TOAD – Chapter 14

TOAD – Chapter 14

Fortunately, all of the shops were nearby, and it was rather easy to check out store after store. Brad had handed me a bag full of gold. I hadn’t counted before, but it was nearly fifty gold coins. This was a small wealth. Any commoner would faint seeing that much money. He liked to throw it around. I was starting to understand what the blacksmith was saying. The custom armor likely only came to about ten gold, and everything else I’d need might be only 5 gold total.

It was amazing how many discounts I could get with just a little bit of flirting. Men were particularly susceptible to such things. A wink and a suggestion and a lot of stuff I got for half off. I knew I shouldn’t take advantage, and there was no shortage of coin, but the old me could resist a bargain. As a result, I probably ended up buying more than I needed as well.

I bought a pack, a week’s worth of clothing changes, food, supplies, and so on. I bought everything I remembered Min getting during our travels and then more besides that. I also bought a lot of alchemy goods. I had only officially studied alchemy for a few months with Reinhardt, so there was still a lot I didn’t know. I still bought that stuff anyway.

“This is far too heavy.” I sighed as most of it was put together.

It wasn’t that heavy for someone at my level, but I acted as dainty as I looked. Furthermore, a lot of this stuff would be fitted on my horse. As long as I had a big enough packhorse, it could carry all of my stuff.

“We have an enchanter in two. I’ll look at putting a light spell on it.” The merchant said with a smile. “It will half the weight of anything in the pack.”

“Oh, could you?” I asked with wide eyes, gently touching his shoulder. “I’m just... worried it might be more than I can afford.”

“N-nonsense!” He straightened his back, emboldened by my touch. “After everything you bought, I’ll personally discuss an affordable rate with the enchanter.”

“Would you?” I asked, grabbing his hands and looking up at him. “It would really mean a lot to me.”

“Wh-why yes!” he coughed. “Ah, but how much do you have left?”

I blushed. “I spent a bit much... all I have left is two gold coins.”

I reached into my cleavage, showing him my chest gratuitously before pulling two coins out. He stared with his mouth open. After a second, he shook his head.

“Ah, two... two! Is that all? Ah, they’re usually ten or twenty!”

Enchantments, especially custom ones, usually cause the price of things to skyrocket. It wasn’t that unbelievable that this weight decreasing enchantment cost ten gold or so. The offer of twenty might be more because of timing. I needed it done today.

“Is it not possible?” I asked, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes.

“N-not at all! A promise is a promise! I’ll definitely do it!” He declared, slapping his chest.

“Wonderful!” I smiled like he had just made my day. “You’re the best!”

I went up and kissed his cheek. He blushed, stiffening even more, and in other places too. However, I had already enjoyed a little play, and he wasn’t my target for the moment. He was a bit like the blacksmith, but not muscular. It was all fat. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t fuck a chubby guy, but I didn’t feel the need to at the moment. I only went out of my way to bang guys if they seemed somehow interesting to me or I felt like I’d get something out of it.

This guy was already eating out of my hand, and I felt like fucking him wouldn’t necessarily get me any more favors. There were some guys who if you gave them more, you’d get less. They’d hand you the bank just for the promise to fuck, but once they got what they wanted, they ghosted you fast. I wasn’t saying this innkeeper was that kind of guy, but he wasn’t worth my time.

“Then, I will be back later today to pick up my stuff!”

“T-today?”

“Thank you!” I walked out the door before he could argue with me.

He would do what I asked, even if it ended up costing him more as a result. He was someone who felt that letting a pretty lady down was a personal fault. Well, that’s the impression I got from him. I was good at reading people, after all. I had to be. I didn’t want to end up trusting a group of slavers again.

He bit his lips, looking down at the coins, “The lowest I can go is nine coins.”

This guy! He only lowered by one coin! I bit my lip, shaking my head.

“I truly only have five,” I said, trying to put need into my voice.

“I’m already given you a good deal here.” He sighed. “Nine gold is practically robbery. If you don’t want it, then walk. You’ll have to, there isn’t any other stable in town. You might be able to convince the Typhoon family to sell you a horse though.”

I barely stopped myself from making a face at this guy. I had never had so much trouble before getting what I wanted. He was seriously starting to irritate me. Just take the loss, idiot. Fine. Then I’ll give you an offer you can’t refuse.

I reached out and grabbed his hands. “Please, sir, all I have is five. Can’t we work something out? I-I’ll do anything...” I let a blush reach my face.

He raised an eyebrow. “Anything?”

I got him, but I still looked shy and uncertain. “Y-yes...”

“Then, come into the back with me. Perhaps we can work something out.”

I smiled and then walked around toward the door he mentioned. As I walked through the door, he turned around and for the first time, I saw his whole body. His hooves clicked on the ground as he turned to me. That was all four hooves, through the body of a horse. My mouth fell open.

“What? You’ve never seen a centaur before?” He asked with a devilish grin.

“A-a centaur... is that a demon?”

“Oh yeah, we’re rare these days, but we used to be big back in the first demon war. Too many of my clansmen died. Well, we’re a promiscuous lot, so I’m confident our numbers will resurge.

“P-promiscuous... oh...” I looked down to see a massive thing growing hard.

“You said you were willing to do anything, didn’t you?” He asked innocently.

Some time land, the door boomed up and I walked into the first shop owner’s store. I was walking with my legs spread apart, taking each step slowly and deliberately.

“My lady Aria!” He broke into a smile. “I got your backpack enchanted just like you want. Everything’s loaded up. As for the bill...”

I tossed the entire back at him. “I don’t care.”

I picked up the bag and then turned around.

“W-wait... this is way more than we agreed upon!” he said in shock as he glanced in the bag. “In fact, it’s more than I even discounted you.”

“That bastard even took the 5 gold after...” I muttered.

“What?”

“Nothing!” I snapped. “Just keep it!”

I slammed the door on the surprised merchant. I decided I didn’t like bartering so much.