"Damn echidna, greed is the original sin. Even the servants of God will be expelled from the Divine Realm after death."
Stepping out of the church, a resentful Carl muttered under his breath. Seeing someone approaching, he quickly bowed his head and murmured, "Merciful Master of Dawn..."
The Master of Dawn was merciful to his followers, giving Father Vic the patience to witness Carl's 'devotion'.
Thirty Gold Coins!
That was no small sum.
The Bergman family had no talent for financial management. In contrast, they were exceptionally good at squandering. His grandfather, a baron, had sold his own lands just to maintain his affluent lifestyle before his death. His father had brought Carl to Sigerno City many years ago but had not managed to leave behind any property, always renting in less bustling neighborhoods. And for the job as an inspector, a respectable position, he had nearly wrung dry all his savings.
With a sigh, Carl chose not to hire a carriage and instead walked to the bustling Lu Ang Street. This was the largest Champagne market in the city and also the biggest commodity distribution center for several nearby marquisates.
September, the month of abundance.
If the masters were generous, even serfs would have some extra money, and the marketplace was extraordinarily lively.
Where there were many people, it naturally wasn't clean. Dirty water flowed in the streets, rubbish was everywhere, different smells clashed together, and the shouting was incessant.
"Seafood from Puglia Bay, a variety of fish..."
"Freshly baked flower cakes paired with soft bread smeared with cheese, six pence per serving, a favorite of the elderly and children."
"Fresh vegetables and fruit, cheap and of good value."
"Bordeaux wine, essential for noble feasts, one sip and you'll remember it for a lifetime."
Carl navigated carefully through the crowd, eyes vigilant, scanning his surroundings, and all the while he clutched his pockets tightly. Thieves were not uncommon here. Especially for someone like him, dressed well but without an attendant, he was a prime target. Only when he reached a familiar shop did he relax his guard slightly.
"Udier, your father isn't here?"
"He's gone to stock up on supplies."
Udier was a young lad aged fifteen or sixteen, with dark skin and a hint of shyness in his speech.
"Give me a bucket of milk," Carl pointed and then thought to add, "The cheapest kind."
"Eh?"
Udier was taken aback and said, "Mr. Karl, that milk is not fit for drinking, uh... of course, there are those who would drink it."
In times of dire need, even polluted water could be swallowed, so of course inferior milk could be consumed. But clearly, such milk did not befit the status of the customer before him.
"I know," Carl smiled. "Also, give me ten pounds of the cheapest salted meat."
"This..." Udier shrugged. "Alright then."
"That'll be two crowns and three pence."
Crowns, referred to as silver coins decades before, weren't actually made from pure silver. A crown amounted to twelve pence. One pound was equal to ten crowns. Pound, also known as gold pounds, contained a proportion of Gold in it. This was the commonly used currency for transactions, and above the pound, there was another infrequently used currency.
Gold Coin!
Coins made of pure Gold, featuring the portrait of the first king of the Gando Kingdom, valued not only for their purchasing power but also as collectibles. One Gold Coin equaled ten pounds.
Inspector Carl was paid bi-monthly, and in a month he could earn just over twenty pounds. That is, a little over two Gold Coins. In that light, thirty Gold Coins might not seem too much after all. But he still had to spend. The previous "Carl" had no habit of saving, and his monthly income was often not enough to cover his expenses, requiring his father to bail him out from time to time. Currently, with just over one Gold Coin in his possession, thirty Gold Coins was undoubtedly a huge sum for him.
After grabbing something to eat on the street to fill his stomach, he returned home to find that Mrs. Mary had gone off to work; she had a long-term job at a bakery.
Jenny was practicing her singing. Her voice was very special, like the warbling of a lark outside the window, a rare talent indeed. If she could pass the test with the Barro Singers sometime in the future, Jenny's life would surely change.
Being a singer, in an era without schools where commoners couldn't receive an education, was a role that could bridge class divides. For this reason, Mrs. Mary had asked Jenny to put aside all other tasks and focus solely on practicing singing at home.
Carl listened for a moment. The music soothed his irritable mood, and he slowed his pace before returning to his own room.
"Thirty Gold Coins!"
Setting down the milk and cured meat, he pondered briefly, then stepped forward to take the hanging broad sword from the wall. This was a Knight's broad sword. It could be wielded with one hand or swung with both. The broad blade sparkled with a cold light, and it created a strong breeze when swung, clearly not just for decoration. Its nearly three-kilogram weight might seem common, but wielding it for extended periods was definitely not easy. Usually, only Knights' Attendants who had undergone rigorous training had the strength to handle such a weapon.
"HA!"
Carl let out a low shout, brandishing the broad sword with both hands in a powerful forward slash, bringing the blade to a precise halt just a foot above the ground.
A vertical slash!
A simple technique, yet it revealed his solid foundation.
The Bergman family rose to prominence through military exploits, and the Gale Swordsmanship passed down was of a Knight's caliber, formidable in power. Unfortunately, his grandfather was illiterate, and though he became a Baron, he did not acquire the method of Breath that could activate the Life Seed and evolve the body. Otherwise, Carl would have already been a Knight's Attendant.
Perhaps, there was still a chance to become a Knight!
In this world, Knights possessed strength far beyond ordinary humans, as well as status.
After changing into his Soft armor and practicing his swordsmanship for a while, when beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, Carl finally stopped, his expression fierce. "Pushed to the limit, I'm capable of anything."
Saying this, he lay down on the bed, cradling the broad sword, the milk and cured meat beside him.
When desperate, he likely couldn't resort to robbing on the roads, but getting thirty Gold Coins in a short time didn't necessarily mean he had to become a bandit.
He could also... Transmigrate!
With a faint glow flashing past, Carl opened his eyes again and found himself in a wondrous place. Endless stars floated around him, and beneath was a stone seat engraved with ancient patterns, exuding a sense of mystery. The broad sword was still in his arms, the milk and cured meat still in his hands.
But the environment had drastically changed!
It was as if he had arrived in outer space, or perhaps was seated on the throne of a Divine, overlooking infinite stars.
Not only had the environment changed, but the moment he appeared in this place, any unease, worry, and excitement in his heart were suppressed by absolute rationality. In that instant, Carl's demeanor was solemn and indifferent. His brown eyes showed no ripples, and every thought was under his complete control. He felt like a 'god'!
"SWISH!"
The broad sword slashed out again.
The same vertical slash, but this time it was noticeably steadier. His strength, speed, and precision had already reached the level of a Knight's Attendant.
Indeed…
Here, I possess absolute rationality, and even my ability to control my body is enhanced to some extent.
What exactly is this place?
After pondering for a moment and not finding an answer, Carl stepped forward. As he did, the scene before him changed once again.
Transmigration!
That was right.
Carl was not only a transmigrator; he could also use that mysterious place he had just been in to travel to another world.