Chapter 324 Social Studies Field Trip ③
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Uuuh…. Wh, why didn’t you tell me…?”
”That’s why I just told you, didn’t I?”
”It’s too late now!”
Prince Roland’s social studies field trip ¹. Splendidly, His Highness, who was ripped off by a street vendor, fumes with anger and sulks after hearing my explanation. In his hands are a mysterious ornament and another very similar, also mysterious ornament number two.
One is, of course, the one he purchased, and the other is one I purchased at a different stall. The price difference is approximately triple. His Highness, who was flustered as the price rapidly dropped due to my negotiation, was a sight to behold. If I had been serious, I could have made it even cheaper, but I’ll let him off the hook with this much for today.
”Kukuku, this is also a study. Humans don’t learn unless they fail, after all.”
”Ugu…. Th, that might be true, but…”
”By the way, thanks to the current failure, it’s been confirmed that the lunch grade will drop by two ranks. Also, there’s a possibility we won’t be able to buy snacks as planned…”
”Nooo, that’s…”
Pathetically cute. Yes, I want him to use this experience as food for thought and become a fine King. If he were deceived the same way in diplomatic relations, the compensation wouldn’t end with just lunch.
After that, His Highness and I walked the main street again. On the way, I urged the hesitating him to make purchases two or three more times. This time I gave him proper advice, because it would be a problem if he became too intimidated.
As expected, His Highness is a quick learner, and within a few purchases, he becomes able to read between the lines of the other person’s words. Or rather, he obtained a surprising amount of information from breathing, eye movements, hand gestures, and so on. Probably, there’s also an education official who teaches such things.
Thanks to that, towards the end, he was able to buy “souvenirs” without being ripped off that much. For now, I suppose the first goal of this social studies field trip has been achieved?
”I’m sorry, for having you carry the luggage…”
”Don’t worry about it. It’s bulky, but it’s not that heavy.”
Both of us carry bags in both hands and go down the main street. I don’t mind the luggage carrying itself, but it might not be good that we look a bit like country bumpkins. We’re planning to go around several more places from now on….
”Alright, shall we go to my place once?”
”By ‘my place’…”
”It’s my house. I’ll guide you to the magic circuit shop ‘Harvest’ ²? “
”Is it alright!?”
”Of course. Though I say that, it’s just to drop off the luggage.”
Thus, I ended up guiding His Highness, whose eyes were sparkling again, to my home. No, because if he goes up inside the house, various bad things will enter his sight, it’s only as far as inside the shop, okay?
We turn right from the main street that came straight down south and enter the back side on the west. From the main street’s perspective, it’s a back street, but the locals call this the “front street.” In the streetscape where the atmosphere changes, His Highness seems busy moving his gaze restlessly.
”If the main street is a road for travelers and big shops, this road is a place for commoners’ lives. The prices of goods become much cheaper, and people trying to rip you off become fewer.”
”I, I see…. Um, wouldn’t it have been better if we shopped over here from the beginning…”
”That wouldn’t be a study, and if it’s souvenirs, it’s the main street after all. Well, in order to have you know what kind of life commoners lead, I plan to have you shop here eventually too.”
”I, u, understood…”
While walking, I explain the state of the street, such as “that is a fruit shop” and “over there is a general store.” Eventually, when passing in front of a familiar fruit shop, the old man of the shop called out to me.
”Oh, if it isn’t Kento. What’s up, mister, are you bringing another new girl again?”
”Pops, give me a break. I’m asked to look after this one by an acquaintance. I’m telling you, it’s a guy, okay?”
Being treated as a female yet again, His Highness reacts with a start. Ah I see, perhaps because I am here, we are being mistaken for a couple…? I feel like he’s just being teased, though.
”Well that’s my bad then! Hey boy, wanna eat an apple? An apple. If you like pears, that’s fine too?”
”Eh!? E, e, umm…!?”
The old man talks to His Highness and tosses an apple before hearing an answer. His Highness hurriedly almost drops it, but although he catches it safely, he doesn’t know what happened and his eyes are swimming.
”Sorry, pops. I’ll come to buy again.”
”It’s fine! Please favor us in the future too!”
