Chapter 552: Tourist Guide (1/2)

“So that is one of your towns?” Meadow asked.

Ilea nodded. “I haven’t actually been here before. It’s not that large compared to some of the places I’ve visited.”

“It’s quite impressive. The buildings that is… the walls are… not enchanted?” it asked.

“Probably not, no. Most creatures aren’t quite as high level as that Werewolf. And even that one might not approach the lights and noise of a town,” she said.

“Fascinating… truly,” Meadow said.

“Do you want to go in? Look around?” Ilea asked.

“Is that not too much of a risk? What if we’re discovered? There are powerful humans out there. They may not be as amicable if they find out you are carrying a four mark being,” Meadow said. “Also know that I won’t expand here. My mana would kill most of the humans in my vicinity.”

“Would be exceedingly unlucky to get discovered here, let alone by someone who could actually oppose me,” Ilea said and walked towards the town walls.

They were somewhere in Lys. Probably.

She decided it was safer to just enter, blinking and displacing herself before they both appeared on a dirt road.

A single drunk man in shoddy pants and without a shirt on yelped.

“Greetings,” Ilea said.

He gulped. “Ah… greetinsh, my lady.”

Manners at least, she thought and flung a piece of silver towards him.

“You didn’t lie… this man is level eighteen. How did he survive so long? He looks at least a decade old!” Meadow said.

“He’s at least thirty years old actually. The walls are your answer. Walls and lack of predators in the area I suppose. He wouldn’t go out into the wild without protection or in a large group,” Ilea said. “Many of the monsters around aren’t far above him in level by the way. It’s not just us humans.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you. I hope you understand. It’s just that… I haven’t seen something quite like this,” Meadow said.

Ilea chuckled. “Don’t you worry. I’m quite aware of my species’ limitations. And our potential.”

“Killing Astral spirits… when you started like that? You’re starting to look more and more impressive, Ilea,” Meadow said.

“Don’t flatter me. I’m happy to accept compliments once I’ve bested you in a bout,” she said and entered the local inn, putting Meadow into the pack she summoned.

There were plenty of patrons around, her casual adventurer look not standing out quite as much as she had thought.

Ilea tried identifying the Meadow but failed, the spell unable to pierce the simple fabric.

Good. Wouldn’t want the Lily to find out quite this early.

“Is this… bread? And… some kind of meat? When did you last clean this thing?” the creature asked.

“I… haven’t used it in a while. Shouldn’t be too bad. Stored items don’t spoil, right?” she asked.

“Hmm. Yes. I suppose it could be worse. But a mundane pack instead of spacial storage?” Meadow said.

Ilea ordered two mugs of ale before sitting down near a corner of the room. Most of the large space was lit by oil lamps fastened to the wooden beams and walls.

Most of the patrons looked like farmers or simple townsfolk, two groups more the adventurer type. A single man played lazily on a lute, not singing at the moment.

“There are so many people… what are they drinking?” it asked.

“Ale, whiskey, beer, gin, and a bunch of other beverages. Mostly of an alcoholic nature,” she said.

“Alcoholic?” Meadow asked.

“It’s poisonous to humans. Dulls our senses. Makes you feel warm and fuzzy, or sad and terrible, maybe angry and bold. Depends on who you are, how much you drink, and how you’re doing,” she said.

“Why do they do that?” Meadow asked.

“To have fun. To celebrate. Maybe to forget. Could be they’re addicted, or it’s just the only thing they have that brings a resemblance of joy. I like the taste mostly. But the alcohol itself isn’t working on me anymore,” Ilea explained.

“Fascinating. So many facets and possibilities. Humans are very… cute,” Meadow said.

“Eh. Not sure if I share that opinion. I do think you’re quite cute, to be honest,” Ilea said and thanked the girl who brought her ale, taking a sip and sitting back. She casually rested an arm on the pack next to her.

“I’m flattered. But I like Meadows,” Meadow said.

“You don’t even have reproductive organs, do you?” Ilea asked.

“Way to be insensitive,” Meadow said with a huff.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to tread on you,” Ilea said and patted the backpack.

“I was kidding. Though I do appreciate the sentiment. Remember that I’m a millennia old being. I’ve had plenty of time to think about existence and my place in it,” it said.

“It’s still okay to be insecure or hurt about things. Age alone doesn’t change that,” Ilea said and took another sip.

“Excuse me, miss?” a man clad in decrepit leather armor asked. He was armed with a simple shortsword.

