Infinite Mage [Remake]-Chapter 173: Noor’s Sanctuary (Part 3)

Such a situation was indeed possible. Just because it was a citizen's item didn't mean it was unattainable.

Still, the limited-edition appeal remained.

Most importantly, the merchant knew the customer's spending limit was two White Elixirs. The fact that he was asking for one suggested the actual price was much lower.

Shirone: "Can anyone use it?"

Merchant: "Once equipped, anyone can use it. Weapons like Signa, Xed, and Arc are communal, but drones have personal encryption. Even if you steal someone else's, you can't use it. But this one hasn't been claimed by anyone yet. That's why I can sell it."

Shirone wasn't sure. If it was new, there shouldn't be any defects.

Was it a simple mistake born from not understanding this world? Or was the fire spirit just that hard to obtain?

Shirone, unable to make a decision, turned to Tess.

Shirone: "Tess, do you want this?"

Tess: "Yes! Shirone, I really want it. Buy it for me. The other items are cheap anyway, so we can get them later."

Shirone chuckled. Even when demanding something, her straightforward personality was distinctly different from Amy's.

After all, it was better to use the Elixirs for everyone's benefit. But if they were going to buy something, they needed to know what defects it had, or else they couldn't negotiate.

If they asked outright, the merchant would clearly take advantage of them, and Clove wouldn't be of any help.

Shirone: "Why won't you sell it? I brought exactly what you asked for!"

As Shirone pondered, Kanya's voice rang out.

Everyone turned to look. Unlike Kanya, the merchant wore a relaxed smile.

Merchant: "Hey, miss. Since when does Purgatory have fixed prices? It's an auction, an auction. The price has gone up, so you can't just lower it as you please."

Kanya: "But you said it a month ago! One Green Elixir is enough to buy Epines! And I even offered 30 Red Elixirs on top of that! Why won't you sell it?"

Epines.

Shirone recalled the white potion the apothecary had recommended.

But Kanya's reaction was too intense for it to be just a simple stimulant. What could possibly require someone in Heaven to stay awake?

Merchant: "That was a month ago. But now the price has gone up."

Kanya: "No! Two months ago, three months ago, you never said that! This is price gouging!"

Merchant: "Miss, auction prices are determined by the buyer's desire. The more you want it, the higher the price. Isn't that basic? The Day of Blossoming Wine is just around the corner, isn't it?"

Kanya: "Y-you...!"

Kanya's face turned pale. No matter how much of a merchant he was, how could he say such a thing?

Even Clove, who was usually shameless, frowned this time.

The merchant's expression didn't change. He had no intention of selling to a citizen of Heaven from the start.

Merchant: "If you're buying Epines today, it means someone in your family will die in a few days. So, you must buy this. That's why I'm charging a high price. What's the problem?"

Kanya: "You! I won't let this slide!"

As Kanya drew her Arc, Rena screamed and tried to stop her.

Violence was forbidden in Noor's Sanctuary. If a fight broke out, being expelled would be the least of their worries.

The community was maintained by the rational agreements of the majority. The moment discipline broke, the community would collapse.

Rena: "Sister! Please, stop! If you fight here, you'll die!"

Rena pulled her sister back by the waist. Even as she was dragged away, Kanya didn't stop her curses.

The merchant ignored the troublesome customer and exchanged glances with the apothecary across the way.

An unspoken agreement not to sell Epines.

It was a monopoly.

Three months ago, when Kanya had come to buy Epines, the merchant had quoted a price she couldn't afford.

In reality, the item could be exchanged for around 40 Red Elixirs, but he demanded a Green Elixir.

Elixirs weren't like currency. While arbitrary exchanges were possible, if the other party insisted on a Green Elixir, no amount of Red Elixirs would suffice.

In the end, Kanya had to buy the Green Elixir at a price higher than its actual value. And when she returned to buy the item, the merchant refused to sell, even at that price.

Shirone: "Why is she so upset? What's this 'Day of Blossoming Wine'?"

Guardrak: "It's a life-restoring ritual."

Guardrak's voice came from behind. He had been napping but came out when the commotion started.

He could guess the situation just by Kanya's murderous expression. Though it was their first meeting, he had heard the rumors circulating among the merchants.

Guardrak: "As you know, citizens have a set lifespan. When their time is up, they are reborn through the Day of Blossoming Wine. It seems the girl's mother is the subject this time."

Shirone: "What exactly is the ritual?"

Guardrak grimaced.

Guardrak: "I'd rather not go into detail. As you can see, it's a sensitive issue. Citizens call the Day of Blossoming Wine a blessing. On the other hand, most heretics fled Heaven because they couldn't accept it. That merchant is the same. He's not tormenting her because of the Elixirs."

Shirone: "But you said Kanya's mother is about to reach the end of her lifespan. What role does the stimulant play? Can it save her?"

Guardrak: "No. The laws cannot be broken. From a heretic's perspective, Kanya's mother will die soon. Even so, she's trying to buy Epines..."

Guardrak sighed.

He, too, had once been a citizen. He knew what Kanya was willing to sacrifice for her mother, and he felt a pang of sympathy.

Guardrak: "It's nothing. Just a glimmer of light in despair. Like giving a painkiller to someone dying of illness."

