Chapter 141: The Seat of Measure

<anno data-annotation-id="3e0619de-194f-05b1-6a84-a2081a604fea" data-title="November 11, 8714 ARC">November 11, 8714 ARC¹</anno>

Courtspire City · <anno data-annotation-id="bdfbcd19-f42b-6149-bfb4-ec2fcaa009fc" data-title="Metrava Prime">Metrava Prime¹</anno>

Late Ninth Continuance

After leaving the Meridian Gate, Kellan had already asked Rhovan three times whether they could ride one of the flying vehicles outside.

Then, he asked for the nth time, "Can we ride one of those?"

Rhovan looked at this unbelievably anger-ridden guy and replied, "Those are called sky taxis. However, we won’t be taking that for now. Let’s first take public transportation instead."

"Why?"

Rhovan gave him a long look. "For no reason at all. Why? You want a fight?"

Kellan’s ears turned red as he almost punched Rhovan in the face. Fortunately, Dario stopped him. Otherwise, they’d really cause a scene in a world that was really new to all of them, except Rhovan.

Marek was actually interested in the vehicles himself, but he was more concerned about something else.

They had finally arrived in the House of Libra’s territory, but none of them knew where they were going, they couldn’t understand the language, and the only person who could help them seemed to be enjoying the situation far too much.

He had expected the Prime Continuum to be technologically advanced, but Courtspire City was considerably larger than anything he had imagined.

From the entrance of the Meridian Gate, he could see several enormous towers connected by elevated walkways, railway lines running between different sections of the city, and what appeared to be a transportation terminal stretching across several blocks. The surrounding roads were filled with vehicles of different shapes and sizes, some of which traveled along the ground while others occupied designated routes above them.

There were also people everywhere.

Marek had almost forgotten that they were arriving in the capital of an entire House, rather than some remote settlement where an Earth-born Astrant would immediately attract everyone’s attention. Most of the people passing through the terminal were occupied with their own affairs, and nobody seemed particularly interested in the fact that seven young people were standing outside the entrance with their luggage.

Then again, they probably looked like ordinary travelers.

That was the whole point of their disguises.

"Where are we going, anyway?" Marek asked after Rhovan finally started walking.

"Goldwake House. It’s in the Crown Residential Rings, somewhere northwest of the city center. I haven’t stayed there in quite a while, but everything should be ready."

Marek turned toward him. "You have a house here?"

"Of course. I am filthy rich," Rhovan replied with confidence plastered on his face.

"Since when?"

Rhovan seemed genuinely surprised by the question but answered regardless. "I’ve been traveling throughout the Prime Continuum for a very long time, Oph—Newton. Did you expect me to sleep in the streets whenever I visited a different House?"

’Well, no.’

But Marek hadn’t expected him to own a house in the capital world of the House of Libra either. He thought his residence should have been at the House of Leo, not here, but still, at least they’ve got a home of their own now.

He had already witnessed Rhovan casually produce golden furniture whenever he felt like sitting down, so the possibility that the man possessed actual property had never been particularly important. Or he could have done that but he could not do it forever.

He owned more than Marek initially thought.

"Is it big enough for all of us?" Marek asked.

"Naturally! Besides, if there aren’t enough rooms, I’ll simply give Kellan the garden."

"What?!"

Rhovan ignored him and continued walking.

Their first destination was a currency exchange facility inside the transportation terminal. Several counters lined one side of the hall, with enormous displays showing unfamiliar currencies and constantly changing figures. Marek recognized the symbols of several Zodiac Signs. Beneath them, however, were texts he couldn’t read.

Rhovan approached an available counter and greeted the woman behind it in a language Marek couldn’t recognize. She answered him while bringing up a transaction screen, then waited as Rhovan took out his personal device.

Marek tried listening to their conversation. He could distinguish when the woman was asking a question, particularly when she repeated something and pointed toward the screen, but that was about all he understood.

Rhovan answered without hesitation and presented his device. The woman selected an option beneath the symbol of Leo, entered several figures, and turned the screen toward him. After he confirmed the transaction, the symbol of Libra appeared alongside a different amount.

"What did you just do?" Marek asked out of curiosity. "I don’t understand any of what you’re saying."

"I exchanged my Laurels for Measures," Rhovan explained as the woman handed him a transaction receipt. "Laurel is the currency used in Leo’s territory, while Libra uses the Measure. You’ll see it abbreviated as Me whenever you purchase something here."

"So you can’t just use your money from Leo?"

"I can, but depends on the establishment. But we’re going to be staying in Libra for quite a while, so it’s more convenient to have their local currency."

Marek glanced at the screen again, where the two symbols were still displayed alongside several figures.

"Are all the currencies different?"

"Of course. Every House has its own currency, and exchanging between them is quite easy," Rhovan said. "You have a lot to learn, Op—Newton."

Before Marek could ask another question, Eren moved closer and pointed toward one of the smaller figures at the bottom of the transaction receipt.

"What’s that amount?"

Rhovan checked where he was pointing.

"The exchange fee."

"How much did they charge you?"

Rhovan translated the figure for him, which immediately prompted Eren to ask about the rate used for the transaction.

