Sausages, Souvenirs, and Sinister Growls
Brick-paved streets stretched out modestly wide on either side, flanked by European-style buildings. A thrill like being on vacation filled my chest.
“Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
Yriel hopped down from the carriage after me and asked.
The first place I wanted to go...? I turned to look at Yriel. Even from afar, that sparkling platinum blonde hair caught my eye immediately.
“Hold on a sec first.”
I toddled over and pulled the hood of Yriel’s robe down over their head.
I’d just seen some stares, and Yriel was obviously famous, so we needed to hide their identity if we wanted to move around freely.
I nodded slightly and looked ahead again.
My primary goal in coming to the capital was to check the original story’s progress.
Hmm...
Should I head to a library or something first?
As I rubbed my chin in thought, Yriel tapped my back.
“Is this your first time in the capital, Ruen?”
“Yeah? First time.”
Yriel curled up the corners of their mouth.
“Then just follow me! I’ll give you the full tour.”
“Huh? Wait... no...”
I was dragged along by Yriel’s hand, stumbling forward aimlessly.
The street was packed with people, bustling and noisy. Even if it had warmed up, this kind of energy was rare in the North.
“First stop, right here!”
Yriel, leading the way, stopped in front of a restaurant tucked away in a quiet spot.
The savory aroma pierced my nose, accompanied by sizzling sounds.
“No, I’ve got stuff to do...”
Inside, sausages were grilling to golden perfection on the hot griddle.
“Well, maybe...”
My mouth watered with a gulp.
The rich, nutty scent from the pork belly fat breaking down, followed by smoky notes and the sharp bite of pepper.
“...Should I eat first?”
I wandered into the restaurant like I was hypnotized.
“Great idea! Boss, two thunderboar sausage specials here, please.”
“Coming right up. Take a seat and wait just a bit!”
Yriel followed me in and ordered with familiar ease.
The food arrived soon after.
On a sizzling stone plate: sausages and french fries.
It was a violent sight.
***
“Let’s check that one out too, and that one!”
“Yes!”
I pointed to the next spot as we exited yet another souvenir shop.
Before I knew it, I was covered head to toe in trinkets.
Flashy pink sunglasses on my face. Bracelets and baubles covered my arms and hands, hiding my pale skin.
All bought by Yriel.
“A little further ahead is the market district. Barto might be there too.”
“Heh heh.”
I dashed down the street on tiptoe.
Forget saying there’s nothing to do in the medieval era.
Infinite funds and a theme park you couldn’t find anywhere on Earth? My eyes spinning on their own was inevitable. Not a self-control issue.
I planned to stay here a few weeks anyway, so blowing off one day for fun was fine.
The nagging guilt from earlier was long forgotten.
Life’s short—one time, no, two at most. Gotta enjoy it!
I skipped along toward the market district with Yriel.
Unlike what Yriel said, it was quite a hike.
About ten minutes, give or take.
For someone too lazy to walk, who’d covered the Grand Duke’s Castle in moving walkways and escalators, it felt far.
We finally arrived at the market, panting.
Stalls with colorful accessories, food carts wafting different savory smells from the sausages earlier.
It screamed “I’m a market!” with full vibe.
Hmm... No sign of Barto.
That was my first scan.
Where was Barto? The pedestrians around were just glancing at each other suspiciously. No flying carriages, not even a scrap of fur.
“Sold out already?”
“Could be. I’ve heard northern goods are impossible to get among nobles.”
“Eh, he probably did fine.”
Still, missing a spectacle was a bit disappointing.
I smacked my lips and headed to the nearest accessory stall.
—Shoooo.
A familiar sound.
Compressed air hissing out.
Definitely the exhaust from my carriage.
“He’s here!”
“Hey! It’s my turn this time. If I go back empty-handed again, you know what the missus’ll say!”
The already noisy market turned into pandemonium in seconds.
Like thieves had shown up, pedestrians surged forward, body-checking me in the chaos.
“Ruen, you okay?”
“Ow... damn.”
I barely escaped the crush of people shoving toward the market center.
When some elbow smacked my crown, I nearly blasted them with magic in rage.
But I held back, so maybe my self-control leveled up?
Sip...
I rubbed my throbbing head, praising and soothing myself at once.
“Everyone, please maintain order.”
In the market’s heart, Barto’s voice boomed, amplified by mana from midair.
At the same time, a carriage descended slowly, with dignified flair.
That must’ve been the “dramatic entrance” I’d heard about.
The suspicious glances were all aimed at this.
“I’ll bid a hundred gold!”
“Ah, the auction hasn’t even started yet.”
The northern carriage soon touched down fully.
Probably. My height meant the crowd’s backs blocked the view—pure guess.
Tch.
Hopping didn’t help my line of sight.
“See anything?”
“...Yeah.”
Not a lie.
I spotted the familiar sleeve that had elbowed my head.
Face memorized.
“I wanna see too! Can’t we use magic?”
“No. Banned for now.”
Yriel drooped at my firm refusal.
Still mountains of intel to gather: holy power stuff, story progress.
A full day of shopping stabbed at the last shred of my conscience, but I brushed it off.
At least I got cool sunglasses.
That’s enough, right?
Hmm...
I circled the dense crowd with a grunt.
“It’s like this every day, but today is especially glorious. The First Princess herself was most satisfied with the quality of these northern furs and graciously bestowed her noble endorsement.”
Sunset was nearing.
A bit late even for showmanship, but they’d apparently visited the palace.
Or it could be sales talk.
I hadn’t seen it, so who knows.
As Barto spoke, the crowd gulped in unison.
“What do you mean she endorsed the quality personally?”
One pedestrian asked in a voice dripping with greed.
“This.”
“Whoa.”
“That’s...!”
What the hell?
Still couldn’t see Barto.
Curiosity peaked; I grabbed Yriel and scaled a nearby building.
Minimal mana to avoid attention.
“You said you could see earlier?”
“...So you can too.”
“Ah! Thank you.”
Wall-climbing was routine.
Always did it waiting to rob the count’s wagons.
I hopped onto the roof and peered down.
Barto held an intricately crafted glass bottle.
Shifting colors by angle—like stained glass at a glance.
“What’s that?”
“Perfume bottle. High-end stuff, exclusive to the imperial family.”
“Ooh...”
As I admired it, Barto continued.
“A scent permitted only for northern furs. Sun shards meet northern snowflakes. A historic moment, no?”
Barto spritzed perfume on the furs.
Chin in hand, I watched the sales pitch eagerly—until a weird sound hit my ear.
Not wallets opening. Though I heard those too.
Something familiar, ominous.
Grrrrowl...
If my memory was right, a magic beast’s growl.
“You hear that?”
“Hear what?”
I asked Yriel, who stared at Barto with sparkling eyes.
Just me, then.
Tsk...
The unpleasant sound kept coming, impossible to ignore.
“Stay here a sec.”
“Yes! Be safe.”
I pattered across the rooftop toward the source.
Not far.
Alley between my roof and the opposite building.
I flattened myself and looked down.
“We safe from this guy?”
“Dead by this one or the boss—same difference.”
Between two men in head-to-toe black, an iron cage.
Inside: two wolf-like magic beasts.
“Look at these bastards.”
No need to assess—just obvious foul play.
I dropped straight into the alley.
—Thud.
Pain stung my landing feet. Should’ve used more mana.
“Who the hell are you?!”
No time for cliché lines.
Hiding the pain took all my focus.
“Ow, crap...”
Blinking back tears, I pointed at the black-clad men.