Ludis was silently behind Maxi and answered for her.
"Those who commit theft or fraud must compensate victims by paying ten times the amount stolen.
Those who cannot pay the fine must provide work equivalent to the value."
"Surprisingly forgiving.
In Drachium, your hands would have been cut off right then and there," observed the princess casually, stroking her chin.
"What about murderers?
How are they punished?"
"They are flogged and exiled, or hanged.
The decision is usually up to the victim's family.
If the victim is an orphan, it is up to the lord to decide."
As she listened to Ludis' explanation, Maxi became more and more discouraged.
She was ashamed that she still knew so little about Anatol, even though she was his lord's wife.
“My God, why are there so many women in that tent?”
Maxi, who was embarrassed, looked up in the direction the princess was pointing.
About fifteen young women were gathered around a tent in a narrow alley, arguing among themselves.
Intrigued, the princess grabbed Maxi's arm and ran towards the commotion.
“For God’s sake, what are they fighting about?”
The young women were in a heated discussion about colored banners stacked on the stand, each one wanting the prettiest one.
Maxi was once again speechless when he didn't know what they were.
She looked to Ludis for help.
“What are these things?”
"They are sashes used for decoration, my lady.
The village girls twist them into a long belt.
They are worn during the spring festival, along with a wreath, when the girls go out into the fields to sing and dance."
“Ah, they must be playing the part of Wigrew's dryad's mistress,” observed the princess.
Ludis agreed.
"Legend has it that the nymph seduced the hero by adorning his waist with a colorful belt and his head with a beautiful crown.
For hundreds of years, the girls of Anatol have dressed up as the oak tree dryad every spring to sing in the fields.
It is an ancient tradition."
The princess's eyes sparkled with interest.
“Let’s pick one too.”
"Forgiveness?"
"Won't this be your first festival here, Maximilian?
We must participate in the festivities."
Without waiting for his answer, the princess held Maxi's hand and slipped between the young women crowding the tent.
Maxi was squeezed between them before she could even let out a scream.
Her hair ended up in a tangle and her clothes were disheveled, but the princess's grip on her hand meant she couldn't escape.
Maxi was close to tears.
“And this one?”
The princess, after pushing the girls away, held a purple banner that was in front of the tent.
Maxi was still somewhat trapped in the crowd of women, and she nodded frantically.
Someone was pressing painfully on her stomach, and the princess was pulling so hard that Maxi feared her sleeve would tear.
All she wanted was to escape the crowd.
However, the princess, evidently dissatisfied with her choice, began looking for another.
"I think a green or yellow headband would look good on you, Maximilian.
Or you could choose red to match your hair."
“I-I think… either one will do, Your Highness.”
"I think blue would suit me better.
What do you think?
Which of these suits my eyes best?"
“I-I… I don’t know…”
The women were still fighting for a place at the front of the tent, and, stuck in the middle, Maxi was on the verge of tears.
The crowd was angry that the princess and Maxi had jumped the line, and they expressed their disapproval as they tugged at Maxi's clothes.
Maxi has never been in such a difficult situation in his life.
She found it impossible to pull herself together.
After some time, the princess found two sashes that she liked and threw three derham coins to the merchant.
"I'll take these two!
Is that enough?"
"S-Sure.
Let me get your change..."
“Keep him,” cried the princess jovially.
Then she turned and easily disentangled herself from the crowd.
Maxi frantically rearranged her hair and disheveled clothes.
Hebaron watched the scene from afar, unable to stop the princess.
He sighed.
"Please don't make it difficult for us to protect you, Your Highness.
You could have been harmed.
Please consider your position“"
“Heavens, are you insinuating that innocent country girls could have harmed me?”Princess Agnes, who was happily inspecting the fabric that had spread out in front of her, turned her head to the knight and glared at him.
Hebaron corrected himself upon hearing her merciless tone.
"I was wrong, Your Highness.
It was those girls over there who were in danger.
You pushed them aside like they were nothing more than twigs."
The princess responded with a grumble and then turned to Maxi.
Still a little disoriented, Maxi jumped when the princess turned to her.
She felt tense.
With a beaming smile, the princess handed Maxi a red sash.
"My gift to thank you for being my guide today.
I picked one that matches your hair."
“T-Thank you, Your Highness.”
