“That was very delicious”
“It was good.”
“Ah, thank you very much.”
We paid the sixty silvers and left the diner. Our business had gone unexpectedly smoothly, and we had nothing else to do today. So how could we pass the rest of our time… Well, what about a walk to help with digestion?
“Yes. It was more than I expected.”
Daniela said as she patted her stomach. And so we decided to wander around for a while.
Half of the northwest side of the Western District was facilities related to the arena. Hospital, smithy etcetera. Hmm…I had been taken to a hospital in Spiris after hunting that wyvern. That was the first time I saw medical magic. I wonder what attribute it was?
“Hey, Daniela.”
“What, Asagi?”
“You know, medical magic? What attribute is that?”
“Void. Medical magic and lifestyle magic are generally void. That is why there are few people who can use them.”
“Ah, I see. That’s why potions are so important.”
“Exactly. There is even medical magic that allows you to create potions. The power of medical potions is immense. It could even heal my ruined arm.”
“You mean…”
The potion I used after that wind dragon fight.
“That was really a close call. I shudder to think what would have happened without potions.”
“Yeah… So, these medical potions. Are they more vibrant in color?”
“Aye. The fewer impurities they have, the clearer the color. Or so I have heard.”
“Hmmm. In other words, potions made from herbs have fibers and other impurities that potions made with magic don’t have?”
“Something like that.”
I see… Maybe potions made from herbs were bitter because of that as well. Interesting.
“Void… It’s like you can do anything with it.”
“In a way. Perhaps it is the power that allows you to make the most of magic’s potential.”
Well, I suppose it was a cheat that someone else would get. I would continue to improve with ice and water. And ice was pretty cool. I could turn the temperature to below freezing, dulling the enemy’s movements while I used my AGI to go berserk…yes. I still didn’t have much magical energy, but I would be able to do that one day.
Hmm… And what about water? Water…
A water cutter like Schwarz Tempest was good too…yes. But magic that specialized in supporting instead of attacking would also be interesting. Up until now, I’ve only really thought about attack magic.
Speaking of moisture, the ‘gi’ in Asagi was for mist. What about using mist to confuse the enemy? And then I could use Presence Block for maximum effectiveness. I could then use ice statues as decoys and… Ah, are these ideas amazing or what?
“‘Mystic Mist’…yes, yes…”
“Thinking of more embarrassing names?”
“They’re not embarrassing!”
And I would give this some serious thought. If everything goes well, maybe I would have something ready for the Imperial Sword Tournament.
□ □ □ □
As we wandered aimlessly in the Western District, we eventually found ourselves close to the noble part of the city. There was a very high wall surrounding it. We’d probably get arrested if we scaled it…
“Hmm?”
“What?”
“I sense someone on the other side…”
“Ah…you are right.”
I was able to use Presence Detection a lot better now, which included detecting things above us.
Maybe it was because my skill level went up.
We were now checking the other side of the wall. There was someone slightly above us, as faint as it was. While I could see nothing, there was probably a building close by.
“Ah.”
“Oh…”
A part of the wall opened right above us. What a gimmick. And I thought this wall was solid stone… Then a rope started to descend. There was no one else around. Was it a rope to help some in? In that case…
“This is bad. Let’s go, Daniela.”
“Why?”
“I don’t like the smell of this!”
I just knew that someone was going to come down from there. From the town of nobles. Some rich asshole, I bet. I’d rather not get involved with that type.
And so I pulled Daniela away from it before the rope hit the ground. I would not get involved with this!
I let go of her hand when we were back in the main street. Once I had caught my breath, I looked behind me just in case. …Yes, no one had followed us. That was close…
“I know that pattern. Some noble was going to come out and demand that we entertain them.”
“That would be annoying…”
“Right? There is a saying, ‘a wise man keeps away from danger.’ Only an idiot would rush in by themselves.”
“I have heard that one. Some old Hero used to say it.”
Now that we had left that business to someone else, we continued our walk. It was quite a long walk by now. If only we had an actual destination.
“In that case, we can look for your armor, Asagi.”
“Ah, that’s right. I’d forgotten about that.”
It was a good opportunity. While I still had twenty days left, it could take a long time. But then again, Turia from the White Lily had finished it in a week.
“It is too bad that we used all the materials on my clothes.”
“No. There’s no way we’d know that my clothes would get ruined so soon after.”
“If any of the materials we sold in Usk made their way here, you could buy them.”
“I’d feel quite sad if I had to buy materials I sold.”
“It cannot be helped. It is less likely that a wind dragon will conveniently appear.”
Maybe if we were in a comic book. If we were walking around town and I heard someone shout, ‘there’s a wind dragon!’ then I would know that it was the end of the world. As if a dragon would appear in the middle of town.
“Hey, did you hear? The rumors about a dragon in the east mountain.”
“Aye, everyone is talking about it… They say it’s a dragon from south of the continent…”
“Yes-yes. But I haven’t heard what type it is yet…”
“I heard that it was a wind dragon…”
“Really? …Wind dragons are vicious…”
There was no way that my ears were functioning correctly. Still, I spun around and saw people talking as they ate on a terrace.
“It is rare indeed. Dragons don’t usually come around here.”
“Speaking of dragons, have you heard of the attack in Nicora?”
“Yes. And it is quite close… What happened in the end?”
“Someone killed it… Chopped its head off the same day it appeared.”
“Woah… I’m not sure which is the actual monster here…”
Geez. Sorry for being a monster. Wait, nevermind about that. What? A dragon?
“Well, the imperial soldiers will take care of it.”
“But it’s still just a rumor, isn’t it? Will they really take action?”
“Who knows? But it will be the end of that dragon if they do.”
“I suppose… Oh, look at the time. We should go.”
“Ah, wait a minute. I’m almost finished eating…”
Daniela and I looked at each other. It was hard to believe, but where there was smoke, there was fire. And we needed to move before the military in order to find out if it was true.
And so we rushed back to the lodging facility to grab our things. We quickly got changed and then ran towards the guild. After checking the quest board thoroughly, we found a quest called ‘East Mountain Investigation.’ We accepted it and then went to the market district to restock on supplies. The first thing to get was a new tent. Nothing fancy, just something that was practical. I found one that was supported by a single pole, just like I had wanted, and so I bought that. Daniela found another one that was shaped like a dome, and we bought that as well. We could use them depending on the situation.
Then we bought food at street stalls and restaurant takeouts and then left the city before the gates closed.
“Do you think maybe we are rushing things a little…?”
“‘It is good to have shelter against every storm.’ That is what an old Hero once said….”
We caught our breath and continued towards the east mountain. I really hope that it’s there. This wind dragon. Really, things could not have been more convenient for us!