A Glance at Daily Life

After about a week of wandering in this hell of a forest, I could finally see the river I was looking for.

F-Finally!!

'That should be the Oriel River. And if I'm not wrong, there should be a bridge nearby too. If I cross that, I can finally reach the human territory.'

My clothes, which were already in a really bad condition, now began to smell too. Rowan already gave me some new clothes, which he used to wear in his younger days in the Elven Kingdom.

But I didn't put it on yet as I assumed my situation would be something like this inside the forest. I wouldn't want to destroy a good set of clothes in this stupid forest.

So I just kept tolerating myself with my old tight training clothes.

'I should change once I find an inn in the next town'.

I kept Rowan's clothes in my storage ring along with the five gold coins he gave me.

'There's also the task of making an identification card so that I can use the portals and also participate in the competition.'

I soon crossed the bridge and arrived near the town. I was feeling really weird after seeing this many people after such a long time. But deep down, I was really excited to see them too.

The clothes of the people here weren't much different from what we wear back in Elysium. But here, the streets looked a little less livelier than my town.

'I guess this town is not that famous being a border town.'

There was a large signboard on the left side of the entrance which said-

"Welcome to the Border Town of Pearlton"

'Pearlton huh... Based on what Rowan said, I need to walk to the next town called Springbell Town and meet someone there. He'll help me with my identification.'

***

"Fresh meat! Fresh meat! Come quickly to get a discount!"

"Look sir! The lowest I can go is 60 coppers."

"Mama! Look! A grey haired beggar."

"St-stop staring, where are your manners?"

"Look young man, this sword is a limited edition one. It's imported right from Elysium...E-ly-si-um, ya hear me?"

'That little girl was talking about me, right? Sigh... I truly don't look much better than a beggar right now.

And what Elysium? You scammer! That sword looks worse than Rowan's training sword'.

After pondering for a while, I decided to ask Mr. Elysium Shopkeeper about the directions.

"Ah... Excuse me"

"What? I don't have any change, go away"

"..."

'Sometimes I'm proud and surprised at my own self-tolerance. I mean… Look! I'm still not angry at all. I just have the urge to punch him once or twice. Nothing serious.'

"Ah.. No, you're wrong. I want to ask you where I can find an inn"

"An inn? I don't think they would give you any money too."

'This son of a-!'

"... Why don't you just tell me?" I said in a louder tone, my patience level was really getting tested

"Okay, fine, fine. Don't shout here, kid. Walk straight for about fifteen minutes then turn right. You'll see the Cathedral. They may give you some money."

"Wha-"

"And there's an inn just on opposite to the Cathedral. "

'Huff... Calm down, calm down. This guy is only trying to help you. Ahh.... This damned scammer!'

I thanked him with veins popping out in my forehead and soon arrived near the Cathedral.

Though he wasn't really that good with his manners, he did say the truth about the inn.

'This should do it. 'Sunshine Inn', a really bright name. '

The bells in the door rang as I entered the inn and saw a young lady in her twenties in the counter. She had black hair and was rather good looking than other women nearby.

"Excuse me, miss"

"Ah... I am sorry. W-we don't really have anything free. My mother will really scold her if he finds out. "

"No, I am not really..."

"No no, it's not your fault. I-its mine. I am really sorry. Mr. Beggar"

'Is it me who's the problem here?'

She really looked troubled for just refusing to feed a beggar. She must be a really kind girl. But no! I'm not really a beggar though.

The others around us were also looking this way, listening to our conversation.

"Look miss..."

"Please don't make me feel guilty, Mr. Beggar. I really apologize."

'... There's really something wrong with everyone in this town.'

I took out a gold coin from my ring and pushed it towards her.

"Cough... Young miss, I would like a room, please."

Her troubled face showed three more different expressions and finally she backed a step away with a scared expression.

"Heukk! W-where did you g-g-g-get this? Don't tell me you're a thief? "

'What? Now a thief? Is she a idiot?'

