Chapter 98: The Economics of Elphyrians

“The restaurant is one thing, but mumble mumble, renting out that whole giant museum… As expected, the Crown Prince’s influence really is something else.”

On the way to the final destination of their tour of the capital.

Retina, finishing off some street food in the carriage, spoke up.

“I sent the message in a hurry last night.”

They had rented the Schubert National Museum and even arranged for a guide.

At first, the Elphyrians had been bewildered, but soon enough, they were completely engrossed in the museum’s artifacts.

The scholars were drawn to the history, and the warriors showed great interest in the weaponry.

Particularly, the scholars Bayen and Oyen had taken notes, captivated by the history of the Schubert Empire, and when it was time to leave, they’d looked truly reluctant.

“The food at the restaurant was amazing, too. I’ve tried my fair share of human cuisine here and there, but today’s place… how should I put it…? It felt really special.”

“I didn’t know such a restaurant existed either. I’m also surprised that Lucretia knew of a place like that.”

Located in a quiet part of the city center, the restaurant specialized in vegetarian cuisine.

Even for Rohan, who didn’t particularly prefer vegetarian food, the dishes there had been a surprisingly fresh experience.

‘When this tour ends, I’ll have to thank Lucretia.’

He was very grateful to her for organizing everything so perfectly, even on such short notice.

“In any case, it looks like everyone is thoroughly satisfied. Especially Luna—even though she doesn’t show it, you can tell she’s really excited right now.”

Retina added with a soft chuckle.

Rohan had noticed it too.

He’d seen her eyes sparkle as she gazed at the Schubert swords and bows in the museum.

Though she’d been the quietest at the restaurant, she’d eaten the most.

“Oh? I can see the river!”

Retina, looking out the window, shouted.

“That’s the Marianne River.”

Rohan smiled as he looked at the river.

There were two rivers in Schubert’s capital: the Central River, which ran through the heart of the city, and the Marianne River, which branched southward.

Unlike the Central River, the Marianne’s current was swift and its width greater, allowing for the passage of a wide variety of goods.

Naturally, a market had formed around the Marianne River, growing into the city known today as ‘Marinta.’

When they got out of the carriage at the heart of Marinta, the streets were absolutely packed with people.

“Wow, it looks like there are more people here than in the capital itself!”

William, his arms full of kron pouches, exclaimed in surprise.

“This your first time here too?”

“I’ve been before. But that was years ago… There are so many more people now.”

A bustling market meant people’s livelihoods had improved.

“With those who’d been gouging people gone, everyone’s faces look brighter.”

“Oh, is that it?”

The likes of Marquis Fabian and his faction, who hadn’t even feared imperial authority, had used their power to extort outrageous profits.

They had stuffed their own bellies at the expense of others, leaving those beneath them to struggle just to survive.

“Now that they’ve been executed and punished, there aren’t any reckless nobles daring to show their faces.”

That’s why, for the people, this was likely the happiest time they’d known.

But when this period passed, what then?

Would someone else soon come to drain the people’s blood once more?

As Lucretia said, there was no guarantee that a second or third Fabian wouldn’t emerge.

Rohan, not born with noble blood but having lived as a commoner from the start, understood the hearts of the people even better.

After Rohan’s party, the Elphyrians also alighted from their carriage and soon gathered around.

“All right, everyone, please put on your hooded cloaks. There are just too many people here…”

William handed out the cloaks he’d prepared for the Elphyrians.

It was Rohan’s way of looking out for them, considering the crowds.

“Where are we, Lady Retina?”

The scholars, their faces full of curiosity, asked politely.

Somehow, Retina had become the de facto representative of the Elphyrians, and she answered.

“This is Marinta, the city with the largest market in Schubert. We’ll be exploring the market and doing some shopping here.”

“Sh-Shopping?”

“But… we don’t have any money, do we?”

The two scholars looked flustered.

“……That’s right. We don’t have money.”

“……Ahem.”

The two warriors, Luna Bellin and Hakum, belatedly exchanged glances and muttered to themselves.

“Don’t worry about that. The Crown Prince took care of everything.”

“Yes, that’s right. Our lord brought plenty of silver krons just for this. Here you go.”

William handed out pouches to them.

“So this… is the Empire’s currency.”

Luna Bellin opened her pouch once, then quickly closed it again.

“That’s exactly what we saw at the museum earlier!”

“It’s definitely smoother than the ones we saw there—must have been made with a new technique.”

Bayen and Oyen began examining the coins.

“Now, do you all see this?”

Rohan drew their attention and pointed to the clock tower behind him.

“The market is big, but you’ll be able to see this clock tower from anywhere. Go ahead and explore as you wish, and let’s meet back here in two hours.”

With Rohan’s words, the Elphyrians’ eyes sparkled with excitement.

Their first human market, and now with full pouches.

There couldn’t be anything more fun than this.

