Chapter 3: Then She Enters The City

As he trampled on the vast grasslands as far as he could see, Jude knew they exited the forest. A few more steps and their feet landed on the man made roads leading into town.

“What do you think, Celes?” Jude asked, glancing at the beautiful scenery surrounding them.

Suddenly, she stopped. There was a moment of mutual silence where Jude suspected they were thinking about the same thing.

“I don’t know. It’s my first time in a human settlement,” she muttered in a low tone while staring at a distance. The straight bangs covering her eyebrows were quietly blowing in the light breeze that was flowing through the air.

“What about you, Jude? What’s your plan once we reach the city?”

Jude walked next to Celes and stared at the horizon himself. No purpose, no direction - Jude was lost on what to do next.

“The city? To be honest, I have no idea.”

“That’s a vague answer.”

“It means I’m not sure what I’ll do. Although, I’m thinking of looking for a job as soon as I can.”

“If that’s the case, is it okay if you accompany me first? There’s a place I’d like to visit…”

“I suppose it’s better than if I wander around aimlessly. Where do you want to go anyways?” Jude turned to Celes and found himself gazing straight into her hazel eyes.

“I have some business with the blacksmith here,” she said.

The word blacksmith reminded him of another game he was playing.

From the ores they gather down to the set of weapons and armor they forged - in that game blacksmith meant profit. Jude could easily raked in some cash if he could just find the suitable person to work for.

But smithing requires a tremendous amount of time and dedication before he could even start seeing the results. It wasn’t something he could do half-assed. In short it is a good lifetime job. A job worth investing his limited time into.

“I see. Are you having a weapon fixed?” asked Jude.

Celes nodded. “Something like that. Hold on, let me show you.”

She took out a short sword and handed it Jude. The jewels adorning the sword’s blade made it seem classy at first glance, but the more he stared into it, the more Jude began to realize it was a sword made of stone.

Jude gripped the silver hilt and performed a wide swing. “Hmm, although it looks heavy, it’s quite easy to handle. What’s wrong with it?”

“That’s…” Celes hesitated then remained speechless. That alone was enough for him to say it was something she didn’t want to talk about.

Jude sighed. “It’s fine if Celes doesn’t want to explain. I know I’m being nosy.”

He gave the sword back to Celes and she accepted it with both hands. “It’s not like that. But thanks for understanding, Jude.”

The way she called his name caught him off guard. Blushing, he scratched the back of his head and shrugged it off with a laugh. “Ahaha, not at all. Shall we go?”

“Mhm.” Celes resumed her walk and Jude followed.

Little by little, Jude was beginning to understand her too.

* * *

It wasn’t long until they arrived at the city’s front gate.

All that fatigue left his body as Jude imagined himself sleeping on a warm and comfortable bed. Add a nice and relaxing bath to that and he would be set. However such things were out of his range at the moment.

Excited, he hurriedly approached the entrance. Carriages and goods being inspected one by one, a huge line of peddlers and merchants - it was a place that generated a huge traffic.

As they walked through the line, Celes covered her face with her hood and tugged on Jude’s sleeve.

“Halt! Hmm, this is the first time we’ve seen you out here. What is your purpose in Bilford?”

When it was their turn to get inspected, two middle-aged men wearing rugged leather clothing approached them. Hanging on their waist were swords that were quite similar to European style swords back in the medieval age. Jude assumed they were the guards, but they looked more like adventurers to him at most.

“We’re merchants if you cannot see. We’re here to do business in town,” Celes said using her loud and clear voice. There was no hesitation in her eyes and she stood admirable in front of the guards.

Jude pressed a palm on his face and shook it as he sighed. What was the purpose of hiding yourself if you’d blow your cover like that? On the contrary she wouldn’t be Celes if she didn’t show that haughty attitude in front of strangers. Jude knew because he was a victim of it too.

“Ohh, this is the first time we’ve seen an Effu. Just like the rumor says.”

“They are prideful indeed.”

The two guards weren’t discreet with their words. It pissed him off how they stared at Celes like she was part of some circus show. Not just them, but the bystanders started to look at them too. Yet, because Jude was an outsider in this world, he did nothing but held his agitation inside.

The guards inspected their belongings for a few minutes then they were told to move on.

He thought he would need to present some sort of pass or identification before entry, but perhaps not. A careless mistake for a merchant city. Then again he didn’t have the slightest clue on how things worked around here. It was still too early to pass his judgement.

Jude led the way through the stone paved streets and Celes followed after him quietly, trying hard not to attract any more attention. Once inside, Jude stopped and appreciated the view around him.

What awaited him inside was a sight he was rather familiar with in seeing. There were a wide choices of stalls lined up next to each other and with it were merchants busy promoting their goods.

As they walked through the crowded street, each person he passed by seemed to be carrying a weapon of some sort. It gave Jude many ideas. Adventurer’s guild, medieval era, there were all sorts of possibilities for him to explore.

“It really is a different world.”

A world that is fundamentally different from where he came from.

