"Damn that old hedgehog. Greed is a sin—God's servants or not, they'll be cast out of His kingdom after death."
Exiting the church, Karl muttered bitterly, his frustration spilling out in quiet curses. Spotting someone approaching, he quickly lowered his head and mumbled, "Merciful Lord of Dawn…"
The Lord of Dawn was known for His kindness to the faithful, and Father Vick had granted Karl a chance to prove his "devotion."
**Thirty gold coins!**
This wasn't a trivial amount.
The Bergman family was not known for its financial acumen.
Quite the opposite—each generation seemed to excel in squandering wealth.
Karl's grandfather, once a baron, had even sold off their ancestral lands to maintain his opulent lifestyle.
His father, after moving to Signo City years ago, had failed to secure property ownership, resorting to renting in a less prestigious area of the city.
As for Karl, he had emptied his savings just to secure a respectable position as a city inspector.
"Sigh…"
Karl heaved a weary sigh as he opted to walk instead of taking a carriage, heading towards the bustling Rue de Rouen.
This was the largest marketplace in the city and served as a major trading hub for the neighboring marquessates.
September.
The Month of Harvest.
During this time, even the serfs could scrape together a bit of extra money, making the marketplace especially lively.
Where there were crowds, cleanliness was scarce.
Dirty water pooled in the streets, waste was scattered about, and the air was a mixture of countless odors, punctuated by the cries of vendors.
"Fresh seafood from Puglia Bay! Get your fish here!"
"Flower tarts and creamy bread—six pence a serving! The perfect treat for kids and the elderly!"
"Fresh vegetables and fruits—cheap and delicious!"
"Bordeaux wine, a noble's banquet essential—one sip and you'll never forget!"
Karl cautiously navigated through the throng, his eyes scanning for potential thieves as he clutched his coin pouch tightly.
The market was infamous for pickpockets, and well-dressed individuals without an escort were prime targets.
Finally reaching a familiar shop, Karl allowed himself to relax a bit.
"Udyr, is your father not here?"
"He's out restocking."
Udyr, a boy of about fifteen or sixteen, had dark skin and spoke with a shy demeanor.
"Give me a bucket of milk," Karl said, pointing at a corner. Then, after a moment of thought, he added, "The cheapest one."
"Huh?"
Udyr blinked in surprise, hesitating before replying, "Mr. Karl, this milk isn't fit for drinking… though, well, some people do drink it."
In desperate times, even filthy water was consumable. Substandard milk, naturally, wasn't out of the question.
But it seemed beneath Karl's apparent social standing to buy such poor-quality goods.
"I know," Karl replied with a faint smile. "And give me ten pounds of salted meat—again, the cheapest you've got."
"Well…" Udyr shrugged. "Alright."
"That'll be two crowns and three pence."
---
On the way back, Karl grabbed a quick meal to stave off hunger. By the time he returned home, Mrs. Mary, the landlady, had already left for her job at a bakery.
Jenny, meanwhile, was practicing her singing.
Her voice was exceptional, as clear and melodious as a lark's song—an undeniable talent.
If she passed the upcoming auditions for the Barrow Choir, her life would change dramatically.
In this era, where education was a luxury reserved for the elite, becoming a singer was one of the few ways a commoner could transcend social classes.
Listening to her song from a distance, Karl allowed the music to soothe his frustration before quietly retreating to his room.
---
**"Thirty gold coins!"**
Placing the milk and salted meat on a table, Karl pondered deeply before removing a sword that hung on the wall.
It was a knight's longsword, sturdy enough for either single or two-handed combat.
Its broad blade glimmered coldly, exuding an aura of menace with every swing.
The sword, weighing nearly three kilograms, required considerable strength to wield effectively—a task only trained knight squires could handle.
"Hah!"
Karl let out a sharp cry as he gripped the sword with both hands, slashing it downward with force. The blade stopped a mere foot from the ground, steady and precise.
A vertical slash.
It was a simple move, yet it revealed Karl's solid foundation in swordsmanship.
The Bergman family had risen to prominence through military exploits, passing down the *Gale Swordsmanship* technique—a combat style fit for knights, known for its lethal effectiveness.
Sadly, Karl's grandfather had been illiterate.
Despite becoming a baron, he had failed to acquire the breathing techniques necessary to activate the "Seed of Life," a practice essential for a knight's evolution.
Had he possessed it, Karl might have already achieved the rank of knight squire—or even a full-fledged knight.
Knights were not only powerful but held unparalleled social status.
After practicing for a while, sweat trickling down his brow, Karl set the sword aside. Determination flashed in his eyes as he muttered, "If pushed, I can do anything."
Well, maybe not anything.
Robbing someone was out of the question. But earning thirty gold coins in a short time didn't necessarily require turning to crime.
There was another way…
**Through the portal.**
As a soft, mystical glow enveloped him, Karl closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he found himself in a strange, awe-inspiring realm.
Countless stars floated around him, and beneath his feet lay a stone platform etched with ancient, enigmatic patterns.
The knight's sword remained in his hand, and he still carried the milk and salted meat.
But his surroundings had drastically changed.
It felt as though he were drifting through the void of space, or perhaps standing in the throne room of some divine being, overlooking the endless cosmos.
Not only had the environment transformed, but so too had Karl himself.
The moment he arrived, all his anxiety, frustration, and excitement vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of calm.
He stood tall, his gaze serene and composed. His brown eyes betrayed no emotion, every thought deliberate and controlled.
For that moment…
**He was like a god.**
"Whoosh!"
He swung his sword again.
The same vertical slash—this time smoother, faster, and far more precise, rivaling the skill of a knight squire.
**"As I thought…"**
"Here, my control over body and mind is enhanced. This place—what is it?"
After a brief moment of contemplation yielded no answers, Karl stepped forward.
As he did, the scenery shifted once more.
**He had traversed worlds.**
Yes, Karl was not just a transmigrator. He possessed the ability to move between realms through this mysterious place.