Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 57

Ainz received a parting gift from Kaizer at the academy. What he received was a letter of introduction to the guild and an information source, Majolice.

After that, he left the academy and took the water train back to the White Rose Station. Together with Chris, he set off for Majolice’s magic stone store.

Majolice’s store is located in a shady part of the main street.

But it still had a reputation among adventurers as a hidden gem.

Despite its reputation, it is still a “hidden” store, so there were not many customers coming to this store, and today, it was only Ainz and Chris in the store.

「…Your Highness? You know… You don’t have to look at my store like that. You see, my store is a rather busy place in the evening」

What Ainz was thinking was easily revealed to Majolice.

「Err… In the evening?」

「The adventurers usually come around that time. They come to wholesale the good magic stones they’ve collected. And in the morning, rich people or their servants would come to buy them」

Majolice’s magic stone store is usually busy in the mornings before noon and in the evenings. Outside of those hours, the store rarely got any customers.

Of course, rich people and adventurers come to the shop in the evenings as well. Even so, only a handful of people would come at this time.

「Well, forget it. Welcome to my store. So, what do you need from me today?」

But suddenly, Ainz’s attention was caught by the magic stone inside the store. The inside of the store smelled good again today, and Ainz was drawn to it, eager to take a look around.

「Ainz-sama… you can’t. There’s something you need to do first, right?」

「Oops, I totally forgot」

「Ara, maybe you’re not looking for magic stone today, but you’re looking for me?」

「――Actually…」

He told Majolice the same thing he had told Kaizer before. Majolice had been in and out of the castle for the delivery of magic stones, so he should be a trustworthy person.

Before they went to the store, he had sent a messenger to the castle to ask if he could tell Majolice about that matter, and had received permission from Warren.

He explained about the Demon King, the red fox, and the same things he had told Kaizer before.

At first, Majolice seemed to find his story to be interesting. However, when he heard about the red fox and its unique skill, “The Curse of Solitude” his expression gradually became sour.

「…Please wait a minute. I’m going to close the store before we continue」

He waited for the right time before he said so, Majolice then abruptly decided to close up the store. The expression on Majolice’s face showed some sort of confusion.

「You seem to know something, aren’t you?」

「…Yes, it seems luck is on your side」

Both Ainz and Chris guessed that Majolice knew something about the matter. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have behaved so differently. As soon as he closed up the store, Majolice returned to the store. The sound of the bell echoing as he opened the door was rather depressing.

「Haah… You guys want some tea?」

「No, you don’t have to」

「But you see, the Crown Prince and the Grand Marshal are visiting me… So, it’s not right to not offer anything when there are two such people here. Besides… this conversation will probably drag on for quite some time」

As they’ve thought, it seems that Majolice knows something. Ainz was happy in his heart, he hadn’t expected to find the first clue so quickly.

Majolice then went behind the counter and started preparing the tea from where Ainz and Chris could see.

「By the way, Your Highness. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. I heard you’ve been recuperating for a long time」

「Yeah. I had to take some rest due to some circumstances」

「…I see… Hey, Chris, you know why I’m closing up the store?」

「Isn’t it because we’re talking about something important?」

「But what do you think makes me need to close up the store? Is it because of the red fox…? Or the demon king?」

Both of what Majolice says is important. And if he really has any information about either of them, he’d like to hear them.

「Both of them」

「You think so? But that’s not really the reason why I need to close up the store. Here you go, you two」

Majolice handed the brewed tea to Ainz and Chris. But they still didn’t know why Majolice needed to close up the store.

「Majolice-san? What do you mean? Is there another reason other than what you’ve mentioned to Chris before?」

「…Your Highness… Are you… really His Highness?」

His words then made the air in the store drastically drop, changing the atmosphere as if they’ve moved to a different world.

「What in the world you’re talking about?」

「Are you a “person”? Or are you a “monster”…? I wonder if you can tell me which one is you…」

「Majolice-san…! Aren’t you too rude――」

Chris was angered by Majolice’s words. They don’t know what Majolice might have sensed, but those words alone are enough to be considered disrespectful.

But Ainz then stepped in front of Chris and raised his hand to stop her.

「I’m “still” a human being. Is that good enough for you?」

Ainz says it calmly and without showing any signs of being shaken. Looking straight at Majolice, he tells him about himself.

