v2c12 (1/2)

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Chapter 12 priestess-in-training Aramis

“Kuuu!”

“Haa!

“Hhk! This is the taste I was looking for!”

After entering “Forest’s Rest” Jamir was staying in, I quickly ordered refres.h.i.+ng beer and various bar snacks.

I don’t know how they preserve it, but cold beer enough to make my mouth numb and I was able to enjoy a gla.s.s of beer.

That bitter sharp taste and fragrance.

It was entirely different from those Korean beers I secretly sampled from my father. This deep flavor was clear sign of well-brewed beer.

“May I have another?”

‘When did you finish yours?’

In time it took me to take 2 sips, Hans was licking his mouth after finis.h.i.+ng his beer that was in the large wooden beer mug.

“Ha-ha, you may have another. Owner, bring another cup of beer!”

Hans was asking looking at me, but Jamir quickly ordered another laughing energetically.

‘This is great~!’

It was refres.h.i.+ng feeling after experiencing the outside world.

After developing enough strength, my next goal would be even bigger world.

Since I already came to home world of my master Gundalf, I might as well go sightseeing.

“8 golds should not be a small amount, why are you trying to buy at that price?”

I ask towards Jamir, who had a smile which one could not tell what he was thinking of.

It would have been a success if it went over 4 golds but Jamir offered 8 golds for each mushroom.

I did not think that a person from enormous merchant group would not work for loss.

“Let me formally introduce myself, Jamir Baines, one of the managers of Rubis Merchant Group.”

‘Manager?’

“Next month will be month of Sapir, the G.o.ddess of Fertility. As you know, G.o.ddess of Fertility is also be considered G.o.ddess of Festival”

(TLN: Wow, month of super dangerous time right into harvest festival? nice going)

‘What do you mean as you know?’

For regular village folks, they were too busy trying to survive every day, thus they did not know too much about the outside world.

This also included me, who was too focused on spending most of my time on magic and swords to care about Kallian Continent as whole.

“Also, from this month to next month, the n.o.bles will be collecting the annual tax.”

“Ah!”

I finally understand.

‘As a result, on national holiday(s) meant for G.o.ds/G.o.ddess to rest, n.o.bles will collect taxes and it meant that, useful items would be traded at high price.’

“Do you understand what I am saying?”

“Well, I got the gist of it.”

“I knew you would catch on pretty quickly.”

The impression given by Jamir who was barely over 30 was similar to those who were in the 50s.

‘I detect trace of mana. Ho-oh, magician?’

I didn’t actively scan for trace of mana but I could definitely feel the linger mana around Jamir

He was a merchant who seemed to hold many secrets.

“Just now, what I heard from other people, you are not group of merchants who would come all the way to this countryside…”

I look at Jamir as I blurt out my suspicion.

“Originally that was true. It used to be where merchants we employ would travel to various regions to buy goods and buy them back at a designated location, which we would later sell the items to n.o.bles who would need them. However this year, it’s been a quite a headache procuring specialties that would sell. It has been hard to purchase many goods, especially Madir, Sharif mushroom, Rudi Mushroom and Licom Tea, which is the specialty of Dapis Kingdom. All the n.o.bles left the task of magical beast hunting unattended, all creating factions over the next crowning of next king.

Jamir’s answer to my simple question was more than what I was asking for.

‘Royal ascension? Then a civil war could erupt soon?’

It was plot I would often find in many fictions.

“Will there be a civil war?”

“Hmm…. It won’t lead to such an extreme situation. Dapis Kingdom is just a small country and there are many neighboring powerhouses, thus it won’t walk path that leads to self-destruction.”

‘My head hurts. It’s not a problem that I personally need to worry over. Wait, he said Madir?’

Madir was an item that was hard to procure.

I once caught a Madir with all my strength, the difficulty of catching Madir was nothing to speak of.

It was a fish with enough strength to topple over most boats, and magicians and knights capable of using Aura Blade wouldn’t lower themselves to be fishers and it was too difficult for any regular people.

