novelraw Chapter 177
Chapter 177
“Mermaid’s Horn: When blown, it can summon the aid of Mermaids.”
Once the horn was in his hands, the System automatically provided its description. Leon only glanced at it before slipping it into his pouch.
“Of course, if you just want to visit the sea, you can blow the horn too. Mermaid warriors will come to escort you,” the Mermaid Queen added, watching Leon tuck away the horn.
“I will,” Leon replied perfunctorily. Then, together with Rasmodius, he bid the Mermaid Queen farewell and returned to Stardew Valley via Rasmodius’s teleportation magic.
After Leon left, the Mermaid Queen reached up and removed her head—or rather, the headpiece she had been wearing—revealing the same shimmering ocean-blue hair as other Mermaids.
“Hil, go to the City of Elements and see to it.”
“Yes, my Queen.” The older sea woman nodded and set off immediately.
When she was gone, the Mermaid Queen reclined on the oyster shell bed in the hall. Remembering Leon’s expression just now, a radiant smile spread across her flawless face.
“So the little one has grown so much. Looks like he’s moved into Stardew Valley already. Perhaps I could visit Red Star Farm during this year’s Winter Night Market.”
…Meanwhile, Leon and Rasmodius stood outside the Wizard’s Tower, staring at each other.
“Not planning to head back?” Rasmodius asked, puzzled by Leon’s lack of movement.
“Uh, I thought you’d send me back,” Leon explained.
“Your farm isn’t far from here.”
“But my legs feel a little weak right now.”
“Why?”
“Because I was stunned by the Mermaid Queen’s breathtaking beauty.”
“Uh… forget it. You’ll understand later.”
Rasmodius paused, deciding not to reveal the truth. Instead, he changed the subject.
“I think you should walk back. A Traveling Merchant has arrived in the Coal Forest. He might have something to tell you.”
“The Traveling Merchant? He’s here?” Leon perked up instantly. After saying goodbye to Rasmodius, he hurried out of the Wizard’s Tower grounds.
Sure enough, by the largest ancient tree in the Coal Forest, Leon spotted the familiar pig-drawn cart.
“Hey! Sir, we meet again! I thought you hadn’t seen my notice,” the Traveling Merchant greeted warmly from inside the wagon, waving his arm.
“I was away from the farm. I left the price list you gave me back at the house, sorry,” Leon said with a smile.
“Want to take a look at my goods? This time I’ve traveled all over the Fengil Republic, picking up plenty of interesting items.” The Traveling Merchant handed him a new list.
“Before buying, I have a question,” Leon said, taking the list but not looking at it yet. “You sell things, but you also buy, right?”
“That depends on what you’ve got,” the Traveling Merchant replied. “I don’t take just anything. I want goods with character.”
“What about this?” Leon pulled a pearl from the box gifted by the Mermaid Queen and placed it in front of the merchant.
The System prompt appeared at once.
“Pearl: A treasure from the ocean.”
“Oh, a pearl! That’s rare. It’s beautiful, sir. Are you really willing to sell it? I can offer you a price you can’t refuse.” The moment the pearl appeared, the Traveling Merchant’s eyes locked onto it.
“What’s the exact price?” Leon asked.
“3,500 gold,” the merchant replied without hesitation.
“3,500 gold? Not bad.”
Leon was tempted. After all, Clint had only offered 2,500 gold for a Prismatic Shard last time, and now the pearl’s price had surpassed that.
Seeing Leon’s hesitation, the Traveling Merchant added, “That’s the best price I can give. Even in the Gotro Empire, only nobles could afford it, and the price wouldn’t go over 4,500 gold.”
“I’m not saying it’s low. I’m just wondering—how many can you take?” Leon said, opening the box to reveal it was filled with pearls.
“Phew…”
The merchant’s breathing grew heavier. The gleaming pearls, catching the sunlight, were dazzling. If not for his reason and professional ethics, he might have been tempted to rob Leon on the spot.
“As a traveler, I advise you not to show your wealth so openly. It might attract greedy eyes and bring unnecessary trouble,” he said sincerely.
“I know, but I trust you completely,” Leon replied.
In truth, Leon was hoping the Traveling Merchant would get greedy. This was his turf—Stardew Valley—with the Wizard’s Tower nearby and the Secret Woods at his back. If the merchant made a move, Leon could stash the box, stall him, and call Rasmodius for backup. Worst case, he could run to Brother Bear in the Secret Woods. With the protection of Forest Magic, he had nothing to fear. If the merchant struck first, Leon could turn the tables and extort him instead.
Unfortunately, the Traveling Merchant’s professional integrity ruined his chance for easy profit.
Unaware that Leon was baiting him, the merchant felt warmed by his trust. His professional smile became more genuine. “Thank you, sir. But you have too many pearls for me to handle. At 3,500 gold each, I can only take six at most. Any more and I couldn’t sell them.”
“Alright, 20,000 gold flat,” Leon said at once, selecting six pearls and placing them before the merchant.
“It should be 21,000 gold,” the merchant corrected, thinking Leon had miscalculated.
“No, 20,000. Bulk discount,” Leon said firmly. If he couldn’t do such simple math after nine years of compulsory education, he’d be ashamed. He shaved off the extra thousand on purpose, hoping to earn the merchant’s goodwill.
For a cutthroat trader, that discount might make Leon look like an easy mark. But for a principled merchant, it meant recognition and friendship.
Sure enough, the Traveling Merchant’s smile widened. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, sir. Looks like we’ll be long-term partners.”
“Likewise. I admire your business philosophy and methods,” Leon replied. Compliments cost nothing, after all.