Nino and Itsuki accepted the rune papers with both hands, their expressions reverent as if receiving sacred relics.
"These rune papers contain automatic barrier deployment, counterattack activation... essentially all auto-trigger types. Ordinary magical beasts and curses won't harm you at all—provided you keep them on your person at all times without exception."
"We understand!"
Though they had no concept of the rune papers' true value, Nino and Itsuki nodded obediently, dividing the stack between them and tucking their portions close to their bodies.
With these rune papers in their possession, an overwhelming sense of security washed over the two sisters.
Regardless of actual effectiveness, the mere existence of such supernatural power created a completely different level of psychological safety compared to having nothing.
At least in this world, in this city, they wouldn't have to relive that helpless waiting-for-death experience during the previous curse attack incident.
'Though the real source of security is Lord Roy here...'
This thought crossed Nino's mind.
When she'd been pushed forward as a human shield in the church, she could only wait for death with open eyes. Then Roy appeared, annihilating the curse in an instant—like a beam of light.
No moment could have demonstrated the meaning of "security" more powerfully than that.
Nino stole a glance at Roy.
She hadn't gotten a proper look before, but unexpectedly, he was quite handsome!
Noticing her gaze, Roy looked back.
Before their eyes could meet, she whipped her head away with lightning speed, pretending sudden intense interest in the café's wall decorations.
'Why did I look away?'
Nino felt inexplicably frustrated, her face burning with embarrassment.
"Here's your order!"
At that moment, Takina and Chisato emerged carrying trays, placing three cups of coffee and three palm-sized Black Forest cakes before them.
After serving the order, Chisato headed back toward the kitchen, but noticed Takina lingering by the table.
"Takina?"
"Lord Roy, regarding your rune papers—how much would one cost?"
Takina stood by the table, her gaze fixed on Roy with palpable urgency.
"You want to buy some?"
Roy took a sip of coffee—perfectly warm, just slightly hot. Ideal temperature.
"Yes."
"If we're talking purchases, they're quite expensive. In Fuyuki City, my rune papers are priced in the tens of millions. Yen, of course."
Roy raised an eyebrow slightly.
The rune papers he crafted were several times more effective than Touko's—mere casual creations that could serve as life-saving artifacts for magi in critical moments, despite being single-use items.
For the rechargeable types that could be reused with mana replenishment? Selling them for hundreds of millions would be effortless.
Occasionally, he'd craft mystic codes embedded with runes—gloves, boots, and such—which could easily fetch prices exceeding several hundred million.
After having his savings wiped out at once by the money pits that were Touko and Aoko, Roy had been making a living by selling rune equipment.
"!"
Takina was so shocked her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
Even Nino and Itsuki were thoroughly startled.
The stack of rune papers they'd just accepted was actually valuable enough to buy a house in their world?
In an instant, both of them felt the rune papers tucked inside their clothes become incredibly heavy, as if they were carrying stacks of 10,000-yen bills.
Is this what it means for a Crown-class magus to do as they please?
"Wow, this is way too expensive! We don't have that kind of money at all!" Chisato exclaimed as she leaned in, shaking her head with an exaggerated sigh.
The security force did pay salaries—quite generous ones at that, given the life-risking nature of the job—but they'd been in this world for less than a month and hadn't saved much yet.
What little they had managed to save in that time had already been spent by Chisato on setting up the coffee shop.
"If you hadn't started this coffee shop, we might have been able to afford one sheet!" Takina turned back, veins visibly popping on her forehead as she glared at Chisato.
Although the security force did distribute some magical tools crafted by Tokyo's magi, the effects of a Crown-class magus's tools were undoubtedly top-tier—exactly what Takina wanted most.
"Hehe!" Chisato scratched her head with an air of feigned innocence. "I just thought if our friends from the shop ever crossed over, they'd definitely look for a coffee shop first!"
"..."
Takina was momentarily at a loss for words.
Though they'd both been orphans in their previous world, they'd still had companions.
"Sigh."
Hearing that, any remaining anger Takina had dissipated. She could only let out a resigned sigh, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Don't be mad, Takina~"
Seeing this, Chisato cheerfully sidled up and began massaging Takina's shoulders, then dropped another bombshell:
"Earlier, Lord Roy said he'd only sell at that price if we were buying. Doesn't that mean there's another way to get rune papers?"
Takina blinked, realizing Roy had indeed mentioned something like that.
"Lord Roy, is what Chisato said true?"
Regaining her energy, she quickly turned to Roy for confirmation.
"Quite sharp! It's true—there's absolutely another way to obtain rune papers."
Roy's face broke into a delighted grin.
"However, I won't just give them to you for free. There's one—no, actually three small tasks I'd like you to handle. Nothing difficult, of course. If you can manage them, I'll gift you one rune paper for free."
Just one sheet, but even that was a top-tier artifact worth tens of millions—already an incredible deal.
"Please go on."
Takina didn't recklessly agree on the spot, instead responding cautiously.
"We do have our limits on what we can and can't do."
"Don't worry, it's simple. It's that thing!"
Roy's smile widened further, as if he'd thought of something amusing.
"Could you do that thing again? You know—the 'sakana' one!"
At his words, Nino looked utterly bewildered, completely lost as to what he meant.
Itsuki lowered her head, devouring the cake in large bites.
Only Takina and Chisato reacted to his words—their expressions froze for a brief moment before shifting in unison.
"How do you know about this?!"
"That's just unreasonable. Can a Crown-class magus really do anything?"
"You're free to think that way."
Roy looked completely at ease.
Takina and Chisato had only recently arrived in this world and had yet to encounter a Crown-class magus. Unaware of just how powerful such magi could be, they assumed his magical prowess was simply so advanced that he could peek into their memories.
Never did they expect they'd end up providing him with an excuse themselves. Roy, seeing no need to come up with one on his own, gladly rode along with their assumption.
"Well? Simple enough, isn't it? Will you do it?"
Roy smiled at the two girls, his face spreading into a thoroughly pleased grin.
***
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