「…I see, you’re “still” a human being, huh…? Your Royal Highness. I’m sorry for my rudeness, and Chris too, I’m sorry. But I really had to ask him about it」

「…Very well」

Majolice apologized sincerely, but Chris still didn’t seem to have forgiven him completely. However, when Ainz stops her with his eyes, Chris decides to put up with it for now.

「But Majolice-san… Why do you need to ask that question?」

「From the perspective of someone like me who has made a living out of my sealing technique, Your Highness looks just like a monster. But I don’t know how, or what had happened to you…」

「Maybe it’s because I’m getting stronger from sucking lots of magic stone」

「A-Ainz-sama!?」

When Ainz suddenly told him about his secret, Chris grabbed Ainz’s shoulder and made him turn his head toward her.

「It should be fine, it’s Majolice-san we’re talking about… And I think, that must be why he could feel I was similar to monster」

「…Chris. Is what His Highness says true?」

「Haah… Yes, it’s true. Ainz-sama acquired his current power by absorbing a lot of magic stones」

She explained the wonder that was created by Ainz’s Toxin Decomposition EX and the Dryad’s Absorption skill. Majolice seemed to be very interested and listened to Chris’ explanation while nodding his head.

「Now you understand?」

「Yes, Your Highness. But… Isn’t that mean you’re just like a World Tree?」

「World Tree…?」

「Now that you’ve mentioned it, surely he’s…!」

Ainz didn’t understand what they were talking about, but Chris seemed to remember, and agreed with him.

「It is said to be the ancestor of Dryad. It protects those who live near it, and if there are any evil monsters approaching it, it’ll suck their power up as long as they’re still on the ground. That’s what the World Tree is」

「Ancestor… Does that mean that Dryads are born from the world tree?」

「That’s what they say. And that’s the reason why I thought you’re similar to it. I mean, for a person with Dryad blood in his vein to have similar power… I can’t help but feel a connection, right?」

Hearing that, Ainz nodded his head in agreement.

「So maybe, it’s not that you’re becoming more of a monster, but that you’re becoming something like a guardian… Well, now I understand your circumstances. Kaizer must have told you to rely on me, huh?」

「Yes. …Do you know anything about the Red Fox?」

「Of course, I know」

Majolice honestly admitted it. Hearing that, Ainz couldn’t hide the joy that is showing on his face. Chris, who is standing beside him, also showed a relieved expression on her face.

「I once read a book about them in a remote city before… The Red Fox was said as a troublesome creature that was either allies or enemies for all the other races」

「Hoo… Please tell me more about it!」

Ainz raises his voice and asks him to tell him more about it. But Majolice looks a little troubled and begins to think a little.

「There’s only one more thing I know about them. The Red Fox is said to be able to manipulate monsters, even if it’s not a monster they raised, they can manipulate them to do anything they want… That’s all I know. It’s not only because of the lack of references, but also because I wasn’t that interested in them at that time…」

「I-I see…」

Ainz gets a little disappointed, but still, it was a piece of useful information for them, as they were not aware that the Red Fox could manipulate monsters.

「Then I’ll tell you a place where the two of you can find out more about them. I’ve said I read about them in a book I found in a certain city a long time ago, didn’t I? And the name of that city is 『The Magic City of Ist』. It seems that Kaizer had prepared you a letter of introduction to the guild, so I’ll write you a letter of introduction to one of the institutions there… the Ist’s Academy」

Ainz had gotten two letters of introduction from today alone. He felt bad for always being at the receiving end, so he thought he’d bring something back to thank them for.

「Magic City of Ist…」

「Ainz-sama, you know about it?」

「Of course, I’ve memorized the geography of this continent, but… I wonder how long would it take for us to get there by the water train…?」

Majolice then once again went back to the counter and started preparing the letter of introduction. This letter of introduction prepared by Majolice should be useful for him later, as it is common for people to be turned away from prestigious places without a letter of introduction.

「There is a direct trip to Ist. And that trip does not stop at any station on the way, so you should be able to get there in a half a day」

「Still half a day, huh…? As I’ve thought, it’s really far」

「In terms of distance, it should be more than double the distance from here to Magna」

It will be Ainz’s first trip within the continent. But there’s also fun to be had, for in the magic city of Ist, there are those who tame wyverns and other monsters and use them for transportation. It was a city with a much more fantasy-like feel than the Royal Capital, probably because of what Ainz could recall from his faded memory of his previous life.

