Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １３-𝓢𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓟𝓾𝓹𝓹𝔂

​‘There's something different about Mochi. Well, other than the fever…’

​After her sister took a look at Mochi, she concluded that he had a bit of a fever and must have had some sort of nightmare.

​She suggested some rest and buying a potion called Elixir of Health. The only problem is it is not available in town but in the city, which is a bit further. It would take at least 30 minutes to get there.

​Flora looks around the kitchen in hopes of seeing if there are any spare potions they can use. As she walks around, she notices Mochi keeps following behind closely. As she stops and turns around, he would then stop for her and sit down with his tongue out.

​Flora gives him a small smile

​Flora: “Don't worry, Mochi. I'll help you get better.”

​She notices her sister turn on the stove and pour water into the pot.

​Autumn: ‘I'll make some warm soup for us. I think soup is great for fevers. You're okay with something as simple as carrot soup, right? I apologize for the lack of ingredients”

​Flora: “No, that's fine. Thank you, Autumn.”

​Flora placed Mochi on her lap and watches as his body lies there, resting a bit. She wasn't used to Mochi being this calm. It felt like a different being.

​

​When Autumn finished, she placed the bowls in front of them. However, Mochi wasn't eating. He was sniffing it but didn't take further action.

​Flora wonders if it was too hot so she took a spoon and blew on the soup.

​When the broth is warm enough, she lower the spoon to Mochi's lips.

​His nose immediately sniffed it and he started licking it. Flora looks relieved and continues feeding the soup the same way before he finishes most of it

​Flora: “It's okay if you don't have much of an appetite this time.”

​Flora also finishes her soup and sets their bowls in the sink.

​Autumn: “Hey Flora. Are you heading to buy the potion? I can come with you if you want and carry Mochi for you.”

​Flora looked hesitant as she put Mochi back on her lap.

​Flora: “F-for today… I can carry Mochi and… I'm happy to go to town with you, Autumn.”

​Autumn gives her a smile.

​Autumn: “That's wonderful. Let me find my bag, and we'll head out.”

​While waiting for Autumn, Flora counted the amount of coins she had.

​Flora: “Ah… I only have 8 coins,” she mutters.

​When Autumn came back, Flora looked at her worried.

​Flora: “Um…. Do you perhaps … have extra coins?”

​Autumn: “Um… let's see. I have 10 coins. I believe the potion cost around 16 coins, I think…”

​Flora: “Oh … that should be enough then.”

​Autumn: “We should get going. Oh! Let's take Betty!”.

​Flora: “Who is Betty again?”

​Moooooo

​“Ah…”

​Mochi watches Flora’s sister put the saddle on the cow. Meanwhile, Flora was holding Mochi in her arms.

​Mochi didn't seem to have much of a reaction to the cow.

​Autumn climbs on top of Betty and extends a hand to her sister.

​Flora: “We're going to the city riding a cow?”

​Autumn nods.

​Autumn: “It's a long walk, so I thought it would be easier.“

​Flora took her hand and held Mochi on the other hand.

​Flora hadn't ridden with her sister for a long time. She doesn't have anything against animals. It was more of the fact the animals had more respect for her sister than for her. She even recalls a memory of the cow trying to eat her hair, thinking it was hay.

​Autumn: “Hold on, ok? I wouldn't want you to fall with Mochi.”

​Flora nods

​The ride there was quiet yet peaceful. Mochi slept on her arm the whole way.

​Then a notification appears in her menu

​+----------------------------------------------------Flora-------------------------------------------------------------+

New location discovered.

​Welcome to Erushia City

​+------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

​Flora looks confused a bit.

​‘That's strange. I thought I had visited this city before. Why did the system not register that?’

​After all… this was the city she last saw her mother.

​Autumn: “Oh, we made it! Ah, you don't come here often, so you wouldn't know the way, but the shop is nearby!”

​She pulled on the rope, turning the cow to the right, avoiding the people walking. Some people stop to take a look at them.

​Autumn: “Hiii everyone. Good Morning~” she waves, not seeming to mind the attention.

​Flora, on the other hand, looks down at Mochi, who seems to struggle to open his eyes. That helps her care less about the staring, but it didn't make it any less unnerving.

