Book 2: Chapter 46 (1/2)

“You know, I told you to get the car so we could use it as transport, right?” Alice asked as she dismounted from the vehicle. It looked exactly like a carriage except it had a metal frame and body. The space at the front where horses should’ve been attached to had also been converted into a trunk.

Tafel snorted as she hopped off the driver’s seat. “I’m not going to ride a flaming deathtrap voluntarily,” she said and shook her head, loosening her hair. “Besides, warping to Anfang’s a lot faster, no? I don’t care how fast this explosive carriage can go; nothing beats teleportation.”

“I guess,” Alice said with a sigh. Her brow furrowed as she took in the surroundings. “This…”

“A festival?” Tafel asked. Banners streamed from Anfang’s walls and sounds of revelry came from beyond the city gates. “Wasn’t there an earthquake recently? It didn’t hit Anfang then.”

“No,” Alice said and shook her head. “The earthquake definitely arrived. I’ve lived here for the past two years. The skyline is different. The adventurers’ guild’s spire is missing, and the church of the holy dragons is completely gone.” She pointed at the city wall. “Look. That crack wasn’t there before, and there’s evidence of repairs. That scaffold hasn’t been removed yet. But why is everyone celebrating?”

Tafel shrugged and tapped the car. It disappeared with a white light, causing Alice to frown. The guild master placed her hands on her hips and asked, “What’s that about?”

“It’s inconvenient to bring around,” Tafel said and dusted her hands together. “I created a space beneath the earth and memorized the coordinates. I put my stuff there and access it with portals.” She waved her hand and a portal appeared. She reached into it and pulled out the red pearl necklace that Vur had won from the fishmen. “See?” Before she could toss the necklace back into the portal, Alice stopped her.

“Wait,” Alice said and adjusted her glasses. “Are those sunset pearls?”

“I don’t know?” Tafel asked, raising an eyebrow. She glanced at the pearls in her palm. They were warming up and turning red due to the sun.

“Let me see,” Alice said, reaching towards the necklace.

Tafel’s hand retreated, pulling the pearls away. “You see with your eyes,” she said and donned the necklace. “Vur gave this to me.”

Alice wrinkled her nose. “Stingy,” she said before glancing at the gate. Two guards with red faces and mugs beside them were laughing and chatting with each other, completely oblivious to the two women standing a feet away from them. Alice slapped her shield, which was strapped to her wrist, with her palm, creating a thunder-like sound. “Hey.”

The guards continued to laugh and chat with each other. Alice’s brow furrowed as she walked up to them and placed her hands on her hips. Even though she was right beneath their noses, they still ignored her. Alice glanced at Tafel who had arrived beside her. “I’m not that short, right?”

“Well, you are, but that doesn’t explain it,” Tafel said. She avoided the dirty look Alice gave her and tapped the guard on the shoulder. The guard flinched and froze before his eyes widened. “Hello?”

The guard’s whipped around to look at Tafel and Alice. “G-guild master! Hello! I didn’t see you there,” he said. His partner was staring blankly at him with a dazed expression, and the guard slapped his partner’s face.

The partner blinked and clutched his red cheek. “G-guild master! Hello! I didn’t see you there,” he said and smiled at Alice.

“What’s wrong with you two,” Alice asked and furrowed her brow. “I could’ve walked in without either of you noticing. And what’s with the noise? And why are you drinking on duty?”

“We’re celebrating Resurrector’s Day,” the guard said with a nod.

“A what day?” Alice asked as Tafel made a strange expression.