Welcome to the neighborhood

After receiving my visitor tag and getting cleared, I said my goodbyes to Mr. Alex and Sophia. I was finally able to enter the Kingdom of Rosaria in earnest, next up is to tackle my to do list.

“It was nice that Mr. Alex lent me a map to the nearest inn, he even lent me a pair of shoes to replace the ones I was wearing.”

I looked down at my feet as I remarked about Mr. Alex’s kindness, they might be old and a bit torn but these shoes were better than nothing. I then looked back to the map, and that’s where a thought surfaced in my head. How on earth do I reach the place circled on the map? I don’t even know where I am right now! I won’t call this bad luck, it’s my own fault for being ignorant. That said, what should I do now?

“LOOK OUT BELOW!”

“Hu-OoF!”

I began to clench my head after receiving a blow from above, I then looked to find what hit me on my head. On the ground beside me I saw a plank of wood, I then heard a light chuckle from above me. I looked up to see some carpenters fixing a house roof, the man who warned me was the same one who chuckled.

“Hehe, sorry about that! I did warn you though, are you alright?”

“Yes I’m fine.”

I decided to ease the man’s worries, after all he did seem sorry for his mistake. What surprised me next was watching the man jump off the roof he was on. Sure the house wasn’t that tall, but seeing this guy jump from a height like that and survive was something else. Just like that the man began to speak with me.

“Interesting, I haven’t seen you around before. My name’s Harold Lute, as you can tell I’m one of the best carpenters in town.”

“I can tell, what kind of carpenter can jump off a building's roof and not receive any damage?”

“Ha! I like the cut of your jib, you’re quite the curious guy aren’t you.”

I found myself having a small conversation with Mr. Lute, about where I was from and if I had any ambitions. I gave him and shortened version of my backstory from before, as for my ambitions I told him I’m just moving where the wind takes me. This rewarded me with a laugh, and him telling me I’m a pretty reckless guy. He also asked if he could do anything to make up for the bump on my head. Looks like I’m in luck, I decided to ask for help with the directions.

“Actually I’m trying to reach the Soft Dew Inn, by any chance do you know where it is?”

“Oh, of course I do! That Myrtle’s place, me and my wife live right next door. You’re actually a couple minutes away, just keep walking straight and take a right at Thomas’ skewer shop.”

I nodded along after taking the information, but before I left Mr. Lute had more to say.

“Wait a moment, I know I gave you a bruise but can you do me a favor?”

“Sure, what do you need?”

“You see I was working on a gift for me and my wife’s anniversary, but I didn’t finish it in time. On our anniversary she gave me a gift, but I had nothing to give her. It’s three days late, but I want my beloved Phiphe to know how I feel. Could you deliver this and my message to her?”

Here it is, a side quest! What’s more is that it’s so sentimental, there’s only one thing I can say to this!

“YES I CAN!”

****

I followed the directions given to me and made it to the inn. I greeted Ms. Myrtle, and booked a room for a month. The price for a months stay at the inn is about one hundred and twenty copper coins, thankfully Mr. Alex taught me about money denominations(I told them my country’s currency was different). I gave her two silver coins, one silver coin is worth a hundred copper, since I gave her two silver she put my change towards extra inn time. So I got a month and a half, after that I gave her my thanks and dropped my luggage in my room. Next up is my delivery quest.

After exiting the inn, I looked to my left and saw a woman humming while tending to her garden. She wore a simple house wife dress and apron, her hair was a nice brown hazel, and her eyes were closed as she tended her garden. So that’s Ms. Lute, alright I should give this to her. As I began to walk over to the front gate, Ms. Lute looked around almost to see if anyone was close by. After that she pulled out a wooden flute, with it she played a beautiful hymn. As she played, her newly planted seeds began to sprout just a little bit. With that she stopped playing and smiled in satisfaction.

“As always, children grow nice and strong when they hear the right music!”

“....”

No way, was that magic! Is Mr. Lute a retired warrior and his wife a mage, then again I shouldn’t pry. I don’t want to startle her, but I decided to let Ms. Lute know I was there.

“Uh, excuse me?”

“GAHHH!!!”

“Oh! Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you, I’m Sota I guess you could say I’m your new neighbor. Your husband sent me to deliver this to you.”

“...Oh! That Harold, he always finds ways to surprise me. So what has my darling sent for me?”

I give her the box he handed me, Ms. Lute immediately opened it. Inside was a beautifully carved bird and a letter. The language in the letter was different from any of Earth’s language’s. However, somehow I could read what it said.

To my dearest Phiphe,

Even after twenty long years, you are still my precious song bird. I know I’ve been a fool over these past years, but despite that I ask you to please bear with me longer. In return I will continue to protect your precious song.

