Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength
Chapter 459 - 456: The Gift Shop

Chapter 459: Chapter 456: The Gift Shop

In mid-July, news of the Magician from a heretical cult making an appearance began to spread through the city.

However, by the end of the month, under the opinion control of Springs, the city had returned to its normal rhythm, as the influence of the news subsided like a lowering flag.

Faced with the contrasting advice of two individuals, Ronald thought it over and still decided to approach the church. He made a veiled request, indicating that he hoped to acquire Saint Catherine’s Sword.

The church’s attitude...

It was not unexpected.

In fact, they were as generous as ever towards Ronald.

For a relic of such great significance linked to a Saint, it took less than three days after Ronald’s request for the sword, wrapped in black cloth, to be delivered into his hands without any mention of a return date.

Isn’t this essentially saying, "Take it and use it as you please"?

However, unlike the church’s utterly amiable attitude, the official stance of Springs was more nuanced. Although Ronald had an audience with Queen Dantrian one evening and even received some suggestions from her,

No changes occurred around Ronald after that day.

Eileen continued her usual work ’protecting’ Ronald in his office every day, no additional investigators were dispatched to the vicinity of his residence, and there were no other possible changes whatsoever.

This ’do nothing’ attitude

Was precisely what Ronald felt was the most difficult to handle.

Caught in this dilemma, time approached the end of July.

Ronald was half-leaning over his office desk, browsing through the day’s newspapers, with the bustling White Star District streets outside the window behind him. Even though he no longer cared about the impact of the weather, he still couldn’t quite enjoy the summer scents in the city.

It was at this moment that Philis leaned in close, also resting on the desk.

And then her gaze locked with Ronald’s vacant stare:

"Ronald, I heard there’s a new store opening tonight in the commercial district. Let’s go check it out together, shall we?"

Ronald nodded in agreement before asking:

"What’s the shop called?"

While twirling her hair around her finger, Philis explained to Ronald, "It’s called Dantès Gift Shop. They specialize in selling rare items brought back from overseas colonies. I’m quite interested."

Upon hearing the name of the store, Eileen, who had been working on some documents, looked up.

She witnessed two adults lying on the office desk like dead fish.

The investigator girl slightly shook her head and then spoke:

"The Dantès Gift Shop belongs to a retired senior from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is also one of those in the know about the mystical side of things. You’re not going to find anything interesting there."

"..."

"Ugh..."

Since their faces were close together, Ronald could clearly see Philis’s expression fall, followed by a slight pout.

Still resting on the office desk, the former spy spoke up:

"Eileen, I really just wanted to go take a look, don’t get the wrong idea. Someone like me, who came from the countryside and hasn’t seen much of the world, gets curious about these new things."

Eileen donned an utterly unconvinced expression and picked up another stack of documents to work on: "Then I wish you a pleasant visit, Miss Philis."

In response to Eileen’s reaction.

Eloise was still sprawled across the desk when she shrugged at Ronald.

"That’s how it is..."

The afternoon passed in a mix of boring daydreaming and diligent work.

After dinner, the trio left the Ginkgo Leaf Commercial Union offices in the White Star District and headed towards the nearby commercial area.

In fact, over the course of these days, Ronald and Eloise had established a certain tacit understanding with Elaine.

Their pattern of interaction was basically Ronald and Eloise walking ahead, doing the things they had prepared to do, with Elaine keeping a certain distance behind them, observing and taking notes without affecting the others.

Although they didn’t take a carriage, the three of them moved swiftly.

They quickly arrived at the commercial district and found the Dantès Gift Shop that Eloise had mentioned.

Based on first impressions alone, this store was certainly impressive.

Located in a prime area of the commercial district, the shop’s decoration and design had been thoughtfully executed, and the clientele on the opening day was exclusively from high society.

In such an environment,

Ronald had no complaints for the day.

Without the allure of a dance to attract attention, he and Eloise did their best not to dress too extravagantly. In this case, aside from the staff, almost no one in the bustling opening of the gift shop noticed them.

Watching Eloise amble leisurely through the shop,

it was fair to say this was an opportunity to experience a relaxed lifestyle.

The shop’s merchandise was varied and diverse, with few fakes due to the owner’s reputation. In this universally enjoyable shopping experience, Eloise’s gaze was continually drawn to interesting products.

"Ronald, look at this! This is a spoil of war the Grid military managed to seize after battling the locals in the Great Cedar Forest!"

Upon hearing this lengthy introduction, Ronald immediately raised an eyebrow,

"You mean, this gift shop can even get its hands on military spoils?"

"It’s just the usual disposal of war booty," Eloise promptly shook her head in denial before explaining to Ronald, "Expecting the military itself to turn such things into wealth is impossible."

"Native instruments, fresh flora and fauna, and ’medals’ that highlight the victor’s status—such items are generally packaged and sold at low prices to specific individuals, who then harness their skills to turn them into money."

At this point, Ronald became interested:

"From what you’re saying... it sounds like this industry is quite well-developed?"

"Not just Grid, most countries do this. It’s just that Grid has the most overseas colonies, and so naturally, they make the largest profit from it," Eloise acknowledged while cheerfully pointing at the native wind instrument in her hand, "Ronald, buy this for me, and I’ll play it for you back home!"

Ronald nodded without hesitation:

"Of course, no problem!"

While the two of them were joking and laughing, an unremarkable man, also browsing in the store, passed by them.

They brushed shoulders, his figure indistinct among the countless others in the gift shop.

Yet there were still differences in the details.

In the instant they brushed past each other, the man wore a very gentlemanly smile on his face and then spoke in a voice only they could hear:

"Mr. Ronald, I am ready to keep our appointment tonight."

"Let’s make sure not to miss each other."

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