"Looks like it was a miss again."
Zig and Sebastian returned just as dawn was about to break, reporting back.
It's not their fault. This time, the place we searched was the one I designated. I identified the blank spots from the eyewitness reports and ordered a search there, but they were one step ahead of us.
"We're at a disadvantage in a battle of wits."
"As long as they have the choice of action, it's inevitable that we'll be on the back foot."
Sebastian tried to console me, but with so many misses in a row, I couldn't help but feel down.
If we haven't found them, it means the enemy hasn't found them either. That's the only good news, but it's also the bad news.
The capital is vast, but the area is limited. No matter how skillfully they run, they'll eventually be cornered. It would be great if Rebecca could make contact with Leo before that, but the lack of contact so far means she can't get close to Leo.
"Hmm... Should we eliminate the surveillance around Leo?"
"That's not realistic. We don't know where they're hiding, and if a commotion breaks out, it will restrict the movements of the monk's brother."
"You're right. Since it's impossible to eliminate all the surveillance, it's not a good idea to take action."
I nodded at their opinions.
If we get involved in a commotion in the city, Father might call it off.
The empire has been involved in various incidents recently. Among them, Leo, as a hero prince, is highly regarded by the people. If anything happens to him, the empire might be shaken.
"Can't be helped. Let's continue as usual."
"That's the only way, right?"
"...Sebastian, I'm going out into the city today. Keep an eye on things."
"No, I don't. I need to clear my head."
"Is wandering the city a way to relax? You're a unique prince, aren't you?"
Sebastian chuckled at Zig's words.
This is more of a habit for me. Wandering the city in the same attire as the common people. It helps me understand their lives, and the relaxed atmosphere refreshes me.
"It's a problem that you're going out without a guard."
"Is it okay? Aren't you a candidate for the throne now?"
"There's no one targeting the washed-up prince. If there were, no one would be foolish enough to target me now. Leo is continuing the investigation into the southern nobles. Targeting me would be seen as interference. If that happens, Father will investigate the south more enthusiastically. The ones who would suffer would be those who targeted me."
"If that's the case, then it's fine. Be careful, though?"
Zig doesn't know I'm Silver.
He probably acknowledges my intelligence to some extent but thinks I'm powerless. That's why his concern is genuine.
Zig is a good guy, after all.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Auntie, how much is this?"
"That one? Two imperial red copper coins."
"Two red copper coins? Isn't that expensive?"
I pointed at the red fruit and asked. It used to be one coin.
The imperial currency is used throughout the empire and is the most widely circulated currency on the continent.
Starting from the lowest imperial copper coin, it increases by tenfold to the imperial red copper coin, then the imperial silver coin, and so on.
The order is copper coin, red copper coin, silver coin, white silver coin, gold coin, platinum coin, and rainbow coin.
Platinum and rainbow coins don't circulate much. They are only used for large transactions by merchants or between countries.
The average monthly income of the citizens of the capital is about seven to eight white silver coins. The currency in circulation among the people goes up to gold coins.
"Sorry, there are problems everywhere, you know? That's why the circulation is sluggish."
"I see. Got it. I'll take two, then."
"Sure. Four coins, please."
I took four red copper coins from the purse tied to my waist and handed them to the auntie.
I received two fruits and walked around the city, eating them.
The city is lively, but prices are rising. The mass appearance of monsters and the anomalies in the south have had a continuous impact.
"It's probably because of the throne struggle."
I shouldn't be saying that, being one of the main participants in the struggle. Moreover, I have a position where I can live without doing anything. It's a ridiculous situation.
The average monthly income of the people is seven to eight white silver coins, but princes receive at least three gold coins as a stipend. More than three months' worth of income for the average person comes to a prince without doing anything. The amount increases with achievements, and if they take on a position, they also receive a salary.
The gold coins I gave to Linfia were ten years' worth of that stipend, roughly equivalent to three rainbow coins. That much money can be spent on a raid quest. It also costs about the same to hire an SS-rank adventurer for a mission. Linfia thanked me because of the amount.
Silver is quite cooperative with the guild among SS-rank adventurers. I deliberately take on missions from the guild myself to avoid the nomination fee.
I do this because I feel guilty about taking high nomination fees despite being a prince.
