The two had come out to get the materials needed for Boris's experiment: a bucket of water that met certain conditions.
It was the pond in the garden of this inn on Pantheon Street, and Julia gave Boris a generous amount of money for supplies as well as pocket money.
"One lanion would be a lot for water."
"Really? I thought I had studied the Semele prices wrong."
Boris sighed in relief. He had become quite familiar with Semele's prices and culture, but he thought he would have to learn it again.
Boris grumbled as he walked out with Julia.
"Did I wear that hat? If so, just leave this guy alone!"
"These days, there is a drought, so the price of water has gone up. The capital is fine, but I hear that some regions are running low on water."
The knight closest to her gave a little hint. Julia blinked and looked around.
"So the central fountain was dry. They also sell water-saving faucets and watering cans."
In fact, those two are the most popular on Pantheon Street right now.
The most recent reports she's seen are that there was a mild drought in some areas, but it looks like the impact was bigger than expected.
"I'm worried. I hope it doesn't get any worse."
The two chatted as they returned the way they had come. When they entered a quiet area leading to the palace.
"They say that if you just eat this, all your illnesses will be cured. Trust me!"
"You're not even a member of the National Assembly. Are you sure?"
"Huh? You don't know me? Mr. Smith, tell me quickly!"
"Oh my, you bastard. I told you! My baldness was cured after taking the medicine this girl made!"
"Huh? That was this lady's medicine?! Then give me some too! Th, ahem, does it work on other areas too?"
"Aha, that's what you're worried about? Of course, some things are good for your stamina too!"
"Ugh! Quiet, quiet! Give me ten!"
"I have athlete's foot ointment!"
An unexpected business deal took place.
A young woman with her hair tied up in a ponytail was soliciting customers in a friendly manner. After a while, three middle-aged men who had been sold to her were excited and bought a bunch of drugs.
"Your Majesty, is that real?"
Boris whispered with a curious look on his face. Julia looked at the woman who was sorting out the empty basket.
'...I smell a scammer?'
There's a cure for everything you ask for, you didn't even order it in advance.
'Hmm.'
Julia thought for a moment, then walked in that direction. Boris and the knight escort followed behind.
"Welcome! What would you like?"
The woman, her red ponytail dangling, called out in a friendly tone. Julia pretended to stop by and asked casually as she looked at the stalls.
"Hello. I just overheard that if you take these medicines, any illness will be cured. Is that true?"
"Oh my, if it cures any illness, it's a panacea?"
The woman waved her hand. Julia hesitated. Oh, so she's not a con artist?
"It's not a panacea, but whatever you're looking for is right here!"
"Aha, I see!"
Boris snapped his fingers and shouted.
No. Why are you just passing it by again?
Boris was still a naive boy who had a lot to teach. Julia secretly grabbed his coattails and gave him a hint.
"Hmm. Then, I guess you have the medicine I'm looking for?"
"Oh, of course. Let me see... shall I try to guess?"
The woman confidently exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron.
'Hmm, so you know how to do mind reading too?'
Julia was becoming more and more convinced that she was a fraud, but it was still strange. Julia nodded in defeat.
The woman looked intently at her face, transformed by her illusionary magic, with a confident expression.
"Madam?"
Suddenly, the woman looked at her with a curious look. Just as Julia was about to ask with a smiling face why she was doing that.
"You're not a Young Lady, you're a Madam. You're so young. I guess you got married early."
"... Yes?"
Julia paused at the unexpected remark. The woman smiled as if she was excited and said.
"Does your husband use a sword?"
"Yes?"
"Right? He's really tall. He's handsome, but he's a bit blunt."
What, what is it? Do you really know how to do mind reading?
Julia's eyes widened in surprise. Boris's mouth opened wide enough to make his jaw drop.
"How did you know?"
Julia asked, bewildered.
She thought she was a fraud, but could it be that she was a hidden master? A nameless genius? A person with unknown abilities?
The woman who had been spreading out a whole bunch of new medicines giggled at the reaction. Then she shrugged her shoulders cheerfully and said.
"You came with her to go shopping on this busy afternoon, so you must be the husband, not her fiancé. But you came with her and didn't say anything, so I'm being rude!"
The woman's finger pointed at the escort knight a few steps behind her. The knight who was suddenly pointed out flinched, and Julia's expression, which had turned away, became strange.
"Father, husband, you are um... You are tall."
Boris, who noticed it too late, muttered awkwardly.
"Right? Am I right? That's what I'm saying. I'm so good at satisfying my customers' needs. They all become regulars because they're so perfect."
The woman, who hadn't noticed, shouted loudly. It wasn't a poison, but a joke, but Julia was curious about the woman's sly attitude.
"Really? You must have been in business for a long time."
When Julia asked, the woman nodded vigorously, slowly starting to sell.
"Originally, I traveled around Semele. But these days, many regions are suffering from drought, so I plan to stay in the capital for the time being."
"Oh, I see."
"If you become a regular customer, I'll give you a discount! Yes, then what kind of medicine do you need?"
The woman had a look of great anticipation in her eyes.
