A Day Trip Around Town

"Speaking of which... it's been so long. Has Frieren really come in...?"

3

He had originally thought they would be able to reunite soon, but he had been walking with Lia all this time and still hadn't been able to sense Frieren's presence. If she had really entered, she should have been able to easily detect their location with her senses. But since she hadn't appeared yet, he guessed that Frieren was probably still standing at the gate, struggling with the guards for a chance to enter the city. Thinking of this, Galan couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Oh! Galan, look at that! It's so cute!"

Lia was full of energy, skipping along the street and looking around. It seemed that she rarely came to such a market, and everything she saw aroused her interest. Her face was always filled with the surprise of discovering something new.

Right now, a rabbit-shaped stone sculpture has caught her attention, so she can't help but run over to the stall, blinking her big eyes as she gets closer to examine it carefully.

In Galan's eyes, it was no different from a big rabbit and a little rabbit staring at each other. She just didn't know what kind of feelings could develop between them. Perhaps it was like a girl seeing a Barbie doll or a Cinnamon dog and her girlish heart suddenly overflowing.

As for her earlier worry about Frieren, it had been completely forgotten the moment she stepped onto this street.

"This girl is really something...::... She was just so worried about Frieren a moment ago...:..."

Galan shook his head, then followed, standing behind Lia.

Do you want this?

He examined the rabbit stone carving and saw that the stone material was similar to white marble. The surface of the stone was flawless, and the outline was delicate and rounded. Although the craftsmanship could not be described as exquisite, it was still excellent and quite different from the cheap ones that could be found everywhere.

The boss sitting at the stall was a kind-looking old man. His hands were covered with bulging blue veins, his nails were short and flat, and his palms were covered with a thick layer of calluses. He was clearly an experienced old craftsman.

"Uh-huh!"

She crouched down on the ground, looked up at Galan, and saw excitement gleaming in her eyes.

"The boss, how much is this?"

"Two Lalci Gold Coins."

Contrary to his appearance, the boss's tone was surprisingly light and cheerful, as if he were humming a tune. Upon hearing Galan's question, he immediately quoted a price.

"Oh... two Lalci Gold Coins..."

Galan instinctively took out his wallet, intending to pay, but his hand paused halfway through, then he seemed to realize something, looking at the boss with disbelief in his eyes. "What? Two Lalci Gold Coins? The boss, you're not mistaken, are you?!"

His lips twitched.

The expression on his face looked like he had been forced to eat a dead cockroach.

"No, if it's genuine, it'll cost two Lalci Gold Coins."

The old man shifted his hips like a rhinoceros in the chair, then lay down in a more comfortable position.

He raised his hand and held up two fingers.

The smile on his face was still so kind, yet it made Galan feel like he had fallen into the biggest scam of the century.

This feeling is like going to a farmers market to buy two scallions, only to be told by the vendor that these two fresh scallions will cost you 20,000 US dollars – an outrageous figure.

"No, is this made of gold? How can it be so expensive?"

Having received a modern education, Galan simply couldn't accept such an outrageous price. The veins on his forehead twitched involuntarily. Was this some kind of joke? Two Lalci Gold Coins for a stone sculpture?

Even the most unscrupulous merchants aren't this cunning; this is blatant robbery!

Even if I'm not short of money right now, my wallet isn't meant for me to squander like this!

"Anyway, this is the price I'm selling it for. You don't seem like someone who's short of money, so if the young lady likes it, just buy it for her."

No... so where did you get that conclusion from? The boss doesn't even bother pretending anymore; he blatantly wears the word "robbery" on his face. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing, cunning and treacherous, a bully who monopolizes the market...

He observed Galan's expression with great interest—a mixture of wanting to hit someone but not daring to—seemingly enjoying the feeling.

Damn it, you're a psychopath!

No wonder all the businesses around here are thriving, while your stall is completely empty.

So you never really intended to do business properly, did you? Galan only now belatedly realized that this stall was the quietest one in the area. The reason... he now pretty much understood.

"Galan."

Seeing that Galan and the boss were at an impasse, and considering that the price was indeed a bit outrageous, Lia timidly tugged at his sleeve to indicate that she didn't actually want it that much and that they could look elsewhere.

However, faced with the current situation, Galan was also agitated. If he just left like this, wouldn't he have suffered the old man's temper for nothing? But after calming down, he thought about it and realized that he really couldn't do anything to the other party, which made him feel a little annoyed.

He could only turn away sullenly, intending to leave with Lia.

"Galan, Lia"

Just then, a familiar voice rang out behind them.

"You're all here."

Frieren, carrying a suitcase, swaggered up behind the two of them.

"Frieren, I thought you wouldn't be able to get in."

Upon seeing the newcomer, Galan's attention was diverted, and he stopped thinking about what had just happened.

"Hmph--"

She looked quite smug, apparently having used some unexpected method. "You didn't sneak in, did you?"

Galan said thoughtfully, "It feels like something Frieren would do."

"How could that be? What do you think I am?"

She pouted, ignored Galan, patted Lia's head, and then turned her attention to the nasty old man's stall.

"Hmm, the boss, do you still sell Grimoire here?"

Frieren pointed to a corner of the stall, Galan and Lia followed her gaze.

That's when they discovered that there really was a tattered Grimoire in that inconspicuous corner.

I don't know exactly what kind of magic it is... I don't know much about this kind of thing.

Despite claiming ignorance, the old man showed no embarrassment; instead, he saw a business opportunity. He couldn't believe someone would want such junk. His gaze towards Frieren was like that of someone eyeing a pig. Galan, noticing the change in their expressions, knew something was wrong and quickly said to Frieren, "Since he said he doesn't know what magic is recorded in that Grimoire, let's go. Don't waste time here."

"No"

Upon hearing Frieren utter that word with such certainty, Galan's heart sank. This girl... Come to think of it, he'd left half his money with her when they left...

That was a real miscalculation.

At this moment, Frieren's face showed excitement, just like when Columbus discovered the New World, as if she felt that countless unknowns were waiting for her to explore.

I wonder what type of Grimoire it is?

This is what I bought!