Chapter 16 – Single Aristocrat Purchases A Treasure Tool

　Past the guard, the store was lined with many glass cases.

　Contrary the old-fashioned decor of the store, these glass cases and the treasure tools housed in them were very clean and orderly.

　They are distinguished according to ring-type, bracelet-type, and necklace-type items. Armour-type treasure tools are hung on the walls.

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　The items in the front of the room were things that could be used in daily life or suitable for regular use, and the deeper you went in, the more dangerous the items became. 

–

[Sharpener’s Bracelet]

　By wearing it, one’s sharpening skills become the level of a professional’s.

Note: The items that can be sharpened range widely from swords to kitchen knives.

[Ring of Throwing]

　The distance of projectiles thrown is greatly increased, and control is improved.

　Note: This treasure tool is not enough to compensate for poor motor control.

[Driving Hammer]

　A single strike is all it takes to drive a nail in cleanly and deeply.

　Recommended for efficient carpentry work.

[Finger Shot]

　After flicking the finger this is equipped on, a small shock is released.

　Note: The power output seems to be about the same as a flick to the forehead.

–

　Cards showing the names and effects of the treasure tools are placed next to the glass cases.

　There’s a wide range of tools, from those closely related to daily necessities, to tools that can be used for work, some that are aids in battle, and others like the last one that only leave you wondering what it can be used for. 

　They are all unknown things that cannot be reproduced by magic tools.

“This is nice.”

　For me, a collector of treasure tools, this store felt like a museum or a toy store.

“Wow, as usual, treasure tools are expensive.”

“Obviously. There are those that are versatile and highly effective, but even for the ones that are completely useless trash, a treasure tool is still a treasure tool. They cannot be reproduced by modern science or magic techniques. Therefore, it’s only obvious that the price is high.” 

　The groaning of Tristan after looking at the treasure tools was answered by a dwarf who came out from the back of the room.

　He has a stout figure and short arms and legs. His striking feature was his lush beard.

　Perhaps he had been appraising until a few moments ago, he was wearing a silver-rimmed monocle.

　This man is Gwan, the manager of Ardeus.

　Gwan appraises, manages, and trades treasure tools unearthed in dungeons. 

　Many of the treasure tools obtained from dungeons are unknown, so someone with great knowledge about magic tools and the skills to appraise them is needed. 

　Adventurers who acquire a treasure tool in a dungeon and use it without having it appraised can end up destroying it.

　To prevent such accidents, it’s common sense to appraise a newly found treasure tool before using it.

“But it’s you again, huh? Even though you must have been here just three days ago.”

“Isn’t that fine?”

　Encounters with treasure tools are once in a lifetime experiences. You never know when a useful and wonderful treasure tool might arrive.

　When that time comes, there’s nothing more regretful than not being able to set your hands on it. 

“Well, you don’t seem to have any other customers today either, do you?

　Looking around the store, it was deserted, and there were no other customers than us.

“Don’t worry about it. We have a guy who buys ridiculously priced treasure tools.”

“You’re referring to Mr. Zirc, aren’t you? Exactly how much has he bought?”

“He’s holding on to at least more than two hundred treasure tools. Other than my store, he should also be scavenging and buying from other places, so he surely has around three hundred.”

“T, three hundred!? Where does Mr. Zirc get that kind of money……”

　Tristan stared at me gloomily. 

“Don’t leak customer information.”

　I wonder where this store’s privacy compliance has gone. Don’t give out your customers’ purchase records without their permission.

“Rather than that, Gwan, has anything new come in?”

“…….There is. Seems like something you’d like.”

“Let me see.”

　Apparently, there’s a new treasure tool in stock today.

　Gwan’s endorsement alone was enough to make my heart soar.

　Tristan and Gwan may be taken aback by my frequent visits, but it’s things like this that make me feel like I can’t go without showing my face here often.

　I follow Gwan and he takes out a case from behind the counter.

　Gwan opens the leather case and inside is a golden wine cup.