“Huu, I am letting out so many words for a person I have met for first time. I am grateful for today’s transaction. Thanks to you, I was at least able to get Sharif mushroom, thus I can say my objective for trip here is somewhat met.”

Jamir had the appearance of cool-headed merchant but underneath it carried many worries, just like any other regular folks.

‘Chairman of mega conglomerate or beggar, they say it’s all same hards.h.i.+p trying to earn your 3 meal for the day.’

It was phrase my grandfather who lived in the countryside often said.

He said that accomplished or not, eating and p.o.o.ping is all same for everyone.

However, it was up to your effort to eat good meal and p.o.o.p gold or eat a bad meal and have a diarrhea.

“Even if you cat Madir, isn’t there problem of preserving the fish? It’s not winter right now, it should be quite easy for the fish to go bad.”

I throw out another question as if I was fis.h.i.+ng.

“Since so long ago, during the 3 months which Madir pa.s.s through Telemann waters, merchants and magic refrigerator would be stationed in each fis.h.i.+ng settlement. But this year, the magical beasts are too active, making people unable to go out to sea often. Those fishermen who live and die by the sea wouldn’t be willing to go out if they knew the consequence of trying to fish Madir right now.”

“That’s right. Just 10 years ago in this season, merchants would bring magic refrigerator to camp out. We only caught few but the day we catch Madir would be the day our village hold festive celebration.”

Hans who was gulping down the beer gave his experience regarding Madir.

‘Magic refrigerator. Right, this world’s magic?’

If modern world had electric refrigerator, this world had magic.

‘Hehe, and I am the genius magician.’

Jamir of Rubis Merchant Group was someone I met by chance.

It must be fate brought by the heaven.

“This year’s price must be pretty high?”

“A good quality would weigh over 100kg and go for 35 golds for one. It’s important for n.o.bles who live inland to prepare a dish made from Madir in parties.”

‘Ohhhhh! 35 golds!’

The news that sardine from village seaside that was flapping around like young chick was worth over 30 gold made me open my mouth so wide that it looked like it was about to rip.

“Not just few gold but thir-, thirty five gold?”

Hans, who misinformed me about the price, was also surprised.

“That’s right. With such severe supply shortage, it became a situation which price became whatever one wished.”

Jamir who held high position within large merchant group was answering Hans with honorifics.

Jamir was magnanimous and also held good disposition.

“How many of those magic refrigerators would you be able to prepare within how many days?”

“Magic refrigerator? If I can get my hands on Madir, I can prepare several hundreds. Why do you ask this?”

‘Why else would I ask? I am trying to make a fortune here.’

“If all goes well, I can get some Madir…”

Contrary to what’s on my mind, I gulp down the beer and acted indifferent.

“Re, really?”

Jamir, who was calm until now, stood up in surprise and ask with loud voice.

“40 golds for ones over 100kg. Of course, it would be top quality with minimal injury. How about it?”

“45, no, if it is such a good quality, I would push it for 50 gold! Can you truly get Madirs for me?”

‘Wow! So generous!’

It was huge jackpot which n.o.body expected.

It was reality where a single sardine was equivalent to annual tax for single village.

I thought that such thing was probably possible.

Territories owned by n.o.bles would have several hundred villages like Luna Village and they would care about face more than money. Money was probably not regarded same as how others viewed money.

‘Should I try to become a Lord?’

Having a status of Lord held similar idea to what my dream utopia would be like.

‘Right, why couldn’t I have thought that up until now!’

To return back to Earth, I would have to achieve similar position to my master, 8th Circle Magician.

To wait for enlightenment who knows how long it will take, it wouldn’t be bad to create my kingdom similar to my dream paradise.

Somehow, my chest clenched as my hope surged up like unrestrained tap water.

“I cannot guarantee but I can attempt. Before that, can you give a price for my Sharif Mushrooms? I have to pay tax and buy many items….:

“Ha-ha, of course! Terrison, bring out the money.”

“Yes, manager!”

One of the merchant who was observing us inside the inn responded in shout as he neared us.

