Chapter 242: Walking Mass of Wealth

On the day everyone finally arrived in Deshter, Moon didn’t move to his room as he usually did. Instead, he decided to go on a walk around the castle that would soon taste war for the first time in its history.

He wanted to see how the city operated and also, he was craving coffee and cheesecake. So he decided to look around for a place that sold either of them.

Barrett accompanied Moon on his walk. Moon had him come since he was keeping the funds they had gathered from the facility thanks to the bets they had won.

Moon was still unfamiliar with the concept of money. He had only seen Ed use it casually, so he was still ignorant of the aspect.

After walking for a while, Moon saw a city that was very crowded but also thriving.

The fear he was familiar with whenever he met people on the streets was far less, more occasional, to say.

"The people here aren’t in a panic," Moon said with a hint of surprise. "I thought it would be the city with the most unrest."

Barrett nodded. "They seem to be living their lives well for people who were evacuated into an overpopulated castle."

Soon, Moon’s nose caught the smell he had come yearning for.

He found a place that had glass all around, showing the inside. The scent of coffee was radiating, too strong and soothing at the same time.

"At last," Moon exclaimed and pushed the wooden door open, making a tinkling sound in the process.

Moon watched the source of the sound intently. That item produced the sound.

"Sirs, how may I help you?" A man, well-dressed and soft-spoken, approached them and asked.

Barrett answered readily. "We needed some coffee and a cheesecake."

The man smiled. "Please let me guide you." The man pointed at a table and had them seated.

Soon the coffee for the two was ready, and the cheesecake Moon had been craving for a while.

Slowly, he felt his soul being mended again. Moon didn’t talk and spent the time watching the people on the streets while enjoying what he desired.

Once they were done, Barrett signalled to the man.

The man arrived. "75 Tower Shards," he said.

Barrett opened his pouch and placed 75 brown-colored coins.

"Wait, I want another coffee," Moon said, interrupting the payment process. He looked at Barrett. "Basil must be dying for coffee right now," he added.

The man nodded. "Right away."

Soon, Moon left the shop with Barrett and a cup of coffee, leaving behind 100 Tower Shards.

"This is an expensive place." Barrett couldn’t help exclaiming.

Moon turned to him. "How expensive?" he asked.

Barrett thought for a moment. "An average meal usually costs 5 or 10 Tower Shards; if it has meat, it could go up to 20 or maybe 25 Shards," he explained before adding,

"Though we have lots of money, three cups of coffee and a cheesecake for 100 Shards is too expensive."

Moon blinked, nodding. "How much money do we have?" he asked.

Barrett rubbed his chin. "We have a little over 300 Tower Coins," he explained.

"Coins?" Moon asked.

Barrett nodded. He decided it was time to explain exactly the current funds they had.

"The lowest of the Tower’s forms of currency is Shards; that’s what common men use, followed by Coins." Barrett raised both his index fingers.

"One Tower Coin is equal to a thousand Tower Shards," Barrett explained.

Moon’s eyes widened; he started running the calculation in his mind... How many cups of coffee and cheesecakes he could buy with so much money.

He realized he couldn’t count them.

"So much money," he couldn’t help saying.

Barrett nodded with a wide smile. "That’s what Basil said too; we’re considered rich now."

"Tell me, is there something more than coins, like a higher something?" Moon asked curiously.

Barrett nodded. "There are Tower Crystals; one crystal is a thousand coins."

"WOW!" Moon exclaimed.

Barrett added, "I heard there were more, but I have never heard anyone use them, to be honest."

"There’s even more?" Moon’s eyes widened. "What could anyone do with so much money?"

To Moon, who used money to buy coffee and cheesecake, having so much money was both insane and useless.

Barrett exhaled. "There are so many things that are considered priceless with the money we have," he said in a heavy tone.

He turned his gaze to Moon. "The combat art you gave me is something I can’t fathom how much it costs."

Moon’s expression froze.

His mind raced; he was given so many things. The bag, the armor, the knife...

Symbiotic Spark on his arm.

Moon valued these things more than the Combat Arts Ed had prepared for Basil and Barrett.

Yet, Barrett was saying that this shabby-looking book was so expensive he could never know its worth.

’Does that make me a walking mass of wealth?’ Moon couldn’t help thinking, as well as liking the sound of it.

He smiled and didn’t say anything else.

After passing the coffee to Basil, who jumped in delight and started running off somewhere by himself, Moon had to meet Gustav and Talia.

"Sir Moon, you’re here," Gustav welcomed.

Moon nodded. "The castle is lively and nice," he said.

Surprised, Gustav asked, "You weren’t in the palace?"

"I needed some coffee." Moon sat down.

"Sir Moon, why didn’t you just say it... Whatever you need will be arranged!" Gustav said with a frown.

Moon didn’t know he could ask for anything and have it ready, and didn’t know how to react to Gustav’s hospitality.

All he could do was nod. "It was nice walking around anyway."

His gaze turned to the map fast before Gustav could say anything else. "Did they reach the castle yet?" he asked, pointing at the mountain where Fable would be operating the war from.

"Thankfully, not yet," Gustav answered readily. "Maybe in a few more days," he added.

"Good." Moon turned to Talia. "Can we form groups of ascenders and non-ascenders and start combat training for whatever we have left?" he asked.

A few days of training wasn’t going to make much difference in overall combat ability, but it would sharpen their minds and get their bodies prepared for the battle that was slowly brewing on the horizon.

Talia looked at Gustav, and he nodded. "I’ll make sure to join as well," he agreed readily.

So did Talia, who nodded back, indicating that she would join the training as well.

Talia might be the strongest of all ascenders in the faction, but like the majority, it was her first time marching into war.

A few rounds of joint drills would work in everyone’s favour.

"I’ll send orders now to prepare training equipment for everyone so we may start next morning without delay," Gustav affirmed.

"I’ll also arrange for the ascenders of the kingdom to work in sync with Sir Moon’s forces," he added.

"How many ascenders does the kingdom currently have, Sir Gustav?" Talia asked.

"Including myself, a total of 23 ascenders."

The 23 were included in the total ascenders undertaking the trial right now, out of a total of 451.

The meeting went on.

"Make sure to report immediately on any movements from the enemy," Moon ordered, for there was one last thing he needed to confirm.