Chapter 8 - II - 

 

Everything was silent as we went on our way to the town near the Holy Palatial Gardens.

 

“…”

 

This was awkward.  I would occasionally steal a glance at Eris, and sometimes she’d also return the favor.  It’s like we’re bombarding each other with strange stares.  Well, I couldn’t help it; back in my world, I dealt with teenagers as a teacher.  Eris was more like a pre-adolescent girl, and I didn’t know what her interests were.  

 

I have to be careful not to get on her unpleasant side.

 

Oh, by the way, Her Holiness had graciously lent us a cart and a horse for this trip.  Well, she’s offering me a carriage, but I quickly refused it.  At least, I didn’t want to stand out among the locals if I plan to mingle with them.  If I go out, I’ll be fine just by walking; however, taking into consideration Eris’ body, I asked for a ride.

 

And now that I remember it, I wonder why Her Holiness and the Marquise of Monfort are exchanging nasty looks and smiles earlier…

 

“Uh…”

 

“Hiii!” I almost jumped out of the cart when I heard Eris speak.

 

“S-sorry; did Eris startle you?” she was apologetic.

 

“N-nah.” Of course, I wouldn’t tell her the truth; I didn’t want to piss Eris off, “I’m just a little jumpy since the cart’s pretty shaky, see?”

 

“Oh…” Eris smiled, though her eyes were still sad, “Eris is sorry for insisting to come with you, Mister Kuro.  You even have to borrow a cart from Her Holiness out of consideration for Eris.”  By the way, she’s the one driving the cart; I’m clueless how to prod a horse to move forward.

 

Ah…damn.  I thought I’m making her feel bad, I had to change the topic, “Ah, that’s right.  I’ve been wanting to ask you since earlier about the town we’re going to.  As you know, I’m pretty new to this world, so anything I need to remember before going in?”

 

Eris remained silent for a while as she pondered on my question.  Then she explained, “Well, Arles is a pretty small but affluent town about two-thirds in size of the Holy Palatial Gardens.  Because of its proximity to Her Holiness’ place, it is our immediate supplier of various goods like food, clothing, and others.”

 

“Oh…” Well, I could see what she’s talking about.  Even though we’re still quite a distance off the town proper itself, we could already distinguish those well-built houses meant for someone of significant influence or power, “Those houses are really impressive, don’t you think?”

 

“Ah yes.  Most of the population of Arles are rich merchants, members of the nobility, and influential people, after all.  Because of that, it is also a well-guarded place.  A lot of soldiers from the locals’ private armies patrol the surrounding area, aside from the militia raised by the town council.” Eris explained, “That’s why, if you noticed, we have encountered no monsters yet.”

 

“Hmm…pretty beneficial, huh?”

 

Now that I realized, it seemed like Eris was well-informed about Arles.  Honestly, I’m enjoying talking to her, “So, if I may ask, do you have any idea on how much a house sells at Arles?”

 

“Let’s see…last time Eris checked, it’s around 15 gold coins for a small property in the town.”

 

I froze.  Hearing the amount gave me goosebumps.  Though I knew nothing on prices and value of money here in Chersea, the number that Eris gave me was just staggering.  After all, a lowest-ranked maid back at the Palatial Gardens receives 50 silver coins at every start of the season.  And for the freeter—that is, me—I was to receive 20 silver coins.

 

So, if I intend to buy a house in this town, I would’ve to pass 75 seasons at least.  And frankly, I didn’t know the exact duration of a season here; according to what I’ve read in the books, sometimes the seasons were short, and otherwise.

 

I can’t wait for 75 seasons!  I might get butchered halfway by that bitch, Jessica!

 

“M-mister Kuro?” Eris’ voice brought me back to reality, “Are you alright?  You look pale.”

 

“Ah…y-yeah, I’m fine.  Thanks, Eris.”  Deep inside, however, my mind was searching for a workable solution for my predicament.  Should I ask for the Saint’s help?  It looked like she’ll provide me aid if I asked her; but damn, that would be a colossal blow to my pride as a man.  

 

If that’s how it will go, then I guess I need to get a part-time job.

