LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 219: Gathering Information
[Also, why would I use my hard-earned money when I can use this world's Lucian's money? I'd be an idiot if I didn't.]
The night before, Lucian had tried to steal… no, borrow this world's Lucian's money, but, unfortunately, he was unable to place the Mana Stones or even other items into his Inventory.
Moreover, since only his Soul resided in this body, storing the items in his Spatial Ring would also be useless, as the Spatial Ring would remain in this world when he was transported back to Arcadia.
Left with no choice, Lucian wanted to make use of his newfound wealth.
The System grumbled. [No… you're a cheapskate… money grubber.]
Of course, the System had seen what its Host had attempted to do last night.
When its Host failed to steal this world's Lucian's Mana Stones for the second time, the System speechlessly watched as he tried to store the Spatial Ring containing Mana Stones in the Inventory.
Meanwhile, after being dumbstruck for a few moments longer than necessary, the young lady regained her composure.
"Sir, we have the items you are looking for. Please sit in the lounge as I go retrieve them."
As the young lady entered the backroom meant for employees only, Lucian calmly took a seat on one of the chairs and waited for her return.
The System sighed.
[You have no dignity left. Where's the majesty of the future Transcendent Chef? Instead of mastering the culinary arts, you're scamming the body you're using.]
[It's all part of my charm.] Lucian shrugged as his eyes snapped to the backroom door that just opened.
From inside, the young lady walked out holding a tray with three bottles and a white jacket neatly folded on top.
"Here are the items you requested, sir." She presented them to Lucian before pointing at the potion bottles and giving a short explanation, "These are Aura-Changing Potions that mimic the presence of a Blood Tempering Realm Mage. Each bottle's effect lasts for a different duration.
Since you didn't specify the exact length of time you would need the effect for, I thought it would be best to show you our three options."
Lucian looked at the bottles. Each bottle was labeled with the exact time. From left to right, the durations were three hours, six hours, and twenty-four hours.
After a moment, Lucian said, "I'll take the twenty-four-hour one."
"Very well. Is there anything else you would like, sir? If not, the total is twenty Low-Grade Mana Stones." The young lady said politely. Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire
Instead of replying, Lucian produced twenty Low-Grade Mana Stones and gave them to the young lady. Of course, the money belonged to the Lucian of this world. Simultaneously, he stored away the Alchemist's jacket and potion in his Spatial Ring.
The young lady bowed.
"Thank you for your patronage, sir."
Lucian nodded and left the shop. Immediately after, as he walked toward the merchants, Lucian summoned the Alchemist's jacket and wore it over his t-shirt.
Now, no matter from which angle one looked at him, he looked like an old, sagely, Alchemist.
The passersby raised their eyebrows but shrugged and went about their day.
On the other hand, the young lady from Alchemist Yen's Shop, who had decided to watch what he planned to do, became speechless.
'He really is a con artist.'
Her thoughts only solidified further when she saw a familiar-looking potion appear in his hand before he downed the contents.
'Th-this.'
Meanwhile, Lucian had a reason to be lackadaisical. Even without Mana Sense, his perception was top-notch. But of course, that only applied to Mages below the Bone Tempering Realm staring at him. If a Mage above that realm were to stare at him, Lucian would be unaware of their presence.
But he did not believe a Mage of such a realm, who was second in strength to Alchemist Huo, would be working their life as a spy.
And from what he felt, the majority of the gazes were indifferent, while only a few were disdainful. They had merely given him fleeting looks, with none staring at him for more than two seconds.
'When going up against bandits without Mana, there's of course risk involved.'
Lucian indifferently walked, his steps had never ceased. The people who had gazed at him had long ago disappeared among the crowd of people. That was just how it was even in a small city like Qingyun.
However, to Lucian's speechlessness, he still felt one gaze boring down on his back.
'That young lady from Alchemist Yen's Shop is persistent. Could she be a spy?'
By the time Lucian had arrived where the merchants were hawking their wares, he could barely feel the young lady's gaze. It was not that she had lost interest in him, but the distance between them was too great.
'I need to quickly remove these stupid restraints.' After that thought, Lucian perked up his ears. He was searching for a specific piece of information.
The merchant's loud shouts to attract customers and the haggling from customers created a lot of noise.
Acting like he was looking for supplies, Lucian moved from merchant to merchant.
Sometime later, as he passed by a merchant carriage, his ears picked up on a piece of conversation between two rough-looking Orcs.
They were standing close to an herbs merchant, inspecting a three-petaled green flower as they conversed in low voices, but not quite enough to go unheard by Lucian.
"... Saw 'em near the old mine last night."
"Just the two of 'em?"
"Yep. Their boss was nowhere in sight. No idea what happened to 'em. Could be dead."
"What a fool. Since when did bandits have morals?"
"Their father and sons, I tell yer."
"Still… they seem desperate."
"Of course, they even went to the old mine that long since dried up looking for Mana Stones."
"Why?"
"They're poor." Suddenly, the herb merchant spoke.
The two men showed no surprise, nor were they angry that he had been eavesdropping on their conversation.