Author's note:

Hi everyone!

This is a special Sunday release to celebrate the story's first two ratings and reviews! Unfortunately, I'm not going to do this for all reviews I receive (laughs). But seeing reviews and comments really fuel my motivation to write so please keep them coming!

The scheduled release tomorrow will happen as well. Please enjoy!

The item shop that Andric brought her to was slightly away from the main street. He explained to her that when he went to the Guild, the lady at the counter had recommended this shop to him for Adventurer supplies.

Now that he mentioned, she was quite curious about the Guild that he was part of. The system of people picking up requests was quite interesting and something not done in Lauritopia. She should try and see if she can get more information from him about it later, she told herself.

When they entered the two storey stone building, she saw waist high display cabinets showcasing items. As she peered curiously into them, she found that apart from having the usual adventuring gears like tents and fire starters, the shop was also selling magic items like a device that could condense water from the air so the Adventurer would not run out of water during travels.

Andric could tell that she was really interested, so he did not hurry her. Once she had finished looking around, he brought her to the counter, where an elderly gentleman with snow white hair was seated at. He was dressed smartly with a white, long sleeved shirt, black vest and brown tailored pants. He looked up from the device he was tinkering with when he heard their footsteps approaching.

Peering at them over the small glasses perched on his nose, he asked, “Good afternoon. What may I do for you?”

“Good afternoon, sir. Do you have any map that shows the way to Lauritopia?” Andric asked politely.

“Lauritopia?” The elderly man asked with a raised eyebrow. “Are the both of you planning on travelling there?” His peridot eyes ran over the two youngsters in front of him.

“Yes,” Elise quickly answered.

“The young lady here wish to go to Lauritopia? Are you one of those youngsters who believe that it is a paradise?” His attitude immediately turned cold.

Elise tilted her head. “A paradise?”

“This is the rumour that is travelling around nowadays isn’t it? That the mysterious continent is a beautiful place with no conflict or poverty.” The elderly man scoffed. “If you have any of such thoughts, then give it up. I have been there myself. That place is riddled with monsters of Rank A and above. If anyone takes a step outside of the safe areas, they are going to be monster food!”

“A weak young girl like you will just get killed if you go to such a place,” he finished solemnly.

Andric was surprised at the elderly man’s sudden change in tone. He glanced at the girl standing beside him and saw that her fists were balled up and shaking slightly. Before he was able to say something to soften the atmosphere, Elise opened her mouth.

The next words that she said surprised not only him, but also the elderly man.

“Even if it is true that Lauritopia is a place filled with strong monsters, I am sure that there are people who are working hard to protect the citizens from them.”

As she was part of the vanguard who would regularly exterminate monsters who were threatening citizens, she understand the feelings of the soldiers the most. Even though they were all afraid of dying, they still faced wave after wave of monsters bravely. Their only driving force was the fact that their families and friends counted on them to prevent monsters from attacking villages and towns. Because of that, they have faced death on the battlefield many times.

“As to whether I am able to survive in such a place, I will only know once I reach that place.”

Deep in her heart, she knew that if she were to return to Lauritopia in this body, she will not be return to the frontline. The mana in her current body was probably less than one tenth of what she had originally. With this, she might even be weaker than the average citizen in the country.

Despite that, she did not wish to give up. She will return back first, and as of what happens after that, whether she can return to her body or not, she will think about it again later.

Upon hearing her words, the elderly man sat back into his chair and looked at her with gentler eyes. It seems like he might have been wrong about the girl. Contrary to her appearance, she had a will that was tough.

“If that is your conviction, then I will be glad to assist you with your request,” he said finally. “So you were saying you want to go to Lauritopia?”

“Yes,” Andric replied with a nod. “Do you have a map that shows the way there?”

“Well, the only way to enter Lauritopia is via the magic circle at the Holy Kingdom of Thristal. I do have a map that leads to the Holy Kingdom, but it is going to take around three months if you are going by horse.”

Three months? Elise’s heart sank when she heard that. It was much longer than what she had expected.

Looking at her downcast face, the elderly man elaborated, “If you are in a hurry, you can take the new airship that travels between the capital of Perenia and the capital of the Holy Kingdom. It will only take around a week.”

Elise’s eyes sparkled immediately… Before his next words threw her back into confusion.

“However.” Holding up all his fingers, he said, “One trip costs 10 Gold coins.”

“10 Gold coins!”

“10 Gold coins?”

One person’s reply was shocked, while the other was questioning.

How much is 10 Gold coins worth? She already have one, but how can she get nine more? Elise was anxious, but she battled with her inner self not to ask how much 1 Gold coin was worth and risk others’ suspicion.

“But when did an airship route start between Perenia and the Holy Kingdom?” Andric furrowed his brows.

Airships were a relatively new invention. As it's name suggests, it was a kind of transportation that could fly through the air. It was powered by magic crystals, a very expensive fuel, hence only the very rich were able to afford it. Even then, it was mainly for personal use by nobles. He had yet to hear about an airship that was open to commoners.

