Chapter 9
I looked back and forth between the potion bottle and the shopkeeper.
“Max performance…? Then how much is this?”
I asked while fiddling with my coin pouch.
“If you buy all five as a set, it’s 50 gold! Ah—but since you’re the last customer, I can lower it to 45 gold! Hmm, even better—you’re so pretty, I’ll give it to you for 40 gold. What do you think?”
At his words, I clenched my money pouch tightly in despair.
I turned slightly and opened it discreetly, checking my money.
Maybe if I shook it hard enough, more would come out.
But no matter how much I checked—
I only had 13 gold and 50 silver coins.
Why is a glorified energy drink this expensive?!
Even 1 gold per bottle would’ve felt pricey, but this was ridiculous.
“Um… sir?”
I hesitated, the coins clinking nervously in my hand.
“Yes? Have you decided? Shall I pack it for you?”
“Ah, no… Do you have something cheaper? It just needs to have a similar effect.”
The shopkeeper paused briefly, then smiled brightly again.
“Of course! What price range are you looking for?”
“Well… um…”
“Hm?”
I opened my palm and showed him my coins.
“I’d like to buy something with this.”
I gave him my best pitiful look—like a pleading kitten.
His expression stiffened for a moment, then he forced a laugh.
“Haha… let’s see… so how much do you have?”
He sang strangely as he counted my coins one by one.
“13 gold… hmm… just a moment.”
He disappeared into the back of the shop.
Soon, he returned carrying several large bottles—each about 2 liters in size.
They were way bigger than the tiny potion bottles from before.
“Oof, heavy! How many do you need? Compared to the quantity, the effect is a bit weaker—but it’s much cheaper! This is exactly what you’re looking for: the Beginner Adventurer Fatigue Recovery Potion (Ⅰ)!”
He proudly presented a bottle the size of a large water jug.
“Even if it’s a bit difficult, if you drink one whole bottle, you’ll get about… half of half of half of the effect of the advanced one! The effect fades over time, but if you store it properly in a cool place, it’ll last a month!”
Is that… a potion or a dumbbell?
“…I have to drink all of this… just for half of half of half…?”
“Yes! Half of half of half!”
Even drinking 500ml of plain water was hard for me.
I stared at it in disbelief.
And the weight—
Even carrying two would make this weak body gasp for breath.
How much HP did I lose when McKenna scolded me again…?
“…H-how much is this?”
“2 gold per bottle. Very cheap, right?”
“…”
Even considering the price difference, this was too much.
Even inside a game, it felt like harsh capitalism.
I stared at my 13 gold coins and 50 silver coins.
Even with that, I could only buy six bottles at most.
As I hesitated, a large shadow loomed behind me.
“Excuse me?”
I turned around.
The shopkeeper was cracking his knuckles, staring at me menacingly.
Eek!
“Yes?!”
“Are you buying or not? These need refrigeration, so you should decide quickly…”
His friendliness was clearly fading.
His face now looked as intimidating as a cliff.
Before things got worse, I bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t bring enough money… I’ll come back next time!”
I put my money away and left empty-handed.
Millard approached me.
“Did you finish your purchase?”
I shook my head.
“No… I tried to buy a fatigue recovery potion, but it didn’t work out.”
I didn’t know it would be that expensive…
Hearing that, Millard looked even more disappointed than I did.
“Evelyn, why were you trying to buy a fatigue potion? Do maids have a lot of overtime?”
I spoke, almost on the verge of tears.
“…So I can live longer.”
I want to live longer.
I want to live comfortably.
I don’t want to die.
Millard looked troubled.
“L-longer? I don’t think it has that kind of effect… but if that’s the reason, would you like some of mine?”
“…Really?”
I asked in surprise.
He nodded shyly.
“Yes. I receive supplies regularly during training. I usually have extras, so I can spare a few.”
“But you need them too, don’t you?”
“I hardly use them. I usually give them to my comrades. And I get new ones every week, so it’s fine.”
Of course… NPCs don’t even need to buy items.
They just get replenished.
I felt a bit jealous.
“Then…”
I nodded and put my money back into my pouch.
The coins clinked as they dropped in.
I looked between the pouch and Millard.
“Then I’ll give you this instead!”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s not much, but it’s everything I have. You’re giving me potions, so I should give you something too. Then it’s fair, right?”
I held out my pouch.
Millard stepped back, waving his hands.
“No, no! Please keep your money. As I said, I don’t really need them.”
Why is he so nice?
I fidgeted with my pouch.
“But… potions are valuable. You need them for training, and for night patrols…”
“It’s really fine. I don’t need them at all.”
At his firm refusal, I slowly put the pouch away.
“Alright… thank you so much. Then let’s head back. I need to report to Lady Bianca.”
“Understood. Since you’re done, we’ll return to the estate.”
* * *
As soon as we returned, I headed to Bianca’s room to report.
But neither Bianca nor Emma was there.
A passing maid told me they were having tea in the garden.
When I entered the garden, I was greeted by a strong fragrance of flowers.
The Marquis had filled the entire garden with flowers—only the ones Bianca liked.
A true doting father.
“Girls, isn’t the weather lovely today?”
“It really is!”
“It makes me want to go on a picnic!”
The maids responded like enthusiastic fans.
“It really does. Maybe that’s why the tea smells even better. Thank you for preparing it.”
Her gentle voice was as soft as tea pouring from a teapot.
I should remember how they talk and use it later.
“Milady, I’ve returned from the Pendler estate.”
I approached and reported.
Bianca’s face lit up.
“Good work. What did the Duke say?”
I forced a smile.
He’s supposed to be an angel… right?
“…He said he was very grateful…”
That should be fine, right …?
Bianca covered her mouth and chuckled.
“I’m glad he liked it.”
She’s totally enjoying this, isn’t she?
Suppressing my frustration, I joined in serving tea.
Thankfully, serving Bianca was easy.
All I had to do was watch Emma pour tea and agree with whatever Bianca said.
“Lady Bianca, a letter has arrived for you.”
A butler brought a tray with letters neatly arranged.
“Thank you.”
The maids immediately became excited.
“Another love letter?”
“Which noble is it this time? Maybe from the royal family?”
“I’m so curious!”
Bianca laughed.
“Why are you all more excited than me?”
“Love letters are always exciting!”
I smiled as I watched them.
“Shall we read one?”
Bianca didn’t seem to mind.
As she opened each letter, laughter filled the garden.
I found myself enjoying it too—
Until suddenly—
Doom… doom… doom…
A dangerous BGM started playing.
My expression froze.
A chill ran down my spine.
Oh no…
This is…
