How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 60.1
By then, Sir Johannes, who had stopped by a nearby tea house and purchased a handful of dried tea leaves, nodded in agreement.
“I also bought some high-grade tea leaves. In the Rubyere Empire, only high-ranking nobles traded them discreetly. Here, I was able to buy this much for just a few silver coins.”
“Indeed. It is far more impressive than I had heard.”
I responded as I slowly glanced around the street. However, Tristan, who had been walking quietly all along, had a shadow over his face.
“Tristan? What is the matter?”
Tristan hesitated for a moment before letting out a soft sigh and speaking.
“It may be a mere worry, but it seems the locals here are very wary of foreigners.”
“Is that so?”
He made me aware of something I had not considered. I then discreetly scanned the surroundings, observing the shopkeepers and passersby. Things I had not noticed when merely admiring the exterior beauty of the streets gradually became apparent.
Among the merchants busy attracting customers and the hurried pedestrians, there was a subtle tension in the air. A noble descending from an elaborately decorated carriage glanced at us and then turned away with a cold expression. A nearby merchant walking toward us peeked sideways and whispered to his companion.
Most pedestrians deliberately walked along the edges of the street, keeping their distance from us. Many glared openly, and some stiffened their faces as if encountering an unwelcome guest.
The expressions of Sir Mildred and the other knights stiffened instantly. Gehardt, with his arms crossed, tilted his head.
“Your Highness, now that you mention it, the atmosphere does feel strange. Have we done something wrong?”
“No.”
I answered briefly, averting my gaze. We had just arrived, so it was unlikely we had made any mistakes. But…
“They are probably proud. Just as the Rubyere people look down on the Northern Continent’s inhabitants, here we are merely seen as barbarians from the northwest.”
Tristan spoke quietly in response. I let out a small sigh.
He was right. I had a feeling this issue might cause various problems, big and small, in the future.
❖ ❖ ❖
We left the small shop district and headed toward the northern end of the shopping area, where large stores were lined up. We planned to purchase goods in bulk for shipment on the fleet. However, it did not seem that things would proceed smoothly. Tristan, seemingly thinking the same, remained silent with a dark expression as we walked.
“Let us try entering this one.”
We stopped in front of a spice specialty store while looking for a suitable shop. The store was luxurious, with delicate mother-of-pearl inlays embedded in the wooden frame.
Pushing open the double doors, a subtle aroma spread from inside. Glass jars lined the walls, filled with various spices and dried medicinal ingredients.
“Excuse us.”
Sir Johannes, who had learned some of the Sarr language, led the way, greeting the shopkeeper as we entered.
The elderly shopkeeper inside stood and nodded to welcome us. However, the cautious glance he cast at us revealed his wariness. Sir Johannes cautiously spoke to him in Sarr, and the shopkeeper slowly responded while tilting his head.
Johannes turned back and translated.
“He says he can show us whatever catches our interest.”
Somewhat tense, I finally felt a little relieved. As I slowly looked around the store, I saw high-quality spices that Rubyere nobles prized. Whenever he indicated saffron, pepper, or nutmeg, the shopkeeper quietly nodded and took a small amount from the glass jar, letting us smell it. There was no question, these were truly exquisite goods.
“Tell him we intend to purchase these in bulk. Ask how much stock he has.”
Whether it was spices or the tea leaves we intended to buy from another store, the volume and weight were manageable. With three large ships, we could easily carry them. The only concern was the funds.
I cautiously added to Sir Johannes.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
