Chapter 30: The Flower Sprite's Curious Shop

Flower Sprites, also known as Fairies, are a rather unique race.

This race is born with a natural ability to sense magic, but they are not suited for combat. Instead, their abilities lean toward detection, perception, and various support roles.

Coupled with their extremely fragile bodies, making them practically defenseless, their situation is generally precarious.

Typically, Flower Sprites are timid, isolating themselves from the world much like elves. However, while elves’ isolation stems from pride and arrogance, Flower Sprites are driven by fear of the outside world.

The Flower Sprite in front of them, bustling with activity and loudly issuing commands, was quite the exception.

After being inexplicably scolded twice, Alea was already annoyed. She glared at the busy Flower Sprite in dissatisfaction.

“She looks so cute, but why does she have such a terrible temper…?”

Aino also found it a bit awkward.

Though she was curious about this race, she wasn’t interested enough to endure a cold shoulder. Without saying much, the group prepared to leave.

“Don’t touch the blueprints! They go in last!”

Just as they were about to leave, one of the Flower Sprite’s commands caught Aino’s attention.

In this world, printing technology did not exist. While magic could theoretically replicate it, magic users were already rare, and research in this area was virtually nonexistent. As a result, blueprints and maps were painstakingly hand-drawn by their creators, making them incredibly scarce.

The group’s destination, the remote and unexplored Northern Abyss, required a reliable map. They couldn’t afford to wander blindly. After searching extensively, they hadn’t found any shops selling maps. But now, the Flower Sprite's soon-to-open shop seemed to have blueprints for sale.

Turning back, Aino addressed the Flower Sprite in a calm tone. “Excuse me, does your shop sell blueprints?”

“Of course! My shop has everything you could possibly imagine for sale!”

This little creature didn’t hesitate to boast, her claims utterly over-the-top.

“We need a map of the Northern Abyss. Do you have one?”

The Flower Sprite waved her tiny hand dismissively, rudely shooing them away.

“I told you, the shop isn’t open yet! Come back when it is! How am I supposed to know if we have it now?”

Alea, already struggling to suppress her frustration, couldn’t hold back anymore. As someone who rarely masked her emotions, she snapped.

“Can’t you speak politely? I…”

“That’s enough, Alea.” Aino quickly grabbed her, preventing her from escalating the situation.

“She’s so annoying! Talking big with no substance and such a rude tone!” Alea grumbled as they walked away, clearly upset with the Flower Sprite’s attitude.

“She might have a bias against humans,” Parker suggested. “When she first saw us, her expression seemed off.”

Parker’s observation impressed Aino. She had noticed his hidden strengths—his attention to detail, sharp observational skills, and diligence in learning magic.

Aino herself hadn’t noticed the Flower Sprite’s reaction, but if Parker’s interpretation was correct, it wasn’t surprising. In this world, nearly everyone harbored racial biases, favoring or disliking certain races.

Conflict and bloodshed between races were far too common.

There was no such thing as equality or racial harmony here.

“Even if she doesn’t like humans, it doesn’t matter. We’re just here to do business,” Aino said calmly. “I’m curious to see how her ‘everything-you-can-imagine’ shop turns out.”

The dwarven city of Grantham was a hub where various races came to trade, but most visitors didn’t stay long. They brought goods or currency from their homelands, shopped or set up temporary stalls, and left after completing their transactions.

However, the Flower Sprite seemed intent on establishing a large-scale, permanent shop—a rarity typically seen only among the city’s native dwarves.

Since the Flower Sprite’s shop wasn’t finished yet, the group focused on other priorities: finding a place to stay and selling the Oni horns.

Selling the horns wasn’t easy.

“Ten Sol coins.”
“This came from a powerful Oni!”
“Who are you trying to fool, little human girl? It just looks special. Who knows if it’s actually useful?”

This sort of exchange was typical. They couldn’t find anyone strong enough to recognize the horns’ true value, let alone willing to buy them.

As night fell, the group realized they needed to secure lodging or risk sleeping on the streets. The horn’s sale would have to wait until tomorrow.

At that moment, Zola, who rarely spoke, broke her silence.

“Though Flower Sprites are weak in combat, they excel at detecting magic and treasure. Perhaps we could ask her.”

“That’s true,” Parker chimed in. “There’s even a saying among humans: where there are Flower Sprites, there’s bound to be a hidden treasure. Maybe she could also recommend an inn since she seems to be staying here long-term.”

Their brainstorming led to a plan. Aino nodded in agreement, while Alea groaned unhappily.

“Ugh, we have to listen to that annoying little creature again…”

“Hahaha, I’m sure if we handle this right, she’ll cooperate,” Aino said confidently, trying to reassure her.

They returned to the Flower Sprite’s shop, now noticeably larger than it had been earlier in the day.

“You lot again…”

Before the Flower Sprite could finish her sentence, Aino cut her off, quickly explaining their intent.

“You claim your shop has everything. Surely, you can identify treasures? I have something here…”

With that, Aino revealed the horn briefly before stowing it back in her pouch.

“Huh? Wait!” The Flower Sprite’s eyes widened in astonishment, clearly sensing the horn’s extraordinary magic.

“Hurry up! Let me see it! That could be something incredible!”

The Flower Sprite’s tone shifted from irritation and disdain to surprise and even a touch of embarrassment.

Aino smiled, pointing inside the shop.

The Flower Sprite quickly composed herself, adopting a seriousness the group hadn’t seen before.

“Please, come with me.”

After instructing the Beastmen laborers to leave, the Flower Sprite led the group to a small room inside the shop.

Once inside, Aino wordlessly retrieved the horn, holding it carefully in her hands. She didn’t hand it over, knowing the horn was larger than the Sprite herself.

The Flower Sprite examined the horn from every angle, emitting a golden magic aura to probe it. After some time, she nodded in understanding.

“If I’m not mistaken, this came from a very powerful Oni recently, correct?”

Aino confirmed with a nod. “Yes, it’s a trophy from a battle we won in the Karlsa Shadow Forest.”

The Flower Sprite clearly recognized its value. Aino, however, wasn’t concerned with negotiating for the highest profit—she simply wanted fair compensation.

“Are you willing to buy it?”

The Flower Sprite frowned in thought before slowly nodding. “I can offer 5,000 Sol coins. That might not be the highest price you could get, so feel free to shop around if you’d like.”

“No need. Deal.”

Without hesitation, Aino handed over the horn. The Sprite, momentarily stunned, quickly accepted it and brought out the agreed amount of money.

After completing the transaction, Aino didn’t forget to address their other need.

“Where can we find an inn nearby?”

The Sprite, now far more polite and friendly, replied warmly. “There’s a cheaper but dirtier one to the east down this street. Or, if you go down the road opposite, there’s a more upscale option. Your choice.”

The Sprite introduced herself with newfound enthusiasm. “I’m Phillips. My shop will open in about a month. If you need blueprints, come check it out then!”

The tiny Fairy hovered at eye level, her wings fluttering as her eyes sparkled with excitement.