Marek left them to their discussion. He had barely understood the first exchange, and Eren was already asking whether Rhovan could have obtained more Measures somewhere else.

Kellan also tried asking whether he could exchange his remaining Earth money.

Rhovan explained that most financial institutions hadn’t established ordinary exchange arrangements with Earth yet. Considering that their World had only recently become accessible through the Meridian Roads, Marek supposed that wasn’t particularly surprising.

It was still rather unfortunate.

He had a little money left in his own account, too. He doubted it would be particularly useful here, though.

Once the transaction was completed, Rhovan arranged temporary payment cards for everyone and explained how they worked. Their First Entry Writs were sufficient for limited visitor services, while permanent registration would allow them to establish proper financial accounts later.

Marek examined the card he received.

There was barely anything printed on it apart from an emblem and several unfamiliar characters. When Rhovan showed him how to activate it, a small display appeared across its surface, accompanied by information that he couldn’t understand.

"How much money did you put in here?"

"Enough for your ordinary expenses."

Marek raised an eyebrow. "And what’s considered ordinary here?"

"Food, transportation, clothing, and whatever else you might reasonably need. Just don’t let Kellan purchase a sky taxi."

Kellan, who had been standing a few steps away, immediately protested.

Marek ignored him.

He thought having their own money would be convenient, especially since they couldn’t expect Rhovan to accompany them every time they wanted to buy something. Nevertheless, he made a mental note to find out how employment and banking worked in the Prime Continuum once they had completed their registration.

He had no intention of relying on Rhovan forever.

Eren, meanwhile, had obtained a copy of the transaction receipt and was still examining it when they left the facility.

Marek suspected that he would probably become their accountant whether he wanted to or not. Well, it seemed like he was very interested in becoming one nonetheless, so why not?

The metro station was located beneath the terminal, and it took them several minutes to reach the correct platform.

There were numerous displays showing the available routes, but the unfamiliar language made everything unnecessarily difficult. Rhovan had to explain which symbols represented their destination, how to use the temporary transportation passes, and which platform they needed to board.

Marek was beginning to understand why they needed those Tongue Scripts Rhovan had mentioned earlier. Even something as simple as finding the correct train would be troublesome if none of them could understand the language.

The train arrived a few minutes later, accompanied by a low mechanical hum and a rush of air as it slowed along the platform.

It looked significantly more advanced than the trains Marek remembered from Earth, but the general arrangement was familiar enough that he knew where to sit. The carriages were spacious, the windows were enormous, and most of the passengers were occupied with their own devices.

A public announcement played shortly before the doors closed.

Marek didn’t understand a single word.

"Tomorrow," Nadia muttered as she sat beside him.

"What?"

"We’re getting those Tongue Scripts tomorrow, right?"

"As soon as possible," Marek replied.

"I don’t think I can stand another day of this without understanding something."

Marek agreed.

He had spent much of his life studying things he couldn’t immediately understand, but being unable to communicate with practically everyone around him was an entirely different problem. Even the advertisements displayed inside the train were incomprehensible.

Rafe had already started examining the transportation map above the opposite row of seats. Despite not being able to read the station names, he could understand enough of the route symbols to identify several connecting railway lines.

Marek left him to it.

The train accelerated shortly afterward, passing through a covered section of the railway before emerging above the surrounding streets.

That was when he finally obtained a proper view of Courtspire City.

As the train left the station, Marek watched the buildings pass outside his window. Another railway line ran above them, while several vehicles traveled along the roads far below. Even after several minutes, the buildings showed no sign of ending.

There were also numerous parks and public plazas scattered throughout the city, some of which occupied surprisingly large sections of land considering how densely developed everything else appeared.

Marek had expected an advanced civilization, but it was still strange to see how ordinary certain things remained.

People were going to work, buying groceries, taking public transportation, and probably complaining about their salaries. There were even advertisements playing on enormous displays attached to the buildings.

It seemed like becoming part of the Prime Continuum didn’t mean humanity had suddenly developed entirely different habits.

"That’s the Seat of Measure," Rhovan said at some point during their journey.

Marek followed his finger toward an enormous complex rising above the surrounding government districts.

He had already noticed the building earlier. A tall central structure stood between two immense wings, while several smaller buildings occupied the surrounding plazas and gardens. It looked more imposing than the other government buildings he’d seen during their journey.

"So that’s where the House of Libra mainly operates?" Marek turned to Rhovan.

"Among other things, Newton. It’s mainly their constitutional and judicial headquarters," Rhovan replied.

Marek continued observing the complex until their train passed behind another building.

He wondered whether it contained any information about Tomas Vale.

If his father had entered Libra’s territory eleven years ago, there might still be a record of his arrival. Marek had just undergone the registration process himself, so he thought it was worth checking.

"Can we go there tomorrow?" he asked.

Rhovan turned toward him. "Where?"

"The Seat of Measure."

"For what?" Rhovan tilted his head.

"For records. I want to try something."

Rhovan finally understood what he was asking. "Ah... Your father."

Marek nodded.

"We’ll discuss that when we get home. There are a few things we need to arrange before you start submitting requests to government institutions."