I looked at my remaining silver potion. My pain has lessened, but it's still excruciating. However, I should save this potion for last.
My gaze then fell to the giant trees around me. Each tree has a door and a window. The elves did use them as a place to live.
Yes, I have arrived in Scyonia after more than a week of traveling by land and air.
I should have had to get a special medal to enter this country. However, with my flying ability, I entered by air at night, so I wasn't noticed by the guards.
Now I need to find a means of transportation to get to my main destination.
I walked on a busy street. I met not only elves but also humans and even lizardmen. Maybe they are trading or just on vacation.
Most of them looked happy, giving a positive aura to the place. This is a sign they have never been hit by trouble.
And soon, perhaps, that will change.
After a long walk, I arrived at an area filled with pubs and hotels. Those places also use large trees, but the shapes vary. Some were like various animals like bears or rabbits, and some even looked like a woman's body. I guess they shape the trees with magic.
I wondered if the shape of the buildings would remain the same after the heinous act I was about to commit?
My feet stopped in front of one of the shops there.
"What do you need, sir?" The shopkeeper, a petite woman, came out and greeted me. "We have high-quality drums, flutes, and lutes. We also have a new musical instrument called the piano."
I looked slightly at the musical instruments on display there. "Maybe I'll come back later. I want to take a look around the city first."
"Sure, enjoy this city." Her smile widened.
I quickened my pace, not wanting to be distracted again. And finally, I arrived where many horse carriages had gathered.
"Is there anything I can help you with, sir?" One of the elves sitting on the carriage asked me with a smile too.
"I want to go to the capital." I gave a smile back.
"Let's go." He motioned for me to get on his carriage. "That will take a day, and we may have to stay overnight on the way. You don't mind paying for my lodging, do you? Nothing fancy, but enough for sleeping."
"Sure."
***
The deeper I entered this country, the more I admired its prowess. Several times we passed massive plantations. But, amazingly, all of them produce different crops. I even found tropical plants like avocado and coconut, which shouldn't grow in this climate.
No wonder they are very prosperous.
"Thank you, sir." I gave the coins to my carriage driver. "It's been a nice trip."
The driver counted the coins and raised an eyebrow. "This is too much, sir."
"Consider it a bonus." I smiled and left him.
While walking on the marble path, I looked at the statues surrounding a large garden. The driver said those things depicted the heroes from the country of Scyonia. Not only in combat but other things, such as discovering new medical methods or technologies.
And behind the statues were trees of all kinds. Those plants hide a place believed to be the 'home' of the fairy guarding this country.
The great thing is this park is the source of it all. Those trees here produce seeds for plantations across the country. Therefore, those plants are surrounded by tall metal fences. It was so that no one would come in and do any damage.
They could use magic barriers, but it was believed to damage plants. Not to mention that people can't see the garden clearly.
"I hope you enjoyed your day, sir." A patrol guard in a dark green uniform greeted me. He took off his hat, showing his medium-length shiny gray hair.
"Yeah, I'll enjoy this place to the fullest." I smiled at that man.
***
Night has fallen, and the garden is now lit by magic lanterns mounted on poles, things I have never encountered in places where humans live.
I've been sitting on a bench ever since. There were no more visitors in that place, leaving me alone. Only a few guards occasionally walked by to monitor the situation.
"You don't want to go to your inn, sir?" The guard who had greeted me earlier came to me. He was carrying a paper bag. "It's fine if you want to be here, but we have to ask you to leave if you sleep here."
I gave him another smile. "In a while, I still want to enjoy this place."
Smiling back, he put the thing he was carrying next to me. "Not many people know that this place can calm your heart."
"Really?" I responded to him only to make small talk. "No wonder I feel more at ease."
Of course, I lied. With what I'm about to do, there's no way I can relax.
"It's a sandwich and a drink." The guard pointed at the paper bag next to me. That thing reminds me of similar things in my original world. "After eating it, I advise you to return to your places. Well, this place is relatively safe, but just in case."
"Sure." I nodded. "I'll only be here a little while and have this sandwich at the lodge."
"Goodbye then." He took off his hat. "This is the end of my shift. Tomorrow you can come again."
"Of course. Nice to meet you."
He widened his smile and continued on his way.
The inhabitants of this country are very friendly indeed. During my travels, I never encountered mean people.
They don't deserve destruction. However, the world is hardly fair, whether here or where I'm from.
I waited a few more minutes and got up from the park bench when the guards did not pass in front of me. Then, I flew over the fence and landed in the middle of the garden, about twenty-five feet of empty land.
Instead of performing the fairy summoning ritual right away, I took a deep breath to steel my heart.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m