CHAPTER 48: THE MERCHANT’S MEASURE

The estate of the once-proud Crydias family stretched before them, a dignified sprawl of stone and shadow nestled within Caerywn’s eastern quarter—quiet, sun-drenched, and aging with grace.

Marble arches leaned like elderly caretakers, proud but weary, and the garden paths wound through untrimmed hedges that whispered of better days.

"I know it looks... less,"

Virellen began, mischief curling at the edge of her voice like a ribbon of smoke.

"But this was once the envy of every merchant in the capital."

Aurevia’s gaze passed over the dull sheen of tarnished lanterns and worn statuary.

"Was,"

She repeated softly, crimson eyes narrowing with the instinctive scrutiny of one born to high halls.

"The bones are still noble."

"The bones don’t pay taxes,"

Virellen quipped with a grin, gesturing them forward.

Serineth walked a step behind, silent, the hem of her dress brushing the loose cobblestones. Her blue eyes darted between the ivy-choked pillars and the cracked mosaic beneath her sandals.

Cellione yawned, stretching her arms.

"I was expecting something flashier. You know, with fountains and lightning shows. Maybe a griffon or two chained out front."

"We had peacocks once,"

Virellen offered airily,

"but they got eaten."

"By what?"

Cellione blinked.

"My father’s investments."

They all laughed—even Serineth, quietly, behind her hand.

Virellen continued the tour with flair, sweeping her hand toward the once-ornate courtyard.

"The merchant hall is that way, though we don’t host traders here anymore. The baths still work—mostly cold water, unless you sweet-talk the pipes—and the east wing has been sealed off due to ’mysterious creaking.’"

"Mysterious creaking?"

Aurevia echoed, arching a brow.

"Ghosts of profits past,"

Virellen said gravely.

They moved on, laughter trailing behind them like the scent of lavender in old linens. Inwardly, each of the girls understood what they were seeing—this was a family clawing its way back from decline, proud enough not to abandon their home, but humbled enough to let the cracks show.

By the time they reached the front steps again, the sun had begun its descent behind the city’s tallest towers.

A pair of carriages rolled in through the gate, bearing the unmistakable crest of the Crydean merchant house. Caelthorn and Maristella had returned.

The carriage doors opened, and out stepped the couple—still dressed in their traveling coats, faces sun-kissed and weary.

Caelthorn’s eyes found Alaric first. The man’s composure cracked into a faint smile as he approached.

"Lord Alaric,"

He said with a low bow.

"Forgive us. We should have been here to greet you properly."

Maristella followed suit, bowing gracefully.

"We came as soon as we received the letter."

Alaric nodded, calm as still water.

"Please raise your head, Sir. You’ve returned. That’s all that matters."

"Give us an hour to freshen up,"

Caelthorn said, straightening his coat.

"Then we’ll speak at dinner."

*****

✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢

✶ I Reincarnated as an Extra ✶

✧ in a Reverse Harem World ✧

⊱ Eternal_Void_ ⊰

✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢

*****

Later That Evening

The dining room bore the elegance of faded affluence. Candlelight warmed the dusky wood, and the long table groaned gently under the weight of simple, well-prepared food.

Roasted duck glazed in honey, herb-buttered roots, and steaming bowls of rice infused with saffron and smoke.

The four girls sat near Alaric, dressed in lighter wear. Virellen had changed into a forest-green gown that showed her family crest subtly sewn near the collar. Maristella sat opposite, attentive as always, her manner refined and warm.

Caelthorn cleared his throat, picking at his plate.

"About the restaurant... the location we have in mind is close to the northern commons. Most foot traffic in the city flows through there. It’s noisy, unpolished, and full of hungry mouths."

"Perfect for the brand we’re aiming for,"

Maristella added.

"Affordable, welcoming, popular among lower merchants and commoners alike."

Cellione gave an approving nod.

"A restaurant for the people."

"But,"

Caelthorn’s voice dipped slightly,

"securing a property in that exact junction has been... difficult."

Aurevia tilted her head.

"Difficult how?"

"Too many bidders. Nobles purchasing blocks to raise rent. Some guild-backed inns blocking newcomers. We’re being edged out before the first coin even drops."

Serenite stirred.

"Is it corruption?"

"Not exactly. Just greed in its usual mask."

Alaric, who had remained quiet, finally spoke.

"Then we buy our way in."

Caelthorn blinked.

"With respect, Lord Alaric, even if we liquidate everything, we’ll only just meet the asking price—and that won’t be enough for renovation."

"I see."

Alaric rose from his seat.

"W-where are you—?"

Caelthorn began, but fell silent when Alaric raised a hand.

Alaric extended his palm.

A golden shimmer blinked into reality, and from it—gold began to pour. He took them out from the treasury inside the divine heart core.

