Magical Journey: The Other Shore Blooms on the Other Shore

The Sky Tower—the iconic building of the Pierre Merchant Federal Republic. It is also the location of the Merchant Hearings, the political center of the entire merchant alliance—in other words, it is here that the value of all gold coins in the world is determined.

A place of great significance.

Except for the top level, where access is restricted to those not authorized to attend hearings, the rest of the area is open to tourists, but you have to pay. And the prices are quite high; the higher you go, the more expensive it becomes.

Moreover, there are no special privileges for witches here—after all, in this place, your status is judged solely by the amount of your wealth, not by the level of your magic.

Those sightseeing fees are a drop in the ocean for the rich, but for most people, it's an amount they could never earn in a lifetime.

"The first three levels cost ten gold coins... I think I'd better not go in." Elena immediately backed down.

Ten gold coins could buy a thousand loaves of bread in a normal area... but now that price only allows me to go inside and look at the architecture and decorations.

Even though I'm curious about what's inside as a traveler, I'll pass on this price.

"Beautiful lady, are you going in?"

Irena's thoughts were interrupted by a magnetic voice.

Looking over instinctively, I saw that the owner of the voice was a middle-aged man in a suit, with various medals pinned to his body.

But among these medals, Elena immediately spotted the one he was deliberately displaying. It was an ouroboros medal, with the ouroboros biting its tail and circling a gold coin.

This is the national emblem of this kingdom.

This medal also signifies that he was a member of the businessmen's hearing.

"A witch indeed, it's a pleasure to meet you this morning," the man said with a smile. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Frank, a businessman and councilor. May I ask your name, miss?"

They speak in such a refined and literary way... Although it sounds very polite, Elena doesn't particularly like dealing with people like that. After all, it's a bit tiring to be around them.

Moreover, it seems that such people in the story are all the kind of people who would stab someone in the back.

She prefers people who speak their minds directly, shut up when they don't have anything to say, and give money when they have it.

But even if you're not particularly interested, there's no need to make the conversation awkward when someone tries to strike up a conversation with you.

"Elena, the Gray Witch," Elena introduced simply.

“So it’s Miss Elena. Your name is as beautiful as your gorgeous gray hair,” Frank said. “Then this must be your friend.”

"His name is Qin, and he is my travel companion."

"I thought so too." Seeing that Qin didn't seem interested in him, Frank didn't say much. Reading people's expressions was as natural as eating and drinking for him. "Speaking of which, Miss Elena, is there something on your mind as you stop in front of the skyscraper? If you'd like, I can pay for your entrance fee."

It was obvious at a glance.

Sure enough, it's not particularly surprising that these people, especially elite business leaders, were seen through.

But he said he would pay in advance?

"Ah, I know you want to ask what you have to give up. It's nothing." Frank smiled.

"To be honest, I really don't care about the money I paid for you and your travel companion. I just wanted to make friends with the witch. After all, you can't go wrong when you're traveling. Consider it just a spur-of-the-moment investment. I don't know if my explanation will dispel your doubts."

What terrifying insight... Seriously, the last time I felt this way was when I was facing that mind-reading witch in the Death of Spedora.

The person in front of me seems to be able to do these things without magic.

Is this the vision of the wealthy? Trading small gains for unseen future profits. It's simply unimaginable what it means to be surrounded by people swimming in a sea of ​​gold.

Witches are not uncommon in the Federal Republic of Pierre Merchants.

In fact, some witches exist as family magicians for wealthy businessmen, undertaking daily security duties or educating the children of those wealthy businessmen.

The rewards are much higher than those from the Magical Union, and the lifestyle is more stable.

Even so, here, witches aren't so cheap that you can just randomly run into one while strolling around town.

It seemed that Elena had no right to refuse. After Frank said something to the guards watching the skyscraper, they let Elena pass—it would be a shame not to go after all that.

After all, no contract or anything was signed.

When Elena came in, Frank was nowhere to be seen; he'd probably gone to a meeting at the top.

"Hey? Are you here to make money like me?" A young woman approached Elena as she entered.

Her clothes stood out somewhat from those around her.

Everyone who comes here is wealthy, and the clothes they wear are all designer brands, the kind that you can tell are very expensive at a glance.

She was dressed very plainly.

Elena and Qin were dressed very plainly—perhaps it was from this point of view that they were recognized as “one of their own” by the ordinary person in front of them.

"Looking for money? Are there gold coins to pick up here?" Elena asked back.

Wouldn't that be a huge profit?

"Yes," the girl said with a smile.

Really?

"But you can't just stretch out and pick it up," the girl said mysteriously. "The gold coins aren't under our feet."

Is this some new kind of philosophy? It sounds so mysterious.

“You spent so much money to get in, so you must have the same thoughts as me,” the girl said. “Everyone who comes here is rich.”

"so?"

"If you hook up with a rich guy, isn't that like finding a gold coin? You understand these things, right? What do you think is the greatest asset a girl like us has besides magic?"

Hmm... I think I understand what she's trying to say.

"It's about looks and physique. Guys all like those things—these are our weapons. Only by turning those weapons into our wealth can they truly fulfill their purpose. To be honest, I've already hooked up with three big shots..."

excuse me……

Elena decided she didn't want to listen to her preaching anymore.

"Hey? I haven't finished yet. Since you're a newbie, I've decided to give you some experience." The girl caught up and said, "I can tell you how I bewitch those men, all you need is five gold coins and I'll teach you."

“I don’t need it,” Elena refused.

I don't care about gold coins like that—besides, do I need you to teach me how to do things? And you're charging me money? Aren't you going too far—do you even know who I am?

“Well—at least tell me your name,” the girl said.

"No comment."