The Medieval-Modern Man with a Gamer Mindset

11. Preparing for the Journey

Though I spoke of going to plunder the gold coins, I never actually set foot on the streets myself.

It’s only logical. Being the number one assassination target of Yubas, stepping outside the fortress would spell real trouble. I couldn’t commit the folly of considering my era as the average of the human world.

This isn’t the safe haven of South Korea, where one can visit a convenience store in the middle of the night without harm. Here, even a stroll down a sunny path could lead to unlicensed tollgate workers thrusting rusty blades at you.

Therefore, both Prince Aselton, who knew all the circumstances, and I, along with Sir Overt, the intelligence officer, came to the same conclusion. We must minimize my external activities. That’s why Sir Overt took over the task of tracking down the gold coins.

Of course, being cooped up in my room didn’t make me blind or deaf. After the nominal house arrest was imposed, Edwina continued to bring news from the outside.

The Edwina who used to tremble like a frightened hamster when visiting the prison was long gone. A day passed, and she regained her composure, returning to her original indifferent expression by the second day.

And today, the fourth day, Edwina proudly displayed her braided hair flowing down her collarbone, wearing a confident smile.

“Sir Overt’s work is progressing smoothly. He has already roughed up several money changers, reclaiming their illicit gains for the national treasury.”

I couldn’t help but admire Sir Overt’s remarkable action. Although he wasn’t before my eyes, I clapped my hands, wanting to convey even a fraction of the emotion I felt.

“Indeed, it’s Sir Overt. I knew I could trust him to handle everything once the stage was set.”

Prince Aselton didn’t assign the role of intelligence officer for nothing. Sir Overt might get distracted with various concerns, but he is a man of fiery passion and meticulous perfectionism.

Give him clear instructions, and he’ll exceed his assigned role. The fact that he’s already cornered the key money changers in just three or four days is proof of that.

A toast would be fitting for such a joyous moment… but looking at the wooden cup placed on the table, I could only smack my lips in disappointment. The drop felt steeper from having used poorly crafted glass cups until recently.

“Edwina. But why has my cup been changed to wood?”

“As you know, my lord.”

Edwina closed her eyes gently, then delivered the harsh truth in a soft voice.

“The glass cup you used was broken during the last commotion. Hence, His Highness the Prince ordered that you use a wooden cup for the time being.”

“…”

“…However, the lord I serve is not His Highness but you, my lord. If you share with me the story I’m curious about, I plan to be a bit audacious as your maid.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at Edwina’s words. She was certainly different from the typical maids. Rather than feigning ignorance and turning away, Edwina was the type to open her eyes and sneak a peek even if her heart raced.

For this curious maid, I was more than willing to open up. After all, Edwina is my person. It’s said that the fewer people you share secrets with, the better, but clinging too much to mystique would prevent me from making allies.

“What’s the big deal about that? Fine. This plan was entirely a ruse to cut off the money changers, or more precisely, the enemies’ funding.”

“Are you talking about the gold coins secretly placed in the servants’ quarters after causing a ruckus?”

“It sounds like an excuse when you put it that way.”

Anyone would think it’s the rantings of a spoiled brat attaching any reason to his misdeeds. But there’s a difference, and tone is an important element. I patiently explained to Edwina, aiming to correct her slight misunderstandings and prejudices.

“Edwina. Do you know why it had to be gold coins?”

“Do people need a reason to like gold? If I had to say… it’s probably because it’s so precious.”

—

“Yes. Gold coins are indeed precious. That’s why they are such valuable metals, almost to the point of being impractical for everyday use.”

“Really?”

Indeed, such matters can cause one to tilt their head in confusion if not considered. Edwina’s response wasn’t due to stupidity or ignorance, but rather because she had never thought about it before.

Upon reflection, it’s a simple story. Consider the fantasy currency standard: copper, silver, gold. Copper and silver are small denominations, while gold is highly valued, set as the standard for a family of four’s monthly living expenses.

This is exactly why money changers were outsmarted.

“Most goods aren’t precious enough to compare to a single gold coin. In fact, those who receive gold often have nothing of equal value to give in return. Silver, too, is valuable, so it’s often made smaller or mixed with copper. What would happen if you gave gold?”

“Ah…!”

With that said, Edwina quickly caught on to what was being said. Gold coins are, after all, more distant from everyday life than one might think.

If you’re curious, try going to a convenience store or a soup restaurant, order something, and then pay with a 50,000 won bill. It’s rare to find someone who appreciates such a precious currency. More often, they’d refuse to give change because they don’t want to.

