Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 65

65: Strange Things Found in Town

I found something interesting in town.

“Samarkand, Harken, have you seen this before?”

“No, I haven’t,” Samarkand replied.

“Nor I.” Harken shook his head.

Samarkand and Harken, accompanying me on my ‘stroll’ as my bodyguards, both denied any knowledge of the item.

Samarkand was in his usual attire, but Harken wore a dark brown hooded cloak. This wasn’t because he was undead, but because his chainmail and swords were considered too intimidating in town.

“Ah, customer, is this your first time seeing these?”

“Yes. I didn’t know they sold these.” I nodded to the friendly dark elf shopkeeper.

“They’re our most popular item!” She gestured with a flourish and a wide smile at the neatly arranged ‘photographs.’

The photos depicted a figure in a very familiar outfit.

Layered dark green and pale green robes, a shoulder cloth embroidered with runes, a black mask with ominously glowing orange markings peeking out from beneath the hood, and a twisted staff with a blue gem bound by chains.

“Bromides of the Lord of Disease, supreme commander of the Demon King’s army, and commander of the Sixth Army!”

It was me, in my Lord of Disease regalia.

“They’re popular?”

“Everyone’s buying them. I’m a fan myself. I bought the first one and displayed it in the best spot in my house!”

I felt a little embarrassed.

“I’ll take one, please.”

“Samarkand?”

Samarkand had taken out his wallet.

“What a brilliant idea, to have such easy access to her esteemed visage.”

“You have excellent taste, customer!”

It was an interesting idea.

…But Samarkand…

…you’re her bodyguard. You have close access to her.

You even sleep in her bed.

Well, whatever. To each their own.

I didn’t want to be a boss who interfered with their subordinates’ hobbies.

“I’ll take one, too!”

“Thank you very much!”

I decided to buy one myself. It felt like buying a novelty item ironically.

I’d show it to Liz later.

Incidentally, it was rather expensive.

Back at the mansion, I cheerfully presented my findings to Liz.

“Liz.”

“What is it? Your cheerful demeanor makes me suspicious.”

“You can relax. I found this in town.”

“…What?!” Liz snatched the bromide from my hand.

“What is this?!”

“It’s a Lord of Disease bromide. They’re selling these.”

“I had no idea!”

“…Wait, is this… unauthorized?”

“Of course it is! Who would approve such a ridiculous thing?”

“They were selling them in town.”

“…Really?” Liz looked at Samarkand and Harken, who were standing behind me.

“My master would never lie to Liz-sama.”

“Indeed. It is true.”

“I see… Wait, you bought this, Master? Of yourself?”

“I thought it would be amusing. It was quite expensive, though.”

“How much?”

“One gold coin.”

“What?!”

“One gold coin for this. Ten thousand Deal.”

The currency was called “Deal.” The Listrea Demon Kingdom and the human nations were on very bad terms.

However, due to the history of currency development and circulation in this world, they used the same currency, and the value was roughly the same across different nations and regions.

One copper coin, one silver coin, and one gold coin were worth one hundred, one thousand, and ten thousand Deal, respectively. While there were some fluctuations in exchange rates, it was roughly equivalent to the Japanese yen.

I’d been surprised that they didn’t have one-Deal, five-Deal, ten-Deal, fifty-Deal, or five-hundred-Deal coins, like in Japan. It seemed like an unnecessary complication. Or perhaps it was just too much effort.

But the different colors made them easy to distinguish. Though I had been surprised that everyday items, like food, were often sold in bulk, since the lack of smaller denominations made it difficult to make precise transactions.

Well, I usually left that to Liz, so it wasn’t a problem.

Apparently, it was common practice to share purchases with neighbors.

“…You paid ten thousand Deal for this?”

Ten thousand yen for a photo.

Whether that was expensive or cheap depended on your perspective.

Samarkand would probably say it was cheap.

“Wait, is this a photograph?”

“A… photograph?”

“You don’t have those?”

“They probably used special paints and magic to capture the image. The materials are certainly expensive, and it requires advanced magic, so a skilled mage must be involved in the production. But… such a product…” Liz mused, staring at the bromide.

“So, you have image output technology from memories.”

“Yes. But as I said, it’s advanced mind magic. …And the fact that they have an image of you in this attire suggests someone within the military is involved.”

“It seemed popular.”

“Popular? —This?”

“Not exactly flying off the shelves, but someone bought one while I was there, and the shopkeeper said they were selling well.”

I didn’t mention that the person who bought one while I was there was Samarkand. But I didn’t think they would sell something that wasn’t popular at such a high price, so I wasn’t lying.

“That’s… unexpected.”

“Maybe we should officially start selling them.”

“Officially…? That’s… worth considering…” Liz mused, touching her chin.

“If they’re that popular, maybe I should dress up and go into town, you know, be a little more… approachable.”

“Absolutely not. We have an image to maintain.” Liz was right.

Then, I had an idea, inspired by similar products from Earth.

“What about a secret, limited edition version with my real face? I think I’m pretty good-looking.”

“That’s top secret information!”

“Right.”

“We should investigate this tomorrow. Please wear your formal attire, Master. I want to see their reaction.”

“Alright.” I nodded.

“Here, this is for you.”

“Um… what am I supposed to do with a bromide of you, Master? Well, I’ll take it, I guess.”

Harken tilted his head.

“Then, may I have this one?”

“Master gave it to me.”

“Harken, I gave this to Liz. And you’re well-paid, so if you want one, buy it yourself. Like Samarkand.”

“Wait, Samarkand bought one? —This? Not just as a sample?”

“Why would I accept a salary if I didn’t spend it on something bearing my master’s image?”

Samarkand’s serious declaration left Liz speechless.

That wasn’t why I paid him…

But while Samarkand’s reaction was a bit extreme, maybe they would sell well.

Though Liz seemed skeptical.