15 Alexandrium
Four days later, Jack finally witnessed the mighty wall of Alexandrium stand firm amid the orange sky. Above it. The tip of dusk light left its tail to illuminate an enormous farming field along the horizon with its crimson light that danced like fiery wings of a majestic phoenix.
Witnessing those incredible scenes firsthand rendered Jack speechless, dazzled in admiration.
After a while, Jack's ability to move his mouth finally returned. Spontaneously he said in a low but excited voice, "WOW! This is what I call a real fantasy city. I should build one later."
With a renewed spirit and a smile on his face, Jack headed for the South Gate of the city of Alexandrium with his indifferent carriage driver.
His arrival was nearly delayed by one day because of rain. But after Jack promises the carriage driver that he will add another silver coin to the payment, the journey continues as planned.
The more they get closer to the city entrance, the more Jack awed by how glorious the wall really is. He wondered how someone or something could breach this big of a fortress? Do giant monsters like Godzilla and King Kong really exist in this world? Or maybe mythical being like Dragons?
"I hope they are. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fun!" Said Jack in a low voice before a few monster illustrations started to form in his mind, making him eager to see their real figures in person.
At the town's gate, Jack was stopped by a group of guards in matching blue armor before being questioned about a few matters. The security in this city is stricter than in Toria, but the guard is friendlier than the soldiers. After a brief inspection at the south gate, they were allowed to enter the city.
Arriving at his destination Jack pays two silver coins before bidding the driver farewell. Because it's already late, he decides to find a place to stay first. A bustling restaurant that also provides lodging would be good. This way, he could fill his stomach and gather information at the same time.
Not long after, Jack finally finds what he is looking for, a place called "Winter Dusk" full of hungry workers who just come back from work. From their attire, he could tell that they are working in a mine or they are just digging something that did not exist on Earth.
After finding an empty seat in the middle of the room, he raises his hand to call the waitress and orders a special menu. The dishes are Mutton soup with vegetables plus two whole wheat bread and ginger-tea for four bronze coins.
The waiter blinked a few times, not sure of what she just heard. Seeing his appearance makes her think that Jack was a beggar. And he just ordered the most expensive meal in that restaurant?
Her response hurt Jack's feelings. He threw a silver coin toward her before said in an overbearing manner. "Use the change to pay for my lodging tonight. And if there is still left to buy the same meals I just ordered. Please deliver it to my room later."
The waiter's cheek blushed with a pink hue before she nodded and left the place like a rabbit cashed by a wolf.
From this transaction, Jack could estimate that a bronze coin is worth about five bucks, which means that his five gold, ten silver, and 30 bronze coins had the same value as $17.525.
That money won't make him into a tycoon. At least that sum of money can be used as capital for the company he will build. And don't forget, Jack still has a sack full of mana stone and gemstone.
'Maybe I am the richest slave that ever exists in this world.' Jack laughed silently before shaking his head.
While waiting for his meals, he overheard a group of people talking about the Avantheim Military.
"Heeh…" The average build bald man in yellowish-brown clothes sighed before starting to complain about his life. "Did y'all know that wheat is cheap as dirt now? F*uck those aristocrats and their families! Because of their scheme, my family must eat one meal a day until the next harvest."
The thin man sitting next to him patted his shoulder before whispering, "Tone down your voice, my friend. We don't know if someone from the military is around."
"Let them know! I don't care! They think I'm scared!" The bald man responded with rage while slamming the table with his sturdy hand.
Another man carrying a straw hat that sits across him raises both of his hands before advising. "Chill, man! You should save that excess power to plow your land instead. By the way. Didn't I help you with that problem already?
Hearing his friend's words, the bald man finally calmed down and drank from his cup before giving his response. "You're right. I shouldn't act like this in Alexandrium. If it weren't for the Adventurer Guild, My family and I would eat grass to live."
"If it's that bad in Toria? Why don't you move here with us, John? I think the guild master will accept you with an open arm." Invite the straw hat man before raising his cup.
John puffs out air from his mouth before answering, "It's not cuz I don't want to, but cuz I can't leave my wife's family farm. We get dat land from her father, and I can't betray his trust now when he has already passed away, man.
"What should I say to my wife? We'll leave cuz I can't manage our farm?"
John's rebuttal made both of his friends speechless. But after a while, the straw hat man opened his mouth because he suddenly remembered something.
"I think you should think about that again. According to information that I get from reliable sources, the Government will raise tribute tax next year. Are you sure you'll be okay if that happens?"
Before John managed to express his dissatisfaction, the thin man with gray hair spoke. "Aah… That reminds me of my son in the East Fort. He said that he won't be coming home for another year because the tension between Avantheim and the Elven Kingdom has escalated. I think I could smell that war is coming.
"I should have told my son to resign from the military in my letter. Heh..."
After saying it in a depressed tone, the thin man raised his cup and drank a mouthful of water like it was alcohol.
Hearing that, John hastily eats his meals before putting a copper coin above the table and standing up.
"I've to go back right now and discuss it with my wife before it's too late. Thanks for your help, Sam. I'll be back soon." After saying that, Jack briskly leaves Winter Dusk toward Alexandrium South Gate.
Meanwhile, Jack that sits not far from them frozen like a statue when hearing the shocking news. Even when the meals he ordered already served in front of him. He did not expect that when he arrived at Alexandrium for an hour, he already made up his mind to join Adventurer Guild.
