"Hello, Mr. Hohenheim. I have completely extracted the greater grail and brought it here."
Jean Stardust looked at the man before her; this combination of Shorty and Father was truly one of a kind.
"You even managed to extract the grail? Very good. Please, come this way."
Following Father's instructions, she placed the commission form on a table and began to deliver the commissioned item.
As the duplicate commission forms were placed together on the surface, both began to emit light, forming a holographic interface.
It included many inspection items, all intended to ensure the commission itself could be delivered fairly and reasonably.
After Jean Stardust placed the jade disc on the table, a seeming appraisal effect occurred, providing a description of the content to Father.
After confirming the appraisal results and revealing a pleased smile, Father placed his hand into a frame to scan it, and in the blink of an eye, a total of 50,000 points were transferred to Jean Stardust.
"50,000 points?"
Facing Jean Stardust's question, Father smiled. "The magic you retrieved holds this much value to me personally. According to the principle of equivalent exchange, I will pay you the corresponding price."
'So this is what an Alchemist is like? I'm sold. Looking at that Ryza, on the other hand, all she knows how to do is take my money every day.' (Ryza:???)
Once the handover was complete, the light on the two commission forms dimmed simultaneously. The large red words "COMPLETED" covered the entire paper, obscuring the content in the middle.
Keeping the commission form as a souvenir, Jean Stardust saw Father looking at the jade disc with a confused expression.
"Is there a problem?"
"Nothing at all. I was just curious why my old friend, Matou Zōken, became so obsessed with this object that he descended into the abyss."
Fiddling with the jade disc and examining its patterns, Father continued, "I suppose you know that the world has many speculations—whether it was for that ideal, an obsession with the Saint of Winter, the influence of the Demon God Pillars, or if the grail itself possesses an ability like a flame attracting a moth."
Then, he let out a laugh. "Even if one were to ask him personally, he probably couldn't answer. So, I intend to take a look, to see what this grail truly is."
"And did you find anything?"
"Nothing special. I presume you've already tested it. This kind of precise, almost imperceptible inspection technique is only available at that Meruru's Alchemists Workshop."
Upon hearing Meruru's name, Edward nearby 'hmph'd, looking thoroughly disdainful.
After the transaction was completed, Jean Stardust had no reason to continue disturbing them, so she bid them farewell. This time, Edward led her toward the exit.
Before they had walked two steps, Jean Stardust saw a shelf fully displayed with all sorts of alchemy products.
However, upon closer inspection of the prices, one could say they were all over the place. The zeros behind the top-tier Philosopher's Stones and Panaceas were countless, which was normal, but some alchemy products similar to what she had seen at Ryza's were also priced exorbitantly.
Conversely, some items that were actually quite valuable, like Alchemical Mercury—which always made Ryza wince in pain whenever she used even a little—were priced quite cheaply here.
Seeing Jean Stardust looking at the shelf, Edward's expression changed as if he had swapped faces, and he leaned in. "Oh my, Miss, is there anything that catches your eye? Let me tell you, our products are high quality and reasonably priced; they are absolutely the cream of the crop."
"Emmm, let me ask, why are the prices set so strangely?"
"Ah, you mean that?" Upon hearing this, Edward's face changed back. "If you compare it to the Workshop of that consulting Alchemist next door, it is indeed like that. They price things based on the value in the customer's eyes, whereas we price based on the absolute value that satisfies the principle of equivalent exchange. However, my master often prices things based on his own values, so you probably got charged quite a bit more just now, right?"
Jean Stardust nodded, while simultaneously wondering if she could buy something for FrostNova and the others.
As Jean Stardust walked in front of the shelves, the closer she got to the side cabinet, the broader Edward's smile became. Driven by curiosity, Jean Stardust walked straight to that cabinet.
Inside, it was filled with weapons, crafts, and small gadgets created through alchemy. While the items themselves might not have been bad, their designs were far too bizarre. This aesthetic, which looked like it had been eaten by a dog, was definitely the work of Edward, who was off to the side amusing herself.
"Sorry, excuse me." Jean Stardust walked back.
She saw Edward's ahoge visibly droop. Seeing him like this, Jean Stardust decided to show some support, so she returned to that cabinet. However, no matter how she rummaged through it, there wasn't a single thing a normal person could carry. Was a mace with a chibi Edward head on top really something a normal person would use? Though, in Jean Stardust's original world, this might have counted as merchandise.
However, after rummaging around, Jean Stardust actually found a good item. It was a short sword with a transparent blade. Judging by its design, it was undoubtedly an Azoth Sword, a souvenir craft commonly used among Magicians, and its prototype was exactly Father's Noble Phantasm, the Sword of Paracelsus.
[Item Appraisal]
Name: None
Grade: Legendary — 4 Stars
Details: An elemental magic sword meticulously crafted with the'Sword of Paracelsus' as the prototype and non-elemental energy crystal as the main material. It possesses the characteristic of amplifying all types of elements. Because of the special structure of the blade, it is impossible to add any special designs, which has become the maker's only regret.
Fortunately, it couldn't have special designs added, otherwise, she wouldn't be able to give it away at all. However, this item was indeed suitable for Rin, and the price wasn't expensive—only 100 points—so Jean Stardust bought it.
Seeing Edward's look of immense gratitude, Jean Stardust couldn't help but suspect that he hadn't sold a single item at all.
There was nothing else special. She bought a few small alchemy accessories from Father's works; they only had a magic amplification effect, but they were superior in their aesthetics and low price.
When people have money, they think about spending it, just like how on payday one always thinks about having a good meal.
With her shopping urge satisfied, Jean Stardust formally bid farewell. At the entrance of the Workshop, Edward, with a shifty look, said to Jean Stardust, "I'm only telling you this because I like you. Be absolutely careful of the crazy women at the Alchemists Workshop over there. I saw it with my own eyes, those crazy women actually..."
"Edward! Do not speak ill of others." Father's voice came from inside the room.
Edward immediately shut his mouth, signaled to Jean Stardust, and ran back into the room.
It looked like his father was still his father.
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