“In total, there are 59 mushrooms. In calculating total cost, since its large quant.i.ty, why don’t we just round it up and settle at 480 gold?”

“Let’s do that. I have already checked the item, give him 480 golds.”

“Understood.”

Clag.

Even before Jamir finished his words, Terrison quickly pulled out a thick pouch.

He opened the pouch and started counting out the s.h.i.+ning gold coins.

‘It, its money! Gold on top of that! Muhahahaha!’

I have never gone crazy from money but in front of gold coins that were giving yellow l.u.s.ter, I couldn’t help but to let my jaw drop.

Didn’t someone once say.

Ghost who has died after a meal would have beautiful clothes

(TLN: No matter what situation it maybe, not forgetting to eat is wise)

“Ky, Kyre, is this dream, or reality?”

Hans was shaking from excitement, grabbing on to large quant.i.ty of money for first time in his life.

‘Hans excited only over this much.’

This much amount of too small for my life’s worth.

How can my life only be worth some gold coins?

“Is that building the Administrative Office?”

“It should be right.”

‘This so called lord went to the royal capital and has not been seen for last few years? Now the Administrative Office has been managing the territory unchecked.’

After settling the price for Sharif Mushroom. I obtained information regarding this territory from the owner of the inn.

‘This s.h.i.+tty b.a.s.t.a.r.d, An Administrative Office should only be a mere public service worker but they planned out with other merchants to make a fortune.’

What is more annoying is that this thing called Administrative Office didn’t care about the lives of commoner and colluded with Daron Merchant Group to rob the pockets of commoners empty.

“Stop! Where do you come from?! “

‘Kn, knight! I finally get to see a real knight!’

The Administrative Office was in front of the lord’s mansion, which was surrounded by high walls.

The entrance of this 2-floor building was guarded by a knight with metal armor and about ten soldiers were guarding the building.

‘Kyre, you must lower your head. If you give bad impression to the knight, it’s instant death.”

Hans quickly warns me while lowering his head with grateful expression.

‘This isn’t even 007 Licence to Kill….’

(TLN: I have not watched the movie so I don’t know the reference.)

After verifying the truth from horrified expression Hans was giving, I quickly lowered my head.

“We, we are from Luna Village here to pay our taxes.”

“Luna Village? That village still exists?”

The knight’s response wasn’t any different from the soldiers at the gate of the castle.

“You can enter.”

“Thank you very much, your honor”

‘Wait, what is this? The mana I am feeling from this so called knight.’

The amount of mana I was feeling from this knight was only big as a tail of a rat.

I can tell this knight had not much mana even without actively scanning for mana.

‘I can handle this type of knight blindfolded.’

It was not arrogance but my opinion after knowing that this knight did not give any inspiring aura.

[TLN :(?)I can’t think up the word at the moment but those typical ‘prestigious feel honorable warrior gives’ kind of thing?]

I quickly followed Hans to enter the place called Administrative Office.

“You say you are from Luna Village?”

“Tha, that’s right.”

That guy is Administrative Officer?’

[TLN: The raw refers both the dude and building as 행정관, so I am just going to call one office and other officer of same thing]t

What I was expecting a fat guy with mouse-like slit eye but what I saw front of me was a knight in his mid 40s

‘This much amount of mana is pretty decent.’

The aura this Administrative Officer was giving was incomparable to the knight who was guarding outside.

It was stereotypical knight, carrying a sword by his waist and had masculine appeal with his angular jaw line.

[TLN: Bottom of your ear to jaw joint to chin forming about 120 degree angle/bit good-looking pointy chin]

“Hm, I could not take care all of my territory but it’s good that the village was able to survive still.”

‘Wait a minute? Is this really the officer?’

The officer unexpectedly was giving such caring words.

The way he was speaking really gave impression that he cared for Luna Village.

“It’s nothing. I am thankful to the G.o.d for being a resident in domain of Fiore.”

Contrary to my worry, Hans quickly flattered and had his way with words.

This must be why the village chief chose Hans for the trip.

I am happy for you to say that. The amount of tax approved for this year….right here.”

