Familiar face.

A long 5 days passed and now they are back on land.

Stretching her hands exaggeratedly over her head, Trestina then slumps her shoulders as she sighs.

"That sure was quite uncomfortable." Trestina says as she turns around facing Lena who is carrying all their luggage, their luggage being 2 huge bags for trestina and a money pouch of Lena.

"What did you even bring in all of this aren't we staying for a couple of days only." Lena says carrying their luggage with ease.

"Well... you never know I guess." Trestina says again turning around this time heading towards nikolovia.

The port where the Ship had dropped them off at was practically Linked to the capital with the capital being barely 10mins away by foot with wagon services available if needed.

"It's pretty busy huh." Lena says as she looks over all the different ships all filled with people on their way to nikolovia.

"It is the day before the match after all." Trestina says walking a couple of steps ahead of Lena.

"Do you think we will even be able to find a place to stay with all of these people here?" Lena asks.

"I... I have no idea..." Trestina says realizing how bad of a first day this is going to be.

"Hey at least we got you here to do all the heavy carrying!" Trestina says trying to cheer herself up.

Lena nods to her.

"You could he retorted you know..." Trestina says to Lena's silence reply.

"Oh right sorry..." Lena says while her face is busy looking around at the huge crowd of people all moving towards the same place.

As they proceed to move forward with the crowd Lena suddenly hears a beeping noise. She turns around to see that the crowd was making way for some type of wagon... no more like a cart? Lena still not understanding follows the crowd and makes way for the cart like thing as it moves by.

As it passes by Lena notices a rich looking man, most likely a noble, sitting in the cart-thingy as it moves through the crowd. As Lena's still confused she turns around Trestina to ask if she has any idea only to see her face following the cart-thingy with her mouth full opened.

"So I'm guessing you know what that is?" Lena says to trestina.

"T-t-t-that was a.... that was a CAR!!" Trestina said excited as she turned to Lena.

"A car? Ooooh I do remember a party member mentioning that..." Lena says thinking back to the last 2 months.

"See even you, The woman who lives under a mountain, know about cars! Aren't they just amazing!" Trestina said excited.

Lena face turns dejected.

"As much as I want to disagree with that statement, I have to say that I barely only know the name, but know nothing about what they actually are." Lena says trying to remember her 2 party members conversation.

"I really do feel like punching you right now." Trestina says as she realizes she can't talk passionately with the clueless girl next to her.

"It will hurt you more than it will hurt me." Lena says.

"True." Trestina agrees.

As they slowly approached Nikolovia Trestina explained what cars are to Lena and how they were slowly evolving to everyday items.

"You see the first car was supposed to run on oil or something, but then they tried to work it by using mana instead. The first car was an absolute failure as it had sucked too much mana out of the tester which killed him. The project was to stop after that, but then they thought of using Monster parts like how they are commonly used for lights and stuff." Trestina explained unprofessionally.

"So anyway, that ended up working and the first successful car was made, at first Lord torik wanted to name it mana-car as it ran off of mana unlike the original plan, but that was quickly shut down as it was the first and only car to actually work." Trestina explains.

"But isn't it quite inconvenient if you will have to keep feeding it monster parts?" Lena asks the expert.

"Right now yes maybe, But Lord torik promised the people that over time they will find a way to make it so that even a child would be able to supply it with enough mana to run!" Trestina said excited.

Lena nods trying to understanding trestina.

"Then what about prices? Isn't it expensive?" Lena says.

"Well right now yeah... But I've heard that there are places that allow you to test it by you paying per hour!" Trestina says almost jumping.

"It's one of the many reasons I wanted to visit!" Trestina says facing Lena with an excited look.

They keep moving alongside the crowd until they had reached The middle of nikolovia.

"So.... where are we supposed to stay?" Lena asks as she looks around the bustling town filled to the brim with people.

"Hahaha... good question..." Trestina says as all her excitement slowly disappears.

"Let's just ask around." Trestina says as she approaches the closest inn.

"Sorry we're full."

"My apologizes, but we are out of rooms."

"We are full, but you can stay in the lobby if you want!" says the Receptionist looking at the infestation of people laying around the ground.

An exaggerated sigh alongside an even more exaggerated slump is given by Trestina.

Lena again is just following behind her while carrying their luggage.

"So what now?" Lena asks.

"I really don't knooooooooooooooooow..." Trestina says acting tired.

"And here I thought coming a day early was smart..." Trestina says.

As they walk through the crowd someone pumps into Lena she tries to ignore it but realizes a bit of weight has disappeared, the money pouch on her was stolen.

She quickly looks around to see someone with a hat and ragged cloth running away through the cloth.

Without telling trestina she quickly follows. Even though she is still holding their luggage she follows after them. Through The crowd both her and one she pursues are pushing forward, She hasn't called for them yet as they could hurry even more so she follows trying to not get noticed by her own stupidness.

Lena then sees that the one she pursues has entered a slightly less crowded alley and is running full speed, and then suddenly takes a turn in there. Lena still stuck in the crowd loses sight of them.

