Chapter 32: Progress in town

Watching the town; became quickly a way to pass the time. I found it enjoyable, peaceful even. And it was useful too. Watching a sense of normalcy; something I haven’t had for so long. It made me envious. That doesn’t mean I dislike how I live. I truly love the experiences I have had so far. This world is wonderful; sights to be seen, adventures to be had and a multitude of mods to play with. Yet, I watch on as a variety of different people go on with life, unaware I envy them so very much. Maybe I could sneak in, build a life? I don’t think so; it's not my path.

‘Sighing in resignation’ I haven’t thought of any easy way to; you know… get introduced. It makes it harder; my body is very different then everyone else. I quickly brew a few extra potions. Preparing myself mentally I walk towards the front gate. ‘prays internally’ “Please, please go well”. The guards quickly spot me, I opted to wear my Armor, pink as it is. My body would course more of a stir.

Walking towards the gate just to the side. The guards quickly start pointing in my direction; obviously standing out against the steady stream of people passing. In a whisper “you can do this” I think but struggle to believe. ‘coming up to the gate’ 2 guards are lightly checking everyone who passes through. ‘reaching the gate’

“Hello, name and reason for visit; and… can we see your face,” the first guard says patiently, the second gives me a very odd look.

“Err, yeah my name is Aeternum; I am a traveler [technically true]. I’m sorry… my face I cannot show you. I am not wanted by anyone” Trying my best not the stutter

“I am sorry we cannot let you through without seeing your face, it’s the rules” Still patient

“Okay, okay but I will only show my face in privacy,” I say and slightly regretted

“Okay, I guess we can do that. Jack take him to the interview room” he says as he pushes us into a door within the gate.

“Alright, this way,” the second guard says guiding me up some stairs and through a hallway. “Some fancy Armor ya got there”

“Yeah, a little fancy” ‘coming to a sturdy looking door’

“Come right in,” He says pleasantly

Honestly expected him to be a grouch, books lied to me. ‘walking into a plain-looking room, a few chairs and a table nothing special.

Sitting down opposite the guard. “Okay il remove my helmet now” ‘removing my helmet with grace’ Couldn’t help but swish my lengthening hair slightly.

Guard cleared bewildered “I see, that’s an odd look you’re rocking. What race or creature are you?”

“Do I have to answer?” I say hopefully

“No, just curious,” he says with a laugh. “But I still have to ask, are you affiliated with any clans, families, or governmental groups?” Tone shifting to a more serious.

“No… why?” I ask confused

“Odd, that Armor looks difficult to acquire without backing. I should mention if you have lied in this interview, you can be arrested and punished” he said in a tone too jovial for the seriousness of the words.

“Okay, got it. Am I free to go now?” I hope this is the end of it.

“Yeah, of course, let me walk you back to the gate” ‘handheld out’ shaking his hand “Nice to meet you Aeternum, stay safe”

“You too, thank you for your understanding” As I am guided out of the official-looking area.

“Jack, he's all good. Never seen a man like him. Wait you are a man, right?” His face suddenly contemplating and nervous.

“Yes, yes I am,” I say with a light chortle

Continuing on through the gate, let us see what we have here.

“So, what did you see jack”

The oddest skin tone I ever seen, ant even the dryads that pale” paling slightly “Says he ant got a backer, lie of course”

“Obviously, that Armor too pristine to be stolen. Go tell the mayor, someone odd is in town”

Both lightly chuckle before jack heads to the mayor

First thing I do; I explore the town. Slow and steady footsteps making sure to get a very good look. In my mad dash last time it was night and a little hard to see. Street lamps litter the side with Redstone alloy running down the poles. Must lead to an underground control room. Did I spot one or two people with enchanted… clothes? It’s a rarity most just wear cloth, leather, or in a few cases iron. The buildings are either wood, brick, or stone brick. It seems that bigger more extravagant buildings are made with brick and wood. Cheaper buildings just stone brick.

Following the road, I find myself upon a market. A cacophony of sounds drowns out my thoughts. I should find a bank. I will need to learn how they buy and trade here. Looking around I see a few people buying with coins or some type.

“Heya over there in da fancy pink Armor” Turning to look at the vendor “I got the freshest damn apples round these parts, come buy some” Everyone seems to have a slight accident, mostly odd choices of words.

“Okay, how much?” I say inquisitively.

“2 bronze imperials or a silver for a 6”

“Do you accept trade and barter?” I hope he does.

“I guess, you must have something nice with that fancy thing on ya body,” he says in a combination of confusion and hope

‘Reaching into my bag of holding with care’ Obscured by my Armor as it's around my neck. I pull out some gold nuggets.

“Not bad, sadly ant printed so it’s not worth as much as a gold imperial.”