 

“Ah, by the way, Mister Kuro, there are no adventurers’ guild or leveling system that exists anywhere in this land, though Eris doesn’t know what are those.”

 

Well, fuck me.  Eris shot me down just as I was about to ask her that.  

 

By the way, how could this be a proper fantasy world if there were no obligatory adventurer’s guild and leveling system here?  And why did this girl suddenly speak about those when it didn’t exist here in the first place?

 

Ah, let’s just forget about that.  I just realized that the price Eris told me was the rate for Arles’ affluent citizens.  How about the commoner ones?

 

“Uhm…there are only rich commoners in Arles, Mister Kuro.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes, if you’re looking for a commoners’ quarters with a more affordable price for houses, then you’re looking for the city beyond those mountains to our north.  The city of Kamran is the nearest here next to Arles.”

 

“Ah, thanks for that information!” It overjoyed me when I heard that; it seemed I’m still pretty lucky, “So, what’s the price of properties over there?”

 

“S-sorry Mister Kuro, Eris doesn’t exactly know.”

 

Oh, right.  I forgot that Eris and the other staff at the Holy Palatial Gardens came from the royalties and nobilities of Chersea.  There’s no way they would know about a commoner’s daily stuff.

 

 

***Meanwhile, back at the Holy Palatial Gardens***

 

“So, Your Holiness…” it was the Marquise of Monfort, “Are you sure about this?”

 

The Saint of Chersea slowly opened her eyes as she listened to the chief of her palace’s guards, “Yes, I am serious, Lady Monfort.  That’s why we sent Eris together with that human from another land.”

 

The Marquise of Monfort could feel the cold sweat form on her forehead.  She’s regretting everything she had done just now…

 

“But what if—”

 

“Are you doubting me, Lady Monfort?” Her Holiness snarled.

 

“Well, it’s just that, I have done nothing to help Eris in her problems with the other maids, and…”

 

“Don’t worry.  That boy could protect Eris in your stead.” Her Holiness smiled, “I don’t think there would be any problems other than…”

 

“Other than what, Your Holiness?”

 

“Well, Lady Monfort…” the Saint’s dark smile was prominent. “Are you increasing your bet, or what?”

 

“Damn it, Your Holiness!  If Kuro and Eris became close after this, then it’s my win!”

 

“Sure!” Her Holiness’ confidence was oozing, “But if Eris didn’t progress, then I’ll take everything from you, save for your title!”

 

“Ugh…” the Marquise of Monfort couldn’t stay calm after hearing that.  Did she just commit the biggest mistake of her life by gambling against the Saint?  Well, whatever, she thought.  That little girl’s desire to get to know that strange boy from another world was her priority.  So, she asked for Her Holiness’ help in bringing them close.

 

As long as Eris was happy, then she was happy…

 

Besides, gambling is fun and exciting, anyway.

 

Please don’t emulate her, dear readers.

 

 

**Kuro**

 

As we couldn’t settle the housing issue as of the moment, Eris and I toured around Arles.  After all, it would be a wasted opportunity to learn something new about this world if we simply returned to the Palatial Gardens.  We already borrowed the cart and horse.

 

Compared to Earth’s towns, Arles was small—if I reckon it would be around the size of a typical Earth village.  A thick rampart surrounded the entire place, and at least twenty well-equipped guards from the town militia manned the gates.

 

“Oh, it’s Miss Eris!”

 

“Open the gate!”

 

Eris and the others from the Palatial Gardens were well known here.  Well, it’s pretty obvious since Arles was the nearest settlement near the Saint’s enclave.  I wasn’t questioned upon entering the town, unlike the protagonists that I read from several fantasy novels back on Earth.  The soldiers even saluted us.

 

Heh, talk about being a big-shot.  Pretty convenient, eh?

 

We parked our cart and horse at a nearby stable before proceeding.  Then, after making sure that everything was secure, we went on our tour around the town.  Coming through the major thoroughfare of Arles, I saw a lot of shops that lined up along the road, just like a typical European Middle Ages city.  Restaurants that served fancy food, stores that sell luxury clothes, alchemists that peddle medicines and other types of potions, blacksmiths that cater to warriors’ equipment…name it, I think Arles has them—well, at least, for the rich.  

