Chapter 22
Of course, s.h.i.+ro didn't spend those three days doing absolutely nothing; he decided to try more of his spells and adjust their powers. For some reason, unlike in the game, he was able to properly adjust and control the power of his spells. He had spent all the past days memorizing again all the possible spells and magic he was able mastered back when he was still playing the game.
There were some easy ones that s.h.i.+ro was easily able to control and adjust, but there were also difficult and dangerous ones that could either destroy a whole city or ma.s.sacre an army - which he decided to study and use until they're necessary.
The things he learned was totally worth the time he had spent.
But there is one thing that he was really eager to learn and understand, namely -
The history and the state of the world he's currently in.
Back at the plaza, together with Stella, they have bought all the books the shop keeper said was about the history, countries, and different species and races that exist in this world. From what s.h.i.+ro had witnessed until now, this world clearly resembles the game he played before. From the levels, job cla.s.ses, magic, everything was identical to the mechanics of that game.
But still, the city itself, Altair city, doesn't exist in the game. It also seems that s.h.i.+ro is the only one who can see job cla.s.ses and the levels of the people around him. He had heard that one can see what their level is in the guild, while they can see their job cla.s.s at the church, that means the people of this world are not like him, who can even see their names and health percentage of people.
Realizing that there were definitely much difference between his world and the game from this world, s.h.i.+ro thought that he would need to at least understand this world's background and history -
What is the norm? How does this world's technology compare to his previous world? If magic exists here, how powerful are the people who mastered them? Are they more powerful than him, or he could crash them too with his eyes closed like the hero and her party? And what kind of monsters and races lives here? Is this world even at peace?
All these questions went inside his head when he finally accepted and realized that he was now a citizen of this world.
Hence the reason why he had bought books from the bookshop at the plaza.
Only...
He wasn't able to read a single word from the books he bought.
~~~
[How am I supposed to read this...?] s.h.i.+ro silently whispered to himself, and then placing the book he had opened back to the large bookshelf on the side of the wall.
[Haah...]
The sound of his sigh resounded throughout the entire room of the s.p.a.cious library, where only books and tall bookshelves exists.
(For some reason, I can understand their words, but not their writings...) s.h.i.+ro thought as he looked at all the books that were surrounding himself.
He was confused. Arriving in this world, he was immediately able to understand the words the people were saying; but not their writings. To s.h.i.+ro, it doesn't make any sense. What had caused him to understand their words in the first place, shouldn't the ability to read their language should also come together with the ability to understand and speak? He doesn't know. But he knows that he needs to conquer the ability to write and understand this world's writings.
Having these thoughts, the sound of horses' neighs and footsteps started to resound from behind the room's window.
s.h.i.+ro peaked his eyes from the gla.s.s window and saw a large and luxurious carriage outside, together with three large wagons that are being pulled by one horse each. The vehicles then closed their distance to his mansion until it reaches its front.
(
SFX: Knock. Knock.
A knock then came from the door of the room.
He already knows that the knock came from only either, Stella, or Ayla, as they're the only people living in the mansion other than him.
[Enter.] s.h.i.+ro answered.
A second later, one of his Vampire Brides entered. Looking at the sun-shaped pendant on her chest, she was Stella.
[Thank you, Vlad-sama.] Stella bowed the soon as she saw s.h.i.+ro's figure.
[Vlad-sama. A visitor came. She said her name is Carlo Alexandria and is expecting to meet with you. Should we let her enter?]
[It's her, huh?]
(She's definitely here to trade coins with me again... But still, this timing is great. I'm actually almost running out of coins...) s.h.i.+ro thought and said.
[It's okay, let her in. I'll come down soon too.]
***
Inside the living room, Carla and s.h.i.+ro sat on the same table. Carla is turning her head to all directions, looking at the room, surprised and bewildered.
Soon, she had faced s.h.i.+ro and started to talk.
[You were able to replace all the furniture immediately, huh?]
[That is so.] s.h.i.+ro only answered in a calm manner.
[Is that so...? The room is now much greater than it was when it was still managed by Baldo...] Saying so, Carla started to look around the room, but soon again returned her eyes back to s.h.i.+ro.
[Anyway... I heard that you had a fight with the hero's party and won victoriously... I wasn't able to believe in the person who told me that, but can you confirm that yourself?]
