The Supermarket System

Chapter 69: 69. win-win situation

"So, have you talked to the Duchess?" Kai asked, as soon as he sat down across from Alex.

At that moment, Alex was engrossed in watching the swans and ducks swimming on the lake.

"Why don’t you build a bridge across that lake? It would be fun if—"

"Prince Alex, please don’t change the subject. Let’s get straight to the point. Besides, I also plan to build a bridge across that lake later," Kai replied, not wanting to beat around the bush.

Alex chuckled, then turned his attention to the table in front of him, which was laden with cute, beautifully shaped pastries and a cup of still-warm tea—tea that had just been poured by a maid.

"Well, it seems little Kaileon is getting impatient, huh?" said Alex, deliberately trying to rile Kai up. But of course, Kai wasn’t easily riled; he was quite good at controlling his emotions.

"Stop spouting nonsense and answer my question right now, Prince Alex."

Alex laughed again, but only briefly, because afterward he grew serious.

"Here’s the thing: my suspicions were correct. The Duchess even knows that in our kingdom there are no healing wizards like there are in the Kingdom of Nagreize. That’s all because our kingdom doesn’t allow healing wizards to charge exorbitant prices. Consequently, herbalists and potion-makers are very common in our kingdom. We even have to collaborate with the Magic Tower to procure those expensive potions, which are used only in emergencies. The Duchess, knowing this, offered a mid-tier healing potion for just ten large gold coins, along with an ancient artifact belonging to my mother—I mean, the Queen of our kingdom. Meanwhile, our kingdom still struggles just to buy low-level healing potions; our kingdom is still small, nowhere near as large as Nagreize. Perhaps that’s why the Duchess from the neighboring kingdom is able to toy with us—isn’t that right?"

Kai could sense the anger in Alex’s words just now, so he invited Alex to drink his tea first.

"Have some tea first, Prince Alex, so you’ll feel better," said Kai.

Alex, who wanted to protest—why was Kai asking him to drink when the situation was so serious—finally chose to drink the milk tea prepared by the maid.

He was surprised by the taste—it was delicious, warm, sweet, creamy, and very smooth to drink.

"You have a maid who’s skilled at making tea, Kaileon," said Alex.

The maid who had made the tea was still there, standing at a distance. But she could hear Alex’s compliment and blushed shyly.

"Don’t get distracted so easily, Prince Alex... I want to discuss how to cure the plague that’s struck your kingdom. But we need to know what’s causing it," said Kai.

Alex furrowed his brow. "Oh, how can we know? There weren’t any signs at all—it just suddenly happened—"

"You were set up," Kaileon said suddenly.

"Really? What did you say? Set up?" asked Alex, his eyes wide with surprise.

Kai nodded, then asked his maid to leave so the two of them could talk.

"Yeah, set up. But first, let’s have breakfast with me. Here at the pavilion, activities start early in the morning, so breakfast like this is common. Eat while you listen to my explanation."

Alex, who had actually been about to protest again, eventually went along with what Kai said. He ate a sandwich filled with breaded fried ground chicken and fresh vegetables. He didn’t know a regular sandwich could taste that good; he was once again surprised by the unusual flavor.

Kai began to explain, so Alex listened carefully.

"Based on the symptoms you described last night, and given my well-founded suspicions, I’ve come to this conclusion. I know a dragon well; she’s been kind to me because I have what she wants—delicious food. That dragon once told me that eating dragon meat can grant the eater extraordinary strength. But it must be consumed immediately, because rotten dragon meat—whether eaten or simply left lying around—can cause epidemics or deadly diseases. The antidote is indeed a healing potion of at least intermediate or higher potency. The Duchess was working in cahoots with Queen Nagreize and the demon prince Devirtia. That demon prince also tried time and again to harm me, at the Duchess’s behest. But that’s all I know; I have no idea why the Duchess would ask a demon prince to do such a thing. What’s certain is that I ended up with this black pearl bracelet to ward off the effects of black magic. Getting back to the problem in your kingdom... I’m certain that the demon prince was the one who placed the rotten dragon meat there to spread the plague. The meat couldn’t be smelled or found because its odor was masked—or perhaps it was simply hidden very well."

Alex fell silent, still trying to process what Kaileon had just said. While waiting for Alex’s response, Kai ate his own sandwich.

