"…Ah, this is bad."
I had arrived at a small country that didn't seem to have any defining characteristics, but I wasn't lamenting the clichéd townscape. My purse, on the other hand, was in terrible shape.
After I was forced to sacrifice three silver coins for the entrance fee, the remaining three coppers and single silver coin had to huddle together into a pitiful little quartet. Sadly, the silver coin was so old and tarnished, you couldn't distinguish it from the coppers at all if you didn't look closely. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to use it.
A copper coin was usually enough to buy one loaf of bread. With a silver coin, you could get one night at a cheap inn, and if you had gold, you could buy some high-class accessories.
Which meant the best I could do right now would be to sink my teeth into some bread at a drafty old inn, curl up beneath some thin sheets, and try to sleep away the hunger pangs. That was about it.
In short, I was close to death.
"…What am I going to do?"
I always feel most like spending money when I'm having money problems. Holding my grumbling stomach, I walked along a large avenue. Food stalls were lined up like sparkling jewels, selling bread, fruits, vegetables, and more. Famished as I was, I could almost hear them calling to me.
Ah, I want to eat everything…
I want to eat—
"Um, I'd like some bread, please."
When I came to, I was standing in front of a food stall. The rich scent of wheat wafted through the air. There were no prices listed.
The good-natured older woman seated on the other side of the tray of bread looked at me and smiled. "That'll be three coppers."
Oh, the nerve. Coming here was a mistake.
Turned out she was an old bat who extorted money from the poor.
"Hmm? Please excuse me; maybe my hearing isn't so good anymore.
Could you say that once more, please?"
"That'll be three coppers."
"I see, so three pieces of bread cost three coppers?"
"The price is for one, obviously. Something wrong with your head, missy?"
I should be asking the same thing! Are you stupid? Why should I have to turn over three copper pieces for some stale bread that's been left out for who knows how long? I wanted to let her have it with one of the several complaints that came to mind, but unfortunately, I didn't have the energy to raise my voice.
In the end, I said nothing and left. Still exhausted and sustained by nothing but air and my own saliva, I passed by the awful food stalls that were tempting me.
Proceeding straight down the broad avenue, I came to an open square where a large fountain stretched up toward the sky. There was nothing unusual about it; it was the kind of architecture you might see anywhere. And on the bench next to the fountain sat a man and woman chatting and laughing, paying no mind to their surroundings—another completely ordinary scene.
...
I decided not to dwell on whether my irritation actually justified the desire to roast them alive and headed toward the fountain instead.
Scooping up the running water with both hands, I drank. The cold liquid ran down my throat, and I felt instantly refreshed.
"Oh, look, darling, that witch is drinking the fountain water."
"She really is! How uncouth! Ha-ha-ha-ha!"
"..." I gathered magical energy in my hands, pulled out my wand, and turned around silently.
Instantly, with a subtle crack, the bench split in two.
"Kyah! What on earth happened to the bench?"
"Maybe it's jealous of our love! Ha-ha-ha!"
"..."
They were so stupid, I couldn't even be mad at them anymore.
The fountain water had soothed my empty stomach somewhat, so after putting my wand away, I continued on.
First of all, I had to find a place to spend the night.