At the specified hour of 10 a.m., I arrived at the mansion, where Baron Foster greeted me with a drowsy expression. It was common for nobles to indulge in late nights and rise around 9 a.m. as their default schedule.
“Would you like some coffee?”
The coffee he presented was of the finest quality, and it had been a long time since I had tasted something so delicious since my departure from the Sullivan family. The beverages served in the prison guards’ break room were nearly tasteless and odorless.
“It smells delightful. Is this Wire Kona?” I asked.
“Ah, impressive. You know your coffee. I might have made a slight mistake. Maybe I should have hired you as our butler instead of sending you to Alban Prison.”
Baron Foster remarked, likely just paying lip service, but I politely bowed in response. After all, an important business negotiation was about to begin.
“So, what’s the purpose of today’s meeting? Your letter mentioned something you really wanted me to see.”
I took out a sample magic scroll from my bag. It was about the size of my palm and wrapped around a thin, cylindrical piece of wood.
“What I’ve brought today is a highly valuable item. If you find it intriguing, I would like to propose a purchase.”
“Oh…”
The baron set aside his coffee cup and picked up the magic scroll.
“Please handle it with care. It’s a basic healing magic scroll.”
“A magic scroll? What exactly is it?”
The drowsy expression that had been on Baron’s face moments ago disappeared. It seemed he had become genuinely interested in it.
“A magic scroll is an item that can activate magic spells by channeling a very small amount of magic power.”
“So, you mean even someone like me who can’t use magic can use healing magic with this?” Baron Foster inquired.
“Exactly.”
“Hmm… It’s hard to believe.”
The Baron couldn’t be blamed for thinking that way. In this world, magic scrolls were hardly ever circulated. I discovered that they were extremely rare, occasionally unearthed from ancient ruins, but hardly ever made their way into the market.
“Do you have any injured or sick individuals in the mansion?” I asked.
“Injured? Come to think of it, I heard one of the maids accidentally spilled a boiling soup pot and got burned…”
The burn was unfortunate for the maid, but it worked out well for me. Well, if this magic scroll could heal her injury, she would undoubtedly be delighted.
“Could you call her here? Let me prove that this is genuine,” I said.
“Alright.”
Though he seemed somewhat skeptical, curiosity was starting to take hold of the baron. He rang the bell on the table, summoning a servant and giving them instructions.
“The magic scroll is for the baron to use. Of course, the burned maid may use it herself.”
“So, anyone can use it, you say?”
“That’s correct. The required amount of magic power is less than what a person can sense. If you place your hand on the magic scroll and focus, it will activate.”
“Alright, let me give it a try.”
After handing the healing magic scroll to the Baron, I waited as a middle-aged maid was brought in, looking fearful and unsure of what was about to happen.
“Minoa, come here and show me your burn.”
Unable to defy her master’s command, the maid, addressed as Minoa, timidly presented her left arm wrapped in bandages.
“Barton, do you think it’s better to remove the bandages?”
“I believe it would give us a clearer view of the healing process,” I replied.
“Hmm, Minoa, remove the bandages.”
I helped the hesitant maid unwrap the bandages.
“Don’t worry. We’re only going to use the healing magic to treat your burn.”
Minoa seemed greatly surprised upon hearing my words.
“Is it really alright? It’s too extravagant…”
Getting magical healing from a healer costs an arm and a leg.
“It’s fine; today is an exception. Now, please remain still.”
While holding the magic scroll in his hand, the baron gazed intently at the burn.
The burn extended from the wrist to just before the elbow, looking visibly painful.
Dark circles were visible under Minoa’s eyes, a clear sign that she hadn’t been sleeping well due to the pain.
“When the magic is activated, you’ll be prompted to select the target. When that happens, please choose Ms. Minoa’s injury.” I instructed.
“I understand.”
As the Baron infused his small magic power into the scroll, the letters written on it shimmered in blue light, and the spell was activated.
At that moment, the swollen, red burn gradually transformed into pink, normal skin.
The magic scroll I had crafted this time had a much greater effect than the previous ones.
I had become more skilled at scroll-making, and with Ms. Fuyu’s assistance, I managed to upgrade it.
If only I had this scroll back then, could Jane have been spared from losing her life?
Recalling the sad fate of my former colleague, who died right before my eyes, I felt a wave of sorrow wash over me.
But those feelings of remorse were drowned out by the voices of Baron Foster and Minoa.
“Wow! Truly a healing magic…”
“Yes, Master. I am grateful.”
Minoa’s eyes were glistening with tears as she knelt before Baron Foster.
“Minoa, are you feeling any pain?”
“No, it seems that the burn has completely healed.”
Even after Minoa had left the room, Baron Foster’s excitement remained unabated.
“This is truly amazing! I never thought I could use magic!” Baron Foster exclaimed with joy.
Perhaps Baron Foster had a complex about not being able to use magic himself. Nevertheless, if he was this thrilled, he might be willing to pay a high price for it.
The Baron finished the remaining coffee in his cup.
With a calmer demeanor, he asked, “Barton, where did you get this?”
“I made it myself.”
“You?” The Baron seemed surprised.
Knowing that lying would be easily discovered, I decided it was better to mix some truth into my answers.
“Yes, I recently awakened this ability.”
“Well, well, this is an incredible ability.”
“It is, but it’s extremely hard to craft these scrolls. I can only manage one every other day. It requires infusing my own magic power, so there’s a limit to what I can do.”
“I see, so you can’t mass-produce them…”
It seemed that Baron Foster believed my story.
“Moreover, I can only offer three types of magic: healing magic, water magic, and light magic. If these suit your needs, I would be honored if you purchased them.”
“Why me?”
“Because I owe you my gratitude. When I was driven out of my home, you gave me work at Alban Prison.”
“I see…”
In the end, Baron Foster bought all the magic scrolls I had brought with me.
The breakdown was as follows: 3 healing scrolls for 100,000 gil each, 1 water magic scroll for 10,000 gil, and 1 light magic scroll for 5,000 gil.
As I expected, the healing scrolls fetched the highest price.
The total amount, 315,000 gil, left me awestruck.
It easily surpassed the annual income of a prison guard.
Baron Foster expressed his willingness to continue purchasing magic scrolls from me in the future.
With this, I could accumulate the funds needed for the escape quite easily.
Now, all that remained was to somehow deal with the magic seal restraints.
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