System Change

Derek looked around the city as they slowly walked down the street. It was big. Not as big as some of the pre-system cities in his world, but it was definitely up there in size. Bronson had explained the layout of the city to Derek on the way there.

It was really basic, and according to Bronson, it was the preferred style of city layout. It was a giant city, within circular walls. Of course, he had also seen some small huts and houses surrounding the city before they entered. There was not much protection from enemies, but maybe those people would be let inside in case of an enemy attack, or perhaps the guards and Adventurer’s Guild protected them somewhat. Derek was curious, but not enough to ask Bronson if that was the case.

Once inside the city, you were on the main street. Both sides of the street had different establishments. There were different shops, crafting workplaces, inns, and taverns. Apparently, the further you walked on the main road, the better the establishments you could find. If one was just entering the city, they would find restaurants selling delicacies such as rat on a stick for pennies, but further into the city, one would find restaurants costing actual gold to dine in.

The living arrangements worked the same. The slums were located immediately after entering the city. If one took the first intersection or alleyway they saw, on either side of the street, they would stumble on the poorest area of Torith. The further in, the richer the people. Just before the end of the street was the Adventurer’s Guild.

Finally, at the end of the main street, was another wall and gate. This gate separated the lower class from the middle class. Though, some that could afford to live in the middle class area chose to live in the richer part of the lower class area instead. According to Bronson, the cost difference between the two areas was staggering. Many merchants chose the upper-lower class area to save greatly on living expenses and put what they saved back into their business.

There were far fewer establishments in the middle class area, but the quality of businesses was multiple times better than the lower section. The smithy that crafted the weapons and armor of the city guard was located there.

The living areas were also much better. Each house had land and at least one open courtyard. Thinking back, Derek commended the villagers for at least giving all the families some space. From what he saw in the lower section of the city, it was very overcrowded.

Finally, there was the noble section. The upper section of the city consisted only of noble houses, big and small. Even if the noble house was in a dire situation financially, they were still able to live in the noble section, unless they relinquished their nobility for money, which did tend to happen with some families.

There was only one restaurant and two inns in the noble section. For all their other needs, the nobles would send servants down to the middle class area to obtain goods. Because of this, and the small amount of nobles, the residences of the nobles were grandiose.

Then, at the very top of the city, was the City Lord’s Manor. According to Bronson, it was almost like a mini castle. He would have to take a look for himself once he arrived.

About halfway through the lower part of the city, Silvi, who had taken to sitting on the top of Thomas’s head, told Derek to stop. Curious, he halted the party to find out what was wrong.

‘That smell. So good. I want. Get me. Now.’

Of course that’s what it is. She just wants food. There was rather delicious aroma coming from one of the street vendors. Derek walked over, with Thomas following with Silvi. Looking at the cart, he was surprised to find steaming hot shish kabobs with some kind of meat and vegetables.

It looked good, and smelt good, and if it could keep Silvi occupied while they trekked through the city, it would be well worth whatever the cost. Derek walked up to the vendor. He turned to Bronson. “You want some?”

Bronson scrunched his nose a bit. “No, I’ll wait until I get home to eat. We’re not far now. You never know what kind of meat they sell down here.”

He’s a bit spoiled, I guess. Derek turned back around to the vendor, whose face’s shade had changed from regular to having a red hue, most likely from the words Bronson spoke. “Well, give me six.”

“Y-yes sir.” The young man stuttered, surprised. “That will be 12 copper.”

Derek fished out 12 copper coins from his bracelet and laid them on the cart. “Here you go.”

The man, seeing the copper appear out of nowhere, became even more nervous. “A-are you s-sure someone like yourself wants to eat something like this?” He asked.

“Come on kid. I already paid.” Derek pushed.

“O-okay.” The young man picked up six kabobs and handed them over. Then he reached for the money and tried to give it back. “S-sir, it’s on me, please.”

Derek rolled his eyes and walked away without taking the money back. He put three of the sticks in his bracelet and handed Thomas the other two. Thomas looked at him oddly. Derek smiled. “Silvi can’t very well hold one and walk at the same time.”

