Chapter 652: Acquaintances (1/2)

Chapter 652 Acquaintances

Ilea discussed a few more topics with the woman, but nothing else of true importance. They both seemed content with future coexistence and an exchange of knowledge and other resources, though Genesis made it clear that she couldn’t speak for the whole of her Order. Some other Ministers in Virilya alone had spoken out against cooperation with the Sentinels, for very different reasons.

She knew they’d cave in as soon as her organization became well known not for the name of their founder but their own reputation. Shadows and Sentinels, Ilea mused, leaving the temple with a smile. The tea really was quite excellent. She had gotten a pot as a farewell gift, however only after she had proven her own storage item could keep the brew at the required state and temperature. One of Keyla’s meals had convinced the woman. A steep price but perhaps a fair trade for her best chef’s creation.

“In Virilya. Do you have time for a visit?” Ilea sent to Felicia as she stepped out into the large port district.

“For you, always. Will need a few hours. Redleaf Estate,” Felicia sent.

Does that mean I should go there in a few hours? Or now? Ilea wondered. Well, I’m not only here for her. Might as well have a look at their House’s house they took back from Arthur.

She summoned a silver coin and gave it to a nearby beggar. “Any clue where the Redleaf estate is?”

“Thank ye. Very generous, miss healer. Redleafs… hmm… eastern part within the walls I’d say. Don’t know specifics. ‘pologies, miss,” he said.

“Thanks,” Ilea said and left, going back through the large gate and into the city proper. She teleported up the largest nearby building, holding on to a spire with an extending wing as she had a look around. The mark on Felicia suggested the woman was in the central district. Not where I want to be, Ilea thought and jumped off again, her wings preventing damage to the street and her self-confidence.

Mass is a good thing. Trust the millennia old monsters. Humans don’t know anything, she reminded herself, ignoring the glances from passerby people.

Compared to smaller towns and villages it seemed displays like the one she just gave weren’t exactly unheard of. Most of them went on with their business immediately after making sure there was no actual danger to their lives.

She still had her tails, more now than before. “Leave me alone,” she said, whistling with Monster Hunter before she vanished, teleporting a few dozen times before she emerged again in a busy side street. Her eyes closed as she took in the delicious fragrances intermingling with the usual city smells. Jackpot.

A few copper pieces lighter, and several thousand calories richer, she continued on her wandering way through the sprawling capital. And Feyrair is confused how humans can stay within walls. There’s enough to see and do here for a hundred lifetimes.

Street performers sang and juggled, their tricks made more impressive by practiced use of martial skills and magic spells. Bards strung their varied instruments, both advertising nearby shops and simply entertaining.

A jingle resounded when Ilea walked into a leatherworking store. She quickly chose a set of light armor made of dark brown leather lined with thin plates of dull steel. She added a cloak and went to the broad counter.

“That’ll be one gold and fifty eight silver,” the man said after inspecting the wares. “Will you need a pack to carry it all?”

Ilea summoned the coins and made the armor vanish, changing her outfit in the blink of an eye before she pulled the light brown cloak over her head, obscuring some of her features.

The leatherworker grinned and gave her a slight nod. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

Ilea summoned another few pieces of silver and placed them on the counter, nobody else currently in the store. “Can you tell me where the Redleaf estate is located?”

“About two hours walk east I believe. Close to the main eastern road. Between the glass working and eastern alchemy district. They have more than one estate, but I believe their main one was there. Don’t count on this though, I believe the Head of their House has passed away some time ago,” the man explained, not yet reaching for the coin.

“Thank you. Can I count on your discretion?” she asked, pushing the silver towards him.

“Certainly. We have never met,” he said, still with a light grin. “Miss… before you go.”

“Hmm?” Ilea asked, turning back to face him.

“High level healer, black hair, blue eyes, looking for High nobility… you couldn’t possibly be Lilith, could you?” he asked.

“Why would it matter?” Ilea asked.

“I’m merely curious. It would be quite an honor to know Lady Lilith wore the armor I myself have made. The relatives of a good friend of mine were saved by your actions during the siege.” the man explained.

Ilea quickly spread her ashen mantle over the leather armor, only covering half her body before she made the spell recede again to her upper back.

“In… credible… thank you… and good fortune!” the man said.

“To you as well,” she said and left the store, with a better idea of her destination.

Ilea tried some dishes on the way, being vigilant to the folks within her dominion. She wouldn’t really mind having a few of them tailing her but bringing them to Felicia might be a nuisance for the woman.

In the end, her new outfit coupled with some caution prevented any more people from recognizing her. High level healers in Virilya probably weren’t that uncommon with the presence of the Order of Balance.

She found the districts about an hour later, occasionally teleporting to nearby roofs to get a better idea of where she was exactly. Most of the people she asked for more specific directions were rather helpful. Normalcy has definitely returned.

Ilea entered a rather broad street, lined with luscious trees on either side. There was enough space for a carriage to comfortably turn. At the end of the road stood a mansion, parts of it covered in ivy, a tree growing adjacent resting a few branches on the right side of the tiled roof. A grated fence prevented outsiders from entering without climbing or wings, large bushes behind forming a natural wall. All of it seemed somewhat abandoned and decrepit.

Based on the instructions however, Ilea was pretty sure this was the place. Must’ve looked wonderful before the war. And with Arthur still around. I wouldn’t be surprised if Felicia let this place crumble in a deliberate manner.

There was no way to inform anybody inside of her coming, nor would anyone see her waiting outside. And so she simply jumped over the grate, landing in the stone yard where grasses and flowers had started growing through some cracks. Ilea winced when she heard the loud impact resound below her, looking down to find yet another few cracks. Shouldn’t have jumped that high.

The door to the manor burst open, a familiar face walking out, her eyes landing on the sole intruder as magic flowed around her.

“I thought we were done with… Ilea?” Aliana asked. Her brown hair was short and well kept, the woman wearing an apron over a set of gray and red light armor. It looked custom made and not quite like anything Ilea had seen the Lys military use.

“Yes, hi there,” Ilea said and waved lightly. “Sorry about the floor.”

Aliana looked down. “I’m not sure what you… oh no worries. Wait you did that?”

“I’ve gained some weight,” Ilea answered with a slight frown.

The woman grinned. “Wonderful. It’s good that you’re getting fed properly! Now don’t stand there and come in, I’m preparing lunch. And you’re invited.”

“Thank you,” Ilea said with a smile. “I assume you were cooking for Felicia? She knows I’m in the city.”