It's been a few hours since we started our journey together, so far we haven't run into any difficulties, we've encountered some beasts and monsters but they're so weak they didn't even cause us to delay.
Unlike in the dungeon, monsters in the wild drop various items and equipments so we've got quite a lot of stuff, but since I have 『Storage』, I have no problem storing it along with the beasts' remains. The same also goes for our luggage, so we're basically travelling without extra weight, save for our weapons and armor.
I've gotta say, these armament rings are amazing, with their ability to turn into weapons and vice-versa, we can equip our weapons anytime we need to. The same thing goes for the divine armor since they basically meld to our bodies, leaving only a necklace behind. Plus, when we arrive at our destination, we could pass through inspections easily since our weapons are in their ring forms.
Speaking of destinations, where exactly are we heading? I've been following Yuna this whole time so I've got no idea where we're heading to.
Well, I guess I should ask the person in question.
「Hey Yuna, where exactly are we going?」Grey
「What do you mean? I've been following your lead this whole time.」Yuna
「Eh? Eh? Ehhhhhhh!?」Grey
Come to think of it, we haven't planned anything at all!
Since Yuna once lived in a village, I subconsciously assumed that she has been to a city at least once. I didn't think it would turn out this way!
「Grey, I'm not trying to blame you, but this is entirely your fault.」Yuna
「What do you mean by that!?」Grey
「I mean, didn't you say you have an ability which gave you everything you need to know about the world.」Yuna
She's totally right!
The knowledge God imprinted on my 『Memory』included geological, political , and territorial maps in Merusia!
Why haven't I thought of that sooner!?
「Hey, instead of getting depressed because of a simple mistake, why don't we plan our destination for the time being.」Yuna
「You're right, but the way you say it is kinda harsh, you know?.」Grey
「Mm? But it's true though.」Yuna
「Yep, nevermind.」Grey
「???」Yuna
There it is! Another problem with Yuna! Even though she acts all mature, the way she puts her words is way too blunt! I don't think she means it, but sometimes her words are sharper than her daggers.
Really, she's such a troublesome girl!
After planning for half an hour, we settled that our destination will be the City of Galderia, located just about 10 kilometers northeast of the Haltea Great Forest.
And so our journey continued. At day we run northeast where Galderia is located and take a few breaks here and there. At night, we sleep tightly in the tents and futons God provided.
Normally, one of the travelers would stay awake to keep watch but with Yuna's 『Detection』, we would be alerted if there is danger nearby.
Come to think of it, hunting in the wild became a lot easier when Yuna came since her 『Detection』can detect anything with mana in a 500-meter radius. Because of that, we could locate our prey with ease while looking out for danger at the same time.
After a few days of traveling on foot, we are finally out of the forest and took a step inside the Plains of Gaya.
The blades of grass swaying gently along the breeze, sunlight illuminating the whole scenery, and the seemingly endless sea of green, it felt so fresh being out of the forest for three years that I unconsciously took a deep breath.
「Grey, look!」Yuna
I was enjoying the change of scenery when Yuna suddenly called out to me and pointed towards a grassless path which extended as far our eyes can see.
Huh? Isn't that...
「The highway!」Grey
I thought it would take at least a few hours to find the highway, it seems that luck is on our side this time.
「Good job on spotting that!」Grey
I was so delighted that I ended up patting Yuna in the head unconsciously.
「Umm... Grey, your hand.」Yuna
「Ah, sorry. My habit got the better of me.」Grey
「It's fine... as long as you don't overdo it.」Yuna
That's cute, she's blushing. Her ears are even twitching.
Even though she's like that, she's still weak with head pats. I'm so glad she's not a tsundere.
「Since we've found the highway, why don't we follow it on the way to Galderia.」Grey
「Ah! Oh, yes.」Yuna
Looks like she's still not over that head pat. Yep, she's really cute.
After having a short lunch break, we followed the highway towards Galderia. On our way there, we encountered some carriages and many people heading the same way. As expected of a highway, many people use it for travel.
I'm so relieved that the clothes that God sent me are something normal in this world. I wouldn't want people having weird gazes directed at me after all.
