Chapter 12: A New Destination

Vito paced back and forth outside the church. It felt like his first date with Rosa. Chris naturally made fun of him, even when Rosa met him wearing a jaw-dropping dress.

Iris practically had a bounce in her step as she joined Vito. She wore a simple brown satchel over her shoulder. “I’m ready!” she announced. “I took some potions, antidotes, water spell scrolls, and just about anything else I could think of!”

“You to fit everything in that?” Vito asked, pointing to her satchel.

Iris grinned. “Naturally. This is a treasure bag, after all. It can hold as much as a house but only weigh as much as a pillow.”

Vito examined it for a moment. “I had no idea such things existed. It must be something only nobles can afford.”

“Objects enchanted to be much larger on the inside are typically only used by nobles and high-ranking church officials,” Iris admitted. She didn’t want to make it seem like she was flaunting her special equipment in front of a commoner.

“How does it work? Is it caused by a spell or a special artifact?” Vito saw great potential in a method that could create an object to hide things from guards or enemies.

“It’s a spell! I just don’t know it. Father Mertis knows how to cast it, but it requires a lot of magic.” She was clearly excited to talk about magic. “I’ve been trying to learn it myself, but it’s such a high-level spell. Only A- and S-Rank mages can safely perform it. I’m only a B-Rank mage.”

The two fell into step as Vito led Iris to the hamlet. They were barely two blocks away from the church when Iris asked the very question Vito would have preferred not to answer. “Who is Rosa? I’ve been curious ever since you approached me. You had such a look of pain and longing.”

Vito winced and searched for the right words. He took a deep and calming breath. “Rosa and I met when we were children,” he began. “Our parents were business associates. While they talked about boring business stuff, I showed Rosa some of my toys. We were inseparable.”

“I see. What happened then?”

“We grew up and fell in love. I proposed, and she accepted. Things were great. I was the happiest man alive.” He was being far more honest than he intended, but he couldn’t seem to lie or even exaggerate anything in her presence.

“Oh? The way you looked at me, may I assume…”

“No. Well, I don’t know. I haven’t seen her in years. Time and distance parted us.” He couldn’t explain everything properly. She would never believe he was from another world.

“I see. I’m so very sorry.” Her cute features were turned to show sorrow.

Vito offered a kind smile to cheer her up. “Grazie mille.”

“Hmm? Gra..zee milly?” Iris was confused by his words.

Vito thought it would be rude to use Scan on her, so he spoke in Italian to see if she would understand. He wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed that she didn’t understand Italian. “Sorry, I meant ‘thank you.’ Don’t worry, though, I’m fine. Time heals all wounds.”

Iris’s frown quickly turned into a smile. She once again reminded Vito of his lost love.

Vito couldn’t hide his smile as he brought Iris through the perimeter line that led to the Silver Oak hamlet. Her eyes were wide with surprise. “Wow… An invisibility field. Very few people know how to perform this spell.”

“Parsifal knows it. He won’t teach me, though. I’m a bit annoyed by that.” Vito said as Parsifal and Greye approached them.

“Even my talents have their limits. You’re a B-Rank mage, and you specialize in combat magic.” Parsifal turned his attention to their guest. “Lady Iris. Your reputation precedes you. I still wonder if you are truly comfortable working with outcasts.”

Iris gained a serious expression. “The goddess Ivalis teaches us to treat all of her children as equals. She does not hate or abandon any of us, even if they cannot use elemental spells,” she declared.

“Indeed, I’ve heard that those born without elements must complete a trial to awaken an element,” Greye said.

Iris smiled brightly in response. “I heard the same thing! Some nobles have considered it foolish, even blasphemous, but I don’t think so. A trial such as this might even be how she crowns a legendary hero.”

Vito shared a skeptical look with Greye. It was surely just a fairy tale. Greye smiled and shrugged. “My name is Greye, and I’m the leader of the Silver Oak Guild. I thank you for joining us on this quest.” Greye shook Iris’s hand.

“My name is Iris Maxwell. I’m happy to help where and when I’m needed.”

Greye was familiar with her family name. They were known for their brave and noble souls. He briefly chuckled before he spoke again. “You’re very brave and kind. This world would be a far better place if there were more like you around.” Iris’s smile beamed with pride. “It’ll take us a few days to reach Orinis. Delwyn and Parsifal procured our supplies, and Galien readied our horses and two carriages. If you have any special travel needs, just let us know.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ve traveled to other countries without issue, Sir Greye.”

Delwyn approached them from the road. “We’re all packed and ready.” She saw Iris and failed to hide her amusement. “You actually recruited a noble priestess? I’m impressed. How’d you do it? Did you work your charms on a priestess of all people?”

Iris blushed and rejected the notion. “H-He did no such thing! I’m here to help the people of Orinis.”

Delwyn laughed and pointed to the carriages behind her with her thumb. “Sure, sure. Let’s mount up while the sun is still high. We’ll reach our first stop at sunset. Traveling at night is dangerous.” She grabbed Iris and walked her over to the carriage with her arm over the younger girl’s shoulders. “You can ride with Vito. He’ll protect you if there’s trouble.”

Vito sighed and followed along. “I hope you reinforced the carriages with metal plates like I suggested.” He proposed a lighter and more durable metal ages ago, and they finally put it to use.