Continuing inside, the city was cut in half by a stream of water and a stone bridge that spanned at least five meters wide connected the two banks. Things began to change. The houses and shops were a lot taller and nicer compared to the other side. However Jude’s eyes were glued to someplace else.

“Celes, look.” Jude tapped her shoulder and pointed to the extravagant mansion way ahead of them. Its eye-catching design and the fancy white wall surrounding it screamed of a noble.

“Must be the house of the person governing this city,” said Jude.

“That’s a huge home…”

“Right?”

A little bit further, after the bridge, was a circular fountain with an intricate design. Celes directed his attention to the wooden benches circulated around it. Delighted, Jude occupied one of the benches in order to rest.

“So, do you know where the blacksmith shop is?” asked Jude, placing the luggage between them two. He leaned with his arms spread out wide and glance skyward.

“Hmm, according to the map they gave me, it shouldn’t be too far from here.”

“They?” Jude shifted his eyes to her. “Who told you to come here?”

Celes lay the map she was holding on her lap and looked at him with knitted eyebrows, implying that it was something personal she could not talk about.

“Alright, I won’t ask anymore.” Jude was quick to concede. After all it was none of his business.

“Sorry, it’s not like I don’t trust you, but…”

“It’s fine, but can I see that map at least?”

“Oh, sure.”

To satisfy his curiosity, Celes inched a little bit closer and showed him the piece of paper she regarded as a map. There were various words written over there, but not a single letter that Jude could understand.

Jude gasped and pressed a palm on his face. “Different language… Yes, it makes sense. But how could we understand each other?”

“Jude? Is there something wrong?”

“No… Nothing…”

“What do you mean nothing? You’re sweating, Jude.”

“Am I?”

“Yes, you are. Are you tired?”

“A little bit I guess…”

As he shook and wallowed in his confusion, Celes stood in front of him. Perplexed at the small shadow that blockaded the sun, Jude glanced up. He wasn’t given a time to react. Celes flung her arms forward and whipped it across his face. Hard.

“Ah.” The sudden noise and the burning sensation her hand inflicted was enough to wake him up in his delusion. It only struck him now, but who cares if he had to start to zero? No one.

“You’re an idiot.” Celes smiled and returned to her seat.

Jude rubbed the red mark on his cheek then he smiled too. What a rough chick, he thought.

“Sorry, but I’d rather be an idiot than see you carrying this heavy luggage. Seriously, what’s inside this thing anyways?”

“A man shouldn’t be asking about a girl’s belongings, don’t you think?”

“Right. You’re carrying a short sword made of stone. What’s next? A shield? I think I’d rather not know after all.”

Jude was slapped again, but it was more like a tap on his cheek this time. She was smiling so he figured she wasn’t particularly angry about it.

After sitting idle for a few more minutes, doing nothing but listen to the waterfall behind him, Jude stood up and stretched his arms up high. “Mhm… I’m ready. Shall we go?”

With his most winning smile, Jude reached a hand to Celes. She took it without retorting and they continued onward holding hands.

* * *

Upon spotting a bystander that didn’t seem busy, Jude approached the man and politely asked for directions on where this blacksmith shop could possibly be.

“Oh, old man Freks? Just turn left on that street and you’ll notice the shop right away. It’s the building with a noticeable signboard. You won’t miss it.”

“Is that so? Thank you very much.”

Jude bowed his head and walked to the direction he pointed.

“I’m starting to think you’re really reliable. Just a little bit though,” said Celes. Her face that was covered in anxiety was replaced by a tender smile.

“I’ll take that as a compliment then,” Jude said, brushing her knuckles with his thumb.

After about five minutes of walking, they came across a shop with a sword engraved on the signboard. Jude’s gamer sense immediately regarded the store as a blacksmith shop.

He could feel his blood pumping with excitement as he went for the door. However, before he could even push his way inside, the door was opened from the other side. A young man with spiky silver hair came out. Boasting a pair of blue eyes as sharp as a wolf, he glanced to Jude’s direction for an instant then quickly went on his way.

“Do you know him?” asked Celes.

“No, not at all.”

“Hmm, if you say so.”

Jude felt the doubt mixed in with her voice, but since she stopped there, he stopped too. Disregarding her reaction, they stepped inside the shop. His heart thumped - curious and wild - even harder. It was a feeling similar to when he started his first RPG and seeing the real establishment in person sparked his adventurous soul.

No matter how much he hid it, Jude was still a boy through and through.

Inside the shop were several crates filled with minerals and a wide range of weapons adorned the wall. There was even a separate section for farming tools and other various tools one would need in their daily lives.

Jude was more than impressed at what he saw, but the large man, who stood like a bear in the centre, awed him even more. He wore a white bandana on top of his bald head and his muscles bulged as he crossed his arms over his crude leather apron. A typical blacksmith, he thought.

“Umm, Mister Freks?” Celes spoke behind him, but was too intimidated to get her point across.

Because of that Jude forced himself to do it instead. “Wake up, old man!”

“GAHAHAHA!!”

