The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 7: Can’t Fight Without Money…?

Episode 7: Can’t Fight Without Money…?

When I stepped outside, the evening air greeted me. The town felt peaceful. People’s footsteps were unhurried.

Opening the leather pouch again, I saw one silver coin with a coarse texture, and fifteen dull-glinting copper coins.

It felt like “reality” had come crashing down with a sound.

(So this… is my first reward.)

Now that the post-battle adrenaline had finally settled, I was able to recognize it properly.

Now that I was a commoner, the value of money weighed painfully heavy. This wasn’t about stories or adventures anymore—this was a matter of “survival.”

(First things first—potions. I’ll need them for HP and poison resistance to level up my skills.)

From game knowledge, a basic potion usually cost about one silver coin. A status ailment recovery potion was one silver and fifty copper.

My current biggest goal was to reach the Miasma Plain. It was where I could earn the “Constant Activity” skill. Based on the game, I’d ideally want “Physical Resistance” and “Poison Resistance” at least at Lv.6. Depending on how effective the skills are, maybe I could manage with a bit less.

Either way, both my “Physical Resistance” and “Poison Resistance” were still at Lv.2. Better than nothing, but I still lost HP from attacks. And potions were a must. Preparation had to be a top priority.

(…But again, all this is based on “game” info.)

So far, skill acquisition conditions and monster patterns had lined up with expectations. In combat, my past-life knowledge had certainly helped. But for daily life—prices, economy, market values—that fell into the realm of real life.

(It’s helpful. But taking it all at face value could get me in trouble.)

The world doesn’t bend to a player’s convenience. It can be a compass, yes. But not something to blindly worship. I’m not just a “player” anymore.

(Still…)

—*Thud.* Fatigue dragged my body down.

With the adrenaline gone, exhaustion hit me like a wave. My body felt like lead. And even my eyes throbbed. The tension and excitement from the first quest had all returned now as recoil.

(I need to rest. Before potions, I need to secure a bed.)

As I carried my heavy body forward, the weight of reality pressed harder. Once you’re out of stamina, you’re just a regular “human.” Wanting to fight isn’t enough to survive.

◆

Near the guild, I found an inn and pushed open its door. It creaked, and a warm scent tickled my nose.

Behind the counter on the back wall, an old sword was displayed. Its hilt had an unfamiliar emblem engraved—likely just for decoration.

Behind the counter stood an older woman. She was presumably the innkeeper. Her eyes softened in greeting—but paused briefly on my clothes.

(…I knew it stood out.)

I had wiped it clean, but my outfit was still “noble’s attire”. The former formalwear of a marquess’ heir who had been condemned.

But the innkeeper didn’t say anything. Her face relaxed and she spoke gently.

“Just you, huh… One night’s ten copper. With meals, it’s fourteen. It’s simple here, but our bedding’s properly aired.”

“I’ll take the one with meals, please.”

I almost choked on my words. But her warmth was a relief.

(Even if they notice… as long as they don’t ask, it’s fine.)

In my pouch, I had the one silver coin and fifteen copper coins earned from today’s quest. I could afford tonight’s stay. …But thinking about the days ahead, I knew I’d need more money.

As I pondered that, I was shown to a room. And the moment the door shut behind me, a faint sense of relief wrapped around me.

(…Finally, I can relax.)

It wasn’t large, but it was clean. A bed, a plain desk, and a washstand. Outside the window, a streetlamp cast a gentle glow.

Sitting down, I felt the softness of the bedding seep into me. Just one day’s events already felt so distant.

(I was condemned, went to the guild, registered, took the seminar, did my first quest…)

The gap between the world I was in this morning and now was so huge, it felt like I’d watched someone else’s life.

When I was condemned, I thought I could fight, so I went to the guild. I thought I could fight, so I took the training. I thought I could fight, so I accepted a quest. It had been a day driven by adrenaline.

(But this… this is reality now.)

I shook the pouch. The clinking of silver and copper coins felt oddly vivid. My stomach growled. I was honestly glad I’d chosen the meal plan.

(What should I do…)

After paying for tonight’s stay, I had one silver and one copper coin left.

I needed to decide how to act starting tomorrow. Buying potions would allow me to fight, and level up skills. I could prepare for the Miasma Plain.

But without food or a place to sleep—no joke, I might collapse. With the “Constant Activity” skill, I could push through a bit, but…

(Wanting to fight isn’t enough to survive… how ironic.)

I stared at the silver coin in my hand. Its dull reflection surfaced and erased a stream of choices one after another.

Glancing at my clothes—I’d neglected the thought in all my excitement. A marquess’ formalwear. Crimson embroidery, gold-stitched crest, clearly top-tier tailoring.

(If I sold it, it’d fetch at least ten silvers… but people would just think it was “trouble.” That leaves quests as my only option.)

As for my “Household Management: Lv.2” skill—well, it does exactly what it says: makes managing a household easier. Since I was meant to succeed a marquess, keeping a “house” financially stable was a given.

But obviously, that skill didn’t help earn money. If I had a merchant-related skill, maybe things would be different—

(But my skills are all focused on combat now. That means the only way to earn money is to fight… Fighting to earn money to fight again—it’s getting a little confusing.)

I chuckled to myself, alone.

(I’ll check the quest board and use my “knowledge” to make calculated choices. Fight to fight—but without losing sight of reality.)

Thankfully, the game did have money and a shop system. Even if it was only used once or twice in the story. I also knew some efficient money-making tricks… I’d just have to put those to use.

I’d check the board again tomorrow. Having made up my mind, I stood and quickly wiped my body clean.

In the corner of the room, a bucket of water and a towel had been provided. Pretty standard for an inn catering to adventurers—it helped with basic hygiene.

I removed my dirty clothes and used the cold water to wash my arms, neck, and back. The heated skin cooled and the lingering heat of battle slowly faded.

I changed into linen sleepwear provided by the inn. The fabric was coarse. But it was breathable and not uncomfortable.

(…This should help me blend in a bit more.)

◆

Toward the back of the inn’s first floor was a small dining area. Wooden counters enclosed the space. And in the middle sat a long table where a few groups of adventurers sat eating.

The meal served was a simple soup of meat and vegetables. It was accompanied with slightly hard black bread. That was it—but for someone hungry, it was enough. I silently spooned it into my mouth. Its warmth filled my stomach. It was making reality feel just a little more distant.

As I calmly ate, I started picking up snippets of the adventurers’ conversations.

“New guy got wrecked by rats, big commotion.”

“Seriously, someone always half-asses that quest and crawls back.”

It was noisy. Yet a kind of tension hung in the air—like a forward camp near a battlefield.

—This might become my new home.

Sipping the soup, I gazed up at the ceiling absentmindedly. The price was reasonable. And the room and bedding weren’t bad. I might stay here from now on.

Back at the marquess’ mansion, the dining table was ruled by silverware, candlelight, and silence. Now, I had a wooden spoon and rough bread. And yet, even within this quiet buzz, I felt… alive.

(Note: There’s an Interlude after this chapter that you can buy with coins.)

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