Chapter 14 Festive Mood (3)

Finally, the carriage passed the laborer quarters, and we emerged onto the streets where the "clean public" strolled. Neatly tailored clothes, smooth skin, polite manners, and smiles on bright faces. It was as if it were another world. The police vigilantly ensured that the "riffraff" didn't disturb the promenade of nobles and wealthy townsfolk.

After settling with the coachman, I proceeded to do some shopping. As I moved forward, the idea of visiting shops lost its attractiveness. The cursed Peasant's Day—or whatever it's called—irritated me, not only with the annoying crowds but also more substantial difficulties. The streets and the market square weren't the only things overcrowded; the stores were swamped too. I had to abandon the idea of stocking up on some rags.

As I made my way through the crowd, I struggled with my growing irritation. What were all these people doing in and around the stores if they didn't buy anything? At some point, I got tired of the fact that all these uncouth personalities do not want to let a miniature good sorceress, hurrying on business, go ahead and even dare to push. So, I moved on with the force of my Teigu. Convenient when people subconsciously avoid you and clear a path!

However, after children suddenly started crying due to the "aura of goodness," adult conversations grew hushed, and the empty space around me became all too conspicuous, I had to lower the impact level.

After questioning some passing guards about the location of the necessary shops and slipping them a couple of coins "for a drink," I headed first to where, according to an unusually polite red-faced sergeant, I could buy a bag big enough to fit a dragon.

The policeman didn't cheat. Soon, an Prapor called up in a remote corner sported a backpack to match him. I didn't know for whom this monster of a backpack was made among all the others, but it didn't differ much in size from my minion. According to rough estimates, it could fit no fewer than four people, and if you cut and compact them, six to seven. You could also use the outer pockets to squeeze in someone not particularly large, like a girl or a teenager.

Now there was no need to worry about the volume of purchases or the possibility of running out of goodies on the road. Hail to me!

Next was the weapon shop. There, I bought training weapons for the whole group, made from wood that conducted spiritual energy. I would prefer blade attachments, but to buy them, you need to have Akira and the guys' guns with you. And these things are expensive — more expensive than exercise machines. But even these pieces of wood have eaten up a noticeable part of my savings! I even had to take a "budget option" from the redesigned Ent core for myself.

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In addition, I bought a set for taking care of the trophy gun, a holster, and a beautiful gift box. I intended to present the firearm to Eris. It was useless to me, but for her, it was quite the opposite.

Lastly, I grabbed a bunch of throwing needles, somewhat surprised by the presence of such a specific item. But also delighted. In some situations, it was more reasonable to discreetly throw a poisoned needle at the target than to engage in a brawl with the guards. The poison, of course, wasn't sold, but Akira was interested in the topic and had a set of various poisons with antidotes.

To be honest, I bought the needles not because I intended to use them. Akira had a high-quality set of throwing stars for that purpose and extensive experience in their application. I just felt like it. Fortunately, sharp needles made of ordinary tempered steel were quite cheap.

In the bookstore and stationery shop, I stocked up on pencils, notepads, and, of course, books. An energetic old shopkeeper helped me choose a comprehensive bestiary, a collection of legends and tales about the most potent monsters of ranks A, S, and uncategorized, as well as something like a beginner's guide for monster hunters. The hefty book described the habitats, habits, and vulnerable points of monsters commonly found in the Empire. It also emphasized valuable organs and the correct methods for extracting and storing them.

Not entirely what I needed but not uninteresting.

I also didn't pass up the history of the Empire, taking a weighty album-sized tome that, according to the seller, contained facts without much propaganda. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything useful about the events of the Civil War four centuries ago.

This topic, as well as research into pre-Imperial events, was not approved by the censors and was considered conditionally restricted. This means that you wouldn't be persecuted for selling or owning such literature, but it was challenging to find. Although I was strangely drawn to the events of the war between the rebel prince and the Emperor, it seemed to be a dead end.

In addition to what was mentioned earlier, I bought a comprehensive work on philosophy and a similar one on art. I wouldn't say I suddenly developed an interest in them, but in order to convincingly play the role of a noblewoman who fancied herself a brave traveler, it was necessary to have a basic understanding of these topics. Inspired by Eris and her stories of the trendy game among noble youths where they played adventurers, I considered changing the group's "legend" for this mission, and knowledge of literature might come in handy.

Of course, I should have discussed the idea with Natal and Kei Li, but when I thought about visiting a city that could potentially support the rebels under standard cover, my intuition started to complain. Our faces could be recognized thanks to Orburg and the owner of the shape-shifting Teigu, who had escaped a purge. It would be best to change our image. Moreover, with the relatively competent General Bill, information about the arrival of groups sometimes leaked to the rebels, and under Marcus, if anything changed, it was not for the better.

In general, the group arriving at the destination would probably be perceived as a bunch of young idlers who fancied themselves as travelers, not a group of graduates from the capital's School of Combat who had potentially lost something in the south and therefore were considered suspicious.

"Okay, we'll buy the rest in the next city, but for now let's look at the local holidays," I unloaded the last batch of purchases into the backpack of the Prapor, whom I called in a quiet corner and headed for the square.

In my past life, I enjoyed attending such events. Maybe the treats traditionally sold by street vendors could change the current prejudice against the "fake" holiday and other gatherings?