Chapter 73 (2)
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Seemed they were forging goods to send to the northern front.
I guess this is still just a normal town where people live.
It was a sight that reminded him anew that this world wasnt virtual.
The liveliness he witnessed in this city, unseen in games, only compounded that realization.
He still wondered how such an extreme world could actually exist.
Perhaps it was a question borne from being raised in a developed nation.
Had he been born in a war-torn or impoverished country, he might not have been so surprised from the start.
Tapping the wares laid out on stalls with his fingertips as he passed, Ian eventually turned back the way they came.
His gaze fell upon a middle-aged dwarf leaning nonchalantly against a stall.
That one seems to be the most skilled.
How can you tell?
Well.
No need for an explanation like the wares at that shop allow me to gather the most information or whatnot.
Not that you have a choice anyway. Im the one paying.
I do have money though.
Your money is my money too.
Thatstrue enough.
Ian approached the stall.
Only when he picked up a few items, including a dagger, did the dwarven smith finally look at him.
Youve got a good eye, sir.
I hear that often enough. How much?
Quite costly. You got the coin?
Needless to say, his mouth promptly shut when Ian placed a few Imperial gold pieces on the stall.
Ian blocked the short, thick hand reaching for the coins.
This covers custom work too.
Custom work?
Ian pulled off Charlottes forearm guard with a torn underside and a dented pauldron from in front of the dwarfs eyes.
Repair these and make something to go in between.
Ahh These are magic armaments
The smith inspected the items this way and that.
Dwarven craftsmanshipand the material isnt standard Imperial steel either. The enchantments etched on are intricate too. Cant replicate them exactly as is, Im afraid.
As long as its sturdy and easy to move in, any differences are fine.
If thats how it iscome over here, lass.
Charlotte leaned toward the stall.
After rousing his slumbering apprentice in the corner with a yell, the dwarven smith muttered as he measured her arm.
Its been a while since I saw a seasoned one. And with a fairy too. An odd pair you two make.
Charlottes face hardened, while Ian let out a snort.
To my eyes, you all seem rather strange as well.
The one who travels with both a beastman and a fairy is the strangest. Dont you understand the implications of this?
The calm blacksmith began writing something on the paper in front of him and added,
Come back tomorrow. And it seems youre a bit short on funds.
It would be better to prepare properly. As much as youre trying to rip me off.
Ian placed another gold coin on the counter and said.
The blacksmith glanced at Ians sullen gaze and nodded.
This is for customers who knowingly accept it.
Ian turned away.
Amid the sound of the blacksmith waking his still sleeping apprentice, Charlotte muttered,
Such rude and expensive blockheads
Dont worry. If they dont prepare something proper tomorrow, that half-wit will become a quarter-wit.
Yeah. ThatI made you spend money again because of me
Charlotte faltered suddenly.
She seemed unable to finish her words.
Just think of it as money well spent, Ian added, and Charlotte nodded awkwardly.
Ian even bought a few outfits for Tessia to wear.
Tessia whispered that she didnt want to wear them, but of course she had no choice in the matter.
Only after purchasing dried rations did the group finally enter the inn.
..
It was then that Tessia stopped in her tracks.
Ian turned with a furrowed brow, and only then remembered that she was a vampire.
These ones really do make things troublesome.
Truthfully, both Charlotte and Tessia were more trouble than Luci.
Tessia only entered the building after Ian called for a maid to come in.
Since the buildings in the north were all made of bricks, they were much warmer than wooden and mud huts.
The dining area on the first floor was already crowded with drunkards, even before evening.
It was quite a sight to see dwarves and humans all intermingled, guzzling liquor.
While Tessia went upstairs to change clothes, Ian claimed a spot in the corner.
As always when entering a new citys inn, he felt glances being thrown his way.
Since there was no hostility behind them, Ian ignored it and ordered food.
Are you folks the mercenaries said to be headed towards the mountain range?
After taking their full order, the maid asked tentatively, glancing at Charlotte.
Ian blinked.
Word spreads that fast?
They say youve been spreading money around If its not too rude, may I ask why youre going there?
What else would mercenaries do? Were going to beat up some monsters.
Ian snorted as he spoke.
The maids face brightened.
As I thought! Then I truly wish you the best. Not just me, but many here immigrated from above. Please, cull even one more monster for us, so that one day we can reclaim our hometowns.
The maid bowed deeply and hurried off, saying shed bring the food shortly.
Tch
Ian gave a wry smile as he looked down at his left palm.
He was fated to fight monsters head-on soon enough anyway.
He was slowly starting to understand how this mark functioned.
It didnt indiscriminately emanate waves.
It only activated when there were monsters nearby that it could summon.
Perhaps it was the other way around, and they resonated to draw it out.
Whichever was true, it wouldnt change anything.
Once I deal with this I can head to Travelgar before spring.
Ians gaze drifted back into his memories.
Much had already diverged from the flow he remembered.
But the overall current hadnt shifted completely.
The essential quests were still waiting for him, no doubt.
Since hed set foot in the north, he planned to finish what needed doing and head back down.
By then, the war on the frontier would likely have reached its peak too.
As long as there arent any more ridiculous variables.
Uncomfortable.
Then, one of the biggest variables sat down right beside him.
Tessia, her hood pulled down low, fidgeted constantly as if the clothes she wore underneath were ill-fitting.
Though shes one I have to kill for sure.
Ian gazed at her quietly.
From the start, this whole traveling together seemed to be a situation absent from the game.
No quest had appeared, after all.
Maybe he was treading an entirely new path right now.
Of course, one person alone couldnt sway the overall flow too much
Just in case, it might be the rational choice to just kill her now.
Why are you looking at me so scary, Ian?
Tessia tilted her head and asked. As the sun set, her pupils were gradually turning red.
Enjoy your meal. I piled it on.
The food was placed on the table.
Its nothing. Dont take off your clothes just because youre uncomfortable.
Ian replied calmly and turned his gaze to his plate.
Thinking once more that it wouldnt be too late to decide after watching her some more.
***
Ippotranslation
***
On the hard bed.
!
Ians eyes shot open.
After staring blankly at the dim ceiling for a moment, his brow furrowed.
It seemed that something he had thought could never happen without him going insane had indeed occurred.
Translator; ippo
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