CHAPTER 10: TOWARDS THE TOWN OF FINLIS

We arrived in Finlis shortly before the sun went down.

　Heading towards the entrance slipping in at the last minute.

“Esther, I thought you wouldn’t come back today.” (Guard)

　A man who seems to be a guard standing at the gate spoke to Esther in a light tone.

“Hah… huh… I was about to give up thinking that I could make it in time.” (Esther)

“I’ve been running for a long time… What did you fight? You look tired. What happened?” (Guard)

“A lot of goblins” (Esther)

“Did you kill them all?” (Guard)

“I did” (Esther)

“Really? Esther?!” (Guard)

　The guard opened his eyes to Esther’s words. He didn’t think Esther would lose the likes of a goblin.

(I guess Esther is such a strong adventurer) (Guard)

　The reason she lags behind the goblins this time is that the opponent was a horde.

　Quantity overwhelms quality. It’s the same whether it’s the Earth or Eargard.

“What happened?” (Guard)

“Hey, can you let us in first? We are a bit tired.” (Esther)

“Oh, I didn’t notice it. Then show me your guild card.” (Guard)

　Esther put her hand from the side of the iron breastplate and took out a business card-sized silver card from the inside.

“I have confirmed it. Who is that?” (Guard)

“Yes. This is Toru, but he doesn’t belong in any guild. Toru do you have anything to prove your identity?” (Esther)

“I came out of an unnamed village with just my clothes, so what can I use as proof?”

“If you don’t have a certificate of identity, you’ll have to pay a toll.” (Guard)

　Saying that the guard reached out.

　I understand that gesture means to pay one big coin.

　But now, I am poor and homeless.

(If I can’t pay the toll, where do I go? Isn’t this bad?)

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　Cold sweat starts to bead on my face. Whether or not she knew my inner feelings, Esther dropped a large copper coin into the hand of a guard.

“A big copper coin is just right. OK, you can go through.”

　The guard clasps a copper coin and opens the way.

　Seeing Esther entering the gate quickly, I hurriedly followed.

“Oh……”

　Looking at the cityscape of Finlis, I gasped in surprise.

　Immediately after entering the gate, two-story wooden houses were lined up across the streets.

　Perhaps the law stipulates that the exterior walls be painted white and the roof should all be red.

　The road is paved with stone. On the side of the road was a gutter for rainwater.

(The level of society is quite high…)

　I had imagined medieval Europe, but my eyes were shocked by Finlis’ high level of technology.

　The main street was vibrant with people doing their business.

　Stalls are lined up along the street, and the shop owners speak out to attract customers.

　Finlis’ locals are crowded in front of a stall with colorful vegetables and cooked dishes on a platter.

　From somewhere, there was a good smell of grilled meat and fat wafting towards us.

(I want to see all of it! I want to eat and walk around!!)

　I was curious as to what kind of food was lined up and what kind of food was available.

　However, if I am moving all over the place, Esther will be troubled.

　I reluctantly suppress my curiosity.

“Esther. About the toll, I’ll return it later.”

“Don’t worry. It is not much.” (Esther)

“Is that so?”

　I tilt my head in confusion.

“Oh, by the way, you said that you were from the countryside. Have you never seen money?” (Esther)

“Um…”

　I have not seen the money of this world yet. However, if I talk about it, she may find out that I am not a resident of this world.

　So I carefully opened my mouth.

“That is… I haven’t seen any kind money yet.”

“Well, if you live in a small village, you rarely spend money. It’s not strange to not be able to see one.” (Esther)

“…Oh, right. That’s right.”

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　That was good. She didn’t think it was strange.

　I rub my chest in relief.

“Hey, Esther. Where is the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“It’s a little further away.” (Esther)

“Then you can tell me a little about money while we walk?”

“Of course.” (Esther)

　Esther nodded and took out her coin pouch through the gap of the breastplate.

　She took out three coins from the inside and placed them in the palm of her hand.

“The unit of money is Garde. one Garde is one small copper coin, ten Garde for one large copper, and a hundred Garde for one silver. On top of this, there are ten thousand Garde per gold coins and one million Garde per platinum coins. Unless you are an aristocrat, you will not use the last two. There are other bills as well, but that is mainly for children’s use and it is not worth any.” (Ether)

“I see. What can one copper coin buy?”