There are four major cities in Ishtalica. The first is the royal capital, the largest and most populous city in all of Ishtalica.

Next was the magic city of Ist. When it comes to magic, a lot more research has been done in Ist than in the royal capital, and Ist was famous as a city where people could conduct experiments. There is also a lot of research on monsters, and there is an abundance of literature about them.

Just like the area called the Academy City in the Royal Capital, Ist was a city where many academies stood side by side. Basically, most graduates would pursue their careers in research.

The third is the adventurer’s town of Balto. This city is less than half a day away from the royal capital by water train.

As the name suggests, it was a town where many adventurers gather, and its surrounding area is the home to many monsters. It was in Balto that all of those who hunted them and made a living lived.

Of course, many of the materials that can be obtained there are shipped in large numbers to the royal capital and become an important source for daily necessities.

The fort where the father of Ainz’s classmates, Butts, is on duty was also close to that city.

And lastly, the port city of Magna. Much of the seafood that is distributed throughout the continent is spread from Magna. The food there is so fresh and delicious that it is even favored by the royal family of Ishtalica.

「Your Highness, it’s done. Bring this with you and I’m sure they’ll let you pass without any difficulty」

「Thank you very much!」

The name he gave to him was an unfamiliar academy name, but it was only natural. It’s no surprise that even Ainz doesn’t know the name of an academy in another city. But thanks to Majolice, they were now on the right path to continue their investigation.

「Then, are you planning to get there as the Crown Prince? That would only cause an unnecessary uproar, you know?」

「Aah… Now that you mentioned it. Instructor Kaizer said that Majolice-san might be able to help me with that」

「…Ara?」

「Is there any way I can keep them from knowing that I was the Crown Prince?」

「…T-That’s quite difficult…」

Majolice puts his hand on his forehead and begins to think. Ainz is grateful that he is able to think of a solution to what may be a difficult problem.

「By the way, can you tell me how many of you are going?」

Majolice turned to Chris and asked.

「Ainz-sama, me, and… perhaps Dill. So maybe, three people」

「Then I’ll take 15 million Gs for it. If you’re okay with that, I can help you with this matter」

Ainz wondered if he would have to find another way to pay for it, because it was so expensive. But to his surprise, Chris replied to him.

「Very well, I’ll bring it to you at a later date」

「Yes, thank you. Then I’ll do my best to finish it as soon as possible」

Ainz was surprised by Chris’s immediate reply when they were asked 15 million Gs for it.

「C-Chris-san!? Are you sure!?」

「Of course. That’s a rather small price to pay for this matter. I was prepared to pay up to 200 million Gs for it」

「E-Eh―…」

「Your Highness. Magic tools are an expensive item, and the most expensive ones can easily exceed 10 billion Gs. …Well, as a citizen, I was relieved to know that the Crown Prince is strict with money」

A consumer-grade magic tool would usually cost an average monthly income of ordinary people. However, if it was a custom-made item, the price would skyrocket. Even though he was a member of the royal family, Ainz had never had the opportunity to spend a lot of money, so he was a little surprised.

「Besides, Majolice-san has probably deducted the cost for the technology used. I’m sure the price he asked for was just to cover the cost of the materials… Am I right?」

「Yes. I might have asked for 50 million Gs if I added the cost for the technology」

「…Then, isn’t 15 million Gs too cheap…?」

「Just think of it as me serving the Crown Prince… And it’s also because it was Chris who’s asking for it」

Majolice smiled his cool smile and said something big. Ainz felt bad for her, but one thing bothered him.

「By the way, how do Chris-san and Majolice-san know each other?」

Chris suddenly turns stiff at those words. Ainz looked at her and wondered, then he turned to Majolice for an answer.

「…Chris. You haven’t told him yet?」

「I-It’s just quite hard for me to say it…」

「Err… Chris-san? You have something to say to me?」

Chris was still a little embarrassed, but she made up her mind and turned her head toward Ainz and opened her mouth. When he looked at her hands, he could see that she was clenching her fists tightly.