"I'm not a hypocrite just because I don't take them for free..."
While muttering this, I noticed a troubled-looking girl at a nearby stall. Her light purple hair caught my eye, but more importantly, she had a distinctive feature.
Her ears were slightly pointed, a characteristic of a half-elf. She was probably trying to hide them under a hooded cloak.
However, it seems the hood came off, and she was arguing with the stall owner.
"You said it was two silver coins just a moment ago!"
"Shut up! It's different if you're a half-elf! If you want it, it's two white silver coins!"
She was probably buying ingredients for today. Her bag was filled with food.
It seems the hood came off during the checkout.
The empire accepts many sub-humans, but that doesn't mean there's no discrimination. I've heard that it's better if they're willing to sell. In other places, half-elves can't even shop. That's how much they are despised.
Neither human nor elf, the exclusive elves hate humans and, by extension, half-elves.
Humans also look down on half-elves, who are not born properly, and avoid those who are closer to elves in nature.
To make matters worse, it seems the stall owner is not from the empire but from elsewhere.
People around were whispering about it.
"I came here to refresh myself..."
Looking around, many people looked sympathetic, but no one intervened.
It's always the same with troublesome matters.
After hesitating for a moment, the girl sighed and reluctantly handed the bag of ingredients to the owner.
I didn't want to see something unpleasant. Letting it go would have made me feel bad.
An impulsive action due to lack of sleep.
I called out to the owner and the girl.
I snatched the bag from the owner and placed two white silver coins in his hand.
"How much will satisfy you? Will you be friendly if I give you a gold coin?"
"What the hell! Who are you! This is our problem!"
"Here is the empire. We accept sub-humans."
"Doesn't matter! Half-elves are not sub-humans! They're not human either!"
"Enough. I've paid. I'm taking it."
"No way! If you want it, leave a gold coin!"
The owner smiled unpleasantly.
He probably thought he could squeeze money out of a good person.
What a ridiculous situation.
Bullying the weak and taking advantage of those who show a sense of justice.
People around started to protest, but the owner was defiant.
"Shut up! The empire is having food circulation problems now! That's why I'm bringing food from elsewhere! I need to choose who to sell to to make it worth it!"
Saying that, the owner reached for the girl's bag.
I grabbed his hand and glared at him.
I was already irritated from lack of sleep, and this made it worse.
"This will stop any complaints."
I took out a gold coin with my free hand.
The owner smiled and reached for the gold coin.
At that moment, a voice came from outside.
"What's going on!? What's this commotion!?"
A patrol officer from the police force pushed through the crowd.
"No, no, officer. The deal is done. It's fine."
The officer looked at me.
Then he widened his eyes and saluted hurriedly.
"Y-Yes, I do! I support Prince Leonard!"
The officer straightened up.
From his words, he either belongs to Leo's faction or is related to it. Pretending to be Leo would be difficult.
Besides, Leo is out in the city now, so it's not feasible.
"Perfect. Is it allowed to raise the price because she's a half-elf?"
"N-No, it's not allowed! Our empire accepts all races, and merchants promise not to bring prejudice when they receive a business license in the capital!"
"Then confiscate his license. He raised the price twice. If you don't arrest him, Leo will come running with a changed expression."
"Wait! I didn't know it was a prince! Prince, please forgive me!"
"That's not the issue. You're being arrested not for disrespecting me, but for breaking the rules. This is the empire. Here's the gold coin. Consider it a lesson."
With that, I grabbed the girl's hand and left the scene.
I couldn't afford to stand out any more.
After walking for a while, I was called from behind.
I let go of the girl's hand.
It was probably rude to hold the hand of a girl I didn't know.
When I apologized, she shook her head and smiled brightly.
"No, thank you for helping me. No, thank you very much, Your Highness."
"I'm incognito now. I'd appreciate it if you could skip the formalities. What's your name?"
She was surprised by my casualness and widened her eyes.
Then she giggled and extended her right hand to me.
"Got it. My name is Sonia. Sonia Raspeade. As you can see, I'm a half-elf."
"It doesn't matter. I'm Arnold. Call me Al."
"Okay! Then I'll call you Al-kun!"
And that's how I met Sonia.