No further events or flags were triggered over the next few days. Sparky carried us as fast as possible without compromising the integrity of the cart. Saving monster hunting for another time, my Grave Shadows swept across a variety of vaguely familiar creatures.

Such variety in fauna truly piqued one’s curiosity, but we’d gone without a short term quest long enough. Tagalong Girl would surely experience some sort of development if only we found someone we could help. I hoped that upon reaching a population center I could rustle something up. Derriad felt like it favored mercenary-type stories, but if things were handled correctly I could twist things to Tagalong Girl’s benefit.

I tried keeping her occupied with minor things such as juggling, and flexibility and balance exercises. Despite throwing herself into them with needless vigor, her disappointment was apparent. She valued straightforward combat lessons too much, which was in part why I wanted to put them on hold for a while.

Speaking from experience, the way I taught others to fight exacerbated aggressive tendencies; it was easier to lead your opponent if you were proactive after all. This was reality for Tagalong Girl, so the assumption might not hold, but it was better to be cautious. While ultimately I couldn't dictate the kind of person she’d grow into, I wouldn't stop trying to keep her from becoming a bloodlusted battle junkie.

Not that she seemed quite so sociopathic, but without great care for the wellbeing of others and holding a passion for becoming stronger...well it wasn’t the type that would deny sacrificing others for power if the right flags were tripped.

As the grasslands around us turned to fields, I felt hopeful as we returned civilized land. On the outskirts of where city patrols would reach, I stopped the cart for a moment to cover Ria’s face. The vibrant orange of her skin remained eye catching, but it was more natural than red. While weather had yet to cool significantly, Ria seemed content under her layers. Other than looking like a sack of cloth, she didn't stand out much.

“I doubt the first settlement we run into will have the information we need. According to Castor we should head north for Medea, but we may find a boat south faster if we head east towards the river. I’ll ask around about the size of the port before making our decision, *Tagalong Girl* you’ll be guarding Ria while I poke around. Don't be too eager to poke at people yourself; exhibit caution, not paranoia.” I withdrew her spear and set it on the floor. “Ria, you pay attention too. Hey, I know you’re awake, listen up. We’ll probably need to stay in town a few days to browse through whatever archives or find a decent cartographer. You need to work on being more active again and holding proper conversations.”

“Kay.”

“Don't just say ‘kay, you’re going to be cured, and you don't want all this time to just be lost. Even if you lack energy, make some effort.” Ria shifted herself into a mostly-upright sitting position. Knowing she could do more I sighed— if only she could siphon off some of Tagalong Girl’s dedication.

With neither of them asking any questions, I hopped back into the driver’s seat and set us on course again. In half an hour, the buildings of a small town came into view. More buildings than could be seen at once, along fairly maintained roads, it was a touch larger than I anticipated. There was even a proper watchman at the gate.

Well, there was a watchman at the gate.

His presence suddenly had me scanning what I could see of the city. Due to an overabundance of wooden structures I hadn't taken note at first, but there seemed to be a palisade being built to the south side of town and quickly erected barriers between the streets it had yet to cover. A team of half a dozen could be seen digging and shaping logs. Not a huge effort by numbers, their fervent work was most ominous.

The watchman didn't care one whit about our approach, so I slowed down near him of my own accord.

“Excuse me, but we’re arriving from Glaucen. For what reason are those barriers being set up?”

“Hopefully you’re still heading north. Beasts are getting unusually aggressive out in these parts, and there’ve been sightings of goblins recently. Doubt it’ll lead to much, but The Severed Fangs recently left the region, so people are on edge.” Shrugging at the thought, he didn’t seem particularly concerned.

“Thank you for the heads up.” Continuing into town, my legs giddily bounced up and down. An influx of monsters and a goblin incursion? There had to be a quest hiding nearby, and one without any need for considering moral repercussions! Travelling to find an inn, moving slowly to not hit any pedestrians, I scoured the premise for a hint of a plot hook.

Taking into consideration the number of farmers still out in the field, the streets seemed too populated. Storefronts didn’t appear crowded, and other than stalls serving food, many seemed quite idle. Looking closer, most seemed to be loitering about carrying more baggage than a day trip would suggest. As my cart rolled by, resignation amongst the faces became more apparent.

It didn’t seem to be civil unrest caused by nearby danger; they looked too well prepared to be refugees from a destroyed town. Ranging from singles to family units, those affected covered quite the spectrum. Given their transient appearance, I figured I could learn more at a tavern. It seemed like we’d be booking a room.

Following better maintained streets, I spotted several stables searching for inns nearby. Since I had an abundance of wealth, I didn't want to risk the cart being stolen and looked for somewhere upscale. Due to the grittiness of Derriad that was a relative term, but I nevertheless found an inn that hardly looked sketchy at all.

“I’ll see if they have rooms and associated stables, back in a flash.” Quickly hopping out, I didn't wish to leave my cart in the street to long. Strange how no isekai focused on the possibility of getting parking tickets.

Actually that isn't strange at all, is it.

