“If it aint Alexander. Hows the tavern doin?”
It has been just short of three and a half years since my memories awakened in this world. I discovered the many wonders of this world. I was born in the Kingdom of Altrist in the labyrinth city called Belfruen. Due to the abundance of dungeons around the area, it is well known to the rest of the world that this city is one of the richest.
“Same old, same old. What you got in stock old man?”
At most, there will usually be 3 dungeons in close proximity to each other. Belfruen has 8 of them in the major directions. If you were to walk straight from 1 of the 8 gates you would arrive at one of them as long as you were uninterrupted.
“I ain old yet. This ere barrel is bout ready to be sold, you could store it fer a few months.”
As you would expect, it is a hub of merchant activity. From monster material specialties to adventurer caravans, you can find quite a few exciting sights here. Even without the kingdom backing the city, the adventure population alone would fight to protect the city.
“Alright, 2 silvers”
The kingdom itself has its monetary system of course. Coppers, silvers, and gold coins as you would expect. Split into counts of ten, they split each category into two, such as the copper coins, a basic copper into an advanced copper, repeating the same for all the other currencies making it easy for treasurers in the kingdom. Plate silver into holy silver and finally nobles gold and royal gold.
“Kid, are ya trying to drive me out of business, 8 silvers considering that the barrel stores bout 30 tankers of ale.”
Often times, a family of four can live off of 4 advanced copper for a month, including the taxes by the kingdom. Though it varies depending on where you are, places abundant with potential food are often cheaper than barren and frontier towns. Normally, cites can get you living off of 6 advanced coppers a month, mainly due to rent and cost of food.
“3, you know that aging it can be quite problematic.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Of course, that doesn’t count on the money from wants and not just needs. Especially labyrinth and creator cites, the goods circulating are often quite helpful and as such more expensive considering the worker cost.
“6, I have to go out for a while and won’t be brewing for the time.”
Of course, adventurers have much higher living expenses, if they are not settling down they need inns to rest and unwind in… which takes a fair amount of coin. Living day to day like its your last can take its toll on a person after all. And good equipment costs a pretty silver for it to be reliable.
“5 then, it is quite problematic if we accidentally serve bad alcohol right?
The balding man in front of me just shakes his head with a sigh. He waves over a young woman and talks to her for a bit. He nods over to my 5-year-old body. I just smile cheekily in response to his motion. He is quite used to this haggling banter now.
“Honestly kid.”
She arrives back over with the barrel in hand. A light wood and steel hops are the materials that make it up. She places it infront of the counter, not even struggling with it. I open the pouch on my person to bring out the 5 plate silvers, it depicts a young woman with medium length hair on its faces. The top of the dress that we could see was fairly simple, at least in the depiction of the coin.
“Thank you for the ale.”
I politely said it is far more of a habit now than ever. He just sighs even more than before.
“Mel, can you carry it back please.”
The young woman beside me nods, her blue hair sways lightly to the wind. A set of leather clothing adorns her body, akin to an armor. On her side is a simple bastard’s sword, with no distinctive marks to distinguish the maker. About a 3 feet long and one inch in width. Her skin is pale and her frosty eyes could freeze many people.
“Yes, master.”
She lifts the filled barrel with barely any effort herself. Her on flinching facial expression never changing as she moves. I wave at the brewer as we walk away.
“Master… why did you buy this ale?”
Her emotionless voice reaches me from her slightly backed position. I address her question by stopping any more movements of my short legs.
“I can’t always rely on them…”
I remark with a slight smile as I slowly turn to her.
“Sides, to create what I dream of, you need more than the amount I have. In all categories.”
Her frosty blue eyes look into mine, showing a curiosity that only I could see.
“I want to see a world of smiles afterall.”
I grin brightly with my 5-year-old face. A slight dusting of red appears on her face. It was my dream in my previous life afterall…
“Alright, off to my hidden base.”
I turn around once more and start walking at a slightly quickened pace. Her startled footsteps get her running after me. I just lightly smile at the more than awkward movements of my muscle.
“Wait, master!”