[Ah... Yes, I was able to beat one of them.]
[Oh... I really can't believe it... I guess I was belittling you, Vlad-san... defeating one of the kingdom's top warrior... You must be very strong.] Carla only muttered; the last part, in particular, she only whispered in a barely audible voice.
[As I said the last time we met: I'm confident with my strength.] s.h.i.+ro answered with confidence in his voice.
With that answer, Stella, and Ayla who are standing beside s.h.i.+ro, nodded in unison.
[Is that so...?]
Still with the expression that says she still does not believe what s.h.i.+ro had said, she muttered. She then turned her eyes to the two people that are standing to both sides of s.h.i.+ro.
[Umm... By the way... Who are they...?] muttering so, she pointed at the two figures that are standing beside s.h.i.+ro.
[Ah, right... They're my maids.]
[Maids...? Surely I thought they were your mistresses...]
[Ah... right, you could also say that.]
Hearing those words, both Stella and Ayla twitched their faces, and their ears started to turn red. On the other hand, Carla made a surprised expression on her face.
[I-Is that so...?] she muttered again, stuttering.
[Right. Anyway, what business do you have with me, Carlo?] Leaning his hands on the table, s.h.i.+ro asked.
[Ah... ri-right...! I came here to trade coins with you again. I remember you said you still have many of them, are you still willing to trade some with me?]
[Is that so? Yes, I still have many of those coins.] s.h.i.+ro nodded.
(So many in fact that I will be able to make mountains of them...) s.h.i.+ro muttered in the back of his head.
[I actually also wanted to trade with you immediately. The truth is, my coins have almost already run out.]
[Ohh! Then that's great. Vlad-san, if you'd like, I can trade those coins now with you for four gold coins each. It actually turns out that those gold coins were purer than I first thought.]
[Oh?]
[Un, because of that, I was able to sell them with much higher prices at both the market, and the black market.]
[Oh...? So black markets exist here too, huh?] s.h.i.+ro muttered as he recalled something back at his world.
[That's right, I was able to sell them the gold coins for almost ten times its original amount which I sold you. That's why I want to share some of the coins I was able to get from you. I felt guilty that I was able to gain this much from the coins I bought from you with a cheap amount.] Carla said with much enthusiasm.
[Is that so...? Then, I wouldn't mind accepting it.]
[Un, so, how about it? I'm willing to increase the price I will buy them next with four coins each.]
[Four coins, huh? Then I guess I will accept that offer.]
s.h.i.+ro was surprised by her offer, but he still remained calm and accepted it. Although he doesn't need to raise the price he will sell the coins with, s.h.i.+ro thought that it was necessary, as he doesn't want Carla to abuse the fact that she may be able to buy them from s.h.i.+ro with such cheap amount of price.
[Then, how about another hundred for now? Can you give me that amount of your gold coins?]
[I can give you 300 if you will be able to pay them now.]
[3-300...!? You're willing to trade that many...!?] she uttered with a baffled and surprised expression on her face.
She was not expecting that s.h.i.+ro would offer her that amount. Coming here in his mansion, she was only expecting to trade at least a hundred coins with s.h.i.+ro.
[Of course. I wouldn't offer you that many if I'm not willing.]
[I-Is that so...?] Carla muttered with a stutter.
[Anyway... for now, I was only able to bring with me at least a thousand coins... That's not enough for me to pay for 300 of your coins.]
[Really? Then, 200 coins it is.] saying so, s.h.i.+ro put a hand inside his robe and took out a large sack filled to the brim with heavy coins. He then put the sack on top of the table and it made a *c.h.i.n.k and *Rattling sounds.
This act made Carla stare at him with a surprised face. He was not able to believe was she just saw. She asked herself: 'How was he able to take that sack full of coins from his robe?'
[Here's an exact 200 pieces of my gold coins.]
[Ye-Yes...! I will pay you now...! I'll get the coins outside.] Carla replied in a hurry.
Carla then stood up and faced the other direction. But before she could start walking towards the door, s.h.i.+ro called her again.
[Umm... By the way, Carlo-san... What are inside those wagons outside?] s.h.i.+ro asked in curiosity.
Hearing that question, Carla turned around to match eyes with him again and -
[Oh...? I'm glad you asked, Vlad-san...]