「…Majolice-san and my older sister used to be in the same party with Kaizer-dono…」

「O-older sister…!?」

「Good grief, Why didn’t you tell him that sooner?」

「It’s hard for me to tell him, because the details are a little awkward…」

They continued their conversation, while leaving Ainz in surprise. Ainz had never heard that Chris had an older sister.

「C-Chris-san!? You had a sister…?」

「Yes. And she was a problematic sister…」

「…Yeah, she’s truly a problematic person… She was strong, but I can’t understand her at all」

「…I-is her sister stronger than Chris-san?」

After taking a few deep breaths, Ainz managed to regain a bit of his composure. What Chris and Majolice were talking about was quite an interesting story.

「My sister was a person that even Lloyd-some couldn’t touch, let alone me. She was really problematic…」

「Yes, Your Highness. She was really that strong. It’s thanks to her that our party was able to become so famous. Well, she was quite problematic, though」

「…Isn’t it amazing that even Lloyd-san can’t even touch her? But why are you saying she was a problematic person…?」

Chris then holds her head in her hands. Seeing Chris’s behavior, he can tell that she must be quite a strange person. He then felt it difficult to ask more about Chris’s sister.

「I-I’m terribly sorry, Ainz-sama. I will tell you about her little by little, so please bear with what I’ve said today」

「Err umm… I understand. I felt sorry for asking…」

「Haah… Good grief. Your Highness, it’s just a little hard to say, that’s why Chris was so confused. Can you please forgive her?」

「Sure. It’s not like I was angry with her or anything…」

Chris was still holding her head in his hands, and Ainz patted her head because she looked like a sad dog. She then calmed down a little after being stroked in silence. …Was it just his imagination? Ainz felt as if Chris had shifted her body a little to make it easier for him to pet her.

「This kid has been tamed by you, huh…? Well, that’s fine. I’ll start making the custom-made magic tools today, and I’ll deliver them to the castle when they’re finished. Is that okay with you?」

「I’m counting on you. I apologize for the suddenness of my request」

「It’s only this much, don’t worry about it. I think it’ll be ready in about ten days. But just as a final confirmation, you sure you only want three of it?」

「Yes. We shouldn’t go there in a large group, so we’ll only need that much for now… We’ll only act in a larger group after Ishtalica made this official」

「I see. Understood… Then I’ll make it for you at the price of 15 million Gs」

There was a concern about Ainz’s moves while hiding his true identity. But with Majolice’s help, the problem can be solved.

He also gave them a clue as to where they might find more information about the red fox. Considering that they had just started, it was a good start. He had been thinking that the investigation would take place on a yearly basis, and he was glad that it was going so well.

「Come on, Chris. How long do you want him to pat your head, get back to your duties!」

If Chris was really a dog, her tail would probably be wagging really fast. That’s what Chris’s vibe felt like.

But as she’s been like that for quite a while now, Majolice then warned her to get back on her duties as an escort.

「I-I’m sorry, Ainz-sama. I’ve been a little off my rocker」

Looking at Chris who seemed to have come to her sense, Majolice muttered 『You’re really unreliable, you know…』 quietly.

His voice was not heard by either Ainz or Chris, and ended up being just a monologue.

「Now that we are done with our business. Take His Highness back to the castle, don’t keep him waiting」

「I-I’m sorry, Ainz-sama! I let my mind wander」

Chris bowed her head. She looks a little flushed, but it’s probably not just his imagination.

「It’s all right. Let’s go home now, the guild can wait until another time. I wanted to sort out what happened today」

「Understood! …Majolice-san, thank you for your help today!」

「Yes yes. Come again」

He decided on his next objective. He’ll pack up and head to the magic city of Ist. There, he’ll use Majolice’s introduction and start their investigation.

He can’t deny that he’s looking forward to this trip. In fact, from Ainz’s point of view, this trip was half for investigation and half for fun.

But actually, the magic city of Ist was the city where Ainz was planning to study for a short time in his sixth year.

Ainz hadn’t received much education on magic in the royal capital and hadn’t had many practical classes. This was so that he could go to Ist in the near future and get an education on more advanced magic in Ist.

And then Ainz will head to the magic city of Ist, albeit in a different way than what he had planned.

There was an important investigation about the red fox, but that didn’t stop his heart from racing at the thought of the first real magic he would be introduced to.

TLN: Really sorry for the late update, the TL was sick, but don’t worry, he’s feeling better now