Published: January 4, 2026
“Adulterated!”
“So then, the salt sold here isn’t actually salt?”
“I thought it was cheap, but they were cheating us like this!”
The crowd of onlookers erupted into a loud commotion.
Among them, quite a few regularly bought salt here.
Naturally, regardless of the quantity, it’s virtually impossible not to consume any salt at all.
No matter how good the meat or how fresh the vegetables are, without salt, the food just tastes awful and can’t be eaten.
After the recent earthquake, the governor issued a notice declaring that profiteering from salt (and rice) would not be tolerated, but normal price increases were allowed.
After all, the earthquake damaged the roads, raising transportation costs.
As long as it’s not profiteering, it’s considered legitimate business, so no complaints are made.
Amid this, this store had been selling salt at the same price level as before.
While prices around had risen somewhat, keeping the price down naturally attracted customers.
At the same time, if they mixed something into the salt, customers would surely notice.
This is indeed a tricky matter.
Salt broadly divides into three types: sea salt, lake salt, and rock salt.
Whichever type, producing completely pure “unadulterated salt” is quite difficult.
Strictly speaking, pure salt is costly to make, so it’s typically sold to the wealthy.
What circulates in the market and reaches the common people is salt containing impurities.
Therefore, some degree of mixing is inevitable—or rather, normal—from the perspective of commoners.
However, everyone instinctively understands the difference.
They know the natural impurities that come with salt and the deliberate, artificial adulteration are not the same.
What Zoe exposed before everyone’s eyes was exactly this.
She dissolved the salt, and what remained was clearly an unnatural mixture.
“You cheated us!”
“You corrupt merchants!”
The uproar exploded.
One person threw a stone at the store staff.
When one started, others followed suit.
Stones and various objects were hurled at the store one after another.
Without needing Zoe’s command, the soldiers she brought stepped in to stop the crowd.
Zoe, anticipating this, had brought a large number of troops in advance.
While restraining the crowd, they handcuffed and chained the pale-faced store staff caught red-handed and escorted them away.
Finally, Zoe glanced over at me, and I silently nodded.
She led the soldiers and the arrested away.
With this settled, I thought it was time to return—when suddenly:
“Excuse me.”
A man approached and spoke.
He was a well-dressed middle-aged man with a calm demeanor.
His well-groomed, impressive beard showed he probably made a good profit in business, I thought intuitively.
“You must be the governor, your excellency.”
“...And you are?”
“I am Jamie Jakumi. My family has been engaged in commerce in this land for generations.”
“I see.”
I looked toward the seat opposite me; the man who called himself Jamie gave a slight bow and sat down.
“So, does that store belong to you?”
When I asked as he settled, he twitched for just a moment.
My opening punch had landed well.
But it was only momentary.
Jamie quickly regained his composure, wore a calm expression, and asked me back:
“Why do you say that?”
“The timing of your appearance is too convenient. I’ve been in this city for quite some time. If your family has been merchants here for generations, you must have considerable influence. If you planned to approach me, you would have come sooner, or perhaps at some specific timing...”
“...As expected.”
We exchanged looks for a moment, and Jamie appeared to raise a white flag quite readily.
“But if you allow me to make a statement in my own defense for the sake of honor.”
“What is it?”
“That store does not belong to us. In fact, it belongs to a faction we oppose.”
“I see, so the exact opposite, then.”
“Yes.”
Jamie said so, and I nodded.
My guess was off, but not entirely misplaced.
I had assumed someone on my side would approach at this timing, but it turned out to be the enemy.