The Book Of Flowers

Miralius Waiting

--- The next day ---

"All right, everything's ready, right?" I asked a question

"YES!!" They all cheered

Their winter clothes look really thick in my eyes. Some of them I bought specifically from the budget that Artorius gave me. All of those things were enough to prepare us for a blizzard, in case the weather would hamper the future

The most important thing is whether we can dispel a snowstorm that could have come at sea. That will be the hardest part of this journey

"And just calm down. His Excellency Artorius had given his permission" I said, then waved a letter in my hand containing Artorius' written consent

I was actually wondering why he gave consent so quickly. Was he not worried about his son on this trip?

Forgetit. If anything is weird, I'll take care of it later

"And also, when we fight monsters, you two don't get close to the strong kind and immediately go into hiding. Understand" I warned again

Verdea nodded slowly and Veskal gave his thumbs up at me. Ivor somehow gave a thumbs up, but let it go

This means, our preparations are all done. Now time!

"All right, let's go!"

With me leading the way, we all once again cheered and began to set off towards Miralius on foot

We'll walk to Miralius in maybe 10 days, plus a boat cruise. That is also if there are no severe storms at sea later because the travel time may be longer if so

The reason I told you that we were going to walk for 10 days was pretty simple. If these two kids are tired, one of us can carry them later. We won't be tired in a long journey, let alone considering that I have 2 higher-ups with the strongest physique beside me right now

Although the temperature is getting colder now, it will not be a problem for us (especially Ivor). I already had plans to deal with such severe weather (namely Ivor)

The experience of adventuring for 20 years apparently not in vain. Also, I will accompany Verdea to the places she wants to visit first

"Very"

I looked back and told him to come closer for a while

"Where are you going first?" I asked

He told me where, but I wanted to see if he changed his mind or not

He immediately smiled widely and said, "First, we're going to Magnolia Village" very steadily

Magnolia Village...

...

He must want to buy chicken chili sauce is not it...?

......................

- - - Magnolia Village - - -

I hate this village. I only stayed here for a week, but in that time, I would be bullied almost every hour

And now look at them. They even tried to be pretentious and look for face in front of me and Verdea. I'm sure the people in this village have changed since I heard about being a bodyguard for Verdea

The villagers who hurt me first now began to greet me kindly. I just smiled angrily towards them because of such a changed attitude. And if I could say, we Elves hate people like this— wear masks and tell unanimous lies

They want to try to apologize? No kidding. All the pain they gave me back then wouldn't be able to be covered as much as whatever smelly mouth they said 'sorry'

My greatest regret in traveling was caused by this village and some other places. I no longer want to linger here

"Can you tell me where you're going now? The village stinks" I whispered to Verdea

He answered without a second thought

"Fried chicken shop"

I've guessed. There was no other reason he wanted to go to this village other than that place...

He wants to eat fried chicken now? Foursome...

"All right..." I said after breathing out

There would be no point in arguing with this kid. If he wants something, he'll get it as long as it's within our capabilities. I just wish Artorius' budget money could be enough to rent a boat through this snow...

And also, I do have a debt with that place that I haven't paid

...

-- In a shop ---

"I'm glad you came to visit, prince of Verdea" the owner welcomed

Unlike before, the owner of this tavern could now recognize Verdea as a prince. It was because of the special brooch of the royal members worn by Verdea today. He had not worn that thing before for obvious reasons

"I want fried chicken" Verdea ordered plainly

It made the owner of the shop drift away because of his timidity and seemed unable to bear to stroke Verdea's head while saying, "I'll prepare as much as possible...!"

On the other hand, Verdea made her stagger even more by smiling broadly at him

This child turned out to be quite manipulative, making people sure that he was innocent and not with a big mouth...

And the shopkeeper wasn't kidding when he said as much as he could. At least a lot of fried chicken that he packed for us was enough to stock up on a meal for a week. I didn't have time to count how many parcels he gave us, because I didn't lie when I said this much

Verdea immediately deftly took a pack of 5 fried chicken, while Veskal was seen counting all the parcels given to us

It was also if the two children were willing to eat this continuously and this food did not rot first

The problem now is how much this all costs. I was lethargic to remember that we had to pay. Therefore, I made Ivor hold all the wrapped fried chicken first while I limply took out his budget bag

"Be-what's the price...?" I asked the shopkeeper

"Ah, I'll give you a price cut. Discount wandered" he said as he wrapped his 2 fingers

Oh... A generous offer...

But it doesn't add to my sense of legality, because I feel like it's still pretty much to pay...

"Thank you" I said

I paid the shopkeeper with the right money coupled with my debt and the farewell. He even told us his name and invited us to come back at any time

Jennys. That guy turned out to be basically good. He was even familiar with all his customers when I saw him earlier

Though I thought he was scary because of his big muscles and messy hair. But he's a man, isn't he? Why is her name and style like a girl?