She gives a sigh and jumps high as soon as she leaves the crowd.

A kid with ragged cloth and no footwear is running through the alley taking a look every now and then as he runs as if getting followed.

He doesn't see anyone nor does he know of anyone following him, but he can't help but get paranoid. He then finally comes to a stop as he reaches a part of the alley which was completely empty after taking numerous turns.

"N-now N-no one can f-find me." The boy says in exertion.

The boy then sits down on the ground leaning his back to one of the walls and pulls out the multiple pouches he had snatched off of people.

"haaa...haaa.... t-this should be enough for a while." The boy says still struggling for breath.

"Hey you." The boy suddenly hears a sound coming from above.

The boy looks up to see a woman holding two bags worth of luggage standing ontop one of the buildings roofs.

The woman in casual clothing, a huge gauntlet, and one eye covered is looking at him with no expression at all as if she was basically staring at the ground.

"HEY YOU GET DOWN FROM UP THERE!" the boy now heard a voice coming his right.

A pair of officers were calling the woman down.

The boy turns to face the woman and notices her give the pair of guards a quick look then jump down next to the boy.

The boy unable to run as he is shocked, confused, and tired. Just stands there looking at the woman in fear.

"That would be mine." Lena says trying to take her pouch away from the boy.

The boy quickly pulls the pouch towards him as it was the most filled out of all that he had collected, even if it meant his pain he had to bring that back with him at least.

Lena gives a quick sigh and with swift movement kicks the boy strong enough to send him flying back almost cracking his spine as he hits the wall behind him.

The boy falls unconscious from the shot of pain.

Lena then bends and picks up her pouch and then notices the pair of blue clothed men were approaching them.

"You are to come with us!" an officer says while holding the handle of his sheathed sword.

"It was self-defense." Lena said calmly.

"Self-defense? You attacked that boy for no reason!" The officer says as he unsheathes his sword.

"No sir, this kid has stolen my pouch of money alongside many else and then ran away with it." Lena says as she turns her face towards the numerous pouches on the ground.

"O-oh... Still! you violated the law by getting on top of that roof so you are still to come with us!" The officer says.

"*sigh* sure." Lena agrees.

One of the officers picks up the unconscious boy as the other bends over the pick up all the pouches laying on the ground.

Lena follows them as she still carries Trestina's two bags with her not showing any sign of fighting back.

The boy was taken by the officer to prison, while Lena was fined a hefty amount and then allowed to leave after she had explained her side of the story.

"Now... how am going to find her..." Lena says looking at the slightly less, but in general still crowded streets.

Lena decides to just walk and try her luck but is then stopped by a new officer calling for her.

"Excuse me, miss? Someone is calling for you." The officer said.

Lena turns around confused.

"Me? who?" Lena asked.

"Sorry miss, but I have no idea, I was just told by the chief the bring you over." The officer said as he slightly bowed.

Lena gave the officer a blank stare debating whether to follow or not, and then decided to just follow since it's better than walking around aimlessly.

Lena follows the nervous man still holding trestina's bags, the officer did offer holding them for her but she refused saying she enjoys it.

"We are here, the chief should be waiting inside." The officer said as he took a stance next to the door now unmoving.

Lena without thinking much about it opened the door and entered.

Inside there were 3 people.

2 officially looking men, one was sitting behind a desk, while the other sits on a chair next to the desk. And with them there was a woman.

A woman with Long beautiful blonde hair, and cobalt blue eyes. Yet her face did look out of place with the shocked and worried expression she had on her.

Lena in turn Stood still, a face shocked with the unexpected surprise.

The woman gave a quickly moved towards Lena and started questioning her.

"What happened to you?! Why is your eye covered?! Why are you wearing this huge piece armor alone?!" The woman questioned the confused Lena.

"W-what are you doing here?" Lena asked lowering her head towards the woman holding her right hand.

"Why does that matter now?! Are you okay? Is anything wrong? If you need help please ask of me!" The woman's questions and demands kept coming.

"Now now! Why don't we calm down a bit! I know you're excited, but calm down and explain the situation to lena, Kouko." The man said sitting next to the desk said as he claps his hands to get everyone's attention.

"So it really is you, kouko." Lena says slowly making out a smile as she looks at the worried blonde next to her.

After calming everyone down Lena joined in on their meeting. The man and chief started talking about some complicated stuff which Lena didn't care much for. They were talking about money, funding, investments, business, and at the end started talking about a picnic. Lena didn't care much for it so she stayed silent all through it until they were finished.

"So I guess I will see you in three days?" The man next to kouko asked the chief.

"Ah yes, my schedule is still free then so the plans are to stay as they are." The chief replied.

"Well then see you friend." The man said as he shook the chief's hand.

"Am I to expect this beauty alongside you two?" The chief asked referring to Lena.

The man gave a chuckle then replied.

"Depending on how things turn out!" The man said.

"Alright dear, Let's leave." The man said gesturing to Kouko.

