The noble's question was troublesome, but I didn't want to cause problems.

  "No, this is my first time here."

  I answered keeping my expression blank.

  "I see. Then let me educate you. This is a commoner's shop. It's not a place where we nobles should stoop to shopping."

  The noble puffed out his chest proudly. No, this is the saint's shop, isn't it? She definitely has way more authority than you do.

  "Especially these so-called 'Saint's Favorite' products. Suspicious things. What do you think?"

  How would I know?

  "Well, I'm not sure..."

  I smiled vaguely. However, even though I'd intended to give an innocuous response, the noble's mood darkened.

  "How dull. Well, never mind."

  The noble snorted and turned back toward the clerk.

  I'd gotten caught up in this because of that noble. What if the saint got a bad impression of me because of this?

  Still, those silver coins...

  The sound from the balance scale earlier had been bothering me. That muffled resonance was clearly unnatural. Real light coins should produce a clearer ring.

  Driven by the impulse to verify, I reflexively flicked one of my light coins with my finger.

  However, I misjudged the force slightly. The coin that slipped from my hand bounced off the shop floor with a clear "clink."

  "Ah—"

  I'd done it now.

  That sound echoed well through the silent store.

  Damn it...

  Everyone's eyes pierced into me. Deep furrows appeared between the noble's eyebrows.

  "What are you doing?"

  "My apologies. That was careless of me—"

  Faster than the sound, Martha smoothly stepped between me and the noble. She bowed her head, trying to smooth things over. But it didn't seem likely to settle down.

  "Don't let a mere servant take charge of the situation. Typical. Do lower-class nobles not teach their servants proper manners? What kind of upbringing is this?"

  The noble glared at me while disparaging Martha.

  That's Rich coming from you, you pompous fool.

  I suppressed those words and slowly exhaled.

  The urge to snap back rose instantly.

  I forced it down before it reached my mouth.

  If I got angry over something this trivial, I wouldn't be able to navigate high society from here on out. For now, I should at least formally take responsibility as the master for my attendant's supposed transgression.

  "My apologies. It was my carelessness."

  I forced the words past my grit teeth.

  I bowed my head lightly.

  "Hah, no pride either. An embarrassment to fellow nobles."

  Having said that, the noble turned back to face the counter. I could feel everyone staring. From Martha's expression, I could see she was quite frustrated as well.

  Of course, so was I.

  I had a way to prove it. The question was whether I should.

  "Excuse me, may I ask for something? ...I'd appreciate it if you could prepare some water. A pitcher or basin is fine."

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  I called out to a nearby clerk.

  "Eh? Y-yes."

  Though bewildered, the clerk fetched some water.

  "Please drop this silver coin and the one that gentleman presented into the water one by one and compare them. If the purity differs, the way they sink should change."

  "...I understand."

  The clerk's eyes widened slightly. Having immediately grasped my intent, she nodded and hurried toward the counter.

  "Excuse me."

  The clerk placed the basin on the counter and first dropped the light coin I'd offered. The water's surface rippled slightly, and the silver coin sank smoothly. Next, one coin from the noble's box—it did sink, but hesitated slightly. The bounce at the bottom was also weaker.

  No one spoke.

  "...Huh?"

  The clerk's expression changed.

  The noble laughed through his nose.

  "Your little trick won't get you a discount."

  He was wrong.

  And now, so was his certainty.

  Ignoring the ignorant noble's drivel, the clerk repeated the test several times. The result remained the same. The light coin sank faster each time.

  "Parlor tricks—"

  "This is not a game."

  The clerk interrupted.

  "This currency appears to have somewhat less silver content compared to light coins. We cannot accept transactions with this currency."

  The noble's eyebrows shot up.

  "You can't just decide that—"

  "It is not my own decision."

  At that moment, Saint Alicia emerged from the back. Her smile remained, but her voice rang out clearly.

  I had the distinct feeling she had been watching long before this.

  "The Light Coin Act has been established in the capital. Payment is limited to light coins bearing the royal seal, or silver coins that have received certification stamps from the accounting office. As a noble connected to the kingdom, surely you are aware of this?"

  The noble faltered for a moment and glared at his attendant. All eyes gathered on them. He clicked his tongue and had his attendant roughly retrieve the box.

  "...You'll regret this!"

