《A Tale of Casual OPness》Chapter 8: Esterlyn

Advertisement

We were about to head northwards when Silvia stopped me, “Wait a minute.” (Silvia)

She turned around, and ran behind a tree. I wonder what she’s trying to do? She knows I can track her right?

“This an order stay 100 meters from me at all times.” (Daniel)

From behind the tree, “You controlist!” (Silvia)

“Princess, it’s problematic if you run away. If you want to go somewhere just tell me, and I’ll increase the range.” (Daniel)

Besides who knows what else you're hiding.

“Fine, It’s not like I have any other choice anyway…..” (Silvia)

“You brought it on yourself.” (Daniel)

If only you pretended to be a normal princess, things would have been so much easier. I would have saved her, brought her to the capital, and left. But she just had to go complicate it by attacking me, and bringing in a magical contract.

“Just wait for me.” (Silvia)

I wonder what she's doing back there, I've got a good guess but whatever. I opened up my Spatial Storage, and put away the Teleportation Crystal in my pocket while Silvia was doing whatever the hell she’s doing over there. And while I was at it I pulled out a few more rations ,and supplies.

I haven't used any of my earlier supplies, but who knows how long I'll be traveling with the princess. This trip could last anywhere between a week to a couple months or even a full quarter. I need to be prepared, I don't even know how long the money I have will last me either.

Plus I prepared these supplies assuming I wouldn't be using them too often, they were originally supposed to help me remain inconspicuous. So I began stuffing my rucksack with all sorts of rations, and supplies when Silvia walked out, “Okay, I’m done” (Silvia)

Luckily my intuition warned me not to pull anything out of my storage a second earlier otherwise I might have been put in a rather compromising position.

I turned my head, and too my surprise Silvia transformed into a completely different person. Her expensive jewelry, and dress was replaced by a a light brown shirt, and shorts. Her heels had changed to leather boots, and a crude leather chest place now covered her chest.

But it was one thing to change out of her clothes, and get some proper equipment like that short sword, and rucksack over her shoulder and it's another to completely change ones hair color and eye color. Her golden hair that was exemplary of a noble was now a more common dirt brown. While her eyes changed from a dark blue to a dark brown.

“So, how do I look?” (Silvia)

“You, how did you?” (Daniel)

Silvia smiled radiantly, “This is a proper disguise, you should take some notes. It's far less conspicuous than a black robe and a mask. I anticipated something like this would happen so I prepared a large amount of disguises, rations, and magic tools as preparation. And I've always made sure to keep a few protective treasures as well as a large number of magic dyes, and clothes on my body at all times. How is it? Aren’t I cute?” (Silvia)

Protective treasures? I wouldn't be so confident about some protective treasures that couldn't even protect you from some mediocre kidnappers. But this is still quite impressive, and how do I put this,

"I don't really know what to say, nor how to put this really, but well you looked great in a dress. Definitely, there probably aren't that many people who could match you in that regard. And even though you were incredibly stunning in a dress, I still find that you're just as equally stunning in this. I can't really describe the feeling it gives me, but you're definitely cute.” (Daniel)

Advertisement

Or should I say she's beautiful? When she was in a dress she gave the sort of feeling you'd expect from a princess, an air of nobility and arrogance. And since she was in a light colored it was a sort of purity, it kind of made you want to protect her if she wasn't trying to kill you.

But this, this is what's the word for it. Daring, yeah it's a lot more daring. As a part of royalty she still has that sort of noble air to her, but in this outfit there's a sort of wild feeling she gives off. And unlike her dress, her current outfit shows off her curves a lot more even under that leather chest plate.

And I must say those are some mighty fine legs, I wonder what she'd look like after a few more years. She'd definitely be an absolute beauty most men would be chasing after. And chase they will if she treats every man like she treats me.

“T-Thanks….”, Silvia grew red, and began hurriedly walk away. She's a little shyer than I imagined, I thought she'd be used to compliments and flattery so I thought a simply yeah, you're cute wouldn't be enough.

Well let's go then

A few days later~

I easily climbed up a incline, and turned around, “Tired already?” (Daniel)

Silvia hurriedly caught up too me, “Y-You’re a monster….” (Silvia)

We've been slowly making our way through the forest for the last few especially boring days. It's been extremely uneventful for the last few days, we'd just walk, stop, sleep, get up, and continue walking. I mean it's great that nothings happening, but it's boring as hell!

We haven't encountered any real monsters, and the only thing I've killed in the last few days were a few horned rabbits, and a snake. I mean I'm not a psychopathic killer or anything, but it's sure as hell a lot more entertaining than just walking for days.

