Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
“I’m very satisfied with this popcorn!”
Pete finally nodded at the peddler, but delicious food like this inevitably made him a little worried.
“I just don’t know how much a bag of this popcorn costs. Can we afford it?”
Looking at the group of simple-looking strong men, the peddler inexplicably felt a sense of guilt. He raised the price of the largest bag of popcorn to 8 silver coins.
“Don’t worry, the things I recommend are definitely not expensive. You can get this popcorn for just 5 silver coins. Of course, you’re so strong that 5 silver coins of popcorn is too little. My suggestion is to buy the 6 silver coin medium bag, or the 8 silver coin large bag!”
Pete calculated the money in his hand. If more than two hundred orcs each had one large bag of popcorn, it would only be a little over 16 gold coins. 16 gold coins were nothing compared to the more than two hundred gold coins he carried.
Rich orcs were just that extravagant.
Money once again refreshed its status in Pete’s heart!
“Give each of us a large bag of popcorn!”
The peddler’s eyes lit up at the words. He rubbed his hands, almost instantly calculated, and said cheerfully, “No problem, it’s a total of 16 gold coins and 72 silver coins. But, I still need to spend money to rent a car on the way, after all, this is quite a lot of popcorn, and if I delay, this position might be gone. What do you think…”
Pete understood what the peddler meant, but he wasn’t a pretentious or stingy orc.
“Here’s 17 gold coins. Should that be enough?”
“It’s enough, it’s enough! You all wait here for a moment, and I’ll bring the popcorn right over!”
The peddler left happily with a small bag of gold coins.
The cost of a bag of popcorn was extremely low, and this time it was almost his entire month’s sales.
As the City Lord had said, Most City only earned money from outsiders, and only outsiders’ money was the easiest to earn.
The peddler was quick. In less than ten minutes, he brought over a cart of popcorn. The carts were self-provided, so there was no need to rent them.
He had prepared enough popcorn this morning, and now a group of helpers at home were loading the popcorn.
This popcorn was meant to be sold at the main entrance to those who had actually bought tickets, so he wasn’t afraid of running into this group of big guys, as they were only standing outside the theater to watch.
Even if they found out the truth later, it would be fine.
Most City had extremely strict public security, and it favored the original inhabitants of Most City. Therefore, these strong men could only suffer in silence because they had no evidence.
“My lords, here is your popcorn.”
Although he had scammed them out of a large sum of money, the peddler gave the orcs a very generous portion of popcorn. Each large bag weighed a full ten pounds, much more than he usually sold.
This was also a way for the peddler to cover his tracks.
If the truth came out later, he could still use the portion size of the popcorn to make excuses.
“You are truly a good person!”
Pete hugged the bag of fragrant popcorn, resisting the urge to pull out a dirty, torn cloth. “You must be tired from running around. Wipe your sweat.”
The peddler chuckled dryly and did not take the cloth.
“Not tired, not tired, I’m used to it. Well, you all eat first. I have some things to do at home. See you again if fate allows!”
“Hey! Aren’t you saving your spot?”
“No need, those two guests aren’t coming anymore.”
The peddler’s voice grew fainter and fainter. Pete shook his head with a sigh. It was unreasonable for such a popular play to have people give up their seats.
As time approached nine o’clock, more and more people gathered around.
These were people who bought “standing tickets,” mostly commoners with little money. Occasionally, there would be one or two nervous-looking individuals dressed in fine clothes. These were mostly outsiders who had been swindled by merchants.
The orcs were tall and, carrying super-large bags of popcorn, immediately attracted the attention of the people around them.
Especially some children who came to watch the play, they were so envious of the popcorn in the orcs’ hands that they almost cried.
“Boss, they’re all looking at us…”
“Because we have popcorn, we are different~” Pete shook his head proudly.
Money, it was a wonderful thing!
They had popcorn, but these people didn’t, so these people could only look at them with envious and admiring gazes.
Unlike yesterday at the city gate, where they were always looked down upon by all sorts of eyes.
