Chapter 62

Today, I have to pay four taxes of two types.

The entrance tax for the border town of the Arandelle Kingdom.

Then, the crossing tax paid to Arandelle for crossing the border.

Additionally, the crossing tax for entering the Dacat Kingdom.

Finally, the entrance tax for the border town on the Dacat side.

"Having to pay taxes four times... That's quite a hassle."

"Master Ichino, your face is beaming."

"It's not like that."

Of course, it is.

Now, I mustn't forget to bring along a commoner.

Of course, money is important, so I'll use the merchant's privilege.

A discount on the entrance tax.

The amount varies by town, and here it's a 30% discount.

The crossing tax is half price.

Even at half price, it's practically ten times the cost.

I can't help but laugh.

Of course, the commoner level has risen so much that it won't go up so easily.

But I want to reach level 99 and get the title of the Ultimate Commoner.

I was able to enter the town smoothly without waiting in line.

I managed to enter, but...

As I was pondering, Caro spoke to me.

"What's wrong?"

"It's frustrating that 105 cents no longer raise my level."

My level didn't go up at all.

105 cents, 400 times, which is about 40,000 cents worth of experience.

In Japanese yen, that's roughly 4 million yen in taxes.

"400 times... Master, what is your commoner level?"

"72."

Caro tilted her head and asked.

"Seventy-two... How much tax have you paid?"

"About 1.2 million cents."

"Wow... That's a huge amount..."

"Haru earned it in a day."

It's not an old memory, but I reminisced as I muttered.

On the driver's seat, Haru wagged her tail and said with a slightly excited voice,

"That was fun. I want to go again."

"Gambling in moderation. If Haru gets serious, it wouldn't be fair to Golsa."

Even if Haru were to get serious, she wouldn't stand a chance against Golsa, who is a master of technique.

They don't match well.

I did want to enjoy the slot machines a bit more.

"By the way, do you know who made the slot machines?"

"I don't know. They've been around for about twenty years, but I've never been to a gambling den."

The slot machines had symbols.

Watermelons, melons, the word 'BAR,' and the number '7.'

As a trivia, the fruit symbols in slots on Earth originally came from gum vending machines.

It's not that I'm a gambling enthusiast; I just remember a friend from my part-time job boasting about it. But if it's true, why do the slot machines in this world have fruit symbols?

If the slots in this world were created before those on Earth, it could be explained by the intervention in the subconscious that Lord Koshamare mentioned, but in this case, the order is reversed.

In other words, the slot machines in this world were created by a wanderer—meaning an Earthling.

Why didn't I realize this before?

Well, even if I did, it's not like it changes anything.

How many Earthlings are there in this world?

Most wanderers hide their identities, so it's hard to know.

The goddess said that one in a billion people can transfer to another world.

It seems like a small number, but considering that I received blessings from both Lord Koshamare and Lady Trailleur, if one in a billion people can transfer for each goddess, then with six goddesses, it would be one in 170 million.

"Master, are we going straight into Dacat?"

"Yeah. Caro, are there any tourist attractions in this border town?"

This is when Caro's expertise comes in handy.

I thought it would be nice to see something interesting if there is.

"The main tourist attraction in this town, like on the Dacat side, is the world's longest stone bridge, which you'll definitely cross when you enter the country."

"A stone bridge as a tourist attraction. It must be impressive."

What's the most famous stone bridge in Japan?

Maybe the Megane Bridge?

Well, in Japan, when it comes to bridges, suspension bridges are more famous.

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world when I came to this world.

"Yes, it's quite impressive in a way."

Caro laughed with a hint of something more, and I didn't ask any more questions.

If Caro says it like that, there must be something to surprise me.

I'll just enjoy it.

As we walked straight through the town entrance, we came to a wooden gate leading to the bridge.

The gate completely blocks the view of the bridge, but it's very wide.

Caro and I got off the carriage and declared that we were merchants and the contents of our goods.

Finally, Caro placed her hand on the crystal, which glowed blue, and paid the crossing fee of 300 cents.

[Ichino's level has increased]

Great, level up!

The commoner level is now 73.

"I've confirmed the payment. By the way, I don't think it's possible, but don't shop on the bridge."

The gate of the checkpoint opened—what I saw then was—

"What is this?"

I was genuinely surprised.

The bridge is about 10 meters wide and 2 kilometers long.

A vast scene of a huge bridge stretching out before me.

What was there—

"Why is there a town... on the bridge?"

A town with many stalls spread out there.

~Interlude: Awakening~

Two days before Ichino and the others arrived at the border town.

The centaur moved very gracefully.

Very gracefully eating its feed.

The centaur carrying the two had entered Dacat territory.

And now, the two were in a terrible situation.

Joffre was dressed as a hero in a golden sword and golden armor.

And Elise was wearing a silver robe and holding a metal whip.

What happened to the two?

"The power of a hero has awakened in you, Elise."

"The power of a Monster Master has awakened in me, Joffre."

For now, the two were happily smiling.