"Astraea Familia?"
Jeanne's eyes lit up. She finished her business with the merchant, held the paper bag full of oranges, and stood against the wall on the side of the road with Ronan.
Watching the crowd quickly gather toward the commotion to see what was happening, she asked curiously, "Is that the Familia belonging to Lady Astraea, the goddess of stars, order, and justice?"
Ronan peeled an orange while answering, "That's right. The Astraea Familia is called the 'Wings of Justice' by the citizens. They are one of the main groups keeping order in the city."
"So, their job is similar to the security force of the Ganesha Familia or the Guild staff?" Jeanne asked.
Ronan found that question a little hard to answer. He thought for a moment and spoke carefully, "Well... how should I put it? The Ganesha Familia, under Lord Ganesha, the Master of the Masses, are adventurers, but they also have the official duty of keeping public order."
"You can think of them as an official security group that works with the city."
"The Astraea Familia is more like a group that keeps order on its own. Maybe... helpers working alongside them. Or maybe partners." He paused and added, "This is just my personal guess. I don't know the exact details."
After saying that, Ronan could not help wondering whether the Guild paid the Astraea Familia anything because of their relationship.
If they really did all this for free just because they wanted to, then he truly admired them.
After all, doing such a thankless job for no pay was something he definitely could not do.
But when he thought of Astraea, the Goddess of Justice, he immediately shook his head.
Wait, what am I thinking? Ronan suddenly paused and thought to himself. I already have enough of my own problems. Why am I worrying about other people? I must be too bored.
Jeanne's gaze also fell on the Astraea Familia members handling the dispute. Her expression turned a little complicated.
...Doing all that and asking for nothing back?
Ronan saw her expression from the corner of his eye and understood.
Wasn't she like that once? And in the end, she was burned at the stake.
He was smart enough not to say it out loud.
"Ronan," Jeanne pursed her lips and asked in a low voice, "What would you do if it were you?"
Hearing that question, Ronan didn't hesitate for even a second. "In the world of adults, ideals come second. Profit comes first."
The girl fell silent. Her past flashed through her mind, and she looked thoughtful.
Indeed, a person cannot be too naive.
Before doing anything, you have to think about every side, especially when other people's interests are involved.
Seeing Jeanne start thinking, Ronan said nothing more.
He turned to the merchant.
"Boss, these oranges are good. I haven't had them before. Are they new?"
"You have good taste, Ronan," the merchant replied warmly. "This is the 'Hiiragi Orange' that Lady Demeter just finished testing. It was only released in small amounts this year! Want some more? At this rate, the price won't be the same next month!"
Hiiragi Oranges?
The corners of Ronan's mouth curled up.
"Fine, give me another bag."
"That will be 850 Valis."
"Thank you."
…
Nearby, the commotion caused by an argument quickly died down under the mediation of the Astraea Familia members.
Jeanne had lost interest in walking around.
"Are we done?" Ronan asked.
"Yes."
"Alright, let's get to business then."
However, reality soon hit Ronan hard.
Inside a Demeter Familia shop.
"What?! 5,000 Valis for a 5kg bag of rice?!" Ronan looked at the price tag, stunned. "It was only 2,000 before! It hasn't even been a month!"
He was completely shocked.
The clerk was an old acquaintance, and they explained apologetically, "Sorry, Ronan. This price wasn't set by Lady Demeter. It's the current market situation. You know what I mean, right?"
"..."
Ronan looked at the other labels on the shelves. His eyes twitched. No new rice was under 3,000!
Even the cheapest rice was 2,000 Valis now. What was going on?!
Thinking about Evilus's recent actions, he suddenly shuddered.
Did some people hear something? Or are big merchants hoarding goods?
Realizing that, Ronan felt a chill. There were always smart people in this world. If he did not have his own advantage, he would not have expected this change.
He looked at the absurd prices and sighed.
In the end, he didn't haggle. He gritted his teeth and spent 200,000 Valis to buy two 50kg bags of rice and two bags of flour.
After that, the two of them bought meat, eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, spices, and butter. They headed home carrying many bags.
With these supplies, they would not need to buy more for a while.
"The... price increase is too much." Even though she wasn't sensitive to numbers, Jeanne found it hard to believe.
"Demeter Familia products are always high quality. This is top-quality rice and flour. The taste and nutrition are the best. It's just that the price jump is a bit crazy." Ronan's mouth twitched as he carried the rice. It still hurt to think about the moment he paid.
But as a food lover, he told himself it was worth it.
…
"Finally home." They put the groceries in the yard and sat at the stone table to rest and drink water.
They had spent nearly a million Valis on this trip.
After leaving the market, the two of them went to a tailor shop and the Blue Pharmacy.
At the tailor shop, they bought Jeanne daily clothes, training clothes, and combat clothes. They got potions at the Blue Pharmacy and bought adventurer tools and a backpack at The Generalist.
Altogether, it took a painful chunk out of Ronan's current savings.
But the spending was worth it. Once they started exploring the Dungeon together, the speed at which they made money would grow quickly.
The money was not really gone. He had just spent it on things they needed.
…
After walking all day, their bodies were fine, but they were mentally tired. The plan to eat out was postponed.
They had a simple dinner and then collapsed on the sofa and floor in the living room, enjoying the quiet evening.
"I like the sound of summer rain, but without the light of a fire in the fireplace, it feels like something is missing," Ronan said, looking at the ceiling.
"Oh, you like rainy days and fireplaces?" Jeanne opened her eyes.
"Of course. Every autumn, I look forward to the snow so I can light the fireplace," Ronan nodded.
Jeanne lay on her side on the sofa, resting her head on one hand. A few strands of blonde hair fell. She looked at Ronan with a smile. "I didn't expect you to have such a childish side." After spending time with him, she saw Ronan as mature and steady, but now...
"Childish?" Ronan looked at Jeanne. "Then how about I show a more grown-up side of myself? Try on the combat clothes we bought today. See if they fit, and check the tailor's work while you're at it."
"..."
Jeanne was innocent, but she wasn't stupid. She saw through Ronan's little trick right away.
He just wanted to see her in the combat clothes, but he made it sound like there was a proper reason.
Thinking about that, her cheeks turned slightly red. "What's... what's so special about looking at combat clothes..."
"Jeanne~~~" Ronan dragged out her name.
"...I really can't do anything about you." She sighed softly. Her voice was very quiet. "I... I'll do it."