Outskirts of Dallas, Flareottems Duchy.
"Cheah!!!"
A lone Horned Rabbit was struggling to free itself from a trap that had strangled its leg. With another cry, it was about to use its horn to cut the thread tied to its leg when an arrow came toward the animal and pierced its skull.
"Phew, another good hunt. I guess spending winter here is not bad." As I came out from the bushes and walked towards the Horned Rabbit I had just killed, I said. It was my 3rd prey of the day since I had two more horned rabbits in my bag pack.
Let me reintroduce myself.
My name is Ivan, and I have been transmigrated into an 11, now 12, years old body in a world ruled by magic and artefacts but also a world that will soon be consumed with disastrous flames of war and bloodshed.
That's right, guys, this world is the world of Otome Game that I played in my previous life.
The country I lived in is called Flareottems, now a duchy and part of the Herculine Empire, one of the enormous empires and a place to magnet all kinds of catastrophes.
Why do I sound so pussy? Well, the thing is, the place I came to was Flareottems, a duchy ruled by the villainess' father of the game.
Villainess was a character designed to face tragedies whether you want it or not. It wouldn't be a problem if she met the trouble, but she would bring the whole Duchy. Even in endings where villainess didn't appear much, this Duchy is guaranteed to get destroyed whether it is Herculine Empire or neighbouring countries.
"Let's wrap this up," I muttered and began untying the rabbit from the trap I set.
Hunting was the profession that I could practice to earn some income. Hunting with traps is considered cowardly in his world, but I couldn't care less about all these shitty morals if I had to die of starvation.
I then hung the rabbit around my neck and began walking towards the city called Dallas.
It had been a year since I came to this city. Dallas is the second most crucial city besides the principal capital of Duchy, where the villainess lives. This place also had an essential part in the story as the heroine will come to this city in the future to complete a quest depending on the route she chooses.
"Hey Ivan, another fruitful hunt?!"
As I was at the city's gate, I heard a voice. It was a teen around 18 years old with brown hair and eyes. His name is Puck, and he was a security guard at the 2nd gate of the city.
Yeah, I know why his name sounds like a pun. It was developers who let fans decide names for mobs. Don't be surprised if you hear names for people like Crimsonass or Gangedvagine.
"Yeah, winters are coming, so you know, earning profit with fur business."
Although this place has 'Flare' in its name, it is just another Russia for you. Half of the year is covered in bone-chilling winter, with the temperature dropping below minus in peak winter.
And a place with coldness as prime weather, fur is an excellent way to earn some fortune.
"Lucky you, huh… I wish I have that kind of talent…." Puck spoke with a weak smile, but I could see his eyes wandering to the rabbit on my back.
Puck became my 'friend' when I was trying to look for employment. How I, like 12 years old child, was able to befriend this guy? Because I know his secret. He had a secret affair with Baron's wife, who was responsible for guarding the walls around the city. His father was a clerk under Baron, so it was not hard for him to get this job, but who could have imagined that this bastard was stabbing the person feeding him. Well, more like banging the wife of the person feeding him.
"By the way, why is the city's security so high?" I asked as I saw some proper knights patrolling the city.
"Yeah, I wonder why…." Puck wondered and rolled his eyes.
This bastard…!
I could reveal his affair to the public, but I would lose a good source of information.
I took a deep breath and went towards him. I took out a piece of dried meat and placed a silver coin under it before handing it to Puck.
"I have a gift for you. Eat it since you work hard." I smiled.
The young man beamed a smile before regaining composure and coughed.
"Thanks, Ivan, you are a good kind." He said and took the meat with money in it.
I was friends with this guy because of the information he gathered. In this world, rumours are vital to collect news or earn some secret knowledge, and this guy was made just for that purpose.
I could have spent some time finding out on my own, but I didn't want any loose ends. This is the world of the Otome Game, so any informing is necessary to keep track of upcoming events.
"Ahem." He cleared his through and came closer, "I heard that Grand Duke or his daughter might be coming here…."