“If it’s 1 garde, you can buy just one meat skewer there.” (Esther)

　In front of Esther’s line of sight was a food stall. On the signboard of the stall, I read a sentence written in a character I had never seen, “one meat skewer, one copper coin.”

(Oh, the [Language Comprehension] skill can be used not only conversations but also letters.)

[Language Comprehension] I feel the usefulness of the skill.

　The meat skewer looks like a yakitori. If this is the normal size, it can be finished in just three bites.

(In that case, 1 garde is about 100 yen)

　100 yen for copper coins and 1000 yen for large copper coins. The silver coin was 10,000 yen, and I understood the monetary system of Eargard.

　The money that a commoner need for one month’s life starts at around 5 silver coins.

　Weapons must be at least 10 silver coins.

　Clothes start from 3 copper coins for used clothes and 1 silver coin for new ones.

　I was walking while listening to the prices of this world from Esther, I suddenly looked up at a large building.

　A building made of stone and wood with a triangular roof attracted my attention.

“Hey Esther, what is that building?”

“That’s a Church of Forcels.” (Esther)

“Hee…”

(Is there religion in this world? …Maybe that self-proclaimed god was called Forcels?)

　I scrutinized the roof.

　I looked for clues that could connect to that god, but I could not find any similarities.

“Is Toru a believer of Forcels?” (Esther)

“No, no.”

　Maybe, I should look in Lid’s memories.

　It seems that Lid was not a believer, as there was no reaction when I recalled Lid’s memories.

“So, another god?” (Esther)

“No?”

“Hey, the blessing and majesty of the six pillars in Eargard haven’t even reached the village of Toru.” (Esther)

　My reaction made Esther snort in disbelief.

　After a while, I found a building on the main street that was a little bigger than the surroundings.

“We’ve arrived Toru. This is the Finlis Adventurer’s Guild.” (Esther)

“It’s pretty big.”

　The Finlis Adventurer’s Guild was about the size of a concert hall.

　The first floor is made of stone and the second floor is made of wood, making it more grand than other buildings.

“Finlis is the largest city in the area. Inevitably, there are many adventurers and requests. We need this huge building to handle everything.” (Esther)

　While we were talking, Esther and I enter the Adventurer’s Guild.

　I also stepped into the adventurer’s guild, while looking at Esther’s ponytails swinging happily.

“Oh”

　The first floor of the Adventurer’s Guild was like the front of a hotel. There was a reception counter, and there was a bulletin board where requests were posted.

　There was also a bar in a place away from the counter. There was a glimpse of the adventurers who had already started eating.

(After all, an adventurer’s guild needs a bar)

　While peeking around the bar, the adventurers at the bar opened their eyes as they saw me. Some of them are spitting out the alcohol they drank.

　I saw the adventurers as we walk so I walked behind Esther.

“Oh, Esther-san, welcome come home.” (Receptionist)

　When we arrived at the counter, the guild receptionist smiled with a smile.

　For the adventurers who have completed the killing subjugation request, this smile must be a reward. Her smile reminds me of a beautiful flower.

“… Esther-san, who is that?” (Receptionist)

　The receptionist, Marie desperately fixes her face in front of Esther who appears.

　It has been several years since she became a receptionist. Marie has observed various adventurers.

　From that experience, she can understand the ability of the other person just by looking at them.

　Marie saw the boy accompanied by the new adventurer Esther had a strong man’s aura.

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　Marie, who has no fighting power, seems to have her hips about gave way because of the blood rushing out.

　Although not shown in her expression, her legs are completely trembling.

“Oh, hey. I completed the request, but there was a problem.” (Esther)

“Problem……” (Receptionist => Marie)

　(What happened?) (Marie)

　Marie was confused.

　However, her turmoil is hidden by her pride as a receptionist.

“…Is that kid involved?” (Marie)

“No, actually-” (Esther)

“Oh, Esther-san. That was a quick return.” (Male voice)

　After obstructing the words of Esther who was trying to explain, a slimy male voice was heard from the back of the counter.