"Then…Mrs. Shopkeep. Can you please tell us the denominations of your currency here? We are foreigners from distant lands," Vincent asked, hoping to gather information about the currency and the cost of living in this country.
"Certainly," the shopkeeper replied with a warm smile. "In this country, the currency is called Eldo. There are three denominations: copper, silver, and gold. Each denomination has three categories: small, medium, and large."
She continued, "One small copper coin is worth 10 Eldo, one medium copper coin is worth 100 Eldo, and one large copper coin is worth 1,000 Eldo. The same principle applies to silver and gold coins but with higher values. For example, one small silver coin is worth 10,000 Eldo, one medium silver coin is worth 100,000 Eldo, and one large silver coin is worth 1,000,000 Eldo. Gold coins follow the same progression, with a small gold coin worth 10,000,000 Eldo, a medium gold coin worth 100,000,000 Eldo, and a large gold coin worth 1,000,000,000 Eldo."
Vincent listened attentively and nodded along with her explanation.
"So what can I get with one small gold coin?" Vincent asked, curious about the purchasing power of the currency.
The shopkeeper's eyes widened slightly at the question. "A small gold coin is quite a significant amount, sir. With that, you could purchase fine clothing, high-quality provisions for several weeks, or even a modest piece of land in the countryside. It is more than sufficient for your current needs."
Vincent nodded, understanding the value. "Thank you for the information, Mrs. Shopkeep. Now, how do we deal with the change?"
The shopkeeper smiled kindly. "You can pay it back once you have a smaller denomination."
"Are you sure? What if I don't return?"
"You are not the kind of guy who will run from a mere purchase such as clothes," the shopkeeper chuckled.
Vincent nodded, appreciating the shopkeeper's trust. "You are very kind. Thank you for your understanding. Oh, and before we leave, is there a library that we can visit?"
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up. "Yes, indeed! The Grand Library of Eldoria is just a short walk from here, near the central square. It's a magnificent place filled with knowledge from all corners of the kingdom."
"Thank you," Vincent said, noting the location. "We'll be sure to visit. Have a good day."
As Vincent and his team left the shop, they made their way toward the Grand Library. The streets of Eldoria continued to bustle with life, and the team felt more at ease in their new attire, blending in with the locals.
The Grand Library was an impressive structure, its tall, ornate doors standing open to welcome visitors. Inside, the library was vast, with high ceilings and rows upon rows of bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. Scholars and students moved quietly among the aisles, absorbed in their studies.
Vincent and Alpha 5 approached the front desk, where a librarian greeted them with a polite nod. "Welcome to the Grand Library of Eldoria. How may I assist you today?"
"We are looking for information on the history and geography of Eldoria," Vincent explained. "Could you point us to the relevant sections?"
"Of course," the librarian replied, gesturing towards a grand staircase. "The history section is on the second floor, to the left, and the geographical records are just beyond that. If you need any specific assistance, feel free to ask."
"Thank you," Vincent said and as they left the reception, Vincent signaled his men to began their information gathering mission.
Vincent and Alpha 5 ascended the grand staircase, marveling at the intricate carvings and artwork that adorned the walls. The history section was well-organized, with books and scrolls neatly arranged by era and topic. They split up to cover more ground, each taking a different aisle.
But there was one problem—the writings, he couldn't understand the language. Vincent picked up a few books, flipping through the pages, but the characters were completely foreign to him. He glanced over at Alpha 5, who was having the same trouble.
"We can't read this," Vincent muttered, frustrated.
Just then, a young scholar approached them. He was carrying a stack of books and looked curious about the newcomers.
"Excuse me," the scholar said politely. "You seem to be having trouble with the texts. Are you not familiar with the Eldorian script?"
Vincent sighed in relief at the opportunity for help. "Yes, we are from a distant land, and we cannot read this language. Is there any way you can assist us?"
The scholar smiled warmly. "I'd be happy to help."
We're trying to learn more about Eldoria's history and geography. Can you help us find and understand the information we need?"
Alaric nodded enthusiastically. "Of course. Let me find a few key texts and I will translate for you."
With Alaric's assistance, they managed to gather a wealth of information. Alaric explained the founding of Eldoria, its major historical events, and the key figures who shaped its development. He also provided detailed descriptions of the kingdom's geography, including important landmarks, cities, and natural resources.
Then, he also learned that there are different species that live in this world. Elves, were beasts, dwarves, dragonewts, orcs, and many more!
Vincent and Alpha 5 absorbed this information eagerly. They learned about the political alliances and tensions between the different species and nations within Carinthia. The Elves, with their ancient wisdom, were often at odds with the industrious Dwarves, while the werebeasts maintained a neutral stance, living in harmony with nature. The Dragonewts, rare and powerful, were revered and sometimes feared by the other species.
They also found out that they were in the continent of Carinthia, and that the Kingdom of Eldoria is located in the northern region. Additionally, he mentioned the existence of mysterious places called dungeons. These dungeons were said to be treacherous, filled with powerful creatures and ancient artifacts, attracting adventurers and treasure hunters from across the land.
"Okay, this has been a great learning experience for me and my partner here," Vincent said. "We apologize for bothering you."
The scholar shook his head with a smile. "It's no bother at all. Knowledge is meant to be shared. If you have any more questions, feel free to seek me out. I'm usually here."
"What's your name sir?" Alpha 5 asked.
"My name is Verdis," he introduced himself.
"Thank you Verdis. Your help has been invaluable."
Leaving the library, they met up with other special forces who also gathered information.
"There is this establishment called the Adventurer's Guild where you can pick missions," Alpha 3 said.
"As for religious beliefs. They seemed to worship Aion," Alpha 4 continued. "He is the equivalent of God in your previous world sir."
"For local trade and commerce, cotton and spices are some of the main goods traded here," Alpha 2 added.
Vincent nodded in satisfaction. "Okay, now that we have the general information, we won't feel ignorant. Let's wait for the invitation of the duke and after that, we'll start to work accordingly."