Chapter 89
Yes, no problem.
"Then, please sign here and provide the vehicle's license plate and other relevant information. I will then assist you with the transfer of ownership."
The other person stepped forward and gestured for the Doctor to hand over the land vehicle's identification.
"Documents..."
The latter was taken aback.
Damn it, identification?! She didn't find any of those things, and even if she did, it wouldn't be of any use; it wouldn't even show her own information.
After all, he had stolen this land-based vehicle himself.
"That, the identification..."
The secondhand dealer squinted, seemingly noticing the Doctor's hesitation. Then, his smile widened, and he raised his hand to stroke his neatly groomed mustache before speaking slowly and deliberately.
"Yes, it's quite common for guests to lose their documents. What a coincidence, sir."
"Yes... yes."
"Don't turn around, Doctor," he replied somewhat guiltily.
"I accidentally lost the land vehicle's documentation, but then I ran into an emergency where I needed to sell it. This situation is just as coincidentally as if I were desperately trying to get rid of something I shouldn't have."
"..."
The Doctor didn't answer; she sensed what he meant and then simply stared at him.
A moment later, the other person suddenly showed an expression of understanding.
"That's true. Although it's a coincidence, such situations do happen. Our store's principle has always been to treat customers as God, and we can't cause them any trouble over such a small matter..."
The secondhand dealer squinted, flashed a fake smile, and took the documents from the Doctor's hand.
He then sat back down behind his counter, looking at the Doctor remained standing still.
"1000 Victorian currency, equivalent to 10,000 Lungmen Coins, cash, no financial reporting required, no record left, settlement will be made on the spot."
Although she roughly knew what the other party would do next, the fact that the vendor immediately cut her price down to only a third of what she wanted was truly eye-opening for the Doctor.
Damn it... it's an unlicensed taxi after all...
No, even an unlicensed taxi shouldn't cost this much.
Doctor, you can only rely on yourself now, you can't compromise easily!
Thinking of this, she opened her eyes and glanced at the other person.
"25,000 Lungmen Coins, payable on the spot. No other payments accepted."
"That's too little, ma'am. You should know that we spend a lot of effort dealing with those complicated procedures, not to mention that you've 'lost' the relevant documents, and applying for replacements is also a costly process."
As he spoke, he suddenly changed his demeanor as he looked at the woman in front of him.
Secondhand dealers have seen a lot of people and have a knack for judging character by their appearance.
He suddenly felt that the woman seemed like a completely different person.
A sense of danger emanated from her... her expression was like that of an executioner on a fugitive's list.
"How about this, 15,000 Lungmen Coins, consider it making friends."
He maintained that smile; after all, he had met quite a few people and generally possessed composure.
"The car was obtained from Ursus. I'm just passing through this city, and I probably won't be back for the rest of my life after I leave in a few days."
"I don't think it's necessary to have you as a friend."
The Doctor lowered his voice, then stared coldly at the vendor's hands and the single-rimmed glasses on his face.
"Especially... I don't like people like you who hoard what they consider important things in such an obvious place, like a hamster."
As she spoke, she stepped forward and tapped on the bookshelf next to the other person.
The latter's expression clearly changed at that moment.
However, he maintained that standard fake smile.
"Oh dear, how could that be? 18,000 Lungmen Coins is already a very reasonable price. Why don't you consider it a little?"
"I told you, I won't stay here for long, and there's no need for me to come back."
The Doctor turned his head, the implication being...
She didn't care what would happen if she did something to that vendor.
Anyway, she'll run away soon.
"... We really can't go any lower, sir."
"Do you all like picking up gold coins on the edge of a knife? 24,000 Lungmen Coins, that's the number I'm saying."
The Doctor looked at the vendor's fake smile with disgust.
"Okay, you win. 20,000 is the limit. There's really no room for further concessions."
With a sigh, the other party raised their hands, signaling surrender.
"Make a deal."