I really didn't want to be marked as a thief here, and considering how the others looked really cautious around me now, I decided to play it differently.

After all, it's better to receive the treatment of a king than that of a thief.

Without saying anything, I took another coin from my ring and then another. Then finally brought my training sword with the Edenheart insignia present on it and kept it at the table.

I doubt anyone would remember or recognize this insignia.

"That's rude, miss. I only look like this because I was on a mission near the forest as ordered by King Johnathan de Graham Serendipity III" I said showing a hint of disappointed in my face.

"... W-who? I-I haven't...I don't really know who you're talk... talking about."

The girl looked quite troubled again and immediately started choosing her wisely. And I too clarified one thing.

'She's really an idiot.'

'Of course you wouldn't know who I was talking about. Because I came with that name just now. But as a devout believer of my King, there's no way I can let this pass.'

"You-you!! Do you know the crimes you've just committed. You may be rude to me, but don't you dare disrespect my King. Ohh! Your majesty King Johnathan de Graham Serendipity III, please forgive this innocent child. She doesn't know of your great deeds in the East."

The young girl looked as if she would burst into tears any moment. The others near me also turned their heads immediately as if they didn't really want to get involved with this matter.

"S-Sir... Please forgive me, P-please . I-I didn't know you were a courtier of Ki-king Johnathan de G-gra Gra something III. P-please… spare me this time."

I myself didn't think that my acting would have such a strong reaction.

"Hmm... I won't kill you, don't worry. I don't think the King would appreciate me causing a scene here. Just give me a room to stay. How much for a night? "

"F-forty coppers. Fifty if you include the food."

Hundred coppers amounts one silver and hundred silvers amounts to one gold coin. The currency is in terms coppers, silvers and golds. They are the same in human, elven and demigods territory. But the dwarves have their own separate currency.

"Okay. Check in for two nights with food. It should be one silver"

"Y-yes, my lord." She cried, with tears just about to fall from her eyes.

Did I really make her cry? I really feel bad about it, but you left me no choice. If they think some random beggar got his hands on a gold coin, I don't know if I'll die while sleeping.

She returned me nine notes of ten silvers and nine single silver coins. I put them back into my ring and went to check out my room.

And based on the price, it didn't disappoint.

"Hmm... Not bad. I haven't slept in a bed for ages so it was a lot looking better than a usual bed to me. And more than that... warm water."

I quickly threw all my clothes and went right into the bath.

'Ah... What is this feeling? I think I can stay here for hours.'

But sadly, I had to go back after washing myself properly. I was so hungry I might pass out.

I put on the clothes that Rowan gave me. He told me they were simple clothes he wore in the past but they looked quite grand to me. At least by the standards of a commoner demigod.

It was a white shirt but unlike the normal clean white shirt that Rowan wore, this one had two layers with a high collar and the outer layer looked like a light overcoat above the inner layer.

I wore black coloured pants and long black boots above them. I combed my long silver hair neatly and decided to go downstairs to have my dinner.

Suddenly, I saw myself in the mirror.

'Why do I look so elegant? And I think I am quite handsome, right?'

Deep golden eyes, grey hair and a handsome face. Fine jawline, quite fit body and overly exaggerated outfit.

I went below and took a seat and saw that everyone around was stealing glaces at me. The same girl from this morning came towards me and looked quite nervous. But her face looked red and she was wriggling her fingers.

'Do I really look that good? Or she's just embarrassed for what happened in the morning.'

"S-sir, what would you like to eat? "

"Please recommend me your best dish."

"M-me? I-I think rice with lamb curry will be good. B-but that will cost you an extra 5 coppers. It's a little pricey, you see."

"No problem. I'll have that."

The rice with lamb curry was surprisingly delicious. It felt like I have eaten something after starving for four years.

'This is really… like one of the best dishes I ever tried.'

My eyes were almost filled with tears eating it.

That day, I didn't think of anything else. Lying on a bed for the first time in four years, I felt that I would be sleeping like a log that night.

'Maybe when my journey ends... a life like this wouldn't be that bad'.