"Oh yeah, Come on Lena we're leaving." Kouko said in a slightly panicked voice.

"But didn't the chief ask for me?" Lena said as she stood up looking at the chief.

"Oh no, I just called for you since Mrs. kouko asked of me to." The chief said.

"I see." Lena said as she stood up to carry the bag she had placed next to her chair and then followed kouko outside.

As soon as they left the door Kouko went back to her questioning.

"Lena! Now tell me how did you end up like this!" Kouko demanded.

"End up like what?" Lena asked.

"Like this! First tell me what's wrong with your eye?" Kouko asked.

"Well, It's not completely blind, but its vision is very blurry so having it covered those feel better." Lena said.

"It's not fully blind right! That means there must be someway to return your vision! Dear, do you think we can have her get checked at the Mana-hospital here?" Kouko said facing the man moving next to them.

"If it is what you want then please go ahead and do." The man said with a warm smile to kouko.

"Oh no please, I already got it checked at the mana-hospital back where I am staying. They said that they do not understand the reason as it's the first time they have seen something like this." Lena said.

"Then what about your arm? Oh no... Please don't tell me it's a prosthetic..." Kouko said in a worried tone.

"No no, not at all. It's just that it helps relief the pain in my right arm." Lena said.

"H-huh?" Kouko said confused.

"Now why don't you two continue your chat over a nice dinner and try to catch up with each other? I have to go and run a couple of errands so please do excuse me." The man said as they left the police station.

"I-... We can come along too!" Kouko then faced the man.

"Please don't push yourself. I know that you don't enjoy these types of meetings so why don't you just enjoy the rest of the day with your friend there? I Will be home by tonight so don't worry about me!" The man said calming kouko down.

"If you say so..." Kouko agrees defeated.

"There take this wagon it should take you to a nice place for lunch, I have already made reservations so you don't have to worry about anything." The man says opening the door for kouko.

"Y-you-" Kouko wanted to say something but was interrupted by the man.

"Now please don't say too much and just enjoy your day." The man says as he gestures Lena to get in too.

Lena does as the man asks.

"T-then see you..." Kouko said.

"See you." The man said as he waved.

Kouko gave a sigh and then sat down a bit calmer than before.

"So, Who's that?" Lena asks the calmed kouko.

"T-that would be my husband..." Kouko said as she hides her face while showing Lena her engagement ring.

"Ooohh you sure have been enjoying life huh!" Lena said happy for Kouko.

"Yeah! He is an amazing and nice person! He has been there for me whenever I needed any help with anything! whether it be personal or public matter he is always been a dependable person!" Kouko said praising the man.

"And he is quite good looking too." Lena added.

"Y-yeah..." Kouko said turning slightly red.

"A-anyway enough about me! tell me about you Lena! What have you been doing for the past year or so?" Kouko asked.

"Well that is gonna take a lot of time." Lena said.

"Please do take your time." Kouko said.

Lena then started explaining how her year went. She started out talking about what ended up happening to jawf village, then about how Octan was, then about her adventuring, then about the people she met, and finally how she ended up here.

"... You went through a lot..." Kouko said looking down.

"Did I? It felt quite short." Lena said looking out the wagon to the busy streets.

"You even ended up using the same exact way fighting as him. For how long will you keep following him?" Kouko asked.

"I'm not following him anymore. I'm merely using the advantage I have over others." Lena said.

"Is that really true?" Kouko questioned Lena with a sad look.

Lena ignores her question.

"Lena, That man... allow me to say one thing. He is not normal." Kouko says looking straight at Lena.

Again Lena ignores her.

Kouko sighs.

"Anyway, where is the friend you mentioned?" Kouko asked.

"Oh right trestina, forgot about her..." Lena realized her mistake.

"I Lost her in the crowd while we were looking for a place to stay, all the inn's are full with all the people coming for the match." Lena said.

"Oh if you want I could get you two a place to stay!" Kouko suggested.

"Huh?" Lena said.

"Yeah it shouldn't be hard, we own multiple estates in nikolovia, though I guess it will be a bit too big for only two people..." Kouko said thinking.

"Please anything would work." Lena immediately accepted as she doesn't have to sleep on that one inn's lobby ground anymore.

"Sure, and also tell me how your friend looks like I can set up a quick search for her." Kouko said.

Lena then nodded and explained her to kouko.

Then as they left the wagon Kouko talked to the person who was driving it quietly which he then gave a nod to and left as kouko got off the wagon.

The wagon had stopped right infront of a fancy store called a "restaurant" Lena had difficulties reading the name so she just followed kouko.

As they sat down Lena felt a bit out of place with how everyone was wearing fancy cloth in a fancy place while she had casual wear that was even a bit torn, with a huge gauntlet that couldn't look more out of place.

"Umm... are you sure they will service me here?" Lena asked the lady like Kouko in front of her.

"Dare they not to, I will make sure they regret it." Kouko said.

And just like she had said they did not dare to even question Lena's attire, and serviced them as if nothing was out of place. Which actually made Lena feel worse as if she was getting ignored.