Volume 2 Chapter 28 The Merchant Alex
The man's name is Alex.
"Well, I used to be friends with the previous owner of this house. I haven't been around here in a while, so I thought I'd sneak in and surprise them, but look at this mess. Hahaha!"
His cheerful laughter filled the room, and the four of us stared at him in surprise.
He looked to be in his early 20s, a bit older than all of us. Yet, he still had a youthful energy about him, like a budding young man.
"So, you're a merchant, huh? Is that right?"
"Yeah! Young adventurers like you guys, right?"
He kept smiling throughout, giving off a typical merchant vibe. But Ice and Clay kept a stern expression as they watched Alex.
"So, about the forgotten item..."
"Here it is."
Alex pulled out a sparkling gem.
"It's not worth much. Even if you sell it to a pawn shop, it won't fetch much. But it's not about the value, it's about the memories."
"I see..."
When I nodded, Clay spoke.
"Sorry, Alex-san. We still suspect you might be a thief. We don't have any significant treasures, but please allow us to check your belongings."
"Sure, go ahead. It's understandable to be suspicious since the homeowner changed after I sneaked in. I came here alone. If you check my body, you should be able to tell if I stole anything."
Alex stood up and clasped his hands behind his head. Clay moved beside him and efficiently checked the luggage.
"This is..."
"It's a pouch of coins. It always contains 10 gold coins, 10 silver coins, and 10 copper coins."
Clay opened it to confirm. It seemed to contain the exact amount, so he closed it and handed it back.
"Is that a reliable way to check?"
"Wade, basically, we only carry around 20 copper coins and the necessary amount for big purchases. Gold coins are his, and those who can use gold coins in daily life won't steal copper coins."
"That well-built kid over there seems to know his stuff. I like you. Your way of speaking is somewhat noble――― no, too noble."
Clay looked at Alex with a cold gaze.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't ask too many probing questions."
"Oops, my bad. Looks like you and I are going to be in each other's lives for a while. I won't do anything to earn your resentment here."
With a distinctive laugh, Alex shrugged his shoulders.
"Well then... Has your suspicion cleared? If so, I'll take my leave here."
"No, I have a few questions I'd like to ask. Can I ask?"
When I said that, Alex widened his eyes.
"Sure, what do you want to know?"
"Alex-san, you mentioned that those wounds of yours were caused by the security system of this house, right?"
"Yeah, that's correct."
"We have no idea what that security system thing is. What exactly caused those wounds?"
Alex smirks at my words.
"I see... so that's how you're still alive. How many days have you been living here?"
"It's only the second day. We all moved in yesterday."
"I see. Was yesterday a big cleaning day then?"
"How did you know?"
"Haha, kid, you guys are lucky."
Alex chuckles slyly.
"Despite being built in the Greek mythological area, this house was constructed by someone who dabbled in Druid magic. That's why there are geases (taboo) everywhere. In other words, it's a rule. You could call it a vow."
"Huh?"
"Basically, as long as you follow the rules, you're a resident. So, they'll protect you. But if you break them, you're a trespasser. They'll use curses, magic, or anything to kill you. That's the rule engraved in this house."
We turned pale at those words.
"And in Rule 1 for residents, it says, 'New residents must clean the house within 24 hours.' You guys unconsciously achieved that. So, you were protected as residents, but in reverse, I was deemed an outsider for not being there at that time, and I was punished."
"W-why are you safe now, then?"
In response to Toxy's question, Alex said,
"Well, it's because I've formed a friendship with the residents and am treated as an 'invited guest.' That's why I didn't run away even when you found me. If I had fled, the curse would have haunted me forever. I would have kicked the bucket by tonight."
As he said this while laughing heartily, this man called Alex was quite something.
After thinking for a moment, I spoke up,
"Alex-san, I'll pay. Could you tell me about that 'Geas' rule? Many people have died in this house because of it. ...You also abandoned your previous friend, didn't you?"
Three members of the party were wide-eyed at my words. Alex grinned.
"What's this? Quite the sharp young boy. I was planning to buy this house when you kids were dead, discounted, and could be bought for a single gold coin."
Alex sighed and stretched. Then he said,
"Fine. 5 gold coins. I'll tell you everything about this house's curse."
To which I replied,
"One coin. The moment we consider you an 'outside enemy,' this house's curse will haunt you. Or is your life worth less than four gold coins?"
As I started to negotiate boldly, Ice blushed and covered her mouth, Clay put his hand to his mouth to hide a smile, and Toxy widened her eyes in astonishment.
And then, Alex burst into laughter.
"―――Hahaha! Seriously, boy! What courage. If this deal falls through, I'll die, but you'll die too, you know?"
"Is that so? Instead of breaking the rules, we should just let go of this house, but for you, letting go means your life, right?"
"Kukuku... Oops, what's this? I never thought I'd come across something like this. Fate sure is a scary thing. ―――Boy"
Alex asked me cheerfully.
"What's your name?"
"Wade"
"Wade, got it. Alright, Wade. It's not 5 gold coins. Anyway, this won't put me in debt. I have a business deal where I absolutely need 15 gold coins. But in exchange, I'll give you some added value that 4 gold coins won't do."
"Got it. Tell me."
Alex wrote in the air with his finger.
At first, it was just meaningless scribbles. But as he continued, it started to take on a mysterious rainbow-like color. That's how Alex inscribed mysterious characters in the air.
"Rune Magic."
Alex said.
"The 'Transformation Magic' engraved on your right hand, which is popular around here, is a different magic. In the central continent, my hometown, it's mainly this one."
I couldn't keep up with the understanding.
"...Huh? What's Transformation Magic? Our magic is, huh?"
"Oh, I see. This area around here was particularly devout. So, could it be that you guys were just told about 'Magic' without being informed about 'What Magic' it is?"
Everyone looked at each other and nodded. "I see," Alex scratched his head.
"Alright, let me explain from the basics. In this world, there are many types of magic. The 'Druids' I mentioned earlier, these 'Runes,' and your 'Transformation Magic' are all part of it."
I looked at the magic seal on my right hand. Transformation Magic. Transformation? I pondered.
"Eventually, I'll teach you guys Rune Magic. It'll be for quite a long period, so I'll have to live in. So, let's get along from now on."
Alex chuckled.
We were taken aback and couldn't say anything in return.
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