　It has a very beautiful lustre and there is no cloudiness at all on the wine cup.

　Not an ostentatious gold, but an elegant shine.

　Quickly peeking in, I see that it’s golden on the inside as well.

　I have seen wine cup type treasure tools before and own a number of them, compared to them, this one looks simple. 

　The rim isn’t flared, there are no jewels on it, and it’s not ornamented.

　I wanted to try and discern what kind of treasure tool it was, but I had completely no idea. 

“What kind of effect does this have?”

“‘Spring’.”

　When I asked that question, Gwan only picked up the wine cup and said a single word. 

　Then, water sprung up from the bottom of the wine cup and made crackling sounds. 

　Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t ordinary water, something like bubbles was rising to the top. 

“Does this mean this is a treasure tool that can produce carbonated water!?”

“Yes, it is. It’s called the [Bubbly Cup].”

　Gwan transferred the carbonated water from the cup to a simple glass.

　I carefully looked at it and sipped. 

　This popping sensation in my mouth. It was definitely carbonated water.

“How much is it?”

　The moment after I finished the water, I asked.

　There is a mysterious spring that produces carbonated water in this world and some carbonated water is exported from there.

　However, it was rarely available, and it wasn’t something I could privately enjoy whenever I liked.

　But with this, not only can I enjoy carbonated water at home, I can also make all kinds of cocktails that mix juice with carbonated water.

“Eh? You’re buying it? It’s just a cup that makes carbonated water!?”

　Though Tristan couldn’t seem to think of any use for it, and said such a silly thing. For now, let’s ignore the fool beside me.

“So, what’s the amount?”

“30 million soros.”

“I’ll buy it!”

　It was the first price Gwan quoted, but I immediately decided to buy it.

　On the spot, I reach into my pocket, take out a cheque, and write the necessary information on it. 

　Seeing that, Gwan carefully wiped the wine cup with a cloth and put it back into the case.

“Haa!? Eh!? Mr. Zirc, it’s 30 million you know!? If you pick the right place, you could build a house in the Royal Capital!?”

“For only 30 million, you can make cocktails anytime you want. It’s cheap. And you can even use this to raise funds for a bar.”

　Even if you don’t open your own bar, if you were to lend it out and teach cocktail recipes, that by itself would be enough to make some money.  

“You look like you’ve apparently seen a way to put it to good use. Take it.”

“Yeah, I’ll be receiving it.”

　Gwan might be the manager of a treasure tool shop, but he is very selective about who he sells to.

　He’s also a genuine treasure tool enthusiast. He would be more happy if the treasure tools he sells can be made useful. 

“Do you have something against me to be buying something like this in front of an employee who complained that he doesn’t have any money?” 

“Who knows. It’s your own lack of self-control that leaves you short.”

　It’s nice that I don’t have to hesitate to make such big purchases.

　If I had a family or a wife, they would question if buying this was worth lowering their living standards, or if instead of buying this, the money should be saved for them or the children. 

　But single people are free.

　Of course, with freedom comes responsibility.

　You have to be prepared to live alone and plan accordingly.

　The only person concerned about you is you alone.

　You must keep in mind your own responsibilities and when to avoid risks, but as long as you can do that, you are free. So buying something for 30 million soros is not something I have to hesitate about 

“Now then……”

“Dinner, right?”

“No, I’m going home.”

“Ehhhhh!? Weren’t you going to treat me?”

“I don’t have the heart to carry around a treasure tool that costs 30 million soros.”

　As you might think, even I wouldn’t want to wander around with such an expensive treasure tool.

“You just really want to quickly go home and try it out, right?”

“……I won’t deny that. If you want to eat outside, then I’ll accompany you some other time, so, forgive me.”

　Ignoring Tristan’s piercing gaze, I walk outside alone.

“Well, no matter how good he looks and how much money he has, I don’t think anyone would marry him.” 

“You’re right.”

　From behind me, I heard some grumbling, but I pretended not to hear it.