Without signing any agreement, the Doctor walked out of the store carrying a metal briefcase.
Then... she quickly turned into a corner.
"... Such a quick concealment... Looks like you've messed with someone not to be trifled with."
The secondhand dealer watched the Doctor quickly disappear from sight and couldn't help but sigh.
But that's okay.
No matter who the other party is, he can always deduct a reasonable amount of compensation.
It's simply a matter of how much money you make.
But... that look was really...
That's dangerous.
They were more outrageous than any of the lunatics he had ever met.
... Next time I should be more careful and try to talk to these kinds of people less... No, I can't do that.
That's how his life is going to be. No matter who comes here, he'll have to go up to them and use his silver tongue to ask for a few cents.
But...
"Doug Te, is this lady...?"
He recalled the name the other party had initially signed.
It's a strange name, maybe a code name, but write it down... This information might be a considerable reward in the future.
Around the corner, the Doctor was leaning against the wall, her face flushed, panting heavily and complaining intermittently.
"Damn it... I, I'm really not good at pretending... I almost, almost gave myself away."
"But if I don't pretend to be like that, that unscrupulous merchant will probably drive the price down to the bone!!"
"That's why... ugh... that's why I hate businessmen!"
However, despite saying that, the Doctor was still happy at that moment.
At least, she managed to get a higher amount of money on her own, without any help from anyone else!
In reality, the other party still makes a profit, but that has nothing to do with the Doctor.
She knew when to stop, after all, this land-based device wasn't actually hers.
It was something she got for free anyway, so she wasn't losing out.
However... it's too obvious that he's carrying this much money.
The Doctor remains essentially a rookie unit with combat power roughly equivalent to 1.5 geese.
Moreover, living in a city like this.
To be honest, she had absolutely no trust in the security situation in these outlying cities.
For her, the only place she could go at that moment was the country's capital... Londinium.
Only the area with relatively normal public security can be considered safe.
Only someone like her could barely make ends meet there.
Otherwise... she certainly doesn't want to be knocked down on the street one day, loaded into a car, and taken away.
Judging from the tone of that vendor's voice during our conversation... there are quite a few dangerous and unstable individuals you might encounter in this godforsaken place!
Phew... Calm down.
The first step is... to find a way to leave this place.
Go change your clothes first, and then change this suitcase too.
If I remember correctly...
The Doctor opened the guide.
This city has a steam train that runs directly to the capital, Londinium.
"Ah, Mr. Duhkare is right, perhaps the big cities have far more problems than these remote areas."
"It's just that the former will try to cover up the problem, while this kind of place can't even be bothered to cover it up."
"... Father is right, I should go to Londinium and see for myself... my country..."
Aiden Wilson sighed, then looked at the train ticket in his hand.
The train to Londinium will arrive soon.
I really wanted to see it for myself.
What exactly was the source of the unease he sensed?
Is the problem with myself, or, as Mr. Duhkare said, with Victoria?
However, the next moment, a pushing force suddenly came from behind.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!"
Aiden turned his head, as if someone had bumped into him.
"It's okay, you're the one who's alright, aren't you?"
A girl carrying several textbooks said timidly in a soft voice.
"Yes, I'm sorry, I didn't notice the road just now..."
He glanced at the other person; short black hair, timid... Was he a student?
"It's alright, just remember to watch where you're going next time."
After saying that, Aiden smiled gently and walked away.
"... Hmm, the disguise is perfect."
The Doctor sighed after realizing that the other person hadn't noticed anything amiss with him.
She was wearing large, round-framed glasses (non-prescription glasses bought from a roadside stall).
She was dressed in clothes that gave off a country bumpkin vibe (from buying discounted clothes that nobody wanted at the store).
She was also pulling a tattered suitcase behind her. (It was a secondhand suitcase she bought for 70 Lungmen Coins at a secondhand store, and she had stuffed almost all of her "stolen money" into it.)