Infinite Mage

Chapter 190: Nor’s Haven (4)

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Translator/Editor: Ryuu

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INFINITE MAGE

Shirone threw an Elixir to the merchant with the drone.

The merchant, receiving it with both hands, trembled. He was so moved he could barely hold it properly.

It wasn’t a Red, Green, or Yellow Elixir, but a White Elixir.

Flipping his palm, Shirone spoke.

"How about it? Is it settled now? Give Kanya the item."

"Then take it from him."

The merchant’s eyes twitched, realizing Shirone’s actions weren’t mere provocations.

Shirone turned to the merchant fondling the Elixir and asked.

"So, what will you do? Will you give it back?"

"No, no! The deal cannot be canceled!"

The merchant panicked, waving his hands.

Sure, the Mecha Tribe drone was valuable, but only if it was usable.

The drone he sold was practically worth only a Yellow Elixir. To exchange it for a White Elixir was a once-in-a-lifetime gain.

"So, what now? Are we going to have a fight among heretics? Seems to be your specialty."

The herbalist’s face hardened.

This was indeed a tricky situation. He could be shameless in customer negotiations, but conflict among merchants brought no benefits. Especially for lower community merchants who mainly dealt in daily necessities.

The herbalist then scrutinized Shirone.

The way he pressured like this meant he was undoubtedly a Norin, and not an easy one.

Should he accept just one Elixir and move on? Trading Epinephrine for a White Elixir would be a legendary deal.

But it was a matter of pride. He didn’t want to accept that things had gone the citizen’s way.

"Fine, I won’t sell. So enjoy your toy. Do you realize you’ve crushed this girl’s hopes?"

The merchant had thrown in the towel. He chose the satisfaction of victory over profit.

As a merchant, it was a zero-point deal, but he didn't care as long as he could see the citizen despair.

Shirone knew he had won the game.

"No, you must sell the potion. Otherwise, you’re violating the contract."

"What? How am I violating any contract?"

"You said you would sell the potion if I brought all my Elixirs. Kanya did that. Suddenly canceling the deal is a breach of contract. You know what happens to a merchant who loses credibility, right?"

It wasn’t just knowing; it was the end. At the very least, he would lose his foothold in the community.

But he also felt a bit wronged. Shirone was being stubborn.

"Be clear. When I proposed the contract, you had two Elixirs. After the deal was made, you bought the drone, so I haven’t violated anything."

"How do you know when I bought the drone?"

The herbalist’s eyes widened in shock. Though he had lost his cool, his long experience in trading had given him a hunch.

He was at a disadvantage.

"I already had a contract to buy the drone. I just hadn’t handed over the Elixir yet. As a merchant, you should have confirmed that before making a deal. If you doubt it, feel free to check."

The herbalist ground his teeth. His hunch was right.

The merchant who sold the drone would back Shirone no matter what. Proving his contract with Shirone meant the White Elixir’s ownership would transfer.

This was a common occurrence on the mainland. He had no right to complain, having exploited monopolies himself.

‘Why am I at a disadvantage? It should be the opposite.’

As he reviewed the situation, the herbalist realized Shirone had known the drone’s lower value.

How Shirone figured it out was unclear, but without it, the current situation wouldn’t exist.

The merchant sided with Shirone because he made several times the profit.

He let out an exclamation. Shirone understood human nature’s relationship with material goods. Even mainland merchants would find him formidable.

"So, what do you think? We had the first contract, right?"

"Of course, we did. We made a verbal agreement to trade the drone for a White Elixir before the girl started yelling."

Though unrequested, Shirone confirmed it directly.

Now, there was no way out. If he had a deal with another merchant, it was his fault for not checking the customer’s limit.

Should he back down? One White Elixir was an incredible gain, but it was a matter of pride.

The herbalist played his lowest card as a merchant.

He went for self-pity.

"My mother was a citizen of Heaven. But she didn’t undergo the ritual. Do you know why?"

When no one answered, the herbalist continued, tapping his head.

"She went mad. My father was murdered in Heaven by a lunatic who had a crush on my mother. Do you know what punishment he got? Forty years off his lifespan. But he still had forty years left. My father was dead. My mother cursed that man all her life. But the ritual’s date was set. Alongside the man who killed my father."

Kanya’s eyes shook.

Shirone didn’t grasp the significance, but everyone else was horrified.

"So, my mother killed herself. The ritual’s target decreased, and I had to bear the remaining punishment. That’s why I fled Heaven. So, do you get it? I hate citizens. They make me sick. Do you think I’ll sell the potion?"

In short, he was ready to blow everything up.

Shirone snorted.

A truly suicidal person wouldn’t explain their reasons. If both parties would die, the process didn’t matter.

