That Time a Shut-in for 300 Years Continued to Make Antiques , but All of It Turned out to Be Cheat-Level Magic Tools - Chapter 8

As soon as I was granted permission by the gatekeeper and entered the city, my first thought was indeed how it hadn’t changed at all.

The layout of the city, including its construction, remained unchanged from the past. Despite 300 years, it was as if time had stopped.

Of course, there might be some charm in things not changing, but the buildings were either wooden or stone-built, and there didn’t seem to be any particular change in the architectural methods.

Especially, the stone buildings were predominantly dull, box-shaped structures. While it sounds better to call them natural, the words ‘inorganic’ and ‘flavorless’ fit better.

Above all, it’s just stone piled upon stone. Even now, such methods are used; I really wish they would at least use concrete.

“Ah, I wanted to ride it more.”

“Ho~ra, being selfish, are we?”

We stopped the car around the city’s central square and parted ways with the members of the Harrison Earl’s family.

The minor check to enter the city was smoothly handled thanks to them, so I made sure to express my thanks.

“I truly appreciate your help. Please accept this if you will.”

As we parted, the butler Louis handed me a bag of gold coins. Nevertheless, they still use such inconvenient coins…

Still, it’s valuable to me now. I couldn’t check the contents right there, but it seemed to be about thirty coins, which I gratefully accepted.

“I will make sure to report this matter to the master as soon as he returns.”

“No, there’s no need for that. It was just a passing encounter.”

It seems the lord had various stops to make after the ball ended, and he had sent the sisters, Alice and Saris, home first.

“Edson-dono! We are saved by your hands, so if you ever find yourself in trouble, feel free to rely on the Harrison house! And I would like to ride that magical beast again!”

Ha ha, riding the magical beast seems to be his greatest wish. But I’ll graciously accept his feelings.

“Lady Alice, making such promises on your own…”

“Why not, Harris! Father would surely say the same! He always said we should return a favor manyfold…”

“…Alice~”

“Ha ha… that was indeed so. My apologies.”

Alice was getting worked up, and her sister Saris showed a sad face. The butler, Harris, bowed his head solemnly after a serious expression, and the knight Angelique quietly observed.

I was a bit curious, but it’s probably best not to meddle too much in other people’s affairs. I haven’t revealed everything about myself, either.

“By the way, what are your plans regarding accommodation? It seems difficult to find a place that can accommodate such a magical beast…”

“Ah, no worries there. I have a way to make it less conspicuous.”

“Is that so… I’ve heard that high-ranking magical beasts can change their size at will, does this Magiroader also have such an ability?”

“Ah, yes, something like that.”

If that satisfies them, then let it be. There’s no need to complicate matters by talking unnecessarily.

“That is reassuring then. Thank you very much once again.”

After expressing their gratitude again, they left in their own carriage. As they said, they were probably heading back to a mansion somewhere around this city.

“Master, what shall we do now?”

“Well, let’s put the car away for now.”

I operated the Infinite Storage Inflageering, sucking the car into it. Now, any inn would be no problem.

“…Master, when handling magical tools, it might be wise to be mindful of the surrounding eyes…”

Pointed out by Mei, I checked around and saw several people surprised by the disappearance of the car.

Hmm, I might have been a bit careless. I don’t want to stand out, so it’s best to leave the area quickly.

“Let’s look for an inn then. We need to secure a place to sleep before anything else.”

“Yes, Master.”

“By the way, where will the inn be?”

“It should be near the commercial district. There’s also a place known as the Adventurers’ District.”

“That’s a no-go. The present might not always match the past, but adventurers tend to be noisy.”

From the recollection of the past, the adventurers escorting the carriages didn’t seem to differ that much either.

For now, I decided to head toward the commercial district. Cities like this usually have a square in the center, which serves as a reference point for districting. The commercial area is typically located in the southeast.

Walking toward the district, it was vibrant with life. Along the major streets, street vendors were energetically promoting their goods.

There were markets selling fresh produce and various types of meat.

While walking, we reached a row of inns ranging from luxury accommodations to common lodgings, and even some run-down places that seemed cheap but questionable in quality.

Now, the problem was which inn to choose. Mei handles the financial aspects.

“Mei, what’s our budget for the inn?”

“We have quite a bit to spare, but if we are to continue traveling, I’d be concerned about indulging too much. However, choosing a place that’s too cheap might compromise the security of our magical tools. A safe choice would be an inn costing a few silver coins per night.”

