lcionline Chapter 31 Rice Candy
Chapter 31 Rice Candy
When the group arrived at the market, it was already broad daylight.
The rain from last night dripped from the eaves, and the crows on the eaves shook themselves, their shimmering feathers shining like the carved black glass of a monastery ceiling.
A careless man stood before the dripping wet sheets, while a woman in an apron shook out the drooping, water-soaked clothes that resembled seaweed, and sternly scolded him.
The boy, who had overslept, pushed open the door of the small house, only to be caught by the man as soon as he turned around. After being scolded for a few words, he took the dripping clothes from his father's hand and stood somewhat bewildered in the small courtyard surrounded by a wooden fence.
The sun hung alone in the sky after the rain, and the cloudless blue sky was crystal clear.
Vendors, wearing hoods and carrying rain gear, didn't have time to shake the mud and dew off their shoes and boots. They found an empty spot, stopped their carts loaded with local produce, fruits, vegetables, and small groceries, and called out their wares amidst the snorting of the horses pulling them.
"Fresh turnips, turnips just pulled from the ground, look how moist the soil is."
"Freshly baked bread, still warm!"
Just as bards never mind playing their lyre wherever they can sing, reciting songs and stories they have composed or heard.
Traveling merchants, like their colleagues who played songs, naturally possessed the silver tongue to tell wonderful stories and sell their goods with just a few words.
As for the actual quality of the products they exaggerate about, it's probably a big question mark, just like the veracity of the stories told by bards.
Upon seeing Edmund and the several well-dressed ladies behind him, the traveling merchant, who had been looking for customers, took the initiative to greet them.
A gentleman was accompanied by several noble ladies.
To itinerant merchants, this was the easiest way to make money off suckers: noble ladies rarely considered the quality of these items.
Compared to a meteorite sword that looks ordinary but is reliable and durable enough to be passed down as a family heirloom, they prefer a splendid item with ordinary workmanship but a hilt and scabbard inlaid with gems and ivory—even if the sword itself may just be a crudely made cast iron dagger.
But as long as it makes them look novel in front of others, then the money is well spent.
"Oh, young lady, what brings you to Karenbel City?" The traveling merchant greeted her with a beaming smile.
"Do we know you?" Willow immediately stepped in front of Edmund and Edith, her hand already gripping the dagger hidden in her sleeve.
"Oh, sorry, the long journey has made me a little dazed."
The traveling merchant was taken aback for a moment, then said apologetically.
"I once had the honor of meeting a noble princess in the capital. Although we were far apart and I only caught a glimpse of her from afar, her noble and elegant demeanor is as firmly imprinted in my heart as the bright moon in the night sky."
"And you are exactly like her, elegant and noble, dazzling like a jewel..."
"Thank you for the compliment," Willow said irritably. If she hadn't interrupted him, he probably would have continued with that sour tone and cheesy praise until noon.
"I'm sorry, Miss." He glanced apologetically at Willow, then turned to Edith.
"Would you be interested in seeing what I have here? I think they've met their destined princess today."
"Look, these are wonderful things brought from the south, amazing little gadgets made by those tall, pointy-eared elves!"
He lifted the heavy canvas covering the truck, revealing a waterproof tarpaulin layer underneath, and after fiddling around for a while, he took out one pendant and ring after another from underneath.
They're all cheap, mass-produced junk.
Edmund muttered to himself.
Edith remained silent, glancing at the merchants' goods and then at Edmund, pondering when and how she should react.
Esther, standing nearby, would occasionally widen her eyes in surprise, clearly moved by the traveling merchant's exaggerated descriptions.
We quietly enjoyed the traveling merchant's performance, just like watching a magic trick.
A small bag of white snacks wrapped in tightly woven cotton cloth.
"It is said that only a sturdy alchemical pot forged from elven steel, combined with the fiery flames of the earth's core that only a dwarven blacksmith can wield, and filled with fresh rice imbued with the life force of the sacred tree for a whole year, undergoes a long and arduous test..."
"Finally, with a roar like that of a dragon—"
The vendor's slightly fleshy, sagging face trembled along with his exaggerated descriptions and gestures, then suddenly softened like a child being lulled to sleep by his mother.
He looked at Edmund, but his voice was strangely directed toward Edith and Esther further back.
"And that's how you get this little bit of the essence that can fulfill the sweet dreams in the hearts of any child or girl."
"And now—"
"Such an exquisite item is only selling for... 1 silver coin!"
Edmund peered into the bag and recognized it as something he had seen many times on Earth.
Popcorn made from rice.
He calculated the market price of sugar in his mind. A bag of popcorn cost 1 silver coin. If sugar was added according to the standard of sweetness and deliciousness, this amount of money would not even cover the cost of buying the sugar.
Not to mention the "elf rice" that the vendors were touting.
It definitely won't taste good.
It wasn't as delicious as I had imagined.
However, seeing Earth snacks in this foreign land still made him feel a little sentimental.
Edith didn't miss the fleeting look of longing in his eyes.
Seeing that Edith was somewhat interested.
The merchant's face showed even more eagerness; in his eyes, a gentleman like Edmund would certainly be willing to pay such a paltry silver coin just to make the person next to him smile.
A silvery arc streaked across the sky.
Although he was somewhat surprised, he didn't care who paid for it as long as he could make money.
"Bless you in the name of the Holy Light, generous young lady." The merchant bowed respectfully to Edith with one hand on his chest, and his bowing posture could still be seen even after the girl had walked away.
Edith took the bag, took out a grain of rice, smelled it, licked it, and then put it in her mouth and chewed it.
The texture wasn't as crisp as I expected; it was soft and moist with a subtle sweetness.
"Edmund?"
The girl brought her hand to the young man's mouth.
"Would you like to try some? I can't possibly eat all of this by myself."
Open your mouth~
She watched the young man eat the rice puffs from her hand, imagining what it would feel like to have his fingers touch her and to suckle more deeply.
In reality, it will probably feel completely different from the system simulation, right?
"If you'd like to eat this again next time, please let me know in advance."
"Is this okay too?"
"I am an adventurer who has been to many places. I have seen all kinds of recipes in the Holy Kingdom, whether they are popular or niche, or even strange and unusual."
"After all, Miss Edith, our main goal right now is to create an adventure party just as you envisioned."
"Although a silver coin is not a lot of money for you."
"But if it were possible..."
The girl suddenly stopped in her tracks.
With her hands behind her back and her slightly forward-leaning posture, she accentuated her slender and elegant figure.
"For me, if it makes you happy, it's worth it even if it just cost me a gold coin."