Phew. Another peaceful, uneventful day.

Early in the morning, I brought the potions I’d made to the town hall, just like always. The bespectacled girl was waiting behind the Commercial Association’s service counter with her usual smile, hoping her KPI would walk through the door on its own.

“Good morning, Fenny.”

“Good morning, Elsa.”

After exchanging greetings, I set the potions on the counter, and Fenny paid me in silver coins. Just as she thought I was about to leave like usual, I casually brought out three bottles of intermediate healing potion. Fenny pushed her glasses back in surprise. She picked up one of the bottles and examined it closely, then suddenly let out a shriek and grabbed me by the shoulders with alarming intensity.

“Miss Lancelot, this is intermediate healing potion, right? Intermediate?”

“Y-yeah,” I said, getting shaken around like a bobblehead. “I made it last night. I wasn’t sure if the Commercial Association would be interested in buying it.”

“I see.” The bespectacled girl suddenly regained her composure and nudged her glasses up with one finger. “Please wait a moment.”

She bowed politely, grabbed one of the bottles, and dashed into the back at lightning speed. I was left standing there, not quite sure what to do. Just then, a hand wearing a leather glove reached over my shoulder and picked up the second bottle of intermediate healing potion.

“Well, well, little Elsa. You can make intermediate potions already.”

I looked up to see Ward giving me a roguish grin. Today, he’d tied his hair into a ponytail, making him look a lot more put-together than usual. But the way he looked down at me was pretty annoying. It felt like he was hitting on me.

“How about I buy all three for two gold coins apiece?”

“Ward, do you even have the money?”

“Ha! I always pay in cash!”

Clink! Four gold coins landed on the counter in front of me. The customer had paid, so how could I possibly turn down a sale?

“Thanks for your business.” I smiled as I pocketed the money. “By the way, what’s the going rate for this kind of potion?”

“Depends on the quality.” Ward held the bottle between his fingers. “Black Iron grade goes for five silver, Bronze for one gold, Gold for two gold, and Platinum for three. Judging by the color, yours should be Platinum grade. So, thanks for the discount~~~”

That bastard! He’d quietly swindled me out of two gold coins and was still bragging about it.

I’m so mad!

Just then, the bespectacled girl returned. She had a fake smile on her face and looked ready to pull something shady.

“Miss Lancelot,” she said respectfully, “with approval from my superior, we’ve decided to purchase the intermediate healing potions you made for one gold coin each.”

“Oh, is that so?” I folded my arms and let my smile fade. “Fenny, what grade did my potions receive?”

“Um… Platinum grade.”

“Good.” I nodded. “As far as I know, the going rates for intermediate healing potions are five silver for Black Iron grade, one gold for Bronze, two gold for Gold, and three gold for Platinum. Don’t you think one gold coin is a bit low for a Platinum-grade potion?”

“Eep!” The bespectacled girl let out a startled squeak, her eyes darting around.

I glanced at Ward, who was grinning. So, while he’d swindled me out of two gold coins, he’d also told me the going rate for intermediate healing potions. He’d actually done me a huge favor. Fine… I’d just consider those two gold coins an information fee.

“Th-this was Branch Deputy Marshall’s order… I’m sorry, Elsa…”

The bespectacled girl had finally come clean. Just as I’d thought—someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

“Elsa,” Ward lowered his voice, “there should be a magic communication device in one of the rooms in back. The front desk staff are basically just puppets for the branch manager. Marshall’s greedy as they come. You’d better talk to him directly.”

“Got it.” I gave a cold smile. “I love dealing with people like that. But you’ll have to help me.”

“No problem. I did swindle you out of two gold coins, after all. Heh heh~~”

“Fenny, don’t worry about it.” I gave her a sweet smile. “Leave this to me. I’ll have a nice long talk with your superior, Mr. Marshall, and make sure he doesn’t pin the blame on you.”

“Thank you, Elsa.”

The bespectacled girl was so moved that she burst into tears. She opened the little door beside the counter and ushered us into the back. A very unusual device stood in the room beyond. It looked like a crystal ball mounted on a brass base. Fenny placed her hand on it and channeled her magic. Before long, a gaunt man with a mustache parted in the middle appeared inside the crystal ball.

“Fenny, is it taken care of?”

“Branch Deputy,” the bespectacled girl said, “Miss Lancelot would like to speak with you.”

“Useless. Bring that ignorant little brat over here.”

So the bespectacled girl and I switched places, and I stood in front of the crystal ball. Marshall looked at me and gave a faint, mocking smile. He probably thought I was some country girl with no worldly experience, easy prey.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Marshall.” I bowed politely, acting every bit the proper young lady. “My name is Elsa von Lancelot. I’m technically a fallen noble. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“A-a noble?” Marshall immediately panicked. “I’ve heard so much about you, Miss Lancelot! I had no idea you were a noble! Hahaha, please forgive my disrespect!”

Who knew the “von” in my name could take the wind out of his sails? I’d have to use it like this next time, too!

“About the intermediate healing potions,” I got straight to the point. “The lord is prepared to buy the potions I made at the market price of three gold coins each. But because we’ve had a long-standing relationship with the Commercial Association, I decided to sell the extras to you instead. You’re only offering one gold coin, though, so I’m wondering if there’s been some misunderstanding between us.”

“The lord? Wait… You mean the Count?”

Marshall gaped at me. Just then, Ward burst into the fray, appearing behind me with one of my potions held between his fingers.

“Hey, you crooked merchant. I hear you’re trying to steal a deal from our general?”

“L-Lord Ward!” Marshall was stunned. “N-no, no, no, you’ve got it all wrong! Why would a lowly man like me try to steal a deal from the Count? Hahaha, there must’ve been some misunderstanding… A misunderstanding.”

“Oh, is that so?” Ward gave him a cold smile. “You know who I am. If you try to play me, well, you’ll regret it.”

“Y-yes, Lord Ward. Hahaha…”

Marshall had gone from acting high and mighty to begging for mercy in the blink of an eye. I couldn’t help wondering who Ward really was. Could he actually be some big shot?

“Mr. Marshall,” I said, seizing the initiative again, “let’s talk about the purchase price. Considering our long-standing relationship, I think two gold and nine silver would be a fair price.”

“Y-yes, of course. Whatever you say, Miss Lancelot.”

All right, success! I thought we’d settled it, but then the image in the crystal ball flickered and suddenly changed to show someone else. He was a middle-aged man wearing a monocle, and he radiated the authority of a leader.

Who’s that?