Thomas, realizing that Derek meant for him to feed the bunny on his head while walking, frowned.

Derek turned to Bronson. “The way that kid acted, you would think I beat him. Do you guys really treat them that bad down here?”

“Some do.” Bronson confirmed. “Most nobles won’t even come to the lower city, preferring to leave through the side gate in the middle section. But those that choose to be a part of the Adventurer’s Guild usually come through this way. Many are young adults who are… spoiled.”

Derek scoffed. “Yeah… spoiled.” He shook his head and continued walking.

At least there was some entertainment for him on the way. Seeing Thomas holding one kabob over his head for Silvi, and trying to eat his at the same time was hilarious, especially with the juice dripping from Silvi’s down onto his face. Even Bronson let a chuckle escape at the scene.

20 or so minutes later, the group was finally at the next gate. Normally, Derek and Thomas would be stopped at this gate, as they did not have the identification to make it through. Of course, if Derek showed even a little of his strength, it would be reported and he would likely be welcomed.

They did not have to worry about any of this because of Bronson. So far, every city guard they had passed had recognized the man at a glance. Just as what happened at the entrance to the city, the gate to the middle section was opened up and they were let through without any hassles.

If I’m going to be here for a while, I’m going to have to figure out how to move freely through the city areas. Until then, I can just mooch off of Bronson. Derek looked at Bronson and smiled a creepy smile.

After going through the gates, Derek focused more on his surroundings. The difference between the two sections was like night and day. They walked by a bakery and Derek instantly regretted eating the kabobs. The previous smells of the city were all gone, and the fresh scents of steaming pastries drifted through the air into the noses of passerby.

‘Want. Now.’ Silvi’s thoughts flew into Derek’s head as she sniffed the air.

‘I’ll get you some later. Just sit tight for now. I’m sure there will be even tastier things where we are going.’ Derek tried to pacify the hungry bunny. She did not answer, she only snorted and kept sniffing the surrounding air.

“Aww! Mommy, look! It’s so cute.” A little girl walking the street while holding an woman’s hand yelled when she saw Silvi atop Thomas’s head.

The people in the middle area of the city were totally different than those in the lower section. While walking through the lower section, people did best to avoid eye contact, and tried to move out of the way before they came through. Of course, this was because of Bronson. He was still in his armor and had placed his sword on his back.

Derek and Thomas still looked like they may have belonged in the lower section. Thomas was wearing the leather armor Brandi had made him, and though it fit well and looked decent, in a noble’s eyes, the armor would be worthless. Derek, of course, was wearing one of the black t-shirts Brandi had given him, and a pair of blue jeans that had a few holes around the knees. He was also wearing his combat boots, which had seen better days. The duo looked completely out of place in the middle area.

The woman and child finally drew closer, and the child spoke to Thomas. “C-can I pet the cute bunny?”

A trace of disgust flashed in the woman’s eyes when she looked at Derek and Thomas, but when her gaze landed on Bronson, her eyes grew big. “Shana, we shouldn’t disturb the sirs, I’m sure they have things they must do.”

“Aww! I wanted to play with it and pet it and feed it.” Shana grumbled sadly and held out a pastry.

That was all it took for Silvi. One moment she was sitting atop Thomas’s head, the next, she was in the arms of a little girl chewing on sweet bread. ‘Pays to be cute. You wish you were.’ She transmitted to Derek.

Derek shook his head. ‘Hurry up and finish it. We have places to be.’ He sent back.

The woman quickly bowed. “I apologize, Captain Bronson. I’ll discipline Shana later.”

“Nonsense. It’s natural for little girls to adore cute things. We aren’t in a rush. Besides, that bunny is a glutton, we’re lucky the food was offered, and she didn’t steal it.” Bronson replied.

Silvi heard Bronson call her a glutton, and she looked back at him with squinted eyes. He flinched, and she went back to consuming the food.

“Thank you, sir.” The woman said.

Soon, the pastry was gone and Silvi hopped out of the girl’s arms and back atop Thomas’s head. The party continued down the street.

A half hour later, they were finally at the gate to the noble district. Derek was excited to see what was next.