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"Phew. Today's work really was tough, wasn't it?" In the crowded and chaotic alleyways of the old housing blocks by the eastern quadrant of the inner walls, Henry, carrying a small sack of potatoes, dragged his tired body back home.
He had woken up early in the morning to do hard labor at the mines outside the city, working from morning until afternoon before finally getting this month's pay to spend on food and miscellaneous expenses.
Though the foreman at the mine had skimmed off about a third of his pay, the weight of the bag of potatoes in his hands felt substantial. He listened to the clinking of the five silver coins in his left pocket as his weathered face broke into a toothy grin.
"I'll take Vanessa out for a little treat. I even earned an extra silver coin this month," Henry murmured, rubbing his slightly sore shoulders. He had worked harder than usual this month.
Because of the war, the cost of living in the capital had skyrocketed. He used to be able to take his daughter out for a good meal once a month and even allow his wife to see a play, but ever since the war began, inflation had made even basic survival a struggle. No one had spare money for leisure anymore.
Fortunately, the owner of the mine unexpectedly turned out to be a kind man, who gave the workers a pay raise as a result. Their wages were about 50% more than before. By gritting his teeth and enduring the hardship, Henry felt that he could still manage to get by. His wife was also working harder, washing clothes for others to earn extra money. Every time Henry saw her hands soaked white and peeling from the work, his heart ached...
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