Chapter 13.2

“Sometimes showing is better than a thousand words.”

He opened the back of the carriage and pulled out a massive oak barrel, nearly the size of a grown man’s torso.

With a practiced motion, he tapped the barrel and poured its contents into a cup.

“Here, a refreshing drink for you.”

The familiar golden liquid poured out in a steady stream.

“Beer!”

The sight of beer made Trevis and his companions momentarily lose their sanity.

“How much is it?!”

It had been nearly a week since they’d had a proper meal. Water, melted from the snow, was their only sustenance. But now, a frothy mug of beer sat tantalizingly within reach.

As if hypnotized, they reached for their coin pouches, revealing not only copper coins but also a decent number of silvers.

“One mug for 30 copper.”

Trevis and his party froze, their hands halfway to their coin pouches.

“What?!”

Beer, typically 2–3 copper per mug in a village, was now being sold at ten times the price.

“If you don’t have money, monster materials work as trade.”

“But… that’s too expensive!”

Trevis hesitated, glancing cautiously at Arad.

“Do I really need to pay that much…?”

The temptation of beer warred with his common sense.

“Should we just kill him and take it?”

The thought crossed their minds. After all, many adventurers from the North were little better than vagrants or bandits.

“He’s alone, isn’t he?”

“Even if he’s a mage, a surprise close-range attack might work.”

“There’s probably more food and water in that carriage.”

The idea seemed almost natural, given their desperation.

“Of course, the price may seem steep,” Arad began, seemingly aware of their thoughts.

“But consider this: I’m running a business alone in the Demonic Realm. It’s tiresome and troublesome.”

His calm, deliberate tone carried an undertone that hinted at danger.

A golden carriage, operating deep within the Demonic Realm, wasn’t just unusual—it was unthinkable.

Trevis’s party hesitated, suddenly noticing how unnervingly quiet the area was.

“Even the monsters aren’t coming near!”

This realization added to their growing unease.

“He must be a powerful mage.”

“Maybe even an S-rank adventurer backed by the Imperial Guild?”

The more they thought about it, the more their reckless ideas seemed suicidal.

“Let’s just pay. Think of it as the price for staying alive.”

Reluctantly, they decided to pay up. After all, just moments ago, they had been willing to pay a silver for stew.

Clink, clink.

The golden, frothy beer sparkled tantalizingly before them.

“I’ll pay! And I’d like food and healing as well!”

“Beer, food, and healing? That will be 1 silver and 50 copper for you. You seem to have only minor injuries.”

“W-what? Oh, alright…”

Trevis was the first to hand over his coins.

“Wise choice. Your food will be ready shortly. Those needing treatment, please remove your bandages and wait.”

“I’ll pay too!”

“Me as well!”

“Take all my money!”

One by one, the others followed suit, handing over silver and copper coins.

—

A Short While Later

“This… this is heaven.”

“Thank you, ancestors.”

“I spent 2 silvers on treatment, but it was worth it. I managed to save my arm.”

“Money? We’ll make it back once we sell these monster materials in town.”

Trevis’s party lounged near Arad’s Golden Carriage, sipping beer with blissful expressions. Their freshly bandaged wounds gleamed cleanly, a testament to Arad’s expert treatment.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“So the rumors about his healing skills were true.”

“Well, he’s a mage. Of course his healing would be extraordinary.”

“Hey, what about that red potion he used? Can we buy that separately? It seems amazing.”

Even without a deep understanding of medicine, they could feel their wounds rapidly healing.

“Now then, here’s your meal.”

Arad approached with a tray in each hand, laden with unfamiliar yet tantalizing dishes.

“What’s that smell…”

“Wow…”

Though they’d never seen food like it, the aroma alone made their mouths water.

“I guess the price was worth it after all.”

They’d expected a simple Arad Stew but were presented with something far superior.

“What is this dish?”

Trevis asked, drooling as he stared at the unfamiliar meal.

“Ah, this? It’s called a hamburger and fries.”

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