Chapter 21
"It's just a little stumble," I told Amy and Clarice.
Today, I went out alone into town.
I wanted to browse cosmetics and enjoy some solo time.
The variety of cosmetics in this world doesn't seem too different from Earth's. However, the major difference lies in the fact that you can't know their effects or efficacy without trying them. The blends and ingredients are vague, nonsensical, and the original products are so alien that comprehension is impossible. Stories like "I bought this and it ruined my skin" are apparently common.
That's terrifying.
I can't try this.
I'm a maiden, after all.
'Basic cosmetics,' 'medicated cosmetics,' 'makeup cosmetics'
Cosmetics are broadly classified into these three categories.
I don't know the exact production methods, but my last department was a newly launched cosmetics division, so I have some knowledge. Our group had acquired a certain cosmetics company and was planning to expand into that industry. Rumor had it the chairman bought it for his grandkid's sake... but I have no way to verify that.
Another two or three years, and I'd have gained substantial cosmetics knowledge and sales experience. Well, no use complaining about that in this other world. Right now, I'm fat and ugly anyway.
Shaking off my thoughts, I browsed the products at the cosmetics shop 'Perch Beauty.'
'Forest Healing (Cure) Blend – Magma Heat Lotion'
My face'll burn off.
'Douranger Red Monster Extract Anti-Irritation Toner'
So red! What kind of extract is this?!
'Ananz's Organic Shampoo'
What's with "Ananz"? Apricots? Apricot candy apricots?
Too many "an's." It's making me pant.
'Southern Wind of the Western Desert – Rinse'
Am I the only one who thinks this'll leave my hair super dry?
'Medusa's Face Pack'
My face'll petrify.
'Pimple-Removing Barnacle Soap'
Ew ew ew ew!
'Tanuking's Ball-Serum'
Ball-serum?!
'Water of Rejuvenation – Dragon's Breath'
The price is insane! A hundred million ron?!
And there's barely any inside. You'd have to spread it super thin to cover your whole face.
By the way, this world's currency is the "ron."
After some research, I figured out that roughly, "one yen" equals "one ron." Easy to understand, thank goodness.
Paper bills don't exist.
Stone coins = 10 yen
Copper coins = 100 yen
Silver coins = 1,000 yen
Gold coins = 10,000 yen
Large gold coins = 100,000 yen
Platinum coins = 1,000,000 yen
Platinum coins use precious "white gold ingots" and are extremely rare.
They jingle, they're heavy—paper bills would be way more convenient. Guess they won't appear until civilization and the economy develop further. Too bad.
The strictly secured 'Water of Rejuvenation – Dragon's Breath' glowed gold in its tiny bottle. According to the shopkeeper, it's only obtainable by cornering a dragon and making it cry. Applying it instantly heals wounds and revitalizes the skin.
Getting strong enough to make a dragon scream while stealing its breath doesn't sound bad.
"How do you make a dragon cry?"
"What, little lady, planning to go dragon hunting?"
"Someday."
"Bwahahahaha!"
"What?! Don't laugh!"
"With Dragon's Breath, even your pimples'd vanish in one go. Nah, just kiddin'."
The neatly dressed, bearded shopkeeper crossed his arms and nodded solemnly. Fitting for a cosmetics shop owner, he seemed to understand a woman's desire to be beautiful.
I... I wanna be pretty.......
Apparently, this 'Water of Rejuvenation – Dragon's Breath' was brought and sold by the desert sage Pocahontas forty years ago. Divided into several small bottles, it's been treasured and sold here for generations. You'd need to be strong enough to wield all twelve types of magic to harvest it.
Yeah, as a Double who can only use "Light" and "Wind," that's impossible for me. I can use "Lightning" too, but still no way. Wait, dragons *exist* here?! Freaky.
"No way."
"Figures. Too bad."
"Got anything popular for pimples?"
"Hmm, this one sells well. Price ain't bad either."
What the shopkeeper brought out was a product called 'Holy Mud Water.'
"Mud water? Ah, like a mud pack."
"Ohh, most little ladies grimace, but you're different, huh?"
"Well, I've done my research."
"Alright, got it. It's 6,000 ron, but I'll drop it to 5,000 for ya."
"Really?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Hey...... I think I'll become *insanely* beautiful someday. The kind of drop-dead gorgeous woman everyone turns to look at. So, how about this—I'll grant you *one* future date with me, and you drop the 'Holy Mud Water' to 4,000 ron?"
"Huh?"
"C'mon, uncle. It's fine, right?"
