CH 10

The Starting City

…Oh, I forgot Gein.

I paused and waited on the road, and then Gein came running.

“Ajifu! Why the hell did you leave me behind!”

“Uh, I don’t know. It seemed like the thing to do. But why are you coming with me, Gein?”

“Ah, well, because it seems like the thing to do.”

“Heh.”

“Hehe.”

“Ahahaha!”

“Ahahaha!”

We looked at each other and laughed.

The neighboring city was Powarso, and it was one day away on foot.

“Chiltsia, was it? That’ll be a long journey.”

Chiltsia was what I said was my home country. Of course, I knew nothing of it. I had only heard a passing merchant talk about it. He has said, ‘Ah, black hair and eyes aren’t too common in these parts. Are you from Chiltsia?’ Apparently, it was an island country to the east of the continent. Huh. Never heard of it. But I pretended to anyway.

“Yes, I’ll have to cross many borders. It should take me two to three years.”

“That is indeed very far… O flames, Fire.”

Gein created some fire as we prepared our lunch.

Yes, Gein could use magic. Gein, of all people!

That being said, it was just simple magic for everyday life. If you wanted to be able to use more powerful magic, you had to study and train as a Sorcerer. But the minimum required magic manipulation skills for everyday magic could be learned at the Magic Guild(for 1 gold coin).

On top of that, you could also learn everyday magic that fitted your aptitude.

I asked Gein to try and unleash magic energy from his hand, but he said that such complex manipulation was beyond him.

Though, talented individuals could learn to do it on their own. Well, I was just a vanguard and a farmer.

Still, I intended to go to the Magic Guild in Powarso.

And my magical life in another world would finally begin!

We continued down the road without encountering any monsters. I had seen Horned Rabbits at a distance at least twice, but they quickly ran away when they saw that I was looking.

“That’s how it is on the main roads.”

I listened to Gein and we talked about meaningless things as we walked. By the time that the sun started to set, the town of Powarso came into view.

Ohh! It was a lot bigger than I was expecting! There was a simple outer stone wall that was 1 meter high that surrounded the town. And within, there was a 5 meter wall. But no castle. And there were enough buildings between the two layers of walls to make a small town.

“It’s huge compared to the village.”

“Don’t compare a new settlement to a town that has hundreds of years of history. Now, come on.”

He hurried me along. There was a line of people at the gate. It was as if they were being chased by the descending rays of the sun. Like the noon traffic after everyone finished their work.

“Entry taxes are five coppers. Be prepared.”

And so I prepared a single great copper for the both of us. As he was escorting me, I had to pay. When I looked around, there were others who looked like Adventurers.

The line moved rather smoothly, and then Gein raised his hand lightly and called to the guard.

“Hey.”

“Ah, Gein. But I don’t recognize your friend.”

“Aye, he’s from my village.”

There were rules for entering the town. Like taking off your hood, getting out of carriages unless you were the driver, and you couldn’t be holding any weapons, etcetera.

I was currently wearing a cape with a hood… It was long enough to keep the rain off and could also be slept on. I had made it myself and was quite proud of it… Regardless, I pulled my hood back and prepared the money. I knew what I was doing.

And so I handed the guard the great copper, bowed my head, and then passed through. I didn’t ask about it, but I was surprised that they didn’t have that thing…

“It would be useful if they had a crystal or magic device that allowed them to determine if someone was a criminal when trying to enter.”

“They can’t afford to use such expensive magic tools at the gate. But there are rumors that the lord’s mansion has a magic device that exposes a person’s title.”

Title. That would be bad. Surely a title like ‘Visitor From Another World’ would mean trouble for me.

“But if they had them at every guild, couldn’t they prevent criminals from getting registered?”

“It’s not something any ordinary person would ever see in their lifetime. Still, once you register at the guild, there will be records.”

So they don’t have them. What a relief.

That day, Gein took me to his usual inn, and then we went to a tavern where we drank and talked about the village and everything that had happened up until now. Gein paid for the drinks. He said it was his farewell gift. As I would need money for the travels ahead, I was very grateful.