“Il give you 3 gold nuggets in exchange for 6 apples and 2 silver imperials,” I say testing the water

“You’re crazy, I ant giving a silver per gold nugget, 1 silver and 3 apples for the lot”

“1 silver 3 apples and 2 bronze,” I say trying to barter

“You drive a hard bargain, here” ‘hands over the apples and money’

Not bad for my first-time trading here. I can only assume it's 10 bronze to silver. Gold seems a little complex. I think items are traded in for money. The money keeps the economy stable I suppose.

Looking around the market. Mostly food, some equipment. A few materials like iron, coal, Redstone. I even spotted an ender pearl and a diamond. The buildings around the market were mostly shops. I spotted a library, a white looking building; larger than the rest. I think I found a bank. The marble structure was one of the largest buildings. Several guards with a multitude of weapons around the clock.

Entering the building I find a desk with a clerk. People around were occasionally handing over and receiving money. Heading to a desk; “Is this a bank” I ask curiously

“Yes” They reply in a sharp tone

“I would like someone to explain to me the currency of this area, I have traveled long and wish for general economical knowledge”

Eyebrows visibly twitching the clerk deflates “We don’t normally do that service but I will give you a brief rundown”

‘taking a deep breath’ “We have 4 printed coins: Bronze, silver, gold, and diamond. They are printed with a special method so forgery is difficult, you can trust the currency. We refer to them as imperials after our royal family for this empire.” Taking a moment to collect their thoughts.

“10 bronze to a silver 50 silver to gold and 100 gold to a diamond. The currency designation is not in line with the value of the actual material, as you can imagine; just the name” Clearly annoyed at having to teach a simpleton such as me common knowledge they begrudgingly lose out to be nice. “You will find most foods, common household products within the bronze bracket. Silver has a wider variety of uses, commonly for equipment, materials for crafting, and blacksmithing. You will also occasionally find poor enchantment here. Gold is normally used for property, and items supplied by any of the guilds, here; clans in the earth empire or a multitude of other third parties. Since such items require generations of experimentation, they are of course expensive.”

“Does that answer your question?” Unable to stop a sigh escaping their lips.

“Yes, thank you. I have no money but anything I can offer as a tip?”

Perking slightly “Any raw materials I can directly trade in for money at the blacksmiths or builders”

‘drops 2 diamonds on the counter’ “Thanks, being nice is a virtue; keep it” watching the slightly startled expression with amusement. Okay, mission one, infiltrate the town; easier than anticipated.

I honestly was very surprised getting such an in-depth response, that clerk deserves a raise. I should find a source of income to keep myself afloat while I am in this ‘town’. It will be important for finding information. Maybe I should get a house?

Promptly heading to the local library; just east of the market. The library is relatively small, cozy almost. Heading inside, I spot the clerk reading a book. ‘walking through the door’ Hearing a curt “1 silver to read” mentally labeling them as a dick, I fork up my lonesome silver.

Pushing the attitude of the librarian to the back of my mind, I start exploring the books. Some hardback some soft. A normal library with most books printed. A couple handwritten too; odd.

I pleasantly found the dusty old books were in English. Well mostly, the dialects you can positively hear from the books make a good chunk of them illegible. The handwritten ones were a lucky dip of handwriting. Endless those symbols that are reminiscent of letters are in fact another language; I can’t tell.

Avoiding the books that are painful to read I start looking for a geographical map. Reading a book labeled ‘history of the empire’. A pretty dry book is full of exaggerated acts. But some interesting titbits stood out to me in my skim read. First a poorly drawn map; labeling the borders of the imperial and earthen empires, the two largest. Other smaller kingdoms and known clans are marked out but it's obvious this world has not been fully explored. Mentions of other races occasionally appear as well. I don’t want to spend all day reading, as much as I would love to. The history of the empire is around 800 years old. Expanding slowly before reaching the claimed borders of the earthen empire. A few brief wars, one major war but nothing too violent.

Stepping away I thank the librarian saying “goodbye” ruin them with kindness I say. I hear a murmur “tourist” ‘tut’. Alright, I need a source of money. Until I find a stable source let's sell some iron to a blacksmith.

It was not hard to find I could hear the hammering from a mile away. I wonder why they don’t just craft everything? I should ask.

Finding a tall, toned, and muscular man standing over an anvil hammering a sword. I couldn’t help myself “Why not just craft a sword instead” I swear he smiled.

In a deep and rough voice, “Crafting is a blunt instrument, yes It would make a sword; yet if I personally hammer it, forge it I can make it weigh how much I want. I can control every aspect of it.” a slight pause “Also the waiting line for the crafting table is enormous and I collapse if I make anything too big”.

I like him already I can't help but smile. “Anyway, sorry for disturbing you but I have iron, coal, and gold for sale if you want to buy it”

“Refined or ore?” he says ponderingly

“Refined”

“Il take 10 coal to a bronze, 1 iron for 3 bronze and 1 gold bar for 3 silver.”

Not bad, selling 10 gold bars for 30 silver, a stack of iron for 192 bronze, and 30 coal for more 3 bronze.

Not too bad I suppose now what to do with that money?