Journey Begins

Chapter 3

The three went back into the town center where they wandered around for a little. Zane spotted a blacksmith shop in the distance and decided to go there.

"You two! We're going to the blacksmith, keep up!" Zane ordered.

The two-run beside the carriage and Clarisse whispers to Lucia, "I hate this, can you believe this? Ordering us as if it's nothing."

"Calm down Clarisse, we're supposed to be used to orders by now," Lucia says calmly and smiles at Clarisse.

Zane stops at the front of the shop, drops the carriage, and enters. The two soon follow him. Zane looks around the shop nitpicking and looking very closely at which armor and sword, suits him the most. While the two just watch Zane.

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"Having trouble choosing what to use? Here!" The shopkeeper joyfully says as he picks up and drops a set of gear on the table.

Zane looks at the gear and walks forward to the counter and asks, "what's this? Can you explain it to me? I'm a new shopper."

"This is the finest craft I have. Magic infused armor that uses your mana to provide a physical defense. And this sword is 'Mronie'. Crafted from the finest metal anyone can find, which is 'Prijon', it's infused with magic as well to make it lighter," the shopkeeper explained thoroughly and politely.

"Does he even have any Gold or silver to pay for all that?" Clarissa asked Lucia.

"I'm not sure as well," Lucia bluntly said.

"If he doesn't have any, looks like we'll have to pay for it ourselves," Lucia added.

Clarisse was startled by Lucia and was about to say something, but decided to just keep calm.

"How much is it?" Zane asked nervously.

"This entire set is 4 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze," the shopkeeper said, smiling widely.

Zane drops his jaw and struggles to find anything in his pocket. He looked directly at the shopkeeper and said, "I don't have any with me," he chuckles worryingly.

"Damn it, I'm in trouble. I don't think these clowns are going to pay for it either."

The shopkeeper points at Lucia and Clarisse, "how about those two? Aren't they with you?"

Zane gasps… Lucia walks forward and drops exactly the amount told by the shopkeeper. She then says, "there you go, mister. Apologies, my master here is quite broke," Lucia kindly and gently said.

The shopkeeper came to his senses and was surprised, "Lu-Lucia Monesy?! And...and Cla-Clarisse Krix?! The battlemage of Etheria and the knight of Esperia! A pleasure to meet you! I'm Grucius," the shopkeeper bowed.

Lucia was quite embarrassed and tried to be humble by saying, "it's fine! It's fine."

Zane isn't interested in talking anymore and just grabs the set of gear and walks outside.

Clarisse followed and Lucia tried to follow but the shopkeeper asked a question, "is that the new hero?"

"Yes!"

"I hope he can finally succeed this time!" The shopkeeper cheered as Lucia ran waving out of the shop.

Zane drops all his gear at the back of the carriage and sees a bottle labeled 'Strength potion, grade 5' he drinks it and his body felt light.

"You two, hop on the back. We're heading to the stable right there. I'm going to grab a better carriage that has 4 wheels and what a horse can pull," Zane said.

Clarissa hops in and does not say anything, Lucia hops in and says, "thank you!"

Zane pulled the carriage easily. As he just drank a potion that increased his physical capabilities. The two noticed how strong Zane was. But they noticed the bottle that he drank from, so they weren't surprised.

They arrived at the stable in no time. Zane took two horses and a bigger carriage and Lucia paid for it again. They moved all of Zane's things to the new carriage and they hopped at the back as Zane controlled the horses.

They continue on a road and Zane asks, "where does his path lead to? And where does the other one back there lead to?"

Lucia looks at Clarisse and sees she still doesn't want to talk. So, she answers instead, "this place is just a city called 'Nigespear' the center of all trades. The land is divided into 4 kingdoms, the kingdom of the east, Esperia is where we are currently going on this way.

"The kingdom on the opposite side of this road, Etheria, also known as 'The kingdom of magic. The kingdom in the north is known as 'Huoli'. And the kingdom in the south is known as 'Leopol.' Elves, dwarfs, and humans live in all countries in harmony. Only Etheria is hard to enter since it's constantly under high alert because of all the magic scrolls kept in the kingdom," Lucia explains further.

"I don't care about it all. But, let's head to Etheria, it sounds like an interesting place," Zane suggested but not interested in what the two have to say.

"Etheria is restricted!" Lucia conveyed.

Zane controls the horse to turn around and head to Etheria. He then says, "are you not from the place? You should be able to get us in."

"We need a merchant pass, magic transporter level. You're only at the rookie level," Lucia implied.

"Now that I think about it. I am just a rookie merchant like what my details tab said."

"I just want to see the kingdom from the outside," Zane said and looked behind smiling.

"Ok. That works as well, I suppose," Lucia said worryingly.

Zane asks, "how long will it take us to arrive at Etheria?"

"Around 3 to 5 hours. Depending on what pace the horses decide to go at," Lucia replied joyfully.

"Ahhh, quite far away. You two can sleep, I'll just wake you up when we arrive at Etheria's front door," Zane said gently.

Lucia was surprised. She looks at Clarisse and sees she's already stiff as a log sleeping. So, she closed her eyes and just left everything to Zane.

…

Lucia wakes up from a commotion. She opens her eyes and sees Clarisse is not in front of her, Zane isn't on the front controlling the carriage either. Lucia steps out and sees Zane arguing with someone and Clarisse watching them.

"I told you! I am not taking you in. Unless you give me a reason," Zane shouts angrily.

"I am getting on that carriage whether you like it or not. I am Princess Roùx! Son of Duke Gottenhal," Princess Roùx insisted.

"Princess Roùx?" Lucia asked while walking forward slowly.

The princess sees Lucia and runs to her and weeps at her.