Chapter 88 The Messenger of Solanis
As Henry pondered ways to generate revenue for Eldoria, a small boat docked at the port.
"Why would Baron Omar be interested in this rundown place?"
Riley, an emissary from Solanis, stood on the boat, frowning at the dilapidated dock, particularly at the collapsed wooden platforms.
Riley was a scrivener in Baron Omar's domain, not well-regarded, and a local quasi-noble. He had once been a knight but was now relegated to a scrivener role by Omar.
In this era, knights were not nobles but a class between commoners and nobility, often referred to as quasi-nobles, a status many commoners aspired to.
If knights achieved great deeds, they could become nobles or, like Henry, purchase a baronial title in the Western lands.
However, only some knights had savings. Riley, for example, had only a few silver coins in his name, and he had accumulated over twenty years of hard work.
Riley had been sent to Eldoria simply because he heard of significant changes there and was asked to investigate.
It was a tough assignment, especially for someone about to get married. He was already not in good standing with Baron Omar, having been stripped of his knighthood and made a Scrivener, handling disputes among the commoners in the domain.
'It seems I won't make it back in time for the wedding. I hope Victoria won't be upset.' Riley thought. Who wouldn't be frustrated to be sent on a business trip right before their wedding?
He had never truly integrated into Baron Omar's inner circle, always on the periphery or even further out, just a regular Scrivener on the payroll.
Before Baron Omar's arrival, he had been a renowned knight in Solanis, but now he was reduced to a menial Scrivener.
Riley thought, 'Is it because I have opposed Baron Omar's questionable actions?'
"Sir, are you ready to enter Eldoria now?" a servant asked respectfully.
The servant didn't know why his master was lost in thought, but he knew his master treated him well. Everyone in Solanis knew that Baron Omar had been suppressing his master, and it was because Riley was too upright.
"Let's go, let's enter the city. This remote town, where even traveling merchants rarely visit, claims to be undergoing a great transformation."
Riley shook his head, wondering what the person spreading this news was thinking or if Baron Omar was intentionally trying to suppress him and drive him away from Solanis.
The sound of hooves caught Riley's attention, and he turned to see several horse-drawn carriages heading towards the port.
The coachmen halted the carriages, and Aaron jumped down, politely calling out, "Can someone help me unload the salt? I'll give you an extra two steel coins."
"Okay!"
The coachmen quickly offered their assistance. For them, this was extra income that didn't have to be handed over to the Lord's Manor.
Riley stared blankly at the scene. He thought, 'Why is so much salt being taken away from Eldoria? Could it be that even the commoners couldn't afford salt anymore?'
With curiosity piqued, Riley approached Aaron and asked, "Excuse me, why did you manage to transport all the salt?"
"You're not from around here, are you?" Aaron replied with a wry smile.
Riley replied, "That's right, I only arrived today!"
"You'll understand once you've been to Eldoria," Aaron replied dejectedly. It was already a sad situation; there was no need to dwell on it further.
Riley watched as Aaron walked away, feeling puzzled. He turned his head in the direction of Eldoria, his eyes filled with curiosity. He thought, 'Could it be that the nobles in Eldoria are too ruthless?'
"Let's go!" Riley said to his servant, and they continued towards Eldoria.
After walking for about ten minutes, they saw wheat fields on both sides of the road. Riley couldn't help but nod in approval.
"The wheat is growing well. It looks like it will be ready for harvest in just four or five days." Riley said with a smile. Anyone would be happy to see such a sight.
The sound of hooves rang out, and Riley and his servant quickly moved to the side of the road, only to see the carriages transporting salt.
From a distance, even before Riley could speak, one of the coachmen called out, "Would you two like to take the carriage?"
Riley was taken aback. He thought, 'Are the people in Eldoria always this hospitable? They are actually offering a ride to strangers.'
"Yes!" Riley quickly responded. There was still some distance to Eldoria.
The coachman stopped the carriage and smiled, "It's three steel coins per person to Eldoria, as we're leaving the city. If you want to, please come aboard!"
Henry had mentioned that when carrying passengers, they should explain the situation clearly, or else the passengers might think they were being kind.
"Steel coins? What are those?" Riley asked, puzzled. "Did you make a mistake? Shouldn't it be copper coins?"
"Are you trying to rob us? Three copper coins for a ride to Eldoria?" The servant was immediately displeased. His monthly salary was only 60 copper coins, and that was after so many years of service.
"No, you've misunderstood, sir. It's steel coins. One copper coin can be exchanged for ten steel coins. It's a new currency invented by Henry."
The coachman spoke of Henry with great pride. The commoners of Eldoria favored steel coins, as they could purchase many things and were very convenient to use.
"Is that so?" Riley's eyes widened. This was something he had never expected. He quickly took out a copper coin and asked, "Can I exchange it for steel coins?"
"Of course, please come aboard." The coachman urged. He still had to report back and let the horses rest for half an hour.
Riley and his servant got on the carriage, and Riley handed over a copper coin in exchange for four steel coins.
"So these are steel coins?" Riley held one in his hand, examining it carefully.
The number 1 on it was a symbol he had never seen before, but he recognized the word 'dime.' This was the front of the steel coin, with an exquisite image of a wheat ear on the back.
Riley took a deep breath. The minting technology of these coins was already more advanced than that of the Kingdom.
He became increasingly curious about the situation in Eldoria, especially about the Lord who could invent such steel coins.
"Coachman, aren't you afraid of your master finding out that you're collecting money from passengers halfway?" the servant asked in a low voice.
"Why should I be afraid? This is the business we're in." The coachman shook his head with a smile. He had encountered many people asking such questions in the past few days.
It was really strange. Even the children in Eldoria knew that they could take a rented carriage for two steel coins and travel anywhere in Eldoria.