When I woke up the next morning, Gein was still asleep. But since he had promised to give me a tour of the town today, I hit him until he got up.

“Alright, we’ll go to the armorer first.”

“Not the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“The guild will be crowded in the morning. It will be quicker in the afternoon.”

I see. Gein’s favorite armorer was a workshop in a back alley.

“Hey, old man!”

“I’m not old enough to be called that by the likes of you. What do you want?”

A craftsman stopped what he was doing to turn to us. He seemed to be the same age as me?

“I want you to make some armor for this fellow. How about it? Travels and an Adventurer.”

“Leather?”

“Yes, leather.”

“Hmm. Let me see your shield.”

I handed him the shield and he inspected it.

“Was this made in the village?”

“I made it myself.”

“While the construction is second-rate, the leather processing is not bad. A few adjustments should improve it.”

Ohh! It was worth all the effort then!

“As for the armor, it will be 2 golds for Murder Bull, 70 silvers for Orc, and 5 gold for Killer Ant. And the shield will be 30 silvers.”

He lined them up so that the center one looked cheap. Smart.

My whole fortune was 5 gold coins. What should I do…

“You also won’t be able to wear that leather jacket once the armor is ready. What will you do with it?”

“I suppose I’ll go to a used clothes store.”

“Let me have a look… I’ve never seen anything like it, but it is interesting. I’ll take it off you for 30 silvers. How about it?”

Wh-what! That’s a great deal!

“I’ll take the Murder Bull armor, and the shield repairing, and will sell the jacket!”

“Aye. Then I must take your measurements, so put this measuring armor on.”

I put on the simple armor and each part was adjusted with belts so that they could be copied onto the leather.

I see. And then he would put the parts together.

“It will be finished in four days. The total is 2 gold coins. You’ll pay half now and then the rest when you receive the armor.”

And so I handed him a gold coin and we left.

“I was highly amused by how the old man had you in the palm of his hand.”

Gein said with a laugh.

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, he makes you think you’re getting a bargain by buying things off you and offering services. Normally you’d start negotiating a discount at 2 gold coins. So the old man’s Murder Bull armor could go as low as 1 gold and 70 silvers.”

“What?! You could have told me about this!”

“Hey, but you don’t feel like you’ve been robbed, do you? Besides, you’re in good hands with that one.”

“Well…I guess.”

“Kind, but also make a profit. That’s what he does best.”

Was this like those shopping channels?! A modern person like me had fallen for such a trick…this world was a frightening place.

“What will you do next?”

“My wallet is feeling rather light now, so I want to fill it again. Please take me to the pharmacist that Mrs. Mefica was talking about.”

He then took me to a very small building. When I opened the door, I saw that it was filled with medicine and materials.

“Oh, welcome. What can I do for you?”

Said the old woman who was inside.

“I was wondering if you could buy some of my herbs.”

I then took out the bottles from my backpack. Getting rid of them would make the bag a lot lighter.

“Powdered, eh? And so much. Let me take a look.”

The healing herbs, antidotes, and un-paralysis plants were put on a scale to be weighed.

As I browsed the potions in the store, she called out to me.

“Do you make medicine as well?”

“No, not at all.”

“But your work is very careful.”

“I was taught by Mrs. Mefica, from Ruyana village.”

“Ah, that child.”

Child? Mrs. Mefica wasn’t so young to be called that…

“How about 1 gold and 80 silvers for all of them?”

“Good. I’ll also take 2 HP potions, 1 antidote and a potion that stops bleeding.”

“None for paralysis?”

“Do I need one?”

“There are paralysis rats in the mountain forests, and some territories have paralysis bats that come out at night. And in the south, there are insect monsters that can paralyze you. There are also paralysis vipers in the desert.”

“I guess I’ll buy it then.”

“I’ll give you a discount. So with the price of the potions withdrawn, that will be 1 gold and 55 silvers. Tell Mefica that I send my regards.”

“Aye, I will tell her.”

Answered Gein.

Two years of herbs had turned into money. I felt rather good. But the HP potions cost me 5 silvers and the others were 6 silvers. I would have to use them carefully.