"It's good you're awake," Ephillus looked up as Isaiah emerged from the carriage, "Had we been attacked while you were asleep you wouldn't wake up again,"
"Sorry about that." Isaiah handed over his plate to Quincillus as his father gestured for Isaiah to sit beside him, "That will not happen again,"
"Hopefully... That said, can you read and count?"
"Yes."
The answer surprised Ephillus but he decided to continue, "How much?"
"Well... Good enough I guess."
"Good enough, huh..." Ephillus then picked out a sheet of paper from a bag and gave it to Isaiah "Tell me, if you add the cost of the wheat and of the flour how much do you have to pay?" He then handed him an abacus though Isaiah simply looked at the paper.
It was similar to when he first heard the language native to this planet. The words written on the document were instantly translated the moment they entered his thoughts, he was even surprised that he could read them. Granted they were using the alphabet, the words however were written in the same manner as the Slavic languages were. Yet once more, despite having no prior knowledge of anything Slavic words, he was somehow capable of reading and understanding them.
That said it took some time for his mind to adjust to this as suddenly being able to translate things is going to feel weird. However, to Ephillus it looked like something else entirely,
Ephillus waited as he looked at Isaiah who stared at the scroll, he noticed that he hadn't even touched the abacus yet and sighed in disappointment, "No need to lie, Isaiah, just tell if you-"
"1,430 RM, whatever that means..."
"What?" He tilted his head,
"Fourteen hundred thirty... RM." Isaiah replied as Ephillus took the list back and scanned it. Even Aria who had glued herself to her book looked up with surprise, she could remember that question back when Ephillus was teaching both his sons the trade, it took them quite a while to get the answer and even then they were wrong yet this man somehow got the correct answer in one go, without using the abacus.
"How..."
"My parents taught me how to count in the head," Isaiah replied as Ephillus returned the list to him and took back the abacus, slightly annoyed.
"You can count numbers without the abacus then... If you were to purchase only 10 sacks of flour, how much would each cost?"
Isaiah paused and then replied, "150."
"How did you get that number?"
"Division, multiplication, then subtraction."
"What?" Aria approached them, "Is there magic for counting?"
"Ah, no madam..." Isaiah was about to explain mathematics to them but then remembered that they were both merchants. The simplification of mathematics had rendered the abacus useless over time as it was easier to count the numbers by hand than to use the long and tedious instrument. This also meant that to these merchants, it would make their accounting much easier. And as the old adage goes, 'Time is Gold'.
Isaiah therefore remained quiet about his methods unless they coughed up some cash in exchange, "M-my mother taught me how to count,"
"She must have been a good merchant then," Aria turned to her husband who gave Isaiah another list, though this time the numbers were mixed unlike the whole numbers from the previous chart,
"This one..." He pointed at the line that listed the prices of products "If I were to buy only 4 crates of salt and use the additional money to purchase more crates of saffron, what would I get?"
The chart showed that Ephillus once purchased about 100 crates of salt and 10 crates of saffron, their individual prices had been thoroughly scratched out. The total price for the salt was 74,422 RM while the cost of saffron was listed at 8544 RM. His mind quickly went to work,
"At 744 per salt crate... That would mean you spent, no would spend about 2,976 for the salt crates, which would give you about 74,446 left to buy about, er, 87-or so ish more crates of saffron, with about, hmm, 100, no like, 130, ah 148 RMs left." He replied in one go.
'Back when math still had no letters and only numbers...' For some reason, it was fun answering their questions. 'Thank God Pythagoras wasn't reincarnated, or Newton, or whatever demon added letters to math. Though they might arrive soon hopefully I won't be dealing with that
Aria looked at her husband who was looking at his list which contained the answer. He then turned to Isaiah and nodded, "Forget about being an adventurer, why not be a merchant? I can also arrange for your adoption if that's a problem."
"Aah... What do you mean by that?"
"Sorry, I believe you don't know me that much..." The man then smiled, "I am Ephillus Orkelion of the Orkelion merchants guild. The guild is headed by my grandfather and I have been sent to Koln to deliver and purchase goods. I can arrange for you to be paid at least 1000 RM per week as I teach you the trade as an apprentice then eventually you can be a merchant yourself, with your brain and that skill of yours I am sure you can make it out for yourself someday, you could earn more money as a merchant than being an adventurer, in fact only the highest ranked adventurers could match the income of a middle-class merchant."
Isaiah paused, he wasn't too sure of who the Orkelion guild was but considering that they were a guild and this man was dealing with spices then he could easily tell that huge amounts of money were involved, that would also mean that the guild was rich. Money was a problem he was facing at the moment and being an adventurer might not pay well considering the risk it is associated with. He might have hated math, but just doing simple calculations and getting paid a good amount might be great, plus getting rich was the first and hardest step of getting to Nicole.
