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Chapter 45 – A Strange Experience
There was a sense of calm in that area as if the hustle and bustle of the surrounding world had suddenly stopped.
It was a strange kind of calm, as if one had entered a temple or a shrine.
Perhaps because they had been in the crowd for a long time and were feeling tense, Wataru and the others felt a sense of relief as the tension in their shoulders eased.
At that moment, they felt a bit tired.
“Hello, can I take a look?”
“Sure.”
The beautiful woman replied briefly to Wataru’s greeting.
But she didn’t seem cold.
Maybe it was because she smiled slightly.
Her voice was cool and pleasant.
Besides the products, Wataru couldn’t help but observe the beautiful woman’s face.
She had a finely proportioned face and distinctive almond-shaped eyes.
She was probably in her late twenties or early thirties.
She had long eyelashes, ash-gray eyes, and long purple hair held back by a hair ornament.
She wore a loose purple-blue robe, but it didn’t quite hide her voluptuous figure.
She was a very beautiful woman.
Wataru thought it would be rude to stare, so he shifted his gaze to the product.
“That’s a nice necklace, but is it for sale?”
“Yes, it’s a special one. I think you’ll like it.”
The beautiful woman replied with a smile.
She had a sophisticated way of smiling that lifted the corners of her mouth.
Since she said it was a special one, it must be quite valuable.
Her teasing tone piqued Wataru’s interest.
“I hope it’s not a disappointment. Can you tell me what kind of ability it has?”
“This is a… transformation necklace.”
“Transformation?!”
“Does Mariel know about it?”
“Yes. Most nobles have one.”
It was Mariel, not Wataru, who showed a strong reaction to the beautiful woman’s answer.
Her expression suddenly became stern, and she stared at the necklace, which brought her face close to it.
Wataru was surprised by the sudden change and stared intently at Mariel’s face.
Mariel observed every detail of the necklace.
The necklace was made of a very thin chain and had a silver-like color.
The gemstone decorations looked like opals to Wataru.
There were different colors and sparkles mixed in the two-centimeter gem, but no two were alike.
It was a very beautiful gem.
Mariel reacted for a reason.
The ability to ‘transform’ does not actually change your appearance but rather the way others see you.
Because of this effect, it is highly prized in espionage and criminal activities.
The government strictly controls and collects possession of these items for counterintelligence and crime prevention purposes.
However, there are cases where they appear on the market after an agent or criminal has died or been captured for some reason.
As a former noble, Mariel was well aware of this ability.
Mariel spoke in a low voice to Wataru.
“Master, we must get this at all costs. If we let it pass, we won’t be able to get it without luck or a strong connection.”
“Is it really that amazing?”
“Of course it has value as a commodity, but it is also an indispensable tool for you, who will inevitably attract attention from now on. By changing your appearance, you won’t be recognized and you can avoid unnecessary attention.”
“I see. So I can become good-looking too?”
“You look good as you are, Master.”
“Thank you. Sorry, I’m a little embarrassed.”
Even at this point, Wataru is beginning to have an influence on the royal capital of the Welcome Trading Company by selling sugar and on Baron Moye of the Kaleidoscope.
It was easy to imagine that in the future, he would attract unnecessary attention and excitement other than wealth.
If Wataru could change his appearance, there would be fewer disturbances to avoid.
It would also be useful for Aire as an escort, and most importantly, it would be good for him to be able to act in Japan while disguising Aire’s ears and tail, which would stand out as a beastkin.
The beautiful woman watched coldly as the two suddenly started flirting in front of her.
“Are you done talking?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. How much does this cost?”
“Well, if I take it to the lord or someone, it would be about five gold coins, so I would want at least that much.”
“I see. Mariel?”
“It’s okay. Your face isn’t bad, Master. Besides, you have me and Aire, right?”
“That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the price. Besides, the way you’re talking makes me sound like a total loser, you know?”
“I see. Well, I think it’s a reasonable amount.”
“(I’ll definitely punish you next time.)”
Wataru checked the contents of his purse.
He had ten gold coins left, so it wasn’t an amount he couldn’t pay.
If he went back to Southern Ship Town, there would also be a new payment due from the Welcome Trading Company.
“Is it possible to check this item?”
“Of course. But I’d be in trouble if you ran off with it, so please use it here.”
“Okay. Aire, can you try it on and see if you can hide your ears and tail?”
“Okay. This looks kind of interesting.”
When Aire had the necklace in her hand, she put it around her neck.
It was a strange sight, hard to believe even if you saw it with your own eyes.
Like a magician making coins or cards disappear before your eyes, Aire’s ears and tail suddenly vanished.
Even if you looked closely, she still looked like a normal human girl.
“What do you think?”
“Even if I look at her, I can’t believe it, but she looks like a human like me, not a Beastkin.”
“Hehe, we’re a match.”
“Aire, let me touch your head.”
“Mm… ahh! Don’t put your fingers in my ears!”
“I-I’m sorry! I couldn’t see.”
“Uuuhhh~~!”
When Aire let out a scream, Wataru quickly pulled his hand back.
Aire looked at him with teary eyes.
It seemed that she was really uncomfortable.
“Fufufu, what do you think?”
“Thank you very much. Now I can buy it with peace of mind.”
Anyway, the product was definitely effective.
After seeing that Mariel nodded, Wataru took his wallet out of his pocket and put it on the table.
The clear sound of gold coins clinking together rang out.
“That’s five gold coins. I’ll take the necklace then.”
“Yes, thank you for your purchase. Well then, Watarubito-san, I’ll see you somewhere else.”
“Eh? …She’s gone!?”
“Eehh?!”
“There’s no sign of her or any trace of her scent.”
As Wataru was about to leave the shop, he heard an unfamiliar voice and turned around, but there was nothing there.
The beautiful woman was gone, and so were the tables and the tarp.
In the midst of the many shops that lined the street, it was an empty lot.
Wataru and the others looked at each other in shock.
The hustle and bustle of the street returned, and they hurried to move on, not wanting to be in the way.
“What was that all about?”
“I don’t know… Where’s the necklace?”
“I have it. I’m still wearing it.”
“So it’s still there? It’s like we were tricked by a fox.”
“Was it a fairy’s whim or a witch’s mischief?”
“Hmm?”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean, a fairy’s whim?”
“Master, what do you mean, tricked by a fox? A fox is a fox.”
Apparently, there is a similar saying.
Using the power of the “transformation” necklace, Aire transforms into a fox with fox-like ears and a tail, which she moves around to make people laugh.
Wataru and Mariel looked at each other and laughed for a while, realizing that they were having the same experience in a different world.
Despite the strange experience, they decided to put aside their doubts and trust the product since they felt no ill will.
That night, the three of them arrived at the hill of Star-Gazing Hill town that Baron Moye had recommended.
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I guess she must be a goddess.
Thanks for the treat.
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Thanks for the treat
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