Azarinth Healer Chapter 552: Tourist Guide

So that is one of your towns? adow asked.

Ilea nodded. I havent actually been here before. Its not that large compared to so of the places Ive visited.

Its quite impressive. The buildings that is the walls are not enchanted? it asked.

Probably not, no. Most creatures arent quite as high level as that Werewolf. And even that one might not approach the lights and noise of a town, she said.

Fascinating truly, adow said.

Do you want to go in? Look around? Ilea asked.

Is that not too much of a risk? What if were discovered? There are powerful humans out there. They may not be as amicable if they find out you are carrying a four mark being, adow said. Also know that I wont expand here. My mana would kill most of the humans in my vicinity.

Would be exceedingly unlucky to get discovered here, let alone by soone who could actually oppose , Ilea said and walked towards the town walls.

They were sowhere in Lys. Probably.

She decided it was safer to just enter, blinking and displacing herself before they both appeared on a dirt road.

A single drunk man in shoddy pants and without a shirt on yelped.

Greetings, Ilea said.

He gulped. Ah greetinsh, my lady.

Manners at least, she thought and flung a piece of silver towards him.

You didnt lie this man is level eighteen. How did he survive so long? He looks at least a decade old! adow said.

Hes at least thirty years old actually. The walls are your answer. Walls and lack of predators in the area I suppose. He wouldnt go out into the wild without protection or in a large group, Ilea said. Many of the monsters around arent far above him in level by the way. Its not just us humans.

I didnt an to insult you. I hope you understand. Its just that I havent seen sothing quite like this, adow said.

Ilea chuckled. Dont you worry. Im quite aware of my species limitations. And our potential.

Killing Astral spirits when you started like that? Youre starting to look more and more impressive, Ilea, adow said.

Dont flatter . Im happy to accept complints once Ive bested you in a bout, she said and entered the local inn, putting adow into the pack she summoned.

There were plenty of patrons around, her casual adventurer look not standing out quite as much as she had thought.

Ilea tried identifying the adow but failed, the spell unable to pierce the simple fabric.

Good. Wouldnt want the Lily to find out quite this early.

Is this bread? And so kind of at? When did you last clean this thing? the creature asked.

I havent used it in a while. Shouldnt be too bad. Stored items dont spoil, right? she asked.

Hmm. Yes. I suppose it could be worse. But a mundane pack instead of spacial storage? adow said.

Ilea ordered two mugs of ale before sitting down near a corner of the room. Most of the large space was lit by oil lamps fastened to the wooden beams and walls.

Most of the patrons looked like farrs or simple townsfolk, two groups more the adventurer type. A single man played lazily on a lute, not singing at the mont.

There are so many people what are they drinking? it asked.

Ale, whiskey, beer, gin, and a bunch of other beverages. Mostly of an alcoholic nature, she said.

Alcoholic? adow asked.

Its poisonous to humans. Dulls our senses. Makes you feel warm and fuzzy, or sad and terrible, maybe angry and bold. Depends on who you are, how much you drink, and how youre doing, she said.

Why do they do that? adow asked.

To have fun. To celebrate. Maybe to forget. Could be theyre addicted, or its just the only thing they have that brings a resemblance of joy. I like the taste mostly. But the alcohol itself isnt working on anymore, Ilea explained.

Fascinating. So many facets and possibilities. Humans are very cute, adow said.

Eh. Not sure if I share that opinion. I do think youre quite cute, to be honest, Ilea said and thanked the girl who brought her ale, taking a sip and sitting back. She casually rested an arm on the pack next to her.

Im flattered. But I like adows, adow said.

You dont even have reproductive organs, do you? Ilea asked.

Way to be insensitive, adow said with a huff.

Sorry. Didnt an to tread on you, Ilea said and patted the backpack.

I was kidding. Though I do appreciate the sentint. Rember that Im a millennia old being. Ive had plenty of ti to think about existence and my place in it, it said.

Its still okay to be insecure or hurt about things. Age alone doesnt change that, Ilea said and took another sip.

Excuse , miss? a man clad in decrepit leather armor asked. He was ard with a simple shortsword.

Hmm? Ilea asked as she took another sip, glancing at the man.

We been wonderin a healer like yerself. Mayhaps you may be lookin for a group to do jobs with? he asked, sweating by now.

Ilea saw the group of badly equipped adventurers at the table nearby, averting their eyes a little too obviously.

Whats your na? Ilea asked.

Ah Marry, miss, he said.

Sit down Marry. Why dont you tell about yourself and the last job you did with those four? Ilea said.

He looked back at the group, sweating even more. Ehm, miss. I didnt an no offense.

Ilea looked up at him. I wasnt offended. I just asked about you and your last job. To get an idea about what kind of team you are. How would I make a decision to join you otherwise?

Are you actually going to join them? adow asked, sounding intrigued and a little confused.

[Warrior lvl 29]

The man looked young, eighteen maybe. His hairline was already declining. For a warrior his physique wasnt too impressive but that could be misleading. His eyes were quite striking, a deep brown. Otherwise he wasnt exactly blessed with beauty.