I see, a few silver coins. It seems that inns of this type are the most abundant. Now, which one to choose?

“Excuse me, are you looking for an inn?”

Hmm? As I was contemplating which inn to pick, a voice came from beside me.

Turning, I saw a girl standing there, a head taller than me, with small features and red irises. Her chestnut hair, reaching her shoulders and noticeably wavy, framed her face, and she had cat ears.

Her cat ears alone indicated that she was born into the Beastia tribe, a race with strong human features. For reference, a race with more prominent beast features is called the Warmal tribe.

And speaking of Beastia, Butan is married to a woman from this tribe. The cat-eared Beastia women are famously adorable, and this girl was no exception.

However, one more thing caught my attention: a collar. This was undoubtedly a slave collar, a detestable magical tool that has existed for far longer than 300 years.

It’s distressing that such things still exist, but getting angry over it wouldn’t help.

“We are indeed looking for an inn. Do you have any recommendations by any chance?”

“Oh, well, not exactly a recommendation, but if you’d like, I can show you to the inn where I am staying if you haven’t decided yet.”

I see. So this is solicitation. Well, since we haven’t settled on an inn yet, why not?

“Yes, could you show us the way?”

“Yes, please follow me.”

And so, Mei and I were led to the inn by the Beastia girl.

While chatting casually along the way, I couldn’t help but notice—perhaps due to her status as a slave—she wore a simple apron dress that hardly seemed of high quality, and she was quite thin. Her hair also seemed poorly maintained, a bit of a waste really.

Could it be that she isn’t treated very well? Especially since Beastia and Warmal are often derogatorily referred to as sub-humans.

“May I ask your name?”

“…I am a slave, so I cannot reveal my name without permission. I apologize…”

She answered with downcast eyes. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to say it but that she literally couldn’t. Slave collars are enchanted to cause intense pain if the wearer disobeys commands, a pain unbearable even for the strongest of beings.

That’s what makes these collars so dangerous… Not all slaves are mistreated, but my first impression isn’t favorable.

But the inability to say her name might also reflect a reverence some hold for names.

Some, like clerics, choose only to use aliases in public and keep their true names secret.

Well, it doesn’t matter for now. It’s no use forcing her to reveal something she can’t, and the treatment of slaves isn’t something I should concern myself with at this moment.

“Here we are.”

The inn, as led by the girl with cat ears (let’s call her that for now), was a nondescript three-story wooden building. The sign read “Sun Komachi Inn,” with the reception and dining area on the first floor, and the proprietor’s living quarters, with guest rooms on the second and third floors.

“Master, I have brought the guests.”

“Welcome, welcome!”

The receptionist, a rather plump woman, appeared to be in her late forties. She greeted us with a smile but seemed a bit puzzled by the sight of Mei and me.

“That’s an unusual combination…”

I signaled Mei with a glance. It’s better if she handles the reception since I appear too young.

“We’d like a room for two. Is that available?”

“We don’t mind as long as you pay upfront. For a two-person room, it’s four silver coins and five bronze coins.”

“Would it be alright to pay with a gold coin?”

“Eh? Oh, of course, that’s fine.”

The proprietor seemed a bit surprised that we could pay with a gold coin without hesitation.

“Since we’ll be staying for a few days, why not book as many days as the gold coin covers?”

“But that might be too many days.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, one silver coin can cover four days.”

“Then, how about we stay for four days to start?”

“That sounds good. Your change will be nine silver coins.”

Mei took the change. Watching this exchange, it seems the currency and its value haven’t changed since my time.

In my memory, the currency hierarchy was as follows:

Copper coin… The least valuable circulating coin.

Bronze coin… Worth ten copper coins.

Silver coin… Worth ten bronze coins.

White silver coin… Worth ten silver coins.

Gold coin… Worth ten white silver coins.

Platinum coin… Worth ten gold coins.

Though both are made of bronze, copper coins are distinguished by their lack of sheen, while bronze coins are shiny blue due to the inclusion of Myf particles.

Bronze is known to change properties significantly when combined with other elements, such as tin to create bronze. Here, the so-called “bronze coin” changes into a shiny blue color when combined with Myf particles.

Silver can also combine with Myf particles to become magical silver, or “Masilver.”

While bronze coins are artificially made, Masilver occurs naturally.

Well, I digressed, but at least we have secured a place to sleep. It’s impressive that one gold coin provides so much leeway.

Thinking back, the reward from the Harrison family’s butler was quite generous. With gratitude in my heart, led by the cat-eared girl, we headed to our room.