Is he a feminine man? It was the first time I saw someone who looked like that. It seems they are not very common in everyday life

Yes already. We can at least get food

"The human houses are pretty good too" Ivor suddenly commented

"There's nothing special. If you look often, you will say something else" Veskal replied

Both are not wrong. Ivor said so because he had never been around inside a human place, except for the city of Hortensia and this village. While Veskal who has seen this kingdom almost every day for several years his life will certainly be bored. I was even getting bored, because the architecture of the house in this kingdom was basically not much different from the kingdom in the south, Cassiopeia

"Our house is usually only in the form of tree trunks and mushrooms. In the meantime, you make sculptures and such" Luna said

"I wanted to try living in a human home for a day" Ordelia added

"I can build a house like this in our kingdom. But, guess had to cut a lot of trees"

Ordelia immediately gaped and shook her head. I just smiled faintly, knowing that he would reject my offer in an instant

Hm?

Wow wah~ There is a familiar face here...

"Hoh! That's the guy who chased us first Vain!" Verdea said out loud

He pointed at the group of people while tugging at my robe, so that all my friends spontaneously turned their heads with sharp glances towards the designated direction. The men spontaneously panicked and avoided our gazes by pulling their veils down

Justright. They are those people. I still recognize the face of the man who hit me back then. But, now they look like frightened little cats when they see us

"What look-look!? Go there!" Shouted Ivor

They immediately goosebumps and run from in front of us. Verdea and I just chuckled at those who ran away in fear, remembering that a few months ago those people were eager to kill us

"Basic. If there weren't many people, I'd like to beat them up first" Ivor added as he clenched his hands together until the joint in his hand rang

This guy is too scary for them. He would be perfectly suited to be a roadside thug like those people, to become their leader

"Come Ivor. You know we can't be violent if we don't have to, right?" Luna said

Ah, he had already started interacting without any stiff movements. It seems like he's getting better

"Of course it's necessary! People like them should be taught a lesson!"

"Your head is just filled with such harsh treatment, isn't it?"

"I told you! Vainzel was hurt by them-"

"Calm Ivor. There's no need to be so loud" I interrupted

Ivor must learn how to have shame. He should know that yelling here is not the same as when in Miralius, because everyone who pays attention is not the Elves who will cover their ears

He was immediately silent, only advancing his lips to show annoyance

"By the way, Vain, why don't we use horses to go there" Veskal said, turning the conversation around

Ah... Good advice, but...

"We Elves have a teaching against it. More precisely, we are not allowed to curb the will of such animals"

"Why is that?"

"Just think, if our fates were to be confused with animals, what would you feel?"

The main teaching of the Elves is that all intelligent beings gain and have their own freedom. After all, animals were made in this world long before humans and Elves appeared. We Elves certainly respect the people who have united with nature before us

If we restrain them or kill them, we are already considered to be breaking the teachings for having taken away their freedom. We are also not allowed to own slaves because one of our teachings is equality

"I don't really like to use nyam- either! Horse" Verdea said as she was still chewing

"Take your food first..."

And also... The next goal that Verdea wants is...

"Where are we going now?" I asked

And without hesitation or turning his head, he immediately replied, "Take me to the city of Calendula later"

Town south of Hortensia, but not near its port. The place of the most famous medicines in the kingdom of Hortensia

And a place where there's something Verdea should visit...

"... Just chill. We'll have to get through the city later, too"

...

"ah! Why should Verdea's request be granted?!" Luxor said suddenly

"really it. Vainzel is now more affectionate with him huh..." Lyralia added

I know they're trying to lighten the mood, but why would I take offense?

"Take us for a walk too!" Ordelia suddenly exclaimed, making me dumbfounded because it was not as usual

Ordelia who was following along started to chuckle at my reaction

"Round around! Getting around!"

All my friends except Verdea were cheering like a crowd protesting

They even put their hands up in the air. And because of them, Verdea joined in cheering with the mouth still filled. Then Veskal

They were so boisterous, that I and Luna tried to close their ears and ignore everyone who stared as they continued walking

Why do I have friends like this...? Did I make a mistake in my previous life...?

......................

