After teleporting Nina and I back to the mansion, I updated our MMC to also send messages to Elmesia. Then, I picked up Cara and Alto and flew us all towards Wellick, guided by Cara and magic sense.
We're now closing in on the city.
"There's the Egris river!" (Cara)
Cara points excitedly towards the horizon, and I see a clear line of water sparkling in the distance. Also, Cara's comment reminds me of a burning question I've had. I turn towards Cara and smirk.
"So, Cara, whose vanity project was it to name this entire river after your family? It spreads into another undeveloped territory…I'm curious to see how people react to the name when another noble takes over." (Mizuki)
Cara rolls her eyes at me, but I also notice a bit of embarrassment in her expression. She sighs deeply.
"That would be my grandmother. As for what another noble may do about the name…who knows. If they don't want to call it that, I won't care. However, since new nobilities are rare, I may not be alive by the time a noble owns the rest of the land the river runs through. So, you definitely won't live long enough to see another noble take over that land." (Cara)
I look at her, puzzled, and she just stares back at me in confusion. Then, I realize…she's still under the impression that I just age a little slower than humans. That's what Nina told her at the royal announcement back then. Cara's aware that I'm strong, but she doesn't know about my home planet or the fact that I won't age – I never fully clued her in to everything about me like Alara. Nina seems to make the same realization.
"Fufufu…Mizuki is like me – he won't age. He'll far outlive you, Cara, as well as all the other elves of your country." (Nina)
Well…except Alto, but that's something we probably don't want to explain right now. I glance at Cara and notice her staring at me in shock. I just shrug and smile.
"Look, Mizuki, it's Wellick!" (Alto)
Alto's voice cuts off the impending questions from Cara, and I turn my attention back to the landscape before us. There's a large city sprawled out below, with the river running southwest to northeast through its center – Wellick.
I can see a few large, white marble buildings like the ones in Avalon. However, aside from its riverside location, there's one other curious feature of Wellick that I've never seen with other cities.
"Uhm…Cara…why is there no defensive wall around your capital city? Unless you have a natural barrier, like mountains or canyons, isn't that kind of thing standard?" (Mizuki)
After recovering from the shock of my lifespan, Cara registers my question and glares at me in annoyance.
"What exactly would we be defending from, Mizuki? Only elves have access to the city, and nobles wouldn't dare wage war against one another. Also, there are no dangerous monsters native to this region of the kingdom that would encroach on the city. A big wall would just be a huge waste of time and money." (Cara)
Huh…I guess that makes sense.
"Now, if you're done critiquing my capital, set us down on the edge of the city. Over there near the river would be ideal." (Cara)
Cara points towards a riverside area near the southern edge of the city. I nod my acknowledgement and do as she asked. Then, once I'm sure nobody is watching us, I drop the invisibility spell from our flight.
"For the record, Mizuki, this is where I'd like you to put the train station. After you build the railway, I'll build a small area with seating that connects to the main road over there, like Avalon has. Now, let's get this tour started!" (Cara)
I sense a rush of anticipation from Nina, and I smile at her in amusement. I'm glad she's got something to look forward to.
Following her declaration, Cara leads us towards the southern border of Wellick, where the main paved road passes into the city. As we enter the city, I'm shocked by a familiar smell hitting my nose.
No way...it can't be…Azura doesn't even have the seasons they need to grow! I pick up the pace and walk towards a street side vendor. A yelp of surprise comes from behind me.
"Wah!? Mizuki, where are you going!?" (Cara)
I ignore Cara and continue following my nose. As I approach the vendor, I see round fruit-like products with a mottled yellow and green coloring. They don't look quite right, but…
"Excuse me, Miss, what are these items called?" (Mizuki)
The vendor is a 40s-looking elven woman, and she seems startled by my question. Upon looking at me for a moment, she becomes nervous, presumably seeing that I'm human. Since I ran ahead of the group, I don't have Cara, Alto, or even Nina to give her context for my presence. Best to address things quickly since I'm on my own.
I smile back at the vendor and make a reassuring gesture, then produce my royal travel crest from around my neck. I've taken to wearing it whenever I'm out and about in the Elven Kingdom.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I scared you! I'm human, but my presence in your kingdom is endorsed by Queen Elira, and I'm currently a guest of Lady Cara. My name is Mizuki, and I serve Lady Nedonera the Elder Dragon. Perhaps you've heard of us?" (Mizuki)
The woman glances at my royal crest and relaxes, then she looks at me apologetically.
"My apologies, Lord Mizuki. I have of course heard of Lady Nedonera's generosity to the elves, as well as the human in her service." (fruit vendor)
Lord? I've heard 'sir' or 'master', but that's a new one. I…don't like it.
"Those are wah'lugs. They're a type of fruit, with a crisp texture and sweet taste, and they're a unique export of my territory. Since you left us all behind to run over here, can I assume that you want to try one, Mizuki?" (Cara)
I turn towards the sound of the unexpected voice. The others seem to have caught up to me, and Cara is wearing a mildly annoyed expression as she interjects. I glance at the vendor, and she's already giving a light bow to Cara.
