Chapter 37

As I stepped into Furniture and Artifact Alley, I couldn’t help but pause in admiration. The place was a chaotic blend of color, sound, and motion. Dozens of stalls lined either side of the street, overflowing with enchanted goods, peculiar devices, and strange relics. Merchants shouted at the top of their lungs, desperately trying to catch the attention of passing customers.

It felt like stepping into a magical bazaar—like one of those massive malls from Earth, only more alive and unpredictable.

I casually browsed from stall to stall, my guards trailing silently behind me. Soon, I came across a particularly large establishment—easily the biggest in the alley. Towering banners fluttered above the entrance, and the interior was lavish, filled with floating displays and polished counters. It certainly screamed wealth and arrogance.

I walked in, curious. As I browsed the wares—some quite impressive—I was approached by a tall, well-dressed man with a condescending smirk plastered across his face.

“What do you want?” he sneered, without a trace of respect. “We don’t deal in small business here.”

One of my escorts took a threatening step forward, fury brimming in his eyes. But I stopped him with a subtle hand gesture. I turned my gaze on the man and asked calmly, “Do you know who you’re speaking to?”

“Yes, of course,” he replied smugly, his tone dripping with disdain. “You’re the seventh son of our great king. A worthless, spoiled brat with too much gold and too little sense.”

Ah. So he did know. I felt the heat rise in my chest, but I kept my expression neutral.

“So you know exactly who I am,” I said slowly, voice like ice. “And yet you still choose to insult me in your own store. Fine. You said you don’t deal in small business. Let’s test that.”

I pulled a neatly folded parchment from my pocket and handed it to him. “Here’s my list. If you can fulfill this order within the hour, I’ll forget this incident ever happened. If not, I’ll make sure the king hears about how one of his own sons was treated in your establishment.”

He took the list with a smirk, glanced over it for a second ... then ripped it in half and tossed it at my face.

“Get lost,” he spat. “I don’t want your business.”

For a moment, I considered ending him right then and there. But instead, I smiled—a cold, dangerous smile. There are more effective ways to deal with arrogance than brute force.

I turned and walked out calmly, my guards in tow.

Once outside, I climbed onto a raised platform and projected my voice across the bustling alley.

“Hear me well!” I shouted, drawing every eye toward me. “Anyone who does business with that establishment from this moment on will be considered a traitor to the kingdom. I, Asher Vaelthorn Aldrenor, hereby declare the store and its owner enemies of the crown.”

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

“By tomorrow morning, a formal letter of proclamation will be signed by the King himself, confirming this declaration. Choose your alliances wisely.”

With that, I descended and walked away, leaving the stunned and silent crowd behind.

Then I did something even more powerful than a royal edict—I went on a shopping spree, distributing my purchases across the entire alley. I visited stall after stall, ensuring every vendor earned a share of my business and my coin.

My Requested Items and Quantitys:

Traveler’s Map Cloth – A detailed 3D magical map of Aldrenor, easily foldable and interactive.
Quantity: 5,000.

Beast Whisper Orbs – Temporarily calms aggressive or wild beasts.
Quantity: 5,000.

Storage Ring – A basic but reliable magical storage device with space equivalent to a small room.
Quantity: 5,000.

Voice Scroll – A scroll that records and plays messages when triggered by voice.
Quantity: 5,000.

Healing Bandages – Infused with minor restoration magic, instantly closes shallow wounds.
Quantity: 20,000.

Flame Coin – A coin that produces a flame when flicked. Great for campfires or emergencies.
Quantity: 5,000.

Appraisal Lens – A monocle-like lens that reveals the true value and properties of objects.
Quantity: 5,000.

Barrier Totem – Emits a temporary personal shield when activated. Useful in emergencies.
Quantity: 5,000.

Glowstone Pebble – Glows like a torch in darkness, with no need for flame.
Quantity: 5,000.