During my trip back, I don’t use the hardening spell. That stuff is sealed off for true emergencies for now, given how much random damage it has caused. It’s constantly put in my mind, by the small craters on my way back. They suddenly stop, then resume becoming way worse, surely from when I went all out testing this new technique. I shudder to think what would happen if I used it in the middle of the city.

It seems to take a lot longer making it back, even if my comrades should have shortened the distance by walking. If getting to the city took around twelve hours, and though I should be close, I am still not back after eighteen, so I am still happy to have discovered it, if I should need to get somewhere fast. Ah, as I am once again reminded of the damage, I fear Patir’s scolding. Am I really this childish?

Once I spot the three people, I can see Yasia being heavily supported by Kassa. Both Yasia and Patir look horrible, while Kassa looks relatively fine. Why people can’t simply enjoy the advantages of the Silvestri is beyond me.

“Thank god you’re back.” Patir exclaims as he sits down in the middle of the road. I start unpacking, locating water and meat for the assuredly hungry people.

“What the hell happened to you?” Patir asks me.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re completely covered in dirt!” Oh, right, now that I check, I am indeed. Stuff like that is hard to spot with my read-sight and I just didn’t really notice. Was it from my crash? Is that why the merchant thought I was poor?

“But why only your clothes?” is asked of me. Shit. My made-up power has no explanation for this, while my actual gift does seem to have some sort of auto-cleaning function.

“Right, I fell and got dirty… Cleaned it off with some water I bought.” Patir frowns.

“I have noticed you’re a bit of a clean freak, but to waste precious resources in this situation…” He complains. I must appear to be obsessed with cleanliness due to my power.

“Cleanliness is attractive in a man…” Yasia once again tries to defend me, but Patir has had enough as he clears his mouth of salted meat.

“You’d defend Yian in any situation… And that makes what you think irrelevant.” Her heart visibly sinks at the criticism.

“I am just glad Yian can carry Yasia now!” Seems Yasia has had trouble keeping up with the more seasoned people here.

“Me too!” Yasia regains her vigor for that single comment, before flushing a little and lowering her head once again.

“Anyway, how far is the city?”

“Should be around… 10 days? If my conversion is correct.” Patir frowns as he chews the cheap provisions. “You may have to go for another supply run, then. I can’t believe we left so ill-prepared…” He seems to be thinking of something.

“By the way, is that your doing?” He points to one of the craters. I feel my head sink.

“Right, I was testing out a new method of running, and though it was faster, it appears to also be quite destructive.”

“Well, it’s always important to test things out.” He muses it over. Apparently he is not angry.

The next ten days are frightfully boring. It reminds me of when I travelled with the caravan to the capital, really, travelling at normal human pace is agonizing when you can go so much faster alone.

It also takes a heavy toll on the people. Though she tried to conceal it, it quickly became obvious Yasia’s feet had blisters, and soon Patir too. I ended up carrying both of them in a weird arrangement, where I hold Yasia in my arms, while Patir hangs off me, clinging to my back. It actually made us speed up a little, though.

Kassa had a much easier time than my human companions. Though she often appeared exhausted by days end, she was fully capable of keeping a good pace throughout the entire day and still have a little energy to horse around, often playing with cape as we camp. She really likes that thing.

I remembered not to eat, and we didn’t cook in order to conserve supplies, much to Yasia’s dismay, as her only function was stripped from her and she honestly appeared troubled about being a burden on our travelling group. But thanks to these supply-saving efforts, and the fact that Yasia and Patir were spared the physical exhaustion that made them eat more, I didn’t need to go for another trip. And finally, the city appeared, gradually becoming less and less concealed by the fog as we approach.

Kassa dons the robe and we approach the gate. The gatekeeper is the same person as before, still sleeping on the job. I was about to wake him but Patir stopped me.

“If you’re dealing with people sleeping on the job, you can always just lie and say they gave their consent.” He whispers to me. “People often don’t remember an episode if they awake, only to fall asleep again soon after.” How devious.

And so we trot into the city without alerting the guard. It makes me feel a little guilty.

“Now, you explained they don’t like asti, eh? Guess they have their own currency… Our first order of business should be finding a place to exchange them, then.” Patir muses.

“Right, do we just ask somebody, or?” I ask.

“No, first is getting an idea of how much the local currency is worth. Otherwise, we will easily be ripped off. We go the market, that should give us a rough idea if we compare prices to what it should be in asti.” He explains. And thus, we set off towards the market..