“Hmm?” Ilea asked as she took another sip, glancing at the man.

“We been wonderin… a healer like yerself. Mayhaps you may be lookin for a group to do jobs with?” he asked, sweating by now.

Ilea saw the group of badly equipped adventurers at the table nearby, averting their eyes a little too obviously.

“What’s your name?” Ilea asked.

“Ah… Marry, miss,” he said.

“Sit down Marry. Why don’t you tell me about yourself and the last job you did with those four?” Ilea said.

He looked back at the group, sweating even more. “Ehm, miss. I didn’t mean no offense.”

Ilea looked up at him. “I wasn’t offended. I just asked about you and your last job. To get an idea about what kind of team you are. How would I make a decision to join you otherwise?”

“Are you actually going to join them?” Meadow asked, sounding intrigued and a little confused.

[Warrior – lvl 29]

The man looked young, eighteen maybe. His hairline was already declining. For a warrior his physique wasn’t too impressive but that could be misleading. His eyes were quite striking, a deep brown. Otherwise he wasn’t exactly blessed with beauty.

“Probably not. Because I’m bringing you north. Otherwise. Maybe? They seem like they could use some pointers,” Ilea said.

Marry gingerly sat down, nearly tripping on the chair.

He gulped.

“Well… me and the lads… and Ceril, well. We thought ta take up fightin ourselves… kill some pests and beasts. Hard ta find work round here otherwise. With the war an all,” he explained.

Ilea didn’t interrupt him, just drinking from her ale. She moved on to the second mug.

“Ah right… our last job. We were tasked to search a farm nearby. Boy had come runnin, talkin about monsters. Moles they were… massive ones with teeth this big,” he said and gestured with his hand. “Took us a few hours but we foun em all. Killed the buggers with steel and spells. Maul is good with fire.

“Two of us got injured. Hurt like a cun- like a… really bad. Had ta let it heal for a few days. Me leg hasn’t looked that bad ever… but now tis fine again,” he said and laughed awkwardly.

Is this a local accent? How many different ones have I heard so far? I don’t remember anybody in Lys speaking like this. Hmm… well it’s not for me to question how people talk.

She smiled and put down her mug. “That sounds like an adventure alright.”

He smiled too, the gesture sadly not helping his looks.

“Thanks miss. So whaddaya think? You been around ere long?” he asked.

“I’m just passing through, Marry. I do believe my missions are generally aimed at stronger opponents than moles though. I’m a Shadow after all,” Ilea said with a smile.

He made a surprised quipping noise, staring at her with confusion.

“Tell you what, why don’t you take these and bring them to a smith who can handle them. Maybe get some better weapons as soon as you have the funds to pay for them,” she said and summoned five Niameer steel ingots. Half of her supply.

He made another noise before he looked around nervously.

Most of the patrons hadn’t given them any attention. That didn’t change now.

“I can’t… miss, I can’t pay for that,” he said.

“It’s free. Take it as a gesture from one adventurer to another,” Ilea said. “Thanks for the offer.”

She put down a few copper coins for the ale and vanished to avoid another conversation. Meadow was displaced into her hand again, her pack stored once more.

“You like a mysterious flair,” Meadow said with a giggle.

“I dislike extended conversations with people who think me some kind of monster, hero, or goddess,” she said.

“I feel you,” Meadow said.

“Where did you get That expression from?” she asked.

“A romance novel Michael provided. There were interesting uses of language in that one,” it said.

“Maybe an author that came from my realm,” Ilea wondered, strolling through the town.

“You just became the mysterious stranger to start their story. Funny,” Meadow said.

“Until they realize most smiths around here can’t handle those ingots. Or it gets stolen. Or their party falls apart because they can’t decide what to do with it,” Ilea said.

“I didn’t say a happy story,” Meadow said. “Though I suppose you are a little pessimistic.”

“Reality is often disappointing,” Ilea said.

“Why the deep voice?” Meadow asked.

“Don’t worry about it. Hey maybe you’re right and it actually jump starts their crew. Might hear from them in a decade or two,” she said.

“If you’re continuing like this, you’re not going to be alive to see that,” Meadow said.

“Now you’re the one being pessimistic,” she said. “I can heal pretty much anything.”

“Not overconfidence and death,” Meadow said.

“Not yet,” Ilea corrected.

They both laughed, already reaching the other side of town.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” someone shouted from an open window.