Chapter 71. Great Tracts of Land
By the time Mouse returned, Bast was long gone, and Rhys’s potato farm was well under way. It wasn’t yet time to set up the stand, so he was mostly farming the potatoes in preparation. He spent the rest of the day doing that, then, when the rats scurried up with tiny bits of trashure—most of them not particularly useful—reassigned them to guard his potatoes from their unenlightened brethren. The raccoon sauntered over and volunteered to guard as well, in return for a fresh absorption of its impurities. Rhys was happy to comply, and so the raccoon became the commander of his rat troops, ordering them left, right, and center in order to properly farm and guard the potatoes.
When he saw the critters heaping fresh compost on the plants, and even digging holes to plant more potatoes, Rhys nodded and left the farm in their capable hands. If they ate all the potatoes, he’d be slightly set back, but given his ability to generate fresh potatoes as long as he had some eyes, he wasn’t too worried. He gave them all the normal potatoes, indicating that they could eat the rest as long as they buried the eyes, and the rats took too his offer like fish to water.
He hadn’t had the materials to properly transform Bast, which was why he’d let his victim, ahem, friend go for the day, but a quick shop by the merchants’ district quickly remedied that. Seeing him come, the merchants quickly clamored for his attention, showing him fresh deliveries of potatoes, salt, and oil, but Rhys already had all of those that he wanted. Instead, he visited the perfume shops, makeup stores, and clothing stores, gathering all the gear he’d need. He could’ve fished things out of the trash, but this was important, and besides, he wanted to make sure he was up on the latest fashion, not accidentally crafting bumpkin robes from the tossed-out scraps of last year’s robes.
They had to look good. That was essential. A pretty face always sold more, whether it was male or female, and he was determined to sell the most of all. Fashion. Makeup. Jewelry. Perfume. These were their signboards, the posts upon which they staked their business. People ate with the eyes first, after all; therefore, Rhys intended to give them some eye candy before they made their purchases. The salesman who poo-pooed fine attire, a bit of makeup, a good scent, and tasteful jewelry poo-pooed a significant portion of his profits. As someone who previously hadn’t been blessed with an attractive face or a body that didn’t sweat like a pig, Rhys had experienced just how much of a difference a handsome face could make to a sale. Now that he had those things, he was determined to put them to their maximum usage.
Of course, there was a limit to what a handsome face could do, but he was willing to find that limit, rather than have to fight the current with a less-than-handsome face.
“Er, d-do you have a girlfriend?” Mouse guessed, looking at his purchases.
Rhys chuckled. “Not yet.”
She blinked, at a loss, and tilted her head to the side. “Huh?”
“Don’t worry about it. When do the rest of the students arrive for the tournament?”
“S-students are arriving constantly, but the big schools should arrive late today or tomorrow. Er, the Vurix Empire’s envoy arrives tomorrow morning, if that’s what you mean.”