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However, while indeed I had no cash, I did have a lot of materials, such as magic stones from the demon beasts, medicinal herbs, and pyroxenes, all of which I kept in my Close Magic Art —No thanks to Regina who declared that I would only be allowed on the trip if I was put to work as the baggage handler. So, it was not as though I was completely empty-handed, but unlike rural areas, I’m not very sure bartering is a viable trade option here in the Imperial Capital.

“Well, I suppose we can try to negotiate.”

I let out a sigh and changed gears. I took off the dress that I used as my nightgown and changed back into a black dress and wide-brimmed hat of the same color with a one-pointed rose corsage on it.

Regina prepared this outfit for me before the trip started to spare the trouble of mending the outfit on the road, which proved to be useful as I had grown in height by more than 10 centimertes, along with my breasts and hips which were growing by the day.

Apparently, this outfit was already cast with magic even when it was nothing but raw material, and it automatically transformed itself according to changes in one’s body shape. It even repaired itself naturally upon small tearings…

“This must be exceedingly expensive. (Like maybe 100 gold coins worth)”
“Someone I know gifted it to me, but I don’t need it. The b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲ said it’s not something worthy of note. (Well, at most it’s just around 5000 to 6000 gold coins worth)”

That was the conversation that happened when I asked. Because of that, I no longer hesitate to don it everywhere I go, and it came in very handy during the trip. After combing my hair and putting on my getup, I put on a pair of knee-high black boots (also part of the magic equipment set), and with that, I was done. With a black robe on top, I was ready to go.

“Let’s depart, Vier.”

When I called out to her, Vier —my Sirius familiar who had grown to the size of an ox— who was sleeping on the side of my bed sat up and stared at my chest.

“Forgot something~”

I received a telepathic message, and with a start, I hurriedly took out my mother’s memento necklace that I had stored away and put it on. The necklace was enchanted with Regina’s perception-blocking Art so that even if someone saw me, they would see me as a ‘very ordinary person.’

Since it wasn’t an illusion, neither did it transfigure my face, it supposedly wouldn’t work on people who already knew me, highly skilled magicians, or people who paid close attention to me, but so far I hadn’t attracted attention or caused problems when I walked around outside even with my bare face.

Normally, putting the necklace on was part of my morning routine, but I guess I was still quite upset by Regina’s disappearance.

“…however, I’m surprised I’m not as shocked as I would. I suppose it’s because she is always like that.”

Simultaneously, I took out my prized Staff and held it in my hand. It was made of white silver metal, with an angel sculpture of the same material at the top of the handle, and was given to me by Regina at the start of our trip.

Finally, I was fully equipped, and left the room for the counter that doubled as the inn’s cafeteria, taking Vier with me.

♢♦♢♦♢

Now then, about the negotiation with the inn owner—

“…I must pay in cash, after all. Well, the offer to reduce the cost from 25 silver coins to 22 silver coins per night is generous, however.”

Half an hour later, I was stumbling along the unfamiliar main streets of the imperial capital with slumped shoulders. In the end, or should I say as expected, the barter was refused, but the fact that I was a disciple abandoned by her mentor generated an unexpected sympathy, so with the reputation of “Lady Regina and her precious disciple,” I was allowed to withhold the payment for a day.

And so, I was suggested to bring my goods to the commercial guilds and sell them there —apparently, it’s very likely that I’d be shooed away if I went straight to stores, as most would treat women and children like so, making the guild a much better alternative despite the small deduction fee.

So, relying on the directions given by the innkeeper, Vier and I were walking along the well-maintained cobblestone streets towards the guild.

The passers-by were startled when they glanced at Vier, but the moment they saw the red collar on her, which was proof of a Familiar (given upon registration when entering the city walls), they shrugged it off and walked along. I would expect no less from the Imperial Capital.

In fact, in addition to the usual humans, there were also beastfolks, elves, dwarves, and the odd fishmen walking past here and there.

Looking around the city, many of the buildings were elegant brick structures of three or more stories. On top of that, the water and sewage systems seemed to be in place, with parks and fountains that could be seen here and there. This was by far the largest and most civilized city I had seen so far.

Nevertheless, it was clear that the atmosphere of the city and its people was somewhat heavy and grim due to the misfortune that had befallen the entire nation —the passing of His Imperial Majesty that succumbed a week ago to the illness that he fought for a long time— represented by the mourning flags fluttering in front of the eaves of the houses.

Come to think of it, Regina made a face as if a nest of bitter bugs just passed her throat when she heard of the news in the inn’s diner during dinner yesterday… Well, thinking about it now would do nothing for me, anyway.

“We need to settle the bill and go see Ms. Christy… I hope she hasn’t transferred yet and is still in town.”

Worst case scenario, I must walk back to Tenebrae Nemus on my own, I thought to myself as we walked. As though to cheer me up, Vier barked.

“Master, Vier will be your ride until the forest!”
“Fufufu. Of course. Thank you, Vier. Let us return to the forest as soon as possible.”

Vier bobbed her head up and down.

“…for crying out loud. Must she cause trouble even in her absence? I’ll give a piece of my mind once she’s back.”

As I imagined Regina’s sour face in my mind, saying my complaints about her, I looked up at the sky. Not a single cloud in the sky, clear and blue in every direction. Spring was upon us.

“Another great day outside.”

Soon I saw a large building ahead of me. When I recognized the sword and shield, and the sign that read Guild, I quickened my pace.