As if their eardrums would vomit blood, they both covered their ears. The man’s laughter was so loud it echoed in the shop more than a couple of times. When the man was done laughing, Jude released his ears and firmed his composure.

“The name’s Freks! The very best blacksmith in town. What do you need, lad?”

Jude frowned at his loud voice then loosened when he remembered what they came there for.

“Well, first of all, my name’s Jude, and this is my friend, Celes.”

Jude pointed a finger and led the man’s attention to Celes.

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Celes introduced herself with a short bow.

That made him sigh in relief. It wouldn’t do them any good if she showed her usual behavior toward the person they needed to ask a favor from.

While showing a business-like smile, Jude continued. “We came here because we wanted you to have a look at a certain sword of ours. We were wondering if you could repair it for a reasonable price.”

“Show it to me and I’ll decide afterwards.”

After hearing his instructions, Celes took the stone sword out and presented it to him. As the blacksmith tried to grab the sword from her hands, her gripped tightened and she drew a step back.

Jude placed his hand on hers. “It’s alright. Trust me.”

He knew the reason of her distrust. Even he would hesitate to let a stranger handle his equipment since there is always a chance of it breaking or the credibility of the weapon reduced to a lower grade.

Nonetheless they had no choice. Once she had allowed Jude to take the sword from her hands, Jude presented it the blacksmith himself.

“What do you think? Can you do it or not?” asked Jude.

“Hmm, this is a “Beholder’s relic.” Where did you get your hands on an artifact such as this?”

The blacksmith arched his brows to take a good look at Jude. He scratched his chin and shook his head then his eyes moved to the figure behind him.

“Well, you’re my client… I wouldn’t want to ask something if you want to keep it private.”

There was a certain weight of something that Jude felt from his words. Something mysterious. When the blacksmith regarded the sword as an artifact, he started to think twice too.

If it was indeed an artifact like the blacksmith had said then he would only seek services from the best blacksmith to have such a high tier equipment repaired. Jude wouldn’t take any risks. Even if it would turn out costly in the end, as long as the weapon would remain the same, that was all that mattered.

“So… is it possible to have it repaired then?” asked Jude. He hadn’t even a clue on what he was talking about. He just made an assumption that it needed repairs.

The blacksmith held his chin and made a slight grumbling noise before saying, “It’s possible to repair the blade.”

“Really? Jude, did you what he said?”

In her excitement, Celes gave him a quick hug. But a quick hug indeed, it ended before he could even enjoy her body heat. Jude was happy to see her delighted, but a part of him knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

“But…” The blacksmith then spoke a single word, yet it was enough to shatter their hopes.

“But what?” asked Celes, her shoulders drooping down.

“But it would be very expensive,” he finished.

“What? How much?” asked Jude.

“Five Xeno gold coins, at least.”

Jude shifted his eyes to Celes. His questioning gaze met her hazel eyes then she looked away sadly and sighed. The look on her face concerned him and he heard her silent weeping.

Jude had no idea how this world worked or their currency, but he didn’t think the blacksmith would be the type to lie - especially to youngster like them. And it went unexplained that better equipment meant higher upkeep.

But screw everything. Her sad expression was like a lance piercing through his heart.

“Then please teach me how to do it! I’ll do it myself!”

“Ohh…?”

“Please!”

Jude bowed his knees and prostrated in front of the blacksmith. He wasn’t sure if it was enough, but it was all he could offer at the moment. If repairing that sword could bring a smile back on her face, then shaming himself was nothing. Besides Jude had nothing to lose.

“I wouldn’t mind teaching you, but you have to be serious about it.”

“Please Master! Please teach me a way of how to fix that sword!”

From his gaming intel blacksmith NPCs always had a line like: “How I wish a vigorous young man would offer a helping hand!”

If he just flashed his earnest conviction, this blacksmith would no doubt take him in. That was how simple they were, he thought.

“Quite serious, eh? Alright lad, you got me. I’ll have to drill the basics into you first before I let you touch this sword. Pick yourself up and we’ll start the training right now.”

“What?? Right now??”

“Is there a problem, or was your seriousness just for show?”

There was fatigue written all over their faces for they had been walking non stop for more than a day now. Jude knew it was a challenge directed to see his endurance and his resolve.

You sly old man! I’ll show you what I’m made of!

“Haha, there’s not a problem at all. Let’s do this,” he said, resolved.

The blacksmith dropped a pair of leather gloves in front of Jude. “Come, follow me inside.”

Jude picked up the gloves and pulled them over his hands as he raised himself from his position.

As Jude rose, Celes patted his shoulders with gleam in her eyes. “Do your best!”

“Shouldn’t you disagree? This is my first time blacksmithing after all.”

Celes shook her head. “Nm-mh, I trust Jude more than that old man.”

She voiced her praise with confidence, which filled his body with the necessary energy to survive his next ordeal. The blacksmith unexpectedly agreed to his selfish request, but what lay ahead is the hardest part.

Nevertheless, for Jude, it was time to show off!