Five days of introductory lessons had quickly taught Sylutia the basics of this world, such as copper, silver, and gold coins, and how to identify their origin, year, and value from the patterns of leaves and flowers stamped on them.
100–110 copper coins = 1 silver leaf coin
100 silver leaf coins = 1 gold flower coin
"Most silver coins have a leaf pattern stamped on the back. That's because the earliest silver coins were made from silver leaves taken from the World Tree by the Elves. Later, when the other races began making their own currency, they kept the same design, usually using leaves as the pattern. Some use the crests of noble houses instead. For example, Marquis Warren in the east uses a wolf beast as his emblem."
"Although silver coins have different designs, they all follow the same standards for size, weight, and silver content. Those standards are used across the continent."
"Then there are gold coins, also known as gold flower coins. That's because many of them have floral patterns on the back, representing the royal family that minted them," Winnie explained.
"Could other nobles—not royalty, just marquises and counts—put flowers on their silver coins?" Sylutia asked curiously.
"No." Winnie shook her head without hesitation.
"Only royalty can use flowers as their crest. That goes back to a very distant history and involves the highest powers in the world."
After explaining the different types of currency, Winnie told Sylutia about the general state of the Regas Kingdom.
The current ruler of the Regas Kingdom was its seventeenth monarch, Asatis, who lived in White Cliff City. The kingdom had fallen into decline, and Regas was no longer a kingdom but had been demoted to a duchy. Its ruler was now known as the Grand Duke of Regas.
Every autumn, large merchant caravans set out from all over the land for the Royal Capital, White Cliff City, to trade, then returned before winter.
These trades stocked supplies and food for the entire winter. If a territory lacked enough food to last through the cold months, it would spend a fortune buying the surplus grain of other territories to get by.
"Forests, mountains, and plains are the most common terrain in the country, and each region produces different things. This area around Scorched Stone City, where we are now, is mostly forest, so every autumn we send out a merchant caravan to buy grain and stock up, just in case we run short of food in winter."
"Of course, we have our own local specialties, such as fir timber, resin, furs, smoked meat, and some pickled fruits."
Winnie then went over the approximate prices of various everyday goods in the area, so the sheltered young lady wouldn't get cheated.
Four days later, at Winnie's home.
"Congratulations, Miss Tia. You've completed all your lessons. You now know more about the local area than 95% of the people on the street," Winnie said with a smile as she closed the book.
The girl thought back over everything she had learned these past few days: the growing seasons of local crops and the basics of animal husbandry, the terrain and regions of the Regas Kingdom, the meanings and origins of the various nobles' crests, and the general structure and functions of the many guilds. Winnie had given her a thorough introduction to the local area.
"Thank you, Teacher Winnie." She stood and bowed.
"I'm glad to have such a bright student, too." Winnie sighed. Tia had learned faster than anyone she'd ever met. Many complicated ideas needed little explanation; she only had to mention a term, and Tia could quickly figure it out by following the patterns and logic.
Talia would probably never catch up to her sister in her entire life. Winnie glanced at her distracted younger sister and could only shake her head in exasperation.
"That's enough for today. You've learned a lot these past few days. It's time you went out for a walk."
"Talia." She called her sister's name, startling the distracted girl back to attention.
"I'm here. What is it, Sister?"
"Go for a walk with Miss Tia this afternoon." Winnie gave her the assignment outright.
"Sure, no problem." Talia was delighted. She finally wouldn't have to sit here studying.
After lunch, Sylutia and Talia walked along the streets of Scorched Stone City. The sky was clear again, and the city was as lively as ever.
Wearing a reddish-brown cloak, Sylutia strolled over the gray-black stone paving, her hands resting naturally at her sides.
"By the way, can ordinary people visit the Adventurers Guild?" She remembered the letter of introduction Frien had given her.
"Of course. But those adventurers are far stronger than ordinary people, so commoners don't really dare go near them."
"I see." Sylutia suddenly wanted to find out what level the adventurers in the city were.
"Let's go take a look."
"I want to go, too." Talia was actually very interested in adventurers, but she wasn't strong enough, so she'd had to give up on becoming one.
Before long, the two arrived at the entrance to the Adventurers Guild. They looked up at the tall doorway, then went inside.
The lobby was exceptionally spacious, large enough to serve as a tavern, though it didn't sell alcohol. Instead, there were plenty of empty seats for visitors to rest.
Everywhere they looked, they saw adventurers and mercenaries carrying weapons. Most wore leather armor, while a few were equipped with half-suits of chainmail. Unlike soldiers, these adventurers also carried all sorts of tools, such as ropes, iron traps for catching creatures, cages, and lamp oil.
A group of people had gathered beneath the notice board, looking over the bounties.
"A monster of unknown appearance has been attacking merchant caravans near Water Ditch Town. Bounty: 60 silver coins."
"Buying teeth from First Order beasts. 3 silver coins per tooth, 20 silver for a tusk."
"Wanted: Water Mist Orchids, 23 silver coins each. Three needed."
"Kill the mutated otters upstream from Forest Creek Village. 2 silver coins per otter, around twenty in total."
A team that looked vaguely familiar to Sylutia was standing beneath the board, searching for a bounty they could take.
"Jero, how about we go kill those otters? That one looks easy," said a boy wearing simple leather armor. His eyes were slightly long, making his face look somewhat fierce.
"Otters aren't easy to deal with." The muscular man called Jero shook his head. His broad palm rested on the boy's head, nearly covering it.
His rough fingers ruffled the boy's hair. The man grinned as he explained, "If we want to kill the otters, we'll have to get in the water. But once we're in, we won't be nearly as strong as we are on land."
"Those otters must have been tainted by Aspect Power. They're incredibly fast in the water, and clever, too. If we take a boat, they'll punch holes in the bottom."
"I've seen plenty of adventurers learn that the hard way," he said, drawing on his past experience.
"Ah, so how do we handle this job? Do we need to hire a professional hunter to help?" The boy spread his hands, pushing the man's palm off his head.
"Hahaha, no need for that. I've got plenty of experience dealing with otters. Come on, let's take the job first, then go next door to the Alchemist Guild and get a few things." He patted the boy on the shoulder, then had his companions squeeze up to the notice board and take the bounty.
"Our adventuring party will take this job."
"All right. I'll register you. Guild rules require a deposit of five silver coins first," said the receptionist, coming over when she heard them.
"Heh, we'll start with some appetizers this time." They headed to the counter to register.
After they left, the crowd beneath the notice board quieted down a little. People murmured among themselves about the other bounties.
"Sixty silver for that monster near Water Ditch Town. Sounds tempting."
"I'd guess it's a First Order Fang Beast. Otherwise, the bounty wouldn't be so high."
"If it's First Order, then sixty silver might not be enough." Someone shook his head as he spoke.
"It depends on what you get out of it. If that First Order Fang Beast has enough valuable parts, the spoils alone could make up for the bounty."
"Look at Jero and his team. Last time they hunted that Crimson Wolf, the bounty was only a small part of what they earned. The wolf pelt and materials from its body were worth much more."
The adventurers' chatter kept the hall noisy. These people, who lived by the sword, gazed eagerly at the bounties.
Even though the work was full of danger, the silver coins were right there for the taking, so enticing. Landing just one job could earn as much as a year of hard work. That kind of temptation was hard to resist.
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