When they crossed the ascending bridge and stopped at the kingdom's central plaza, Irene jumped off the wagon and ran toward a railing set at its center.
The icy wind, intensified by the altitude, swayed her white tunic. Midmidir's lighting bathed the city in a yellowish glow, as if the buildings had been forged from rustic gold. Even so, the city never lost its mosaic of colors.
The central plaza was rectangular; its interior was divided by a large opening protected by railings, allowing a view of the clouds and the distant ground below. Irene leaned forward to admire the height; she could even see colorful birds flying beneath her—creatures that did not exist on Earth.
Each side of the plaza had two-way streets and sidewalks where people passed by. Irene's pink eyes wandered across the kingdom as she smiled like a child.
The sound of street music—small drums, flutes, and harps—lifted everyone's spirits. People gathered around the musicians. The streets were clean and well-kept; the pale stone pavement gleamed under the sunlight.
Brightly colored buildings, windows adorned with flowers, balconies filled with people—Midmidir's inhabitants were loud, but far from chaotic, overflowing with energy.
Irene's five senses seemed to compete with one another to capture every detail. Each fought for her attention. Her ears picked up the murmurs of a lively plaza: merchants advertising their goods, artisans working with their tools, and apprentices following instructions.
"Irene, don't get too close to the railing," Hanami commented as she walked nearby.
"I wanna ride one of those hot air balloons! Can we?!", she exclaimed, pointing at them.
"That's for Rynelle to decide. Right now, we need to prepare what matters."
Irene walked back toward the wagon, excitement bubbling as she stayed close to Hanami.
"This city smells amazing!" she confessed, lifting her chin. "Freshly baked bread, vibrant herbs, polished wood… even machine oil smells strangely pleasant."
"I know an inn with the best view in the kingdom. It's expensive, but it's worth it."
"Have you been here before?"
"Yes. I've been to a few places, though I didn't get many chances to travel."
When they returned to the wagon, Rynelle was holding a sheet of paper in her hand. She climbed down from the seat and spoke to them.
"Hanami, could you buy everything on this list for me?"
"Aren't we supposed to have plenty of supplies?" she asked, resting a hand on her hip.
"It's not food—just some items for later. I also wrote down shops where we can sell a few things. I'll take care of Irene."
"Okay~", she replied with a wink, forming a gesture with her index finger and thumb.
She immediately hopped onto the wagon to take it, but not before saying:
"We'll meet at the Golden Warmth Inn. It's west of the kingdom—ask for directions. It's very well known."
With that, Hanami left. Rynelle turned her gaze to Irene and began walking as she spoke.
"I'll take you to the Guild. There you'll be able—"
"I know. It's a meeting point and support system for its members; it brings together adventurers, mercenaries, artisans, and mages; it regulates missions, ranks, rewards, and punishments. It also has a quest and contract board. It's a way to organize one's role in society."
"Wow… that was a very thorough explanation."
"I read a lot about it back home," she said with a small giggle.
'The truth is, I'm a hardcore RPG and gacha game nerd. I know the concept inside and out. But being part of a real one… my heart is pounding.'
"So? Are you going to register me?" Irene asked, her gaze full of curiosity.
"For now, you'll just obtain your license. Hanami and I will take on a few requests so you can get used to the work. You'll be able to earn your own rank once we reach Arcania."
They crossed the stone street, waiting as carriages passed. It was also common to see people riding massive reptiles or cargo birds the size of elephants.
"I want one!" Irene exclaimed, pointing at a giant chicken while clutching Rynelle's white tunic.
"I-Irene, don't pull me like that. Besides, they're very expensive; for us, it would just be a waste."
Irene folded her pink ears sadly. Rynelle sighed and took the kitsune's hand as they continued walking.
"Come on…"
◇◆◇
Hanami arrived at a shop called Yejid Palace. She stopped the wagon in front of the entrance and murmured:
"This should be the place." She pulled out the sheet of paper and whispered, "Two earrings, three rings, and three hairpins… I didn't know that little elf cared so much about her appearance."
After getting down from the wagon, she stood before the shop's entrance with her hands on her hips. It was narrow—barely eighty centimeters wide—with a wooden door.
"For a place that calls itself a Palace, this is pretty rustic."
When she stepped inside, the door creaked. The smell within was a mix of wood and dampness, yet strangely pleasant.
"Hello?"
No one answered. Hanami crossed her arms and sighed before walking forward slowly, curiosity in her eyes. Her leather boots echoed against the wooden floor as she examined the various jewels hanging from the ceiling and displayed on shelves.
One of the displays contained a small creature, pure white in color, as vivid as clouds or cotton. It was about ten centimeters tall, its body made of smooth chitin.
Hanami tapped the glass with her index finger to see if it would move—and it reacted.
'How peculiar… What region could it be from?'
"Kyah!" she cried as something touched her from behind.
"Mmmhm. What a plump, healthy backside—worthy of a young woman."
"You damn dwarf!"
Hanami tried to grab him by the neck, but the elderly man—barely half a meter tall—vanished and reappeared behind her once more. This time, his hand slid between her cheeks, sending a chill down her spine.
She spun around, swinging the back of her hand, but once again lost sight of him. Then she heard him laughing as he sat atop the shop counter.
"Don't waste your time, beautiful young lady. You'll never catch me."
Hanami frowned, a forced smile on her face as a vein bulged on her forehead.
"Interesting choice of words for a damn dwarf. You're smaller than a child."
"The size of a five-year-old human child, to be precise."
The old man belonged to the dwarf race. He had a large white beard and a wooden pipe in his mouth. He wore a jeweler's uniform, with a black apron covering his front.
"I'm not playing around!" Hanami shouted.
She lunged to grab him again, but he vanished once more, and a sharp slap on her rear made her jump.
"Ah~!"
"Ho, ho, ho… such a lovely cry of youth," he said, stroking his thick beard.
Hanami kicked backward, but missed. Seeing him laugh in front of her only fueled her rage, and she began stomping the floor like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Let me hit you! You filthy old man, stop touching me! You disgust me!"
Hanami was so angry and helpless that her face flushed red as she shut her eyes and shook her clenched fists.
"Ha, ha. I am a jeweler recognized by the Queen of Midmidir herself. My craftsmanship is flawless. Besides, I'm untouchable—and an old man in the final days of my life. I can do whatever I want."
"No, you can't!"
"Even though I do this to every woman who comes to buy from me, they keep coming back because my work is perfect. You're just another name on my list."
"You bastard!" she growled, her throat hoarse. "Wait… every woman?"
"Yes."
Hanami recalled the moment from earlier, before she separated from Rynelle. The exact words she had said echoed in her mind:
"Hanami, could you buy everything on this list? I'll take care of Irene."
Everything made sense in that instant. Her brows furrowed as she muttered:
"That stupid elf. So that's why you sent me here. I'm going to make her pay for this."
◇◆◇
While Irene filled out the form to become an adventurer, Rynelle sneezed softly, covering her mouth and nose with both hands.
"Hm? Did you catch a cold?" Irene asked.
"I-I hope not… but I feel a chill running all the way down my spine," she replied, hugging herself.