We stood on the barren land, and I scoffed at the middle-aged man's act of abandoning his companion.

but……

Otherwise, I'm afraid we would have had a real hard time escaping the swordsman's fight.

It was only then that I noticed that Martha's pink dress had become very short, unlike what I expected from being affected by the battle.

She tore it off herself; after all, wearing such a long dress would indeed be somewhat inconvenient for fighting.

"After work, should I buy Marta a long dress like this?"

I feel sorry for this, after all, it was I who dragged Marta down in that battle.

I think I can understand what Ilotti was thinking back then...

After resting for a while, we decided to go to the village ahead to see if there was anything to rent, such as a horse-drawn carriage. After all, it was still quite a distance from the city of Buryny, and if we relied solely on walking, it would probably take until the next day.

It's afternoon now, the time when the sun is at its strongest.

"It's so hot..."

I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve. Over the past nine years, I have felt my body gradually adapting to the heat of this world, but I am still not fully adapted.

Marta, on the other hand, was completely unaffected and didn't even break a sweat, which shows that her physical fitness is much better than mine.

"So this is the legendary water mage? This is surprisingly convenient..."

Lili Martha is a mage specializing in water magic, and reaching the King level is quite impressive.

I've heard that elves have very little magic, so they mostly live in vast forests and can be considered a race that lives in peace with the world.

No wonder Lili Martha is so interested in spells that don't require chanting...

Of course, many elves, like Lilimarta, come to the city to work. It is said that many nobles are infatuated with the bodies of elves, and as a result, some elves have become slaves, becoming tools for those nobles to vent their lust.

"Is it really okay to leave the forest so recklessly?"

I don't know what Lilimarta thinks about this, but she probably feels as helpless as I do. So-called resistance will only be the fuse that ignites war. Hiding in the forest and living a peaceful life is the wisest choice.

While it's inevitable that a small number of tribespeople will yearn for life outside, at least the safety of the majority of the tribespeople can be guaranteed.

...

Upon arriving in the village, I was responsible for finding a carriage and other means of transportation, while Marta was responsible for purchasing some necessities for the journey, since she was really not good at talking to strangers.

I walked into the village streets, looked around, and searched for a carriage that I could rent, but soon found that there were no suitable options.

It seems that this small village is not a transportation hub, so finding suitable transportation is not easy.

"I thought we could complete the mission smoothly!"

I dismissed the idea and decided to go to the stalls to ask. As merchants, a horse-drawn carriage should be a necessary means of transportation, but whether they would be willing to rent it to us would really depend on my persuasive skills.

I saw that Marta had finished shopping and was running towards me with a paper bag in her arms.

I told her my idea, and she agreed with me, since it was the only way at the moment.

But when I finally found the vendors, full of confidence, I was brutally defeated by reality. Although the vendors were very enthusiastic, it was just a prelude to asking for exorbitant prices.

After numerous fruitless attempts, I was already exhausted. Marta seemed to have noticed my predicament and wanted to say something on my behalf, but she was still driven to despair by the terrifyingly high price.

Just when we were about to give up, a gentle breeze suddenly blew by. I looked in the direction of the wind and spotted a small stall...

The stall wasn't very big, but it was filled with all sorts of magical items and miscellaneous goods, making it seem like a rather special stall.

I approached the stall and found a very thin old man sitting there. He had a white beard and a kind smile on his face, and he looked very approachable.

I gestured for Marta to stay aside, and with the thought of "do or die" in my heart, I once again embarked on the road of no return amidst the smoke of war.

"Hello, sir! I'm looking for a carriage. Do you have any recommendations?" I asked politely as always. Making a good impression is the first step to success.

Upon hearing my voice, the old man slowly raised his head, his eyes revealing a profound wisdom, as if he could see through my thoughts, and smiled gently.

“Young man, you have a good eye. I do have a carriage here. Although it’s quite old, it’s very sturdy and reliable thanks to my careful restoration,” the old man said, his words brimming with confidence and pride.

"Is it happening again? The prices are outrageously high!"

Hearing this, I couldn't help but have second thoughts. The so-called "self-praise" business model might mean that what you get is tattered and broken, but the price is extraordinary.

"How many magic crystals do you need?" I asked tentatively. The answer would likely still be an exorbitant price, but we were about to take a fatal step. The carriage wouldn't just fall from the sky; I could only try to see if there was any room for negotiation on the price.

"Hahaha... Don't worry, young man, I'm getting old, and I might not be able to spend any more money. 50 magic crystals will be enough for you."

Hearing this, I couldn't believe my ears. 50 magic crystals? What does that even mean?

It's not just lower than the normal price; compared to other vendors who charge 500 magic crystals or more, it's truly a blessing from God!

“I need your carriage, sir!” I said to the old man, almost shouting.

The old man nodded, then took out a piece of paper with detailed rental information and prices written on it.

“This is the loan agreement. You can confirm the price and terms first!” He handed me a note and a pen, then said with a smile.

"It really is 50 magic crystals!"

After taking the note, I first checked the price to make sure it was correct, and then carefully read the contract. Everything seemed normal.

So I gestured for Marta to come over and sign the papers, and I also paid the rent...

"Thank you, sir! We will take good care of this carriage." As I left the stall, I made sure to thank the old man again.

The old man smiled and nodded, then said, "Have a safe journey!"

After listening to the old man's words, I felt a warm feeling well up in my heart. I nodded to the old man and then left the stall with Marta.

...

"The road to success is truly fraught with difficulties!"

Sitting in the carriage, watching it slowly start moving, I couldn't help but sigh in my heart.

As the sun sets, the carriage, heading towards the city of Buryny, travels alone along the narrow streets, the scenery unfolding like a painting, offering a unique and delightful experience.

Just as the old man had said, although the carriage looked old and worn, it was very comfortable to ride in. At least the violent jolting was gone, which made Leon feel much more at ease.

Marta remained seated in front of me, silently gazing at the scenery outside the window.

She seemed to be thinking about something, just like before. I even felt that what happened not long ago was like a dream...