Hmmm... I wonder if I will experience an isekai highway cliche, like running into a group of bandits or being pushed out of the way because a noble's carriage is passing. Hmm... I think it's better to experience the former.
Anyways, experiencing those cliches are too troublesome, I'd rather have a normal and safe journey.
「Grey, what are you thinking of?」Yuna
「Nothing, just some random things.」Grey
「Really?」Yuna
「Yeah.」Grey
I should stop thinking about these stupid things. Yuna's too good at reading my expressions.
「Whatever you say. But let me know if there's something bothering you.」Yuna
「Then I'll rely on you whenever that happens.」Grey
Someone to rely on, huh? I wish I had someone like her back on earth.
Before I died, I never really had any close friends, I've had many coworkers for sure, but they were more like acquaintances than friends. I also had no close relatives since my parents died in a car accident shortly after I graduated college, so I haven't really had someone to rely on for a long time.
Anyways, that's all in the past. Right now, I'm glad to have someone like Yuna in my life.
After two days of travel, we can finally see the walls of Galderia in the distance. Unsurprisingly, our journey went on without a hitch.
Looking at Galderia again, those walls sure are massive. Even from this distance you can tell that they're at least 20 meters high.
Somehow, I feel a little bit emotional seeing a proper infrastructure for the first time in three years. After all, it's always been trees or boulders that's been around me in the forest, other than the house.
It also seems like there's a line for inspection. If we line up now, it would take at least half an hour before our turn but I guess it's better than causing a commotion.
We quietly lined up in line and waited for our turn to be inspected. I'm so glad that even though it's still early afternoon, the light from the sun doesn't prick our skin but rather just warm enough to not sweat. Fantasy worlds are awesome!
It was about to be our turn when Yuna suddenly called out to me.
「What's the matter?」Grey
「I don't have an ID card.」Yuna
Ahh... So that's what she's worried about.
In this world an ID card is something one should always have with them all the time. It allows passage to towns and cities, it is needed in doing transactions, and in some cases, it can be used as some sort of debit card. Since it records the mana signature of its owner, there's no way to replicate them.
There are two types of ID cards, a citizen card and a guild card. The citizen card is issued by the government in recognition to its citizens while the guild card is issued by either of the 4 main guilds, namely, the Adventurer's Guild, the Merchant's Guild, the Researcher's Guild, and the Professional's Guild. There are some differences on how they're used but both are mainly for proof of one's identity.
As to why there's an inspection of ID cards, since ID cards can record one's criminal records, the authority checks these records for those who want to enter. Anyone with a criminal record will immediately be arrested.
「What should we do?」Yuna
「Don't worry I also don't have one.」Grey
「Eh?!」Yuna
「But fret not for I have a plan in mind.」Grey
「But-But if that plan failsー」Yuna
「Just leave it to me.」Grey
「A-Alright...」Yuna
After a few minutes, it's finally our turn to get inspected.
「Your ID cards please.」Guard
Here goes nothing. I'm finally going to say something many isekai protagonists have said! The ultimate starter isekai line!
「We came from a faraway village, so we don't have one yet.」Grey
「I see, we'll create you temporary ID cards for now but you'll have to pay 100 kiels per person, is that fine with you?」Guard
「Ah, yes.」Grey
「Then I will have you two answer a few questions, please follow me.」Guard
It worked! It really worked! And who said that what you read in mangas and novels is useless.
While I was having a celebration in my mind, Yuna looked like she didn't understand what just happened.
We followed the guard's lead and went inside the barracks, inside was a circular table with a small gemstone near the center and a few chairs on either side of the table.
What's that?『Appraisal』.
-----------------------------------
[〔Mineral〕]
[Name]Heartstone
[Mana Capacity]200~
[Description]
A red gemstone with a black tint, which glows bright when the person touching it tells a lie. Often used in investigations and contracts.
-----------------------------------
I see, so it's basically a lie detector. What a convenient item to have.
「Please take a seat.」Guard
After taking our seats, the guard quickly explained the verification process and the gemstone's role in it. Unsurprisingly, what he said and my appraisal's description matched perfectly.
「Please touch a heartstone each.」Guard
「「Okay」」Grey and Yuna
As per the guards instructions, both Yuna and I each touched a heartstone.
