Chapter 24: A continent across the sea

Lylia walked out of the guild as if she hadn’t just been financially crushed moments ago. Her steps were light, her expression were lively. Fifteen copper coins? Eh, pocket change. It wasn’t like she could buy happiness anyway… probably.

As she strolled down the street, the cheerful hum of the market filled the air where vendors were shouting, coins clinking, spices wafting. One walking vendor, pushing a small wooden cart covered with a faded cloth, called out to her.

“Freshly baked rye buns! Straight from the hearth! Nice and warm!”

She stopped, intrigued. The buns were round, rustic, with a crusty brown surface dusted with a bit of flour. Steam rose from them, carrying that earthy, wheaty smell only real bread had. The strong scent of pastry that seemed to just have come out of the oven piqued her interest.

“How much is that, mister?” she asked.

The vendor stared at her for a moment before replying confidently, “Just three copper coins each, miss!”

Her smile faltered. “Three… copper?”

“Yes! A fair price!”

Lylia stared at the bun. It looked decent. It had that nice texture and golden crust. Though, three copper coins? That was nearly half the cost of a night at an inn with meals included.

“Ahaha, no thanks,” she said, stepping back with a polite wave.

As she turned away, she muttered under her breath, “Three copper coins for a bun? Is it kneaded with gold dust or tears of the poor?”

Her stomach growled, as if offended by her refusal. She sighed. “I know, I know… you’d probably eat it anyway. But please bear with me. We're almost there, to the treasure we have been aiming for." The harder the venture, the more satisfying the destination will be. Those rye buns were just one of those obstacles along the way.

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was that normal here? Or maybe she was just getting the foreigner price? Everyone around her looked kind of western, while she looked… very much not. It wasn’t like she wanted to think that way, but the thought did make sense.

Either way, she’d rather not waste money right now.

Then, a familiar, glorious aroma hit her nose.

Smoke drifted lazily from a large stand up ahead. It was finally there within their reach. The barbeque large boar stand.

The air was thick with a rich, meaty scent that made her mouth water instantly. It wasn’t too fancy or overwhelming. It was just enough to make her stomach rumble and her brain whisper victory.

She approached with renewed determination, grinning like someone about to win a war. “Your cooking is looking good there, mister. It smells amazing, as always,” she said to the vendor. “So, how much for one?”

“Only five cents each,” the man replied.

“Five-” she blinked, momentarily alarmed, then paused. 'Wait... Cents. Yeah, he said cents.'

Her brain clicked. “Wait, how much is a cent supposed to be?”

The vendor scratched his chin. “Well, you can get two for one copper coin if that helps.”

She nodded slowly, relieved. “Ah. So it really is… cents.” She thought that there was still that possibility that it was just called cents, not that it is cents, if that makes sense.

And just like that, her earlier encounter with the rye bun guy was officially marked as a scam. She mentally noted his face for future avoidance.

“Then I’ll get two,” she said. For now, she wont buy that much since it may not actually taste good.

The vendor with a big smile handed over two freshly grilled skewers. The meat glistened faintly under the light, fat crackling at the edges.

"That was fast," she said, then added with her brows raised. "Though, mister, since you've been grilling them already, aren't they already owned by someone?"

"Don't worry," he replied. "These aren't claimed or anything. The costumers for those ones aren't here yet. Better to eat them hot."

"Woah. Got it," Lylia said with a warm smile. "I'll make sure to savor them properly."

She handed him a copper coin, accepted the skewers, and took a deep, anticipatory breath.

The moment she bit into it-

-her mind went blank for half a second.

The flavor was rich and smoky, slightly gamier than pork but tender and juicy all the same. The fat melted just right, balancing the wild tang with a savory warmth that made her shoulders relax in bliss.

In her head, fireworks went off. Trumpets played. Choirs sang praises to the mighty boar-or not. She was just trying to make it more meaningful.

Reality caught up, and she blinked.

“Right. That was all in my head,” she murmured, chewing thoughtfully. “Still… that’s good meat.”

With a satisfied nod, she gave the vendor a thumbs-up. “Delicious,” she said simply.

The vendor smiled proudly. “Glad you like it!”

She took another bite, humming happily. “Mmm… though, now that I think about it… this would go really well with rice.”

“Rice, huh?” the vendor chuckled. “You from Kaigara, miss?”

“Kaigara?” she repeated.

He nodded knowingly. “Aye, that eastern country across the sea. Only Kaigara folks eat rice regularly. Not much of that around here.”

'Kaigara…' she thought. 'That sounds… very Japanese.'

She wasn’t Japanese, though. At least, she wasn’t before. Yes, she is a Japanese now. Now that she thought about it, ever since she turned into a girl, her face did look suspiciously Japanese. Smooth skin, smaller frame, and slightly sharper eyes. Cosmetic surgery magic, apparently.

Not wanting to invite more assumptions, she gave an awkward smile. “Ah, well, I’m not really craving rice, so… never mind.” It wasn't as if she can't live with just bread.

The vendor laughed. “I see. Still, no Kaigara stalls in this town, I’m afraid. It’s all bread here.”

"Hoh,” she said with a shrug, smiling faintly. 'Kaigara, huh. Must be a far place. Don't tell me that is very Japanese as well?'

She took another bite of the skewer, savoring it. “Guess I’ll have to make do with this for now.”

And so, Lylia strolled through the busy streets, happily eating grilled boar like a carefree tourist exploring her new world. Financially troubled, maybe, but well-fed and content.