We hurried down the cobbled streets of the capital. The creaking of cart wheels blended with the shouts of merchants hawking their wares, while people bustled past, chatting in a lively hum. The capital was truly alive, pulsing like a heart that never stopped beating.
But amidst the clamor, a sudden realization struck me.
"Hold on, Elfea," I said, halting in my tracks.
Elfea turned quickly, her silver hair fluttering slightly in the breeze.
"What is it, Rey?" she asked, looking puzzled.
I scratched the back of my neck, which suddenly felt itchy. "We forgot to ask Parcival where the material shop and the flower shop are…"
Elfea's expression instantly changed.
"Oh no! Why didn't you say so earlier?!" she exclaimed, nearly panicking as her eyebrows furrowed sharply.
I swallowed hard. If we had to wander around aimlessly, we could waste all our time in the capital. I needed to get back to the village quickly.
Just then, a middle-aged man passed in front of us. He wore plain brown clothes and looked like he was in a hurry. As I tried to stop him, my hand accidentally brushed his arm.
"Excuse me," I said quickly.
The man looked startled. His eyes widened as he turned toward us. "What is it?!" he asked, his voice a bit sharp, perhaps from the surprise.
I tried to stay calm. No need to respond emotionally. "Sir, do you know where the material shop is?"
He tilted his head, then nodded three times rapidly—his motion oddly reminiscent of a dog spotting a bone.
"Yes, I do. Just walk straight from Parcival's inn. It'll be on the right side," he said, pointing with his rough finger.
"Thank you, sir," Elfea replied, bowing slightly.
"You're welcome, pretty lady," the man said, his tone suddenly flirtatious.
Elfea just raised an eyebrow and looked at me. "Let's go, Rey."
Without saying more, we continued walking in the direction the man had indicated. Our footsteps tapped against the stone road, blending into the vibrant rhythm of life in the capital.
Following the directions, we passed several small stalls selling all sorts of goods: fresh fruit, colorful fabrics, even a vendor offering protective charms allegedly made by the royal apothecaries.
Among the row of classically-styled buildings, Elfea's gaze landed on a wooden sign hanging in front of one shop. The hand-painted letters, though slightly faded, were still legible: Barun's Material Shop. A tiny bell hung beside the door, ready to chime the moment someone entered.
"Rey, look. I think that's the one,"
Elfea whispered, pointing subtly with her chin.
"Which one, Elfea?" I asked, glancing around in confusion.
"That one, over there!" Elfea's eyes darted toward the shop impatiently.
As soon as I spotted the sign, I stepped forward toward the door without hesitation. Elfea followed and stood beside me. We exchanged a brief glance and nodded, silently agreeing: Let's go in.
I reached for the handle and opened the door slowly. The bell chimed softly as the door swung open.
"Excuse us… good morning," I murmured shyly.
The atmosphere inside the shop shifted dramatically as I stepped in. The sharp scent of metal dust hit my nose, making me wince slightly. Along the walls, glass cabinets displayed an array of ornaments: necklaces adorned with magical stones, rings with intricate engravings, and bracelets that seemed to radiate an aura of enchantment. I was nearly mesmerized. Each item looked handmade, yet flawless in its craftsmanship.
In a corner, a middle-aged man was busy striking a stone with a small hammer. The ringing echoed rhythmically, each hit sounding like part of a personal symphony. He was completely absorbed, perhaps shaping a gem for a pendant.
"Excuse me, sir! We'd like to sell something!" I called out, raising my voice since he hadn't noticed my earlier greeting.
The man stopped hammering and turned toward us, his surprised look quickly softening into a warm smile.
"Ah, welcome to my shop," he said, a bit awkwardly. "It's been a long time since I've had any customers…"
There was a mix of sentiment and loneliness in his tone. He stood up and rubbed his hands together, like preparing to receive a precious treasure.
"So, what do you want to sell?" he asked enthusiastically.
"Hurry, take it out, Rey!" Elfea whispered urgently, nudging my arm.
"Easy, Elfea." I took a breath and sat down on a nearby stool. Carefully, I pulled out two stones—one a bright green, the other a deep brown—and placed them on the table.
The man's reaction was instant. He stepped closer, bending over for a better look. His eyes sparkled like stars on a cloudless night.
"These… these are stones from the Alvarian Forest and… could it be… from the Orland Valley as well?" he murmured in awe.
I blinked. "Huh? How can you tell?"
"Hahaha! You're a funny one," he replied, patting his belly as he laughed. "Of course I know! Stones like these only come from the monsters that dwell in those places. Soldiers often sell their loot here. I've memorized every shape and pattern!"
"Fufufu~"
I glanced at Elfea, who giggled behind her hand like she'd just heard a private joke. That girl… She had the nerve to laugh like that while I—who thought I looked cool showing off the stones—suddenly felt embarrassed.
"Well then, I'll buy them for three hundred silver coins, Piah."
I nearly choked on my own spit hearing that number roll so casually off the man's tongue.
Three hundred silver coins? Was he serious?
"What do you think, Rey?" Elfea whispered softly into my ear. Her voice was gentle, but in this moment, it felt like a whip of reality urging me to respond.
I turned to her, feeling awkward as cold sweat beaded at my temple. Then I looked back at the man, who still stood calmly as if he hadn't just offered a small fortune.
"Sir… are you sure about that price?" I asked, wondering if I'd misheard. Maybe my hearing was damaged after all those times Elfea yelled at me.
He nodded without hesitation. "Yes, three hundred silver Piah coins. A fair price for something this special."
Three hundred… Even the village chief would probably hesitate before parting with that much money.
I let out a long sigh. In our village, a whole week's pay for harvesting wheat might not even reach two hundred Piah silver coins. By comparison… this price was almost absurd.
But Elfea's eyes were still fixed on me, full of excitement and determination.
And somehow… that made me genuinely excited too.