Eugenie came to attend Nowald-sensei’s alchemy lecture. However, the lectures are always about two hours long, and after that, we play together for the rest of the day.
Today we learned how to make Komeda from rough Komeda gemstones. Komeda is a material that can be used as a raw material for many things.
“Cedie, why don’t we go to the cave now? Let’s look for Komeda gemstones.”
“Okay. We can put what we learned today into practice right away.”
In addition to Char, there is also Gian, which is reassuring. I think it’s okay to go to the back of Area 2 today.
We entered the cave in search of the Komeda gemstones.
“It’s a lot different from the last time I was here.”
“It’s a cave that changes its structure every time you enter after all. That is why we can collect different items each time.”
“Oh~. Ah, there’s a flower blooming over there.”
“It’s moonlight grass. It’s a plant that’s used in magical potions.”
In order not to damage the roots, I cut them off with a knife.
“What a beautiful flower.”
The flowers of the moonlight grass is in translucent silver color, with a deep blue hue at the base of the petals.
“It’s basically a tough flower, so you can put it in a vase for a while.”
“Oh, I’ll try that.”
Eugenie gently placed the moonlight flower in her bag.
Then we came to the back of Area 1. The structure of the cave changes every time you enter it, but the entrance and exit areas are always the same. It’s the same with Area 2.
“Behind this door is Area 2. The Komeda gemstones can be found in Area 2.”
“We have to stay alert though, right?.”
“You don’t have to be so nervous just yet. There are no monsters in front of or behind the door.”
“Oh. Then it’s like a little resting spot, isn’t it?”
“Mm, you can say that.”
After relaxing for a moment, I opened the door to the cave.
What’s going on here?
There’s a shop on the other side of the rock. The shop has an atmosphere similar to the antique shop I saw in Japan in my previous life.
Oh, there’s a signboard.
In black letters on a red background, it says “Farh Jarg’s Art Store”.
So this is the shop that Farh Jarg was talking about huh.
“Is there a shop in a place like this?”
“Actually, it’s a shop that I invested in. It’s the first time I’ve been here though. Come, let’s stop by for a minute.”
The other day he had been acting very timid, but the Farh Jarg who greeted us had returned to his previous arrogant attitude.
“Welcome, Cedie. Come and take a look at my many masterpieces. If you have the money, I recommend buying some. They’re all very valuable paintings. You rarely find them this cheap.”
Oh, an ukiyo-e print of “Kabuki Actor” for 1.2 million crown coins huh. Frankly, it’s an incredible bargain. But that’s only if this thing is real.
At the game Island Maker, I also collected all the masterpiece series of this. I’m not going to put up with this farce.
“Is this really worth 1.2 million crown coins? I think it’s not worth that much.”
“What!? Are you nitpicking on my goods?”
Farh Jarg is dressed in all red, and his angry face now is also bright red.
I’ve hit the nail on the head, and he’s trying to cover it up.
“Look, it’s weird how the eyebrows are drawn. Besides, a real kabuki actor would have higher eyebrows.”
“W-what are you trying to say……?”
“Same goes for this ‘The Young Man in Blue’. His bangs is too long.”
Farh Jarg stomped his feet in frustration.
“Damn it! I thought you are just a little brat. I underestimated you!”
“It’s well done for a fake though. I can buy ‘The Young Man in Blue’ for 10,000 crown coins.”
“Tsk. Okay, that price is fine.”
Fakes are interesting in their own way. I’ll hang this in my cottage.
“Make sure you have the real thing prepared next time.”
“Okay….…”
Leaving the frustrated Farh Jarg behind, we headed out to explore the cave again.
✲✲✲
A few days after exploring the cave with Eugenie, Alexei-oniisan came to visit me again.
“You’ve been coming by a lot lately Oniisan. What can I do for your visit today?”
“Of course it’s about the Magic Railway.”
He hadn’t given up yet……
“I was a bit childish the other day. Today I’ve come with a compromise.”
Alexei-oniisan handed me a piece of paper with all sorts of writing in it.
“What do you think? I think that should satisfy Cedie, right?”
I’m not satisfied at all.
I have to prepare 70% of the necessary magic stones, and the labor costs are completely on my own.
“I’ve said it many times. The magic railway cannot be made unless it is under the same conditions as Earl Simpson. I really can’t afford to take on your offer.”
“But there must still be a compromise!”
He’s trying to find a compromise from the beginning. Sigh. It’s really awkward to have someone you can’t talk properly with. And it’s even more troublesome when the other party is powerful person.
Seeing that I won’t relent, Alexei-oniisan start looking into the room with his arms crossed, but his eyes suddenly fell on the painting on the wall.
“The Young Man in Blue!? Why is there such a masterpiece here!?”
“Oh, that? It’s fake.”
I was honest with him, but he didn’t believe me.
“How ridiculous! My eyes won’t fool me! Where did you get this?”
“I bought it from a sprite art dealer named Farh Jarg.”
Alexei-oniisan’s eyes are glued to the painting. There is a color of desire floating in it.
“Okay, I’ll buy it from you.”
“Ah? Like I said, it’s fake.”
“Stop whining. Okay, I’ll give you 500,000 crown coins for this.”
As soon as he said that, he took out five gold coins from his pouch and laid them out on the table. He then starts to take the painting off the wall.
“No. I told you, it’s fake!”
“Hahaha, I’m a so-called noble appraiser and I’m not going to be fooled! I’ll buy it whether it’s fake or not.”
A noble appraiser?
It’s the first time I’ve heard of it. Oh well, this is too much trouble so I’ll just let him do what he wants.
“Uhahaha, I made some great purchase today. I’ll come again!”
Are you coming again!?
My eldest brother walked out with loud footsteps. Then I heard his cheerful voice outside.
“I’ll have some melon soft-serve ice cream on the way home. Uhahahaha!”
Uh-, Alexei-oniisan is getting used to the island.
I don’t want him to get used to it though. I hope he doesn’t get angry when he finds out that it’s really a fake. Anyways, he will come to ask me to return the money eventually.
Or, does he really not realize that it is a fake?
Just how good is a noble appraiser anyway?
I stopped worrying about it, collected the gold coins on the table and put them in my pouch.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
Previous ⚜ Table of Contents ⚜ Next
Yume Neiji's Works 