Probably not. Because Im bringing you north. Otherwise. Maybe? They seem like they could use so pointers, Ilea said.

Marry gingerly sat down, nearly tripping on the chair.

He gulped.

Well and the lads and Ceril, well. We thought ta take up fightin ourselves kill so pests and beasts. Hard ta find work round here otherwise. With the war an all, he explained.

Ilea didnt interrupt him, just drinking from her ale. She moved on to the second mug.

Ah right our last job. We were tasked to search a farm nearby. Boy had co runnin, talkin about monsters. Moles they were massive ones with teeth this big, he said and gestured with his hand. Took us a few hours but we foun em all. Killed the buggers with steel and spells. Maul is good with fire.

Two of us got injured. Hurt like a cun- like a really bad. Had ta let it heal for a few days. leg hasnt looked that bad ever but now tis fine again, he said and laughed awkwardly.

Is this a local accent? How many different ones have I heard so far? I dont rember anybody in Lys speaking like this. Hmm well its not for to question how people talk.

She smiled and put down her mug. That sounds like an adventure alright.

He smiled too, the gesture sadly not helping his looks.

Thanks miss. So whaddaya think? You been around ere long? he asked.

Im just passing through, Marry. I do believe my missions are generally aid at stronger opponents than moles though. Im a Shadow after all, Ilea said with a smile.

He made a surprised quipping noise, staring at her with confusion.

Tell you what, why dont you take these and bring them to a smith who can handle them. Maybe get so better weapons as soon as you have the funds to pay for them, she said and summoned five Niaer steel ingots. Half of her supply.

He made another noise before he looked around nervously.

Most of the patrons hadnt given them any attention. That didnt change now.

I cant miss, I cant pay for that, he said.

Its free. Take it as a gesture from one adventurer to another, Ilea said. Thanks for the offer.

She put down a few copper coins for the ale and vanished to avoid another conversation. adow was displaced into her hand again, her pack stored once more.

You like a mysterious flair, adow said with a giggle.

I dislike extended conversations with people who think so kind of monster, hero, or goddess, she said.

I feel you, adow said.

Where did you get That expression from? she asked.

A romance novel Michael provided. There were interesting uses of language in that one, it said.

Maybe an author that ca from my realm, Ilea wondered, strolling through the town.

You just beca the mysterious stranger to start their story. Funny, adow said.

Until they realize most smiths around here cant handle those ingots. Or it gets stolen. Or their party falls apart because they cant decide what to do with it, Ilea said.

I didnt say a happy story, adow said. Though I suppose you are a little pessimistic.

Reality is often disappointing, Ilea said.

Why the deep voice? adow asked.

Dont worry about it. Hey maybe youre right and it actually jump starts their crew. Might hear from them in a decade or two, she said.

If youre continuing like this, youre not going to be alive to see that, adow said.

Now youre the one being pessimistic, she said. I can heal pretty much anything.

Not overconfidence and death, adow said.

Not yet, Ilea corrected.

They both laughed, already reaching the other side of town.

SHUT THE FUCK UP! soone shouted from an open window.

Apologies, wondrous drear.

Everyone is asleep. Do you need that much of it? adow asked.

Mhm. It lessens as you level of course and depending on skills and Classes but yes. Humans do sleep a lot, she said, displacing both of them out of the town whose na she hadnt learned.

Thank you, adow said.

Hmm, for what? Ilea asked, spreading her wings before she lazily flew through fields. A few trees started to show by now, thin patches of forest visible in the distance.

For letting see all this. I know you just want to go back to killing monsters, it said.

Just because thats all I did in Erendar, doesnt an its representative of what I do. Well it kiiind of is but not fully. I do enjoy just exploring, Ilea said.

How did the ale taste? adow asked.

Not that good to be honest. The hygiene in the kitchen didnt impress either to be honest. Maybe it was just the mugs, she said.

You didnt have to drink it, you know? adow said.

It fit with the whole atmosphere. adow, you yourself have reduced to a bloodied and pierced through head. So dirty mugs dont bother , she said with a smile.

I suppose, adow said. I wouldve still complained.

Now I want to see that. Though I guess youd make them burst with arcane energy just being in the sa room, she said.

Id have to request the manager of course, adow said.

Ilea laughed, speeding up a little now that she knew the adow had seen much of what could be deed interesting in the surrounding areas.

Gyffold remained where it stood, undamaged from a quick aerial view.

Seems like it worked, Ilea said and descended to the shoreline. Ill quickly go check inside. Can I leave you here for a minute?

Please, mother! Dont leave alone in the wilderness! I will be eaten by wolves! one of the most powerful creatures she had ever t said.

You have your mark. Call for help if critters start mangling you, Ilea said.

You heartless wench, adow said.

Says the tree. Literally no heart, she said.

How would you know. Never seen my innards, have you? Too weak for that, the creature said.

