Volume 6 Chapter 1 Ancient Gold Coins
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
As spring arrives, the days grow noticeably longer. Just like on Earth, this happens because the planet’s axis is slightly tilted. As a Stargazer, I understand the movements of stars and planets, even if it feels like luck sometimes.
By the time I reached the royal capital’s gate, the sun was already setting. I’d hoped to arrive earlier, but walking and riding a horse are completely different in speed.
I was still sore from the climb down the mountain. Descending is easier than climbing, but it still tires my legs because I use muscles I’m not used to.
Unlike in Toyata village, people in the royal capital don’t go to bed right after sunset. Still, visiting so late feels a bit rude. Ms. Mahal probably wouldn’t mind, but I’d like to greet her before it gets too late.
As usual, I sneak through the back alleys of the rough part of town, hiding with my Stealth skill.
Thieves sometimes have a Searching skill, but I’ve never met anyone who could see through my Stealth. Someone that skilled wouldn’t be hanging around here, but it’s better to be careful.
Lately, I’ve gotten a bit of a cheat ability, and it feels pretty good. I’m aware of it, at least.
Honestly, I’m not much stronger in battle. If I fought Mr. Laken head-on, I’m not sure I’d win.
Because of my overconfidence, I almost lost Ms. Nina. I need to remind myself not to let that happen again.
Ms. Mahal’s shop was still open. In this rough area, suspicious customers visit even after dark, so the shop stays open late.
Even in the underworld, there are rules. Anyone causing trouble in Ms. Mahal’s shop gets dealt with harshly by the dark guild. Thieves need a place to sell their stolen goods, after all.
If those goods are used for crimes, I don’t think Ms. Mahal would feel good about it. Dwarves can be a bit irresponsible. If you say the tool isn’t to blame, then it’s true.
”Oh, you’re back.”
A homunculus that looked just like Ms. Mahal greeted me. She was made about five years ago but was still full of energy.
Homunculi are made entirely of synthetic cells, so they don’t have a set lifespan.
These synthetic cells use a lot of expensive rare materials to create. That’s why newer doll princesses use cheaper golem parts to cut costs.
These mass-produced versions were meant to be repaired and reused if they broke.
But once the demand started, there weren’t enough technicians, so they started disposing of them instead of fixing them.
In the end, they simplified the design, assuming they wouldn’t be repaired from the start. That’s how they are now.
Heroes like me, who care about doll princesses, are a small minority. When I asked Mr. Raoh and the others, they only saw them as tutorial NPCs.
Among summoned Heroes, those who care too much about doll princesses are seen as weird. It’s common to return them to the management bureau after the tutorial quest.
Nowadays, most Japanese people have played fantasy RPGs. Isn’t it time to rethink the role of the guiding princess, since the tutorial isn’t even necessary?
I think the whole doll princess system needs reevaluating. It’s a waste to throw them away without a second thought. The best cost-cutting measure might be to not make them at all.
* * *
I headed to a secret mansion through a long underground passage. It’s a perfect hideout—it looks ordinary but stays unnoticed, like the saying, “If you want to hide a tree, put it in a forest.”
”I didn’t think you’d actually gather everything. Not bad.”
Ms. Mahal started inspecting the eggs I brought with a casual greeting, but her expression grew more serious.
”Is there a problem?”
I dried them with the essence of a living dragon, not dried dragon seminal vesicles. I thought it would work the same way since the principle is similar.
”This is all kinds of strange, too high-quality. It’s impossible. But hey, as long as it works, no problem there. In fact, the success rate seems to go up.”
Like they say, too much of a good thing can cause problems. But this time, it seems to be working well, so it’s fine.
”Can I have a bit of that egg if there’s any left?”
It seems Ms. Mahal also wanted an egg bathed in Schulz’s spirit.
Dwarves don’t steal to fill their bellies like humans, but they might not care if it means getting rare materials.
To prevent the materials from being taken and used to make another Ms. Nina, let’s secure it just in case.
”I still get plenty of those eggs. Please use as much as you need, but first, I need for Ms. Nina.”
”Hmph, what kind of magic did you use, exactly? Never mind, don’t tell me. Keep it as your secret. Don’t show this egg to humans by mistake; if the Alchemist Guild finds out, it might cause a big commotion.”
The power Schulz lent wasn’t magic, but the strength of art, right?
Selling this egg to the Alchemist Guild might fetch a good price, but it’s better to heed the warning and stop. There are other ways to make money.
”How much would it sell for, I wonder?”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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