Chapter 16: Paying What He Owes
“Actually, there’s something else I’m rather interested in aside from knowing about the crop problems. What is the current state of Ironcross Mountain?” Ryan said to shift the subject a little.
“The Ironcross Mountainsis dangerous, Master Ryan,” Old Man Albert’s face grew serious. “We do not advise people to go there, and on the occasion that we have to get timber, our sole hunters accompany our axemen to ensure that they are safe. And even then, it’s merely at the edge of the forest of the Ironcross Mountain—not inside.”
“This is why I've been saying that it would have been nice if there was an Adventurers Guild here,” Tom said with a frown.
“Nobody will want to come here since it’s too far from the capital. Not to mention, the Ironcross Mountain’s area extends to the Beastkin territory. All in all, it’s best to stay away from the area,” Old Man Albert said.
“Oh, so that’s the reason why this place is mostly untouched,” Ryan mused to himself. ‘Hey, Builder, how many Grimoire Points do I currently have?’
“Turn the page to check it more accurately.”
— — — — — — —
Initial Arrival: 10 Grimoire Points (Commoners)
First Subordinate: 1000 Grimoire Points (Joan Taylors)
Night Discussion: 10 Grimoire Points (Commoners)
Morning Speech: 20 Grimoire Points (Commoners)
Second Subordinate: 10 Grimoire Points (Tom)
Total Grimoire Points: 1050 Grimoire Points
— — — — — — —
‘That’s a lot of Grimoire Points. It’s a bit sad that Tom only amounted tk 10 Grimoire Points though… but it’s not completely bad since I was expecting something lower. Now, for our problems with the crop, this is something that I can still throw money at the moment to fix or find other alternatives.’ Ryan thought as he glanced at Joan.
“Actually, Mister Albert, you gave us food yesterday, but I haven’t been able to pay you for it. How much was it?”
“You are the new Master of our Village, Master Ryan. You do not need to worry about such things,” Old Man Albert said.
“I appreciate that, but I would still want to pay for them. What did we receive in total, Joan?”
“A dozen eggs, one bushel of barley, one pound of butter, and one gallon of milk among others.” Joan listed off.
“That would amount to how much exactly?” Ryan asked.
“Each egg is worth 4 copper here, one quart of milk is at 8 copper, and there are four quarts in one gallon. Each cup of butter is at 10 copper with two being equal to a pound, and the bushel of barley is at one silver.”
“Grandfather, that’s two silver!” Tom’s eyes widened. The life of luxury was reflected by the items that were given to Ryan and Joan.
Most of the Farmers only earned 10 copper in a day.
Ryan studied Tom’s expression. “I assume that what I've been given isn’t what people normally buy here with the money that they earn, do they?”
“Well, I know John usually buys two loaves of bread from our Baker, which is worth 6 copper. He’d have his wife make it himself, but she’s also a Farmer herself. Without any kids, they have a little more leeway compared to others, since they make a combined income of twenty copper,” Tom said.
“Sometimes we'd get a drink together, 3 copper per pint. That kind of stuff. Some of the people grow vegetables too. They're sold for 2 copper per pound.”
Ryan’s brows furrowed together. “We really need to change things here in Stonefall. There’s an abundance of resources in Ironcross Mountains, we just need to be able to gather them.”
“We don’t recommend going there, Master Ryan…”
“Don’t worry, we’ll just check the perimeter.” Ryan said and glanced at Joan. “I know my way around swords and my maid here is skilled as well.”
“Is… is that so?” Old Man Albert glanced at Joan.
“We can call Spike and Doran as well, Master Ryan,” Tom said.
“But, ah, before I forget… Joan, can you please pay for the things that we received?” Ryan asked.
“Of course, Master Ryan.” Joan curtsied and went to retrieve the pouch.
Ryan took a quick glance at the pages of his Grimoire to check the balance of his money.
— — — — — — —
Seventh Day
Sixth Month of Helian Calendar
Money Received: 100 Gold
First Day: 1 gold
Second Day: 30 silver
Third Day: 20 silver
Fourth Day: 20 silver
Fifth Day: 10 silver
Current Money: 98 Gold, 20 silver
— — — — — — —
‘Since I’ve left the Capital Fierre, I’ve ended up using money to stay at inns, the stable for the horse to rest in, and the food. The closer I was to the capital, the more expensive it was, but now, I can afford to have food with only two silver.’ Ryan thought.
The difference in lifestyle was truly immense.
‘Maybe I could have saved a little more, but that’s a scarcity mindset. This Stonefall Village? I’ll get this stone rolling in no time.’
“This is the two silver that I owe you, Mister Albert,” Ryan said as Joan offered the money to the old man.
“Thank you, Master Ryan.”
“Can I have the money, grandfather?” Tom asked jokingly.
“No. Go call Spike and Doran now.” Old Man Albert shook his head and made his grandson leave the manor. Once the young man was gone, the old man cleared his throat.
“There is something that I wish to give you, Your Highness.” Old Man Albert said.
“I’m not really a Prince anymore… but what is it?” Ryan asked as he raised his brows.
Old Man Albert dug underneath his shirt and pulled out a band of a silver ring that hung loosely across his neck.
“It looks simple at first glance, but there’s something special about it, isn’t it?” Ryan said.
“That is correct, Master Ryan. This is a storage ring that I received when I became Master of the Village decades ago. In it is the salary I stored for all the sixty Farmers here in the village. It usually amounts to 21 Gold and 90 Silver at the start of the year, but now there's only 12 Gold and 48 Silver remaining. Additionally, you will also receive the 57 silver from the rest of my salary too.” Old Man Albert said.
“Huh.” Ryan stared at the ring and the old man, but then smiled. “Why don’t you take the 57 silvers for yourself and then hand the ring over to your grandson? He’s my aide now, so he can have full responsibility over it.”