After that little encounter, nothing much happened on the rest of the journey. Another day had just risen, and they continued with their journey. They passed through hills, forests, and finally open plains. They then noticed other wagons starting to appear on the horizon. They passed a couple who were heading out in the direction they once came, probably merchants on their way to trade in Redfield. The clusters of merchans moving to and away from the horizon started coming by the minute, and in a couple of hours they started to see the city of Aeris.
Its enormous stone wall stood at a very impressive height, much higher than the ones found on Redfield. A moat surrounded the entire city, which was only accessible through large wood and iron doors.
"Whoa, so this is Aeris, huh?" Ellie said in awe.
"Beautiful, isn't it? This city is the capital's lifeline. If Aeris stopped providing valuable resources to the capital, this would be the capital instead," Elias, the old merchant, said.
"Then why is it that Ceres is the capital and not Aeris?" Nirra asked from the wagon.
"It is because Aeris is a vital trading hub; it used to be the capital, but the 4th king moved the capital to his home town, which is in the middle of the kingdom," Elias explained.
"I see." Nirra then looked at the big city in front of them.
Being a trade hub city, it was only natural for them to see a long line of traders and merchants waiting to get inside the city. Once it was their turn, a guard wearing iron armor approached their wagon.
"Present your cards, please," he said with his hand out while he stood in the front seat where Ellie was.
Ellie and Elias handed their adventurer's card and merchant card, respectively; Nirra did so as well, but when he reached Amelia, Amelia breifly showed off her platinum-stamped S ranker card, and the guard flinched in surprise. He whispered something to her before examining the other's card. He used a blue crystal that emitted a light to scan the cards, and when it was finished, he nodded and gave the cards back to their respective owners.
"Alright, you're clear. Don't do anything that will upset the nobles in this city, and do not break any laws," he explained as the wagon started moving again and into the nearby stable for the tired horses to rest after the long trip.
Nirra and Ellie got off the wagon with their things, along with Amelia. Elias walked up to them with a satisfied smile and gave them the quest parchment with a stamp, signifying that they had completed the escort quest.
"Thank you for protecting me while I traveled here," he said.
"It was our job; good luck on your goods," Nirra replied.
The group then left Elias with his own things and moved inward from the city walls. Infront of them were a huge amount of people walking around, trying to get to their respective jobs. Large, tall houses made out of wood and some with stone were dotted about, as were various buildings, most likely inns for adventurers, lining the side of the road.
"The first order of business is to book a nice inn for us to stay in and rest for a bit before heading to the guild branch in here to turn in the escort quest," Nirra announced as she turned around to meet the gazes of her friends.
"Okay, that sounds reasonable," Ellie said nonchalantly with her arms behind her head.
"I know a perfect spot for us to stay in," Ameria, who is actually Ameria, said as she pointed at a nearby inn with a stone foundation, wooden walls, glass windows, and a very elegant-looking porch to go with the cozy aesthetic.
"Are you sure we can afford to stay here?" Nirra turned to look at Ameria with her brow raised.
"I am very sure; just trust me," Ameria said as she walked into the inn. Nirra and Ellie followed suit.
The inside was as cozy as the outside, with many adventurers, like inside a guild, drinking and eating their respective meals. Nirra guessed this inn specifically catered to the adventuring parties that would visit this city for the same reasons.
"Please let me do the talking, alright?" Ameria said, which received a puzzled expression from the two twins behind her. Nevertheless, they followed her towards the front desk, where a girl with red hair was waiting for them.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Paradise Inn. Would you like to rent a room?" She said with a friendly smile.
"Ana, it's me," Ameria said as she leaned in to let the girl see her facial features that were hiding under the hood.
"Ame! It's been so long since you last visited. I thought you had already forgotten about me," the girl said, almost fake-crying in the end.
"Yeah, I was a bit held up with the problems of being an S-ranker. I'm here under a very confidential mission, so could you lower the price of the room for us?" Ameria said.
"Boohoo, this is your first time since forever visiting me, and the first thing you ask is for a discount. Ame, you're going to make me cry while at work," she said as she leaned dramatically on the counter with her hand above her forehead.
"Please, Ana, you still owe me from last time, remember?" Ameria said.
"Yeah, yeah. Hmph, the rend will be 50 silver coins instead of a gold coin per person. Happy now?" Ana said while she crossed her arms, pouting.
"Yeah, that'll do. Thank you," Ameria said.
"Okay, now we're even," she said as she laid three keys on the counter.
Nirra, Ellie, and Ameria each pulled out 50 silver coins each and grabbed their respective keys.
"Thank you for choosing our little inn. Please enjoy your stay," she said while she regained her friendly smile.
All of them went up the stairs and into their each respective rooms to take a break from their long trip. Nirra's room was located across from Ellie's room and had carved wooden furniture. The bed was not very big, but big enough to fit a single person. Near said bed is a large window that overlooks the streets where they were a few minutes ago. To her right was a closet to store her clothes, and next to that was a door that leads to a small washroom and shower. Nirra found it all very accommodating for the price of 50 silver coins. So, with extra time on her hands before heading towards the guild, she placed all her clothes inside the closet to make herself at home. Mofu jumped out of her bag to help with Nirra's task and was rewarded with garlic bread, much to the small fox's appreciation.
