After an hour of his little exploration, Ed had gained a general understanding of the city. It was a place where beauty was built on pain. To create allure and attract tourists, the poor, the homeless, and the lower classes were driven to cramped corners or forced beyond the city limits.
Subsequently, vast resources were spent constructing exquisite buildings, and all the stores catered to the rich and powerful, driving economic growth through high consumption. This also made it extremely safe, clean, and a pleasant haven for the wealthy.
After a round of wandering, Ed found a random shop and enjoyed a delicious meal. He had no intention of overspending on luxury goods, what use were they to someone who would spend most of his time on a ship?
A good bed was the only luxury he needed. However, Ed was more than willing to splurge on fine food. After eating, drinking some fruit juice, and packing away more delicacies for a few silver coins, he walked out of the restaurant in the afternoon.
Without pause, he headed directly into the small-looking jewelry shop in front of the restaurant, run by a middle-aged man. He didn't forget to adjust his disguise and lower his hat before entering. A glance around showed it wasn't as high-end as the bigger establishments, but it was tidy and well-stocked.
With no other customers inside, Ed approached the counter, leaned against it, and spoke in a low, heavy, and rough voice to complete his disguise.
"Do you only sell jewelry, or do you buy it as well?"
"If you're looking to sell stolen goods, there's no need to be so serious. And before you say anything, my price will be 20% lower than outside. We don't do loss-making business here," The uncle replied without much expression, giving Ed a casual glance before returning to his book, which appeared to be a pirate's biography.
"I see. That's fine. Check them and give me a reasonable price. By the way, I've already been to two other shops and know the general rates, so don't try to rob me even with your 20% cut. Otherwise, I won't mind visiting a fourth," Saying this, Ed placed three gold necklaces, two silver necklaces, a blue-gemmed bracelet, a gold crown-like ladies' headband, and a ruby-topped silver-handled dagger on the counter.
"Oh, you seem to have done quite well for yourself," The uncle remarked, finally setting his book aside. He picked up the dagger, eyed the ruby, and continued with a hint of surprise. "First time on this island?"
"That's right. No one here knows the terror of the Great Toad Saga, so slipping these from under their owners' noses was as easy as bullying children," Ed said calmly, his eyes briefly scanning the book's title, which had successfully caught his attention. The fake name came naturally from a show he'd quite liked in his previous life.
Seeing Ed boast, the uncle rolled his eyes and began inspecting the items. Five minutes later, he was jolted from his concentration by the loud smack of a book hitting the floor.
"How are you still sane after reading this garbage? And this is called a biography? Motherf*cker, 95% of it is pornography, and the remaining 5% is just two idiots shit-talking and brawling. And you're reading it with a straight face as if it's some historical document?" The more Ed spoke, the redder the uncle's face grew, after all, it was fairly shameful for a man his age to read such material in public.
"Brat, don't talk nonsense. This has been 'Biography of the Year' for two years running. By insulting it, you're insulting everyone who bought it and voted for it," The uncle retorted angrily, thick-skinned and unwilling to back down.
"Only a pervert like you, who can't find a woman even at your age, would read this trash. And how could you waste money on it? In the name of porn, that bastard only uses a single position in the entire book, it's like he's sponsored by the inventor of that move," Ed shot back, hammering his fist on the table.
"Well… I don't want to admit it, but that is a weak point," The uncle grumbled weakly. "Anyway, forget the book. It's none of your business what I read. Let's talk business. I've checked your goods. I'll give you one Golden Sail, two Leaves, and four Silver Snakes. Take it or leave it." He said this with a poker face as he picked the book up from the floor.
"Two Golden Sails and ten Silver Snakes, and they're all yours. Don't even try to lowball me, I've done my research. Just look around: your simplest silver jewelry sells for more than five silver coins, and almost everything I've brought contains gold. I don't think I need to explain further." Ed spoke expressionlessly as he began returning the jewelry to his bag.
"Two Golden Sails…"
Before the uncle could finish, Ed picked up the bag and started toward the door without another word.
"Hey, stop! Where are you going? Damn it, that's not how negotiation works! Alright, fine, two Golden Sails and ten Silver Snakes!" Seeing his fat sheep about to escape, the uncle called out urgently, wearing a helpless expression as though facing a major loss.
"Three Golden Sails. Otherwise, I'll find someone else," Ed turned his head and replied coldly. His thuggish disguise and thief's persona suited the tone perfectly.
"No way! That's broad daylight robbery! If I give you three Golden Sails, what's left for me? I can't accept that. You'd better stick to the previous offer instead of getting greedy… Bastard, at least let me finish! Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Once again, as Ed moved toward the exit, the uncle chased after him, grabbing his arm angrily.
"If you're not interested in my deal, why should I waste my time? There are plenty of jewelry shops here. I'm sure I can find at least one good-hearted owner," Ed replied, forcefully freeing his arm.
"Damn it! Alright, two Golden Sails and fifteen Silver Snakes. I can't go a coin higher. Now if you want to leave, go ahead. I won't stop you again," The uncle finally gritted his teeth and found a middle ground, crossing his arms as he laid out his final offer.
"Deal. Here are your goods. Now bring me my money," Ed said excitedly, as though he had successfully cheated a cheater. The uncle, wearing a face like he'd lost all his property gambling, returned to the counter, took a money bag from a hidden safe, carefully counted out the coins, and handed them over. Ed casually placed them into his pocket, or rather, into his Inventory, and walked out of the shop with a satisfied smile.