Chapter 42

Chapter 42

The taro crisp is the latest big hit, or rather, every item in the sweet shop is a sensation.

Before the blind box game, Lanceville had many visitors, but the inexperienced ones would often get trapped in an endless shopping spree at the first card-collecting shop, even willing to work as a full-time, unpaid security guard just to maintain order and boost the shop's revenue.

But with the card collection and blind box game, one shop was no longer enough for them.

Only then did they realize the sheer number of gourmet shops in Lanceville!

Lanceville currently has three hundred shops, fifty of which were opened by the citizens themselves, and the remaining two hundred and fifty are owned by Phelos.

The reason was simple: the city hadn't developed due to a shortage of people.

Although Phelos offered free education, interest-free loans, and a three-month tax waiver, most citizens preferred becoming chefs after learning the trade rather than borrowing money to start their own businesses.

For a tourist city, fifty shops simply weren't enough. With no other choice, Phelos had to open stores themselves—250 in total.

But even with 300 shops, accommodating tens of thousands of tourists at once was a challenge.

These tourists weren’t just stopping by for a meal and leaving after a few days.

Once they arrived, they didn’t want to leave.

They spent their days wandering—or rather, spending—around the city.

From dawn till dusk, there wasn’t a moment when their mouths were idle.

Phelos had no choice but to implement purchase limits.

However, this restriction only made the tourists more frenzied.

Every morning, before shops even opened, queues stretched so long their ends were out of sight.

After buying from one shop, they'd rush to another, wishing they could split themselves into 300 to shop at each one.

The quota! Only two pastries per day, and if you miss today’s quota, it's gone tomorrow!

Rounding up, it's like missing out on a billion!!!

The logic of "I didn't buy = I lost" was so strong that even Phelos couldn’t find a counterargument.

So, they could only watch as their shops were constantly packed, with gold pouring in faster than a flood.

Leo, unable to be in two places at once, found the two-pastry limit for taro cakes incredibly challenging. He wanted some, but also had to cater to the Saintess and her maid.

Leo once offered to buy with gold, willing to pay 30 gold coins for a taro pastry priced at 30 copper, but before any regular customer could be tempted, he received a system warning.

[Gentle Reminder: You have shown tendencies of scalping behavior. Please cease immediately. Non-compliance will be recorded in your file. Choose wisely.]

Those lining up at the pastry shop included not just extraordinary beings and magical creatures but also the poor, earning mere copper coins daily.

Leo’s actions, while seemingly beneficial for those struggling in poverty, could bring significant income to the enslaved citizens.

Yet in reality, this was undermining the very life of the city.

At 30 gold coins for a taro pastry, there were countless willing buyers; even at 300 gold coins, they wouldn't find it too expensive.

If Phelos wanted to make that kind of money, why not price it at 30 gold coins?

Selling for 30 copper coins was a long-term business strategy. With a selling price of 30 copper, material costs of 10 copper, and expenses like rent, labor, machinery, and decor factored in, Phelos still profited over 10 copper per pastry.

Once livestock and dairy production scaled up, the profit margins would grow even more.

Currently, 50,000 to 80,000 taro pastries sell daily, bringing in a daily profit of 50 to 80 gold coins. Plus, there are ten other items in the shop with similar sales.

Each shop makes a net profit of 500 to 800 gold coins per day; with 300 shops, that's a total of 150,000 to 240,000 gold coins daily.

A price of 30 gold coins might only require selling 5,000 taro pastries to hit a profit of 150,000 gold coins, but how many jobs would it provide? What kind of development would it bring to Lanceville?

Wouldn't it just become an exclusive paradise for the elite, just like other cities?

The price will stay at 30 copper coins. Any higher, and ordinary citizens would never get a chance to taste it in their lifetime.

[Gentle Reminder: Repeating once more, you…]

Though there were only 300 shops, Lanceville had a thousand "All-Seeing Eyes" scattered throughout the city!

Capturing a keyword immediately ignites the passion of these idle "All-Seeing Eyes," with hundreds of "gazes" beaming down from the sky – an indescribable feeling.

Hearing the "Gentle Reminder," Leo panicked and repeatedly shouted, "Abort! Abort, abort, abort—"

Three black marks in the record and one would enter the blacklist system, barred from consuming anything but overpriced "second-hand hits" forever. No, this absolutely couldn’t happen!

