"Impossible, it's seriously supposed to be impossible..." Naina said, her head flat on the table.
Similarly distressed, the princess was sitting with her head in her hands, being consoled by Olivia. Meanwhile, the rest of the table, including Gorum were quite confused.
"Uhh, I'm not sure I get the big deal here..." Mia said, breaking the silence.
"Just...don't think about it, I'll explain it later but...let's just move on.." Naina said, being highly discouraged.
"Er, yes, back to the matter at hand." Keidi said as she looked at Gorum.
With a soft sigh Gorum used the [Void Box] spell, and pulled out a pouch of coins about the size of a head. He was glad that they were getting back on topic, but he could just feel that he would have to listen to questions about his magical prowess later.
"Whoa, that's...alot of coins...and they're all gold!?" Ceidi said in shock as she sifted through the bag.
"Yes, I've worked for my country's military since I was 15 years old and I'm quite accomplished. Although I was treated poorly for being a commoner, once I made it to higher ranks that didn't change my salary. Nor did it change the reward of commission work the kingdom put me on either. Although... I'm not sure what the exchange rate here is." Gorum explained.
He was a bit worried about how bringing currency from another world might affect the economy of this world, considering the magic density of his world was much more potent. Therefore making the materials from his world more valuable due to their higher mana content. But if money needed to be spent now, he would spend it regardless of the future problems.
"Ah, so there's likely going to be a problem...er, Keidi can you help me out here?" Ceidi said, looking to her sister with a concerned look on her face.
"You see Gorum, your country's currency might not get accepted at all. The insignia on these coins...well, they aren't from any country known to us. How far away exactly is your country?" Keidi asked.
This was a new headache for Gorum. How was he supposed to talk around this, exactly? He disliked lying, but he'd already lied about why he was here. So what if he lied just a little bit more?
"That's...hard to say. I was transported the majority of the way here via magic, so it would be hard for me to say. But I can say it's too far away to send envoys, armies or anything like that." Gorum said, trying to cover his tracks.
"I see...well, although the coin isn't recognized, the gold itself is different. Although we'll have to deal with prejudice against foreigners for using the coin, it should still be useful..." Ceidi said, thinking aloud as she closed the bag.
"Well since that's settled for now, how about we order some food and then head out shopping?" Keidi proposed, trying to lift the party's spirit.
"Yeah! Let's eat finally!" Evan shouted, perking up at the very mention of food.
"Yeah, I'm getting bored picking breakfast scraps out of my teeth. Let's order something." Lana said, sulking a bit after Gorum scolded her.
After that, Ceidi called over a waitress who went around the table collecting orders. Gorum was a little hesitant, since eating meant taking off his helmet. Something he hadn't voluntarily done for at least 2 decades. However...he felt that he couldn't just keep living like a set of sentient armor. Now that he was in a place where danger was much less of an issue, taking off his helmet should be fine. Crimson herself had even said that Gorum could run around naked and be unharmed.
By the time Gorum was almost done mulling it over, the food arrived and everyone had their dish place infront of them. Lana ordered an entire cow haunch, the twins were sharing some sort of mushroom and meat salad, the princess and Olivia were sharing some type of exotic sheep monster dish, Evan got himself the house special, Naina had ordered a salad, Mia was eating...Gorum wasn't sure what she had ordered, and Gorum himself was staring down at a plate of 'Fried Cuckoo'.
A Cuckoo was apparently a type of land bird monster that was easily domesticated. It's meat was cut into thick strips and rolled in batter, then fried in boiling vegetable oil. Frankly it looked delicious, but...the entire table was staring at Gorum, as if waiting to see him take off his helmet before they started eating.
"Fine." Gorum said as he became annoyed with their stares, taking off his helmet and putting it beside him on the table.
"Are you all satisfied now?" he asked, grumpily eyeing the table.
"Ah...I thought you'd be older..." Naina said in deep confusion as she stared up at him.
"Same here...I thought he'd be ugly.." Lana commented.
"I thought you would be too." Olivia added on.
"So that's not a cape, but your hair?" Evan asked.
"I don't get the big fuss, elves still look good well into their 1000s." Mia interjected.
"That's enough! I'm 87 years old and I'd rather not discuss the circumstances of my physical appearance, now eat." Gorum said, raising his voice. Causing the entire tavern aswell as those outside it, to shiver with discomfort.
"Er...yes, let's start eating everyone." Keidi awkwardly said as she and her sister quickly dug into their dish.
"Hnnhyah!~" Mia exclaimed as she bit into her food, her toes visibly curling under the table since she was barefoot.
"This is delicious!" Lana shouted as she ripped into the cow haunch like a savage animal.
"Mmh! It's not the same as the cooking from Head Chef Edward back at the palace but it has such a charming flavor!" The princess said, Olivia nodding vigorously in agreement with her liege.
"It's sho tasdy!" Evan added on, shoveling food in his mouth.
"I'm eating a salad so...well, it's still quite good." Naina calmly said, seeming to enjoy her meal regardless of the inherently bland nature of the dish.
"You can thank me and my sister for that! We did some studying and found this Tavern was the best in this half of the kingdom! Apparently the owner used to be a chef for a noble across the eastern sea." Ceidi proudly explained, puffing her chest out as she felt deep satisfaction for finding a suitable restaurant.
"Hmm..." Gorum stared down at his food, enjoying the scent. It was years since food of any kind has graced his tounge, so he obviously wanted to savor it. And judging by the rather...extra, reactions from the party, he would get his wish.
Gorum bit into a Cuckoo Strip, chewing it thoroughly.
"Hmmm..." Gorum contemplated quietly, the entire table leaning in a little bit to see his reaction.
"It's fine." Gorum stated, eating another piece. He liked it, but it was nothing to ejaculate himself over. Why would anyone in their right mind do that anyways?