Chapter 15: Carson [2]
But it's not just invisibility; all offensive magic could be used for criminal purposes.
That's why the process for purchasing these magic scrolls from the Magic Tower is very complicated. Anyone whose identity is unclear is completely excluded.
Even if the identity is confirmed, the scroll cannot be purchased without the approval of the Magic Tower regarding its intended use.
And when the regulations in the front world become strict, a market in the back world naturally emerges.
The marketplace of the underworld is where corrupt magicians, who seek to satisfy their own greed, gather together with magic scrolls secretly made.
However, since it is illegal, there is always a risk.
They manufacture and distribute these items at the risk of not knowing how long they will rot in prison if caught. Naturally, there has to be an incentive to take such risks.
That's exactly what Carson was talking about, and I agreed with him.
But...
"Of course I know. But even considering that, it's still too expensive."
"That's not true..."
"Don't treat me like some rich fool, Mr. Carson," I cut Carson off coldly.
At that moment, for the first time, a look of obvious agitation came over Carson's face because I called him by his real name.
As someone who works in the underworld, he has been working while thoroughly hiding his identity.
No one except his closest associates knew his real name.
But his real name came out of my mouth, and I was just a child. He can't help but be surprised.
"..."
A moment of silence passed.
Carson closed his eyes deeply once, then opened them again to calm his agitation.
The smile that had been lingering on his lips disappeared.
"It seems that I underestimated Confucius," he continued, clicking his tongue. "Where did you hear about my real name?"
"The intelligence organization isn't just there," I answered arrogantly, my expression suggesting I had something on my mind.
But that was a lie. I only knew because I played the game.
But that doesn't mean I could answer like that.
If I'm going to do it, I might as well be a bit pretentious and pretend to have some plausible background.
"So… what you're saying is that what you see isn't everything about Celtrin," Carson said, understanding on his own.
He had an expression of meek acceptance, realizing that his information-gathering power was lacking and that I wasn't just some well-bred, spoiled brat.
Carson finally spoke with a look on his face as if he had given in.
"I have made a great mistake by not recognizing you, Your Majesty. Please consider the 100 gold as the nonsense of a money-hungry merchant and be lenient. Instead, I will give it to you for 80 gold, 10 gold less than the market price of 90 gold."
These are words that any ordinary person would just ignore.
Who would have thought that in this situation they would add another price hit?
I couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the thought that merchants really are such vicious people.
And then I thought about how I could deal a blow to this cunning merchant.
My thoughts quickly came together.
"Carson."
"Yes?"
"Are you kidding me right now?" I frowned and became serious.
Carson seemed a little taken aback by my reaction. "What are you talking about all of a sudden...?"
"I told you clearly. Don't treat me like some rich fool."
"No, not like that…"
"If this is how it is, I have no intention of doing business with you anymore. This is not the only place I do business with."
I turned my back coldly, then opened the door and tried to leave. Just before I did, Carson's hand grabbed mine.
"Oh, Your Majesty, I am old and forgetful. When I think about it again, the market price was 80 gold. I will give it to you for 70 gold by lowering it by 10."
"Are you joking?"
"Oh my, 60 gold."
"What?"
"… 55 gold."
"I'm leaving."
"50 gold."
"Okay."
"…"
"Good."
And that's how the deal was made.
* * *
Carson's expression wasn't very good.
It was understandable since he ended up selling it at a price not much different from the market price, let alone a dump.
But the reason he couldn't just leave because it was dirty was because I was the successor to the Celtrin family, famous for being wealthy.
If a wealthy, big-money customer ends up doing business with another competitor, it's only a loss for him.
"Is there anything else you are looking for?" Carson asked, licking his lips as if it was a pity to pass up the Invisibility Scroll.
"Show me your bow."
"You mean bows? There are some good ones."
Carson quickly went to the storeroom and brought out a few bows.
Almost all of them were in good condition and had a shiny exterior, as if their whole body was telling us they were well-maintained, high-quality items.
But my eyes weren't on such luxury items.
"Now, how about this? It's a sturdy bow made from an ogre's horn and elegantly gilded with pure gold. It's a work of art in itself…"
"Give me that."
"Yes?"
"Give me that."
What I was pointing to was a shabby short bow made of a worn-out frame lying in a corner.
It was an object that was not worth looking at, no matter who saw it.
Carson said with an awkward expression, "Ah… That's it. It's definitely for sale, but it's something my son found rolling around in the forest, so it doesn't have a pedigree..."
"It doesn't matter. Just give me that," I said, determined.
It was natural because I knew the true value of that thing.
That short bow was made by the legendary undead hunter Marcus after he slew the Skeleton King.
The bow was made from the skeleton of the Skeleton King.
And it wasn't just a simple skeleton.
It was a skeleton that contained the Skeleton King's immense resentment.