By Goose:
On December 14th, a "free market" was held in Sanjerton, the royal capital of the Kingdom of Franz.
For this event, the drill grounds before the Royal Palace were opened to the public, creating a "free" open-air stall market where no taxes or venue fees were collected whatsoever.
It boasts a long history, said to date back around 120 years.
Although there was apparently a period where it ceased to be held, for the past twenty years or so, it has taken place annually at the end of the year.
We received word from Jin—the leader and head of our Jin Family—and since Saki has an insatiable fondness for such occasions, she was eager to go. Thus, with support from Laojun, we decided to pay it a visit.
First, Raptor 11, piloted by Sky 23, touched down in a forest clearing near the royal capital in the middle of the night.
Using the installed Warp Gate, Saki and I made the crossing at 8:00 a.m. local time.
Since it would take an hour to walk to the capital from there, we had a small Golem automobile delivered via transporter.
From what I understand, automobiles are commonplace in the Kingdom of Franz, so it was unlikely to draw much attention.
By car, we reached the royal capital of Sanjerton in less than ten minutes.
Passing through the city gates without being questioned in the slightest, we drove into town alongside other automobiles and horse-drawn carriages.
The route was already memorized, so navigation posed no issue. Rather, going straight down the Central Thoroughfare leads directly to the Royal Palace, and the plaza lies just before it.
"Kufu, I'm really looking forward to this."
Riding in the passenger seat, my partner, Saki, murmured with her distinctive, amused chuckle.
"Yeah, me too," I replied.
Offering silent gratitude for having been granted life once again as a homunculus in this era, I steered the automobile toward the designated parking area.
By Saki:
It's been quite a while since I last went out!
My travel companion was my husband, Goose.
Our destination was the "free market" held in the royal capital of the Kingdom of Franz.
I wonder if it's a bit like the "free markets and open guilds" I heard about from Jin a long time ago?
Normally, setting up a stall costs a fee, and if you turn a profit, you have to pay taxes on your earnings.
However, this "free market" supposedly costs nothing at all.
For the Kingdom of Franz, rather than taxing this once-a-year event directly, they likely expect the market to invigorate the economy, ultimately leading to higher overall tax revenues.
As for how we got here, Goose has already covered that, so I'll pick up the report from there.
Using the drill grounds as its venue, the market is remarkably spacious.
Of course, it doesn't take up the entire drill grounds. The stalls seem to be spread across an area roughly three hundred meters on each side.
Some merchants lay their goods out on wooden stands, while others simply spread groundsheets and display their wares on top. There's quite a variety!
I wonder if we'll manage to see everything.
The area seems to be loosely divided by the type of merchandise.
Naturally, the raw materials section is the first place I want to explore!
By Goose:
I am currently browsing the free market with Saki.
It is thoroughly enjoyable. Just looking around is delightful enough, but having the means to purchase items of interest is truly a blessing.
Since an inexhaustible sum of foreign currency has accumulated on Hourai Island, we were handed around one million Toll and told to spend some of it for the sake of stimulating the global economy.
To be frank, it threatens to warp my sense of financial reality. I must be careful not to let this lavishness become my baseline.
As my academic specialty lies in folklore and cultural anthropology, observing the fruits of human endeavor is a pleasure in its own right.
In contrast, my partner, Saki, shows an extraordinary passion for raw materials.
"Let's check out that side first!"
I had no objections. Guided by Saki's lead, I followed as we headed toward the sector where the material merchants were clustered.
"Wah, look at all these different ores!"
To Saki, none of these minerals should be particularly rare, yet watching her light up with excitement brings a natural smile to my face.
When engrossed in her research, Saki is deadly serious, cloaked in an almost unapproachable intensity; but in moments like this, she is as innocent as a young girl.
Both facets are quintessential Saki, and both are part of her charm....I have digressed.
By Saki:
Browsing through raw materials really is the best!
There are many ores I already recognize, but the fact that they're being sold at street stalls likely means they were mined locally in this country.
After chatting with a few vendors, it seems most of them are selling their stock simply because "the colors are pretty."
Even though that pink-colored rhodonite is a valuable source of manganese ore! What a waste.
Then there's malachite with its striking green, and azurite with its deep, radiant blue.
"Just looking at pretty stones makes me feel so happy!"
When I said that to Goose, he gave me a sour look. I wonder why?
By Goose:
Saki is gleefully examining the various ores.
As a naturalist, I share an interest in them, but I cannot hold a candle to her sheer passion.
Even when she tells me, "Just looking at pretty stones makes me feel so happy," well...
Speaking for myself, looking at Saki's blissful expression is far more comforting.
As we were wandering around, I caught sight of Jin and Elsa in the distance.
Saki, completely absorbed in the mineral displays, did not seem to notice them.
Since they are honored state guests of the Kingdom of Franz, there was no need for us to draw attention by openly acknowledging our connection.
Without exchanging a word, we let the crowd carry us apart.
I look forward to catching up with them at our leisure once we return to Hourai Island.
By Saki:
After finishing with the minerals, we headed over to the general materials section.
That was when Goose told me, "I just spotted Jin and Elsa."
Since those two are honored state guests of the Kingdom of Franz, we couldn't very well call out to them. Once we're back home, I'd love for us to show off our respective hauls!
Most of the materials on offer were textiles, lumber, and stone. There were also a few items harvested from magical beasts.
Though, they were all relatively common commodities, like mountain deer antlers and Rock Wolf fangs.
By Goose:
We also browsed through the vintage magi-devices. Jin and the others are bound to come inspect these as well, but... Ah, they are likely having lunch right about now.
On that note, when dropped into an environment like this, Saki and I tend to dive in and literally forget to eat or sleep...
By Saki:
The vintage magi-devices were fascinating.
Vendors were selling refrigerators, water heaters, and even lighters manufactured four hundred years ago.
Jin and his party would certainly find them intriguing as well. I considered buying them, but decided to leave them for others to discover.
"Man, that was so much fun, Goose!"
"Indeed. Though I must admit, I am rather exhausted."
A thoroughly delighted Saki, and a visibly drained Goose.
Small wonder, given the heavy parcels loaded into Goose's arms—today's hard-won spoils, needless to say.
"Kufu, I can't wait to get back to Hourai Island and analyze everything!"
"All I want is a good, long rest..."
After stowing their haul into the automobile, the two drove off toward the outskirts beneath the gathering twilight.