Chapter 212 The Turning Economy
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
When the traveling merchants arrived at the village, the people swarmed around them to shop.
The usually gentle villagers and the peaceful air of the countryside vanished—replaced by a loud, bustling crowd.
”Hey! I was eyeing that dress first!”
”Shut up! First come, first served!”
”Oh please! With a body that huge—like a dragon—you could never fit in it. Hand it over!”
”Hah?! Don’t joke with me! You’re built like a giant walrus yourself! And at your age, you think cute clothes still suit you? Think again, old woman!”
Angry voices echoed.
The villagers were after Keldan-made casual clothes, bottled juice, and other goods. Until recently, sweet drinks like these had been far beyond the reach of commoners—priced only for nobles.
Now, such things were within reach thanks to the convenience of the Keldan Penny.
”One bottle, ten Pennies.”
With denominations of 1, 10, 50, 100, and 500 Pennies, people no longer had to carry sacks of heavy copper coins. Large amounts could be exchanged into compact sums, making trade easier and safer.
And the Penny could be used to buy anything made in Keldan: bottled foods, clothes, drinks, white porcelain, leather armor and coats from the butchers’ waste, heavy-cloth tents, artificial gems, wooden furniture—everything.
Among merchants, rumor spread: the Penny was a “currency that never lost value.” Of course, such a thing couldn’t be fully true… but its trust was growing.
Even empty bottles were worth something. Traders would buy them back for 1 Penny each—broken or not. Once returned to Keldan, they could be exchanged for discounts on new goods. Naturally, people fought over discarded bottles too.
”Hey! That’s my bottle!”
”Greedy bastard! I found that empty one first!”
* * *
For the wealthier, trusted merchants, there was an added bonus: the lord’s office lent out magical refrigerators powered by electric stones. Cold drinks sold quickly, boosting profits.
But small guilds and new traders complained bitterly: Why won’t they lend one to us?
The answer was blunt.
”You really don’t get it? Because if you ran off with it, we’d be screwed!!”
Whenever shady merchants petitioned the lord’s estate for such an expensive fridge, Ayumu’s voice was heard loud and clear: ‘No way! I’m not lending those to just anyone!’
* * *
Meanwhile, in Keldan’s city streets…
Thanks to the spread of condoms, the prostitutes’ business was brisk—customers rotated faster, earnings rose. But many male clients, especially nobles, disliked the new rules.
”I’m paying good money, aren’t I?! Let me do it raw!”
”Stop it! I’ll call for help!”
”Shut up and let me!”
The worst were low-ranking nobles who threw their weight around in brothels, demanding more than agreed.
But Keldan had prepared for this. In every room, red buttons were installed. With a push—
”Hey there, sir. Let’s step into the office for a chat.”
”Eek! Nooo!!”
Thugs-turned-bodyguards—former mafia now loyal to Ayumu—burst in.
”H-hey! Do you know who I am? I’m of noble blood!”
”Yeah, yeah. We’ll hear your story… out back.”
”At least let me speak to the Honorary Count himself!”
”You idiotꐦ! We’re working with the Count’s permission!”
Dragged away, the offender was reminded firmly: “We told you condoms are required!” His pockets were emptied as “compensation” before he was thrown out.
Thus, under Ayumu’s rule, even vice fueled the wheels of Keldan’s economy—turning, spinning, and moving ever faster.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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