Chapter 2: The Mysterious Place
Chapter 2: The Mysterious Place
"Damn those greedy moles, even the servants of the gods will be expelled from the divine realm after death for their sins."
As Karl left the church, he muttered curses under his breath, his anger simmering. When he noticed someone approaching from the opposite direction, he quickly lowered his head and muttered,
"Merciful Dawn Lord..."
The Dawn Lord was known for his kindness to his followers, so Father Vic gave Karl time to demonstrate his 'devotion'.
Thirty gold coins!
This was not a small amount.
The Bergman clan was not particularly skilled at managing finances.
On the contrary,
They were quite adept at squandering.
His grandfather, the Baron, had even sold off his own territory to maintain his lavish lifestyle during his lifetime.
His father, after bringing Karl to Signo City, had never managed to leave any property behind. They had always rented in a less bustling part of town.
And to secure a decent job as an inspector, his father had nearly drained all their savings.
"Sigh!"
Karl let out a breath and chose not to take a carriage. Instead, he walked towards the bustling Rouen Boulevard.
This was the city's bustling Champagne Market and the largest trading hub for several nearby marquisates.
September,
The Month of Abundance.
During this month, if the masters were generous, even the serfs would have some spare money, making the market exceptionally lively.
With such crowds, cleanliness was not a priority.
Dirty water flowed in the streets, waste was scattered everywhere, creating a melange of odors, and hawkers shouted incessantly.
"Fresh seafood from Puglia Bay, all kinds of fish..."
"Flower pie with cheesy butter bread, six pennies each, a favorite among the elderly and children."
"Fresh vegetables and fruits, cheap and affordable."
"Bordeaux wine, a must-have at noble feasts, a taste you'll never forget."
...
Karl cautiously navigated through the crowd, his eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance, all the while clutching his pockets tightly.
Thieves were not uncommon here.
Especially for someone like him, dressed well but without any attendants, he was an ideal target for them.
It wasn't until he reached a familiar shop that he slightly relaxed.
"Udil, isn't your father here?"
"He's out for restocking."
Udil was a young lad of fifteen, his skin tanned, and he spoke with a hint of shyness.
"Give me a bucket of milk," Karl pointed, then added after a moment's thought, "The cheapest kind."
"Hmm?"
Udil hesitated, then spoke,
"Karl, this kind of milk isn't fit for drinking, well... of course, some people do drink it."
In difficult times, even sewage could be consumed, so inferior milk was certainly drinkable.
However, it was clear that this milk did not match the status of the customer before him.
"I know,"
Karl smiled,
"Give me ten pounds of salted meat strips, the cheapest kind as well."
"Oh..." Udil shrugged,
"Alright."
"That's two crowns and three pennies."
Crowns, several decades ago, were referred to as silver coins, but they were not made of pure silver.
One crown was equivalent to twelve pennies.
One pound equaled ten crowns.
Pounds, also known as gold pounds, were mixed with a proportion of gold.
These were the most common trading currencies, and alongside them was another less commonly used currency.
Gold coins!
Pure gold currency, bearing the image of the first king of the Gondor Kingdom, were not only used for purchasing goods but also held great collectible value.
One gold coin was equivalent to ten pounds.
Karl's inspector salary was calculated bi-monthly, and he could earn over twenty pounds in a month.
In other words, a little over two gold coins.
So, thirty gold coins didn't seem like a large sum.
But he still had expenses.
The previous 'Karl' had no habit of saving, and his monthly income often fell short of his expenses, requiring his father's occasional financial support.
Currently, all his savings barely exceeded one gold coin, so thirty gold coins were undoubtedly a substantial amount.
(End of Chapter 2)
...
On his way back, Karl grabbed a quick bite to eat to fill his stomach. By the time he returned to his residence, Mrs. Marie had already left for work at the bakery where she was a long-term employee.
Jenny was practicing her singing.
Her voice was unique, like the song of a lark outside the window—a rare talent.
If she passes the Baro Singing Ensemble's audition in a while, Jenny's future will be different.
Singers, in this era without schools, where commoners couldn't receive education, can transcend social classes.
For this reason, Mrs. Marie had Jenny stop all her chores and focus on practicing singing at home.
Karl paused for a moment, listening intently. He calmed his agitated mind with the music before slowing his steps and returning to his room.
"Thirty gold coins!"
He put down the milk and salted meat, pondering for a moment before taking the broadsword hanging on the wall.
This was a Knight's Broadsword.
It could be wielded with one hand or swung with both hands.
The wide blade flashed with a chilling light, and its swing was powerful and swift, clearly not a decorative piece.
The weight of nearly three kilograms seemed ordinary, but it was not easy to swing for an extended period.
Usually, only Knight Attendants who had undergone rigorous training possessed such strength.
"Haa!"
Karl uttered, gripping the sword with both hands and swinging it forward with a mighty chop. The blade stopped steadily a foot above the ground.
Vertical Chop!
A simple move, but it showcased his solid fundamentals.
The Bergman Clan, having risen through military achievements, passed down the Gale Sword Technique, a Knight-level sword skill with formidable power.
Unfortunately,
his grandfather, despite becoming a Baron, couldn't read and didn't obtain the Breath Technique that activates the Seed of Life and allows the body to evolve. Otherwise, Karl would have already become a Knight Attendant.
Perhaps,
there's still a chance to become a Knight!
In this world, Knights possess strength and status far beyond ordinary people.
Karl changed into light armor and practiced his sword skills until sweat appeared on his forehead. He stopped, his face filled with determination:
"If I'm desperate, I'll do anything."
He said, embracing the broadsword, holding the milk and meat, and lying down on the bed with his eyes closed.
If he were desperate, he probably wouldn't be able to pull off a highway robbery.
But to earn thirty gold coins in a short time, there might be other options besides being a bandit.
He could also...
Transcend!
A faint glow flashed, and Karl opened his eyes again, finding himself in a mysterious place.
Endless stars floated around, and beneath him was a stone chair engraved with ancient patterns, exuding an air of mystery.
The broadsword was still in his embrace, and he held the milk and meat in his hand.
But the environment,
had suddenly changed drastically!
It was as if he had entered outer space or was sitting on a godly throne, gazing upon endless stars.
Not only had the environment changed, but in the instant he appeared here, his anxiety, worries, and excitement were all suppressed by absolute rationality.
At this moment, Karl's expression was solemn and detached. His brown eyes were calm, and every thought was under his control.
In this moment,
he was like a 'God'!
"Swoosh!"
The broadsword slashed downward again.
The same vertical chop, but this time, it was evidently more stable, with power, speed, and precision reaching the Knight Attendant level.
'As expected...
'The me who came here possesses absolute rationality, and even my control over my physical form has improved to a certain extent.'
'What exactly is this place?'
After a moment of contemplation without an answer, Karl took a step forward. As he did, the scene before him changed again.
Transcend!
Indeed,
Karl was not just a transcender but could also use that mysterious place to reach another world.
Chapter end
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