The gate begins to raise with a cranking sound, and I pass through the entrance with an appreciative nod to the guards. The first guard then gives me directions to the adventurer's guild.
I also take the chance to ask him about currency in the city. Apparently almost every developed region on Azura uses the same currency system, so he got a little suspicious when I asked. I took a gamble and told him that I was poor and had only ever seen copper coins, since most isekai stories have those as the lowest form of currency.
It must have been the right choice, because he relaxed and explained that the currency system goes up from copper to silver, gold, and platinum coins, where each type of coin is worth twenty times the last. After that, he gave me two silver coins with a pitying look and said that it should be enough to get me meals and a room at a basic inn for a few days.
Man, what a sweet guy, I almost feel bad for being so manipulative. Almost. Well, when I manage to rack up some wealth using my otherworlder knowledge, I can come pay him back with interest.
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The walk to the guild ends up taking about twenty minutes. Fortunately, it seems like spring in this region of Azura, so the temperature is quite pleasant.
Given the level of technological advancement on Azura, I'm shocked by the sheer scope of Elmesia. I wonder how it compares to other major cities here.
The guard told me to stick to the main road to avoid any shady interactions, so my path follows a wide cobblestone road that's well-lit by magic-based streetlamps. He also mentioned that, if I ever needed to find something, it was almost certainly somewhere along this main road.
Given the late hour, I haven't passed many other people. Those I have come across have been mostly humans, and a couple of cat-type demi-humans.
Most of the shops seem to be closed already as well, so I'll have to check those out tomorrow. According to that guard, the only things open this late will be taverns, inns, and the adventurer's guild. However, I notice what seems to be a nice general store. I note its location for later.
Ahead on the left side of the street I spot a sign with the symbol of a sword and staff crossed behind a shield – the adventurer's guild. I make my way over and walk through the door.
The inside seems to be well lit by candlelight and a magic chandelier in the center of the room, so my eyes adjust rather quickly. It's certainly livelier here than outside, but the guild hall still seems only sparsely populated.
The half of the room closest to the door is lined with tables on both sides, and a couple adventuring parties are seated at them. They don't pay me any mind.
Towards the back left of the room is a staircase up to the second floor. In the back right corner of the room are several bulletin boards lining the walls – guild job postings, I'm guessing. In the back center of the room is a small reception desk, and I can see a young woman seated behind it.
I make my way over to the reception desk, but as I get close, I freeze in my tracks. The receptionist appears to be an early 20s woman of average height and a petite build, wearing brown pants and a black shirt that seems like a guild uniform. She has somewhat darker skin than my own, with long black hair and Azura's standard dark brown eyes, and she is cute by all accounts.
What makes me freeze is the pair of long white ears sticking from the top of her head…a bunny-type demi-human.
You've got to be kidding me. This is something I could never understand the appeal of, and to make matters worse, in anime these girls constantly make stupid puns about hopping, bunnies, and carrots. However, Azura has already walked over the graves of several isekai formulas, so I should probably be less prejudiced against her.
I finish walking over to the reception desk, and she rises to greet me. Looking me up and down, a puzzled expression forms on her face, but she quickly reverts to a more professional demeanor.
Yeahhh, I was worried about that. I'm still wearing my Earth clothes, and the lighting in here is better than when I met with the guards. I'll need to deal with my wardrobe soon before it causes problems.
"Hello there! I'm Melena, and I work the night shift here at the guild. Is there anything I can do to assist you?" (Melena)
She flashes me a warm smile as she says it, and there's not a hint of shenanigans in her behavior. Yup, looks like I was just making unfounded assumptions because she's a bunny girl. I'll have to watch my prejudices around here.
"Ah yes, thanks. My name's Mizuki. I just turned eighteen, and I'd like to register with the guild." (Mizuki)