“It just started 2 months ago,” the elderly man answered. “And it will not be strange for you not to know as it is still very unpopular. Most people will still prefer to take the route over land instead of spending one year of their living expenses on that. So right now, apart from people taking it for the novelty factor, nobody in the right mind will use it just for travelling.”

So 10 Gold coins is worth a year of living expenses. Elise furrowed her brows. If she is unable to find a way to earn money quickly, then she might have no choice but travel over land instead.

She massaged her throbbing temples. Why does it feel like another problem will always come after she thought one was solved?

“Are you okay?” Andric asked when he saw that she was rubbing her temples. As the lighting in the store was relatively dim, it was difficult to see the colour of her face clearly, but he could see the slight frown on her face.

Still rubbing her temples, Elise shook her head. “I’m okay. Just a little tired.”

She had made sure to sleep early last night so that she would have sufficient rest. She was still feeling alright earlier, but now she felt restless and unenergetic.

It must be all the bad news one after another...

Unconsciously, she pulled her cloak tighter around herself again. Why was she getting chills even though it was a warm summer day? Elise wondered absentmindedly.

Having noticed her strange behaviour, the elderly man asked in a concerned voice, “Young lady, your face does not look good. Are you ill?”

“Eh?”

Andric’s eyes widened as he realised what was off about her. Gently but firmly, he turned Elise’s shoulders towards himself before he placed his palm on her forehead.

His face darkened. “You are running a fever. Why didn't you tell me you are sick?”

I didn't even know I was sick, Elise wanted to retort. She had not fallen sick for a long time so she thought that it was just fatigue.

“If that's the case, I will just need to take medicine right?” She asked uncertainly.

Andric could feel his patience coming to an end. What did she mean by ‘just need to take medicine’? Did she lose her common sense together with her memories?

“We will need to get you to see a doctor, and you will need to stay in bed until you fully recover,” he said sternly to Elise. Then, in a softer voice, he continued, “It must be due to exhaustion from all the travelling and fighting. I’m sorry for not letting you rest more.”

Elise furrowed her brows. “Why are you apologising? It is not your fault I’m sick. If someone have to be blamed, then it will be because of this body.”

Turning to the elderly man, Andric asked in an apologetic tone, “Sorry for the trouble, but could you let me know where the doctor is?”

The elderly man gave a sympathetic smile and suggested, “Why don't you bring the young lady back to where you're staying to rest first, while I go and look for the doctor?”

“No, I'm al-” Before Elise could finish her words, Andric covered her mouth with his palm and said gratefully, “That would help a lot.”

Elise glared at him. Ignoring her furious gaze, Andric bent his knees slightly and put an arm around her back and the other arm around the bend of her knees. In a smooth movement, he lifted her up.

Elise felt her feet leaving the ground and instinctively held on to him.

T-This is! She was currently being carried like a child!

“What are you doing!”

“We are currently staying at Sunworth Days Inn. Do you know where it is?” Andric ignored the girl in his arms, and asked the elderly man.

The elderly man only looked amused and nodded. “I'll bring the doctor over shortly.”

“Thank you. Just let the innkeeper know that you are looking for Andric Kennings later.” Not wasting any time, he turned around and quickly walked out of the store.

As they walked down the street, they attracted some strange looks, but Andric was unperturbed and continued at the same pace.

On the other hand, Elise was not okay at all.

She struggled to get out of his grasps, but her efforts were in vain as the muscular arms continued to hold her prisoner.

Gritting her teeth, she said with a controlled tone, “Andric. Put. Me. Down.”

“No. If you walk, your fever will worsen,” he rejected calmly.

“I just feel a little cold and tired. I can still walk,” she insisted.

“This way is faster. Just lie still.”

She had to admit that it was faster this way, but that was not the main point!

“It is embarrassing. Please put me down,” Elise repeated in a lowered voice. Her face was burning from all the curious looks from the passer-bys. Much to her chagrin, some of the ladies were even looking in their direction enviously.

“If you feel embarrassed, you might want to hide your face,” Andric suggested as he tried to stifle a laugh. He knew that his action was embarrassing as well, but he was doing it on purpose so that the girl lying in his arms would learn not to behave so recklessly.

“Urgh, you…” Elise didn’t know what to continue. Giving up, she decided to take up the suggestion and turned her face towards his chest.

I am just a lump of clothes… Elise closed her eyes as she prayed that this ordeal will pass over soon.

*****

The elderly man watched the two young people exit his shop. It was out of his character to offer assistance to others outside of his scope of work. However this time round, his interest was aroused by the strange girl so he decided to offer them his help.

Thinking back to how the young man had carried the girl without batting an eye upon learning that the girl was sick, he shook his head and muttered, “Young couples nowadays are really open. Back in my day, I had to do everything undercover… And even then, what do I have left of it?” The corners of his lips curled up slightly. but his peridot eyes were clouded.

But well, that was no business of an old man like him to poke into. He still have a doctor to find first.