Monster Girl Menagerie - Celestial Archive-Chapter 35 - 34 - Elf—Your Friendly Neighborhood Buyer

Author's note:After a long time (well, not that long—less than two weeks), I'm back with an announcement!

First and foremost, updates will now resume, shifting back to one Chapter per day. However, I'll be keeping the billing cycle paused for another week—I feel like I owe you guys for the break.

There won't be any updates to At The Crossroads just yet, at least not until I get my rhythm back.

Anyway, it's good to be back, and I'm truly grateful for all the support you've shown. Thanks, and as always, enjoy!

*X*X*X

Though we alighted the carriage near the Guild itself, I took the complete opposite of the direction that led to the entrance. The marketplace near the center, usually rife with activity, was dead silent as we walked forward.

Under the light spell of rain, we walked the cobblestone-laden streets, desolate and empty save for the litter of papers haphazardly strewn across the barren shops.

"Hmm." I frowned as I took another turn only to find the lane bare just as its predecessors. "Maybe I underestimated the impact of the monster siege."

I would have thought the place a ghost town had I not come across a few people walking about. We silently toured the rest of the marketplace, finding it vacant.

"That was a bit disappointing..." Tania mumbled, and I nodded to her words. I had been expecting to find a clothier to outfit myself better before I entered the guild, though it would seem my desires would go unanswered.

"Let's try someplace else." I spoke and led the duo to a different corner of the market. We crossed a filthy alley and a junk-filled courtyard before we emerged on the other side. Surprisingly, the place was jam-packed with people, customers and sellers alike.

"Wow." Tania expressed as she gazed at the sea of people. "How come one part is utterly empty and the other is booming with activity?"

I shrugged and offered a simple logic, though my reasoning didn't seem to hold up.

"A black market." Amara whispered, eyes darting here and there. "Seems like they're using the lack of enforcers as an opportunity to go all out."

That was an apt analysis and significantly better than my own conjecture. It reminded me once more just how much wisdom a 2000-year-old vampire seemed to hold, despite the lack of knowledge.

Her sudden glare my way made me avert my eyes, though the intensity showed no signs of lessening. I briefly wondered what had ticked her off...

Did she hear me calling her a 2000-year-old vampire? I mean, I knew that ladies were a bit sensitive about their age...

I decided to stop thinking and walked toward the closest stall, this one selling pieces of junk in the form of knives and daggers. Although I still had Amara's sword strapped to my belt, I was coming to a realization that the weapon didn't suit me at all. However, a dagger seemed hardly an apt choice.

I shook my head and moved toward a corner.

"Tania," I drew the dwarf's attention. "Listen, I need to sell this lump of crystals somewhere, but I can't estimate its exact value." I covertly pulled out the Mana Crystal, causing the forger's eyes to shine in excitement.

"Can you tell me how much this is worth?" I proffered the crystal, and Tania took it from my hand. She drew a reluctant glance between me and the mana crystal, seeming hesitant. "Well, what is it?"

At my urging, she finally spoke. "Well, isn't it a waste to sell this much Mana Crystal? I mean, it's not much, but it's everything you have, right?" I nodded. "Mana Crystals are useful in crafting, and selling them raw and unprocessed would be a waste. I could use it to create a weapon for you or something."

I blinked, mouth agape, and then facepalmed. "Of course, damn it, how could I have forgotten?"

It had nearly slipped past my attention that Tania was first and foremost a forger. She could create things on par with Legendary Artifacts; her S-Rank talent wasn't merely for the show.

"Actually, you know what? Keep it for yourself." I said. Tania offered a curious look, but I directed my attention at Amara instead. The vampire understood my intention without my explicit request. She removed the pouch and handed it over.

"As for the funds, these will more than cover for us." Tania glanced between me and the pouch and then at Amara; she seemed to be dying with curiosity. I decided to not let the pretty dwarf wallow in eagerness and opened the strap.

