Around just three hours had passed since we left Reona Forest.
It's afternoon. We were walking on a grassy path—me in the middle, Vino and Evin on my left, and to my right, Van and Larkin.
We were all tired from fighting that spider, so we just walked in silence, enjoying the view. Now that I think about it... Larkin has that teleportation stone. Why doesn't he bring it up? We could easily use it to get to Elordia. Or maybe... maybe he doesn't want to waste it, since he said he can only use it once a day. Which means if we get into danger, we could easily escape with it. He's smart. Now back to the test I got from the system... eliminating five people? This really isn't something simple... just how, and who, am I supposed to eliminate...
While walking, Evin suddenly stopped in place. We turned to face her.
"Guys, let's take a break. I'm really tired. Also, I bet you boys are all hungry—you just don't want to admit it."
Vino, without hesitation, took his sword from behind his back, placed it on the ground, and sat down immediately. "YEEE, FOOD TIME!"
"Haha, sure, let's take a break," Larkin said as he sat down too and grabbed his backpack.
Van and I followed and sat down as well.
I took out a piece of bread from my backpack. As I touched it, I noticed how stale it had become—dry and hard. Doesn't matter though. Food's food.
One thing I also noticed is that there aren't any refrigerators in this world, which means they only sell non-perishable food. But now that I think about it... there's magic here, right? Why don't they use ice magic to freeze food? Eh... maybe they actually do.
Now all I'm thinking about is food...
After the break, we stood up and continued on our way. Luckily, there are signs everywhere showing the nearest cities or forests, so getting lost here is almost impossible. Maps aren't even needed—at least for nearby destinations.
----
Finally, we could see it from afar. Elordia City.
Exactly three days had passed. We hadn't rushed, but we still made it on time. As we got closer, more and more of the city became clear. There were no gates, no guards—just a massive city with a huge bridge connecting it to the land. The city itself was surrounded by a lake, making the bridge the only way in. Beautiful trees and flowers bloomed all around the water.
"So, have any of you been here before?" Evin asked quietly as we walked toward the city.
"Yeah, me. Just for a mission, though," Larkin responded.
We were all focused on the breathtaking view before us.
As we entered the city, we noticed how quiet it was. Everyone minded their own business—no yelling, no fighting. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air so strongly you could smell it from anywhere.
After a while, we stopped in the city center.
We turned toward Larkin. "So, Larkin... where's that master you told us about?"
"Why are y'all looking at me like that?" He said, then continued, "I don't know where he exactly is, but I've heard a lot about him—how he's the best teacher of magic. His name's Loin Arunder. Let's just look for a sign or a place with that name on it."
Evin sighed. "Alright, let's split up and search. We'll meet back here in an hour."
We all nodded, and each went our own way.
I waited until everyone was gone, then headed into a nearby bread shop. I asked if they knew anyone named Loin Arunder. I did the same with many other stores, but every single one said they had no idea who that was.
Hmmm... that's weird. Something's off. Every shopkeeper answered the same way—some even replied before I finished my question. Either they're all lying... or they're just used to being asked about him by other travelers. I need to find a way to know for sure if they're hiding something.
I went back into the first store again.
"Yo, it's me again." It was the old man still sorting bread on the shelves.
"You again, kid? What is it this time?" he asked.
"Well, I just want to know why an old man like you would lie. I just met Loin Arunder outside—he said he lives here and even buys from this shop."
The man's face turned red, and he took a few steps back.
"I'm really sorry, kid. I had to lie because Loin Arunder himself asked me—and the other shops—to deny knowing him. He doesn't like people coming around asking about him, and—"
I smiled as he spoke.
"Wait…" he paused. "Alright, kid, be honest—did you really meet Loin Arunder, or did you just say that to make me talk?"
"I'm sorry, old man, I had to." "But I've got one more favor to ask—could you show me where he lives?" I asked with a grin.
"Sure... but don't tell that old man I said anything, understood, kid?"
"Yeah, of course." Did he just say 'old man'? If this guy calls him old... how old is Loin Arunder, then...?
He pointed me in a direction and described the house.
I thanked him and went back to the city center to wait for the squad.
Around forty minutes had already passed, so all I had to do was wait twenty more.
Wasn't that hard to find the truth out... Now I just feel bad for tricking that old man like that...