A sense of satisfaction arose in Pete’s heart.
At this time, he still didn’t understand that this feeling was called showing off.
“Uncle, can I have a bite of the popcorn you’re holding?”
Pete looked down and saw that it was a human child.
“If you want popcorn, why don’t you buy it yourself?”
“Because, because I don’t have money,” the little girl said timidly, her big eyes filled with longing for popcorn.
In her opinion, this big uncle had so much popcorn, and giving her a bite wouldn’t amount to much. Besides, her mother had said that good things should be shared.
“If you don’t have money, go earn it. I won’t give you any popcorn! Keke!” Pete held the popcorn high, a sinister smile on his lips.
The little girl was scared. She cried out “Boohoo” and turned to run, shouting as she ran, “Oh my god, popcorn monster, popcorn monster appeared. From now on, I’ll never eat popcorn again… Woo woo woo…”
Pete had no intention of scaring the little girl.
This was his popcorn, his exclusive glory.
At 9:10 AM.
A team of knights suddenly appeared on the empty tower.
They scanned the crowd, their gaze focusing on the group of strong men. A stern voice rang out:
“The Lord of Most Territory is benevolent. He has given you the privilege of watching the play for free. Therefore, I hope you will be grateful for the Lord’s kindness from the bottom of your hearts. Everyone, maintain order and remain quiet. Otherwise, don’t blame us for being impolite and driving you away or executing you on the spot! Do you understand?!”
“Understood!” Pete was the first to raise his hand and shout.
“We understand too!” the other orcs echoed.
“Very good,” the Knight Captain nodded with satisfaction and looked around at everyone, “My subordinates and I will supervise you!”
At 9:30 AM, the play “The Cinderella Orc Princess and the Pumpkin Carriage and the Glass Slipper” officially began.
As Pete, who was peeking through the theater window, finally saw his first play.
When the Cinderella Orc Princess appeared, his eyes widened.
Even though he told himself ten thousand times in his heart that it was a male orc playing the role, he still couldn’t suppress his excitement.
When he saw the Cinderella Orc Princess being persecuted by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, he clenched his teeth, wishing he could tear the stepmother and stepsisters to shreds.
The plot continued.
He saw the Cinderella Orc Princess put on the glass slippers and princess dress given by the witch at dusk. The mice turned into coachmen, and she then took the witch’s pumpkin carriage to attend the prince’s banquet.
How beautiful she was!
She was like the bright moon surrounded by stars!
Next, he saw the prince and the Cinderella Orc Princess dancing. They were smiling and happy, confessing their love to each other. Envy made Pete throw more popcorn into his mouth, chewing it “crunch crunch” as an act of revenge. His face was contorted, as if he were gnawing on the prince’s flesh.
At midnight, the magic was about to expire, and the Cinderella Orc Princess had to say goodbye. She rushed away like a startled fawn in the heavy rain.
“Oh! By the Orc God, she, she’s so pathetic, oh…”
Orc God (Ancient Red Dragon Soltan Trick): “(≖_≖ )…”
Pete emotionally wiped away a tear. The other orcs around him were already crying like puddles. The gushing tears even made the little girl who had asked for popcorn unbearable and she started to open the small umbrella she was carrying.
After that, the plot took a sharp turn.
The Cinderella Orc Princess’s secret was exposed!
The wicked stepsister wanted her to share her secret, and the cruel stepmother wanted to break her legs!
Just as the audience thought the prince would appear, the Cinderella Orc Princess couldn’t take it anymore. She tore off her clothes, revealing her strong muscles, and took out a Magic Cannon from under the bed she usually slept on!
“I’ve had enough of you all!”
He lifted the Magic Cannon, aimed it at his stepsister and stepmother, and roared furiously:
“Come on, my dears! Witness the wrath of the people’s rebellion!”
BOOM—!!!
Gray hair, horns on his head, this was the Little Radishes’ head maid Nina, scaly but unidentifiable.