​They arrived at a potion shop and got off Betty. Autumn ties the cow to a pole. This time, Flora puts Mochi down on a leash.

​“Welcome to Eri's Potion Shop. How can I help you?”

​They notice a short girl with a green dress and short brown hair. She gives them a polite smile.

​Autumn returns the smile.

​“I would like to buy an Elixir of Health.”

​Shopkeeper: “Oh sure. With tax added… let's see… That would be 20 gold coins. “

​The sisters both look flabbergasted.

​“ WAIT! TAXES?!”

​They both exclaimed while checking the price closely.

​Flora: “It was originally 16 coins…”

​Autumn clears her throat.

​Autumn: “Um… Miss…”

​Shopkeeper: “You may call me Eri”

​Autumn: “Back at Cryon Village, we don't have taxes. And when I come here often, there aren't any taxes either. So I am a bit confused.”

​Eri: “Oh, I see. Well, it hasn't been implemented everywhere in the nation yet. They wanted to start with the cities first before traveling to the villages. “

​Autumn: “I see…but why did this happen?”

​Eri scratches her neck

​Eri: “Um…it has something to do with the political marriage being turned down by the princess. With the Kingdom of Weiser being a long-term trading alliance of ours, they weren't happy. So after the king negotiated with them. They added taxes to our goods.”

​Flora felt her soul leaving

​‘This is because of the princess' refusal? We can't afford the potion then… ‘

​She looks at Mochi, who sniffs at a shiny red ant before eating it.

​+----------------------------------------------------Mochi------------------------------------------------------------+

You have defeated a rare named enemy.

Rezerh the Red Ant King

​Received 1000 exp

You are now level 6

Gain 500 coins

​New skill obtain:

Super Jump

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

​

The two girls' faces went deadpan.

​Flora: “500 coins?! Mochi…we um… we need you to open your menu.”

​Mochi sat down and tilted his head.

​She knew he didn't know how to.

​Flora shakily holds Mochi.

​“Mochi… you need to open the menu… open the menu… Open the menu.”

​Mochi tilted his head back and forth.

​Flora gave up after some attempts

​Flora: “Ah, no use…”

​“Flora?”

​Flora looks up to see Erica standing with some bread.

​Flora: “Ah… Erica? What are you doing here?”

​Erica: ”I usually do my food shopping on the weekends. What about you?”

​The girl pushed her glasses up her nose before seeing Autumn was there as well.

​Autumn: “Oh, hello. I am Flora's big sister, Autumn. Are you a friend of Flora’s?” She smiles at her.

​Erica: “Good morning. I'm her classmate.”

​She then saw Mochi lying down, resting.

​Erica: “Is…your familiar okay?”

​Flora: “Well… he's… he got a fever.”

​Erica: “You're here to buy the Elixir of Health.”

​Flora: “Yeah… but we couldn't afford it.”

​Erica: “I see…”

​The girl walks up to the shopkeeper and hands over some coins.

​Erica: “Give me the Elixir of Health, please. “

​Eri: “Right away, ma'am.”

​She handed her the potion.

​Eri: “Thank you. Come again.“

​Erica immediately gives the potion to Flora.

​Flora looks at the potion in surprised

​Flora: “A-are you sure?”

​Erica: ”Don't worry about it. I have more than enough money, and…also, I'm sorry about before.“

​Erica avoided her gaze.

​Flora felt a small smile creep up.

​Autumn: “Wow, thank you! You are a lifesaver.“

​Erica: “It was nothing. Think nothing of it.”

​She bows before leaving the shop, leaving them alone.

​Flora crouches down to Mochi's level, and using her other hand, she pours some on her hand like a cup.

​Mochi sniffed at it and licked it all.

​The status pops up again

​+----------------------------------------------------Mochi------------------------------------------------------------+

​Cured Fever

​+------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

​Mochi suddenly stands up, wagging his tail and spinning around

​Flora: “You're back to normal! I'm so glad!”

​Autumn: “This is such good news. And we have enough for snacks and food too. Do you want anything in particular?”

​Flora: “Maybe…something Mochi can enjoy too?”