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After lunch, the group had to consider more than just food for the remaining two days. Mengdie wasn’t concerned about basic necessities like food and clothing, so being without money to buy supplies wasn't a big deal to her. However, when discussing the upcoming expenses and equipment resupply, problems arose. Mengdie's gauntlets were devoid of magic conduit shards, and Edward's light armor was damaged. Addressing these needs would be costly.
"Anyway, discussing it further won’t help. Let's first see how much everything costs, okay?"
Mengdie stood up, her clothes now dry from the heat of the stove. Aside from the few remaining silver sparkles in her hair, she looked normal again.
Nia was the first to nod in agreement, followed by Edward and Xiu. The group packed up and headed back to the magic stone shop under Xiu’s guidance.
※※※
Mengdie never had much need for money. Her long-term monastic lifestyle had ingrained in her the belief that money was only necessary in sufficient amounts. Excess wealth could dull the body and burden the mind with unnecessary attachments.
However, standing in the magic shop and looking at the price tags on the magic stones, Mengdie was shocked. She had never realized how expensive and valuable magic was in this world!
75... Sulas?!
She gazed at a box of fiery red magic conduit shards, each smaller than a quarter of her fingernail, priced shockingly high. And that was just the beginning – slightly larger shards were tagged at 100 Sulas!
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"Heavens... A bandit from the raid was worth only one of these small magic shards?"
Mengdie looked incredulously at Edward, her face demanding an explanation. Edward, understandably vague, had no clear idea about external prices, being a sheltered prince.
The shopkeeper, recovering from his initial awe of Mengdie, was now eagerly attentive, assuming that the beautiful girl with two attendants must have plenty of money. "What an opportunity to make a fortune," he thought, smiling.
"Hehehe... Miss, how can I assist you?"
Faced with the shopkeeper's smile, Mengdie felt awkward and wanted to leave, but she pressed on, asking, "How much... for a magic stone?"
The shopkeeper's smile widened. He presented a rhombus-shaped "Earth" magic stone from the Pierre family’s mines, boasting of its perfect color and symmetry. "For you, Miss, just 1200 Sulas for this treasure!"
1200... Sulas...
Mengdie was stunned. Ignoring the eager shopkeeper, she continued to peruse the shelves:
Water Trace Magic Shard – 50 Sulas
Lightning Magic Shard – 80 Sulas
Flame Magic Shard – 75 Sulas
Storm Magic Shard – 60 Sulas...
And in their pockets – 0 Sulas.
After scanning the prices, Mengdie looked up and smiled politely at the shopkeeper. As he moved to lavish more attention on her, the shop door quietly closed. The girl with starlit hair had vanished.
※※※
Back on the boat, Mengdie, Nia, Edward, and Xiu sat around the remaining crystal grass hot pot, discussing their next steps.
Edward: "I’m telling you! As a prince of Silver Moon, I can surely get some sponsorship! Xiu, we just met yesterday; why are you so against my idea?"
Xiu: "Hey, Prince. Do you think you can just claim to be a prince in this lawless place without any proof of identity and expect people to believe you? You’ll just embarrass Miss Mengdie by running around shouting that."
Edward: "Embarrass... Mengdie, did I... embarrass you?"
Mengdie: "Well... um..."
Xiu: "Let's sell my inventions here! I assure you, each is a masterpiece worth at least 5000 Sulas!"
Edward: "Masterpieces? They're all useless junk!"
Xiu: "What? You dare call my inventions junk? I think you're the real piece of junk, Prince!"
Edward: "You... you! How dare you! I’ll teach you a lesson today!"
Xiu: "Bring it on, I'm ready any time!"
Their argument gave Mengdie a headache. She waved her hand, stopping the escalating tension.
"Enough, we're all on the same team here!"
Silenced by Mengdie's command, Edward and Xiu shut up. They looked at each other, both silent. After a moment, Xiu picked up the pot and dishes, muttering "I'll wash up," and left the cabin.
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