Silvia has for the most part refused to talk to me, no matter what I'd do she'd refuse to have a conversation with me at all. The only time she'd reply to me is when I'd tease her, “Are you okay? Would you like me to carry you, princess?” (Daniel)

“N-Never….” (Silvia)

Silvia fell to her knees, exhausted, “You’re too prideful, we could save so much time if I were to carry you..” (Daniel)

“S-Shut up….”(Silvia)

I don't think I can take much more of this, If it were just me I'd probably have made it to town already. You know what, I should have done this sooner.

“Hey, Silvia.” (Daniel)

“....” (Silvia)

And as usual she's ignoring me, but that's fine, “This an order, for the next hour sleep.” (Daniel)

“Eh?” (Silvia)

And like a puppet whose strings were cut, Silvia’s body fell towards the ground. But I made sure to softly catch her. I carried her up the incline, and laid her on the ground for a moment.

And I look at her peacefully sleeping, and I couldn't help but admire her beauty again. She really is a princess, I'm actually traveling with a princess huh. I mean I've know been traveling with a princess, but it just took a little while to set in you know?

You'd think I'd be used to all these weird things right, and I sort of am. But I wonder just how long did it take to set in that this was another world? You know in all those stories it only ever took the a day or two, but it took me nearly an entire month.

Advertisement

And these powers of mine. Just how long did that take to get used to them? How long did it take for me to get used to killing. How long did it take me to get used to all this I wonder? I suppose even now I might not even be completely used to all of it. But that's fine, once this is all over I'll just live a normal life again. A normal life.

I opened up the World System's menu,

STATUS SCREENName:DanielRace:HumanLevel:22Class:OtherworlderStrength:36Intelligence:98Agility:22STATUS POINTS:20

Let's add 2 to Strength, 8 to Intelligence, and 10 to Agility. This should make traveling a little easier.

STATUS SCREENName:DanielRace:HumanLevel:22Class:OtherworlderStrength:38Intelligence:106Agility:32STATUS POINTS:0

Now that that's done let's get going. I open up my Spatial Storage an pull out a Magic Scroll.

“Invoke, Wings of Flight!” (Daniel)

I activated the scroll, and it slowly rose into air and burst into flames turning into ashes. I carefully picked up Silvia off the ground as the air behind my back began to distort forming a pair of transparent wings to form.

And with Silvia in my arms, I took flight effortlessly shooting into the sky. As I increased the mana output the transparent wings rapidly expanded to over twice their original size, and I shot northwards.

...

And in less than an hour I was finally able to make out a large town in the distance. The town was surrounded by a large stone wall that formed an oddly shaped octagon. One part of the wall was especially large, while it’s adjacent wall was oddly small, and the wall opposite of that one was nearly twice as large as the other one.

I wonder who exactly designed these walls, they're crooked, and they don't just form straight or diagonal lines. There are several parts that are crooked, almost forming a zigzag pattern at points. While some part's are especially circular, either by design or some miraculous fault. These walls would definitely give any perfectionist with OCD a headache.

As I flew closer I was able to see the town in greater detail, and from the buildings it looks like the town is split into four districts, or something along that line. The northern most east part of town especially packed full of houses, so I'm assuming that's the residential area. While the southern most eastern part seems to be a large market, even from up here I could see a large number of shops, stands, and ant-like goer byers.

The market seems to extend past the southeastern most part and crosses the large road connected to the southern gate, and the town square into the southern most western part. But it seems the southwestern most part is a hub for craftsmen and artisans. I can see quite a few large forges, and artisans working their craft.

As for the northern most western most part of town, it seems to be a mix of the eastern's residential area and a number of administrative buildings, and a barracks with a large open field for training. And I can sort of make out a number of men running around or training.

And that's it for the town, though I suppose I should mention there's quite a large number of farms being attended to outside of the city. And even now I could see a few hundred people working on just the southern most farm.

Now, I suppose I should descend before anyone notices me. I'm almost out of mana too. I spot a nearby hill, and quickly descend.

I softly laid the princess down onto the ground, and after dispelling the Wings of Flight I started waking her up,” Silvia this is an order wake up.” (Daniel)

Suddenly Silvia opened her eyes, and shot upwards. She momentarily looked around in confusion, but as she turned her head towards me she instantly grew furious and tried to slap me. But of course the contract forbid it, and just before her hand met my face it suddenly stopped against her will.

“You son of a bitch!” (Silvia)

She sure has a dirty mouth for a princess, I wonder where she learned these things. You wouldn’t think a princess would say these things. Or at the very least those princesses in media who are designed to be absolutely innocent. Though I do recall there were times princess were reflected as violent, and aggressive, and especially toxic like this.

