I had no clocks around, so I am unsure when I went to bed. Still, by the moment I reached the house, the moon was past the midnight point, so probably it was late indeed.

But to my surprise, I woke up with the first rays of the sun, even before the girls did.

{Oh, damn, I skipped dinner yesterday. And the girls were planning to surprise me. Let's hope that Azar's story will be enough of an excuse.} As I washed, I started feeling bad about disappearing for almost all night.

When I left the bathroom, the girls had awoken, so I took the initiative to speak up and clear the matter.

"Good morning, you two. I am sorry for not coming back yesterday until late. But it turns out that Azar's father is sick, and well, he had no one else to talk about it."

"I see. But how did you open the door?" Kierra probably had another lecture prepared for me, but she suddenly asked what appeared to be a logical question. But one that was slightly strange to hear the first time in the morning.

"Magic." I answered honestly. But her and Angelique's faces turned sour as if it was a bad joke. Thus, I quickly explained while summoning the clay key out, "No, that's the truth. I just created an extra key."

"..." Angelique looked at me as if I had just revealed something impressive. As for Kierra, she glared at me. And then, without saying anything else, went into the bathroom.

"Is she mad at me?" Lowering my voice, I asked Angelique.

"She was worried for a few hours and then just decided that you either died or went out drinking until late. So yes, probably she is." Angelique continued looking at the key, but she did give me an answer enough. But died or went drinking? What the hell did Kierra decide to assume the role of the house lady from a soap opera?

"Are you interested in the material?" As I asked and received an affirmative nod or a series of them, I chose to explain to her about the [Earth's Blood].

"But, isn't that something valuable then?" Angelique approached, and I passed her the key.

"It is, but I found some near the lake and kept it to myself. And while it is okay for you to know, it's better for others to not." What worried me about the material it was the cost. So I haven't told or asked anyone about it. Plus, it wasn't like I needed to sell it, and it proved to be truly helpful to keep around.

Thankfully, Kierra being mad at me did not affect the overall morning routine, and after I praised her grated cheese meat (reheated dinner left for me), we buried the hatchet.

"I will go make to the Guild and then buy a couple of things. Do you want to go with me? After we return, I have a lot to do, so I probably will not leave the house anymore." I was indeed raring to start the first of my projects. So I wanted to deal with everything else quickly.

As for inviting the girls, probably I should take them along with me more often indeed. But surprisingly, it turned out that Kierra had made some plans already. Seemingly, Angelique also had plans to buy or do something. So as in the days before, Angelique chose to accompany her.

"I will be back before the midway sun." I had decided to start using a more common-like speech, and 'midway sun' was a way to say midday or noon in this region.

For some reason, I could not help but think about my backstory. {One day of these, I'll need to tell them the truth about my origins. They haven't asked yet, but they can see I am not looking for any lost caravan. Still, just how much should I reveal?}

***

The guards at the gate received me with a nod and allowed me to enter. But after asking, I found out that Zelindo wasn't present in the Guild's branch.

This latter was a problem, as who, if not him, could allow me to access the funds stored with the Guild? And especially if one considered that I had close to no identification papers except the residence permit.

Thankfully, the guards confirmed that Falko was around and even offered me to call him. {Well, he is something like Zelindo's right hand, so maybe he can help or at least direct me.} I thought before asking to call for him indeed.

"Lindar? Do you need something?" The always neatly dressed, shaved, and trimmed Falko appeared just a few moments later and waved to me. I had asked Falko to stop calling me [Maester], [Master], and others. So this casual greeting was a welcome change.

"Hello there, Falko. Yes, you see..." After nodding to him in turn, we moved slightly to the side. And I quickly explained the reasons behind my visit.

"Well, if it's not a big sum that would require the opening of the [Gold Room], there should be no problem. Let's go. I will talk with the clerks and confirm your identity." Falko listened to everything and motioned for me to follow.

After a visit to a small office-like room on the first floor of the main building, I left the Guild's branch with 50 silver coins in my [Inventory]. Falko had indeed explained everything to the clerk and vouched for me. So just a few minutes later, the woman in charge of the accounting nodded and indicated that I could ask for a sum below a platinum coin without Zelindo's presence.

I did not require such a sum, only half of it, and after asking if they could give it out in crowns and receiving a positive answer, I wrote and signed a note, and the matter was closed.

***

My first stop was evident. Having missed the leather-smith the previous day, I had to be sure I did not do so today.

[Roder's Leather Crafts], this time, the place was open indeed. The door was half-open, so I entered without knocking.

The leather was tanned and prepared somewhere else. Or otherwise, how could the place smell almost pleasant? If I am not mistaken, tanneries and such businesses were out or on the edges of town. At least from what I had read before.

