Getting Out of this Kingdom

In the morning, a soft sigh escaped my lips as I slowly rose from the comfort of the inn's bed, the gentle rays of the sun filtering through the window. The day had begun, and with it, the promise of new adventures awaited.

*'Haa,'* I sighed, stretching my weary limbs. The previous day's journey had left me feeling a bit worn out.

*'I should eat first,'* I thought, my stomach rumbling in agreement. I made my way to the inn's dining area and greeted Marie-san, the innkeeper.

"Ma'am, what's for breakfast?" I inquired, eager to sate my hunger.

""Today, we have porridge and fresh bread," Marie replied with a warm smile.

I nodded appreciatively and then she said, "No need to call me ma'am, just call me Marie."

She chuckled softly and added, "Alright, then. Porridge and bread coming right up"

I replied with a smile, "Thank you, Marie."

After a hearty meal that left me feeling satisfied, I set out for the adventurer's guild, my destination for the day. However, there was one small problem.

"Um, Marie-san," I began, feeling a bit sheepish, "do you know where the adventurer's guild is located?"

Marie-san graciously provided me with directions, and armed with this knowledge, I embarked on a 15-minute walk through the bustling city streets. Soon enough, I arrived at the adventurer's guild, a place teeming with individuals seeking fame and fortune.

Inside, I approached the receptionist, ready to discuss my next step.

"Excuse me," I began politely, "I'm in need of an adventurer to escort me to the next border."

The receptionist regarded me with a professional demeanor. "Yes, sir, we can arrange that for you. However, such a journey will cost you seven or eight gold pieces."

"I see," I replied, retrieving eight gold coins from my pouch. I handed them over to the receptionist as payment for my upcoming journey.

With the transaction complete, she promptly called out to a group of adventurers seated nearby.

"Richard-san," she addressed one of them, "we have a traveler here who needs an escort to the next kingdom. Are you available?"

Richard, a seasoned adventurer, turned his attention to the request. "Yes, my party and I are available. But please be aware, sir, that the journey will take two days on foot. Is that acceptable to you?"

""Haruki," I replied, "No need to call me sir."

I nodded in agreement, fully aware of the duration. "Yes, I'm prepared for a two-day journey. I'll be responsible for providing food throughout the trip."

Richard gave me an understanding look and turned to his companions.

"Hey, guys," he called out to his fellow adventurers, "I'll be taking this job. I'll catch up with you later."

His companions acknowledged his decision with approving nods, returning to their conversations.

"When are we departing?" I asked Richard.

"We'll set out tomorrow," he informed me.

"Tomorrow it is," I confirmed with a sense of anticipation.

"Meet us at the north gate," Richard instructed.

"Understood," I replied, extending my hand for a firm shake.

As our agreement sealed, I left the adventurer's guild with a mission accomplished. Yet, there was more to be done before embarking on this new chapter of my life.

My next stop was the weapon shop, conveniently located next to the adventurer's guild. Stepping inside, I approached the counter where an experienced blacksmith stood.

"Do you have any weapons suitable for beginners?" I inquired, eager to equip myself for the journey ahead.

"Beginner's weapons, you say?" the blacksmith mused, his grizzled features breaking into a wry smile. "Why don't you browse and find a weapon that suits you, lad?"

"I appreciate the offer," I replied, "but I'm not an adventurer or a knight, so I'm unfamiliar with choosing the right weapon."

The blacksmith chuckled heartily. "Hahahahaha! Well, at least you know your limitations, unlike some who walk through that door."

"Is that so?" I remarked, a hint of amusement in my voice.

Magnus, as he introduced himself, took it upon himself to recommend a few weapons.

"You might want to consider a sword, spear, gauntlet, or dagger," he suggested, pointing to each in turn.

After considering my options, I made my choice. "I'll go with the gauntlet."

"The gauntlet, eh?" Magnus raised an eyebrow, then asked, "And why's that, lad?"

"Because I lack experience with other weapons, and I'm more accustomed to using my hands," I explained, the memories of high school skirmishes surfacing in my mind.

Magnus nodded in understanding. "Very well, Haruki. The price for the gauntlet is five gold pieces."

I retrieved the required amount and handed it over to Magnus.

"Here, Magnus-san," I said, showing appreciation for his assistance.

"Ah, you can drop the 'san.' Just call me Magnus," he replied with a hearty laugh.

With my new gauntlet in hand, I exited the weapon shop, my journey of preparation far from overand headed towards the alchemy shop, conveniently situated nearby. As I entered the alchemy store, I approached the young girl at the counter, ready to make some essential purchases for my upcoming adventure.

"Good day," I greeted her. "Do you have an antidote for poison and a healing potion?"

Yes, we have an antidote for poison as well as healing potions. Which type of healing potion are you looking for?

