“Ano … As expected, such an expensive item …” (Elise)
“I suppose it was really expensive, but lately I got an enormous incidental income.” (Wendelin)
“Still …” (Elise)
“Won’t we become a married couple? I might have to call upon the mana of that ring.” (Wendelin)
As I had profited on the sales of the raw materials of the two subjugated dragons and also received the inheritance of master, I still possessed more than 1000 platinum coins.
Therefore my sense of money was semi-paralyzed. I didn’t judge this ring to be particularly expensive.
“Charging it with mana and keeping it close, won’t you also be able to use magic in case something unexpected happened?” (Wendelin)
“Still …” (Elise)
“In the case of the church, won’t you be able to use even more healing magic?” (Wendelin)
“Thank you very much. I will treasure it dearly.” (Elise)
If she were to persistently refuse here, it would give off a discourteous feeling in reverse.
Thus Elise obediently accepted the ring I bought for her.
“(However, that alone isn’t the reason.)” (Wendelin)
It was a kind of threat towards Cardinal Hohenheim.
As Elise was a celebrity to a certain degree, giving her such a high priced engagement ring, she would always wear it, since it was a magic tool in shape of a daily article, plainly causing the surroundings to catch sight of it.
It was something you could expect to cause rumors quite soon.
Even if I were to be dragged into a dispute between nobles afterwards and was suddenly abandoned, would they be able to let me be left high and dry?
Despite Baron Baumeister buying his granddaughter an engagement ring for 3 platinum coins as present, the reputation of Cardinal Hohenheim would certainly fall if he were a cold-hearted man who abandoned such a person.
“(Protect me with the power of the church since half of it is an engagement ring with the church.) Ah, can you replenish the mana?” (Wendelin)
Going by the explanation of the shopkeeper, while touching the magic gem you should have an image of distributing the mana. The magic gem, which had been grey until now, began to shine in a color similar to emerald.
“Customer-sama is a magician after all? Which reminds me, there is currently Baron Baumeister in the royal capital who gained fame by dragon slaying. Furthermore 『Hohenheim’s Saint』-sama is to become his fiancée or something like that.” (Shopkeeper)
“What! Did you notice?” (Wendelin)
Somehow or other, this shopkeeper somehow managed to realize Elise’s and mine true identities.
“Although half of it was intuition, I thought I should recommend this ring’s magic gem if that was the case.” (Shopkeeper)
“You are a merchant after all.” (Wendelin)
“Yes, since that’s how I make my living.” (Shopkeeper)
Even though we were seen through, because I was able to give Elise an excellent ring, serving a purpose of beauty and practical use, I decided to consider it a good thing.
Furthermore, this shopkeeper didn’t seem to intend on chatting needlessly to his surroundings about us being his visitors either.
“The goods in our store are expensive. From the point of view of crime prevention, we keep in mind to not leak information about our customers.” (Shopkeeper)
“(As noble, there are often situations where they couldn’t publicly admit to give an accessory to a woman as well, huh?)” (Wendelin)
I safely finished my first date with Elise. I was also able to raise my standing by buying her an engagement ring. At last I feel like I was able to calm my mind.