Chapter 6- Just swallow me up, earth

####'s POV:

- So this is the capital…

A huge number of buildings line up in front of me. Although the wall had also impressed me, the number of buildings and people was also something that seemed incredible to me.

- Is this your first time seeing it?

- Yes, my town was really small, so I've never seen a city like this.

- I see…

I look out at the busy streets as I curiously observe the various stalls and items sold on the streets. At a nearby stall there was a huge amount of refined-looking dishes while at others there was a large amount of candles and herbs of different sizes. A little further back, a huge amount of fruits and fish could be seen on display. Just imagining what I could make with all the variety of ingredients in front of me makes me unable to take my eyes off it.

- So you can also have a look like that.

Bringing me back to reality, Mr…. Erick says something strange.

- My look? What do you mean Erick?

He rubs his neck lightly as he looks at me somewhat embarrassed.

- It's nothing, I was just surprised that you could make a childish look like that.

- Childish?

The surprise leaves me speechless for a moment. I quickly look away and put my hands on my cheeks. I take a deep breath for a few moments before looking back at Erick.

- I'm sorry Mr. Erick, but I have no idea what you're talking about.

"Hahahha, the little girl is embarrassed"

- …. I don't need your unnecessary remarks Vulk.

I feel my face heat up as I look down trying to escape Erick's sight. I turn around abruptly as I start running towards the stalls that had caught my attention.

- Heyy, wait for me.

"You can't escape embarrassment, young lady"

Ignoring his comments, I run towards the crowd of people surrounding us. I run without caring about the direction until I stop to catch my breath. When I look up, I realize that I ended up in an alley. In that alley there was a small, curious-looking shop that seems to sell candles. Unlike the other shops I found on my way here, this one is adorned with red and purple hues that stand out. As I began to make my way back to the crowd, I suddenly stop when I recognize one of the items they were selling.

- It can't be!

There was a horrible-looking root that Mira had once told me about. Mira had said that it was so rare to find one that most merchants just pass on trying to obtain it. The mere fact of having it in front of me makes me think that maybe I'm dreaming after all. I involuntarily grab my cheek and stretch it to make sure I'm not dreaming.

- … It hurts.

- … ####, what are you doing?

Erick, who had caught up with me, looks at me dumbfounded by my strange behavior. Before I could respond, a sexual-looking (or at least trying to look like it) old woman watching the scene began to speak.

- You sure have a knack for appreciating valuable things, miss.

Noticing her attention, I release my cheek and stare at the old woman for a while before finally speaking.

- That thing you have there… is it real?

When I point to the root I had seen, she smiles creepily from ear to ear.

- You mean the mandrake? Of course it is. All my products are authentic and of quality.

- Mandrake?

Erick interrupts the old woman as he looks at the root with some suspicion.

- Oh? You don't know what a mandrake is, boy?

- No… I certainly don't know what it is.

Another hideous smile forms on her face as she looks at me in an amused manner.

- Despite your appearance, you are quite bold, aren't you?

I try to avoid her gaze as I look away from her stalking gaze. She just smiles mischievously as she shifts her gaze to Erick.

- You see, mandrake is a plant that comes from a region south of Adma, which is well known for-

Before she could finish, I jump over the display case as I pull the old woman by the arm so that my mouth can reach her ear.

- Please don't tell him! I won't be able to look him in the face if he knows what mandrake is for.

- I suppose that means you'll buy it, right?

- Y-yes, of course.

- And you'll take a few extra scented candles, right?

- T-that would be a bit too much...

- Continuing with what I was saying.

Raising her voice, she turns to Erick again as if she wanted to continue her conversation. I quickly pull her arm back down.

- I'll buy it, I'll buy anything!

- Well said.

A disgusting smile blooms on her face as she looks at me triumphantly.

- Thank you for your purchase!

...….

- Wow, we spent a small fortune there.

Erick, who is carrying 2 huge bags in his hands, says somewhat impressed. I can only keep my head down as I try to stay standing after being practically extorted.

- You really bought a lot at that store, although I'm still not entirely sure about the usefulness of some... things.

He said this while looking at an object that would be some kind of underwear but with beads instead of fabric. Embarrassed, I quickly take the object from him and put it back among the things we bought.

- You don't need to know... at least for now.

- ?

He looks at me in a confused way as I try to cover my face with my hands.

- ... Just swallow me up, earth.

Maybe getting the mandrake was unnecessary, after all the trip Erick and I had, I don't think he'd just abandon me, but...

- I can't help but want to have some kind of insurance...

- Did you say something?

- It's nothing.

I try to avoid his gaze as I step forward slightly. Since we've practically run out of money on hand because of that vampire, we had no choice but to go find some work at the guild to replenish our money again. But since we couldn't do that with all our purchases on hand, we had to drop them off at some inn first. However, before we even reached the entrance of one of them, a tall man blocked our entrance.

- Do I have the pleasure of speaking with the fire hero Erick?

Erick returns a piercing glance at the man standing in his way.

- It depends on who's asking.

- Please excuse my rudeness. My name is Marshal, a humble archbishop and I come on behalf of Cardinal Ernesto.

- Cardinal Ernesto?

Erick just sighs at the man's introduction as he bows respectfully.

- The Cardinal requests an audience with the Fire Hero on a matter of vital importance.

- …. How did you find me?

- … Not to instill distrust in your entourage, but a certain merchant sold us a possible whereabouts of you in this city.

- Simon…

"A merchant will always be a merchant after all"

- Please, I beg you to accompany me.

The man bows respectfully again as he waits for an answer. On the other hand, Erick's gaze frightens me somewhat. I have never seen such a penetrating look on his face. I unconsciously take his cloak trying to calm him down. When he notices my gaze, he instantly relaxes.

- I understand, I will go with you, just let me register and leave the things in our room.

- Regarding that sir, I have already taken the liberty of registering you two, you just need to go to your room.

- … If Simon only gave you a chance of my stay, how did you know I would end up here?

- I didn't know sir, the cardinal simply booked a double room in every inn in this city while being watched by other archbishops. I was simply fortunate that you came to this inn.

Both Erick and I were speechless before the power of the church.

- Vulk, I want you to accompany ### and keep her from getting into trouble.

"Understood, little Erick."

He gives me a warm look while rubbing my head gently.

- I'll be right back.

With those words, he disappears inside the inn while carrying the bags with him.

- …Vulk, we're leaving too.

"Do you have something to do little one?"

I look at where Erick disappeared while gathering courage.

- Yes, let's just say I have some business to attend to in this city.