Ultimately, if you want to use a 50,000 won bill widely, it’s much more advantageous to exchange it for smaller denominations. The same was true for medieval otherworldly currencies. Unless you’re hoarding gold coins like sacred treasures, you have no choice but to seek out a money changer.

This was the most important point. Gold coins, while somewhat removed from daily life, are valuable and convenient for concealment and transport. For those using gold to entice others, it reduces the risk of being caught mid-deal and ensures that those ensnared continue to depend on them without actually giving them substantial economic power.

Silver bundles are heavy and conspicuous once circulated, and they need to be used within one’s own territory, hence the use of gold for persuasion. Money changers, caring little whether our lord prospers or fails, would suck the spies dry.

The way to break this peculiar symbiotic economy was to build a strong justification for taking down the money changers.

The false charges laid upon the servants almost simultaneously with Miriam’s childbirth were meant to suggest that something tremendous had happened within the castle, building up to the revelation.

“The key is to make gold coins useless. Lord Overt’s overly aggressive stance against the money changers, even resorting to force, serves as a warning to refrain from illegal currency exchange in the future. It’s to instill the notion that if they’re caught hiding double books, it won’t end simply.”

“…”

“I’ve already thrown countless clues into the chaos. Yubas is busy trying to understand the significance of the insult I inflicted on his daughter. Add to that the hasty interrogation following the discovery of gold coins from an unknown source and the sudden attacks on the money changers.”

I said this much and then paused, glancing slyly at Edwina. She had already clasped her hands over her mouth, her eyes sparkling with realization. Having heard much while traveling with me, she quickly understood.

I smiled at Edwina and picked up a wooden cup.

“By provoking Yubas to take drastic actions, we also intimidate the spies that have taken root here. There’s some risk involved, but for a short time, at least, it’s a way to ensure we hold the reins.”

“…”

“Edwina, if you’re satisfied with the story, switch to a glass cup.”

Without a word, Edwina nodded and took the wooden cup I offered. She seemed moved by the realization that I was not the scoundrel she thought I was. I let out a sigh of relief.

If she understood that I didn’t enjoy tormenting people, that was enough. I watched Edwina, slightly dazed and with her mouth slightly open, as she stepped back and made one more request.

“And when you go, call John from the creek and tell him to prepare for the monastery.”

***

If the loyal maid Edwina supports my life in general, then John from the creek, a new acquaintance, has fulfilled his duties with exceptional passion.

He came to me personally on the day I was confined to my quarters, reciting a list of items he had prepared. With such fervent loyalty, he even tried to cram items I hadn’t asked for into the carriage.

“Two barrels of wine brewed by the monastery of Ilenifoot, a clear glass cup to hold it, a jar of honey set just right for eating, three pieces of dried meat that have been salted and rinsed to reduce the alkalinity, and wild herbs to spice up the soup—I’ve prepared everything.”

“No, there’s no need to go to such lengths.”

“And just in case you find the road tedious, I’ve been fervently practicing a simple instrument!!!”

His desperate efforts left me more bewildered. John by the brook. The fragile figure I saw in the torture chamber was gone, replaced by a diligent workhorse. It was somewhat disconcerting, but how could one despise someone so dedicated to their work?

I bestowed upon Brookside John a generous smile, acknowledging his ample efforts.

“Ha ha ha, it seems you took the words I had the servants spread to heart.”

“…..”

“It was spite, a ploy to make you hold onto me. Now that I know your sincerity, there’s no need for it. Share the preparations with the other servants who’ve had a hard time. If you’re worried, consider them gifts given in my name.”

Only then did an expression emerge on John’s face, which had been harder than iron. I expected a smile filled with joy and elation, but John, surprisingly, was brimming with shock, his eyes wide open.

“My lord, is that… really true?”

“Indeed. But it seems you’ve forgotten to pack the most essential item.”

“If you tell me, I will prepare it immediately!”

Relieved by my words, John regained his composure and nodded repeatedly with a detached air. One cannot detain a person dedicated to their work for too long.

I cut to the chase.

“Pack a crossbow and plenty of arrows. Practice loading the crossbow, not playing the instrument.”

“Excuse me?”

“We’ll hunt along the way to avoid boredom, won’t we?”

“Am… am I to shoot?”

His desire to clarify uncertainties was commendable. I immediately dispelled the doubts harbored by John.

“I’ll shoot. You load. Hunting requires division of labor, doesn’t it?”

“….”