Rikarisu Town.
Lots of memories here.
Even now, I remember it like yesterday.
My life as an adventurer in the Magic Continent started here, filled with memories of Ruijerd and Eris.
But in the end, we were chased out, leaving only bad memories behind...
But the experiences I gained here are good.
It's here I learned not to overthink the situation or try to do everything by myself.
We hike down the slope and head towards the edge of the crater until we reach an entrance.
Just as before, here stands a pair of guards.
Back then, in order to sneak Ruijerd in, we came in disguise...
"Hey, it's guarded. Is that a problem?"
"No. Cities in the Magic Continent basically welcome everyone in."
"But doesn't the security feel rather tight right now?"
As Cliff said, the guards look quite alert.
Jet black armor, full face helmet.
The armor looks sharp and ominous.
When I was at Rikarisu, the guards weren't so well equipped.
The equipment has changed over the years I suppose.
"Halt."
Just as we are about to enter, the guards stop us.
"What is it?"
"No, that woman over there..."
The guards stare at Elinalise.
Cliff steps in front of Elinalise as if to shield her.
Elinalise looks unfazed.
"What's wrong?"
"...What?"
The other guard pulls out a piece of paper and looks back and forth between it and Elinalise.
I sneak a peek. Drawn on it is a succubus-like beauty.
Tall, big breasted, long wavy hair.
It wasn't colored, but Elinalise shares some similarities.
But, the chest is off.
"Not her."
"Ah, nope."
With that said, the guard puts away the paper.
"Excuse me, proceed."
"Something happened?"
"None of your business."
I left quietly after I was refused.
"Looks like they're looking for someone."
"Yeah."
There's an escapee somewhere in town?
Well, nothing to do with us.
But we should be careful.
If we wander into an alley somewhere and meet a murderer, that'd suck.
"Well, now what?"
"Let's go to the Adventurer's Guild and exchange some money."
"Got it."
After a simple exchange, we follow the road ahead.
"Wow, amazing..."
Cliff exclaims as he sees the nearby open market.
As usual, it's full of life.
Merchants and adventurers of various races.
Lizard-like magic beasts ridden back and forth.
But the things going on are about the same as those in the markets around the Magic City Sharia:
Merchants and adventurers arguing, residents wandering to and forth, a beggar asking for charity from a merchant and getting kicked aside.
Same sort of things everywhere you go.
Even Cliff should be familiar with this sight, but seeing various races mixed together might be refreshing.
Must be different.
However, unexpectedly, black-clad soldiers are everywhere.
Whenever they spot Elinalise, without a pause, they'll take out some paper.
Since it's obviously someone different even from afar, they never come for questioning.
"Cliff-senpai, your wife is rather popular."
"Eh, Ehh... Is it alright?"
"As long as Elinalise-san hasn't done anything here before, it should be alright."
With that said, I stare at Elinalise.
She shrugs.
"Nothing I feel guilty about."
Elinalise looks unfocused.
She definitely did something she felt guilty about.