Yuri was treated to dinner by the Elaine Trading Company.
Considering the long journey they had just completed, the food was surprisingly plentiful, though the menu wasn’t anything extravagant. After all, they had all traveled far and weren’t in a position to indulge.
The meal consisted of a stew made from dried meat, along with various preserved foods seasoned with spices.
Fortunately, there was plenty of alcohol.
“This is quite delicious.”
“When you travel a lot for trade, you pick up a few tricks along the way.”
“I built up some skill during my military service, but you seem even more impressive.”
“Thank you. I just rely on the spices.”
“This has a unique aroma.”
“It’s from the East. Heh heh…”
The Elaine Trading Company employed many bodyguards to protect their caravan, and some of them kept sneaking glances at Yuri from a distance.
Though not knights, these sword-wielders admired Yuri Briol, whose reputation was well-known across the continent.
Yuri wanted to teach them a few moves, but there was business to attend to.
“Alright. Shall we see the goods now?”
“Yes, of course.”
“You have to fill your stomach before buying anything.”
“Why’s that?”
“When you’re hungry, you end up buying unnecessary things. If I hadn’t eaten first, I might have bought a whole sack of spices.”
“Now that you mention it, that makes sense. Your Highness, you’re truly wise. I think this should become Elaine Trading Company’s official policy. Ha ha ha…”
Rick was excellent at flattering others, making the conversation enjoyable for Yuri. No matter what he said, it was always praise.
“Rick, I always brush my teeth after eating.”
“Ah, no wonder your teeth are so healthy. If I ever have children, I’ll make sure to teach them to brush just like you.”
“You know, my fists usually come out before my words.”
“An action man, I see. The world belongs to those who act, not just talk. Just like Elaine Trading Company.”
The expressions of Yuri’s companions listening from behind weren’t exactly pleased, but Yuri paid them no mind.
As they chatted, they arrived at a tent.
Inside, carts were stacked, and a few Elaine Trading Company staff emerged—perhaps Rick had given them a heads-up.
Rick opened the tent flap and said, “We’ve already organized the goods. Take your time looking.”
Yuri stepped inside.
“Hmm…”
The interior was neatly arranged, almost like a shop set up just for him.
The items were sorted into categories: clothing, accessories, mysterious artifacts and books, and precious metals—all looked valuable.
“Oh, here it is.”
A box was brought in late. When opened, a distinctive fragrance wafted out.
“This is a container for spices. Some are only found in the East, and we’ve also specially acquired some unique ones. Even pepper varies slightly depending on the type.”
“Interesting…”
Yuri nodded toward his companions.
“Everyone, take a look. If you see something you want, I’ll buy it for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Thanks.”
Jared and Francesco eagerly stepped inside, while Simon and Guiness hesitated but followed.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“I have plenty of money.”
Yuri watched them move about, arms crossed behind his back.
Rick asked, “Your Highness, aren’t you going to look right away?”
“I’m thinking it over.”
Yuri scanned the Eastern goods one by one. His eyesight was sharp enough to catch every detail without getting too close.
He had no intention of buying clothes or accessories.
“What’s that?”
Yuri uncrossed his arms and pointed.
“Oh, that…”
Rick indicated a bowl-shaped object and a thick wooden stick.
He approached and picked them up.
“This is called a Bokma Meditation Bowl.”
“Bokma Meditation Bowl?”
“Yes. Also known as a meditation bowl. It’s used by Eastern monks during meditation. Like this…”
Rick rubbed the wooden stick along the outside of the bowl in a circular motion. A strange humming sound echoed, unlike anything from this world. Listening to it felt both calming and unsettling at the same time.
Then Rick lightly tapped the bowl with the stick. A clear, bell-like tone rang out, lingering beautifully.
“They say ringing this drives away evil spirits. Whether that’s true, I can’t say.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. In the East, there are ascetics called ‘Dosas’ who use this tool to banish malevolent beings.”
“I see…”
“It’s also good for focusing the mind. Helpful during meditation. I haven’t tried meditating myself, but just listening to it gives you that feeling, doesn’t it?”
“It does sound majestic.”
“Yes. It fills your chest with grandeur.”
Rick rubbed the bowl again, and the gentle tone filled the air.
Yuri closed his eyes, savoring the sound, then said, “I’ll take one of these.”
“Excellent choice. This item was crafted by the renowned Shaolin workshop in the East. The wooden stick isn’t just any wood—it’s made from a jujube tree struck by lightning. You won’t regret it.”
Yuri purchased the mysterious Bokma Meditation Bowl.
There was also a metal called orichalcum. Perhaps there was an instrument that could repel evil spirits made from it. Since they were heading to Valshard anyway, they could experiment there.
Yuri reached out again.
“What’s that?”
“That’s an Eastern internal energy technique. We call these ‘Mana Methods.’ It seems the East has a more systematic approach to martial arts than we do. We’ve added commentary through translators. This one is called the Samjae Internal Technique.”
“Samjae Internal Technique…”
“It comes as a set with the Samjae Sword Technique. It’s said to be a peerless martial art that requires harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity.”
“Peerless martial art.”
“Yes. Master it to the extreme, and you become one of the greatest warriors in the world.”
“Can I take a look?”
“Normally, viewing before purchase is prohibited, but I’ll show it to Your Highness.”
Rick brought over the book and opened it for Yuri.
“Feel free to browse.”
The left page showed a diagram of the human body, while the right had the Eastern language alongside a translation in the continent’s common tongue.
Flipping through, Yuri got a rough idea.
“Did the seller claim this was a peerless martial art?”
“Yes.”