Hurrying inside, the church seemed developed and greedy enough that parking tickets might exist. Inside there were at least a dozen folk, not enough to make the place feel cramped, but there were only a few tables empty at the moment. My eyes immediately caught sight of two men in vestments; suggesting they were no more than Disciples. I’d have to remind Tagalong Girl to play it cool.

“What are you looking for?” The man behind the counter noticed my approach and was more comfortable at speaking at a longer range than I.

“Do you have an open room and a place for a horse and cart? It’s best if the room has a few beds, but any will do. I’m mostly interested in keeping my vehicle safe.”

“Miss the Randall-Varren? They left weeks ago.” Inferring something so totally wrong, I was glad he closed his eyes and shook his head so I didn't need to conceal my confusion. “Well, it’s good for me. I’ve a double bed room left, and the stables have plenty of space. At least you aren't making your wife walk. 20 cupra for both.” Making plenty of assumptions on his own, the innkeeper called for a young teen from the back after I put the coins on the counter.

“Soren, man’s got a cart to take to the stables. Bring in your wife and kid while I go get the keys.”

“Sister-in-law…” I halfheartedly interjected our intended cover story towards the innkeepers back, but it didn't matter to him. Instead I turned to Soren to ‘set the record straight’. “Technically it’s my fiancée and her younger sister, since we haven't had a wedding in any formal capacity. Your, uh, employer really just goes with what he believes, do I really look that old? I guess since I never mentioned her age…” Rubbing the back of my head and straightening my ponytail, I basically ensured the child wasn't going to be asking me questions.

“Give us a moment, Rea hasn't been feeling well, so she needs some help. Lucy, why don't you pick up our things to take inside.” Getting in from the back of the cart, I stepped on the spear while kneeling down to help Ria up. “Don’t carry it like you know how to use it. Just have them think you're carrying it for me.

“Now darling, see if you can take a few steps.”

“Don’t let m’fall.” Practically holding her up, I suppressed a sigh as she wobbled forward on her own. I may not have been a doctor, but I could still tell her legs weren't actually undergoing muscle atrophy. Her trouble walking came entirely from a tired mental state and her lack of practice.

“*Hai, hai.*” Jumping off the back of the cart first, I lifted her down to save time. Tagalong Girl followed shortly behind with an overstuffed pack and spear in her hands. “On second thought Lucy, hand me some of those things and help support your sister. She needs to keep practicing her walking, not just be carried around everywhere.” I realized the younger girl might not like it, but the height difference between myself and Ria made simply supporting her a little strange.

With the two of us flanking her, she partly stumbled and was partly dragged forward with an arm around Tagalong Girl and her other side held up by me. The description is more awkward than it looked, but is a fairly accurate representation of how it felt keeping pace with a tiny person who can’t walk well.

Eyes started to attach to us even though it didn’t take long to cross the room. There wasn’t much malice and the Disciples payed us no mind, however there were a few enduring gazes. The innkeeper of assumptions didn't let us move out of sight easily either.

“Hmm, would have been better to just stay where you were. Elves may be a menace, but they aren't that much of a danger.”

“Eh?” I tilted my head. I was starting to piece together my story from his perspective.

“You know, you're not the first ones to leave. For years people have been trying to get away from the elves, thinking they're up to something. But nothing ever does. It looks like you have money, why not try settling down here? I can give you a good rate on a room while you look for a place.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I think we’ll keep traveling. I may not look like much, but I am an alchemist. This place just isn't very suitable for my work.”

“If you say.” The innkeeper was a little too transparent in trying to secure us as long term guests. He handed over the key to our room. “Second floor, second from the end on the left.”

Nodding in acknowledgment and thanks, we headed to our room. Handing the keys over to Tagalong Girl, I hoisted Ria over my shoulder. As nice as the inn was, the stairs were too narrow to help her up. Tagalong Girl handled her spear deftly enough that she didn't hit anything, though the halls were still clearly too small for standard usage. It wouldn't come up much on the open road, but no doubt she was already wondering how to adapt in case she found herself in the situation.

As Tagalong Girl unlocked the door to our room I let out a gasp. Double checking the contents of my Inventory, it was still there.

“You're in charge of the room key. Don't forget to return it.” It was a little late to do anything about it, but I realized I still had the key to the Bloody Goblin Ear. Reviewing the contents of Inventory was a mental action, there wasn't an itemized list on a HUD. Come to think of it there were quite a few other random things I'd picked up, like that unidentified barrel. Since looting the goblin hoard Inventory was at max capacity, I should try going through things at some point.

That would need to happen later, maybe later tonight. At the moment I needed to go collect information on how to get to Braan quickly and where to find some quests.

“Are you going to be fine looking after Rea while I go out? Hmm, I feel like I should get you something while I’m out, but you’re going to say there’s nothing you want, aren't you?”

Setting Ria down on one of the beds, I wanted Tagalong Girl to stay. Not particularly worried, I still had the feeling I should hedge my bets. Events in this world happened erratically, and I didn't want a simple oversight to trip me up.

“A book.” My hand on the door to leave, I straightened up a little in surprise. “Something about history.”

“A book? Alrighty then.” Glad to hear her voice a desire, I waited for the sound of the deadbolt to click before heading out.