Chapter 233: Buying Options Noah nodded thoughtfully, filing away Elena’s explanations while reserving judgment until he could hear the other side of this ancient conflict. Her account had the polished quality of propaganda repeated so often that it became accepted truth. Time to see what the shadow elves have to say about their supposed "corruption," Noah thought as he prepared to conclude Elena’s shopping experience and hear Kael’s version of events. ... Elena turned back to the items and examined her storage ring with growing anxiety, her fingers unconsciously moving to bite her nails. It was a nervous habit that betrayed the stress beneath her composed exterior. She had ten thousand golden coins with her currently, along with several enchanted weapons. The coins were standard currency that could be easily replenished through royal treasury allocations, but the weapons represented irreplaceable artefacts. Each weapon here took master enchanters months to create, she thought with growing worry. But these items... they could change everything for our kingdom. Elena bit her nails more intensely as the weight of decision pressed down on her. Her next actions would undoubtedly affect the entire Sunward Territories—potentially determining whether her people gained decisive advantages in their centuries-long conflict or missed an opportunity that might never come again. While she would certainly be reimbursed for any golden coins spent in service to the kingdom, weapons remained a precious scarcity. Their magical armaments weren’t available in abundance, especially items powerful enough to trade for artifacts that provided permanent attribute enhancements. Every enchanted blade represents months of work by our finest artisans, Elena reminded herself grimly. But if these items are as powerful as they appear... After gritting her teeth in determination, she steeled herself for what might be necessary. "For the Kingdom of Light," she whispered under her breath. "For truth to prevail over corruption." Noah smiled imperceptibly as he watched her internal struggle, recognizing the signs of someone calculating high-stakes purchases. While the pseudo-archmages had been fighting outside over his shop, he had taken the opportunity to adjust his pricing structure with Lola’s expert guidance. She had visited the elven kingdom during her exile, and she knew some things about their economy. The succubus was able to provide invaluable insight about the purchasing power and economic conditions of both elven territories, allowing him to set prices that would be challenging but not impossible for their respective treasuries. These prices reflect the true value of what I’m offering, Noah thought with satisfaction. Plus, both kingdoms are apparently "filthy rich" despite their ongoing war. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶 His bread now costs fifteen golden coins—a substantial increase from his previous pricing that reflected both the item’s rarity and the elven kingdoms’ inflated economy. The iced tea carried a thirty golden coin price tag that positioned it as a premium but accessible enhancement for serious magical practitioners. Reasonable prices for temporary enhancements that could tip the balance of combat, Noah calculated mentally. But the premium items represented where his real profits would emerge. Protein bars, energy drinks, beef jerky, and rice cakes were all priced at one thousand golden coins each. Figures that would have been astronomical in human kingdoms but fell within the range of what a good portion of elves could afford for permanent attribute improvements. Permanent enhancement items deserve premium pricing, Noah reasoned. These effects last for life, making them essentially priceless for the right customers. The instant coffee and mystical herbal tea commanded the highest prices at fifteen hundred golden coins each, reflecting their unprecedented effects of doubled comprehension speed, spiritual sight abilities, and immunity to mental attacks. Elena studied the price displays. Her facial expression grew serious as she started weighing the costs and benefits. "Fifteen coins for the healing bread," she murmured, working through the items on the shelf. "That’s not expensive at all. The effects alone would be worth it for our wounded soldiers." Her gaze shifted to the iced tea pricing. "Thirty coins for mana enhancement... our court mages spend more than that on things that have a quarter of the effect. This could definitely prove worthy." "One thousand coins for permanent attribute enhancement," she breathed, her voice carrying the awe of someone who understood exactly what such effects meant for military applications. "They are certainly not cheap, but they are still within our budget." And that’s exactly the point, Noah thought with satisfaction. Elena’s fingers drummed against her storage ring. "The instant coffee and herbal tea... fifteen hundred coins each. That’s three times the monthly income of average citizens, the average income of skilful craftsmen and around a quarter of what minor nobles earn a month. It’s not bad at all." She paused in her calculations, her mind clearly working through scenarios where such items could provide decisive advantages against shadow elf forces. "Doubled comprehension speed for our mages," Elena continued talking to herself, with growing excitement despite the costs. "Immunity to mental attacks from shadow corruption. Spiritual sight...If it’s what I think it is, it’s most definitely worth it." Elena’s expression hardened with resolve as she reached her decision. She reached into her storage ring, beginning to count out golden coins while simultaneously evaluating which enchanted weapons might be worth trading for the most valuable enhancement items. "I’ll need to purchase strategically, focus on items that provide maximum benefit to our kingdom’s current needs," Elena muttered with growing confidence. Noah’s eyes glinted softly as he spotted the enormous bag of golden coins Elena produced from her storage ring. The sheer size of the leather pouch was impressive, easily the largest single payment he had ever received from any customer across all his adventures. Before he could begin speculating about the exact amount contained within the substantial bag, Elena answered his unspoken question. "There are 10,045 golden coins inside this bag. I would like to purchase the following items with it." She announced before she gestured toward his product displays. So she finally made up her mind on the items. Noah thought before turning to see what she had picked.