After that little encounter, nothing much happened on the rest of the journey. Another day had just risen, and they continued with their journey. They passed through hills, forests, and finally open plains. They then noticed other wagons starting to appear on the horizon. They passed a couple who were heading out in the direction they once came, probably merchants on their way to trade in Redfield. The clusters of merchans moving to and away from the horizon started coming by the minute, and in a couple of hours they started to see the city of Aeris.
Its enormous stone wall stood at a very impressive height, much higher than the ones found on Redfield. A moat surrounded the entire city, which was only accessible through large wood and iron doors.
"Whoa, so this is Aeris, huh?" Ellie said in awe.
"Beautiful, isn't it? This city is the capital's lifeline. If Aeris stopped providing valuable resources to the capital, this would be the capital instead," Elias, the old merchant, said.
"Then why is it that Ceres is the capital and not Aeris?" Nirra asked from the wagon.
"It is because Aeris is a vital trading hub; it used to be the capital, but the 4th king moved the capital to his home town, which is in the middle of the kingdom," Elias explained.
"I see." Nirra then looked at the big city in front of them.
Being a trade hub city, it was only natural for them to see a long line of traders and merchants waiting to get inside the city. Once it was their turn, a guard wearing iron armor approached their wagon.
"Present your cards, please," he said with his hand out while he stood in the front seat where Ellie was.
Ellie and Elias handed their adventurer's card and merchant card, respectively; Nirra did so as well, but when he reached Amelia, Amelia breifly showed off her platinum-stamped S ranker card, and the guard flinched in surprise. He whispered something to her before examining the other's card. He used a blue crystal that emitted a light to scan the cards, and when it was finished, he nodded and gave the cards back to their respective owners.
"Alright, you're clear. Don't do anything that will upset the nobles in this city, and do not break any laws," he explained as the wagon started moving again and into the nearby stable for the tired horses to rest after the long trip.
Nirra and Ellie got off the wagon with their things, along with Amelia. Elias walked up to them with a satisfied smile and gave them the quest parchment with a stamp, signifying that they had completed the escort quest.
"Thank you for protecting me while I traveled here," he said.
"It was our job; good luck on your goods," Nirra replied.
The group then left Elias with his own things and moved inward from the city walls. Infront of them were a huge amount of people walking around, trying to get to their respective jobs. Large, tall houses made out of wood and some with stone were dotted about, as were various buildings, most likely inns for adventurers, lining the side of the road.
"The first order of business is to book a nice inn for us to stay in and rest for a bit before heading to the guild branch in here to turn in the escort quest," Nirra announced as she turned around to meet the gazes of her friends.
"Okay, that sounds reasonable," Ellie said nonchalantly with her arms behind her head.
"I know a perfect spot for us to stay in," Ameria, who is actually Ameria, said as she pointed at a nearby inn with a stone foundation, wooden walls, glass windows, and a very elegant-looking porch to go with the cozy aesthetic.
"Are you sure we can afford to stay here?" Nirra turned to look at Ameria with her brow raised.
"I am very sure; just trust me," Ameria said as she walked into the inn. Nirra and Ellie followed suit.
The inside was as cozy as the outside, with many adventurers, like inside a guild, drinking and eating their respective meals. Nirra guessed this inn specifically catered to the adventuring parties that would visit this city for the same reasons.
"Please let me do the talking, alright?" Ameria said, which received a puzzled expression from the two twins behind her. Nevertheless, they followed her towards the front desk, where a girl with red hair was waiting for them.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Paradise Inn. Would you like to rent a room?" She said with a friendly smile.
"Ana, it's me," Ameria said as she leaned in to let the girl see her facial features that were hiding under the hood.
"Ame! It's been so long since you last visited. I thought you had already forgotten about me," the girl said, almost fake-crying in the end.
"Yeah, I was a bit held up with the problems of being an S-ranker. I'm here under a very confidential mission, so could you lower the price of the room for us?" Ameria said.
"Boohoo, this is your first time since forever visiting me, and the first thing you ask is for a discount. Ame, you're going to make me cry while at work," she said as she leaned dramatically on the counter with her hand above her forehead.
"Please, Ana, you still owe me from last time, remember?" Ameria said.
"Yeah, yeah. Hmph, the rend will be 50 silver coins instead of a gold coin per person. Happy now?" Ana said while she crossed her arms, pouting.
"Yeah, that'll do. Thank you," Ameria said.
"Okay, now we're even," she said as she laid three keys on the counter.
Nirra, Ellie, and Ameria each pulled out 50 silver coins each and grabbed their respective keys.
"Thank you for choosing our little inn. Please enjoy your stay," she said while she regained her friendly smile.
All of them went up the stairs and into their each respective rooms to take a break from their long trip. Nirra's room was located across from Ellie's room and had carved wooden furniture. The bed was not very big, but big enough to fit a single person. Near said bed is a large window that overlooks the streets where they were a few minutes ago. To her right was a closet to store her clothes, and next to that was a door that leads to a small washroom and shower. Nirra found it all very accommodating for the price of 50 silver coins. So, with extra time on her hands before heading towards the guild, she placed all her clothes inside the closet to make herself at home. Mofu jumped out of her bag to help with Nirra's task and was rewarded with garlic bread, much to the small fox's appreciation.
