Firefly In The Dungeon

「Fragment V」Stacking Problems

Coming out of a building, Alice showed a tired face while taking a deep breath. "Negotiation. . , is never, my stong point."

As every negotiation could be, this one became quite heated in a matter of minutes, if not scorching. Alice herself always wondered; How could someone goes against such a fierce confrontation. Because different from a battle which relied more on combat strength, the art of negotiation itself relied more on psychological warfare full of trap and deceit.

It was mentally exhausting, she had her sanity dropped for every second she stayed inside. That's why she really appreciate Julian willingness to act as her negotiator.

Truthfully, she expect nothing more than a fair trade, yet unexpectedly, the ordinary-looking shopkeeper turned himself into a demon during negotiation. Julian dominate his opponent to the corner, somehow managed to earn three milion and two hundred thousand Valis. Save for her flabbergasted expression and the regretful face of jewelry shop manager.

Yet, three milions was too much of a money to carry everywhere, especially if it was Valis that took a form of coins made of metallic material. Not only it was inconvenient, the weight alone would crush her into minced meat.

For that reason, Julian in his consideration suggested to divide most of the money into serveral banknotes, that could be used or exchanged anytime. While she keep the rest in the form of physical currency for necessity, which Alice instantly agreed on.

Letting out a small chuckle, Julian follows behind Alice a little later. Shrugging. "I can understand your point. But you are really calm for someone that hates pressure."

"Being calm, is one, but the tense, atmosphere, is unwelcoming." she replied wryly. "Still, thank you, for your help."

"Eh, sure, it's my pleasure anyway."

After catching a breath of silence to calm their nerves, Alice finally says, "Let's go back, to your shop, shall we?"

"But of course." Julian replied with a bright smile.

In the end, Alice pick a few blank notebooks as the one she uses almost run out of pages, and some inkwell.

"Alright, that is one thousand Valis." Julian counted the cost.

Alice put a hundred and one thousand Valis on the table, pushing it toward the man. "Including the, payment, i promised."

"Thank you." the shopkeeper smiled brightly, ignoring the bottomless pocket in the shape of her robe. Eh, it wasn't his problem to think about.

And before the girl leave, Julian reminded with a grin plastered on his face, "I'm always open if you need me for something similar again."

That slightly shameless sentence managed to get a small giggle from Alice herself, "I will, surely, keep that, in mind."

. . .

After leaving Julian's shop, Alice was suddenly at loss after realizing that she had nowhere to return even after all the things she had done for the day.

She couldn't just going back to the previous abandoned church, and claims it as her own, right . . ?

Not to mention it was a rundown building which is obviously uncomfortable to live in. It was also dangerous, as in the scenario where the building suddenly collapsed―hopefully not―killing someone in the process. Including the chance of being marked as suspicious person if she was discovered living in such place.

Renting a room from an inn may be a suitable solution, but it isn't something for the long term, as Alice herself doesn't know how long she will be in Orario.