Chapter 263 - Reunion in the Imperial Capital

The Vellefrost Adventurers Guild Headquarters was intimidating and crowded as ever. In most places, Adventurers went in the morning in order to find work on the quest board. But in the capital, it was constantly updated, and so there were always people there to check it.

We made our way through the crowds until we reached the counters. Our destination was ‘Questions & Other.’

“It’s so busy today.”

“I dislike waiting in lines.”

Daniela said with annoyance, but we had to line up if we wanted help. We had no choice.

As for me, I didn’t even think our line was that long. And so I stood at the back and counted the stains on the ceiling as we waited. Unfortunately, they actually cleaned the place, and there were not many stains to count.

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It was what, ten minutes? I barely felt a thing, but Daniela looked like she was tired already. Maybe it was because we had just had lunch. …No, that’s not it. Her stomach had the vastness of space itself.

“Hello. How can I help you?”

“Hello. We’d like to know where we can find a store that sells potions. Specifically, the kind to help us on our journey.”

“Certainly. Let me find you a map.”

They must have been used to these kinds of questions. The guild worker quickly produced such a map and began writing directions on it. Just an easy line. Smart…

“This store here. They have a wide selection of potions.”

“Thank you. This will really help us.”

“My pleasure. Please be careful.”

I accepted the map and thanked the guild worker before leaving. The person behind me immediately stepped forward, and things continued like clock-work.

My eyes dropped to the map. Hmm. It was a little far from the guild. And the route was rather winding. Still, we shouldn’t get lost.

And so we left the guild and started walking. We had a map. It would be easy.

Daniela even took out some meat skewers out of her bracelet for us to enjoy on our stroll. Walking at this leisurely pace allowed you to see new things about sights you thought were familiar. Shops you barely noticed before suddenly proved to be very interesting. What looked like an empty alley would have children running out of it. Further inspection would show that there was a park on the other side.

After the Imperial Sword Tournament, I had been moaning about how it was becoming difficult to live here. But really…I wouldn’t mind staying longer.

“Over here.”

We turned a corner, just as the map instructed. The street here was rather narrow, and the buildings were all two stories high, which made the sky feel darker.

Of course, we weren’t looking at the sky. Further ahead, there would be an even smaller back alley for us to walk through.

Several people passed us by as we walked. Eventually, we came into a place that felt very different from the other busy streets. It felt refreshing and new.

Perhaps it was the general lack of tourists. This was a place mainly filled with citizens and merchants. It was like when you go to a big city for amusement purposes but make a wrong turn and suddenly end up in a residential district.

“Fresh vegetables!”

Huh, seemed like a good time to buy some… I just couldn’t trust Daniela in this one department.

“Hello. I’d like to buy some vegetables.”

“Ah! Not many youngsters like you care to buy them! But you know, eating only meat at such a young age will turn you into a savage! You need vegetables to help calm your spirit!”

I smiled thinly as he began to sermonize. Then I looked at what he was selling. Of course, they didn’t use chemicals in this world. At most, they would mix red pepper in water and use that. And so the vegetables were all organic and delicious.

I could feel Daniela glaring behind me as I selected a few and paid for them with silver.

“Thank you.”

“Aye! Come back any time!”

That was not likely, but I did hope that business would be good for him.

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“You do know that I already bought vegetables?”

“Oh? Let’s see them then.”

“The bracelet is acting strangely…”

Daniela muttered as she tapped it. I would have to be responsible for food next time.

Well, I really had no one to blame but myself…

“Hmph. Eating so much vegetables will only make you weak.”

“You can’t travel while only eating meat. It’s called balance, Daniela.”

“Hmph.”

Perhaps it didn’t affect her as much. After all, she could eat a mountain of meat. But it paid to be safe.

“I want you to stay healthy. A balanced diet is important for a long life.”

“…Hahh… If you are going to say that, then I have no choice but to yield.”

It’s not like she was incapable of eating it. We used to eat both every night during our travels. And she would always drink the soup and even ask for more. It was only when we came here that her obsession with meat went out of control… I had to get her back on the right path, or we didn’t have any hope of surviving this dungeon.

And so my mind was full of ideas regarding Daniela’s nutritional education in the future as we continued walking. However, Daniela stopped after a few steps.

“Hmm? What is it?”

“There.”

Daniela pointed at one of the stores. I braced myself and looked, but it turned out to be an ordinary shop and not a pile of meat. Why was she pointing at it?

Then I realized it wasn’t the shop, but the person standing in front of it.

“Oh…that’s…”

“It is Aeneus.”

The Adventurer who fought with a trident. We had met him in Yukka. I remember him saying something about entering the tournament. But I didn’t see him at all.

“Hey, Aeneus.”

“Hm? Ah, it’s you. Been a while.”

He was always so calm. It was a bit of a relief to see that nothing had changed.

“What an odd place to find you.”

“Really? I thought we told each other that we’d be entering the tournament.”

“Haha. Oh, I decided not to, once I knew you were going to fight.”

What the hell…

“And not only that, but Bandi was going to be there too. Yes, I turned right around and took a spectator’s seat.”

“Huh? You know Bandi?”

I was a little surprised to hear that name from him.

“No, we’re not acquainted. But she is very famous. At least, among us who wield spears.”

“I see.”

Both of them were experts in that area. I suppose she was famous among this network of spear-wielders then. You would think that would make you want to fight her even more, but Aeneus might have been the type of person who preferred to watch.

“I was watching your fight too. Aye, then I was really glad that I didn’t bother.”

“I’m not sure how I should feel about that…”

Aeneus sounded rather cheerful. Well, it was his decision, so there was no point in arguing with him.

We chatted a little after that, but the store owner started coughing in our direction, and so we left. Daniela had really only greeted Aeneus in the beginning and then wandered off to some shopping.

“Well, I better get going then. Maybe we’ll meet somewhere else.”

“I’m sure we will. And when that time comes, I’ll be as famous is Bandi.”

“Of course, you will. You’ve got that great spear, after all.”

“I hope so… See, you Asagi. You too, Daniela.”

“Yeah, be safe!”

“Farewell.”

Aeneus waved at us as we left. Daniela waved her stick in the air. I knew he was coming to the city, but hadn’t expected to meet him here…

“Let’s go.”

“Aye.”

We had some potions to buy. I was sure that there were wonderful selections waiting for us on those shelves. I couldn’t wait to see them.