When I Reincarnated I Was a Soldier?!
The Man Known as The Red Grim Reaper
05 – Let's Go to the Armory Shop
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"Five gold coins?"
I suddenly exclaimed when I returned to the barracks and saw the contents of the bag I had received at the award ceremony.
The currency of this world consisted of gold, silver, and copper coins.
One gold coin was worth 100 silver coins.
One silver coin was worth 100 copper coins.
It might be useful to imagine that one copper coin was equivalent to 100 Japanese yen.
In fact, there were three other types of coins: large silver coins, which were worth ten silver coins; large copper coins, which were worth ten copper coins; and small copper coins, which were worth a quarter of a copper coin. A small copper coin would cost about 25 yen. For items cheaper than that, the standard practice was to sell them in bundles of 25 yen each.
One silver coin, 10,000 yen; and one gold coin, 1,000,000 yen.
And this was five coins!
Five million yen!
I unconsciously jumped because of joy
"Yo! The money, what are you going to spend it on?"
(Leave you hottie!) I thought to myself.
"Ho! Is that Wayne who got three gold coins?"
"Shut up, it is Master Sergeant Patrick who got five gold coins!"
Nishishi ‒ We laughed together.
"Let's go to the armory shop!"
I invited Wayne to join me.
If you were recruited into the army of this kingdom, you would be provided with a minimum supply of armaments.
A private (Commoner recruits start here) would receive one spear. A private first-class would receive a spear and a one-handed sword.
However, the supplies were not brand new.
And as for Sergeants (Aristocrats recruits start here), they would receive a spear and a two-handed sword; however, they were used and second-hand goods.
Some of them were on the verge of breaking. In fact, this was Patrick's first real battle, but his spear had snapped at the first blow.
So I ended up using my two-handed sword and was struck in the back of the head because I was fighting within striking distance of the orc's club.
"I don't want to get clubbed again."
Wayne agreed with a laugh.
"Spears are wonderful, aren't they?"
This was Patrick's impression at the weapon shop.
In this world, a spear would often be the main weapon to use in battles.
The main reason was because you could attack a monster while keeping some distance from it.
Even against humans, if the ability of the one wielding the spear was the same as the one wielding the sword, then the spear would have the advantage.
The cheapest ones started at around 50 silver coins, but even a novice could tell the difference when a spear worth one gold coin was lined up next to it.
The weapon you could trust with your life was more important than money.
A weapon might be better or worse depending on the individual.
Some people were particular about the cutting ability; some about the durability; and some about the handling or the weight. Sometimes there were foolish people who would place emphasis on appearance.
"What about you, Wayne?"
"I think I'll go for a sturdy one with a moderate weight."
Then the shopkeeper said, "In that case,Then this is the one for you. Bruh is a strong guy, the heavier the spear is, the more damage you will do, right?"
He brought out a spear.
It was an all-iron spear.
"Looks heavy." — I involuntarily blurted out.
And then the shopkeeper replied — "It's hollow inside, so it's not so heavy."
I see, so isn’t it like a pipe?
Wayne picked it up and shook it lightly.
"What's the price?"
He seemed pleased with it.
"Two gold coins."
"Too expensive. One gold coin and fifty silver coins!"
"No good, no good. That's fairly good quality steel, forged by a good craftsman, one and 75 coins!"
"Get out of there! One and sixty-five!"
"This is my limit, one and 70!"
"Well, that's it then!"
1.7 million yen?
"So, which one do you prefer, Bruh?"
"I'll take the lightest one with the best sharpness!"
"So it's either this or this."
The shopkeeper brought out two spears from the back.
"This one has a slightly shorter handle, which makes it lighter and easier to wield, and the sharpness is excellent. And this one is a normal length, with a slightly smaller tip that makes it feel lighter when you hold it. The sharpness is also excellent."
With the middle finger of my left hand, I tapped the corner of my single-lidded black eye. It was a habit of mine whenever I tried to process my thoughts since it helped me think calmly.
(You can't get hit in the back of the head if it's longer than shorter, right?)
I concluded.
"The one with the shorter tip! But, it must be expensive, isn't it?"
I asked the shopkeeper.
"What a spear, this time special service, just one gold coin!"
"OHH!" – We both exclaimed
"Sold!"
"Thank you for your continued patronage!"
After they left, the shop’s hostess said — "Why did you sell that spear for one gold coin? Couldn't you have gotten a little more?"
The shopkeeper's wife asked her husband.
"Just for the heck of it?"
"Stupid husband!"
There was angry shouting coming from inside the store, and slapping noises…
Sometimes it was better not to know.
[1] TL Note: About $0.90, it is leagues easier if you just round up to $1.