"So, Kai... what can I do to get that intermediate-level healing potion? My kingdom doesn’t have that much money, you know..."

"But you have a dairy farm, right? You know how to process cow’s milk, too, right? Then you already have the payment—"

Alex was about to open his mouth to protest, but he fell silent immediately when Kai pulled something out of his shirt pocket.

"I’m the healing wizard you’ve been looking for. I’ll give you ten bottles of potion. Go back to your kingdom immediately and ignore the Duchess who’s trying to take advantage of your kingdom. If you feel uncomfortable, just think of the payment as cooperation between our kingdoms—or just between you and me, if you prefer. I’d like some dairy products from you, like cheese, yogurt—"

"Wait a minute, you know about cheese and yogurt?" Alex interjected, clearly thrilled that Kai was familiar with something that sounded so foreign to anyone outside the Kingdom of Valora.

Kai laughed and nodded, his face reflecting the same enthusiasm.

"Yes, I also know that your kingdom has plenty of kopyor coconuts... they’re usually made into drinks there, right? You also make salted fish—I’d really like to collaborate with you. I want all those products, and then I’ll trade them for the products you want as well. Those healing potions or expensive medicines—you can buy them at a much cheaper price—"

Suddenly, Alex stood up from his seat and bowed to Kaileon, leaving Kaileon confused.

Kai knew that this was a gesture of respect shown to someone they deeply admired. However, Alex’s rank was much higher than Kaileon’s, which is why Kaileon was confused.

"Hey, Prince, don’t show me that bow."

Alex sat back down, smiling broadly, though his cheeks were wet with tears.

"Prince Alex... you mustn’t cry—"

"I’m sure you’re not the kind of jerk who takes issue with normal human emotions, right? I’m crying because I’m happy. You’re truly a savior for our poor kingdom—just when the Queen of Nagreize and the Duchess of Arslan were trying to take advantage of us, you came along and offered us something even more beneficial," said Alex.

"Oh, what are you talking about? I’d benefit too if you’d sell your cheese to me..." Kai countered.

Alex laughed at that, then wiped his tears with a handkerchief and asked, "Do you even know how to eat cheese? Our cheese and yogurt aren’t common in other regions, so our kingdom’s products are only sold within our own borders. That’s why our income is so meager."

Kai smiled broadly upon hearing this, "I’ve got an idea! Today I’m going to hold one last cooking event in front of my shop before I leave for the empire with my sister. I’ll teach the people around Arslan how to make something simple out of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cheese, of course... would you like to see it, Prince Alex? We can take Princess Quincy for a walk while we’re at it—she’ll definitely love it."

Alex nodded enthusiastically. He couldn’t believe he’d met someone like Kaileon. Not only was he kind, but he also knew a lot and was even friends with a dragon.

"Wait a minute—did you just say you’re friends with a dragon?" Alex asked.

Kai laughed, then placed his index finger over his lips, "Shhh! This is a secret just between the people in this pavilion, okay?"

Alex’s eyes widened. "Is she in this pavilion? Are you hiding her?"

Kai chuckled. "Shh, it’s a secret, Alex."

Alex covered his mouth and nodded.

"Do you want a dragon to take you back to your kingdom, Prince Alex? But make sure to bring some mozzarella cheese and yogurt for the dragon—she loves to eat."

Alex stood up again, looking so excited, his eyes wide and a broad smile on his lips.

"Really? I won’t have to wait long if she’s willing to help me... because I was planning to go home alone anyway. The maid and the knight I brought will stay here with Quincy."

Kai nodded, "I’m glad you agreed, because the dragon herself offered to take you. She said she can’t wait to enjoy the mozzarella cheese, yogurt, and young coconut ice from your kingdom."

Alex walked over to Kaileon and hugged him.

"I owe you a huge favor, buddy. I’ll send you all the products you want right away, too."

Kai nodded, "Don’t worry—we’ve got lightning-fast dragon delivery."

Alex laughed, thinking Kai was just joking.

"Wait, are you serious about using that dragon for deliveries?"

Kai chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, of course. She gets bored if she doesn’t go anywhere, so it’s a win-win for everyone."

Alex couldn’t believe his ears. What on earth did Kai have that allowed him to tame a dragon?

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