I backed up a little,“Calm down, calm down.” (Daniel)

But Silvia glared at me teary-eyed, she was absolutely furious,“Calm down!? You want me to calm down!? How would you feel if someone suddenly made you fall asleep! How would you feel if someone could restrict every thing you say and do. How would you feel if you were forced to follow every command someone were to give you!? You’d never know what they make you do, or what they’d do to you! Who knows what you’ve done in this hour! And I’m completely powerless to stop you!!” (Silvia)

Well you brought it on yourself, though I do suppose I did go a little far. But it’s not like I did anything, so why do I feel like I'm in the wrong here? She's the one who attacked me first right?

“Look I’m….”, I awkwardly apologized, “I’m sorry okay, but this was the fastest way?” (Daniel)

Silvia asked me in a muffled voice,“To do what?” (Silvia)

“Come on, let me show you.”(Daniel)

I pulled her through the forest, and after a little bit we were finally able to see the town in the distance, “See, we’re already here. You should have a little faith in me you know.” (Daniel)

I looked over at, Silvia,”Esterlyn, but how did you. We were still a day or two away.” (Silvia)

“And now we’re about half an hour away” (Daniel)

Silvia silently looked at me in disbelief, “Daniel I…” (Silvia)

“Come on, princess let’s go.”(Daniel)

“But, I….okay.” (Silvia)

Silvia quieted down, and we headed into town together. “So where should we go?” (Daniel)

“We should find an inn, you should rest. You carried me all this way didn’t you?” (Silvia)

Oh, she answer me. How surprising. But if she wants to get to the capital as soon as possible it's for the best that she co-operates with me.

“Don’t worry, you were quite light.”(Daniel)

“But still…” (Silvia)

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Besides how much money do you have on you?” (Daniel)

“A couple gold coins.” (Silvia)

“How much is that worth? My village used a bartering system, so I don’t have any money nor do I know how much things are worth.”(Daniel)

The first part was a lie, but I really don't know anythings value.

“Is that so? Well, the Kingdom of Teresta uses the Human standard, copper coins, silver coins, gold coins, and crystal coins. Each coin is worth a hundred of the one before it. And I believe a single night’s stay at an in is worth around 25 coppers at it’s cheapest, to around a couple silver coins.” (Silvia)

“I see, wait why do you only have a few gold coins? Aren't you, you know.” (Daniel)

"I receive an allowance of a crystal coin a month, but I've spent a majority of my money entertaining guests in the palace and on a variety of magical books and tools." (Silvia)

"I see, but try not to take any gold coins out. We don't want to attract any unnecessary attention." (Daniel)

I suppose this means the money I brought with me is useless too, I mean I could use it but it'll attract some unnecessary attention. I should have broken my coins into silver and copper coins before I left. I only have gold coins on me so I’ll have to make some money somehow.

This world should have an Adventurer's Guild, let’s make some money that way. “Silvia do you know if there’s a Adventurer's Guild here?” (Daniel)

“Esterlyn neighbors the dangerous Astel Woods, so a large branch was set up a long time ago. But if we want register we need to pay a fee of one silver.” (Silvia)

“Oh? You need to pay to register?” (Daniel)

“Yeah, Adventurers receive a number of benefits, and the fee pays for your card and medallion. But you can register as a free-adventurer and work to pay for the registration fee to become a full fledged adventurer.” (Silvia)

I see, but how long would that take? I should just sell something, I’m sure this sword here could fetch a few silvers. It's an uncommon item after all.

I walked up to a guard, “Hey, where can I buy and sell weapons?” (Daniel)

“Oh, are you new here? You can buy and sell weapons at the commercial district to the southeast, but if you want quality weapons you should head to the craftsman’s district and find a blacksmith. You can request a custom weapon, or buy one of the ones they have in stock.” (Guard)

“How about selling weapons?” (Daniel)

“Well that’s hard, if it’s an especially good weapon you should go to a blacksmith you’ll get a fair price. But if you can find a good merchant you could probably get a pretty good deal. But you should check with a blacksmith first to see what it’s worth.” (Guard)

“Thanks” (Daniel)

“No problem, don’t make any trouble okay?” (Guard)

...

We went to the southwestern district, and entered one of the blacksmith’s shops.

“Hello, how can I help you?” (Shopkeeper)

A tall, burly woman was manning the front desk. I looked around and there were a number of weapons spread throughout the room. Some were on the shelves, some were on racks, in barrels, or underneath the glass counter, and some were stuck into the floor or wall.

