"Damn, that was intense!"
Thinking back to what just happened, Ethan's guilty heart couldn't help but ripple with unease.
Seriously, people in this world really played dirty tricks. The older sister—sure, she was around fourteen or fifteen—but that little one? Couldn't have been more than seven or eight. Even if she stripped, there was nothing to see… but no way. Ethan shook his head. Nope. Some lines can't be crossed. The lolicon path is off-limits.
"But still… what are they going to do now?"
Hidden in the shadows, Ethan coldly observed the sisters clutching the gold coin in their hands.
Magic Crystals were this world's hard currency, but in terms of practicality, they were closer to luxury commodities like gold or diamonds. What truly circulated were still bronze and silver coins. A single gold coin equaled one thousand silver coins, or ten thousand bronze coins.
To put that into perspective…
A hearty banquet with fish and meat only cost around three silver coins.
Yet here they were, holding an entire gold coin.
Lucia clenched it tightly, pulling her little sister Pasha along as they passed several clothing shops, but she still hesitated to go inside.
Her younger sister, confused, finally asked,
"Big sis, didn't that big brother tell us to dress up nicely? Why aren't we going in?"
Lucia forced a bitter smile. "Pasha… things aren't that simple."
In all her years in Tronne Town, she'd only ever heard of gold coins. She had never once seen one. People of her rank only ever dealt in bronze coins. Before the kingdom fell apart, she might've dared to spend it openly, but now?
Order had collapsed. Law was just paper. Under brutal rule, people had become selfish and ruthless.
If she revealed this coin in public… she was certain someone would snatch it away instantly.
Lucia couldn't help but grumble in her heart. Why use a nuke when a bullet would've been enough? But then, as the thought turned, a plan surfaced.
Ethan, watching from afar, smirked. "Interesting. She's cautious. Careful. Just what I need."
"Shopkeeper, bring me the finest clothes you have!"
Lucia slapped her palm onto the counter. When she pulled it back, the gold coin gleamed on the wood.
The shopkeeper froze, greed flashing in his eyes as he looked at the two girls. Such easy prey… or so he thought.
But when he studied the older girl's calm, deliberate expression, suspicion sparked. He hesitated.
"Clothes we have plenty. But this price…"
"Hurry up! Money isn't an issue. But if you make us late to Captain Charlton's summons, you'll be the one punished."
Ah. That explained it.
The shopkeeper's heart skipped a beat. Only two kinds of people flaunted wealth this openly—idiots, or those with status and backing.
And she clearly wasn't the first. Good thing he hadn't acted rashly.
"Heh… clever girl. I like it."
From his hidden vantage, Ethan caught every word through magic. Satisfied, he turned away.
Giving them the coin hadn't been about ignoring the risks. He wanted to see if they could navigate the danger on their own. A test.
If they'd skipped around giddily, flaunting wealth like fools, they might've ended up robbed—or dead.
But Lucia? She'd proven she had the nerve and the brains.
"Good. Then you've earned a chance to stay by my side."
"All dressed up, huh?"
Ethan watched as the sisters entered the tavern where he was seated. Dressed in clean, elegant outfits, they turned heads the moment they stepped in.
"Wow… such cute girls."
"If I could marry both of them, I'd be set for life."
"Both? Be happy if you get one, idiot!"
"Shut it. Can't you see how they're dressed? They're no commoners. Maybe nobles… maybe even royals!"
The whispers buzzed around, but Lucia ignored them. Her face flushed slightly, unused to being admired instead of scorned.
"Sir, we've arrived!"
She and Pasha bowed respectfully to Ethan at his table, stunning the onlookers even further.
So these "mysterious girls" were greeting him?
"I don't care for so many formalities. Sit. Haven't eaten yet, have you? These dishes are for you."
The sisters' eyes sparkled as they stared at the table piled with steaming food.
To them, happiness used to mean gnawing on hard black bread once a day. But this…
"This… this is really for us?" Pasha whispered.
"Of course. Do you think I could eat all this by myself?" Ethan smiled faintly.
Without waiting, Pasha grabbed the chopsticks—only for them to be slapped away by Lucia. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel(ꜰ)ire.net
"Pasha! Mind your manners!" she scolded, glancing around as if nobles were watching. Then, recalling how aristocrats dined, she forced herself into a graceful, deliberate pace.
Seeing this, Pasha mimicked her reluctantly.
Ethan nearly spat out his tea. What do you call this? Pretending? Acting refined while starving inside?
But then, he laughed inwardly.
"No… I wasn't wrong about her. She's bold enough to bluff with a captain's name, but careful enough to mind appearances without being told. Bold, yet cautious. Exactly the kind of person I can use."
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