Chapter 152: A scam
What the baron failed to consider was the simple economic reality that most people in Esta couldn’t afford items priced in the hundreds of golden coins. His own wealth, accumulated through decades of illegal activities including slavery, extortion, and collaboration with extremists, had distorted his perception of normal purchasing power.
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Even the residents inside the demon academy are unable to purchase such items despite their abundance of golden coins. So, residents in Esta can never afford an item that costs a thousand coins
But Richard’s criminal mind had latched onto what he saw as a perfect opportunity for additional leverage. Catching Noah in an obvious scam provided exactly the kind of ammunition he needed to ensure complete compliance with his demands.
I’ve got him now. Fraud accusations against nobility would mean prison or worse. Richard thought, a smirk on his face.
Noah watched the baron’s expressions change with careful attention, noting the shift from shock to calculation to satisfaction. He could practically see the criminal’s thought process playing out across his features.
He thinks I’m running a scam. Perfect. Let him believe whatever keeps him talking.
Noah chose not to explain or defend his premium products. The baron’s assumptions revealed more about his intentions than any direct questioning could accomplish. Besides, since he believed that these items were a scam, he wouldn’t resort to buy them.
Noah was never going to give such an item to the baron, no matter what plans he was thinking of. The only items he would give to the baron in order to reveal his hidden plans were the bread and iced tea, as for the other items, those were simply too precious to waste on such a small-time baron that was bound to be caught.