It was the wares of distant styles, tastes, and quality that the citizens of Ellena wasn't accustomed to that the bazaar: dotting outside the western gate that made, beggars, young farmhand, housewives, old yet rich craftsmen, and the such flock like moths on this light of exotic trade.

Tunics of different colors, leather boots of slick brown designs, large jack fruits, silver and scarlet silks, indigo and azure fruits, obsidian like shields veined with gold designs and lapiz lazuli tunics.

Then I tasted honey and cinnamon in the air, and saw some red rare meat roasted on a spit and dripped with sauce that perfumed the air with want. Red wine and and juices that probably tasted like the summer as some buyers commented with satisfied lips. Surely enough, I too would have meandered and stupor on the stuff I saw just now.

“Elfien, hurry!”

She would say and I could not let my sights wander off. She was small and could easily be swallowed by the crowd leaving me lost in this sea of faces.

Dodging and slipping our way through, we made it into a large tent of red and white stripes. It had many many women buyers as my nose picked up the fragrance it spreads out.

So large this tent that it can fit a small crowd inside while also maintaining to show its alluring jewelry of ivory, jade, and gold and dresses that hung above while serving what most housewives came for; cheap perfume and luxurious like flowers of ornamental exotic beauty arranged beautifully on a humble brown mud pots or smooth ceramic vases.

“Please wait here.”

She said to me when going inside and calling one of her servants.

“Not a month out, you already snatched a pretty girl.”

“Hey!!!”

I jumped to that cold playful whisper behind me.

“I wonder what would Erika, Jeanne and Mary think of this.”

Looking behind it was Neil...

“Where's the two?”

I said looking around as it was just him alone with... That smell...

“Is that peanuts? Roasted peanuts!?”

He was holding a familiar brown paper bag with a handful of peanuts left.

“Yeah, you can have it.”

Opening my palms the feeling and the look of that stubby red burnt peanuts that ran down my hands I immediately stuffed my mouth with it. The crunch I made and its saltiness and hint of garlic that lingered in my mouth it was the same cheap peanuts I damn so enjoyed eating after work.

“How much do I owe you? And where can I find this?”

I licked my lips as it was the everything was gone.

“5 coppex per paper bag.”

“What!?”

That's a large mug and one half pint of ale and coupled with a small meal.

“I know right, paper bags! And they're quite durable. Seems to me that someone is already making millions because of a mundane inventions from our world that I could have invented!”

He then crusher the paper bag as he growled.

“Screw that! Why is it so expensive? Quantity wise, five coppex isn't worth it.”

“Oh, that's because I just bought the last bag and I don't think they're going sell until next time something like this happen.”

I call bull crap. This is cheap roasted peanuts, there's no way.

“Well good luck searching. That aside, whose the new addition to your harem?”

He then spun me around.

“Harem? Elfien, who is this person?”

I could sense some irk in that tone when she looked at Neil.

“Neil Larson, a great old friend of master Elfien and at your service.”

He bowed,

“To whom do I have the honor of speaking to?”

Ugh... It's weird to hear him like this but Wendy seemed to know how to respond.

“Wendy Fisher, merchant journey woman under Master Merchant Rex Fisher of the Land Caravan Company, and,”

She took my hand.

“Longest Childhood Friend and now Fiancé of master Elfien.”

“Prfftt..!”

“Grr! Not a word!”

I barked at him as he held his stomach and laughing mouth.

“Ahem,”

She tugged my sleeves while giving me a pout.

“My birthday present to you.”

With a gesture of her hand a maidservant came with a sword in hand. It was a rapier no doubt, its scabbard thin and elegant was decorated with a beautiful embroidery of flames that slithered like a vine around it.

The handle was smooth and had an air of fine quality, where as when I whipped out the rapier it was slender and good for thrusting.

“It's called a rapier.”

She said as if she find this weapon the newest invention.

“I personally ordered its customization from a great blacksmith in Galenton.”

“You've been in a city part of Dragricia's Advenlorn empire? Interesting.”

Commented Neil.

“I-it was a business venture,”

She strafed at Neil.

“Nothing more and nothing less, my faith still sworn to the goddess of that I can assure you.”

Why so defensive?

Breaking her sudden snap at Neil, I told her that it's an amazing weapon and I...

“I don't know what to say about it.”

“Y-you don't like it?”

She clasped both her hands and gave me a worried look.

“No! It's just...”

I don't know if I'm contorting the right reaction but this is the most coolest gift I have ever got in my entire life, in this world and from last. But, I was troubled to get this for free from someone I barely even knew.

“C-can I buy this?”

She looked surprised and told me it's a gift.

“Leave it be miss Wendy, you know how stoic his mother is and I doubt this man has ever got something for free.”

Which I know is a lie since I've been receiving free recess and lunch from Neil and company.

“W-well, I certainly have no doubt with that Elfien never accepted anything for free, you always wanted to work for it.”

She said to me as if Neil became his ally.

“In that case, I'll accept any payment you can give to me.”

With that said I quickly searched around my body and all I have is my pouch of black pepper and heck no I'm trading some cheap black pepper for an elegant sword like that.

“Hehe. Looks like lover boy forgot to take some cash. You can pay me later.”

He said and brining out a pouch with a lot of silver in it.

“Wait! Um... How about this.”

I held her shoulders and said;

“There's a tournament happening, right?”

I looked at Neil for conformation and a nod was enough.

“Why, yes.”

She looked at me with confusion.

“If, I win and got a prize can I trade that with the sword?”

“You're saying you'll win that tournament under my name?”

She asked softly with a eyes that seemed to widen.

“Well kinda. So do we have a deal?”

I reached out my hand for a shake, which she briefly paused and looked at me with a small smile.

“Wendy?”

I asked again as a minute went by without a response.

“Miss Fisher.”

Snapped Neil.

“Your contractor is waiting.”

“Oh! Ah... Sorry! Well of course! ”

Shaking my hand with eagerness she called out to her maidservant she gave the rapier and gave some instructions.

“And the flag raiser strikes again.”

He commented at me which I asked; “How am I flag raising again?”

“Haah... Either way, you better get going then.”

Said Neil as Wendy told me to wait.

“Registration starts at an hour.”

“Really? Where?”

“Ask her, she knows it well. To well to be honest.”