Chapter 4

Never touch the Eldmia Ega - Chapter 4 (4/599)

That was how Ashilie's first day passed, and morning came. After completing the tomb for her parents and disposing of the thieves' items, we visited the village Ashilie had mentioned. The village was gradually taking on the appearance of a small town, with vigilantes starting to take up guard duty. Despite Ashilie wearing a hood to cover her ears, there was no problem entering.

The thieves' possessions were not much to look at, but the horses sold for about one and a half gold coins each. According to Ashilie, even this price was reduced because the horses were not well cared for, which shows how valuable horses are.

Surprisingly, the horse that fetched the highest price was not the leader's but another one's. It was Glen, I think? I remembered it because it had a white spot between its eyes, and it was said to be the best-maintained and best horse.

We decided to keep this horse since we needed it. After disposing of everything, we ended up with 7 gold coins, 16 silver coins, and 18 copper coins of the Etiselle Kingdom. I was shocked to learn for the first time in eight years that the currency was divided into various types, including those issued by the state and large merchant guilds.

"Merchant guild currency rarely ends up in the hands of ordinary people. The same goes for other kingdoms' currencies."

Upon hearing this, I learned that merchant guild currency only exists in gold coins, acting like a kind of check. As a result, they have a high gold content and are larger, making them worth almost twice as much as other gold coins. Most other kingdoms are similar, but the currency of the Lagnel Kingdom is the least valuable, so it's best to avoid it if possible.

"One silver coin is roughly equivalent to a week's food expenses for an average adult. Not a luxurious week, but if you only eat two meals a day, you might save some money."

It would have been great if the structure was 10 silver coins to one gold coin, but it turns out that 40 copper coins equal one silver coin, and 30 silver coins equal one gold coin. It's a bit cumbersome, but not incomprehensible. I quickly understood and answered Ashilie's questions, which made her smile.

"Your parents must have been adventurers, so they taught you arithmetic well. Your mental arithmetic is quite proficient. That's fortunate."

I couldn't say I had a college education, so I just smiled in response.

As we went through Ashilie's impromptu economics lesson and bought the necessary items, 10 silver coins quickly disappeared. Of course, we carefully selected what we needed, but for a commoner, it was a significant expense.

Even if our house was intact, many things that could have been solved through bartering in the village were now gone. The small cart was loaded with various items, including a pair of chickens and a pair of goats.

It suddenly hit me that I would be living with her for the next eight years. I expressed my gratitude to her again for making that decision.

"Thank you so much."

Ashilie, who had been covering her face with a hood, smiled faintly instead of asking why.

"I should be the one thanking you."

Ashilie... She is a god...!

By the time we finished our first outing, the day was almost over. After a quick cleanup, we only started preparing for winter and other household chores the next day.

Due to my decision not to use physical enhancement for a while, I could only do what an 8-year-old could, but as the child of a hunter, I could still help with tasks like draining the blood from the animals she caught and skinning them.

This was where my first misconception was shattered. The elves in this world eat meat!

In fact, they eat it as a staple. It was such a cultural shock that when I asked, Ashilie laughed so hard she almost fell over.

"It seems some strange misconception has crept into your knowledge. Everything in the world ultimately operates in balance. Protecting the forest means maintaining the balance of flora and fauna."

"We only hunt what we need. That's all there is to it," Ashilie explained.

"We only guard against excessive greed."

"Um... Is that why the relationship with dwarves is bad?"

Based on her words, it seemed impossible for the relationship with dwarves, who dig up the ground to mine gems and metals, to be good. When I asked, Ashilie couldn't give a definitive answer.

"I don't think it's as bad as that. They are a race obsessed with creating better and finer things, and that obsession can sometimes be unpleasant. When you look at their actions, they seem annoying, but when you see the results, all those actions seem justified. It's just that from an elf's perspective, it seems a bit excessive, but it's an essential part of their survival, so there's no real problem. It's more like a slight annoyance."

"Your criticism of your own race is very unreserved, sister."

"Hehe. Sound intellect is built on sound criticism. More importantly, it seems you need to correct your biased knowledge about races. I'll tell you a story before you go to sleep tonight."

I couldn't say that my knowledge of the races was based on Earth's fantasy novels, so I just smiled like a child in response.

If you can create something out of nothing, you're pretty amazing. Maybe you really were a visitor from another world.

While butchering the deer, Ashilie continued to teach me various things. There were simple hunting-related facts, but most of the stories were about the world. The content was interesting and sparked curiosity, so it seemed she was trying to make it engaging for my young age.

Even without such efforts, I listened intently, and the stories continued until night.

"Eldmia, how do you want to live using what you've learned from me?"

After a hearty dinner and doing the dishes, Ashilie asked.

"You are certainly different from other children. Most importantly, you can kill people without hesitation at your age, but I don't feel that you have a skewed sense of emotion or a problematic ideology. At first, I thought you might have a mental illness due to your parents' accident, but you manage your emotions better than most adults."

I wanted to say that it's normal to be normal, but since abnormal people often claim they are normal, I just kept quiet and met her gaze, waiting for her to continue. I vaguely understood what she was trying to say.

"But precisely because of that, I have to ask. Do you want revenge?"

"Will the commander who destroyed our village still be alive when I seek revenge?"

My question, without hesitation, made Ashilie's eyes widen. It was my turn to continue.

"I'm really determined to learn everything. Not just compared to my peers, but even compared to kids five years older. As long as they're not geniuses, I'll understand and learn faster."

This is obvious. I already know some things, and my way of thinking is different, as is my motivation for effort.

"Even if I learn everything from you and turn 16, I don't think I'll be able to defeat the commander of the Demon King's army. If he's that easy to kill, he would have been killed long ago."

But I'm not a genius. I just have a different mental age. I'm not special.

"However, if I keep working hard, by the time I'm 20, I should be able to do my part. If he's still alive by then, of course, I will take revenge. But it won't be an emotional revenge."

This is not something an 8-year-old should say. If I heard a child say this, I wouldn't take it seriously. But Ashilie was different.

"Then what?"

She waited for my answer with calm, steady eyes. It was a gaze that naturally instilled trust, even though we had only known each other for two days.

"I don't want to go through this again. I don't want to be stripped of everything without doing anything wrong or committing any sin."

Therefore, I will become strong. Therefore, I will survive.

"If he's still alive and I have the ability, I will find and kill him. I will leave his blood for everyone to see."

In the dark night, illuminated by a single light orb Ashilie summoned, I declared.

"Never, no matter what. Absolutely do not touch the Eldmia Ega."

Ashilie's eyes wavered.

"To warn everyone, I will take revenge, survive, and become strong."

For myself. And for those who will form bonds with me as I live on.

I will become strong with determination.