Morning in Stone Town.
The air was cool and clean, carrying a faint scent of the sea. The marble stone streets, wet after being cleaned, were now starting to fill with morning merchants and nobles taking a leisurely stroll.
Illya’s luxurious carriage was already prepared in front of the Outgal Inn’s lobby, its door open.
Zaefal, wearing a neat black guard uniform, sat straight-backed atop a horse standing in front of the carriage. On the street, Fyar and Rasie stood silently behind Illya. Both were also wearing identical black uniforms. Fyar’s hair had returned to its original purple color, now cut a little neater.
In front of them, Lord Emeric, Lady Amara, and Mister Valerius stood to bid them farewell. Their grim expressions from the previous day were gone, replaced with calmer features.
Lady Amara stepped forward.
"Miss Illya, I don’t know what to say." She hugged Illya tightly.
"Thank you for giving us hope and allowing us to live again."
She released the hug and handed over a heavy leather pouch. The sound of coins clinked softly.
"This... isn’t much, as a token of my gratitude. Three thousand gold coins."
Mister Valerius nodded, his usually stiff face now looking more relaxed.
"Four thousand from me. Consider it our debt paid back to you."
He also handed over a heavy leather pouch.
Lord Emeric placed his heaviest pouch on top of the pile.
"And five thousand from me, Miss Illya."
Seeing this, Rasie and Fyar looked at each other.
Fyar raised his eyebrows up and down, smiling widely.
Rasie returned the smile with a wide grin.
Illya was slightly surprised to see the total of twelve thousand gold coins, but she managed to keep her expression calm.
"This is unnecessary, gentlemen, my lady. My family’s funds are quite sufficient."
Rasie and Fyar’s expressions instantly turned pale. They stared at Illya, holding their breath.
"No, Miss Illya," Emeric said firmly.
"We would feel disgraced if we gave nothing to the one who saved our lives. Please, accept it."
Illya was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Thank you, Lord Emeric, Lady Amara, Mister Valerius."
Illya then turned to Zaefal.
"Zaefal, please store this."
Fyar and Rasie let out a simultaneous sigh of relief. Foolish smiles returned to their faces.
Zaefal dismounted from his horse, took the three heavy pouches one by one, and stored them safely inside the carriage’s luggage compartment.
Illya looked back at her three allies.
"As per yesterday’s meeting, I will become a passive investor from now on. If there is a sudden alliance meeting, I will send an official representative from the Veyra family. For now, execute the plan we have laid out."
"Farewell, Miss Illya," the three of them said, bowing slightly.
Illya, Rasie, and Fyar turned and got into the carriage. Zaefal mounted his horse again.
With a soft jolt, the carriage began to move forward over the stone streets, leaving Tyelven.
---
Inside the luxurious carriage, the atmosphere was warm and calm. The wheels creaked softly on the stone road. The sound of the busy city streets was faint from outside.
Fyar and Illya sat side-by-side on the plush velvet cushions. Illya rested her head on Fyar’s shoulder. Her smaller hand held Fyar’s in their laps. Across from them, Rasie sat with her legs crossed, meticulously cleaning her dagger with an oiled cloth.
Rasie was the first to speak, with a foolish grin.
"Hehe. Thirty thousand gold from the mission. Twelve thousand just now. Total forty-two thousand gold."
She looked at Illya and Fyar, then hardened her fist.
"Even though I hold a bit of a grudge against that crazy prince for giving us this mission... but... but I’m a little grateful now that he gave it to us."
"You’re easily bribed, it seems, Rasie."
Zaefal’s calm voice was heard faintly from the driver’s window. He was listening to their conversation.
Rasie looked back towards the small window.
"Oi! Fourteen thousand each! Who wouldn’t be grateful! Imagine how many weapons and how much gear I can buy! I-I-I can finally try fancy food and buy volumes of novels without worrying anymore!"
Fyar glanced at Illya, who was resting comfortably on his shoulder.
"Fourteen thousand each... hmm. Maybe I’ll buy some clothes and gear."
"What about an inn, purple-hair?" Rasie asked.
"You could buy a small house with that and live comfortably in a noble’s inn."
Honestly, I want to. But, learning from my experience on Earth... I’m not going to be too extravagant this time.. Fyar muttered inwardly.
He coughed lightly.
"No. I don’t want to rush into buying a place or moving inns. I’ll only buy a house or change residences after I have... seventy thousand gold coins."
"Tch. You’re afraid of running out of money. Coward. Hah. After Dark Town, I expected you to use seven thousand gold for gambling and getting drunk," Rasie mocked.
"Just how bad is your opinion of me, Rasie," Fyar sighed.
"Yeah, yeah." Rasie then put her dagger away and took out a light novel, starting to read.
"I want to buy some rare books on healing magic," Illya murmured softly,
"And maybe some new dress."
Illya paused for a moment before asking,
"Fyar, if your reason for not changing inns is money, you can stay at one of my villas."
No, no. There would be huge gossip if I stayed there. Rumors of Illya dating a broke weirdo man with purple hair would spread fast!
Fyar fell silent. His gaze lingered on Illya’s hand, still holding his. Slowly, he lifted it and pressed a soft kiss to the back of her hand.
"Thank you... for the offer."
"No. You have to move, Fyar," Illya said, her tone slightly firm.
"Eh?" Fyar was a little taken aback.
"Why, Illya?"
She’s insisting? By the way, ever since we started dating, she’s become a little... bold with me. What’s going on, Fyar wondered.
Illya turned her head again. Her cheeks were slightly red.
"Th-there’s... a-a girl there who likes you in That In.."
"Likes me?" Fyar wondered.
"Ah, you mean Laura?"
"Y-yes!" Illya answered without hesitation.
Ah. If I remember correctly, she saw me near Laura once. So she’s jealous? How cute.
Fyar chuckled softly and stroked Illya’s hair gently.
"Don’t worry. She’s just my friend. When we get back, I’ll tell her I have a girlfriend now."
"R-really?" Illya asked shyly.
"Really."
Rasie snorted from behind her novel.
"You two are disgusting, you know."
Zaefal’s voice came again from the small driver’s window.
"Don’t spend it all. We will need new equipment. Next week, we are going to a level 10 dungeon. Our levels are now sufficient to kill four bosses in the same day."
"Next week?" Illya said, lifting her head slightly from Fyar’s shoulder.
"That means we have a few days off. The King’s birthday festival starts in four days, right?"
Rasie’s eyes immediately lit up. She lowered her novel.
"A festival! That’s right! There will be lots of good food and competitions that let me hit people!"
"Yes. You can rest and recover your mental states during the festival. Don’t overdo it, remember," said Zaefal.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Rasie went back reading her novel.
A festival. Well. Guess they have things like that in any world.
Fyar felt Illya rest her head on his shoulder again. He looked out the window, watching the main gate of Tyelven get closer.
A feeling of calm settled over him, something that felt strange after so long.