Chapter 10: The Royal Capital and Leon
I teleport near the main gate of the Royal Capital. The conditions for teleportation are that there must be no obstacles, it shouldn’t be a dangerous place like over water, and it should be out of sight. I wouldn’t want to end up inside a wall or something, so I always arrive in a safe area nearby.
Today, I plan to explore the Royal Capital and gather some fabric. It would be great if there’s a bookstore, but for now, I’ll just do some appraisals in case I need materials for crafting later.
The Royal Capital is nestled against a rocky mountain. The city spreads out over the gentle slopes at the base of the mountain, with noble mansions clinging to the rock, resembling parts of a fortress, and above them stands the royal castle.
The roofs of the townhouses are a reddish-orange color, and the walls match the hue of the mountain. It’s rare to find houses with roofs attached directly to the mountain; most have walls that rise straight up, possibly leading to a corridor above.
Also, this is the capital of a neighboring country, just in case I mess something up. I’m not too confident in my understanding of local customs.
I enter the Royal Capital through the main gate, which has a tower. The procedure is simple: show a coin from the Merchant Guild and pay the passage tax. Since my identity was already verified when I received the coin, they just check the registration number.
As for the Adventurer’s Guild tag, if it’s Silver or higher, it’s straightforward, but Iron tags undergo a bit of scrutiny, and Copper tags require a guarantor to enter. Adventurers can gain trust through their achievements even without identification, but beginners lack that credibility.
While I wait in line, I notice a seemingly kind-looking man being taken into the tower. I wonder if there was some issue.
Before long, it’s my turn.
“This is my first time in the Royal Capital. Is there a map or someone who can guide me?” I ask while they fill out the paperwork.
“Here’s a simple map. If you’re mainly shopping, you can get guidance at the Merchant Guild, though they might try to sell you a bunch of stuff. If you head straight to the square, you can pay a wandering child to show you around, but it’s hit or miss.”
After paying for the map, I slip the change as a tip and am advised to look for a blue-gray-haired guy named Leon by the well in the square.
Once inside the city, I see shop entrances arching to the left and right. I had imagined it would be spacious, but the passage is narrower than Ajeel’s. The buildings seem to connect, casting shadows that make the path a bit dark.
Despite it being autumn, the sunlight is harsh, so the shade feels just right. In Japan, I’d prefer a sunny spot, but here, the coolness is refreshing.
I peek into the shops without being too rude as I walk up the gentle slope. Occasionally, I encounter narrow alleys, but as instructed, I keep going straight until my view suddenly opens up to a bright square.
Across from me stands a church-like building with a bell tower, gleaming white in the sunlight. And in the center of the square is not a fountain, but a well.
I quickly spot the blue-gray-haired Leon, as he’s the only one around. I had thought he was a child from the conversation, but he’s actually a young man. Is the shade of blue-gray different?
“Excuse me, are you Leon?”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
The young man looks up, confirming with a fierce expression. A deep furrow rests between his half-closed eyes.
Even though there are quite a few people in the square, I now understand why no one is near the well. His face is intimidating.
“I was told by a guard that you could show me around the city…”
Is this a mistake? I’m starting to feel like I shouldn’t be talking to someone like him.
I feel like I’ve been tricked by the guard, and I’m about to be sent to a human trafficker… or worse, a murderer.
“A guard, you say?” He seems a bit puzzled.
“No, it might be a case of mistaken identity.”
“Well, it’s a coincidence. I have some free time, so I’ll guide you.”
Surprisingly kind, despite his appearance.
“Um, what are some must-see places in this town? Any recommendations for clothing stores, bedding shops, tableware, or places to eat?” I express my rough hopes to Leon, who stands up from the well.
I had expected him to be a big guy due to his imposing presence, but he’s about my height. I plan to grow taller, though. I’ve actually grown a bit during this short time living alone. I was average in Japan, but it seems I’ve settled into the average height here too. Well, I guess I’m average compared to Van, Rudil, and Ish.
“The best place to see in this town is the view from the top of the fortress. However, commoners aren’t allowed inside.”
…So you’re not a commoner, huh? Why would you recommend a place I can’t enter?
“It’s too early for a meal, and I know someone at a well-known clothing store in the Royal Capital.”
Is the recommendation really just the fortress? Well, whatever. I follow the man as he starts walking down the slope. Whenever I show interest, he stops to give me a brief explanation, making him a decent guide.
“By the way, what’s that large building in the square?”
“The large one is the Spirit’s Branch. It’s a beautiful place where spirits are revered, with greenery planted in the courtyard and clear water flowing constantly.”
Ah, so spirits are worshipped here. That aside—
“Ah, sorry. I should have mentioned that place.”
“I’ll stop by on my way back. By the way, why are the houses built so close together?”
Noticing my curiosity, Leon seems a bit deflated and shifts the topic. I don’t dislike people who don’t talk too much; they just aren’t suited for guiding tours.
“Well, it’s partly because land is limited within the walls, but houses facing the street are taxed based on their width. Sharing walls is the norm to split that cost.”
I ask about other taxes, and he explains there are things like a citizen tax, passage tax, market tax, and even a glass window tax, which explains why there are fewer glass windows in the lower-class homes.
“Living here sounds like it comes with a hefty tax burden.”
“Not really. Residents of the Royal Capital rarely go outside. Places closer to the front lines, like fortress cities, are a bit different.”
Ah, so they collect more from incoming people. I had expected the rural areas to have labor obligations and payment in kind for agricultural products, but I learned that the watermill, bread oven, and grape press are all owned by the lord, and using them incurs a fee. In stricter areas, if they find a stone mill, it could be confiscated with a fine.
As we chat, we arrive at the clothing store.
This isn’t quite the sightseeing tour I expected, but it’s been informative. It’s terrifying to think that if a carriage breaks down or tips over during travel, everything that touches the land could belong to the lord.
By the way, there are no clothes in the clothing store.
“Adelheid-sama!”
A plump man rushes out, slightly flustered.
“Teim, it’s been a while. Today, I brought this guest…”
“Adelheid-sama, this way first.”
Without giving me a chance to respond, I’m ushered into a private room. I wonder if it’s okay to sit here in my current outfit, surrounded by lavish furnishings, as tea is promptly served.
“I am Teim Carr, the shop owner. I apologize for the earlier rudeness.”
“I’m Jean.”
He seems a bit calmer now and offers me a polite greeting.
“I was worried about you, Adelheid-sama.”
“Yes, I apologize. But we can catch up later; first, let’s attend to our guest’s clothing.”
I thought another unrelated conversation was about to unfold, but Leon cuts in sharply, redirecting the focus.
The shop owner bows his head for a moment, then straightens up and instructs someone to take my measurements and ask about my preferences.
—This isn’t just a shop where I pick from fabric!
Now it’s too late to back out, so I quietly let them take my measurements while they ask about my preferences. I’m curious about the conversation between Leon and the shop owner, but this is my first experience, and I can’t focus on anything else. I’ve never cared about the types of buttons before!