I said that Chap 2 was the last for the day.

I lied.

So bored that I'm procrastinating my homework.

Have some chaps.

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A woman carrying a great bow finished off King Rotter.

She appeared somewhere in her 20's. She had flowing light green hair that reached her waist. Her eyes were deep blue, and her overall body was slender. She was wearing what appears to be a cuirass and faulds of unknown materials, yet the designs give off a feeling of either nobility or royalty.

"Who are you?" Cavaron asked the woman.

The woman approached Cavaron as she put her bow away. Seeing this, Cavaron unsummoned his swords but just called for Culverin at his side just in case.

"No need to be on alert, Sir Cavaron." The woman spoke. "I just want to see who the 'hero' was."

"Like I said, WHO are you?"

"Hmph. I am the third child of Rotter Ladenras IV, and the First Princess. My name is Ritna Ladenras. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Princess? And the reason you finished off your old man is?"

"To stop this stupid war."

"Really now?"

"If you don't believe me, you can kill me right here."

"Nah, I don't kill without a proper reason."

"Is that so?"

Ritna then approached Culverin, "Lord Culverin. I would like to.propose a peace treaty."

"Wait a sec." Cavaron interrupted. "How do you have power to propose a treaty when you're the third child?"

"Because my eldest brother died in battle, and my second eldest ran away. With those two gone, I am the next in line to the throne. You may unofficially address me as *Queen* now."

"Okay."

"Now, to the matter at hand. Lord Culverin, what do you say?"

"I am sorry." Culverin replied. "At the moment, I am under master's command as a >. Until master releases me, I am unable to make decisions even if I am the leader of the non-human races."

"Just that?" Cavaron spoke. "Well, let us get on with it. Ritna, tell us where you want the signing to take place then I'll release the > I have with Culverin."

Ritna blinked twice before she spoke. "Then, let us meet where the foot of the Argent Mountains and the edge of the Emerald Forest converge."

"Got that, Culverin?" Cavaron asked.

"Yes, master." Culverin replied. "The meeting shall take place in two days."

"Alright, >!"

A rip in space appeared and Culverin disappeared within.

"Now then, what shall I do." Culverin sighed as he looked around the field of death.

"If it would be alright, sir Cavaron, please rest in the castle. I will have my men clean up this... mess... before I announce my claim of the throne. At least that way, the peace treaty will have more credibility."

Cavaron tilted his head and spoke, "I have to ask, why did you want to stop the war?"

Ritna was silent for a while before she answered Cavaron.

"Would you believe me if I said that my lover was a non-human?"

"Hmm... is that so? Where is he now?"

"... He was the first casualty of the war..."

"Oh..."

"No matter. I have to thank you for giving me the opportunity to stop my father."

'I think you should thank your stupid father instead, though I shouldn't say that.

A long silence lasted between the two until Ritna spoke again.

"Anyway, sir Cavaron, I'll have some servants assist you to your room."

"Before that, do you mind if I see the sights of your kingdom?"

"Well, there shouldn't be any harm. I'll assign someone to escort you around."

"No need, Ritna. I want to go around on my own. Just have someone at the gates to escort me to my room."

"If that is your wish, then so be it, sir Cavaron."

---

Hearing from the guards that he met at the gates of the castle, this place is called Lavinia City, capital of the Ladenras Kingdom. Lavinia was the name of the first queen four generations ago. It appears that the first king loved her so much that he dedicated an entire city to her name. The city is built within the Ladenras plains and is surrounded by hills to the east, forests to the south, mountains to the west, and marshlands to the north. Past the marshlands is the Haliga Sea.

'I wonder why she was named Ritna instead of Lavinia?' Cavaron thought. 'I'll ask her next time if I remember.'

Lavinia city is home to 300 thousand civilians, 100 thousand soldiers, and five thousand magi. The civilians are split among the aristocrats, merchants, industrial guilds, and simple commoners. Lavinia city is designed like a five-layered ring. The core and the first ring is where the royalty reside. The second ring is where the aristocrats and merchants reside. The third ring is where the industrial guilds and commoners reside. The fourth ring is purely an agricultural area. The final and fifth ring is where all military personnel and assets are housed and located.

