Chapter 3
Baeksan looked around and smiled contentedly.
Immediately, a quest window popped up:
(QUEST)
Approach the spy “Tirantha Sogd” and gain his trust.
-Success: 1,100 gold
-Failure: None
(QUEST)
Inject poison into the pumpkin candies.
-Success: 80 gold
-Failure: None
(QUEST)
The black city mouse “Chichi” is a carrier of a powerful infectious disease. Spread Chichi’s pathogen throughout the capital city of Ilm.
-Success: 71,000 gold
-Failure: None
“Oh, really. It seems like it knows I don’t even have enough money to find a place to sleep.”
Indeed, that was the problem. Baeksan didn’t have any money. Time was already late, and the festival was winding down. There were fewer people around.
“I really can’t afford to not find a place to sleep now.”
Baeksan felt anxious, biting her nails. That’s when it happened.
“So, this is the Bourbon Rock Memorandum.”
A clear and powerful voice echoed in her ear. It was as if a skilled orator was speaking, and involuntarily, Baeksan’s head turned towards the source of the voice. It seemed to come from a vintage market where someone was inspecting a book on a counter.
“The signature is definitely Bourbon Rock’s.”
The person wore a gray robe, so their face wasn’t visible, but silver hair flowed out from underneath.
Baeksan’s mouth fell open as soon as she spotted the person—or more precisely, as soon as she saw the magnificent golden letters floating above the woman’s head.
[Batilda Roich Schröder]
The princess of Orquenina. The one who will ignite the flames of war. She is referred to as the tinder of the Fallen King.
“Why is the tinder of the Fallen King wandering around here?”
[<Bourbon Rock Memorandum> (Counterfeit)]
It appears to be the famous military historian Bourbon Rock’s Memorandum, but it’s actually a skillfully disguised forgery made to look like the genuine article. Unlike the genuine one, the ink doesn’t fade.
“It’s a knockoff, isn’t it?”
Baeksan stood dumbfounded, alternating between staring at the woman in front of her and the golden aura around her.
“What do I do with this?”
Even Baeksan, who doesn’t play games often, knows that if something is golden, it has value. Or it could mean there’s a quest involved.
“No, but I don’t want to accept a quest.”
Before she could finish her thought, a window popped up in front of her:
(QUEST)
Approach Batilda and gain her interest.
-Success: 600 gold, War Bonus +2%
-Failure: None
Baeksan’s eyes lit up.
“600 gold. According to the market trends I’ve learned from playing Another Saga, 600 gold is worth about 6 million won in cash. There’s no reason to hesitate anymore.”
Baeksan immediately approached Batilda. She was conversing with the owner of the counter.
“Is that so? This is a precious heirloom passed down from my grandfather. As far as I can tell, it’s genuine!”
“Hmm, it does seem quite plausible.”
“It’s a family heirloom that we decided to showcase specially for this festival. You won’t find this anywhere else.”
“If it’s genuine, it must be. Would you take 8,000 gold for it?”
“Yes! But just for today! I’ll give it to you for 200 gold!”
Listening to their conversation, it seemed like even the owner of the counter wasn’t entirely convinced it was genuine. At that moment, Baeksan interjected.
“Are you planning to buy that?”
Immediately, someone who had been standing nearby as if they were just a passerby gestured in their direction. Baeksan belatedly glanced over.
A burly man in a robe passed by Baeksan smoothly.
[Dominic Quito]
Batilda’s princess’s bodyguard.
“Surprise. A knight.”
It seemed she had missed reading the name or description, as it wasn’t yet a familiar practice.
“I should pay more attention from now on.”
Just then, Batilda spoke up.
“For now, let’s go with that. We’ll need to get it appraised at Soph’s to know if it’s genuine, but isn’t that the charm of the Blue Moon Fair?”
Beneath the flipped robe, a glimpse of red eyes appeared and disappeared momentarily.
Baeksan was taken aback by the sharper impression than she had anticipated.
Taking advantage of the moment, the owner of the counter chimed in cheerfully.
“Exactly! The Blue Moon Fair is all about the thrill of finding hidden treasures! Why, didn’t you hear about the noblewoman who bought a cheap ring at the Blue Moon Fair only to find out it was a genuine diamond?”