“All right, let’s split up! See you in two hours!”

With that, Rohan sent the Elphyrians off.

Bayen and Oyen, the siblings, left together, while Luna Bellin and Hakum split up.

Even Retina, saying she wanted to look around Marinta for the first time, parted ways with Rohan.

In the end, only the two of them were left, and William spoke up.

“By the way… will they be all right?”

“What do you mean?”

“The Elphyrians, I mean. Never mind getting lost—they might get scammed on prices, too.”

They weren’t exactly used to buying things with money.

“They’ll be fine. And if not, it’ll be a good experience in its own way, don’t you think?”

“I thought you wanted them to have fond memories…?”

Rohan shrugged.

“They’ll manage. Even if they don’t look it, they’re much older than us.”

You couldn’t judge an Elphyrian’s age by their appearance.

It was only natural, given their long lifespans.

“Come to think of it, I’ve been curious. How old is Lady Retina, exactly?”

“Hm, who knows. I’ve never asked.”

He never thought age was that important, so he hadn’t asked.

Retina never lorded her age over anyone either, which seemed true of all Elphyrians.

“When we went to Silvaren, most people spoke to Retina with honorifics. Retina called everyone else except Nas ‘kids.’”

“Ohh… so that means.”

It didn’t need to be said.

Though Retina looked like she was in her early twenties, she’d lived far longer than that.

“By the way, Your Highness. Where shall we wait?”

“Wait? For what?”

“For the Elphyrians to finish their shopping, of course.”

Rohan chuckled at William’s words.

“Did you think the Elphyrians were the only ones here to shop?”

“Huh?”

William blinked rapidly.

“Let’s go. We can’t just let this fun time pass us by.”

“W-We’re going to look around the market too?”

William had resigned himself to missing out on the fun, so he felt secretly disappointed.

And Rohan already knew that perfectly well.

Clink!

Rohan flicked a gold kron at William.

“Gah!”

William caught the coin reflexively, looking startled.

“W-What’s this?!”

“Consider it a congratulatory gift for your promotion to aide.”

“……!”

“Go on. Have fun, look around, and buy whatever you want.”

“Y-Your Highness…!”

Waves of emotion surged in William’s eyes.

“No need for those eyes, just go have a good time. See you in two hours.”

Leaving the grateful William behind, Rohan turned away without delay.

“Now, where was it again?”

The reason for Rohan’s haste.

It was because there was a place he absolutely had to visit while here.

“I hope he’s doing well, that fellow.”

A meaningful smile spread across Rohan’s lips.

---

“Hehe, hehe.”

A smile covered William’s face as he walked through the market.

“A lord who gives you a gold kron just for shopping—who else has such a master?”

He was the second son of a noble family.

People thought they must be wealthy because they owned a coal mine, but the Gerald family wasn’t actually rich.

They never extorted excessive taxes from their people and had a clear policy of fair pay for fair work.

On top of that, their welfare for the vulnerable was well established—when epidemics struck or winter came, what was saved up would quickly be spent.

“I’ve really made something of myself.”

William had begged his father to let him come to the capital, graduated as second in his class from the academy, and caught the eye of Count Needro.

‘And now, I’ve become the Crown Prince’s aide.’

It really was an incredible rise.

How often does a baron’s second son get a shot at becoming the Crown Prince’s aide?

Just think of all the people vying for that seat.

In fact, with a position like this, if Rohan had told him to shine his shoes, he’d have done it without complaint.

So, humming to himself, William was enjoying the market when—

“How can you say this is worth forty silver krons?! This cheap bow is nothing but junk!”

“Cheap bow? Listen to this rude girl! If you don’t have money, then get out! Don’t come into my shop and cause trouble!”

People were gathering and murmuring, all watching something unfold.

“What’s going on? Is there a fight?”

Curious, William peered through the crowd.

At a weapon vendor, a woman in a hood was arguing with the red-faced owner.

“Huh…?”

William’s eyes widened as he recognized the hooded woman.

“Luna Bell…”

Gasp.

William clapped both hands over his mouth and turned away.

‘Looks like she tried to haggle and it turned into a fight.’

No good would come of getting involved.

Trying to help in those situations usually meant getting scolded instead.

But then—

“Oh, really? Then how about we ask that human over there?”

“Eeek!”

Luna Bellin’s cold voice pierced William’s ears.

‘Please, please, don’t let her mean me. Please!’

William squeezed his eyes shut and tried to walk away, but the next words made him freeze.

“That man is the Crown Prince’s aide. Why not ask him if this plain bow is really worth forty silver krons?”

He could feel eyes burning into his back.

And when William realized everyone was looking at him, he swallowed hard.

The joyful shopping time, marked by that gold kron he’d received as a congratulatory promotion gift—

‘Ha… I knew it wouldn’t go smoothly.’

He had a bad feeling this was only the beginning.