Chapter 104 – Exchange (End)
Just exiting from the Adventurers Guild, Rumont and Fafnir were both startled.
A squad of soldiers just happened to pass by. They wore iron helmets and light armour, with a broadsword at their waist, and a shield in their arms. The one leading rode on a war-horse, and worse the heavy armour of a Knight; looking imposing and prestigious while surveying around.
Embossed on the helmet was surprisingly a symbol of a blue sail; there was a crown above it. Both were adorned with ribbons, and draped with a medal each.
Having been in this world for so long, Rumont was still ignorant, neither knowing that this was the insignia of royalty, of Friedel’s1 household.
400 years prior, the famous hero Mechta2 was an expert in naval battles. During the purging war of Demons, he had established awe-inspiring military services. As a result, he was in a position to establish Icicle Kingdom along the coast. In this world, a Kingdom was not at all big, it wasn’t at the extent of an Empire.
Truly being able to meddle in the Realm of the Gods of the secular world, the so-called united Empire was then turned into a fabrication.
Thus, from the resources of 100 years ago, of those that was mentioned, the total area of the Kingdom Rumont was positioned in was but 55,000 square kilometres. Including the Kingdom’s capital, there was a total of 7 regions.
Only, according to the records, Edmé3 City (region) and Pulan4 region, they were the territory of royalty. Especially Pulan region, it was a land of fertile plains. It was the production centre of crops within the nation; it was also teemed with grapes and olives. As a matter of fact, it had long become the main territory for the royal household.
Oyena5 region and Ellingsen6 region were districts that the influential powers of royalty had reached. Furthermore, they also possessed a portion of the land.
As for the 3 regions of Paquette, Rumka7 and Derdague, they were respectively seized by the Counts. Only, it was acknowledged to nominally serve the King; it was basically autonomous.
This region was precisely Paquette region. It was usually self-governed by the alliance of Count Campling and all the Ranks of nobilities. At what time would the King’s army be able enter the region in an imposing manner?
Associating and recalling to mind the increase in Adventurers at Briar Forest, Rumont had a faint idea just strike him, as he pondered the relationships. Fafnir then asked: “Rumont, let’s go. Didn’t you say you wanted to go to Kramp’s company to see Banner and Fletcher?”
Rumont’s train of thought was cut short. He scratched his head and then said: “alright then, we’ll head there now.”
On Earth, the potholes in the streets of the cities in the Middle Ages weren’t leveled, they would accumulate water throughout the year, making it utterly muddy. But in this world, there was still the basics of having a sewer, and furthermore, the cities would have a janitor assigned full time for the task of being in charge of cleaning the streets.
Presently, heading to the side of the street, storefronts were all opening, becoming countless of small stores.
Rumont and Fafnir led the way. The pedestrians in the street weren’t that many, occasionally they would see 1 or 2 statue fountains. Though the city was quite small, it was currently assembling a large amount of Merchants and Adventurers.
“We’re here, Kramp’s Company!” Rumont looked around and said.
Within the city, Kramp’s Company was neither big nor small, it possessed its own small building.
Waiting for Rumont and Fafnir to walk up, there was an attendant that then came forward: “welcome, I hope to be of service to you two sirs!”
“I’m Rumont, please notify your master.” Rumont said and entered inside. The centre of the grand hall could be said to be decorated with distinct elegance. The walls were imbued with delicate, and relatively lucid motifs, the counters and sofas all displayed a type of ambience.
The person simply went behind the reception counter to say a few words, before leading them to a room on the next floor. He then lightly knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Banner’s voice sounded from behind the door.
“Sir, there’s two guests looking for you, called Rumont and Fafnir.”
It was only a minute and the room door was then opened. After seeing clearly who were standing at the door, Banner then laughed and said: “welcome welcome, please come in you two. What brings you here today?”
“Oh, I went to the Adventurers Guild once, and also want to settle the payments for next year.” Rumont wasn’t polite as he sat down on the sofa.
Annual closing, it seemed to be a convention of many societies, of many Kingdoms, of many worlds. This place was no exception. It was presently the 11th month, currently settling the accounts was a tad early, but it was neither ridiculous.
Banner was startled and said: “that’s good!”
He held out an account book and after a bit of calculating, he then said: “Mister Rumont, the total amount of transactions between us is now 11. The two major transaction of herbs was a rather large amount. But you currently still owe 615 gold coins.”
Hearing this figure, Fafnir’s eyebrows jumped. A year ago, the pair greatly worried over a trivial 300 silver coins. Currently, this sum of money converted to silver coins would be over 6000. Yet the manner of tone wasn’t taking it seriously.
Rumont heard this and played it down: “if there’s no mishap in the coming year, then the estate will then be able to harvest some provisions. I’ve estimated that before the harvesting of the winter wheat, I’ll still require 2 batches of provisions and materials. Can you add it to the costs!”
“If it’s similar to the past times, and because of the recent inflations, you’ll still need roughly 250 gold coins or so.” Banner calculated and replied.
“I can also, before the 6th month of next year, provide to you 2 batches of herbs, it’s all supplied from the greenhouse. I believe you ought to understand that the quality won’t be in the least bit inferior.” Rumont thought it over and said: “the quantity is about 5 percent more that last time!”
“More by 5 percent!” Banner inhaled a cold breath, this would be a massive quantity: “if it’s like this, I’ll buy each batch for 300 gold coins, how’s that?”
Rumont paused for a moment and agreed. Shortly it made Banner display a smile. The business with Rumont in the coming year would profit him no small amount eh!