  Leaving that parting shot, the noble stormed out of the shop. His attendants hurriedly followed. Silence returned to the store interior.

  Before long, a few people clapped, then quickly subsided.

  The clerk bowed deeply.

  "Thank you...!"

  "Not at all, you simply followed the proper procedures."

  Alicia smiled at the clerk, then immediately turned her gaze toward us. Behind her gentle eyes, an appraising glint flickered.

  "Thank you so much for your assistance. I am Alicia Heartwell, and I serve as the proprietor of this establishment. Thank you for your help. Do you have a moment? I'd like to show my gratitude properly."

  I exchanged glances with Martha. Having no reason to refuse, I nodded.

  We were guided to a reception room where steaming herbal tea was brought in. The aroma had a calming sweetness that seemed to have some soothing effect.

  "Once again, my name is Alicia Heartwell."

  "I am Dylan Belmond."

  I answered with an innocuous smile. Internally, my palms were clammy at the situation of receiving thanks directly from the saint.

  "Belmond... so you are from that Marquis Belmond household."

  Alicia looked slightly surprised.

  "However, if that's the case, wouldn't that gentleman have immediately backed down if you'd given your name from the start?"

  "Perhaps. However, it's not really my style..."

  That was what I said. In reality, I simply hadn't thought of it.

  "That is... quite rare."

  Alicia looked intrigued.

  "Among so many who brandish their family names and authority, this is the first time I've met someone who resolves matters with facts."

  Her stare was intense.

  She was seeing something noble in my actions.

  "The water test was also splendid. Truth over power... I like that."

  "N-no, it was nothing special... I just couldn't turn a blind eye."

  "You're too modest."

  Alicia smiled.

  "Actually, I was also meant to attend Luminas Academy this year. However, as you can see, the shop has kept me busy."

  "I see..."

  "It's not that I had no yearning for academy life."

  Alicia looked a little sad.

  "May I ask what led you to start this shop?"

  "I realized there are limits to how many people I can help with my power alone."

  Alicia's expression grew serious.

  "I can heal a sick child. But if that child returns to a home without food, without clean water... they'll simply fall ill again. Miracles are temporary. ... Prayer doesn't fill bellies."

  She looked down at her hands.

  "Praying to God is important, of course. But the people also need bread. They need medicine. They need hope they can hold in their hands."

  I leaned forward.

  "So you chose commerce?"

  "I chose action." Her eyes met mine. "The Church has wealth enough to help—but it sits in vaults, dedicated to 'higher purposes.' I decided my purpose was feeding the hungry today, not tomorrow."

  I sat back, genuinely surprised.

  This wasn't the saint from the game at all.

  That Alicia had been pure to the point of naivety. She'd given away healing without thought for tomorrow, trusting that God would provide.

  But this woman...

  "That's... remarkably pragmatic."

  "You think I'm wrong?" She sounded defensive.

  "No. I respect it, actually."

  Her shoulders relaxed slightly.

  "Most nobles think I've debased my calling. That a saint shouldn't concern herself with coin."

  "Most nobles," I said carefully, "have never gone hungry."

  For a moment, her mask slipped entirely. The calculating merchant vanished, replaced by someone who looked genuinely moved.

  "Thank you," she said quietly. "You have no idea how good it is to hear that."

  "I'm glad I could meet someone like you."

  "I should let you go." Alicia stood, then hesitated. "Though... might I ask one more thing?"

  "Of course."

  "Why did you help? You could have stayed silent. Avoided the whole mess."

  I considered lying. Considered giving some noble reason.

  "Honestly? I was annoyed." I shrugged. "He insulted my attendant. And his coins were obviously fake."

  Alicia laughed—a real laugh, not the practiced merchant's chuckle.

  "That might be the most honest answer I've received all week." She walked us to the door. "Please visit again, Master Dylan. Or perhaps I'll see you at the academy... if I ever manage to enroll."

  There was genuine longing in her voice.

  "I'm sure you will," I said, surprising myself with my sincerity.

  When we left the shop, the evening sunlight greeted us.

  "Master Dylan, that went well."

  "Yes, it did."

  "She was quite beautiful."

  "...Yes, she was."

  In any case, I'd managed to avoid ruining my relationship with the saint.

  For a second there, I almost felt like the hero. Wait—is that a problem?