What he wanted was an emotional victory, and Shirone wasn’t going to give it to him.

"So, will you sell the potion or not?"

"I won’t. And I won’t give up the Elixir either. Do as you please."

"Then I’ll take it by force."

"Do it. But remember, using violence means you can’t stay in the community. You’ll be a wanderer forever."

Shirone extended his hand. Photon energy condensed into a vibrating white sphere.

The herbalist was terrified. Such magic was impossible. Only those contracting with the Spirit of Light from the community outskirts could do this.

"Are you a border person?"

"The Vortex Serpent was quite strong. Thanks to it, I got three White Elixirs."

Shirone remained expressionless.

The herbalist knew that a mage was most ruthless when emotionless.

"What kind of Elixirs might be in your body?"

Everyone knew the herbalist's survival depended on his answer.

The herbalist struggled for a long time, realizing he couldn’t win. Finally, he raised his hand with a bitter smile.

"None. I don’t have any Elixirs in me. So spare me."

Shirone fired the Photon Canon. A beam of light grazed the herbalist’s nose and hit the ruins' pillar.

The pillar exploded with a loud noise.

The herbalist, now somber, looked at Shirone.

"Don’t laugh. You may be bluffing, but I’m serious. I don’t care about the laws or the community. One more trick, and I won’t forgive you."

"Okay, okay. Calm down."

The herbalist realized the seriousness of the situation.

Shirone had shown maximum hostility without using violence. Like a swordsman drawing his blade or a beast baring its fangs, there would be no further leniency.

Understanding this, the herbalist threw Epinephrine to Kanya.

"There, satisfied? The deal is done."

"One more thing. Apologize to Kanya."

"Why should I? You have no right to interfere with my personal feelings."

"But you’ve been through pain, too, right?"

"What does that have to do with an apology?"

"I’m not asking for a meaningless apology. Words without sincerity are worthless. But didn’t you want someone to understand your past wounds?"

Is that so? Have I still not escaped?

The herbalist glanced at Kanya’s sorrowful face. She said her mother was awaiting the ritual.

His mother had lost her mind back then. She screamed and self-harmed daily. The terror she felt was even more intense for him as a child.

“Tch, who says I know how to apologize?"

Snorting, the herbalist packed up his stall. He tossed a purple potion to Kanya as he stood up.

"It’s called Corfin. It strengthens the nervous system. Consider it a service since I made a good haul. Using it with Epinephrine might help. Though it’ll be futile."

Walking towards the tent village, the herbalist glanced back at Shirone.

"And kid, everything I said was a lie. Beating me is impressive, but if you can’t spot that, you’ll get crushed on the mainland."

Arin communicated through the mental channel.

-Shirone, should I check if it was a lie?

-No, it's fine.

Shirone watched the herbalist’s retreating figure with a hint of sadness.

Nor’s Haven.

A place where wanderers of Purgatory rested.

Perhaps what they left behind here were not their weary bodies but the scars in their hearts.

The eventful shopping concluded.

Shirone comforted Kanya, who couldn’t hold back her tears. Beside them, Rena pouted, watching over them.

Amy’s group, excluding Shirone, began a discussion.

The items bought with the three White Elixirs were the Fire Spirit, the drone, and Epinephrine.

Even though it was the best outcome for the situation, it was hard not to feel like they had lost out. Tess, in particular, couldn’t hide her guilt.

"I know I was the one who asked for it, but are we sure about this?

There were items that could have been more useful in battle. And Epinephrine was outrageously overpriced."

"What’s the big deal? We can hunt for more if needed. No point worrying about the past."

"Rian’s right. And monetary loss isn’t the only loss. Shirone used the Elixirs most efficiently, and that’s what matters."

Comforted by Amy, Tess pouted.

"What good is efficiency when the situation was a mess? I support Shirone’s choices, but if the herbalist hadn’t pulled his tricks, we could have gotten the drone for half the price."

Canis smirked.

"Amy didn’t mean it like that. Shirone didn’t lose out at all. He bought something that couldn't be obtained, even for all the White Elixirs."

"What? Was the Fire Spirit that valuable?"

"No. The most valuable was Epinephrine."

Tess thought Canis was joking.

Even the thought of buying something that could be bought with Red Elixirs for a White Elixir was infuriating.

Rian asked in confusion.

"Why was Epinephrine the most valuable? It’s a common potion."

"True, but today its price was beyond imagination. Most importantly, its owners are Kanya and Rena, citizens of Heaven."

"Oh..."

"See? It wasn’t about Epinephrine. Shirone bought a ticket to Heaven for a White Elixir."

Indeed.

Thinking back, it was a far-fetched idea to find a way into Heaven. But now they had a foothold. With Kanya’s help, they could enter Heaven.

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