ALL NOVEL 6: Pharmacy
I sat down on the freshly made board and floated away from the window, controlling the wind. Slowly, I ascended and moved over the gate towards the castle town.
Beastmen have good hearing and are sensitive to changes in air currents. So, I moved slowly and carefully, making sure not to cause any disturbances.
Today, too, no one noticed that I had left the castle.
I passed through the main street of the castle town and spotted the roof of a familiar pharmacy at the far end. As usual, there were no people around. I landed in the thicket behind the shed.
After removing my robe and storing it in the magic bag, I lightly fixed my hair. Then, I took out the medicine box and slung it over my shoulder, completing my disguise as a village girl selling medicine.
My parents and sister used to mock me for my plain and unremarkable face, but such a featureless face blended in anywhere. Even when I traveled as a saint, I was never treated with undue suspicion, and in Bistonia, I was seen as just another human girl.
“I’m here to sell medicine~”
I called out to the shopkeeper at the back of the store as I stepped inside.
The rabbit shopkeeper, who had been dozing at the counter, twitched his ears and quickly raised his head.
“Missy. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Did something happen?”
“The paralyzing poison antidote you left last time, it all sold out!”
“So, the magical beasts did appear.”
The last time I visited the pharmacy, I brought a large quantity of antidote for paralyzing poison. It’s a common medicine in the Kingdom of Giranga, but since many beastmen have resistance to paralysis, it wasn’t stocked much in Bistonia. This shop only had one or two.
The shopkeeper, knowing the effectiveness of my medicines, was reluctant to buy a large quantity of something that wouldn’t sell. So, I half-forced him to take it, saying he could pay me for what sold the next time I visited.
I knew magical beasts would appear and that the medicine would be needed.
To be precise, I predicted it with high probability. In my country, I could have advised to avoid it, but that wasn’t possible here.
So, to minimize the damage, I decided to supply the pharmacy with a large stock.
“Yeah. And as you said, the bridge a day’s journey from here collapsed. You predicted the landslide before too, but how do you know?”
Both the bridge collapse and the appearance of magical beasts were related to the thunderstorm fifteen days ago.
I saw lightning strike outside my window, so I simulated the approximate location, damage estimation, and subsequent events in my mind. Based on the shopkeeper’s testimony about the distant howls of magical beasts during the storm, I determined with high probability that they would appear.
Since the demand for paralyzing poison antidote was low, obtaining the necessary herbs was challenging. I still haven’t fully grasped the market flow in this country. That was the specialty of the Industrial Saint.
I was relieved that the paralyzing poison antidotes I made from the herbs I managed to gather proved useful.
I gave the shopkeeper, who was tilting his head in wonder, a troubled look.
“I just brought what I was told to sell.”
“Considering the effectiveness of the medicines, does that apothecary have some special ability?”
The story that a relative made them was a convenient one. It allowed me to feign ignorance. The shopkeeper was somewhat trusting, but I had no intention of deceiving him. So far, he hadn’t suffered any losses.
“So, what did you bring today?”
“Three bottles of antidote. Additionally, three each of wound salve and antiseptic, and ten bottles of healing potion.”
I took out the medicines from the box and lined them up on the counter.
The bottles and cases containing the medicines were bought from this shop, with the cases color-coded by type. I always brought the same medicines, so the shopkeeper was used to it. He opened the lids to check the quality and soon nodded slightly.
“I’ll buy all of these again. The medicines you bring are always effective and helpful. The previous suppliers must be having a hard time now.”
“I can’t go too far on my own, and here, I can enjoy delicious food on my way back.”
The story is that the medicines are made by a beastman relative, and I sell them on his behalf because he has trouble with his legs. I told them I recently moved to Bistonia and was previously in the Kingdom of Giranga.
It’s clear I’m human, and lying about my homeland could reveal cultural differences at the wrong moment. So, even though I worried they might not like it, I answered honestly when asked.
He frowned slightly but continued our good relationship since I mentioned the medicines were made by my beastman relative.
No one has questioned my background further. Mixing in enough truth helps keep the lies hidden.
“Next time, bring five antidotes. Also, can you increase the production of the healing potions?”
“Actually, I was just considering that.”
“Really!”
“Yes. Could I also get a new medicine box and more bottles and cases than usual today?”
“That’s great news. I’ll give you a discount, so keep selling to us.”
The shopkeeper happily went to get the stock. The price was indeed lower than usual. He gave a significant discount on the bottles and cases.
The shopkeeper said, “Since you’ll be selling to us anyway.” I’ve grown accustomed to this place. The back of this shop is perfect for landing from the sky. I have no intention of taking my goods elsewhere. Gratefully, I accepted the items and left the shop.
With the medicine box slung over my shoulder, I headed to the market near the west gate.
This area charges a daily fee for setting up stalls, and many people from nearby villages come to sell herbs and vegetables.
Occasionally, shops selling rare items like antiques and old books appear, catering to nobles and merchants who seek such things and inform them of their availability.
Merchants from abroad also conduct business here. It’s illegal to buy and sell outside designated areas without submitting the necessary documents to the government.