We offer a lesser-grade healing potion, a medium-grade healing potion, and a high-grade healing potion."

"How much would 2 medium-grade healing potions and 2 antidotes cost?" I inquired politely.

Her response was not only swift but also remarkably helpful. She met my request with an air of expertise that inspired confidence. "Indeed, dear customer, we stock both antidotes and the dependable medium-grade healing potions. To secure this valuable combination, it shall cost you twelve esteemed gold pieces."

As I observed her, I couldn't shake the feeling that her smile harbored a touch of the uncanny. Yet, the urgency of my quest compelled me to overlook such oddities. With a mixture of determination and caution, I meticulously counted out the coins and presented them to her, eager to secure these vital elixirs.

With the reassuring weight of the potions in my pouch, I decided it was time to satiate my hunger. My destination was a quaint eatery nearby, promising a delectable and much-needed lunch that would prepare me for the challenges ahead.

As I finished my meal and returned to the bustling streets, I spotted an antique shop. Curiosity piqued, I entered the store with a particular item in mind to sell. The elderly man behind the counter greeted me warmly.

"Excuse me," I began, "I have an item I'd like to sell."

The old man's eyes sparkled with interest. "Ho, let me see what you've got, young man."

I handed him the item in question a wristwatch. His curiosity was immediately piqued.

"What is this?" he inquired, inspecting the foreign object.

"It's a watch," I explained. "A tool used to tell the time."

"It's a watch," I explained, while holding it to display the timepiece. "A tool used to tell the time."

His curiosity seemed boundless. "Where did you get it? It's a popular item among nobles nowadays."

"That's a secret," I replied, a playful smile dancing on my lips.

He chuckled. "Fair enough."

He asked how use use this watch and it's design is so different than the watch the nobles like to use.

I answered him "Using a wristwatch is quite simple. First, put it on your wrist like a bracelet, making sure it's comfortably snug but not too tight. The watch face should be on top of your wrist, and the strap secured with the buckle. Now, to set the time, gently pull out the small knob on the side of the watch and turn it. When you've set it to the correct time, push the crown back in. That's it! Now, you can easily glance at your wrist whenever you want to know the time without taking out your watch from your pocket or bag." When I finished explaining I slowly put the wrist watch on the table where the old man started to examine it.

I pressed further. "So, would you be interested in buying it?"

The old man is currently examining the watch thoughtfully and says. "Of course but from what I have examine I'd say it's only worth around 30 to 40 gold pieces."

*'Is that so?' I thought, considering his evaluation and growing a little irritated because this old man tried to rip me off. So I start with an aggressive approach in negotiating with him.

"Could you perhaps offer 90 gold coins for it?" I ventured.

The old man raised an incredulous eyebrow. "90 gold? Aren't you overpricing it a bit too much?"

"Let's call it a fair negotiation," I responded, determined to get the best deal.

After some haggling, we reached a satisfactory agreement. "Deal," I said, extending my hand for a handshake.

Leaving the antique shop with a pouch full of gold coins, I couldn't help but smile at my successful trade, despite the fact that I had only purchased that watch for 1000 yen from an online store and knowing that it will stop working within one year.

With my newfound wealth, I decided to purchase some necessities for my journey. I visited various shops, acquiring meat, vegetables, fruits, spices, and even a small frying pan to cook with on the road. However, something caught my eye in a store across from the inn where I was staying.

I made my way across the street and entered the store, where I discovered a peculiar item—an intricate magical stove. The store clerk explained its functions.

"This is a magic stove," she began. "You pour your magic into this crystal to control the heat. Turn it left to decrease the heat, and right to increase it."

Intrigued, I asked about the price.

"The magic stove is priced at 20 gold pieces, sir," she informed me.

Without hesitation, I made the purchase and walked away with a brand new piece of equipment.

*'I spent about 12 gold on provisions and 20 gold on the magic stove,'* I calculated in my mind. *'That still leaves me with a decent amount of gold for the journey.'*

As evening approached, I returned to the inn, where I found myself faced with the tantalizing aroma of roasts and poultry for dinner.

*'This smells amazing,'* I thought as I sat down to enjoy my meal.

After a satisfying dinner, I retired to my room, pondering my financial situation.

*'Let's see, I've paid 40 silver for the room, 25 silver for clothes, 30 silvers for lunch and a total of 53 gold for my equipment and provisions. Add the 90 gold from selling the watch, and I still have...'* I mentally calculated, *'67 golds and 5 silvers remaining.'*

*'Well,'* I thought with a sense of contentment, *'this should last me for a while.'*

As I lay in my room, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that lay ahead. Sleep soon claimed me, ushering in a night of restful dreams and anticipation for the adventures to come.