Not being able to eat cake, barbecue, fried skewers, fried chicken, hot pot, spicy pot, bubble tea—how is this any different from hell!!!

Oh no, in hell, it's just bad food, but in this terrifying blacklist, you have to watch others enjoy your favorite cake, barbecue, fried skewers, fried chicken, hot pot, spicy pot, bubble tea, while you can only smell the air.

Too tragic, too tragic!

Even the devil would call the inventor of this punishment a reincarnation of the god of torture!

With no other choice, Leo had to make a mutual gift-giving promise with his oblivious subordinate.

Leo: "Lend me one today, and I'll return the favor tomorrow."

Subordinate: "My lord, it's not that I'm stingy, but I'm cursed to eat a taro pastry today or face death."

Leo: "...Who understands? Who really gets this kind of situation?"

It was just a thing worth 30 copper coins, but making a fuss over this could lead to petty revenge. Each time it's brought up in idle chatter, his frugality would make him socially 'die' a little.

But, but...

For the sake of the Saintess's friendship, endure it!

Leo grudgingly agreed to give him two tomorrow, finally leading to a situation where all three could enjoy the taro pastries.

"Thank you for the invitation." Mona nodded reservedly, her gaze drifting to the other bags in Leo's hand.

The pastry shop's style was girlish, and naturally, the bags were uniformly colored in a refreshing powder blue.

They were strikingly similar to the boxes containing the taro pastries.

Leo's heart skipped a beat, realizing he had forgotten to put them in his spatial ring in his rush.

What to do, what to do... Half-baked cheese, pineapple pie, pumpkin and red bean cake... he couldn't bear to part with any of them.

Leo steeled his heart and handed out from the bag— a flyer for "Collect Cards for Free Happy Water" to Mona and Anna.

"Lady Mona, Lady Anna, please follow me, I'll show you how to collect cards and enter the draw."

Leo smiled warmly, as if he wasn't the same person who sneakily hid the desserts in his spatial ring like guarding against thieves.

Mona: "..."

Anna: "..."

Though they admitted the taro pastries were delicious, it didn't have to be like this, they weren't some impoverished slaves.

Leo's few days in Lansville weren't for nothing; he knew exactly which shops were best for collecting cards.

First and foremost was Ellie's General Store, where one could buy white sugar for a few copper coins, but with a high-end confectionery around, people shopped there sensibly, according to need.

"A 9.5% discount storewide, and a lottery ticket for every 100 spent, with the grand prize being a box of half-baked cheese in every flavor!"

Leo, with reddened eyes and arms full, rushed to the cashier: "I need to check out, please!"

The usually calm and rational scene had completely spiraled out of control.

It was only a 9.5% discount, but there was a lucky draw! By the grace of the God of Light, I feel like today's my luckiest day!

Those with no idea of their own luck, the big spenders, were here.

Even the common folk, frugal to the point of stretching a copper coin into three, showed up.

"We need rice, have to buy flour, and stock up on tissues—they don't spoil. These are essentials; we'd buy them eventually. But now, with a 9.5% discount, spending 100 saves 5 copper. And who knows, maybe even hit the jackpot—a gold coin's worth! Let's do this!"

The commoners joined the fray!

People from afar, unclear of what was happening, but sensing something good, were drawn in.

"Rush first, ask questions later!"

Mona and Anna, squeezed out by the tide of people, watched the chaos in silence.

"Forget it, we've got our cards. Let's find a quieter shop to line up."

But long queues seemed a feature of Lansville; wherever they went, the lines stretched on and on.

"What's the point of all this! Just for a few cards, why are so many lining up?" Mona played with the exquisite card, admitting its beauty and quality. But it was just a card! No gems, no gold dust, no magical aura. What magic drives this obsession?

Could the reason be the "prize"?

Thinking this, Mona took out the flyer for a closer look.

The words "Limited Edition" in bold caught her eye, followed by "packaging".

"A limited edition packaging, that's what's driving this madness? What fools!"

Mona and Anna couldn't comprehend and were utterly astonished.

"Foolish humans, you just don't understand the greatness of Happy Water!"

