12 - money talk

Here, keep it."　

Sola accepted the large coin with a puzzled look on her face.

"Is this a large copper coin?"

"Yeah, that's your share for today."

Even Sola, who lived in a village deep in the mountains, knew what kind of coins they were.

Although he rarely had a chance to touch them.

For every 50 copper coins, there is a medium copper coin, and for every 100 coins, there is a large copper coin.

Five large copper coins are equivalent to one half-silver coin, and ten coins are equivalent to one silver coin.

Forty silver coins equal one gold coin, and two hundred gold coins equal one platinum coin, but this area of the world is completely out of the reach of the common man.

According to Thor, the average daily wage for a day laborer in this town is two large copper coins.

The monthly salary for a new receptionist at the Adventurer's Bureau is about ten silver coins.

A single person with a minimum standard of living can get by for a year on a single gold coin.

"Can I have it?"

With a twinkle in her eye, Sola hurriedly looks around.

Food stalls were lined up all over the square, and people were flocking to these stalls for a quick dinner.

"When you get back, your landlord will have his dinner, so you'd better moderate yourself," he said.

"Okay!　I'll take it in moderation."

Steam was rising from the stalls lined with large pots and pans, each containing a rich flavor.

Over there, grilled sausages on skewers are roasting, and the savory smell of fried potatoes is wafting in the air.

The greenish meat sizzles on the griddle with the aroma of crushed garlic, and beside it, sweet fried sweets attract the attention of passersby.

At the tables of the alcohol stalls, the sound of wooden beer mugs clinking against each other as toasts were made.

Sola, who had been watching the scene with rapt attention, gulped down some saliva and turned around, smiling.

"Hey, Thor, what do you want to eat?

"Well, how about that?"

Thor pointed with his chin to a stall where bite-sized pieces of sharp-beaked meat were grilled on wooden skewers.

The sweet and sour aroma of the honeyed sauce was overflowing.

"Looks delicious!　Yes, I'll have that one."

Nodding her head broadly, Sola rushed to the stall and began to examine the skewers on the net carefully.

He picked out three skewers that he liked, paid the bill, and came back to the stall with bouncy steps.

"Hello again, Thor!

"You're going to eat three?"

"No, I'm not. Here you go.

Thor scratches the bottom of his chin lightly and then opens his mouth in contemplation.

Thor looks at him smiling as he munches on the skewer, and Sora happily takes a bite of his own skewer.　

"Hey!　What's this!　It's so tender."

It's been a while since I've had one, but the taste hasn't changed. Is the other one for your landlord?

"Yes, it's a souvenir!　But I'm surprised it costs two coppers a piece when it's so good!"

"Yes, it is. Did you notice anything while you were looking at it?

At Thor's question, Sola's big eyes twirl as she eats her grilled skewer.

"Oh, look at all the meat dishes. And they're all so cheap!

"Well, meat is easier to get here."

In this town, where adventurers bring back their slain monsters every day, meat is a very inexpensive ingredient compared to other foods.

Conversely, arable land is restricted to avoid the effects of the miasma, and vegetables and fruits are relatively expensive.

Similarly, wheat was expensive, and soft white bread fell into the category of luxury items.　

However, it is said that the adventurers' physiques have improved greatly because of this predominantly carnivorous lifestyle.

There is another major reason for the increase in the prices of vegetables and wheat that has been continuing for the past year or so.

It is due to the fall of the border town of Bossalia, which was located to the north of the city.

The city was swarmed by monsters that broke down the walls and killed every inhabitant who failed to flee.

The area where the city once stood was turned into a miasma, and all the neighboring agricultural lands were also covered with the miasma.

This has not only reduced the number of production bases, but has also added to the cost of the long detour of the transportation routes.

"I see, I'm happy to eat all the meat I want, but it's tough when vegetables are so expensive..."

"When I was in ...... village, I rarely ate meat."

"Yes, I'm happy to think about it."

Sola smiled again and spun around with the skewer raised in the air.

Then she suddenly stopped and started rummaging through the pockets of her robe.

"Here is the change from before.

No, it's your allowance. I told you to do what you wanted with it."

"I can't spend this much, I'll give it back to Thor.

"No, don't worry, I have enough money for what I need."

Thor himself is not very greedy.

He was planning to save all of today's earnings and use them to pay for the party.

The cost of repairing weapons and armor, which used to account for the majority of his earnings, was no longer necessary since they could be repaired with .

There is no rush to buy new equipment against goblins.

However, the wooden sword will not stand a chance against the monster that stands in its way, so I'll just replace it with a steel sword at that point.

The other thing is that the rent is paid with one silver coin per month.

For the same price in this town, you can only rent a small room with only a bunk.

It is more than three times the size of the room, and three meals are included, although some foodstuffs have to be provided.

On top of that, Thor was told just this morning by Yuril in secret that the rent would remain the same and that he could keep the other room open.

Apparently, a man and a woman of his age cannot sleep in the same room.

"If I make a little more money, I can buy a magic stone tool for the landlord.　

"What, that glowing thing?"

"There's even one that can boil water."

It does not have much light or heat, so it is not as bright as midday or as useful for cooking in general, but it is still quite useful.

Moreover, Thor and his friends can increase the amount of magic stones when they get them, so they can save money on fuel costs such as tallow and firewood.

"Is it quite expensive?"

"About, the cheapest one is about five silver coins."

"U, that much?　...... Oh, yes!"

Sora's face suddenly got an idea, and she stood up tall and put her mouth to Thor's ear.

"If I heal someone who is injured, won't I get paid?"

"I'd better not do that. Healing is the domain of the temple.

It is an act of violent blasphemy against Auria, the water goddess who presides over healing, for an unqualified person to accept payment and perform treatment without permission.

So say the priests of the temple.

The problem of sloppy medical treatment and medical fraud by unqualified medical practitioners is also a problem, though it cannot be helped since there is a price to be paid for the skill and technique involved.　

So, Thor has no desire to troll in these areas.

In fact, it is the place he wants to stay away from the most.

If Thor's becomes known to the priests, it is not impossible that he will be imprisoned in the basement of the temple and only use his skills for the rest of his life.

"Also, it's hard to earn money repairing tools."

Similarly, the restoration of broken armors and armor is also fraught with considerable danger.

This is the territory of the blacksmiths' and tanners' guilds.

A little bit may not be exposed, but when money is involved, rumors will inevitably spread.

If it comes to light that you have meddled with their plates, you could easily be stripped of your adventurer's license.

This town is made up of adventurers who rely on the power of the gods and the trade associations that support them, making it almost impossible for them to start business on their own.

But there are ways to get around both of them.

Thor thought of a couple of faces he knew.

"I see, making money is hard work, isn't it? Yes, I'll give this back to you, Thor.

"Don't make me say it again. I couldn't have done it without you. Besides, you're a girl and you need all kinds of things."

Thor was not familiar with this area, but he knew that women needed some accessories.

Thor nodded his head repeatedly, and Thora put the coins in her pocket.

"Thank you, Thor."

"Let me know if you need more. Don't be shy, it's not like you."

"Yes!　Well, I'll try my best to be selfish from now on. Men like that, don't they?

"No, that's too extreme. You've got to go easy on me."

"Grandpa says it's a man's worth."

d*mn that old man. Come on, let's go home before the skewers get cold.

As he urged Sola to eat the last skewer, Thor remembered that there was one thing he wanted.

A small piece of land.

Just enough room to plant a tree.

Thora's grandfather would surely rest in peace near his favorite tree with white flowers.

Walking home alongside the girl, Thor thinks back a little to the good old days.