The Ladenrasian military is divided among the Knight Order, the Magi Circle, and the Guardsman Corps. The Knight Order contains the bulk of their military might, they are also responsible for invasions and occupations. The Magi Circle is where the very rare magi learn to control their powers and grow stronger. The Guardsman Corps is responsible for policing the local areas.

Currently, Cavaron is just wandering around the city.

'Maybe I should have asked for a map instead... I didn't think this place was HUGE...'

Cavaron is just along the main southern road within the third ring looking around the shops.

The third ring, where the industrial guilds and commoners live, is lined with shops that yell out the merchandise they sell.

"Fresh poultry from the farms! Only 23 Tyuls per dozen!"

"Freshly harvested fruits! They are very crunchy and sweet!"

"Hey there, lady! We have some seafood newly delivered from the northern villages! Only 14 Tyuls a piece!"

"Gorogan axes for sale! Made by the master himself! Only 10 Croms!"

'These people are oblivious to what happened to their king.'

'Hm... I realize that I don't have this world's currency. I wonder if I can sell something. Oh right, I have those gems from the world before.'

The currency of this world is divided into four denominations.

Tyuls are the smallest.

Croms are equivalent to 100 Tyuls.

Sorns are equivalent to 100 Croms.

And Delns are equivalent to 1000 Sorns.

A small family of three spends around 2 Croms a day to live. The cheapest grain of wheat costs around 2 Tyuls per five-inch iron plate. They use standardized iron plates to weigh items from five-inch plates to 25-inch plates depending on the size of the item.

'Let's ask someone where I could sell gemstones.'

Cavaron approached a random merchant to inquire a place to sell gems.

"Excuse me, where do you suppose I could sell gemstones?"

Cavaron asked a middle-aged merchant that is selling random items.

"Huh? First time I've seen you here. You a traveler?" The merchant replied.

"Yes sir, I just arrived here today. So, about that shop."

"Gems eh? If I remember correctly, the old woman who lives along the southeastern side street is a jeweller. Do you have a map of the city with you? It will be easier."

"No, sir, I don't have a map."

"Really? Hmm... I know, I'll give you this."

The merchant handed Cavaron a map of the city.

"Err... I'm sorry, sir. I don't have money on me. I was planning to sell the gems to get money."

"Oh, don't worry about it. Maps are commonplace in this city because newcomers get lost often."

"Many thanks, sir. That shop was where, sir?"

"Right, right. Here, this is where we currently are..."

After receiving directions from the merchant, Cavaron headed to the Jeweller's shop to sell his gems.

'I wonder if these gems are even worth something. Do these even exist here?'

As he thought about it, he arrived at the shop.

'Myrn's Jewelries, huh...'

Entering the shop, he was greeted by an empty counter.

"Eh?"

There was nobody to greet him.

"Uh... hello~?"

As Cavaron came closer, a little girl popped her head out from behind the counter making him jump a bit.

"Hello, mister." The little girl spoke. "How may I help you?"

The little girl appeared no more than 12 years old with blond hair tied into a braid, with light blue eyes. She was wearing a red cap and red overalls with a bit of dirt here and there.

"Uh... I was told this is where I could sell some gems for money." Cavaron replied. "Though I was told that an old woman lived here."

"Oh, that's my grandmother. She's inside having a rest while I take care of the shop."

"I see."

"Dontcha worry, mister. I was personally trained by her so my skills are good. So, what are these gems mister?"

"Here they are."

Cavaron produced a myriad of gems of different colors and luster.

"*Gasp*! I haven't seen these kinds before. Hold on a bit, mister."

The little girl brought out equipment for appraising jewelry.

"Hmm... I'm sorry, mister. I don't know what to make of these. Maybe grandmother knows about them. Would you mind waiting for a bit?"

"Go ahead. I'll wait."

The little girl ran inside with a gem.

A short while later,

"AAHHHHH!!! GRANNY!!!"

The little girl screamed.