”Ah! Eh!? Th, the money…!?”
”Don’t let a child worry about such things!”
”So so, just take it. Don’t forget to say thanks, okay?”
”Ah…! Thank you very much!!!”
His Highness bows his waist at ninety degrees and says thanks. Incredible, how can a prince of a country grow up to be so honest. While being impressed by the educational power of the Canaria Royal Family, I leave the place while waving. The old man waved back with a very nice smile, and His Highness bowed his head many times to say thanks.
”I, I received it…”
”Yeah, that’s good. The apples there are delicious.”
”Is, is it okay to eat it…?”
”Of course it’s okay.”
”Umm… h, how should I eat it…”
”Whole bite. Just bite into it as it is.”
Having such a conversation, His Highness hesitated for a while, but with a “Ei!”, he made up his mind and bit the apple. He hurriedly wiped the corner of his mouth at the overflowing fruit juice, while somehow not forgetting elegance despite the whole bite. It seems they don’t do such unrefined ways of eating in the Royal Palace.
”O, it’s delicious…!”
”So so, that’s good. If you ever pass there again, tell the old man so.”
”Yes…!”
While walking just like that, I proceed while explaining about that shop and explaining about shops we pass again. It seems eating while walking is also his first time, and His Highness almost stopped his feet sometimes, but by the time he finished eating, he had become good at eating while walking.
Eventually, since he was at a loss with the apple that became only the calyx and core, I snatched it up and burned it with magic. He was surprised every single time and made a face like “is it really okay…”, but I proceed without worrying and plunge into the back alley streetscape.
”A, um, how should I say…”
”That it’s dark, dirty, and damp?”
”I, I don’t think such a thing! B, but… the, the atmosphere is different…”
”Yeah, because it’s a place where guys who don’t have money or have circumstances live.”
”Is, is it so…!?”
I wonder which “is it so!?” this “is it so!?” is. Did he not know there was such a place in the Royal Capital, or was he surprised that I have a shop in such a place. Or maybe it’s both.
His Highness moves his gaze restlessly more than before, and perhaps out of anxiety, he unconsciously approaches me and follows. Did I threaten him too much? While thinking that, the aunties having a well-side chat entered my sight at just the right place. It seems they noticed too, and they talk to me.
”Oh Kento-san, another new girl?”
”Please give me a break, this one is a guy, and that makes it sound like I’m replacing one woman after another.”
”Isn’t that exactly right?”
”””Ahahahahaha!”””
The aunties laugh together, making it a topic of conversation on their own. His Highness, who was mistaken again, looks up at me with a face shocked for the third time. Yeah, the first time aside, the second and third times are completely my fault….
I give a suitable greeting and proceed on the road to the shop again. Thanks to the kind-looking ladies, the way His Highness was acting frightened disappeared, but….
”Um, could it be that Kento-san is… a womanizer…?”
And so, with an expression of slightly decreased respect, he ended up asking a dishonorable question….
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Summary:
Kento takes Prince Roland on a tour of the commoner districts to teach him about price negotiation and real-world living. Roland learns quickly but is flustered by the local culture and Kento’s casual attitude. The chapter ends with Roland questioning Kento’s character after several locals mistake the prince for one of Kento’s girlfriends.
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Trivia:
- Roland was initially scammed by a vendor before Kento intervened.
- The ‘punishment’ for Roland’s failure is a lower-grade lunch.
- Roland’s physical appearance is feminine enough to be constantly mistaken for a girl.
- Kento’s shop ‘Harvest’ is located in a less affluent ‘back street’ area
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Character Insight:
Roland shows high aptitude for reading social cues (breathing, eye movements), suggesting royal training in observation. However, he remains morally upright and somewhat naive, evidenced by his deep bow to a commoner fruit seller.
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Behind the Scenes:
The contrast between the ‘Main Street’ (tourist/wealthy) and ‘Front Street’ (locals) is a common urban planning trope in fantasy settings to show class divide.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Roland – he younger brother of Queen Cecile and the heir apparent to the Canaria throne. Clean, golden-blonde hair, same color as the Queen, innocent, beautiful face that could be mistaken for a girl but dressed in a boy’s formal wear.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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