He would've accepted their offer right here and then had he not remembered the burn mark on his left chest. If they found out about the branding, questions would be raised and though this man might not ask, he was sure that the other guild members might not be so kind. Thus he decided to reject this fortune,
"I'd rather not, there are things that I have to do."
"How so?" Aria joined, "You are an adult, yet you are not yet an adventurer, based on what you wore as well you are looking for money is that it? Being a merchant would be a better way of earning money than risking your life adventuring. We can even arrange a sum of cash to be sent to your parents if that's troubling you."
"Aah, actually... I want to go to Koln not just to be an adventurer but I was looking for my parents... I heard news that they might be in Koln." Isaiah quickly came up with a story. It was partially correct, though he knew where his parents were, back on Earth, he was looking for them. That said, he would never find them unless he somehow returned back to Earth.
"Is that so?" Ephillus shook his head, "Well, being a merchant also means dealing with information... But I won't force you. I am staying in Koln for a week or two before we will head to the west, if you ever change your mind just tell me."
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"I am honored."
"That said, I hope you wouldn't mind if you help me out with the charts. I have plenty of work coming."
"I don't mind, as long as I get paid."
"Tsk..." Ephillus clicked his tongue while Aria chuckled, " 5 bronze per chart, but no abacus, it's mine. And one mistake and the reward is forfeit."
"Sure..."
***
The next day of their journey, they were soon within sight of the city of Koln with its tall walls and many towers. Isaiah sat in front of the carriage alongside Ephillus and the two talked about the city, though it was mostly Ephillus speaking as Isaiah simply listened,
"Koln is situated in a large river basin, the tail of the Klub as they call the river... The walls surround the entire city from all sides while the river enters from the east, at the middle of the river is an island where the lord and the richest live, the slightly so lives at the other side of the bridge." He then pointed to a large ship making its way through the river, "Trade is strong, in all of lord Steiner's territories, and even with lord Azerback, Koln is the only town with river access to the sea, both lords even went to war with each other over control with the city. The Marquise Steiner won when the leading man in Koln married one of his daughters."
He then pointed his hands onto the vast farmlands that covered the flat lands around the city, "Food is sold in large numbers at the port while luxury goods like vases, paintings, and spices are bought in return. This land here is the best place to start for a traveling merchant."
Isaiah nodded silently, his eyes busy taking in the sights of this medieval city. The road was made of simple packed dirt but as they got closer it was soon replaced with paved stone. Both sides were traced with large tracks of arable land during planting season, he noted the lack of machinery, and save for a few strange bull-like beasts that functioned like tractors there was little in the way of muscle, the land was mostly worked by human slaves as signified by the chain over their necks though there were a few who carried bronze plates instead.
Simple carts, elegant carriages, and covered caravans were plentiful on the roads while the pedestrians walked on the raised sidewalks. Most of the pedestrians, however, were noticeably armed in mixed gear and they all had one thing in common,
"So those are adventurers..." Isaiah gasped as Ephillus looked over where he was looking,
"Yes... They and their ranks and all... Bronze, silver, platinum, and gold."
"Just four?"
"Yep. Or was it five? I don't know really, my wife here usually deals with hiring the adventurers whenever we travel, the ones accompanying us died on the way... Thankfully there wasn't any much trouble after that."
They soon arrived at a gate that was manned by a rather large group of guards, more than what Isaiah had thought considering the size of the gate. He could see that the soldiers were mostly wearing padded armor, some had chainmail wrapped around for extra protection and only two wore proper armor, as for weapons the short sword was present in all their scabbards but their main weapons were either spears or halberds, only two carried battleaxes.
Looking up the wall he could see the presence of many more soldiers, however, one, in particular, caught his attention. He wore a tunic of pure white with a red cross in his midst, and in his hand was a rather long wooden musket with an iron barrel.
'They have guns already?' He stopped himself from grinning too much as his excitement leveled up, he looked around and found even more soldiers with muskets but they were quite too few. 'I know cannons might exist but damn, guns?'
He squinted his eyes, trying to locate the cannons that might be hidden in the walls when the carriage in front trotted forward.
"Hail citizen!" A soldier whose plumed helmet hung on his back blocked the carriage, he spat out whatever he was chewing before reaching his hand out, "Papers?"
"Good sir," Ephillius gave him his papers with a smile, "I am Ephillius Orkelion of the Orkelion Guild."
"Ah, master Ephillus, good to see you again... Here for business, I suppose?"
"That is true."
"Saffron eh?" The officer whistled as he nodded to Ephillus, "Mind if we check?"
"Sure, I don't see why not," Ephillus replied in an exaggerated-surprised tone as he watched a squad of soldiers approach his carriage.
"Surprised ain't you?" The officer handed him the paperback, "The lord had ordered it, extra security and stuff."
"Ahh... Is that also related as to why the entire army seemed to have been mobilized?"