I widened my eyes as I heard this piece of news. Grand Duke is the leader of this Duchy, the Flareottems, and his daughter would be the future Grand Duchess and the villainess.
I didn't know how old the villainess was since I hadn't seen her yet. The time was never mentioned in the game, so I was not sure if the villainess was of the same age as me or older. If she is young, I have good chances to escape from this place, but if she is older, I had to increase my efforts to find some cheats and get the hell away from this place.
I nodded and entered the city. It had an excellent infrastructure and good security around the vicinity. It was the only reason that I hadn't left this place yet.
Anyway, for now, I was safe. I was not a noble who had to answer the Grand Duke nor a merchant to sell anything to that man. I am just a commoner. He could kill me without batting an eye, but all I had to do was to avoid getting in his way, including the villainess.
I went to Merchant's Guild, where most of the merchants gather. It was a government marketplace where a seller could sell it directly to Guild or other merchants. The Guild would take a portion of the income from the buyer, who would later charge the same to the final consumer. Just like sales tax, the ultimate burden gets on the final consumer.
Sellers could also sell goods directly to customers outside the Guild, but it would later raise the chances of getting robbed or scammed.
I soon found a bald person reading a newspaper on a table. He turned his head up and waved at me upon realizing my gaze.
He was Slavic, the first 'normal' human I met in this world.
I then set off the chair and put the goods on the table.
"Hmm, these look good. Come on, brat, tell me your secret. We can work together to hunt some more."
I ignored his offer and spoke, "Name a price already. We both know I won't tell you anything here."
I did receive some threats regarding my hunting methods, but this Guild is why I was confident about securities. As a child without any magical power or family background, I had to rely on trusted organizations like this merchant guild.
"3 silvers per Horned Rabbit."
I looked at him dryly.
"Are you messing with me?" I glared.
"Hehe, then deal it with 5."
"10 deal, or I will not be selling a single thing next time," I said.
Only fur would sell around 30 or 50 silver coins based on quality and high demand in the market, not to mention I haven't taken out meat and horn from them yet.
The currency exchange is:
One hundred bronze coins = one silver coin.
One hundred silver coins = one gold coin.
1000 gold coin = Emperor Coin.
Emperor Coin is the highest valued currency as it is created in the palace under the direct authority of the Emperor.
Ten gold coins are enough to buy a small house in the city.
"Sigh* Just why can't you act like a regular 12 years old child…?" He sighed and smiled. We then signed the contract, and after the approval from Guild, he handed me the money.
We then sat down again and ordered some hot tea. 'Tea' here in Flareottems is just boiled herbs that help to warm bodies.
"By the way, 'your friend' came looking for you."
I widened my eyes and jumped from the chair. "Really?"
"Yeah, He is at-"
Without waiting for his answer, I left the Guild and headed toward a café. I saw a man sitting on a chair under a parasol on the table enjoying tea.
"Hey, Uncle Russo." I greeted the man and sat in front of him.
"Oh, hello, Lil Ivan." The man spoke with a smile. If we talk about his looks, he was the reincarnation of Colonel Harland David Sanders, the Kentucky Fried chicken guy, just with blond hair.
He was a merchant who directly dealt in the empire's capital and one of my friends, and a prime source of legit news.
He was also the person who gave me hints on where to hunt and whom to trust. It's like he has a third eye to see through things.
"Don't call me Lil Ivan." I scorned.
"But why not? You are only 12 years old. By the way, those management tips that you gave me helped a lot."
Yeah, I gave him some management and accounting tips as he was a merchant who directly dealt with the capital palace. That's how I befriended him.
Don't underestimate Ivan, who had attempted to pass management four times.
"…And my commission?" I raised a brow.
"You are still a child~!"
I won't be getting a single penny, but I know he would pay me with equal value.
"But I know some clues about 'that' legendary Spirit Stone that you were searching."
I widened my eyes and clenched my fist.
It means I can gain one single ability or familiar and get stronger!
"Yes, I am talking about Legendary Ranked Treasure, and I could see that you can get your hands on that item. It is called 'The Predictor.'"