Cherreads

Chapter 12 - shopping done

The image displayed a pair of slender, stylized prosthetic legs—once again, with heels—seemingly crafted from a material that resembled cracked marble or ancient stone. The surface was intricately detailed with a network of fine lines and fissures, giving it an aged, weathered look. Ornate golden accents curled elegantly along the limbs, adding a sense of mystery and refinement. Embedded within the stone-like material were glowing circular inlays, each pulsing with a soft, ethereal light. The overall design blended the organic with the artificial, evoking an aura of ancient power and otherworldly beauty.

"These belong to the Horizon Edge Depth, Thread 13," Eric explained. "They have the fewest flaws, but also the least functionality."

"Explain," Soren said, sounding disappointed at the sight of heels yet again.

"You can walk normally, without stumbling. Basic movement, good balance, and a touch of precision. But the drawback is constant fatigue—you'll get tired more easily," Eric said.

"I'm pretty sure I'll end up falling more than walking with these things. Seriously, why does every single one of them have heels?" Soren groaned in frustration.

The other two burst into laughter.

"So, what are you thinking of buying?" Alfred asked with a grin.

"That depends on the pricing," Soren replied, sighing

."The first one is called Wall Spaced, and it costs 3,459 Rosens," Eric said. "The second, Grace Pros, is priced slightly lower at 3,400 Rosens. The third, Frost Bite, is the most expensive at 5,000 Rosens due to its advanced abilities. Lastly, the fourth one is named Possibility and costs 2,000 Rosens—the most affordable option of the four.and I am talking about the gold rosens "

"Old man, when you asked Sophie about my savings, what was the amount she told you? I still can't quite remember," Soren asked, his mind still foggy about the details.

Alfred leaned closer and whispered with a sly smile, "Boy, you do know you're quite rich."

Soren's thoughts raced as he tried to piece together his understanding of the currency from his Zephyr memories. The largest coin was the gold Rosen, which was worth two silver Rosens. Then came pennies, with 100 pennies equaling one silver Rosen. They also used gold bars, though those were rare.

"You have 20,000 gold Rosens, 15,000 silver Rosens, and about 20 kilograms of gold bars," Alfred whispered quietly. "And that's not all—but your servant wasn't allowed to tell me more."

Soren's eyes widened in surprise. He always knew he was noble, but he hadn't realized just how wealthy he truly was. In fact, he was practically swimming in money—and that was only the portion his parents had forcefully deposited into his account.

Soren's eyes opened fully as he gathered his composure. Eric was watching him expectantly, waiting for his answer.

Clearing his throat softly, Soren asked, "So… can I buy all four?"

Eric raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? That's quite a hefty sum."

Soren nodded confidently. "Yeah, I think my parents won't mind this investment."

"The total will be 13,859 rosens," Eric said, leaning back.

"You know, a commoner wouldn't see that much money in their entire lifetime."

Soren nodded slowly, the weight of the moment settling on him. He knew Eric was right—this was an enormous amount of money. It was like spending over 5,000 dollars in a single breath. Even in his previous life, he had never held, let alone spent, that kind of money. It made him realize just how different this world was… how far his life had shifted.

"Nobles sure are rich… and you definitely fit the part," Eric said with a soft chuckle. "You remind me of your father, you know. That man once spent over 10,000 rosens just chasing a faint clue about his missing son."

There was a pause. Then Eric added, a mischievous glint in his eye, "Oh wait… that was you, wasn't it? I wonder how much I'd get if I held you hostage."

"You'd probably just end up dead," Alfred said flatly.

"Yes, yes, I know he's a general and I'm no match for him," Eric said with a chuckle. "But at least don't belittle me, Alfred."

"Whatever," Alfred replied with a shrug.

"Ah—Mr. Eric," Soren spoke up, clearing his throat. "I have a question. Do you have any way I can store the prosthetics and carry them around easily? Something that lets me switch between them when I need to?"

"Ah, yes, I have just the thing," Eric said, snapping his fingers. "It can store up to 500 kilograms, and it allows easy access to everything inside. There is a small flaw, though—but I doubt it'll be an issue for you. It slightly enhances your appearance to resemble the opposite gender."

He held up a pair of ear cuffs as he spoke. They were crafted from a silver-toned metal, with a prominent dragon motif curving elegantly over the ear. Intricate wirework spiraled into ornate patterns, accented with small silver beads and pale blue glass gems. Delicate chains dangled from the base, ending in a cluster of blue beads and a single, larger, clear teardrop-shaped crystal. The design shimmered with elaborate detail and ethereal charm.

Alfred took one look and snorted. "He already looks girlish. How much worse could it get?"

Soren frowned. "Is there really no other option?"

"Not for you, princess," Eric said with a sly grin.

"Whatever, I'm sleepy," Soren muttered, rubbing his eyes. "Pack everything up, old man. I've signed the check—give it to him and take me back. My servants are probably panicking by now."

After the payment was settled, they quietly left. Alfred carried Soren the entire way back, and neither of them spoke a single word. The silence between them was heavy but comforting in its own way. Once they arrived at the mansion, Alfred gently placed Soren on his bed, adjusted the blanket around him, and left the room without saying a word.

"I just know everyone who sees me now will think I'm a girl. Nooo—this is actual torture. This is so wrong," Soren groaned inwardly, flopping onto his bed. "Whatever... the bigger problem is the upcoming surgery. I just hope it goes well. I need to prepare myself for it." His thoughts swirled as exhaustion tugged at him, but the weight of what was to come kept his eyes open a little longer.

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