第７７２堀：ようやく終わって始まります (Part2)
"Regarding the labor shortage, we’ll keep monitoring the situation for now. However, the biggest issue I felt in this meeting is the concern that with the expansion of currency circulation, our current supply of coinage might not be enough."
"…Ugh, money talk again?"
"I didn't major in economics, so I don't think I can be of much help there..."
"I only have a passing knowledge of it myself..."
All three of them seemed to grasp exactly what I was getting at, and they frowned in a rare display of shared distaste. It’s clear just how troublesome money matters are to everyone.
"Dealing with precious metals like gold is a hassle. Besides, what’s the status of the purity levels and the mints?"
"Come to think of it, Yuki, you said you were going to look into that."
"Ho-ho. Where the money is actually produced, you say? That is a very intriguing question."
Still, they are reliable when it comes to that kind of inquisitive spirit. After all, everyone here is either a former or current administrator. Whether they like it or not, they have to deal with money.
"As for where the money is made..."
I explained what I had told my wives: that there are minting tools common to all the major continents, and that the purity of the precious metals remains uniform across the board.
"Huh. That’s strange. In our era, currency changed quite often. It’s surprising that it’s been used for so long in this world."
Taiki’s curiosity and skepticism were spot on. There is no logical reason to keep using specialized minting tools to produce gold coins from a unified nation that ceased to exist long ago.
"These gold coins, indeed. As Taiki says, it is strange."
Taizo-san said this as he pulled out a gold coin from the Rogari Continent and another from the If Continent. Watching them, Sota-san spoke up.
"Indeed. Currency is, by nature, a symbol of power. By issuing its own currency, a nation demonstrates its strength not only to its own citizens but to foreign countries as well. But, well, this is another world. In our New Continent, even five hundred years after my death, they were still using the same currency from back then."
"Wait, how did the New Continent make currency five hundred years ago?"
"Ah, they made it themselves. They used special, dedicated minting tools and stamped the name of the country and the year of production on them. They were enchanted with preservation magic, so they wouldn't degrade easily."
"..."
We all froze at Sota-san’s words.
"Excuse me, Taizo-san. May I see those gold coins?"
"…Ah, yes, go ahead. I’ll examine the other coins as well."
In the end, we discovered that the circulating gold coins were all imbued with a common enchantment—one that preserved them, slowed degradation, and increased their durability. I’ll leave the specifics to Narjia, Comet, and Zargis for a thorough investigation, but we finally had an answer.
In short, enchanted items are circulating in our daily lives. Granted, this only applies to high-value currency like gold and silver coins. We concluded that if there are minting tools capable of applying such enchantments, of course people would use them. Whoever created this was thinking ahead; by using these, they prevent the loss of precious metals due to wear and tear. If a tool that acts as a preservation item for gold exists, you’d be a fool not to use it.
"…That was unexpected. I had no idea there was such a secret behind the currency. I wonder if the people in each country know."
"They likely do. Even so, why haven't they told us this secret?"
"Perhaps they don't know themselves. It’s not just the culture; the world itself is different. They might just have a custom of honoring the great figures of the past by continuing to use their tools."
"Ah, well, that’s possible. There are long-lived races like the elves, after all, and their sense of time and the value of things might be quite different from ours."
With that, we continued our discussion and decided to put the talk of transitioning from precious metals to paper currency on hold for now, agreeing that it would be better to propose it only when a problem actually arises. One reason is that if Weed proposes everything, the other countries might grow resentful.
After adjusting the schedules for future inter-continental exchanges and meetings, we’ll likely return to the New Continent to investigate the Sea-Cypho Kingdom. But before that, I need to summarize the detailed provisions for reinforcements in case an allied nation in the New Continent is attacked by hostile forces. While the various continents and countries have agreed to support the Hayden, Findar, and Haire religions in the New Continent, we haven't decided how many troops will be sent or for how long.
*Sigh*, the work just keeps piling up. Just when I think it’s over, it starts all over again.
"What a drag."
In a typical story, this is where it would end with, "And so, everyone held hands and protected the peace..." But this twisted *Winning Dungeon* is only just beginning!
Whether a country is built, marriages are formed, children are born, or peace is established across three continents—it’s all just a stepping stone! As you all know, it’s merely a foundation for Yuki’s future activities.
And so, the story continues. It’s a long-winded tale, but I hope you’ll stick with me.
Now, next up is the money issue and the Sea-Cypho Kingdom affair. Who knows how that will turn out?
Oh, and do you remember Aquenoki?