 

Eris told me that prices here were much inflated than in any other region in Chersea.

 

Of course, there were people from various races walking around as we stroll, and Eris was having fun explaining everything I laid my eyes upon.

 

“Ah, those are Elves.” she said the moment I looked at those guys with long, pointed ears, “They come from the continent of Cherwoods to the southeast.  They are an elegant and gentle race; if Eris is not mistaken, they are also great archers and magicians.”

 

“Oh…” Well, I think almost every fantasy story that was written out there presented the elves as proficient magicians and archers, so I’m not that surprised.  Besides, I knew something about them when I was reading back at the library.

 

“And Elves are well-known lovers of wine and alcohol, though they can’t hold being drunk.  They are also closet lechers, as well.”

 

Hey, I think that last comment is uncalled for.

 

Anyway, my attention then turned to those people with animal appendages as parts of their body, “So those are beastmen if I’m correct?”

 

“Yes, Mister Kuro.” Eris nodded, “Most of the beastmen tribes hail from the land of Cherwind to the south.  They form a very close-knit society based on their appearance.”

 

“So, for example, that one with rabbit ears is from the Rabbit tribe?”

 

“Oh…you catch on quick, Mister Kuro.”

 

“I think it’s one of my strengths.” I proudly declared.  I cannot tell her I enjoy reading ‘Isekai’-themed novels, do I?  Or I’ll be explaining to her all day…

 

Eris laughed softly, “By the way, Beastmen are a race of warriors who take pride in their unusual physical strengths.  They are also well-documented masochists and loves head-pats.”

 

Err…do I need to know that kind of information, Eris?  Anyway, I should change the topic, “Oh, those are dwarves, correct?”  I was referring to those small bearded guys with stocky bodies and wielding great axes.

 

“Oh, those are just humans lacking in height.”

 

S-seriously?

 

“If you’re looking for dwarves…” Eris pointed in a certain direction, “There they are.”

 

Double seriously?  No matter how long I stare at them, they resembled ordinary humans with colored hair, thick glasses, and overweight bodies.

 

“Uh…Eris, aren’t you mistaking those for dwarves?  They look more like ‘Social Justice Warriors’ to me.”

 

“Social Justice Warriors?  Are those brave people from your homeland, Mister Kuro?”

 

“Well, brave…in a way.” I had a sarcastic grin on my face, “Err…anyway, I’m curious.  What makes them dwarves?”

 

“Hmm, they call themselves dwarves.  So, we call them that way, or they’ll get offended because we just assigned them a race-specific role brought about by the humanistic bias of the society.” Eris shrugged, “Honestly, Eris doesn’t understand what they mean by that, but Eris doesn’t recommend getting too involved with them.  The dwarves believe in the ‘equality of all races’ but if you take pride in your humanity, they’ll be offended and debate you ‘till your ears bleed.”

 

Eris talked like she went through a traumatic experience.  Uh…it’s best that I follow her advice and avoid them.

 

“By the way, Mister Kuro, dwarves are vegans; if they saw you eat meat, they’ll get offended too.”

 

Sounds like they’re a pain in the ass, “So let me guess, they come from a continent called ‘Cherland’?”

 

“Nope.  They live in a land named ‘Equality’, which is to the east of here.  Please don’t let them hear you made that mistake, or they’ll get offended.”

 

Yep, too ‘SJW’ for me.

 

 

Anyway, all that walking and talking has made me hungry.  Since I got no single coin in my pocket, I asked Eris if we could now return to the Palatial Gardens.  I tried my best to appear as casual as possible, but…

 

“You must be hungry, Mister Kuro?”

 

“H-how d’you know?” I sheepishly asked.

 

“Eris can hear your stomach growl.” Eris laughed softly, “Don’t worry, Eris brought money with her.  Let’s eat somewhere nice.”

 

“Ah please…” I bowed repeatedly, “I’d feel bad if you treat me for free.”

 

“Nah, don’t worry.” she reassured me, “This is thanks for helping Eris before.  Come!”  Eris pulled my hand and led me to the place she wanted to go to.