"That is correct. A bunch of slaves from the Iron Coffin got out and one of the black hands got killed. Then the bounty was issued and the adventurers started coming, especially those from outside... So many armed men around this place so few eyes and so security got beefed up."
At the mention of escaped slaves, Isaiah's heart began to beat considerably, the other soldier's inquisitive looks weren't all that helpful.
"News spreads fast then?" Ephillus replied, "Adventurers from other nations came as well?"
"Money..." The officer gestured with his hands, "Lord Caleb offers much for the slave's return and when big money is involved, mouths talk fast."
"That is nervewracking... Thank god I didn't see anyone like that." He replied as he turned to Isaiah, "This man over here... Just calm down, slaves escaping and all isn't that bad."
"Hmm?" The officer turned to Isaiah and raised a suspicious voice as he got close to him in a slightly carefree attitude "Never seen you here before kid," The officer took a few confident strides towards Isaiah, "Your papers?"
Isaiah remained calm but his inside was panicking, he even had difficulty opening his mouth but then the merchant chuckled,
"Ahahaha... Forgive me good sir, but this man here is an orphan you see. Someone I picked up to be taught the trade and all as he had the ability, so I do not have his papers ready yet..."
"An orphan?" The officer looked at Isaiah then nodded, "Well, nothing to do with me. I trust you master Ephillus, but others might not. I suggest you get him some papers if you already don't."
"Oh, I am on my way for that."
"Just go look for my uncle at the forum, say that Herod sent you... He'll make things quick and easy."
"Thank you, Master Herod." Ephillus bowed as he handed the officer a gold coin, "You are most kind."
"Eeh, just doing my job." As if on cue the other soldiers finished their inspection and found nothing of suspicion at the back, "Seems all clean, good day."
"You too sir,"
The officer then whirled his hands into the air as the soldiers removed the barricade and the carriage moved forward. Inside, the city diverged into three different paths as houses of wood and stone all lined up in different shapes and sizes, the shops barring their signboards for the potential customers to see while the middle of the road was filled with chairs, tables, planted trees and stalls of all kinds.
A large sign not too far had a German inscription written, 'der markt Marcus Steiner' with a statue of a man underneath.
Only once they were away from the gate did Isaiah exhale,
"You... You nearly got me killed!"
Ephillus remained silent as a smile crossed his lips,
"How did you even know I am a slave?"
"Simple... Out from the forest where the Iron Coffin, Eisensargburg is, wearing rags fit for slaves and tired? Though I originally planned to give you to the guards there, I changed my mind. An eye for an eye, I helped you out there kid, you should know to repay me the favor someday, plus, I ain't giving up on you..."
"Damn... Don't do that next time."
"Well, nothing I can do about it. You are an escapee without papers, so I had to improvise a way to get you in. You best be thankful I know that man..." As the carriage turned a right, they were then in sight of a huge stone building, "Come let's get you your papers..."
...
The old uncle peered through the document that would recognize Isaiah as a citizen of the county. With a grunt, he stamped the papers and gave them to him. Isaiah read the document which was filled with pretentious words but upon seeing his last name correctly spelled he was happy. He went outside where Ephillus was speaking to an accountant. After seeing Isaiah the accountant quickly left.
"Done is it?"
"Yep... Got everything ready." Isaiah then bowed to Ephillus, "Thanks sir, I got everything stable at least."
"Mhm." He then threw a pouch to Isaiah, "That's your pay, 200 marks should be enough to last you a day or two if you're frugal. Go to the adventuring guild and get yourself set up there. Once you have a troupe come find me at the pier, and I'll set you up with some contracts."
"Yes sir, I'll think about it." He waved his hand as their carriage continued on to the crowd. "Right..." Isaiah took a deep breath, the smell of stagnation, unsanitary conditions, and the unbelievably fresh air around him was surprisingly good. "New world..."
This was where he wanted to start, not at some dark and drabby dungeon, but rather in this air that was filled to the brim with freedom and a promise of adventure!
'Overpowered skills, cheats, and all the good things in life...' He would always feel excited whenever the novel he read would start introducing the character's powers to the world, thus being able to experience that firsthand made him shiver in excitement.
He was excited to enter into the adventuring scene and make a name for himself. Excited about his magic and his abilities and how the world would react to it.
"Time to get rich." He joined the crowd as he headed towards the direction Ephillus told him to go.
It didn't take time before he arrived at the front doors of a large three-story tall building. It bore the sign "Koln Adventuring Guild" In big bold letters at the front.
"Right..." Isaiah took a deep breath of the medieval air and found it rich in the foul smells of the unwashed, the variety of dirt around as well as that of barley from the large open door of the adventuring guild. A party of adventurers with silver plates went out with huge smiles, talking to each other. They looked at Isaiah but quickly ignored him as they continued on their walk, Isaiah overheard them talking about how large the rewards were and the huge increase in their earnings thanks to their recent escape.
'Business is booming!'
Isaiah nodded to himself as he stepped inside the building.