"......BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Heeheeheehee!"
The bearded shopkeeper slammed the counter, laughing uproariously.
After laughing his fill and wiping his tears, he looked up.
"You're a riot, little lady. And you've got guts. I like ya."
Inside the counter, he slapped his knee.
"4,000 ron it is. But in return, you *gotta* go on that date when you're beautiful."
"Of course. A lady never lies."
I elegantly pinched the hem of my one-piece dress and curtsied.
Yes! A joke turned into a small win.
"I'll look forward to it."
"Better escort me properly. Oh, and you should tell your wife now."
"What're you on about?"
"Say, 'A fat, ugly girl came to the shop today and promised me a date if she ever gets pretty.'"
"Hoh? And why's that?"
"Because if you date a cute girl, your wife'll get jealous, right?"
The shopkeeper blinked blankly for a second before clutching his stomach, laughing again.
"Bw—BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Stop laughing so much!"
"Heeheehee!"
"Am I really *that* ugly?! *That* fat?!"
"Sorry, sorry. Man, it's been ages since I laughed this hard. Alright, you can have it for free."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yeah, sure. You're my future date, after all."
"No, I can't. I'll pay properly."
I pulled out four silver coins from my wallet and placed them on the counter.
I liked that the shop owner had a sense of humor, and I figured paying properly would be better for the future.
We chatted a bit afterward.
Apparently, the shop owner is a Triple, and his aptitude is "Fire." Because of his line of work, he needs enough strength to go gather materials from dangerous places.
Most people in this world are Singles or Doubles.
Those good at magic are Triples or Squares.
Adventurers, nobles, and elite mages are Pentagons, Hexagons, Sevens, or Eights.
Anything beyond that is almost never seen.
Also, the changing units are kind of a pain. Well, I guess there's no point complaining about what's already set.
"By the way, it's unfortunate, but 'Holy Mud Water' will be hard to restock in the future. Use it carefully."
"Did something happen?"
"That mud water can be gathered near the 'Free Border' between the desert country Sandy and the Kingdom of Greifner, but lately that area's gotten dangerous."
"Is there a war or something?"
"Dunno. No idiot would pick a fight with the martial Kingdom of Greifner, so it's probably some scheme by the Panta country or the like."
"The desert country Sandy is going to war with Panta?"
"No clue. Lately, there's been a surge in child disappearances. Feels fishy."
At the mention of disappearances, I immediately thought of the orphanage kids—the ones abducted, as written in Ellie's diary.
Even from Clarice's intelligence reports, kidnappings were frequent, with rumors pointing west as the destination. But abducting children doesn't make sense as a prelude to war.
"The capital's safe, and the patrols are sharp. Kidnappers must be real crafty and skilled."
"Ever since that thunderstorm day, town surveillance's tightened too."
"Heh, you're sharp, missy. You're well-informed."
"Of course. I'd be in trouble if I got snatched, wouldn't I?"
"Hahaha, true enough. Gonna grow up into a real beauty too."
"Exactly."
We laughed together. A shopkeeper who gets it makes conversation way more fun.
Dude's got salesmanship.
Shopping's gotta be like this.
"I'm Ellie Golden. I'll be back."
"I'm Mash. You're the Golden family's daughter?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then tell your head of family somethin' for me—win next year's Magic Battle Tournament and take back your lands."
"...Got it."
"My folks' place is in Marslein, y'see. Ever since the Ricky family took over, the vibe's gone sour. Can't just abandon my home, so I'm keepin' quiet for now, but if things get worse, my old lady's threatenin' to leave."
"How's it gotten worse since the Ricky family took over?"
"Some shady folks are bunkin' in the territory. Travelers and adventurers come and go, but these ain't that type."
"Huh. I've heard rumors too—that the Ricky family's mingling with shady people."
This was pure speculation on my part, bait to keep the conversation going.
"They've always been a hot-blooded lineage. Probably stirrin' up trouble again."
I see. So that's the Ricky family's reputation among common folk.
Useful intel.
"Still, it's odd, the territory's bad vibe."
"Yeah... Listen, missy. Don't go spreadin' this talk elsewhere."
"I know."
"Heh. You ain't just some student, are ya? For a sec, I felt like I was talkin' to a grown man."
"W-well, the Golden family discusses these things openly."
Inside, I'm a handsome elite pushing thirty.
"Take care then. Come again!"
I took the paper bag with the 'Holy Mud Water' and stepped into town. Classes ran long today, so I had little after-school time left. The Greifner Street lamps would soon light up.