The three companions, nestled in the windmill, slept so deeply that it wasn't until midday when they stirred. Even then, it was only because the glaring sunlight filtered through the cracks in the windows and the gaps in the roof, forcing them awake. If not for that, they might have slept well into the evening, worn out from the journey.
Reluctantly, they rose from their makeshift beds, groaning and stretching as they wiped the sleep from their eyes. A few lazy yawns later, they tidied their blankets, munched on some dry rations, and made their way out of the mill into the bright afternoon light.
Down by the river, Leon and his two companions splashed their faces with the cold, refreshing water. Each of them pulled out the simple "toothbrushes" they had bought from the local village, a curious item made of cork strips bundled together. Leon had wondered whether toothbrushes even existed in Earth's Middle Ages during his previous life, but here, in this world, the people had their own versions of them, regardless of their humble origins.
In Serrian cities or towns like Rolandar, even common folk had animal-hair brushes for their teeth, while noble families reportedly used ornate designs resembling those Leon recalled from modern Earth. But these simple village-made brushes were another matter. The cork strips, rough and rudimentary, could be used to scrub their teeth. If the brush became too worn, they would just trim the end and create a fresh, usable surface. It was an odd but practical solution, another reminder of the resourcefulness of ordinary people in this pre-industrial world.
After rinsing his mouth with a mouthful of cold stream water, Leon felt instantly more awake. Sitting on a smooth stone near the riverbank, he glanced at his companions. He had wanted to discuss their plans the night before, but they had all passed out from exhaustion.
"I wanted to ask you two something yesterday, but you were both out cold," Leon said, leaning back and looking at the rag-wrapped object beside him. "I think we should head to that town the old blacksmith mentioned and see if I can sell this sword. It's a real pain carrying it around wrapped up like this; besides, it'll only attract trouble. What do you think?"
Liam, his dark eyes squinting as he thought, shrugged. "It's your sword, Leon. I have no problem with that. But I'll admit, it feels like a waste. We don't know anyone in that town. We'll get cheated for sure, especially since we're just kids to them."
He glanced at the ragged package, wincing slightly. The sword inside was a masterpiece, and the idea of parting with it for a fraction of its worth made him uneasy.
Leon sighed. "I know, but we need the money. I'd rather be rid of it than have it stolen or worse. Brandon, you've got more knowledge on this stuff. What do you think it's worth?"
Brandon, the quietest of the three, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. As the only one with noble blood, his knowledge was broader, and his family had dealt with such rare items before.
"It's hard to say exactly," he said slowly, his brow furrowed. "But it won't go for anything less than a hundred gold coins, I'm sure of that. The sword is made of dwarven steel, a rare and valuable material."
Leon's heart skipped a beat. A hundred gold coins was a fortune. It was more than most commoners would see in their entire lives, and even among the minor nobility, it was a sizable amount.
"One hundred?" Leon repeated, trying to wrap his mind around the number. "That's… that's more than I expected."
"At least," Brandon confirmed, nodding. "Maybe more, depending on the buyer. But even if it's worth a hundred, we'll be lucky to see half that in a town like the one we're headed to."
Leon sighed, staring down at the wrapped sword. It was an extraordinary piece, the gold inlays on the hilt and the jewels embedded in the counterweight giving it an air of nobility. Parting with it was not easy, but practicality won out. They were in desperate need of funds, and there was no point in dragging it around, inviting trouble.
"Well, then," Leon said, standing up, "we'll see what we can get for it. But let's be careful. I don't want to regret this later."
The three of them began to pack up, the weight of their next steps heavy on their minds.
"I just don't know what the exchange rate is between Serian gold coins and the Northern Kingdom's currency," Leon mused aloud, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "How many gold crowns could we get for 100 Serian gold coins?"
It wasn't just the uncertainty of the exchange rate that troubled Leon. He had a much bigger problem: he had no idea where to sell the sword.
"Should I just walk into the market and sell it on the street?" Leon muttered, half-joking but feeling uneasy. He imagined himself standing in a crowded square, holding up the gleaming sword for all to see. It would certainly attract a lot of attention, but attention was the last thing he wanted right now.
He sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. In the adventure novels from his previous life, whenever the protagonist had treasure to sell, they could conveniently find a bustling auction house around every corner. The protagonist would simply waltz in and exchange their rare items for stacks of gold. But this world was different; far more complicated.
In this feudal society, there were no such places for easy transactions. Leon had no memories from the original owner of the body, nor did Brandon's experience provide any help. There wasn't a convenient upper-class trading system here. Most places on the continent were still rooted in the manor economy, and auctions only existed in societies with highly developed trade. Here, Leon was certain, finding a place to sell a rare item like the sword would be a real challenge.
Brandon, noticing his friend's growing frustration, chimed in thoughtfully, "Why not ask the old blacksmith? He's a local; maybe he knows someone in the city who deals in rare goods."
"Ask him?" Liam raised an eyebrow and curled his lips. "That old man doesn't like us much. He'd probably try to cheat us or point us in the wrong direction."
Leon considered this for a moment. "I don't think it's that bad. He might not be friendly, but we're just asking for advice, not making a deal. Besides, the faster we find a buyer, the faster we can leave town, and the old blacksmith clearly wants us gone."
"Or..." Brandon suggested after a pause, "we could ask Miss Olivia. She might know someone or could ask around for us."
"That's actually a good idea," Leon agreed. "She's lived here her whole life. If anyone can help us get a lead, it's her."
Just as they were discussing, Liam, with his sharp eyes, spotted a familiar figure in the distance. "Hey, isn't that her right there?" he exclaimed, pointing towards the blonde girl walking along the field road nearby.
Without thinking, Liam shot to his feet and waved his hand high in the air. "Olivia! Hey, Olivia!"
Leon smacked his palm to his forehead in exasperation. "Stop shouting like a fool. Let's just walk over and talk to her politely. You don't need to yell across the fields."
Liam sheepishly dropped his arm, rubbing the back of his head. "Right, sorry."
Despite Liam's loud call, Olivia had already noticed them from a distance. She turned with a smile, waving back before walking toward them, her golden hair catching the afternoon light as she approached.
"Good afternoon, everyone," she greeted cheerfully when she reached them. "How was your night? I was just about to head to the windmill to check on you all."
"Thanks to the blankets and quilt you lent us, we slept like babies," Leon replied with a grateful nod. "You've been a big help to us, Miss Olivia. Actually, I was hoping I could ask you for another small favor."
Olivia tilted her head, her blue eyes bright with curiosity. "Of course! What do you need?"
Leon hesitated for a second, then explained his predicament; how he needed to sell the sword in a nearby town but wasn't sure how to go about it. He hoped she might have some useful advice or know someone who could help.
However, to Leon's surprise, Olivia's expression turned thoughtful, and she frowned slightly. "I can ask around for you," she began slowly, "but I don't think my father will be much help."
Leon raised an eyebrow, confused. "Why's that? I thought he might know someone."
Olivia sighed softly and explained, "My father's never really left Selva, at least not for as long as I can remember. Even before I was born, back when my mother was still alive, he stayed close to the village. He's never had any connections with the nearby towns, so I doubt he could offer any useful advice."
Leon blinked, taken aback. He had assumed her father, a man respected in the village, might have wider ties, but clearly, that wasn't the case.
"Ah, I see," Leon replied, his hopes slightly dashed. "Thanks anyway, Olivia. I appreciate you being willing to ask. We'll figure something out ourselves."
"Of course," Olivia said with a warm smile. "I wish I could be more helpful, but if I hear anything, I'll let you know."
Leon nodded gratefully. Now, they were back to square one, but at least they had a few leads to consider.
"It's okay, I'll still go back and ask, just in case he remembers some old friends from long ago," Olivia said with a soft smile, though her words didn't quite promise anything certain.
"Thank you for trying," Leon replied, nodding appreciatively.
Just as he thought the conversation was winding down, Olivia's expression changed, and she glanced down at the sword hanging from Leon's waist. She sighed softly, her green eyes momentarily clouding with some unspoken regret.
"You were really going to sell that sword, weren't you?" she asked suddenly, her voice quieter than before.
Leon, caught off guard, looked at her curiously. "Is there something wrong with that?"
