章節 11: Baby Steps
"How about we invite our new neighbor for dinner," Raina asked his husband who is currently sobbing quietly.
"That's a good idea! How about it, Brian?"
Brian felt warm when he received the invitation. He can never imagine that after surviving the betrayal of his own family, the first people willing to befriend him in their new way of life are monster. The monsters who he once considered enemy are now welcoming him in their own home.
Brian was never the type of noble that cared about their status or appearance. He truly believed in the Golden rule; Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Even back on earth, he tried to abide these words, and that is why he easily accepted his family leaving him. How can an asshole be treated anything else besides like an asshole?
He only killed monsters because these monsters have the intention of disturbing their peace. But for expeditions just for the sake of gaining wealth, he rarely does it. That is why the excuse of him dying in Mirage City is bogus for those people who really know Brian.
When he is invited by people with goodwill, what reason does he have to not refuse? So, Brian answered with a question, "Can I also bring my daughter?"
"Of course!" Raju exclaimed loudly
"So, Mister Brian is also a parent."
This was a good opportunity for Brian to not only befriend one of his neighbors but also learn many things concerning the place he was transferred to.
Because the household of Raju and Raine is having guests later tonight, both bid their farewells and went to their own home. Their house was located on the right side of Brian's place. It was just the next lot, but there is a considerable place before their properties meet.
On the other hand, there is only a barren land on his left side. Except for the peculiar shop located in front of him, there were no other buildings that are further to the left side than theirs.
'The land Asti purchased feels like it is situated on the border of this city. However, Raju told me those are just empty lots that are not popular because it is far from the center of business and commercial area.'
Going back inside to his newly acquired home, he is excited to share with his daughter her new playmates. But when he thought about how she will be growing up without a mother, his heart bled a little. He can only make excuses after excuses for himself how it was all right for his daughter to live that way.
Looking at her dear daughter lovingly, Paia was still sound asleep. He does not know when she started to visit the dreamland, but he can feel she will be waking up soon.
With nothing to do in the meantime, he decided to check the gold coins Asti provided him. If he was not mistaken, the currency in Auzeweth should be different from this city.
<Quest Triggered: Baby steps>
<How can a merchant be called a merchant if he does not even earn a single penny! In every journey, there is always a starting line. So with that being said, a merchant should start counting with copper coins to create gold coins…>
<User is tasked to select one item in his current possession to be used as a bargaining chip until he can purchase the land next door>
<Rewards: Wheel of Establishments>
Brian's vision was suddenly filled with words that he was familiar with. This would be the second quest he will be receiving in this world. And fortunately this time, his life was not on the line.
However, despite reading it a few times, the clearing condition is unclear to him.
"System, by one item you mean I can only sell one item and used that to purchase land…? There's nothing here that can even be sold for a good meal in a restaurant! Wait, there is that ring. But how can I sell that here if they don't know the value? They'll just think it is just a normal ring made out of gold."
Realizing how his Appraisal skill work, the potential is an A- and not any higher than that because its true value can only be seen among people of Auzeweth.
<System: Yes, you're only limited to using one item. It is a must for a merchant to understand the art of trading. The concept of money has not begun until later, so there is no excuse why the User cannot do what his ancestors have done before>
'Trading one item to another huh… There was a story back on Earth where a guy was able to buy his own house using just a paperclip. Not literally, but he slowly bartered his paper clip to something of more value then traded that to another which can be traded to something of even more value to reach his goal. However, it took him years before he finished it.'
Brian thought about it. His starting point is much better compared to that story because of his ring which is made of gold and different gemstones. Brian is confident gold has a higher value compared to a simple paperclip.
There was also no time limit for completing this ques, so there was no pressure on that. However, he knows the sooner he can complete it the better.
"System, how much does the land cost?"
<System: That is for the user to discover>
"What is the value of monsters' gold coins compared to empire's gold coins?"
<System: That is for the user to discover>
"You know you're back to being a Useless System."
<System: … I wish the User good luck>
Brian sighed hopelessly. 'Looks like it is till up to me in the end.' He thought. Although, he is in a better mood since he now knows how he will lead his new life. It would be difficult for his body to exert any heavy physical activities after the attempted assassination, so the notion of being a Merchant does not sound so bad for him.
He was making plans in his mind on how he was going to do it. But in the end, he decided it was pointless until he has more information. His dinner with Raju's family should be able to help him in that. However, Brian has more important matters in hand.
"…Father."
The little angel who has been sleeping the whole time has finally cutely rubbed her eyes. This would be the first time he heard his daughter's voice after integrating with Bryan's memories.
"I'm here…" He sat next to Paia and greeted her full of love.
"I had a dream where father left me. sob~"
Her little girl seems to have been awoken by a nightmare. Brian wiped the tears from the smooth bubbly face of Paia. His heartache when he saw her tears, so he hugged her until she feels the sense of security his presence bring.
He once swore again in his heart that he will never bring back tears to his dear angel's beautiful face.
"Don't worry. Father will not be leaving you."
It took quite a while before he was able to change Paia's mood, but Brian did not mind giving time to his daughter at all. Seeing her smile once again after tickling her softly and playing around, he felt like he can challenge the impossible.
He carried Paia on his hands with great difficulty. She was still a two-year-old, but he needs to use all his energy just to bring his daughter on his shoulder. He realized if his strength somehow does not return, it would be impossible for him to carry her like this again in a year or two.
He added a promise to himself to fix his body in the future. But for now, the sun has almost set, and dinner time should be coming soon.
"Come, let us wash our face for later. We will be meeting new friends soon."
"Friends?" Paia tilts her head adorably.
"Yes, and we would be eating with them… You like cute fluffy animals, right? Our neighbor is a big fluffy wolf, so don't get excited too much."
"Wah! Fluffy wolf!"
Brian made sure that she will not be surprised when she meets them later. It was a good thing that she still has an innocent mind. The concept of hate is almost non-existing within her, and she is more excited to experience different things than stick with one thing. Brian smiled when he realized his daughter should be better at adapting to their current lifestyle than he did.
'Paia recently just become conscious of the world. Telling her how we suddenly became poor because of some reason might be effective at this moment. But when she starts growing up, it'll be more difficult to explain... So I need to make her life more enjoyable here to make her forget his short memories in Auzeweth.'
They went to the small bathroom their house offered. Brian might be a knight at heart, but he knows some basic spells even elementary children could cast. This includes creating water enough to fill a bucket.
'This small magic almost depleted my mana already. There goes my plan to becoming a legendary mage…' Brian laughed at his current predicament.
The bucket of water was enough to wash his and Paia's face removing the little dirt they had coming here.
'Paia is really a good kid… She did not complain about being here in a dilapidated house at all or even hesitated when washing her face with cold water. I was worried she might be homesick, but I was worried for nothing.'
'But when she asked for where her mother is... I can only lie that she was working far away for her sake.'
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