「Have you ever committed a crime?」Guard
No response.
「Are you spies from other kingdoms?」Guard
No response
「Do you have any ill intentions towards this city or this kingdom?」Guard
No response
「Hmmm... that's all, you're both clear.」Guard
「Haa... that was nerve-racking.」Grey
「I agree.」Yuna
Even though we knew we haven't committed a crime or that we aren't spies from other kingdoms, it was still nerve-racking being interrogated by authority.
「Now all that's left is the entrance fee. Since there are two of you, that would be 200 kiels in total.」Guard
「Right, thenー」Grey
Wait, I totally forgot about that!
Here in Merusia, there is only one currency which is used internationally, it is called "Kiel" which comes in coins and crystals. Coins are the ones used usually, it comes in copper (1), nickel (10), bronze (100), silver (1,000), gold (10,000) and platinum (100,000). While crystals are used rarely but are of higher value, there's Sky crystals (1 million), Moon crystals (10 million), Sun crystals (100 million), and Void crystals (1 billion). Based on the monthly salary of commoners, 1 kiel should be about 50 yen in japan!
It's not like I don't have money, rather, that idiot god only sent me void crystals! And there's ten of them!
「Ah, about the money, we actually don't have enough, could we sell the monster drops we have in exchange for it?」Grey
「Yeah, there should be no problem with that, but we'll add a 50 kiel processing fee, is that alright?」Guard
「That's alright.」Grey
With the guards consent, I quickly opened my 『Storage』but....
「Oh, so you have the 『Storage』ability, huh? Now that's something every merchant would love to have.」Guard
... crap, I got used to using my ability in front of Yuna that I forgot the other party was a stranger. Thankfully,『Storage』isn't a super rare ability, although most people who have it have inferior ones which can only store up to a classroom's worth of space.
Now... what should I sell? Ah, how about this! A sword dropped by a goblin king!
「Eh!? Isn't that... please wait here, I'll get an appraiser.」Guard
The guard quickly ran out of the barracks and left the two of us in confusion. The moment he got back, he brought someone with him.
「Sorry for running out so suddenly, anyway, I brought an appraiser with me.」Guard
Without wasting a second, the appraiser quickly started appraising the sword.
I've gotta say, most of my abilities aren't super rare, it's just they are of the highest grade. For example, the appraiser here can only tell the name of the item and their quality, even though we have the same 『Appraisal』ability. It also takes them a lot of time to appraise a single item.
The difference in grade really has a big impact on its usefulness...
A few moments after he started appraising the sword, the appraiser stood up and announced the results to us.
「It's a genuine Goblin King's Sword.」Appraiser
「I knew it... Hey, where did you two get this?」Guard
「It was dropped from a goblin king we defeated.」Grey
「Ugh, I don't wanna remember that one. It's blood was really stinky.」Yuna
Looks like Yuna still haven't forgotten about that one. When we fought with a group of goblins, the goblin king's blood splattered over Yuna. Even though monsters vanish when they die, the cut off parts of it's bodies won't vanish unless the main body dies. And for a tidy girl like Yuna, it was like hell for her.
「I see.」Guard
「Hmm? You aren't doubting us?」Grey
「Well, if you've stolen it then the heartstone would have glowed during the interrogation, so I believe you.」Guard
「That does make sense.」Grey
After that, the guard paid us 21,750 kiels for the Goblin King's sword, entrance and processing fee already reduced. He also gave us temporary ID cards, but since it's only temporary, it doesn't contain our names and other personal info. Rather than a temporary ID card, it looked more like a voucher.
「By the way, the name's Dale.」Dale
「I'm Grey and this is Yuna.」Grey
「Nice to meet you.」Yuna
「Hey, this is just a recommendation but if you're looking for an inn with good food and service, there's one just a few hundred meters ahead, it's called "The Rabbit's Den".」Dale
「Thanks, that would help us a lot.」Grey
「No problem. Other than that, Welcome to the City of Galderia!」Dale
When we entered the gates, the bustling city noise and a multitude of medieval style buildings greeted us. There were also people from different races and animals I've never seen before. It really is a fantasy world.
Galderia, we have arrived!
CHAPTER 6 END