“I’d like to sell a sword.” (Daniel)

“Can I see?” (Shopkeeper)

I handed her the sword, and she examined it for a moment. She turned around and opened the door behind her “Geoffrey!” (Shopkeeper)

A rough voice yelled, from “What is it Hilda!” (Geoffrey)

“Come check this out”(Hilda)

“I’m busy.” (Geoffrey)

Hilda walked through the door, “What the hell is this!?”(Hilda)

“A masterpiece!”(Geoffrey)

“A masterpiece my ass! Get the fuck out there right now!” (Hilda)

There was a loud crashing noise, and then a four foot tall old man walked out laughing, “Kahaha, I fucking love this woman. So kid what do ya need?” (Geoffrey)

“I wanna sell this sword” (Daniel)

“Well, okay let me see” (Geoffrey)

The short old man pulled out a stool, and began examining the sword. And soon enough his jovial expression grew dark, “Son where did you get this sword?” (Geoffrey)

“It was my fathers, I’m in need of money so I came here to sell it. How much could I get for it?” (Daniel)

“Normally a long sword like this would be sold for a couple silvers to a couple dozen silvers. I’d have priced this at 12 originally, but…..” (Geoffrey)

“But?” (Daniel)

“There’s something about this sword that’s weird. It definitely wasn’t crafted by an amateur, nor was it crafted by a master. It was crafted by someone who knew what he was doing at the very least, and it’s a solid sword. But it's weird, I can't seem to grasp how this it was made even though I can easily tell what material it was made of. Can I test it out a little?” (Geoffrey)

“Feel free to do so”(Daniel)

We followed the old man outside, where he lead us to a small fenced off area with a wooden mannequin in metal armor. He walked up to it, and suddenly slashed it with the long sword. The sword cut right through the armor and almost half way through the mannequin.

“As I thought, this sword is far from ordinary, if I were a knight I probably could have cut right through this mannequin too.” (Geoffrey)

He turned to us, “Son even if you’re in need of money I wouldn’t sell this sword if I were you, you'd probably never find another damn sword like it.” (Geoffrey)

“Eh?” (Daniel)

“How do I put this, I don't exactly understand it myself but this swords been crafted perfectly. I don't think I've seen anyone craft a sword as perfectly as this one in my life. Now, I'm not saying this is the sharpest or hardest sword in the world, nor am I saying it's the greatest sword in the world but I've never seen anything like it. It can easily cut right through armor, and with enough maintenance you'd probably never have to replace it in your whole life. There’s probably no sword out there that fits the very definition of a sword as this one.” (Geoffrey)

Is it really that special? It was created by a Third-Class personal ability, and it's only uncommon so it shouldn't be that great.

“Then what would you price it at?” (Daniel)

“Son, did you not hear me? Don’t sell it. It’s no masterpiece, but it’s a damn good sword.” (Geoffrey)

“So what’s the price?” (Daniel)

“Look you could sell this sword for anything from 50 silver to a couple gold coins. There are swords more powerful than it, and swords that look nicer than it. But if you want a reliable sword that will last you for a lifetime hold onto it.” (Geoffrey)

“But I’d like to sell it” (Daniel)

A normal sword is fine with me anyways, I’m a mage.

“Do you need money that much? Look, how about this leave this sword here for a week, and I’ll give you 10 silver.” (Geoffrey)

"I'm not trying to make a loan." (Daniel)

"And I sure as hell ain't offering one. Look, I'd hate to see this sword go to waste. It's your fathers sword, and you're in need of money. Head over to the Adventurers Guild, and register as a full fledged Adventurer. Go complete some collection quests, and come back in a week. With this sword you can definitely make a living as a proper adventurer. And don't worry it's not like I'm not getting anything out of it, I get to admire and study this bloody sword for a week. What do you say?" (Geoffrey)

He's really adamant about this, my intuitions telling me I won’t be able to get him to buy it, so this is fine, “Deal” (Daniel)

Authors Notes

So yeah, I'm back. I was sick for a while, but I'm better now. And I had a stupid amount of work. Test after Test after Test. I also had a research paper and a few lab reports. And several projects. But I'm finally free! So here's an extra long chapter. Or at least for this stories length which is like 1-2k chapters. It's a 3.5k chapter! :3

    people are reading<A Tale of Casual OPness>
      Close message
      Advertisement
      You may like
      You can access <East Tale> through any of the following apps you have installed
      5800Coins for Signup,580 Coins daily.
      Update the hottest novels in time! Subscribe to push to read! Accurate recommendation from massive library!
      2 Then Click【Add To Home Screen】
      1Click