"Lady Cara! It's an honor to have you visit my humble fruit stand! Please, try whatever you'd like!" (fruit vendor)
Cara smiles at the woman and nods appreciatively, then returns her attention to me with a questioning gaze.
"Oh, sorry Lady Cara! I got a little carried away when I smelled these fruits. Also, Miss, you can drop the 'Lord' and just call me Mizuki. May I try one of these wah'lugs?" (Mizuki)
The woman nods at me fervently, then politely hands me one of the fruits. I take it from her with a grateful nod, then turn my attention to the fruit with immense anticipation. I wonder if I'm right about these...they smell very similar.
[Mizuki I can sense the excitement from you…is there something special about this fruit? Fufufu…if so, you must tell me!] (Nina)
I look up from the fruit to Nina, who is staring at me with burning curiosity. Alto is giving me a thoughtful look.
I return my attention to the fruit and take a bite. As I bite into it, there's a crisp resistance, followed by a spray of sweet juice…I was right! It's not exactly the same, but…
"WAHH! I knew it, they're apples!" (Mizuki)
I'm so thrilled that my inner thoughts slip out, and everyone stares at me in confusion. The apple vendor directs a questioning gaze my way.
"Uhm…Lord Mizuki, do humans have wah'lugs as well? I thought they were unique to Lady Cara's domain, but I don't know much about the human countries." (fruit vendor)
I feel myself tense at the realization of my slip-up. Cara directs a suspicious gaze at me and interjects before I can respond.
"No…no, they don't. As far as I know, none of the other races have fruits like wah'lugs, and I've never heard them called 'apples' before. Care to explain, Mizuki?" (Cara)
Cara is staring at me questioningly. Shit…what to do. I direct a perplexed expression at Cara.
"Hmm…do you export these to Avalon? I suppose I could have had some there…I obviously mixed up the name with something else. You're right that I've never had these in the human countries." (Mizuki)
Cara gives me an exhausted expression. Yeahh…I don't think she's buying that weak-sauce excuse of mine.
"We export some to Avalon, sure, but they're rarely sold raw like that elsewhere. Also, mixed up...really? I've never heard the word 'apples' before, and it doesn't even sound similar." (Cara)
Yeah…I wouldn't believe that story either. Whelp…when in doubt, ignore them and move on!
"My Lady, you should try these! Miss, will this cover a few wah'lugs?" (Mizuki)
I quickly pull out a gold coin and hand it to the vendor. She nods in disbelief, so I grab a few apples and toss one to each of the people in our group. Nina is eyeing hers curiously.
[Go ahead, Nina and Alto! These taste like a kind of fruit from my home world, called apples.] (Mizuki)
Nina's eyes widen towards me, then she looks back at the apple eagerly. She takes a bite, and a delighted smile breaks out on her face.
"Mizuki, these are delicious! How are they so sweet!?" (Nina)
I smile smugly at Nina, but her own face turns mischievous, and I sense amusement and anticipation rolling off her in waves. With her, that means I'm about to be played for a fool.
"My faithful attendant, Mizuki. I command you to acquire more of these delicious fruits for your Lady!" (Nina)
Of course she'd find a way to exploit the situation...typical. Cara and Alto look like they're stifling laughter. I sigh internally, then give the smug looking Nina a polite smile and bow to her.
After, I turn towards the apple vendor…her mouth is just hanging open while she glances between Nina and the gold coin. I guess she just put together that an Elder Dragon is snacking on her apples. Also, I might have overpaid a touch.
"Of course, My Lady, as you wish. Miss, how much for your entire stock of apples? Please, make sure to charge us full price!" (Mizuki)
The woman's eyes go wide in alarm.
"A-All of them!? I…well…my whole selection here…that's easily covered by this gold coin, Lord Mizuki. Please, take as many as you want." (apple vendor)
I nod towards the vendor, then turn to Alto. She's just watching the events unfold with an amused grin.
"Alto, do you mind preparing some storage for our Lady's wah'lugs?" (Mizuki)
Alto smirks then summons an item box in front of us. There's a squeal of surprise from the vendor, and Cara looks exasperated by the extravagant display of magic.
I walk over to the vendor and grab each of the boxes of apples and dump them into the item box. Some little tests of mine with raw meat have taught me that things spoil drastically slower in an item box – they might even stay fresh indefinitely. So, this should be fine.
After I've loaded up all the apples, I pull out three more gold coins and hand them to the vendor. She is glancing between me and the four gold coins in her hand, and her face has gone pale. I've obviously overwhelmed the poor lady. Oh well!
I smile at her and nod.
"Here's some extra, Miss, for the trouble. Thanks so much! Lady Cara, shall we continue on our tour?" (Mizuki)
The vendor is now gaping at me, and I hear Cara grumble at my dismissive question. Nina is chomping on her apple, paying us no mind, and Alto just looks amused.
Oh yeah, I can already tell...this tour is going to be a blast.