Azimuth: The Elden Throne (New Version)

Chapter 257 The Hanging Gardens Part 5

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"..."

One by one, the clerk placed the items on the table, so he started with the one furthest to the left.

With a slightly tattered cover, it was a nameless thick book.

[Memoire of Refengard's Conquest

  Type: Miscellaneous

  Description: A narrative on the life of Refengard written with elements of his own diary and biography.

]

[1700000]

"?"

'What is this?... It's just a book?'

'It's not even a Skill book, just a normal one?'

'Maybe it's a study book of some sort?...'

'The price… One hundred… Wait… Did I count that right?'

'One, two, three zeros... O-One Million?!'

'How… How can one even afford this?!' Dale asked as his eyes twitched 

"That's a good choice Mr. Customer." The clerk said with a light smile as she held the book

"Cough… I imagine so, but… What is it about?"

'There must be a reason as always.'

'If I compare this with some of the books back on Resko, then definitely some of those theory books on Mana handling would fetch high prices, even other theory books...'

'Knowledge is power, and power is money, and with money, you can buy both, a cycle that feeds itself.'

"This is a collection of events narrated from all kinds of perspectives and written with explanatory notes on the life and actions of Refengard, a Legendary figure of the past." She said in a serious tone as she opened the book slightly

"For people who walk on a similar road, there can be no better boon than a reference to their own actions, especially one of this degree."

"... But two Million is a bit ridiculous." Dale said as he exhaled

'Reference... Wait, how does she know what kind of road I'm taking?'

"Is it? That is amidst the cheapest items of the collection I procured." She said with some confusion

"..."

'Is she making fun of me or something?'

"Now, don't underestimate yourself Mr warrior, I'm sure you'll be able to afford these items if you put in the effort." She said with some excitement as she clapped her hands

"... Hopefully… Can I take a look at it?"

'At the very least if I can read part of it to understand its worth more...'

"Of course! You can read as much of it as you want, but unfortunately, you can't bring it out of this room without buying it."

"I see… Does that extend to other books?"

"Yes! Almost all items within this shop can be tested before being bought, though you can't take a peek at items such as treasure maps, don't be too cheeky okay~?" She said in a sweet teasing tone

"... I understand."

'If I had photographic memory... I can definitely memorize the book if I read it a few times, but how long would that take? Maybe I can make the books worth in the meantime and just bring it with me instead.'

As he said that, Dale moved to the next item.

[Mystery Egg (Original Myth)

  Description: A strange Egg with prismatic stripes going around its body, they shine in resplendent light as if alive.

There's a strange aura to it, ancient, heavy…

]

[5000000]

"..."

'This one is even more ridiculous...'

Dale looked at the egg and its unimpressive description, trying to figure out what it could possibly be... Aside from its obvious description.

A quick tap on its edge showed how hard it was, and it was definitely not hollow.

Its outer shell also looked rather crispy… The Egg was also somewhat warm, and Dale had the impression it twitched a little when he touched it, though that could've been him overreacting.

"Oh, This! This type of item is currently in high demand." The Clerk said with a small smile as she caressed its rough surface

"... Is it?"

"Of course!" She said as she pulled something from beneath the counter

"Hum?"

[Mystery Egg (Normal)

Description: An unimpressive Egg that looks no different from a chicken egg, in fact, it may as well be one.

] 

[50]

'Another Egg? It's similar but, not quite... Wait, why are there… Don't tell me this is…'

"Have you realized Mr. Costumer?" She asked as she tilted her head

"... I'm not really a fan of gambling." Dale stated with a sigh as he looked at the Mythic egg still in the clerk's hold

'For fuck sake, a gambling item?!'

"Then you'll love this item, because it will guarantee you what it says. And maybe if you're lucky…"

But she stopped her own sentence with only a sunny smile, leaving Dale in the dark.

"I'll… Think about it." He said as he looked away from it

'I can't let myself fall into temptation, no matter how cool a "Mythical companion" sounds.'

'This must be one of the Pet items they said it was possible to acquire while in here.'

