n

n

nThe carriage continued along its way, only stopping from time to time take a break.

nAround the time when the sun was about to set…

nIn front of me were 10 coins.

nOf those 10 coins, 9 were in my hands. 3 were copper, 3 were silver, and 3 were were gold. They varied in size, the smallest being about the size of a 1 yen coin, while the next biggest was as big as a 100 yen coin, and the biggest was as big as a 500 yen coin. The remaining coin on the madam’s hand was a platinum coin about the size of a 1 yen coin.

n“We’re lacking two more, but right now, we have copper coins, silver coins, gold coins, and this platinum coin I have here. Each type of coin has three sizes, totaling to 12 different coins.

nA small copper coin is 1 suit, a medium copper coin is 10 suits, and a big copper coin is 10 times the size of the medium coin making it 100 suits. The value of the coins from silver onwards is a bit different. A small silver coin is 5 times the worth of a big copper coin, making it 500 suits, while the medium is twice that, being 1000 suits. From there on, you can just multiply by 5, and then by 2 on the next coin to get the values. The platinum coins are 10 times each, however.” Elize

n“A commoner’s normal daily expenses would amount to about 100 suits, so copper coin is usually what’s used. Silver coins are usually used for savings or for small stores. Gold coins are mainly used by large stores. It is also the coin most frequently by nobles. As for this platinum coin here, it’s rarely used. When it does get used, it’s only for big purchases or for dealings between nations.” Elize

nAlright, I think I’ve more or less grasped how coins work here.

nWhile I was gathering my thoughts, the coachman called out to us.

n“Everyone, we’re almost at our destination. You should be seeing the Town of Kereban soon.”

nOh, looks like we’ve made it to our stopover. And here I thought we’d be camping for sure… Wait a second, I don’t think I have any identification.

n“Umm…” Ryouma

n“Is something the matter?” Sebasu

n“I have… no identification… Is that ok?” Ryouma

nCalm down me! Wasn’t I doing just fine two weeks ago!? If I panic, I’ll start stammering again…

n“Please rest assured, a temporary one will be given to those without. They’ll have to conduct a simple investigation first, but it’s nothing to worry about.” Sebasu

nAhh, thank goodness…

nIt would be nice if I could do something about this speech problem already, though…

nAs I was thinking that, I unconsciously sighed, causing the madam to worry for me.

n“Are you ok? You really don’t need to worry, you know. No matter what happens, I’ll be sure to protect you. The town isn’t a scary place.” Madam

n“Ah…” Ryouma

nI think she’s misunderstanding, I better correct her.

n“Actually, I’m not worried, about the, town.” Ryouma

n“Really? Then what’s the matter?” Madam

n“It’s the way… I talk. It’s weird, right? I… This… Way of talking…” Ryouma

n“…True…” Madam

n“I haven’t talked… to anyone in 3 years… It was only… when Reinhart-san came 2 weeks ago… That I started talking again… So the words can’t come out right… I’m surprised… myself actually… I’ve been talking to the slimes… since then to pratice… And while it’s come back… to some extent… It’s still weird. I just can’t seem to fix–!?”

nWhat’s happening!? Madam!? Why are you hugging me!!?

n“It’ll be alright! Ryouma-kun! Just take your time, take your time… *SNIFF… You’re no longer alone, so…” Madam

nShe’s crying!? …Actually, it doesn’t seem to be just her. The ojousama and even the guys are… crying!? Why?

n…Ah, I see. From another person’s perspective, I must sound like a really lonely guy, huh.

nNot talking to anyone else for 3 years, and then when I finally meet someone, I can’t even talk, so I go and talk to some slimes instead.

n“It’s ok! …After all… I’m the one who decided to… live in the forest…” Ryouma

nAfter that, I kept trying to tell her it’s ok, but it wasn’t effective. The madam hugged me until the very last moment when we reached the gates.

nWhen we reached the gates, Sebasu-san and Reinhart-san got down the carriage. Apparently, they had to talk to the guards about my identification. After that, the madam and the others accompanied me to visit the guard house.

nActually, I would have been fine by myself, but the madam was worried, so she came with me.

nBecause of that the guards and the other people in charge of the process became very nervous.

nI’m really sorry, people I don’t know… For getting you caught up in this.

n“T-T-T-T-Then could you p-p-please touch this crystal.” Gatekeeper

nThis guy is way too nervous, not that I’m in any position to talk myself.

n“Yes.” Ryouma

nI meekly followed and touched the crystal. When I did, a blue light shone from the crystal. When the gatekeeper in front of me saw that, he looked alternatingly between me and the crystal.

n“C-Can you f-follow me inside for a second?” Gatekeeper

nDid something happen? If I recall correctly, blue means innocent, but…

n“Is there a problem?” Sebasu

n“The light is blue. Everything should be fine, no?” Madam

n“I-I-Indeed, the light is blue! But! A reward must be given! There is a record of of d-d-d-defeating a named bandit. So we must confirm and give reward!” Gatekeeper

nWhen the madam and Sebasu heard that, they calmed down, but the man didn’t bring me away anymore and did the entire procedure within an earshot of the madam and Sebasu.

n“T-Then let me ask you, young man. Did you by any chance defeat a bandit this year?” Gatekeeper

n“Yes.” Ryouma

n“The crystal says you defeated Melzen of the Red Spear. Is this true?” Gatekeeper

nMelzen? Who’s that?

n“I don’t know… that person.” Ryouma

n“He carries a red spear and is donned in a red armor. Doesn’t ring a bell?” Gatekeeper

nWhen he described the man, an image flashed through my mind.

