The hotel gradually became lively. Miners and blacksmiths who had been busy all day walked in in groups, chatting loudly about their day's experiences or what they had to do after returning home in the evening. The maids ran around in front of each other.
Delivering food and a large glass of ale, occasionally being teased by a drunk man, and then watching his wife - sitting next to him, wearing the same miner's outfit - grab a hard mining hat and smash it hard
On that drunkard's head.
Bell grabbed a whole pig leg and chewed it until his mouth was full of oil. He didn't even think about talking. Lily sat opposite him and broke the bread into bite-sized pieces with her hands. Alphonse looked around, seeming to be interested in everyone.
They were all very interested. Yuffie stayed in the corner of the hotel, quietly flipping through a thick book with a black cover.
Lily didn't mind sleeping outdoors for a long time, but it was always nice to have a peaceful rest and eat some delicious food occasionally. The master gave her fifty imperial silver coins, saying that they were the reward for the last commission. The money was worth it.
The previous craftsman's income for more than half a year was enough for them not to worry about travel expenses in a short period of time.
She scooped up the stewed meat with a spoon and slowly brought it into her mouth. She used her entire mouth to feel the softness of the meat and the deliciousness of the soup. She felt the warmth brought by the food entering her stomach and exhaled with satisfaction. Finally, she picked up the stew and took it into her mouth.
Bread, dip it in the remaining soup and stuff it into your mouth.
She put down the tableware and looked around boredly. She saw a black boy about fourteen or fifteen years old hurried past her and walked towards Yuffie in the corner. She pricked up her ears warily.
"Sister, are you a witch?" The boy's voice was not loud, and Lily could barely hear it clearly until she concentrated.
Yuffie raised her head from the book, looked at the boy, and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. "Yes." She replied easily.
Lily was not the only one who heard their conversation. Some people turned their heads and looked at the girl curiously. Unlike the traveling priests who can be seen everywhere, wizards prefer to stay at home and study magic. They usually live in their employer's mansion - or
They set up their own laboratory nearby. Commoners often only see them at celebrations.
What the hell is she doing? Didn't she agree to hide her identity? Lily stood up angrily, just in time to hear the boy ask the next question.
"Sister is an 'adventurer', you can take me with you!" As if to show off, the young man pulled out a dagger from his waist and flipped it skillfully between his fingers, "Did you see it? I'm very powerful!"
It's just a joke. What does this little guy think the mercenary group is, a juggler? Lily strode over, intending to 'teach' him a lesson. But a whisper sounded in her ears, causing her outstretched hand to stop in mid-air.
.
"Don't worry, trust me. Aren't you a little bored recently?" It was the voice of the girl who was walking with her. Lily turned her head and found that she was the only one who heard this sentence.
Well, wizards like to play this trick, so let her see what Yuffie had in mind. Lily shrugged, grabbed a stool, and paid careful attention to every move of the two of them.
Yuffie closed the book in her hand. "What's your name?" she asked.
"Ed Harris! He is fifteen years old and can already be hired!" the boy replied loudly, his cheeks red with excitement.
"Where are your parents? Are they in this town?"
"Well... my mother passed away three years ago, and my father is the mayor here!" The young man suddenly remembered something, and lowered his voice with a sad face, "Can I keep it a secret from my father? He won't allow me to leave home and take risks.
.He always thinks I’m still a child!”
In fact, you are just a child, Lily muttered to herself, completely ignoring the fact that she was not much older than Ed.
Yuffie raised her hand and gently placed it on Ed's shoulder. Lily keenly noticed that her lips moved slightly.
"No problem, we will leave early tomorrow morning. You can wait for us at the entrance of the town in advance." She opened the book on her lap and lowered her head. "We won't wait if it's late."
The young man nodded vigorously, got up and ran away.
…
Lily originally thought that taking an overconfident young man on the road was a fool's errand. But what happened next overturned her perception once again.
Not long after she went to bed, an old man with gray hair knocked on the door, claiming that the mayor had something urgent to ask of him. After being invited, she and Yuffie heard the incredible request in the still stuffy blacksmith shop.
.
"What did you say——?" Lily's eyes widened and she asked in disbelief, "Who came up with such a stupid idea!?"
"It's me." The man who answered was about forty years old. His black shorts were close to his scalp, and there was not a single wrinkle on his face. He was nearly two meters tall, wearing a loose linen vest on his upper body, and his exposed arms were covered with pimples.
Strong muscles. "I need you to help me with this."
"So you've been under a spell? Or is your brain filled with muscles!?" Lily was furious, "Let the townspeople pretend to be robbers to intercept your son?" She pressed her fist hard.
They hit each other and made a crisp sound. "Aren't you afraid that we will really kill those idiots!?"
"...please help me." Buffalo Harris bowed to Lily, making her at a loss. "My child is not doing his job, he is idle all day long, and just wants to go out for adventure. I must let him understand that he has no business at all.
I don’t have that ability…”
He really didn't have that ability, and Lily felt depressed for a while. But this was too ridiculous! She grabbed her light brown shorts hard, paced back and forth impatiently, mumbling meaninglessly. Leonos was on top
, if she could give this stubborn man a beating to calm him down——
She turned around suddenly and stared at the black girl who had been standing by the door silently since she walked in.
"Ah, ah, I'm so annoyed! What do you think, especially... do you have any ideas, Elena?"
The girl was silent for a while. Lily stared at her, trying to guess what she was thinking, but to no avail.
The blacksmith shop became quiet, and the unburned charcoal fire reflected red light and crackled occasionally. Yuffie raised her head, tucked the soft black hair behind her ears, and looked at Lily with a smile.
Lily shivered inexplicably.
"I think Mr. Harris's idea is very good." She nodded as if she really agreed, "Just follow what he said?"
"Huh? Very good..." Lily hugged her head and wailed. She didn't believe even a word of what Yuffie said, but she couldn't refute him. Her intuition told her that the girl seemed to have some ideas, as a servant
As a comrade in the Corps, she'd better not try to undermine the other party.
"Can I meet some of the 'robber' gentlemen?" Yuffie's voice continued from beside her, "In order to avoid accidents, some details need to be carefully discussed."
Lily waved her hands in dejection, glared at everyone around her, and kicked open the door. "Let's go back to sleep! I'll leave the rest to you, Elena!"
That’s why I don’t like wizards! She murmured in her heart. I don’t care what Yuffie’s plans are. If that little guy causes any trouble, I will sell him to the Guild. With his size, he can probably earn two,
Three imperial gold coins? Comparable to the 'travel expenses' the master gave her——
She used these messy thoughts to drive away her slight dissatisfaction with Yuffie.
"There's really nothing we can do." She muttered to herself and threw herself on the bed. "If we have a nightmare tonight, let her be responsible tomorrow!"