'Like the eggs of the Sky Opicus bird I got in the forest, if you incubate the egg, something should appear from it.'

'The higher the grade the 'better' the creature that comes from it, with likely higher grades making sure you'll at least get something in return for its price… Or maybe even not.'

'Gambling is not meant for you to win… Though that only comes to Human gambling terms.'

'But it doesn't change the fact that it's just gambling, though obviously, someone out there will open a normal egg for fun and hatch something on the same grade as this Egg but… It won't be me.'

'I wonder if that is even possible…'

'Speaking of that, I've learned of a new grade… Original Myth.'

'I can't really imagine what sort of items would exist within said grade given what Caladgolg can already do…'

'I feel like it's too soon for these types of items to make their appearance…'

"Are there other similar items like this?"

"Of course! As I said, this type of item was in high demand… Here, give me a moment." She said as she turned around and crouched, giving Dale a rather… Exciting view

For some reason Dale felt something within him stir, but by gathering all of his energy, he stood still.

And quickly enough, she went back, this time, holding a small box in her hands.

"Here! Take a look!" She said with an innocent smile

"Yes…"

Feeling a bit light-headed, Dale inspected the box.

[Mystery Box (Original Myth)

  Description: A chest containing forgotten and untold stories, it's unknown which may appear!

]

[12500000]

"..."

'Now you have to be kidding me… An extra digit?'

"This item is also in high demand~" She said in a gentle tone as rubbed the egg on the side

"..."

'She's definitely making fun of me…'

"Can I ask what kind of items can appear from this?"

'Imagine opening the egg and getting... I don't know... A pair of Mythical glasses?'

'A spoon?...'

"That would be hard to say… It would be easier to say what can't." She said with a small neutral expression as she touched her chin

"Then may I ask for that?"

"Well… For once, you can't get other Mystery items from a Mystery Box, that would be redundant… Though you can get several lower ranked Mystery Boxes from one of a higher rank, though that can't occur more than once."

"Second, you can't get any items over a rank lower than the Box's rank, but higher ranks are free for the taking~."

"Third, you can't get decorative or customization items, nor any sort of Uniques where only one of a kind exists in the world." 

"..."

The moment she said that, Dale lost most of his interest.

The reason why opening something like this came as valuable to him was because of the idea of being able to pull another item with as much history and meaning as Caladgolg.

Yes, if he pulls a Mythical blade or even another Caladgolg, it wouldn't have the same impact.

Of course, he can't pull Caladgolg for once.

"My, don't be like that Mr. VIP! You may not be able to get unique items from the world, but outside of it..."

/BZZZ!/

When she said that, a weak and faint bolt of lightning crossed the air, hitting her mouth, causing her to open it and stick her tongue out as she made a cute expression.

"Oops, I said too much~"

"..."

'She's not even trying to hide it anymore… She's definitely…'

"T-Thank you for the explanation… But I don't want it for now." He replied awkwardly after he realized his silence 

"That is expected, you want things that can prove beneficial in your search for more Favor, then, how about this next collection of items?" She said as she pointed at the counter

[Recognition multiplier Package (Premium)

  Description: A simple item that can be used to greatly increase all Regnition gains. (300% increase)

]

[Recognition Reset + 500000 Favor]

[Favor multiplier Package (Premium)

  Description: A simple item that can be used to greatly increase all Favor gains. (300% increase)

]

[1000000 Favor]

[Skill Boost Token

  Description: A simple token that can be shattered to temporarily boost a Skill to the next grade for the remainder of your time within Babylon.

]

[300000]

"These are…" Dale asked as he looked at the items on the table

"Essential items if you wish to hit it big!" She said with a proud smile

"They're a must!"

"Well... I can understand their uses but… They're too damn expensive." He said with a sigh as he touched his head

'Looks like I'll be going back empty-handed... There are still a few items left though.'

"Hum... I can imagine getting such items would prove difficult... So how about... A deal?" She asked with a smile as she placed her elbows on the counter

"A deal?"

"Hehe..."

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Notes