Mona and Anna's voices, not particularly lowered, carried a disdain that angered the other card collectors in line.

Anna, though a servant, held a prestigious position as the Saintess's attendant, entrusted with the significant responsibility of security.

A level 87 Holy Light Swordsman, she feared nothing—

Now confronted by a group of Vampires, each no less than level 100.

Anna and Mona immediately bowed and apologized: "Sorry, our words were inappropriate. Actually, we do like this event; it's just the queue was too exhausting, we couldn't help but complain."

Anna's explanation was a stretch, normally leading to an inevitable fight, but considering the threat of a blacklist, the Vampires grimly accepted their apology.

Anna and Mona quietly queued, careful not to utter anything that might bring trouble.

Collecting three cards was relatively easy – a general store, a blacksmith, and a clothing shop. Apart from the general store, disrupted by the sudden promotional lottery, the other two only had queues for collecting cards.

The cards were free, but due to the crowd, the stores also did good business.

"No, no, you can’t just take orders below level 10! With so many customers, do you know how much business you’re losing?!"

The customer gripping the store owner was clearly dressed as a Dwarf, dark-skinned with a reddened nose, messy hair showing signs of singeing, but a well-groomed, thick, long beard. He had a row of green bottles on his belt, beer bought from the next-door supermarket, so delicious he finished ten while queuing.

The owner helplessly replied, "But I only make tools and weapons below level 10. How about this – the shop is currently for rent. Why don’t you check at the leasing center? If you're willing to take over, that would be great!"

The Dwarf's eyes sparkled. Confident in his master-level skills, he thought, taking over this shop means I can stay here and buy beer next door every day!

He'd heard the neighboring pub had a members’ day on the 5th of each month, offering a 9.5% discount and limited edition drinks.

If he settled here, that meant—every limited edition drink was within his reach!

"Alright, I’ll go ask right now!" Edmund, the Dwarf, grinned from beard to beard, rushing out like a whirlwind.

Mona, having collected three cards, was ready to leave but seemed rooted to the spot, frowning.

Anna asked worriedly, "Lady Mona?"

It was the same group of Vampires who cleared her confusion.

"Edmund is settling here?" The elegant Vampires, usually disdainful of the rowdy, unkempt, and smoky Dwarves, said, "Find out where he’s buying a house. Keep a distance; I don’t want to be neighbors with dirty Dwarves."

"Yes, my Lord Marquis."

Mona: "!!!"

Anna: "!!!"

Unlike humans, Vampires' titles are based on strength.

Even the lowest Marquis is at least level 150.

And then there's the name Edmund… Mona finally realized where her sense of familiarity came from!

It's the master blacksmith Edmund! The super master capable of crafting level 190 equipment!!!

Mona and Anna were astonished, but looking up, they saw mermaids, vampires, shrunken giants, elves, sea folks... well, it seemed there was nothing to be surprised about.

Mona was a bit bewildered. Lansville, in her memory, should still be a poor, remote territory. How did it suddenly become... more legendary than even the royal capital?

Lost in her thoughts, Mona followed the group of vampires to the Happy Water specialty store.

"Fifty cards." Edward grandly pulled out a box adorned with gems and pearls, gaudy yet magnificent, combining mystery and splendor—a card box custom-made at a mermaid's seafood market stall.

Though the cards were free, he loved them! Just casually stuffing them into a spatial ring lacked style! They had to be housed in a card box worth five million!

Most importantly—he'd even made a special trip to the Angels' Domain, spending thirty million to engrave it with a lucky inscription.

Anything kept in this box would be imbued with a touch of luck.

The hidden version, he was determined to get it!!!

The shop assistant tossed the cards and a magic seal into the air, and the shop suddenly darkened.

The customers tensed up: "A ten-pull! Someone actually assembled a ten-pull!"

"Will the hidden version appear?"

"Ahhhh, so exciting! Though I think a single pull is cooler, a ten-pull could yield eleven bottles of cola!"

In the darkness, the fifty fluttering cards resembled a scene of angels descending, with twinkling stars like a meteor shower entering the cards. The cards popped into countless fine sands scattering in all directions, then quickly coalesced into eleven orbs of light.

"Ahhhh, eleven bottles!!!"