I felt something was off from this person who was supposed to be the Administrative Officer.

The way he speaks and acts gave off an aura that n.o.bles should have.

“It’s written to be total 30 gold. Is that right?”

“Huh? 3, 30 Gold?”

The Administrative Officer picked out a doc.u.ment and told us that the tax is 30 gold.

Hans of course, was very confused.

“Is it not? A village with population around 200 and the crop yield was not so much… It is an independent village, so I kept the tax at 30%, but is it too much?”

‘This guy is playing with people.’

This spring, the Administrative Officer sent out orders using soldiers to notify the village to pay the tax of 50 gold.

Hans and I were taking turns looking at each other.

“N, no, that’s not it… Our village is….”

Thud.

When Hans was about to tell that the tax was supposed to be 50 gold, the door we entered from opened wide.

“Huh! Lo, Lord! When did you arrive here?”

‘Wha, WHAT! Lord?!’

The man who entered the room had bulging stomach with mouse-slit eye, which gave off impression of greedy man, and called out lord of the castle.

“What are you guys doing! How can you arrogantly raise you head in here! Do you guys not know how our lord looks like?”

[TLN: I want to stop calling it ‘lord’ but raw is not referring by viscount so….don’t forget he is a viscount.]

They say the one who farts will express anger first, the man was shouting in our direction like a disloyal servant.

“Ha-ha! Officer Tremo, it is alright. It is my fault that I stayed too long at the capital.”

“I pay my respect to the lord!”

Hans lowered his knee and gave a deep bow as if he was treating a king.

Crunch-crunch.

At same time, he pulled me down grabbing my pants with his right hand.

“I, I pay my respect to the lord.”

‘Ahhhhh! My pride has been hurt.’

Other than giving kowtow on lunar New Year to get money, I have never lowered my head this much since I was born.

I had to give my utmost respect lowering my head to this person who was called the lord.

‘Fuuh!  Lord, I will definitely become one!’

[TLN: original is 씨이! which is half 씨발, so I will just leave half of English equivalent.]

I have gained another reason why I needed to become a lord.

If I kept the status of commoner, it was not a lie that I would have to constantly lower my head to others.

[TLN: half of j.a.p novels of being nice on others but half of Chinese novels where MC doesn’t want to lower head to others, what everyone likes… right?]

I can’t be like a piece of gum on a street, constantly laying my head low living shriveled life.

“But Officer Tremo, isn’t tax for Luna village set to be 30 gold this year?”

The viscount was holding thick doc.u.ments and questioned about tax.

“That, that is right. Our lord, who is so generous decided to set the tax for independent villages to be 30%.”

He was dumbfounded for second but quickly gave a response shamelessly while rubbing his hands together.

‘Should I just call out on it?’

Just by looking at it, this officer was clearly embezzling tax money behind the viscount’s back.

“You people, what did you guys say in front of the lord?”

Tremo energetically scolded two of us who still had our heads lowered.

“They haven’t said anything to me yet.”

“Is that so? He-he. There are many cases where some idiots would say some superficial things.”

‘Idiots?!’

This b.a.s.t.a.r.d of an officer turned the invincible Kang Huyk into a merely a worthless worm.

(TLN: The raw word 무지렁이 translates well into idiots, b.a.s.t.a.r.d and so on but 지렁이 is also an earthworm.)

I firmly remember the pudgy face in my head.

“The tax is indeed 30 gold. Hand over the tax to Officer Tremo here.”

“Lord, are you going back to your mansion?”

“I will have to do so. Zygon should be eating now and the servants might be surprised.”

(TLN: The name is Ja-Ee-Gun, which I am pretty sure is non-Korean name so yea… going to use Zygon of all things.)

“Then I will be seeing you later.”

“Then continue your hard work.”

“Goodbye, milord.”

I don’t know who it was but the viscount looked like he had to take care of food for someone.

Tap-tap.

The Viscount left outside through the door that was already opened.

“You came from Luna Village?”

“Yes, yes lor, no, officer.”