Shirone felt a lump in his throat. He didn't know how different the mindsets of citizens and heretics were, but he believed the sincerity of wanting to ease a parent's suffering was universal.

Yet, the laws drew a line even there.

Kanya returned to bargaining. It was clear she was holding back her anger to buy Epines.

There were two stalls selling Epines, and if Kanya didn't succeed today, she might never get another chance.

Shirone glanced at the apothecary across the way. He was bowing his head, perhaps feeling guilty.

If he bought Epines from him and gave it to Kanya, wouldn't that solve everything?

As if reading Shirone's thoughts, the apothecary quietly put away the Epines. Contracts were absolute to Noor's, and he was preventing the situation from escalating.

Kanya proposed a last resort.

Kanya: "Fine! Then I'll buy it on credit. I'll do whatever it takes to get the Elixirs, so give me the Epines."

Merchant: "What can you get?"

Kanya: "Anything! I'll hunt for the rest of my life if I have to!"

Merchant: "That's what I'm asking. What can you get?"

The merchant no longer hid his emotions.

He hated citizens with a passion. And he loathed Heaven. No matter how good the medicine, he could never erase the memories of living in Heaven. Ra's laws were that powerful.

Kanya: "I'll give you everything! Just tell me what you want!"

Merchant: "Really? Even if I say no, you'll still buy it? Hmm, what should I do..."

Pretending to think, the merchant turned to Shirone.

Merchant: "How about all the Elixirs that boy has?"

Shirone realized the merchant's strategy had suddenly changed.

He must have been calculating since Kanya brought Shirone with him.

It was natural for a merchant. But it was ruthless.

He had seen the White Elixir and grown greedy, but he didn't have any high-value items. So, he entangled Kanya in his scheme.

Emotions aside, it was a decent strategy.

He had heard Noor's were skilled merchants. This one was certainly exceptional. But he was far from being a great merchant.

Kanya was speechless. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she was being played by a swindler.

Kanya: "Now I get it. You never intended to sell it from the start. For three months, you've been enjoying watching me suffer in Purgatory! What did I ever do to you?"

Shirone felt sorry for her. Emotional responses like Kanya's didn't work on mages. They were masters at manipulating situations to their advantage using psychology.

If you wanted to anger a mage, you had to fight fire with fire.

Merchant: "You're making me out to be the bad guy. The more you do this, the harder it gets for you. It's not like I asked for something impossible. Isn't it easier to bring me that boy's Elixirs than to hunt for the rest of your life?"

Kanya: "That's theft! Robbery! And we can't even fight here! How am I supposed to get Elixirs from someone I have no connection to?"

Merchant: "There are ways, aren't there? You're a girl, and he's a boy. It's up to you to figure it out."

Kanya's lips trembled. She wanted to shoot the merchant with her Arc. But the fact that she had no more chances left calmed her.

What would Shirone's reaction be if she asked for his Elixirs? Elixirs were as precious as life to heretics.

And yet... she thought he might help. Because even though Rena was immature, she had a good eye for people.

Rena (in her mind): "I don't like Shirone oppa because he's handsome. I like him because he's kind."

At the time, Kanya had scoffed, but he was indeed different from ordinary heretics. Maybe he would hand over the Elixirs? That expensive White Elixir? Maybe. Maybe!

It was all hypothetical. But the reality was that she had no choice but to rely on assumptions.

For her mother, she would do anything. She couldn't let her mother, who had lived only half the lifespan of an ordinary citizen, die like this.

Leaving the merchant's sneering smile behind, Kanya approached Shirone. Shirone's expression was calm, as if he already knew the situation from their earlier conversation.

Kanya shuddered. What was he thinking? It couldn't be anything good. He'd probably ask why she was coming to him. What's the relationship between us?

Even so, she would plead. She was prepared to throw everything away.

As she approached Shirone, Kanya spoke with a heavy heart.

Kanya: "Um..."

Shirone: "Here."

Shirone held out his hand. A White Elixir rested in his palm.

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Kanya choked up. The surging emotions were similar to anger, but they didn't hurt at all.

Why was this man like this? Shouldn't he at least give her a chance to kneel and beg? Wasn't the purpose of charity to buy emotions with money? What was the point of this kind of mercy?

Kanya thought she should accept it. But she wasn't sure if she could speak properly.

Kanya: "Why..."

Shirone: "Go buy the Epines first. It's important to you, right?"

Kanya: "But..."

It's not important to you.

She wanted to spit it out, but her throat closed up, and no sound came out.

This boy was different. He wasn't like humans or extraterrestrials. He wasn't even like... Ra.

The moment the blasphemous thought crossed her mind, Kanya felt a thrilling sensation. Perhaps this was the precursor to corruption.

Kanya: "Thank you."

With those barely uttered words, Kanya returned to the merchant.

Indeed, Purgatory was different from Heaven. Strange emotions she had never felt before crossed her mind.

With weary steps, she approached the merchant and handed him the Elixir.

Kanya: "Here, now give me the Epines."

Merchant: "No. I can't sell it for this."

Kanya: "Why... why again?"

Kanya didn't even have the strength to scream. The determination to hold back her tears was the only thing keeping her on her feet.

Merchant: "I said all the Elixirs that boy has. And according to my calculations, there should still be one more Elixir, right?"

Shirone: "No. I don't have any more Elixirs."