Once we finished our lunch, we set out and returned to the street.
"Did you have any particular places in mind that you wanted to visit earlier?" Janis inquired politely, offering to backtrack if there were any spots I wanted to explore further.
"I'd rather continue exploring," I replied, eager to venture into new territory.
With our decision made, we pressed onward, navigating the streets and taking in the sights of the village. I sometimes marveled at its size, almost forgetting it was merely a village. Its expansive layout and bustling atmosphere made it feel more like a sizable town or a small city.
In the village, female elves coexisted peacefully alongside female fairies and alraune, each doing their own business. Given my unique appearance, I often found myself the subject of curious stares. However, with Janis paying little attention to their attention, I also learned to ignore it.
Fairies resembled humans but possessed two beautiful butterfly wings and stood at below-average height. Their wings weren't merely decorative; they were functional, enabling fairies to take flight.
On the other hand, alraune also resembled humans, but their distinctive features lay in the flowers and vines that adorned random parts of their bodies, adding to their unique appearance.
"Roy, let's check this out," Janis exclaimed excitedly. Her curiosity piqued as she led me into a small but intriguing establishment.
Given its assortment of items, we stepped into what appeared to be a collector's den or perhaps a pawnshop. The interior was cozy, yet packed with objects I had never seen before.
The items were displayed within glass domes, presumably to protect them from curious hands and wandering fingers.
"Janis, it's been a while. We've got some new acquisitions you might find interesting," greeted the shopkeeper, a figure resembling a gremlin, with a warm familiarity as Janis entered.
"It has, Remi. Could you recommend the new items you brought in? My friend and I might take an interest in it." Remi the Gremlin? She had shown us a smile meant for a businessman.
Though their relationship seemed more transactional than friendly, it was clear that Remi held Janis in high regard.
"Of course," Remi replied, stepping down from the tall stool she had been perched on and making her way to a glowing purple object.
"This," she began, gesturing toward the mystical orb emitting a radiant purple glow, "is a rather fascinating piece." Intrigued by its otherworldly appearance, I couldn't help but inquire.
"What exactly is it?"
"It's a ghost orb," Remi explained, her tone conveying mystery.
"Fueled by negative energy, it can imbue any item with a curse. Intriguing, isn't it?" Despite the tempting offer, Janis and I exchanged glances, silently agreeing that such a sinister artifact wasn't what we sought. Politely declining, we moved on to the next item.
"This is a misfortune ward," Remi continued, gesturing toward the next object.
"A rare commodity coveted by nobles and royalty in the country of Vulcan. It contains a trace of fate energy, offering potent protection against misfortune." The rarity and utility of the item piqued our interest.
Glancing at Janis, I sensed her intrigue mirrored my own. Could this world be more complex and advanced than we initially thought? Pushing aside fleeting worries, I watched as Janis swiftly decided to purchase the misfortune ward, producing an item for trade with practiced ease.
"I will take it." I said this as Janis spoke up, dispelling my earlier thoughts. Janis produced something seemingly out of thin air and exchanged it for another item.
"You drive a hard bargain," Remi remarked, eyeing the object Janis held. It had a peculiar shape, reminiscent of a dildo. Surely it wasn't intended for that purpose?
"..."
"Roy, take this. It's a gift from me," Janis said, handing me the trinket she had traded for. Unsure whether to feel pleased or indebted for the gesture, I held it.
"This should help keep you out of trouble," Janis added as I accepted the gift, leaving me feeling I owed her even more. Despite my reservations, I appreciated her kind gesture. While I couldn't discern her motives, her actions didn't seem driven by ill intentions, so I chose not to question her further.
"There's still plenty more to trade," Remi announced after finalizing one deal, revealing additional items.
However, the new offerings were considerably less intriguing than the initial ones. Among them were weapons, seemingly mundane objects, and rare jewelry pieces that failed to capture our interest.
"Well, there's one last item I haven't shown yet, but its worth is uncertain," Remi admitted hesitantly, hoping we might discern its value.
As soon as the desired item was unveiled, my eyes widened in recognition. Janis and Remi seemed to notice my reaction, anticipating that I might possess knowledge about its significance.
"This is worthless," I remarked disdainfully, eyeing the flat-screen TV. Even with magic substituting for electricity, no channels could be found, rendering it useless.
Why had such an object appeared here? Did it imply that other earthly items had been transported into this world? If so, the same could be assumed for the people.
"Useless? Are you trying to negotiate the price down?" Remi scrutinized me, searching for any sign of deception.
"I have no reason to deceive you. Since Janis seems fond of this place, I can offer advice on how to maximize the selling price for this item," I suggested, prompting Remi to lean in attentively, eager to hear my guidance.
"Sell it to someone who is obsessed with technology. What's important about this device isn't its outer appearance, but what's inside. This is a delicate piece of equipment. If you do sell it for an expensive price, I hope you can give Janis a discount for her next trade." Remi then stared at the flat-screen TV and wondered what was inside.
Once we'd gathered what we needed, we exited the pawn shop.
"Janis. Could we return for the day? I have something important I want to talk to you about."