-- A few moments later ----

We ended up going around here and there approaching everything. Village, wide Padang, and forest. All I had to do was get close so these people wouldn't disappear from my control. But, there is nothing interesting about the sight of this trip. Everything was covered by thick snow until every land was white

It's just, I have to say that the sunlight in the distance can make a white plain with a bald tree has its own charm. As we walked through this forest watching the children jump around and out of the way while running, I could smile comfortably

Verdea threw snow at me for some reason. Veskal and Verdea laughed at the sight of my face being plastered by it, until I threw Veskal's head in the snow until he fell to the ground

I grinned broadly at them while playing a snowball in my hand, while the two began to look panicked. But that didn't stop the older ones from getting into action again soon

Veskal then tried to throw me snow again, but I spontaneously avoided him until he hit Ivor instead. Then Ivor threw him back, but as Ordelia did not accept Ordelia being pelted, I threw a giant snowball over Ivor's head until he was buried and left his hand sticking out. Luna shook her head looking at that, as the two children laughed out loud looking at her

Verdea then throws Lyralia's face with snow. But it was a big mistake. In response to that, Lyralia used her magic, making the snowball form automatically and flung itself off the ground many times towards us

The snowballs rained down on us all while Lyralia laughed sadistically at us trying to take cover

One of the snows then hits Luna right in the face. We all panicked when we saw her unhappy face, especially Lyralia who immediately said "O-oh..."

But, Luna then turned around and bowed to the ground, making us think that she was offended. All of a sudden, he turned back and threw a snowball at my face and Lyralia simultaneously hit both targets

Snow warfare is inevitable. We all pelted each other until we littered our entire clothes with snow. We all laughed when we played. Ivor even swallowed a snow throw as he was busy laughing at the Luna he was wearing

We laughed at him as he spewed the snow out of his mouth. Every snowball that is thrown is always hitting a target. And we will avenge the perpetrators who hit us before laughing loosely to see their faces are upset with the snow

Because we spent time playing, the sun didn't start to sink. We were all lying on the ground tired of laughing

Our breaths were all wheezing, but our hearts were very satisfied with having fun

"We... Go to the nearest village... Now" I said

They raised their hands while cheering and lying limply

......................

--- At night, in an inn----

"Lyralia was cheating! Why are you trying to use magic in the snow?" Verdea said with a word

"Hey, hey. All things are fair in war" Lyralia mocked

Verdea and Veskal frowned at the words, while Lyralia somehow looked very proud of herself

Inside an inn, they were all gathered in my rented room

This room is spacious. We are lucky this inn is also not too expensive, although the shape of this room can at least cost 5 gold every 1 night. The price I paid was only 1 gold for each room

All the facilities are complete, there is even a fireplace as well. So some of my friends like Luxor and Ordelia who feel cold after playing snow throw can immediately warm themselves. They even wrapped the blanket around their bodies to warm themselves up more

I seem to be taking too much money out of budget money. And this is just the first day. I didn't think money would run out that fast

Whereas as long as I was adventuring on my own, my money did not run out quickly except when someone was extorting from me. This may be an effect because we see too much money to feel we should spend it immediately

Then...

The problem now is, in one room there are only 2 mattresses. Therefore I had to rent 4 rooms for 1 night

Because it's...

"Do you agree with each other's rooms?" Luna said

Everyone nodded, including me

I'll sleep with Verdea in one room

I have no problem with that, but I wish I could room with Ordelia

I pouted on my bed while looking at those who kept talking to each other by the fireplace

"You guys wait here. I'd like to order a drink" I said

I started to get out of my bed and went out of my room

"I want a beer" Veskal interrupted

I stopped walking and everyone immediately looked at Veskal who looked serious

"You had a beer?"

"... I'm 14 years old. Was wrong?"

Wrong of course, stupid

"I'll order milk for you"

"Hey! I want a beer!" Veskal tried calling again

"Susu~!" Verdea seemed pleased with my choice of orders for her

I ignored Veskal's words with my tongue sticking out and went downstairs to order a drink

-- After that ---

"Yes. Please take her to that room?"

The innkeeper nodded kindly after receiving my order for everyone

The drinks will certainly come. Now I-m

...!

...

...

Whatisit?

I felt some unpleasant magic around here earlier

"Is there anything disturbing, honored guest?" The innkeeper asked

"No. Unless, you have a magical pet around here?" I retaliated

"I can only hope that I nurture magical beasts. They were so expensive that a simple innkeeper like myself would not be able to afford them" He tried to lighten the atmosphere

I swear I felt it

...

Restless, I went up to my room and tried to be careful around me. That magic aura felt so bad that I thought about taking all my friends away as quickly as possible

Magic is no ordinary magic. Its users can hide that magic and make it seem like nothing. But, how could he be so careless that I had the chance to smell her leaking earlier

I can feel magic even to a high level. Forget it, I can even see the flow of Mana. No matter how well they are hidden, I will be able to detect them

But this is not the time to investigate. This place is not a property I can investigate at will

It's very suspicious. I'm beginning to suspect someone is following us. The safest option right now is just one, because all my friends are feeling tired

When I arrived at the room, I approached Ordelia and Lyralia who were busy talking beside Luxor. I slowly whispered to them so that no one else would listen

"Please create shield magic in every room"

All three surprised. But without hesitation, they immediately nodded in understanding, even though it was marked on their faces that the situation was confusing

It's just that, however, they don't doubt my orders if the situation starts to get serious like this