I was short but sweet, I could tell the letter had a lot of meaning in there. Most of which only they’d understand, that said what in the world is up with this atmosphere! The air is starting to taste like cotton candy! I look over at Ms. Lute and couldn’t help but blush, she held the wood carving and letter in her arms lovingly. I could make out a small tear in the corner of her eye.

“Harold you oaf, even though I can’t grant our wish. You still love me so much, I’m so happy I married you.”

Can’t grant their wish? Did something happen to them in the past? Questions began to come to my mind, but I decided against asking them. After all, a couple’s secrets should stay with just a couple. I opened my eyes after pondering to see Ms. Lute facing me.

“Sota was it? Thank you for delivering this to me, I knew he was planning something. Harold has always been a romantic.”

“No problem, I’m just happy I was able to help out.”

“Oh my, it appears someone is blushing. Not to worry, I’m sure love will find you sometime soon.”

“Wh-WHAT! Ms. Lute that’s a little too cruel! Even for a joke!”

Ms. Lute noticed my reaction to her and Mr. Harold’s love, so she bullied me for it. However, after poking my ribs for a bit, she suddenly asked me something.

“Hey, you didn’t see anything weird did you?”

It took a moment for me to realize what she meant. She wanted to know if I saw her magic, I looked at her for a moment and noticed her demeanor. She was trembling, but just enough to not be noticed. She must not want anyone to know about her abilities.

“Nope! I haven’t seen anything besides the robins perched on your roof and the love of a young couple.”

“...You really are a sweet boy Sota, thank you for protecting my secret. That said, I appreciate the compliment but I’ll let you know that I’m forty.”

HUH!?! Forty, but Mr. Harold and her look so young. At least in their late twenties, is this otherworld some kinda fountain of youth! After giggling at me again, Ms. Lute asked if there was any way to repay my kindness. Now I can get some help with my errands

****

“Wow, this place is bigger than I expected.”

I asked Ms. Lute for directions as a payment, the first set of directions leading me here to this bath house. I’m glad they have one of these here, the building has a sign at the top with a wooden tub filled with water. Upon entering I went to the receptionist and asked how the system worked. Entering the public baths was fifteen copper, a private bath was twenty five copper, and a private tub was 10 copper. I chose a private tub for ten copper, the receptionist then noticed the smell of my clothes and told me they have a clothes cleaning service for an extra 10. I gave them a silver coin, and in return I was given a bath card. I’m good for the next few baths I have here, nice!

My tub was basically a barrel bath, but I didn’t mind it. This was the first proper bath I’ve had in days, it feels like my worries are melting away. After a nice long soak, I picked up my clothes and continued my errands. My clothes are still tattered though, at least on the brightside they don’t smell any more. Speaking of tattered things, next on my to do list is my health. Using the next set of directions, I visited the clinic Ms. Lute recommended.

Inside the clinic I was met with a man with beautiful features. He had leaf green hair, and a face that almost looked feminine which betrayed his physic and height. As for what he was doing, the man was sleeping. Not only that, the place was in a state of disarray! Wait a moment, is that a wine bottle next to him? Am I safe here!?! Suddenly as if noticing someone was watching him, the man in question suddenly rose up.

“Urgh, huh who are you?”

“Oh, hello I’m Sota, by any chance are you Rowan?”

Upon confirming he was Rowan I told him my reason for being there, after hearing my basic explanation he sighed and his turquoise eyes began to glow.

“Phiphe always finds a way to send interesting things down my way, don’t worry this will be quick. Alright as expected, you’re not dying. In the first place, if you managed to survive in a place like that I doubt anything could kill you easily.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Rowan’s eyes stopped glowing after he gave me his verdict, did he appraise me just now? I asked if he required any money, but he said since he didn’t treat anything there wasn’t a need. That’s good, looks like I don’t need to worry about health. Rowan did ask me to flip his shop sign from opened to closed on my way out, he then held his head in pain. I guess even in another world, hangovers are still the final boss.

After leaving his shop I started moving towards my last errand for today, clothes shopping!

****

The moment that guy left, I listened out to make sure he actually flipped the door sign. After I confirmed he did I brushed my hair back around my left ear and pulled off the earring I wore. In doing so my appearance changed slightly, thankfully no one’s around to notice. I cast a detox spell on myself and filled water into the cup closest to me. For Phiphe to send a human here, especially someone who’s new to town, is that her way of telling me to trust him?

“*Sigh* Why do I have the feeling things are about to get a whole lot noisier around here.”

I picked my earring back up and put it back on my ear, and started drinking some water to calm my head. I try to convince myself that things are going to be fine, but the winds are singing a different tune. A storm is coming and that human is gonna be at the center of it.

****

BAD LUCK COUNTER: 7