The customers in the store were more excited than the actual participant, immediately sending out magical signals to inform friends and family: "Hurry over, someone's ten-pull resulted in eleven orbs of light, getting in on this good fortune might mean we're next to pull the hidden version!"

"Drawing ten times in a row might get you eleven items, but a complete set is hardly guaranteed. Getting non-duplicate items is almost as hard as winning the lottery."

"But whales fear nothing! Magic knows no bounds! Even in a game without microtransactions, they can triumph!"

"Countless people rushed to the specialty store upon hearing the news. Edward, witnessing this scene, felt more than ever that his money was well spent!!!"

"The first orb burst open, followed by a brilliant burst of golden light."

"Aaaaah—Golden light!!! It’s golden light!!! Jackpot aaaaah—"

"The excited screams seemed to tear through the air."

"Monaya and Anna clasped their hands tightly together. Though unsure why such excitement was necessary, they were swept up in the emotion, jumping and shouting with faces flushed red."

"The complete set!!!"

"Everyone shouted in unison, their roars more terrifying than a tsunami."

"The complete set! The complete set! The complete set!"

"When eleven bottles of 'Happy Water', each unique, appeared before everyone, they went wild."

"A dwarf screamed, 'Handsome and lucky Edward, please shake my hand aaaaah—'"

"Edward extended his hand with dignified grace."

"The dwarf, nearly fainting from excitement, trembled all over, wishing to never wash that hand again in his lifetime."

"'Handsome and imposing Lord Edward, please shake my hand too!'"

"Edward, who had spent thirty-five million gold coins, was undoubtedly the brightest star in Lancelville that day!"

"'Amazing!' Two hours later, Monaya and Anna, pushed out of the store by the crowd, held their right hands that had touched Edward’s, grinning foolishly."

"'That settles it! I’m going for the complete set too!'"

"The first draw only needs three cards, meaning a ten-draw just needs forty-five more cards! This is going to be a breeze—"

"‘Huff, huff—Delicious, delicious. How can there be something so delicious in this world! Boss, ten more meat sandwiches! What? Limited to two per person? Darn! Then another sandwich, and two bowls of…’"

"Collecting cards should be a simple task theoretically, but while it’s easy to quickly queue up and leave with cards from the grocery, blacksmith, and clothing stores, can the same be said for the sandwich shop, beef patty store, pizza shop, candy house, and bubble tea store?"

"From starting at the meat sandwich shop at eleven in the morning to heading to the barbecue restaurant for a trial at eight in the evening, Monaya and Anna had only collected six cards."

"Barbecue restaurant, slurp slurp... Forget about watching one's figure or worrying about gaining weight, all those useless thoughts were completely purged."

"Now, the only thoughts in her head were barbecue, barbecue, and more barbecue."

"Hearing from the customers in the beef offal soup shop, it's a must to order grilled cheese, diaphragm, and beef tongue. Don't make the same mistake as him, foolishly sharing them with companions. When he mentioned these three items, tears of longing actually streamed down his face. They must be delicious!"

"Though she had just finished eating beef offal, Monaya felt as if she was starving to death. It had been a whole ten minutes since she last ate!"

"Fortunately, the beef offal shop was not far from the barbecue restaurant, just a two subway stop journey."

"'Monaya, right? Fifteen years old this year?'"

"Monaya nervously underwent the scrutiny of Filos, feeling even more anxious and frightened than her first time meeting the Pope."

"She couldn’t sense Filos's level; there wasn’t even a trace of magical fluctuation around him. But given he managed to maintain peace among various races in Lancelville, it was clear he was a formidable figure not to be trifled with."

"'Fifteen years, eight months, and three days.' Unsure if Filos thought she was too young or too old, Monaya reported her age with precise accuracy."

"'Hmm...' Filos pondered for a moment."

"Monaya wasn't the ideal candidate, too young in Filos’s eyes, still a minor who should prioritize her studies."

"'Lord, I am fully aware of my lack of experience and qualifications, but my passion for cinema is both sincere and fervent. Please give me this opportunity. I will use all my might to promote it among the people!'"

"Although she was a bit young, Monaya looked at him with eyes as pitiful as a puppy's, full of anxiety and hope. Well, then, okay."

"It definitely wasn't because her proposal to handle all the promotion moved him!"