True, that I am, Ilea said and vanished.

She quickly entered the city, appearing in the gate room a mont later.

Only two guards had remained, playing cards on a chunk of rubble.

Attention! Ilea said, covered in her ashen armor.

The gate was gone, the surrounding space and mana returned to its normal state.

No residue, nothing.

She wondered how the city would look if they had closed it from this side instead.

Floating rubble.

The guards scrambled up and saluted, their heartbeats nearly exploding.

I was kidding. I have no authority to command you, Ilea said and displaced the fallen cards back onto the chunk of stone. Enjoy your ga.

She vanished again and joined the adow.

Whats that? Ilea asked, looking at the fox scrambling away at her appearance.

We will not talk of this, the adow said.

It slled slightly sour.

Did it? Damn. Well if that isnt an achievent for so insane evolution down that foxs life.

She displaced the ball of stone into the lake, retrieving it a few seconds later.

I nearly drowned, it said.

Sure you did, Ilea nodded.

How did it look? adow asked.

Everythings normal. Gate is closed and already half forgotten it seems, Ilea said. As Velamyr intended.

As I told you. No reason to question my grandeur, adow said.

Trust but verify, Ilea said.

I feel like thats a contradiction, the creature said.

Human failure is always a possibility, she said and spread her wings once more. The third night had fallen since they had returned, dawn on the horizon.

Im not human, the adow said.

Grassland failure is always a possibility, Ilea said.

Absolute certainty is likely impossible, so I suppose youre not wrong, the creature said.

Heh, Ilea said, speeding through the lands by now.

I wish I could move like this, the adow said.

Youre a space mage. Im sure youll figure sothing out. Couldnt you form so kind of bird imitation with stone magic, make it live with life magic, and then teleport it around while you see through its eyes? Ilea asked.

There is so much to unpack here. I dont even know where to begin explaining the difficulties of such a task without a related spell, adow said.

Youre the ancient super mage. Figure it out. Ilea said.

Ill give it a shot. I always believed remaining at one positing wouldnt be detrintal to my abilities but now well this realm is quite different. Much more diverse. There are so many creatures here I will never reach, it said.

Sounds like an idea. Mind if we speed up a little until were in the north? Ilea asked.

I dont mind, no, adow said.

Thats a change, adow said when they had crossed the Naraza mountain range.

Yeah. Its only going to increase from here, Ilea said.

Its such an extre change, the adow said.

You sound contemplative. What is it? Ilea asked.

I suppose I dont know enough about this realm yet. It just doesnt seem like a natural occurrence to , the adow said.

I see. Well people have ddled plenty. One sun is even missing, she said.

Thats true, adow said.

How is your defense looking by the way? See those storms? Ilea said.

Unstable arcane energies wont be a problem for , even in this form. Do not worry, adow said.

Good. Then we can fly during the day too, Ilea said and charged her wings. Theres little on the way that you wont be able to see from Tremor or Hallowfort either. On the surface that is.

That sounds agreeable then, adow said.

Ilea smiled and shot off into the distance, vibrations and shock waves from the closest arcane stormsbrushing past her.

Can spend my stats while were at it, she thought.

Ilea went with fifty points into Vitality and Wisdom each.

When am I getting a ten tis boost to either of those? she wondered.

The adow pointed out a few things as they were flying but it seed even the four mark had trouble perceiving everything at the high speed while in its subdued form.

Alright, here we are, Ilea said and slowed down, arcane lightning striking her directly.

The energy flowed through her with a bright purple spark. It left one of her eyes injured, so of her organs slightly singed.

Alright there? she asked the slightly smoking ball of stone.

Quite so power in those storms, it admitted. You really need a third tier resistance for that.

It helps, yeah, she said and displaced them through the stone and into Tremor.

They landed in the ancient cathedral, Ilea placing the creature on a random chair.

What do you think of the Mana density? she asked. Could you stay here?

Its much, much better than your house. Not just the interior design, from a mana standpoint too, it said. I could stay here, yes. Its not ideal but acceptable. My presence would increase the density a hundred fold however.

That makes sense. How much more would be acceptable? Sa as in Erendar? Ilea asked.

That much is not necessary, no. My abilities allow to be a little more flexible. Specifically my life magic abilities, adow said.

Hmm, alright. I dont know if Hallowfort is any denser than this but maybe you can stay in the Descent. Not like the Ascended could do much against sothing like you, she said.

Wherever there are beings and here there are already thousands. Are you aware of the species living within this cavern? it asked.

Soul Rippers, yes. Theyre from another realm too apparently, summoned here by soone or sothing, she said.

They are very peculiar. Devoid of a mind. I may be wrong, it said.

Maybe they were part of a hive mind before? Sothing that controlled them wherever theyre from? Ilea asked.

A hive mind? Do you an a shared consciousness or a controlling entity? adow said.

Either could work. Though the latter makes more sense if you say theyre devoid of a mind. They still move around and attack if you get too close, she said.

They are not moving, adow said.