A noble lady who was well-dressed and even had a servant and a knight husband. She doesn't know for sure, but it seemed like she could make a lot of money.
'Maybe I can sell everything left today!'
The woman quickly bent down and whispered.
"Looking for some pain relief?"
“Um, no.”
"Then, a medicine that makes your skin better?"
"No."
The types are increasing. Some pills make hair grow faster, pills that make you grow taller, and pills that improve eyesight that even blind people can see.
In addition, the woman gave her about ten more medicines, each with incredible and miraculous effects.
'How far do you sell the drugs?"
Julia was amazed at the endless variety of scams out there. The scammers weren't ordinary.
"A drug that changes your husband?"
This guy? Julia looked at the woman with wide eyes.
"Hahaha. Just kidding, just kidding! Hmm, then what medicine are you looking for, madam?"
The woman winked playfully. Julia responded with a laugh at the playful reaction.
"Then, is there a drug that can tell the future?"
"Aha! You found it. Just a moment!"
The woman hummed and took out a large bag and began to rummage through it. It seemed to be filled with all sorts of medicines. Her attitude was so natural that Julia, who had asked, was embarrassed.
"Wait a minute, there really is a drug that can tell you the future?"
"Of course. But since I made it yesterday, it's not quite finished. Please wait a little longer!"
There was no way that could be possible, but the woman was calm. She turned around and took something out of her bag, clanking it busily.
Julia, who had been bewildered, chuckled.
'I guess I'll have to hand her over to the Capital Guard. Fortunately, from what I've heard from people, it doesn't seem like she's selling toxic drugs...'
After all, fraud is fraud. As Queen Semele, Julia could not turn a blind eye to people making money by exploiting people's earnest hearts.
Finally, it was time for Julla to secretly nod to her escort knight and order him to call the guards.
"Adele!"
"Ugh, Adele!"
Suddenly, there was a loud noise, and four or five little children came running, crying.
"Hey, you guys. Hey, you got hurt again?!"
"Ugh. Let's make a bet to see who can hang on the tree the longest..."
They were ordinary children, not nobles.
They were dressed in somewhat shabby attire and were covered in dirt and scratches. Their knees were cracked and bleeding, and there were raw cuts on their cheeks.
'Oh my god, this is going to be ugly.'
Julia quickly opened her mouth when she discovered the children's wounds. Even if she was a conman, she was still a pharmacist, so she would have at least some first aid ointment and disinfectant.
"I'll pay for it. I'll buy medicine for the kids..."
"Yes, take them one by one!"
But before she could finish speaking, the woman who had shouted in a cheerful voice handed each child a bottle of medicine. Inside was a light pink liquid.
"Apply it to the wound, quickly."
"Yes!"
"Thank you. Adele!"
"I think my stomach hurts too..."
"Really? Then you drink the medicine!"
Bustling and bustling.
The children opened the bottle as if they were used to it and applied the liquid to their wounds. Even the child who said he had a stomachache drank the liquid without hesitation.
Julia was shocked by what happened without her being able to stop it.
"Wait a minute! What if I give you some ointment?"
Julia quickly took the bottle from the child, but it was already completely empty.
"It's okay! I made it myself, so you can eat it or spread it on your skin."
The woman winked as if she were used to this reaction. Julia was taken aback, but she quickly looked at the child who had taken the medicine.
"Are you okay?"
"Hehehe, yes! Thank you, Adele!"
But then something amazing happened.
The child who had been grimacing and complaining of a stomachache was now running around as normal. When Julia turned her head, shr saw that the other children's scratches and bleeding wounds had all healed.
'Does it really work?'
Julia looked at the woman in surprise. The cheerful-looking woman was nagging the children while giving them a piece of candy each.
"What are you guys going to do when I leave? Didn't I tell you not to cause any more trouble? Starting tomorrow, I won't treat you in a way that will make Morn scold you."
"Oh, no!"
"Adele, the prettiest sister in Semele, you were wrong!"
"Hmm. Only in Semele?"
"No! Adele is the prettiest in the world!"
The children, who had become anxious, began to act cute. It was a scene that seemed quite familiar to both the woman and the children. Julia blinked at the unexpected situation.
'I thought you were a scammer... but you're giving them medicine without even taking my money?'
And to children who were neither noble nor affluent at first glance. And it didn't seem like it was the first time.
Julia canceled the order to call the guards with a nod. The knight, who had been watching the situation closely, bowed his head and waited at a distance.
"What's that woman? I thought she was a con artist, but she's a strange person."
"Um, that's right."
Julia began to worry.
She's a kind person, and it seems like the medicine isn't all a lie. Julia doesn't know how effective it is, though.
"It seems she's not a total scammer. I'll talk her down so she doesn't scam people again..."
It was when Julia, happily looking at the children who had recovered, was about to make a lenient decision.
"Sister Adele. Hey, do you have any medicine to help with your thirst? My father has to go to the countryside to do some construction work, and I heard there's a drought there."
The most shabby-dressed child spoke hesitantly. The girl who had been playing with the children's hair looked momentarily embarrassed.
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