Seeing the orderly insides, I could not help but think {It is almost like a modern-age boutique!} On one side, capes, tabards and sleeveless jackets hung. On the other left side, purses, pouches, and aprons did.

Near the opposite wall, there was a small counter-like desk, and above it, several dozens of belts hung. Still, there was no one around.

"Good day?" I asked while looking around but got no answer. At that moment, I wondered, do people trust that no one will steal anything? Or why would they leave everything in the open, unattended?

A minute later, I again called, but to no avail again. Thus, I used [Life Radar]. Thanks to the spell, I found that there was someone nearby, somewhere behind the right wall. After thinking for a bit, I concluded that there was nothing else to do but go and search for the shopkeeper and started searching for a door or passage. I need to ask Azar if there is a spell to find gates and openings, as lately, I have been facing the same issue of not seeing them right away.

"Young man, what are you searching for?" Suddenly a voice asked and made me jerk towards the sound. But, there was nothing and no one there but the wall that I had just examined!

"Ahh, sorry. I was trying to find the shopkeeper. I will presume that it is you?" Not finding anything better, I just decided to ignore that I could not see the other party.

"Yes, you are right. I am slightly busy in the workshop, but how can I help you?" It seemed that my counter-party felt comfy by speaking without being present.

Based on that observation, I chose to explain the reason behind my visit. I also mentioned Gris' name, although I am unsure why I did. Still, if she recommended the place, maybe she's a regular?

"Oh, I see. So the young promise of the Guild is back in town?" I wasn't wrong about mentioning Gris indeed, as the man's voice turned far more friendly as he asked.

"Yes, and she was the one that recommended me to search for you, maester."

"Oho, it's good that she hasn't forgotten about my old self yet. So, a full combat attire, right? Do you want anything added? Or plain one?" As the maester never introduced himself, I assumed that his name was Roeder, as the sign said. So, I called him like that in my mind.

"Gris mentioned something like steel plates?"

"Indeed, but judging from your questioning, I suppose you are not an experienced fighter?"

"...no, I'm not." It was the truth, but being asked in such a way made it hard to swallow.

"Don't take it to heart, young man. Everyone starts inexperienced, and my work is to make them survive enough to gain experience." Roeder (?), to my sour tone, added right away.

After that, the maester gave a few explanations about the combat attires. But in the end, Roeber was the one who decided for me. It was something he called sneaky chainset, and while I had no idea what he meant, I could only agree.

A surprising fact was that he only said that I should return this time in two days, and that's all.

"Wait, maester, the price? Measurements?" Likely because of the surprise, I blurted out.

"Oh, yes. It will be 14 crowns. You can pay after receiving it. As for measurements, I have already. Now, excuse me, I have something to finish." Just like that, without explaining anything and leaving even more open questions for me, the maester's voice trailed off. And even after I asked for him a couple of times, he did not respond.

Thus, I could only shrug and leave while wondering why so expensive and how the hell did he take my measurements without being present in the room? Especially as I was sure that no magic was involved, as I did concentrate on my mana sense to check for treasures or spells.

***

Outside, I looked around for a few moments. Noticing a general store, I decided to go in. One of the things I lacked was vinegar. And not only could I buy it, but I also could ask about the nearest blacksmith. After all, I doubted that copper and iron ores would be sold anywhere, at least in single pieces.

Regretfully for the current me, my memories about tanneries and other smelly, smoky businesses being on the edges were proved right by the middle-aged and tired-looking woman behind the counter.

The nearest blacksmith, at least one that could have ore and raw materials, was located at the eastern, unvisited by me, side of the town. There was also one in the slums, but the woman, while fidgeting, recommended I avoid it.

{Screw it, I would lose a couple of hours going back and forth. Maybe I should ask the Guild. I doubt they have no one that works for them.} Discarding the idea of going myself, and with no danger about asking for a few raw metals, I returned to the Guild grounds.

Falko had gone out, but the guards on the gate were still the same. And as they knew me, I asked if the Guild had a blacksmith that helped them. Receiving a positive answer and giving a crown out, I asked if they could get me a few small pieces of raw iron, copper, and whatever other ores the blacksmith had for tomorrow. I was overpaying, and probably a lot, so it wasn't surprising I got a positive answer again.

Still, it did make my life easier, and I would avoid explanations, so I felt that I did make the right call.

***

Back home, I found that the girls had returned as well but it was early for food yet. So, after a few minutes of chat, I decided to start my first project.

It would be messy and should not be in open view. So at first, I thought about using one of the storage rooms, but they were too small to move around. Thus, after thinking for a few moments, I decided to use one of the unoccupied rooms. Storing the bed, chair, and closet-like wardrobe, I freed the 3x3 room.

Now, it was time to work on the invention of the century (hopefully)... The Book Machine!