"Okay, pass this building with a chicken leg sign…"
Like the previous day, he followed familiar landmarks, heading toward the arena. His eyes fell on the fruit-stand run by a llama beastman—with traditional Southeast Russian clothing.
"Hello there, good sir," he said, giving a nod.
The llama placed its hoof on its heart. "And to you as well."
He turned left past the fruit-stand onto a side street, then left again for a straight path toward the arena.
Huh?
His gaze fell on two demi-human children—a fox-eared boy and a bear-eared boy—sitting on the ground beside an alleyway, their tunics tattered, exposing their dust-covered skins. They sat huddled together with an upside-down hat in front.
Seven copper coins…
He smiled. Let's get those numbers up, two gold should be enough.
From his coin sack, he produced two gold coins, both glistening in the sunlight. He walked toward their hat, placed the two gold coins and continued forward.
The two boys looked at the two shiny coins in disbelief with widened eyes.
After a few steps, a weak, strained voice called out.
"Sir, I-I think you made a mistake."
The words punched him in the gut.
Oswald inhaled through his nose. "No, I… I don't believe I have."
Another voice, with similar weakness, replied. "But… two gold, i-it's too much."
"No, I… don't believe it isn't."
Behind him, the bear demi-human clasped Oswald's hand. "I agree with him. It's too much. W-What do we do with this much money?"
My heart… they can't believe the generosity bestowed on them.
"I… can think of many things two gold can do. Buy a house, go to school, get new clothes, eat better food… and much more. But one thing you must not forget…"
He turned around and knelt, placing his head on the bear demi-human's shoulder.
"To share. Share among yourselves—your relatives and friends' families and most of all, your people."
His gaze shifted to the ground, to the boy's toes caked with dust.
"That… should help you in the long run."
He stood up and turned away. "I have to leave."
He continued his walk down the street. Behind him, the bear-eared boy bowed, joined by his fox-eared friend.
"T-Thank you, sir."
"Thank you so much."
As the distance between them grew, the last thing he heard was their quiet squealing.
I'm not staying here long and will eventually return. I hope… the two grow into a community, a village, then… a town in the kingdom.
* * *
"Hey!" He waved to his friends, waiting outside his corner's door.
Korrin tilted his head. "You've… rocked up a bit early, mate—comp doesn't kick off for another hour."
"Yeah, it's intentional. I was thinking, since I haven't eaten anything since yesterday's breakfast, why don't we eat somewhere together again."
"But thou wert within the castle walls; wherefore didst thou not command a servant to supply thy need?"
"Me? Eating royal food? No way!" He shook his head. "If I did that, the food out here won't be the same. To prove that, the breakfast I ate yesterday reminded me of my mother. How does that work?"
"Ha!" Zharrak nudged him. "Ya're humble as pie, aren't ya?"
"Verily."
"Right! And since we already went to Korrin's spot—steak sandwiches, meat pies, and others—all tasted amazing, why don't we try Aelindor's next?" He formed a fist, raising it in the air. "Show us the power of the elven cuisine!"
"Hahaha." Aelindor placed his hand on his heart. "With glad spirit—this way, good sirs."
And so he was led by Aelindor to eat elven food.
I just hope their connection with nature doesn't mean the food's vegetarian.
###
End of Chapter 2
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