“Cut ties with that person.”
“What?”
“It’s good for basics, but it’s not a high-level technique. It’s not much different from the Mana Methods soldiers learn. And the Samjae Sword Technique is only suitable for beginners.”
“Is that so?”
Rick clicked his tongue.
“It was purchased from a prestigious sect called Haomun. We’ll be more careful in the future. Truly rare martial arts aren’t sold so easily.”
“Are you sure it’s from a reputable sect?”
“That’s what they said.”
“Verify it.”
Yuri had heard from Moyongchan that Eastern sects valued their honor so highly they rarely resorted to deception.
It seemed Rick had been duped, but since their trade with the East was new, this was a risk they had to accept.
Yuri looked through other books but found nothing useful.
“The truly precious things won’t be leaked. From now on, it’s best to bring along experts to inspect.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I can introduce you to someone reliable.”
As both a customer and co-owner of Elaine Trading Company, Yuri offered Rick some advice.
“This much martial arts knowledge is enough…”
Yuri turned to the weapons.
Though different in style from the continent’s, the quality was quite good. But Yuri already had the sword Guilty, so he didn’t need anything else.
He glanced at his companions.
“Not interested in weapons?”
“Hmm…”
“These are a bit different from what we usually use.”
“Look at this.”
Yuri stepped inside and pulled out a few daggers.
“Things like these are fine.”
He spun a dagger in the air, then threw it toward a corner.
It stuck perfectly into a tent pole.
“Oh…”
Yuri smiled and said to Rick, “Charge them for the pole.”
“Ha ha ha…”
“Don’t just use swords—try handling these kinds of weapons too. They’ll help in a fight.”
As a mercenary, Yuri had often relied on such tricks.
Though now he was beyond such tactics, for the others, these skills could mean survival.
“The East has developed assassination techniques. These are from a place called Sacheondangmun.”
Rick demonstrated some of the intriguing stealth moves.
Jared, Simon, and Guiness each bought a handful of such items.
“What about you, Francesco?”
“I’m not buying.”
He shook his head.
“If I buy those, it feels like admitting I can’t regain my mana.”
Yuri understood Francesco’s feelings.
Once a famed member of the Ten Strong, he had lost his mana.
But Yuri had given him hope—that he could recover it. That meant everything to him.
“Alright.”
Yuri smiled and gave Francesco a hearty pat on the back.
“Don’t worry.”
“Ugh…”
“When you get your mana back, let’s spar properly, Francesco.”
“Sounds good. Be ready.”
“Will do.”
Yuri could see the dark power lingering in Francesco’s body. If they could purge that, he would regain his mana.
“Lastly…”
Yuri, with the Bokma Meditation Bowl tucked under his arm, made his way to the accessories corner.
“Hmm…”
The jewelry here had a different sensibility from the continent’s—elegant, understated gems crafted into beautiful shapes.
Yuri looked at them and said, “This one.”
A butterfly-shaped headband.
Wearing it would make it look as if a shimmering butterfly had gently landed.
“Is there someone you’d like to give this to?”
“Well, it’s just pretty.”
Yuri had been thinking of giving it as a gift to Marie-Rose, who had worked so hard until now.
Rick smiled and said,
“That item was actually chosen by Princess Ekaterina.”
“What?”
Yuri looked at him in surprise.
“Princess Ekaterina has a keen eye for things like this. When we first started trading with the East, she personally inspected the goods. The pieces she selected became a standard for us, so we treat them separately.”
Without realizing it, Yuri set down the butterfly hairband.
“Hmm.”
It wasn’t so strange after all.
The standards by which Yuri found accessories beautiful were all instilled through Ekaterina in her past life.
Seeing the items through that lens, everything looked different.
She could clearly tell which ones Ekaterina would have picked.
“Maybe that one too?”
Rick hesitated.
It was a beautiful silk garment. When Yuri lifted it, the fabric rippled like waves.
“Yes. That’s right.”
“I see.”
Yuri glanced around and picked something else.
“This one.”
A golden toad.
Definitely not something Ekaterina would have chosen.
“This can’t be hers.”
“Uh…”
“I’ll buy this one…”
“That was also chosen by the princess…”
“What?”
Yuri’s eyes widened.
She couldn’t understand how Ekaterina could have picked this clumsy, ugly golden toad.
Maybe, without Rick knowing, Ekaterina had a lover whose taste was so tacky that, even though it wasn’t her style, she forced herself to pick something to give him as a gift.
Rick spoke up.
“She just gave some advice. Said it was something stupid nobles would like.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Phew…”
“Is something wrong?”
“No.”
“The golden toad is said to bring luck, fortune, and prosperity in the East. It’s the kind of thing nouveau riche in the Empire would love.”
“I see. Excellent.”
Yuri relaxed.
“Alright. I’ll take this one.”
She chose a flower-shaped brooch made of gemstones. There were many like it on the continent, but Eastern ones had a simpler, more elegant charm. The flower’s shape was also refined.
Marie-Rose probably already had plenty of flashy jewelry, so Yuri wanted to give her something like this instead.
“Oh, this is a new arrival. Pretty, isn’t it? I’m even considering giving one to my wife.”
“I’m thinking of giving it to someone I’m grateful to.”
“An excellent choice.”
As they were wrapping things up, suddenly a commotion came from outside the tent.
“Attack! Orcs!”
“Everyone, prepare for battle!”
“Grab your weapons! They’re coming in numbers!”
“Get out here, now!”
Yuri and Rick’s eyes met.
Yuri smiled slyly and placed her hand on his shoulder.
“You’re going to make sure I get a bonus for this, right?”