Rumont also asked casually: “by the way, why has there been an inflation of provisions and materials in the recent time eh?”
“Yeah, it’s inflated a bit ah. Not only provisions, even herbs as well!” Banner responded.
“Since it’s like this, there’s sure to be some sort of movement. If there’s a chance, don’t forget to collaborate with me, alright!” Rumont seemed to reference something as he spoke.
By becoming a Rank 3 Druid and obtaining a secure base of operations afterwards, Rumont could finally take a breather. He could finally settle down and get on with his pursuits on the great lands of this world. His former experiences and abilities from Earth could also be brought into play gradually.
The cities of this world would often be on a small scale. The Kingdom capital neither had a population over 50,000. It was reported that in the entire continent, there were only a mere handful of cities with a population that surpassed 100,000. Commonly, a city was between 5000 and 20,000 people.
As such, the current production levels of this world were suitably adapted. At the time, a city of 10,000 people would require 3000 tonnes of food each year, which assumes that the surrounding agricultural villages would require 20,000 mu, just to be able to provide for the city dwellers.
The figure wasn’t known, but once figured out, it was known to be about 100 villages.
Normally, some regulated pricing would be maintained. But with the current and obvious inflations, there was evidently some problem at hand.
Hearing Rumont speak like this, Banner was immediately alarmed, and sized up Rumont. This kind of simple speculation, with the current level of intelligence in this world, and at a position such as Rumont’s, was already an unfathomable insight.
Fafnir, for example, wouldn’t have been able to think of such a problem.
This kind of association was just barely perceived by Banner, who was a veteran merchant, and further taking advantage of. Hearing these words, his evaluation of Rumont was even raised another level. He had slight hesitations within his thoughts as he said: “indeed it’s like this. The city is storing up provisions, and many materials are also being collected.”
Afterwards, he then shut his mouth without saying anymore.
In the end, Rumont was an outsider, it wasn’t appropriate to speak anymore; he wouldn’t have a deep comprehension of it. Seeing that Banner had a slight dreading appearance, he felt strange inside. A moment passed when he then said again: “I want to prepare a few gifts.”
“Oh, who are you gifting?” Banner recovered his spirit and asked.
“The first one is naturally given to my territorial Lord, nominally I’m classified as part of his retinue!” Rumont said composedly.
“But of course, I’ll assess the gift.” Banner laughed, in regards to such a situation for Rumont, the continent had a set of customs.
“The next gift is for the second miss, Eleni. Put a bit more thought to this one though, the price can go up to 100 gold coins!”
“One hundred!” everyone at the scene was startled. This was equivalent to the taxation of a village in half a year, this wasn’t a light gift ah!
“There’s still uh, one for Jeff and Mort, also a gift for Mister Sackville and Baronet DeMarco.” these then were humble gifts, merely expressing friendship.
“The last one then, is for the people of my estate, divided into 2 types for the autonomous and the tenants; a new year’s gift for each household. After all, it’s the first year of establishment for the estate, it’s a special case!” Rumont said the last words with a bitter smile. As the Lord, he still needed a justification for being benevolence, otherwise it would have the opposite reaction.
For the last item, Banner, sure enough was slightly disapproving of it. But the justifications was still barely acceptable, and he had also agreed.
Finally, some small gifts were also purchased for the two families of Fafnir and Nick, making him bring it over before the end of the year. This brought the total worth to be about 200 gold coins; causing Fafnir to be greatly in pain. But in regards to Rumont, he was indifferent to it. With the spatial region of the Shennong Horn, was he still scared of not making enough money in the future?
Seeing that there wasn’t anything else, they took their leave and departed.
Just as they exited, Fafnir had an uncertain expression as he looked over, in which he then saw two people walk by on the streets.
One wore the armour of a Knight, whose age was roughly 27 or 28. He had long golden hair, and had a resolute expression. But the deepest impression given to Rumont was the armour. Looking at its appearance, this armour was at least 30 kilograms, yet he moved unobstructed while wearing it; just as he was wearing leather armour.
A formidable Warrior. He was at least Rank 5 or above. Rumont didn’t even dare to use his spiritual eyes for inspection.
The other person was a female and couldn’t be said to be a maiden. It was because her appearance wasn’t over the age of 20, but her temperament and expression was absolutely not that of a 20 year old. She wore a pure white gown of a Priest, and the gown was painted with the insignia of the Sun God. A shocking sight of 6 silver lines. Without a doubt, she was a Priest for the Lord of Radiance, and was furthermore a Rank 6 Priest.
A Holy Warrior and Priest?
Although Rumont had long heard of it, this was still his first time in seeing it.
Rumont seemed to be in thought, but in the next moment, he patted Fafnir and asked: “Fafnir, your Rank 3 Warrior exam, have you already passed it?”
Fafnir had a wide grin: “I’ve already passed.”
Truly a genius ah, thought Rumont. He currently already knew that Fafnir, having reached this stage, was such a genius; his own self had depended on the Shennong Horn spatial region just to achieve Rank 3. Being able to rely on himself for tempering, he was simply a natural-born Warrior. Thinking of this, Rumont’s mind was joyous, patting his shoulder: “let’s go back then!”
1. [弗裏德 – Fu Li De]↩
2. [梅克塔 – Mei Ke Ta]↩
3. [埃德米 – Ai De Mi]↩
4. [普蘭 – Pu Lan]↩
5. [奧恩爾 – Ao En Er]↩
6. [伊林森 – Yi Lin Sen]↩
7. [魯姆克 – Lu Mu Ke]↩
Bo~ 
Thanks!
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