When Maxi timidly took the sash, Princess Agnes' lips curled into a satisfied smile.
Maxi stared vacantly at the slightly rough band.
She was becoming increasingly confused by the princess's actions.
Why was she being so cordial?
Oblivious to Maxi's perplexity, the princess tucked her own dark blue sash under her belt and showed it to Ludis.
“Is that how to use it?”
"Yes, Your Highness.
You tie it tightly around your waist...
and leave the ends loose like this."
“Try it too, Maximilian.”
“I-I’m scared because I’m… wearing a robe…”
The tunic Maxi was wearing didn't open in the front.
When she opened the front to indicate this, the princess shrugged resignedly.
"Too bad for today, then.
But you must wear it with me during the festival."
The princess laughed warmly, the corners of her eyes crinkling, before she began to inspect the stalls once more.
Maxi watched silently as the princess moved on.
After carefully folding the sash, Maxi placed it inside his pocket and followed behind the princess.
They walked around the market for another hour and a half before returning to the carriage.
In that time, the princess managed to buy five magic stones, drake scales, wyvern skin, and an excessive amount of herbs.
Watching the princess bargain fiercely with the merchants reminded Maxi of Ruth, and she wondered if all wizards lost their minds a little when they saw rare herbs or items needed for magical devices.
"Now I understand why traders come to Anatol despite the dangers.
Not only are there so many rare herbs, but magic stones are cheaper here than in any other region."
“According to our sorcerer, many types of plants grow in the Anatol Mountains,” explained Hebaron as he carried the princess's purchases into the carriage.
“And since many monsters reside there, it is easier for us to acquire their bones, skin, and magic stones.”
The princess, who was instructing the other knights to carry the items very carefully, turned to Hebaron with an inquisitive look.
"That reminds me.
It doesn't seem like the church objects to trading monster parts so freely in their markets."
"Neither the Orthodox nor the Reformed Church have any influence here.
Although we have a parish church, it essentially functions only as a shelter for orphans through the Commandant's donations.
As the land has been neglected for so long, it was only recently that the church recognized Anatol as a parish."
The princess opened her mouth impolitely.
"Hell!" she exclaimed, snapping her fingers.
“I’m beyond jealous.”
Maxi looked at her curiously.
“Why… would… make you jealous, Your Highness?”
"As a sorceress, I can only envy the church's lack of interference.
Wizards and clerics don't get along very well, you know.
In their eyes, we're no different than apostates who go against God's will."
The princess grumbled, sitting on the carriage seat.
Maxi went up and nervously moved his eyes.
Now that she thought about it, she remembered how the cleric who instructed her in the virtues of a lady had expressed his contempt for wizards.
“But… why?” asked Maxi with a confused expression.
“Being able to use magic… is an incredible feat… even nobles… hold mages in high esteem…”"Wizards only gained recognition with the beginning of the feudal system.
They quickly became invaluable as nobles became embroiled in land disputes.
With every overlord on the continent desperate for wizards to enter their service, even members of the clergy became tolerant of magic.
And so the Reformed wing of the church was formed.
Now that the influence of wizards has become too powerful, even the church does not publicly disown them, but...
traditional doctrine sees magic as a power demonic that goes against the will of God.
It also sees monsters as the creation of the evil god, so trading their parts is considered immoral.”
The princess took out one of the magic stones she had bought at the market.
Looking at the red gemstone, she sighed.
"The Orthodox Church still restricts the trafficking of these items.
And unfortunately, Drachium is under their influence, so the only monster parts we are allowed to trade are their magical stones.
Those caught selling their bones, scales, or skin are put on trial, and there are also restrictions that prohibit the creation of magical devices that are not approved by the church."
“Is the Reformed Church… more tolerant?”
“The Reformed Church allows trade in the bones, scales, and skin of monsters, but strictly prohibits trade in their blood and flesh.”
Maxi frowned.
“W-Why… would people buy this?”
She knew that the magic stones and bones of dragons and other monsters were used to create magical devices, while their scales and skin were used for shields and armor.
However, she had never heard of people using monster blood or flesh.
She had no idea what it could be used for.
When Maxi frowned, the princess gave him an amused look.
“They use it for black magic or alchemy… they say some even consume it.”
“C-Consume?”