Coins struck the stone with a soft clink, a waterfall of polished gleam. The room fell utterly still.

CLINK—CLINK—CLINK—

The servants nearby gasped. Maristella covered her mouth. Even Caelthorn, a man hardened by trade and droughts, found his mouth parting.

The pile grew. Not just coins, but ancient gold, thickly stamped with forgotten emblems and etched with mana-infused veins.

Alaric turned to him calmly.

"We don’t need coin from you. In fact, I want to sell something."

"You want me to sell this?"

Caelthorn walked to the pile, stunned.

Alaric nodded.

Caelthorn reached down, letting the coins fall through his fingers.

"These... these are ancient. The purity alone—there’s magic residue inside them."

"They’re from a kingdom that no longer exists,"

Alaric said.

"Ruined in the demon wars. We cleared a dungeon. That’s where they came from."

He paused, then smiled faintly.

"100,000 years old. Probably more."

Caelthorn swallowed.

"This is... antique gold. The market will riot."

"Which is why I’m giving it to you. Please sell it. Take commission. Treat it like any merchant would."

Caelthorn hesitated, until Alaric added,

"The gold isn’t the main thing."

The atmosphere thickened. Everyone felt it.

Alaric’s golden eyes shifted. A silent order passed from gaze to gaze. Caelthorn stood and dismissed the servants with a simple gesture.

When the room emptied, Alaric raised his hand again.

A dome of divine energy burst outward—not hostile, but firm. It wrapped the room in silence. No whisper would pass beyond its border.

Then—a crystal.

A translucent gem emerged from Alaric’s palm, purer than any Caelthorn had seen. The mana in the air pulsed. Fresher. Stronger.

Caelthorn’s breath caught.

"A Mana Crystal?"

Alaric smiled.

"[Grade-5], probably."

Caelthorn’s heart raced.

"Lord Alaric... if that reaches the market..."

"I don’t care what happens in the market,"

Alaric interrupted with a smile teasing smile.

"Your job is to sell it. We’ll offer protection up until the point of sale. After that, it’s the buyer’s problem."

Maristella stepped forward.

"A [Grade-5] mana crystal ... it’s priceless. A treasure fit for a royal vault. Even Velmora hasn’t seen one in decades."

Alaric turned to her, amused.

"Well, now they have."

Caelthorn, still stunned, exhaled deeply.

"Do you realize the kind of chaos this will cause?"

"No,"

Alaric said.

"And I don’t want to. Just sell it."

He placed the crystal into Caelthorn’s trembling hands.

Caelthorn stared, overwhelmed.

"We’ll—"

"You’ll get your cut,"

Alaric added gently.

"Standard commission. Nothing more, nothing less."

Virellen smiled.

"Just take it and sell it Father. This type of chance doesn’t come by everyday. "

Alaric began walking toward the door. The girls followed. Virellen got up as well. She joined the girls. As he passed Caelthorn, he said quietly,

"This isn’t about money. It’s about setting a foundation."

Caelthorn looked down at the glowing crystal.

His hands shook.

Not from fear—but exhilaration.

Maristella approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You alright?"

Caelthorn smiled, wide and wild.

"She wasn’t wrong, dear. Virelaine made the right call."

Maristella nodded slowly.

"We did the right thing trusting them."

"We need to prepare,"

He said.

"Get buyers, screens, silent channels. Sell the gold first. Then, the crystal."

He began to store the gold into his spatial ring with careful reverence.

"We hit the jackpot,"

He murmured, more to himself than to her.

"We really, really did."

Maristella, watching her husband smile for the first time in weeks, smiled as well.

The winds of fortune had shifted—and they were blowing their way.

***

Alaric and the girls where walking towards their room when Virellen asked

"Why did you do that?"

"What do you mean?"

Alaric asked back.

"That selling part. Where you told Father that he could take commission from selling the gold and mana crystal. I can see that you want to help. So could you not have just directly given him the money for it?"

Alaric stopped and turned back look at her with an amused expression and said

"I thought you were smart but guess your not."

"What do mean? Are you saying I’m an idiot?"

Alaric shook his head. He looked her into the eyes and said.

"If I were to actively extend a hand to help it will seem like pity. It’s as if I fell pity because he can’t afford to buy a decent place. And to a prideful man like your father, it would be nothing more than mockery of his situation.

But since I’m giving him money for the work he is doing, he at least keep the last bit of pride he has left."

Virellen nodded with a solemn expression. Clearly she hadn’t thought this deeply. The same goes for the others. Their journey to their room was quiet. Only their foot steps could be heard.

Alaric said goodnight to the girls as he entered the room he was assigned to. The girls nodded and entered their room as well.

Virellen has left to go to her own room which is not here. She said she is going to move over to one of the empty rooms near here.

Today was the first day and night in the Crydias estate. All of them went to bed early.

-To Be Continued