What the baron failed to consider was the simple economic reality that most people in Esta couldn’t afford items priced in the hundreds of golden coins. His own wealth, accumulated through decades of illegal activities including slavery, extortion, and collaboration with extremists, had distorted his perception of normal purchasing power.
Even the residents inside the demon academy are unable to purchase such items despite their abundance of golden coins. So, residents in Esta can never afford an item that costs a thousand coins
But Richard’s criminal mind had latched onto what he saw as a perfect opportunity for additional leverage. Catching Noah in an obvious scam provided exactly the kind of ammunition he needed to ensure complete compliance with his demands.
I’ve got him now. Fraud accusations against nobility would mean prison or worse. Richard thought, a smirk on his face.
Noah watched the baron’s expressions change with careful attention, noting the shift from shock to calculation to satisfaction. He could practically see the criminal’s thought process playing out across his features.
He thinks I’m running a scam. Perfect. Let him believe whatever keeps him talking.
Noah chose not to explain or defend his premium products. The baron’s assumptions revealed more about his intentions than any direct questioning could accomplish. Besides, since he believed that these items were a scam, he wouldn’t resort to buy them.
Noah was never going to give such an item to the baron, no matter what plans he was thinking of. The only items he would give to the baron in order to reveal his hidden plans were the bread and iced tea, as for the other items, those were simply too precious to waste on such a small-time baron that was bound to be caught.
Talking with the baron, Noah naturally knew that he wasn’t merely buying for himself. He could tell that the baron was purchasing a bulk supply to resell. As for which customers, it was obvious. He would most likely sell to the extremists who, after raiding so many places and killing so many innocents, would have a large wealth to splurge.
The conclusion was inevitable once Noah considered the broader context. If the baron was indeed collaborating with extremist factions, he would need impressive products to trade for their continued support.
Magical enhancement items would be perfect currency for buying extremist loyalty and gaining immense profit.
"Well, well," the baron said as he returned to the counter. "I think we need to discuss your... business practices... more thoroughly."
Noah simply stared at the baron. His expression hinting at nothing, he knew that the baron was going to start his roleplaying of a powerful villain, when he was nothing but a third-rate villain.
His smirk widened as he gestured toward the premium displays. "Those are quite impressive claims you’re making about permanent enhancement and magical amplification. I’m sure the royal investigative authority would be very interested in examining such... extraordinary... products."
The baron immediately started with the fraud accusations. Threatening to report Noah to royalty was something so foolish, especially considering his link to the princess. But Noah didn’t say anything, he wanted to see this to the end.
"I’m a reasonable man," Richard continued, his tone becoming openly threatening. "I’m willing to overlook certain... irregularities... in exchange for fair prices on your legitimate inventory."
The baron’s next words confirmed Noah’s worst suspicions about his intentions. "I’ll pay you ten silver coins total for all your bread and iced tea. You should consider yourself lucky that I’m paying anything at all."
Ten silver coins for my stock...That’s morally illegal even by criminal standards. Noah thought with amusement.
Noah contorted his face, clearly showing that he was very upset about the price that the baron was giving, when in reality, he didn’t care.
Noah knew that once the baron was caught, he was not only going to gain back all the money from the items, but he was also going to gain a certain percentage of the baron’s wealth. After all, he had also contributed heavily to the investigation.
The princess had already promised him that the reward for his contribution, if the accusation was indeed correct, would be immense.
"After all, I am a baron, and I could report your obvious scam operation to the royal authorities at any time. Prison sentences for fraud against nobility tend to be quite... permanent." Richard spoke proudly as he pointed at himself in arrogance.
Noah forced himself to appear conflicted, as if wrestling with the decision between compliance and resistance. A legitimate shopkeeper faced with such accusations would naturally try to negotiate for better terms before capitulating to superior authority.
"Ten silver coins?" Noah said, his voice carrying exactly the right note of desperate protest. "Baron, please, that’s barely enough to cover my costs. Could we perhaps discuss fifteen silver? Twenty at most?"
Despite negotiating with the baron, Noah didn’t go overboard to break character. He had to act the role of a scared shopkeeper.
The baron’s laugh was harsh and dismissive. "Ten silver coins, final offer. Be grateful I’m not simply confiscating everything as evidence of fraudulent business practices."
Noah let his shoulders slump with apparent defeat, sighing heavily as if accepting inevitable doom. "Very well, Baron. Ten silver coins. But I’ll need time to prepare your order properly."
"Excellent decision," Richard replied with obvious satisfaction. "When will the stock be ready? I assume you don’t keep such large quantities on hand."
He’s asking about restocking times. Definitely planning bulk purchases for external buyers.
"Within two hours, I should have good stock available," Noah answered, maintaining his defeated shopkeeper persona.
The baron turned toward his bodyguards with a confident smile. In his eyes, his plans had gone smooth like butter; after all, he had found a criminal undercover.
"Marcus, you stay here for the next two hours. Wait outside the shop and monitor the situation."
The chosen bodyguard nodded with professional understanding, his hand automatically checking his weapon positions in preparation for an extended surveillance mission.