nNow that he mentions it, there actually was such a guy. His spear was really good, so I immediately stored it in my Item Box.

n“I remember now. I stored his spear in my item box… Can that serve as proof?” Ryouma

n“Show me.” Gatekeeper

nI took out the spear.

nWhen the person-in-charge saw that, he examined the whole spear and wielded it. When I felt the presence of mana coursing through the spear, red flames suddenly spouted out from the tip of the spear.

nWhat!? That spear can do that!?

nI had no idea. I’m gonna try that next time.

n“No doubt about it. This is a red spear and a magic weapon, it’s definitely Melzen’s weapon. I’ll prepare your reward now.” Gatekeeper

nAs the man handed out orders to the soldiers, they hurriedly moved out.

nAs the man watched them leave, he spoke to me.

n“I have to say… It’s pretty amazing that you were able to take down Melzen. That man has gotten away from many adventurers and knights, he’s definitely no slouch. If you don’t mind, can you tell me how you beat him?” Gatekeeper

n“I was attacked by bandits… After I beat them, they told me before they died… that they were betrayed… So I searched the area… and found Melzen and his men drinking in… a cave.” Ryouma

n“That’s when you attacked?” Gatekeeper

n“No. I am a monster tamer… I told my poison slime… to go inside the wine barrel.”

n“Ahh, I see, so that’s how… Thank you for defeating him.” Gatekeeper

nAfter that, the soldiers brought the reward money, I stored it and my identification away in my Item Box.

nThe guards of the Jamil family were ordered to go ahead to the lodging, so they were no longer with us by the time we finished.

nIt was also decided that we would be walking to the inn, so the ojousama would have a chance to sightsee.

nIncidentally, the reward for Melzen was 700 small gold coins.

nAll of the sudden, I’m rich. I can’t think of a way to use it, though. Anyway, I should follow the others and thank them.

n“Thank you.” Ryouma

n“It’s fine~ You don’t have to be so reserved with us.” Elize

n“Still… it’s pretty impressive that you actually beat that Melzen.” Reinbach

n“Rather than that, can we please go see the town already!?” Elialia

n“Calm down, Elia.” Reinhart

n“But this is my first time walking in such a big town like this!” Elialia

n“Really?” Ryouma

n“Yes. Like I said yesterday, this is my first time going out. There aren’t any places like this town here where I’m from, and besides, this is the biggest merchant town in the Jamil Territory. You won’t find many towns with more people than this!” Elialia

n“I see.” Ryouma

nThere was indeed a lot of people, but it was still relatively empty for someone who has been to Tokyo. After all, when compared to Tokyo’s packed trains, the Town of Keraban was a whole league empty.

nHuh, come to think it, isn’t this my first time visiting an otherworld town? Not as exciting as I thought it would be.

nThe old buildings are a rare sight, but they’re not really something to fuss about. There are no beastmen or elves either… Wait, Ojousama! You’re too excited!

nThe crowd of people going to and fro wasn’t that big, but the ojousama was being too conspicuous. It was clear as day that it was her first time in town.

nIt seemed dangerous, so I caught up to her.

n“Ojousama, over here.” Ryouma

n“T-Thank you. There sure are a lot of people. I feel like it’s so easy to bump someone.” Elialia

nThis ojousama would stop at a weird place as soon as something catches her eye. That conspicuous behavior of hers was basically announcing that she knew nothing of the world. Thanks to that, some annoying people came.

nA girl was walking along a course that was sure to hit ojousama, so I pulled ojousama’s arm to get her out of the way.

n“It’s dangerous.” Ryouma

n“Oops… Tch…” Girl

nAfter pulling the ojousama away, I saw the girl clicking her tongue as she withdrew. So she really was a pickpocket.

n“Oh dear, thank you. Oh my, What is that?” Elialia

nThis time it was a man walking from the alley. I pulled the ojousama out of the way before they could collide.

n“It’s dangerous to jump out.” Ryouma

n“Huh!?” Elialia

n“Uoh!?” Man

nBecause I pulled the ojousama out of the way, the man missed his timing and tumbled onto the ground.

n“There are people coming out of the alley… be careful.” Ryouma

n“T-Thank you…” Elialia

nAfter speaking to ojousama, I approached the man.

n“Are you alright? You’re not injured, right?” Ryouma

n“This little br—!?” Man

nThe man tried to grab the nape of my neck with his left hand, but I lightly parried his hand up with my right hand and grabbed it. At the same time, I placed my left hand behind his elbow. Like this I twisted his arm and broke his posture without letting the ojousama notice.

nThe man was planning to say something, but when he realized he was falling, he stopped.

nI stopped him before he could completely fall, though, then I looked him in the eye and spoke.

n“You’re not injured, right?” Ryouma

n“Y-Yeah… Sorry about that. Thanks for lending me a hand…” Man

n“Please be careful.” Ryouma

nGood grief, don’t lash out on a kid just because you failed… I’m actually an uncle deep inside, though.

nLately, I’ve been forgetting whether I’m a kid or an uncle.

n“Ryouma-san! Let’s go there!” Elialia

nYou’re still planning to sightsee!? And how far are you criminals planning to follow us!!?

nAfter that I worked myself to the bone, protecting ojousama from pickpockets, extortionists, and kidnappers.

nFor some reason, the Jamil family seems to have left everything to me.

nThat aside, though, is this town really alright? Isn’t its public order too chaotic?

n