kscans

Chapter 252 - The Grand Spring Market ~Last Day of Bargains~ 1. A Guide to the Last Day

Today, the final day of the Grand Spring Market, many merchants were closing up early to prepare for their travels. There was also the battle between these merchants, who were selling off their leftover goods at near giveaway prices, and the local residents who tried to beat those prices down even further. It made for a day that was enjoyable in a different way from the ones before.

"Well, Laurenzen is a commercial capital through and through. Any goods that can't be sold here won't sell anywhere else. So, rather than going to the trouble and expense of hauling them away, it's better to just sell them off here, even at a loss."

The one offering this worldly-wise explanation was Kudol, who had been assigned as Yuri's guardian for the day.

"Even if they are leftovers, the quality isn't that bad. Things that might not last until the next town have to be disposed of here, or they'll just go to waste."

"But for eatin' today or tomorrow, there's no problem at all. Many of the local folk are here lookin' for just that sort of thing."

The ones providing the supplementary explanation were Eto and Old Man Audel, who were also accompanying and watching over Yuri today.

Yuri himself didn't have a shred of ill will, and in fact, he possessed some shrewd calculations and cunning schemes, but in any case, shopping with him required constant vigilance. If they took their eyes off him for a moment, there was no telling where he'd go or what he'd buy. Not that others had any right to complain about him buying what he wanted with his own money, but in Yuri's case, it was impossible for an observer to tell if he was buying things knowingly or unknowingly. That was precisely the problem.

And so, the guardians were accompanying Yuri again today, but Yuri himself paid no mind to such circumstances.

"So... are the things being sold today mostly fresh foods with an expiring best-before date?"

Though the phrase 'best-before date' struck them as a little odd, Old Man Audel understood the gist of the question and answered thus.

"No, not necessarily. The stalls run by local farmers rather than traveling merchants often just want to get rid of their unsold goods quickly, since they'd rather carry home the things they've bought."

"I see..."

That meant there was still a chance to find some bargains. Thinking this to himself, Yuri let out an evil 'gufufu' laugh without thinking. His entourage was completely put off by it.

"And then there's... oh, it seems they also try to get rid of flowering plants that might weaken on a long journey."

"...Flowering plants?"

"Aye. The kind you plant in your garden or in pots."

"Oh, that kind..."

"Look, just over there, those seem to be it."

"Where?"

Yuri casually glanced in the direction Old Man Audel was pointing...

(...Huh? Is that... ?)

...and immediately froze.