Nervousness, no, this is just excitement. I can't wait to see the outside world for the first time in what has felt like forever. No, between that shitty hospital and the even worse prison, it has been forever. I will let nothing ruin this momen-
"AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHH!" How long has it been since I saw the sun again? The nearby wildlife react in panic, bushes shake and birds fly away. Unfortunately for Arata, something else reacted: a group of knights all clad in metal helmets approached him. They travel in a squad of six with one leader adorned with a small cape, who stands out in the front as the vanguard. The leader had full plate armor, unlike their group, which carried lighter armor.
"You! Drop that blade. Why did you emerge from that thing's den? How do we know you're human!" The knight in front shouts, their voice sounded surprisingly light and yet their words echoed authority.
Arata let out a sigh, "How you could know… how about you start with how I look nothing like those bugs?" He pleads to them as they glance back at each other, whispering about an explosion, discussing how this man is even alive.
"Oh yeah! Then what happened to the one spawning all those bugs, hmmm?" One of the knights in the back annoyingly said to him. Arata visibly reacted as the muscles on his face began twisting while he tried to keep a semblance of composure. Arata's sweating hands slide into his pocket.
Arata retorts loudly, "Oh yeah? What if I told you I killed that thing? Huh!" Will they even believe if I did?
The five knights look at him in awkward silence. Before the one in the front says, "Hey Leon, check inside real quick. If this man is lying, your sacrifice will be remembered." The voice is slightly joking but with a hint of worry for their companion's safety. "If something happens to you, we'll slit his throat, no questions asked." A couple of minutes go by when the knight comes back out.
"Yup, he wasn't lying, it's actually dead. I- can't believe it… The apology is ours. If you're human, we can just let you go." Their logic tracked in Arata's mind, the only thing he'd want to confront less than that damn bug was someone who killed it singlehandedly.
"Can you help me get to the nearest city then? Please?" Arata sincerely begged them; he had no idea how to survive in the forest. These guys are proof there's civilization nearby.
"Hold on, a stranger such as yourself needs some serious questioning before being let into a city. Like how? Why the hell did you go in there? Who even are you?" The captain questions him, vetoing Leon's idea of letting Arata go.
Of course, it's my fault for thinking they'd be a bit lenient. Should I tell them the truth?
The knight captain's body language appears impatient as they say, "If you could please explain to me quickly. I can't promise any more leniency. My apologies, sir." The knight's voice is sincere; however, it barely matters to Arata since he's the one being inconvenienced here.
Easy for you to say, how the hell am I supposed to explain everything?! You're acting like I'm wasting YOUR time! Fine, I'll tell-
"I have amnesia. I don't remember." Internally, Arata was screaming at himself. His mouth had moved faster than his brain, and he ended up saying something idiotic. There is zero way in hell they'd believe something that simple. He felt his still clenching hands perspire as the knights were clearly eyeing him with suspicion.
The knight captain huddles with their knights before turning back to Arata, stating their conclusion. "Checks out, we'll guide you back. Why don't we exchange names? I'm Knight Captain Morgan, pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Arata reaches out to shake their hand, "Arata, likewise." That worked!? Are these people crazy? I'll take it. I need to be more grateful to my new saviors. Well, since I answered their questions, it's only fair if I ask them stuff.
"Hey, if you don't mind me asking… how far is the nearest city? Actually, if it wouldn't bother you, I probably will need a lot more information than just that. I'm still an amnesiac, so I apologize for my ignorance." Arata asks them with the most courtesy he could muster, getting ready for some exposition.
"Well, this country is known as New Mundi. The city we'll be heading to is only 6 kilometers away. The place is known as Basin City. Since you don't have citizenship, you unfortunately have to pay an entry toll. Can't just give you the money in this economy, though. How about that sword?" Morgan asks while pointing to his sword.
Arata begins to ponder. The weapon had served its purpose, and he needed the money. At the same time, he was way too easy to scam. I suppose I'll just ask. "How much is it to get in?" Arata asks.
"It's pretty expensive right now, a whole quarter to get in." Morgan sighs, as though they felt a sense of pity for him. They then reach into their pocket, counting out some coins, handing twelve of what he assumes to be quarters and a large silver coin, which turns the eyes of the other knights.
"Holy- wow, that much for the sword? I knew that was made with hallowed iron but it's still a worn-down blade." One of them tries to correct the captain's pricing.
Am I even getting a good deal here? What's hallowed iron? Is a quarter really that much in this world?
Arata decides to put it off for now, "Hey, let's just make the deal when we reach the city gate. Remember, I have amnesia, if it wouldn't bother you that much, I'd appreciate if you could explain the currency to me?"
"That wouldn't do, there's so much you need to get caught up on. I'll be quite busy today so why don't we meet up near the city's front gate tomorrow evening? I'll tell you about money now so you don't get scammed by an inn, though." Morgan offers, yet their voice also contains a faint excitement at the prospect of getting to know Arata.
Arata's other world logbook entry #2: Money
Back home, my financial situation wasn't great. Why would things improve in a fantasy world? The money in this world is a bit confusing; there are no bills, and many types of coins. Morgan told me the money system originated from a system implemented by this country's neighbor. The coins appear to be based on moon cycles. Except for stones, they're dull and flat coins, mostly just used because people needed a way to make change.
Now we get into moon cycles. Skies are next; they are based around a new moon. The coins have circular indentations to show the missing moon. Here's where it gets confusing: two sets of coins, one for the waxing period and one for the waning period. Waxing moon coins are valued in grain, while waning coins count for the equivalent price in wine. Why would they do that, just to piss me off?!
Crescent coins are worth a bottle of wine or 1.5 bags of grain, making them fairly more valuable than skies. I was a moron for thinking they were talking about a U.S. quarter; this place is the equivalent of medieval Europe. A quarter in reality refers to a coin worth 4.5 bags of wheat or 3 bottles of wine. Gibbous, or what the common people have started referring to as gibbles, are worth 15 bags of wheat or 10 bottles of wine.
Finally, the coin that the knight captain gave me, the large silver one, a full moon, a coin worth 450 bags of grain. The money keeps increasing exponentially, even more so since a harvest moon is a golden coin that only nobles can get. They're no longer counted in grain but are worth a whole field of wheat. The wealth equity gap in this world is crazy.