! Even with reserves, we need them for ongoing needs—we can't blow a third on one surgery!"
"No one's holding a blade to your throat. Can't afford it? Don't. No skin off my—"
"Ahem, how about compromising at five? More than that, and heaven splits—impossible."
His lip quivered; he was nearing his limit. Or so he wanted me to think. Meant I could squeeze more.
"Haha, 'impossible' always has a workaround. Seven mana stones. My maximum courtesy."
"Hoo, fine. Three mana stones for the spice and seasoning recipes. We'll contact via steward later. Let's go."
This time, no acting. Had I misread? He grabbed his cane and stood.
Five for treatment, three for 'pepper-salt recipe'—total eight. I'd have to settle and soothe him.
"Father, wait!"
"Let go! My eyes matter, but territory stability comes first!"
"Ah, Fath…… Kyaa!"
"Marien?!" Thud—
Blind from severe cataracts, the Pepper Count shoved Marien off, knocking her eye-veil askew.
"M-Marien! A-Are you alright?!"
"Ah…… I'm fine, Father."
As Marien snatched the fallen veil and hastily replaced it, the Pepper Count fussed over her hand—like pitying a poor puppy. Then his unseen eyes glared my way.
"……You saw?"
"Saw what, my lord?"
"Hmmm…… Nothing."
A faint sigh of relief escaped him at my denial.
Liar. My eyes never miss prey.
"Oh? You mean Lady Marien's heterochromia? Left eye brown, right eye blue—"
"S-Stop! Don't speak it!"
He practically foamed, veins bulging like I'd stabbed his reverse scale.
"Seven mana stones for the cataract surgery. But write an affidavit never to speak of my daughter's eyes."
"Father……."
Ditching further haggling, he offered seven outright.
Tsk tsk, no need for threats—they hand it over themselves.
That glimpse under the veil: Lady Marien had iris heterochromia—classic odd eyes. And the Pepper Count feared me knowing.
"Haha, no big deal. Fine. Seven mana stones for the cataract surgery, clean and simple."
And as always, fear opens wallets wide.
"By the way, Lord Pepper. How much more would you pay to make Lady Marien's eyes normal?"
Surgery to fix odd eyes into ordinary ones. Another procedure I could do.
The stench of money made my nose tingle.