Third Outer World Story Series: Pumpkin Sorcerer - Chapter 26

Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter

“Now, let me explain the currency’s value and a bit about the function of the Association’s registration card.”

Kozo then laid out several coins on the table.

“First of all, the unit of currency in this country is called yen. The origin of this unit is believed to have been named after a reincarnated person who introduced the idea of a monetary system a long time ago.”

“Yen…”

Yeah. The reincarnated person must have been Japanese or from a world similar to mine.

Otherwise, it is doubtful that such a pinpoint name would have been given.

“There are five kinds of yen, in descending order of value: stone, copper, silver, gold, and white, and each stone coin is worth one yen.”

“I see.”

Kozo took out a stone coin and presented it to Pumpkin.

After that, he summarized the rest of the explanation.

Stone coin = 1 yen

Copper coin = 100 yen

Silver coin = 10,000 yen

Gold coin = 100,000 yen

White coin = 1,000,000 yen

However, the monetary value here was definitively at variance with the monetary value of Pumpkin’s former life, hence 1 yen did not equal 1 yen.[i]

Five silver coins, according to Kozo, would be sufficient for one person to live a year without any luxury.

“Unfortunately, there will always be counterfeiters who think they can forge stone coins.”

While holding the coins in his hands, Pumpkin played with them and juggled the coins with his fingers.

However, even as he juggled, he observed how the stone coins were made.

“Indeed, every year some people get arrested for counterfeiting.”

Kozo smiled in response.

Seeing the look on his face, Pumpkin’s grin widened too.

Why are both of us smiling? It’s because, aside from how we found it out, we both know what’s within this coin.

“Can you tell how it works specifically?”

“I don’t fully grasp the details, but I do have an inkling that there is some kind of magic in it.”

Pumpkin gazed steadily at the coins and noticed a small amount of four-colored magic power surrounding each coin.

Even though the specific effect of this magic was unknown to him, it was probably an anti-counterfeiting spell or magic to verify the authenticity of the coins.

A counterfeiter who failed to be aware of this and thought it was trivial to counterfeit a stone coin would be exposed and subsequently arrested.

This is a brilliant technique, I suppose. Even with my eyes, unless I examine it attentively, I can’t discern the amount of magic power that is left over. As a sorcerer, I truly wish to learn such a feat from the depths of my heart.

“So, that’s enough explanation about the coins, let’s move on to the results of the evaluation, shall we?”

“Oh, now that you mention it…”

Ah, yeah. Speaking of which, we haven’t discussed that yet. I was so impressed by the fineness of the coins that I forgot about them.

“Here are the results of the assessment.”

“!?”

With these words, Kozo brought out the contents of the bag on the desk, and Pumpkin’s eyes shot widened in amazement at the contents.

“T-This much…?”

The result of the evaluation… was 1 gold coin, 6 silver coins, and 20 copper coins. In other words, 162,000 yen.

… If I was inclined, I could spend three years sleeping in my bed.

He subsequently turned to Kozo and appealed to him, hinting with his eyes how the amount of money reach this degree.

“The amount of the product is one thing, but even more significant is that it is hardly scratched and of excellent quality. Moreover, neither the Clawing Boar nor the Strike Bear are magical beasts that can be hunted by an ordinary hunter.”

Ahh… I see.

The amount of the quantity is because I had been hoarding them. Quality-wise, it’s conceivable that there are essentially no wounds since I defeated them with bloodsucking.

As for the Clawing Boar and Strike Bear… their ferocity comes as no surprise considering the strength of the intrepid people who frequent this Association and the amount of magic power possessed by the animals that live around Kunukihappy.

“The thought of holding this much money in my hands is frightful, though.”

Pumpkin revealed his honest feelings to Kozo.

Truth be told, even if a single gold coin or similar piece were to be stolen, it would be a huge loss. Therefore, he wished to have some kind of security.

“I guess so. For that reason, the Association has been providing one service for more than ten years.”

Kozo responded to his question with a look of satisfaction on his face.

He held the registration card in his right hand and displayed it to Pumpkin.

“A cash card. It was made by a reincarnated person. By showing the registration card, you can use the card up to the amount of money you have deposited with the Association. The stores that accept this function are limited, though.”

This was exactly like a cash card. It can be used in a limited number of stores.

“Well, don’t worry. Most stores that deal in high-priced commodities, such as houses and jewelry, will accept it.”

“I see. That means I should only carry copper coins and stones, and leave silver coins and above in the card.”

“That’s what I mean. So, do you want to deposit them?”

“I suppose so. Please do that.”

Consequently, Pumpkin asked Kozo how much the city’s admission fee was, got an exact answer, and left one gold and four silver coins as a deposit. He made the decision to deposit a total of 140,000 yen with the Association and to spend the day resting at an inn that the Association had recommended.

I would finally go shopping tomorrow, which I had been longing for. Perhaps I should ask Rio to lead the way.

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T/N:

[i] The first 1 yen is written in kanji, the Japanese currency while the second yen is in katakana. Well, it’s saying both are called yen but one is the Japanese currency and the other is the currency of this world and their values are different