“A famous anecdote.”
“Is that so?”
“So, someone like a princess is interested in things like this.”
Even such trivial stories were unknown to Baeksan, but her mouth opened in surprise.
“That means, because I have this ability, I can harvest today’s luck!”
However, her enthusiasm was quickly dampened.
“But I’m broke.”
Baeksan muttered quietly, poking her empty pockets for no reason.
“But it’s probably not genuine.”
Batilda chuckled at Baeksan’s words.
“Oh really? Can even a fortune teller tell?”
Her attitude seemed interesting but no more.
The quest window still floated in front of her.
“I guess I can’t attract attention with just this.”
Baeksan smoothed her voice.
“If you look closely, you’ll know. It’s not quite right to call it Bourbon Rock Memorandum, considering the ink is fresh.”
“Hmm?”
A smile deepened at the corner of the princess’s lips, as if urging Baeksan to continue speaking.
Baeksan was perplexed. “Is this it?”
Then, the description of the book floating in the window changed.
[<Bourbon Rock Memorandum(Counterfeit)]
The famous military historian Bourbon Rock’s Memorandum.
The genuine version was made before the development of binding technology, so the book spine was treated without ribs.
In contrast, the forgery is bound with easier-to-handle Mirani glue, causing the edges to turn white.
“It changed?”
Baeksan quickly read the information, hiding her surprise.
“Do you see the white edges on the spine? It’s treated with Mirani glue. If it were genuine, it would have been treated without ribs due to the era’s binding practices.”
Only then did the princess’s body turn smoothly towards Baeksan.
“Do you have expertise in binding?”
“Not really. I just thought you looked like you were in deep thought as you passed by, so I thought I’d offer some advice.”
Just as she was about to speak, Baeksan hesitated. The reflection of a worn mirror on the counter caught her attention.
Discovering her reflection in the mirror, Baeksan was taken aback and couldn’t speak.
“Who are you?”
On the other side of the mirror, an elegant and unfamiliar beauty with a regal air was looking at her.
Transparently fair skin, exceptionally cool eyes, finely arched eyebrows above a neat forehead, and black letters shimmering above her head.
[Minervina Le Tor (Baeksan)]
The apostle who will bring about the world’s downfall. Has taken possession of the body of Minervina Le Tor who lost her master. She is very guarded.
Baeksan’s mind went blank.
The letters began to change.
[Minervina Le Tor (Baeksan)]
You are looking at yourself. You are extremely surprised.
Baeksan’s expression stiffened.
“I can observe myself too.”
Feeling worse than imagined, Baeksan muttered to herself.
At that moment, the princess called out to Baeksan.
“Hey there.”
“Oh, yes.”
As Baeksan quickly turned her head, the princess smiled softly.
“Lost in thought, huh? You’re quite brave, aren’t you?”
“I apologize. I had a bit of a surprising moment.”
“Oh really? Maybe you have something interesting.”
The princess glanced around the counter casually, using the speech pattern typical of those in higher positions implying, ‘If you’ve been distracted for no reason, it must be boring.’
Sensing the implication, Baeksan quickly scanned the counter.
“So, um…”
As she rolled her eyes, white letters floated up like checkerboard pieces.
[Grandmother’s Flute]
Inga’s grandmother’s flute. It only makes sound when blown very strongly.
[Pipe’s Rhapsody]
A cursed ring. It drains the wearer’s vitality.
[Enamel Adorned Egg Craft]
Masterpiece by artisan Pavella. There are only 50 of these crafts in the continent. It appears to be an ordinary decoration, but breaking the plaster on the surface reveals its true value when a pin is inserted into the small hole underneath.
“…This one!”
Baeksan grabbed the last craft hastily.
It was adorned with colorful enamel, appearing flashy yet somewhat simple.
“This one looks good to me.”
“Hmm. Seems ordinary.”
Baeksan whispered to the princess, conscious of the shop owner’s curious eyes.
“It’s probably the work of artisan Pavella.”
The princess seemed taken aback, then lowered her voice.
“What is this?”