Olivia hesitated. Her green eyes flickered as if she was deep in thought, and Leon could see her weighing something in her mind. She glanced around cautiously, as though worried that someone might overhear them. The fields and the path were empty, but still, she seemed to be searching for something—or someone.
Once she was certain there were no prying eyes, Olivia turned back to Leon, her palms pressed together as if in a quiet, almost reverent gesture. She blinked her eyes and leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a whisper.
"Can I ask you a favor?" she said, her tone filled with an unexpected earnestness.
Leon blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in her demeanor. "Of course. Please, tell me. I already owe you so much for your help."
He was genuinely curious now. What kind of favor could she possibly need from him?
Olivia's lips curled into a shy, hesitant smile, and she closed one eye as if she were making a playful request. "Can I... Can I see that beautiful sword of yours?" she asked cautiously.
Leon raised an eyebrow, both amused and a little relieved. "That's it? You just want to see the sword?"
"Yes!" Olivia's excitement bubbled to the surface, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Is that okay?"
Leon chuckled. "I thought it was something serious. Sure, it's no big deal."
He untied the bandage wrapped around the sword and slid it free from his belt, handing the weapon, still sheathed, over to Olivia. "Here you go. Have a look."
The moment the sword left Leon's hands, Olivia's entire face lit up. Her eyes widened in awe, and she carefully took the sword with both hands, treating it as though it were the most precious thing she had ever touched.
"It's... it's so beautiful," she whispered, almost to herself, her fingers tracing the intricate gold inlays on the hilt and the cool, polished surface of the scabbard. Her expression was one of pure joy, her excitement palpable. She seemed to be lost in admiration, her fingers gliding over the finely crafted details.
Leon watched her closely, a little bemused by how happy she seemed. It was normal, he supposed, for someone to be taken with such a beautifully crafted weapon, but something about Olivia's reaction struck him as a bit unusual. It wasn't just appreciation for the sword's craftsmanship, it was something deeper, almost like she had a personal connection to the weapon itself.
"Do you really like swords that much?" Leon asked, curious.
"Yeah!" Olivia nodded eagerly, her happiness shining through as she squinted her eyes in delight. "I rarely ever get the chance to hold one. My father never lets me."
As she spoke, her smile faltered for just a second, and she glanced up at Leon, realizing she might have said too much. Her bright eyes blinked rapidly, and she gave a nervous little laugh.
"Huh?" Leon frowned, tilting his head in confusion. "What do you mean, he doesn't let you?"
Olivia shifted uncomfortably, lowering her voice again as if confessing a secret. "Don't tell my father, okay? He'd be furious if he knew I was even touching a real weapon. He doesn't allow me near swords or anything sharp."
Leon raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why not? Does he think you'll hurt yourself?"
Olivia sighed, looking a little embarrassed. "I don't know, maybe. But I've never gotten hurt. It's just one of his rules. If he ever caught me with a sword, he'd smack my palm with a wooden ruler again."
As she spoke, she instinctively pulled her hand back, wincing as if remembering the sting of past punishments. The gesture wasn't lost on Leon, he could tell it wasn't just an idle threat. The way she recoiled showed she had felt the ruler's bite more than once.
"I see," Leon said thoughtfully. He couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for Olivia. It was clear she had a genuine love for swords, but her father's strict rules kept her from even indulging that interest.
"Don't worry," Leon said, offering her a reassuring smile. "I won't say anything. Your secret's safe with me."
Olivia visibly relaxed, a soft smile returning to her face. "Thank you," she said quietly, still holding the sword in her hands as if it were a rare treasure. "I won't take long. I just wanted to feel what it's like."
Leon watched as she admired the sword a little longer, her fingers brushing over the hilt and the weight of it settling comfortably in her grip. For a moment, he wondered what it must feel like for her, to have something so close to her heart yet kept just out of reach.
Eventually, with a contented sigh, Olivia carefully handed the sword back to Leon. "Thank you for letting me hold it. It's even more beautiful up close."
Leon smiled, re-sheathing the sword. "Anytime," he said lightly, but inside he wondered if there was more to her love of swords than she had let on.