"Potions!" She instantly recognized the rows of potions stacked in the pouch. "They look to be of good quality too."

Of course, they were. They had come straight from the capital and that too from one of the Towers. Each of these would fetch five or ten gold, and there were 15 in total.

"Alright, now that everything's sorted out, I will find a buyer for these. You two can look around and see if anything catches your eye."

Tania and Amara exchanged a look between them before the vampire turned around to leave, with the dwarf hurrying to catch up. I secured the potions to my belt and picked a direction to walk in.

The black market was packed to the brim with people, hunters mostly, so it took me a half an hour before I managed to scour an outlet that would be interested in buying the potions.

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I approached the stall with a makeshift bunker in the background. A woman with flowing purple hair sat behind the table with her wares spread across evenly. Her face was covered by a veil, and her eyes shone a faint yellow. I found myself attracted to her elfin ears, long and pointy.

An Elf! I was instantly on guard, my eyes darting around, cautious and ready.

"No need to worry," the Elf spoke, drawing my attention. "I gave my word that no harm will come to customers; please be at ease."

A polite elf, now that was a surprise. Most of the pointy-eared snobs were the arrogant sort, thinking themselves high and mighty. Although I had never run into one before, at least not one with whom I had a lengthy chat, I had heard enough to conclude their behaviors and outlooks.

Wait, is it right to judge someone based on what you've heard from others? Can a racial designation be used to label all under the same banner? If so, how am I any different from that guy at the tavern?

Shaking my head, I focused on the lady ahead. "I wish to offer you a trade."

The elf sat straight, leaning forward to offer proper etiquette and attention. "What kind of trade?" She asked, her voice coming out soft and monotone from under the cover.

"Potions," I said, removing a vial from my pouch. She took the potion as I offered and examined it closely.

After observing the magic water for a few minutes, she handed it back and asked, "How many?"

"Let's discuss this inside." I suggested, instead.

The elf woman was quick to carry her stall back inside and gestured me to follow behind. There were a number of eyes watching over us like predators, and the last thing I wanted was to attract unwanted attention. Just because I wasn't afraid of the trouble didn't mean I would go around stirring it myself.

I was offered a chair, which I accepted graciously. The woman took her seat opposite me. "How much are you willing to pay for one?"

I didn't actually know the accurate market price of the two potions that currently occupied the sack, though I was sure it was exorbitant. My estimations were something I had calculated based on my own experience, rather than any tangible evidence.

The woman put on a thoughtful look and kept silent for a few minutes. I waited patiently and took the moment to look around. The place was cramped, with a low ceiling and a plethora of furniture.

"As you're already aware of the market situation," the elf spoke, pausing as she gauged my reaction. I managed to keep neutral, and she continued, "The economy is crashing hard. A few days ago the prices shot through the roof, and now that the situation is showing signs of recovery, the prices are plummeting down. Which means I would have to offer you lower than market prices."

I smiled. I may not have much knowledge regarding the market crisis, but I have picked up a thing or two over the years.

"While that might be true, I believe that the potions hardly affect the circumstances, especially the handful I'm willing to trade. Even if the economy is at an all-time low right now, it's bound to recover, and once it does, you can sell the potions at their intended prices."

Of course, what I had just spewed was bullshit, but so was everything that had come out of her mouth.

Despite the veil covering her face, I got the impression the woman seemed to be smiling. She shrugged and leaned forward. "I find your logic reasonable, so how about six gold coins?"

"Eight." I countered.

"Seven." She returned.

"Deal." I offered a handshake, and she accepted the gesture gracefully.

The trade was quick, and I received my 105 gold coins within a drawstring pouch. "And hold on to this." She offered a slip of paper, and I raised a brow as I accepted it. "I have a shop near the West of the Erdwatch, which is where I normally sell my wares. If you're interested or looking to buy, please visit me there."

"Sure, and goodbye."

The elf lady waved as I left the place, leaving me wondering if believing someone's narrative was the right thing to do.

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