Chapter 2 Around The World

Merlin woke up very early in the morning. A habit she had in her previous life. She sat up on the bed and stretched her arms. She rubbed her eyes and looked around, she was confused for a bit until she remembered what had happened yesterday.

"So it wasn't some weird dream..." She muttered under her breath.

She pulled the blanket off of herself and got up. She was still wearing her new clothes from yesterday since she has no other clothes. Despite sleeping in them, they weren't wrinkled at all.

She readied herself and left the inn. She had only rented the room for one night and while she can stay a little while longer she decided to leave and explore the town. First thing she wanted was food but since she doesn't know the value of money in this world she will have to observe the market, paying attention to the prices so that she gets a general idea.

Next thing she wanted was a map of the world. This one she believed would be difficult to obtain due to the level of technology here, maps would be incredibly valuable. Merlin had read somewhere that only a few had access to maps due to the strategic and military value they had but she didn't know if it was true or if someone was just spreading misinformation.

The last thing she wanted was camping and traveling equipment and supplies. Merlin had no plans of remaining in one place. Since she was thrown into a magical fantasy world its only right that she explores it.

Merlin had wondered around the market for hours, obtaining everything she wanted including the map which wasn't very detailed and was only of the local region but it was the best they offered. Surprisingly things were cheap since she still had money left over though only a little but it was enough to get herself some breakfast.

After asking around she entered a tavern and placed an order. While she waited she examined the map.

'Oakridge is the largest town in the region. I wonder if they have a library that I can access since this place doesn't have one. I'll have to pass through two villages on the way there as well as a forest'

'Bandits no doubt exist in this world, I don't know about monsters but I should be fine, surely I have some protective barrier I can cast on myself, right? I mean I shot that laser beam without much thought so I definitely should have something'

The waitress arrived and placed a bowl of pottage with bread and a mug of ale. Merlin brought the mug near her face and smelled it.

'Can't say I've drank alcohol with my breakfast but I guess there is a first for everything'

She took a sip of the ale and placed it back down.

'Yep this tastes awful. I've truly been spoiled by the modern world'

She then slowly ate her food while taking occasional sips of the ale.

'It certainty wasn't a good breakfast but what can I do' She shrugged her shoulders and got up. She paid for the meal and left the tavern. She walked through the streets until she arrived at the town's gate. She was carrying everything she had on a leather backpack.

'I look forward to exploring this world. Hopefully I don't get lost'

Merlin walked through the gates and began her journey with no goal. Merlin would travel the word for many before she finally arrived in Orario.

...

...

-5 Years later, Alf Royal Forest- 

"I'M SORRY!"

Merlin ran through a dense forest with precision, despite her cries she had a giant grin on her face.

~THUD~

An arrow flew past her and implanted itself into the tree in front of her.

"That's some scary accuracy!"

She turned her head to look back, she saw around 20 elves chasing her.

"You will pay for your transgressions outsider!" The lead elf yelled out.

"I made sure to leave a few stacks of gold bars before I left! So, I already paid!"

This angered the elves even more.

"You trespassed into the Alf Royal Forest and stole books belonging to Alf Royal library! You will pay with your life!"

Merlin ducked to avoid another shower of arrows. She looked forward just to see more elves. She was surrounded. The elves drew their bows, aiming right at Merlin.

"Uh-Oh"

The elves loosed their arrows, each one finding their mark on Merlin. She fell over dead.

The lead elf smiled at this sight but his face quickly turned ugly when the body dispersed into a cloud of confetti.

"Find her!" He ordered the rest of the elves, and they ran in different directions hoping to find a trace of her.

...

"Wow these guys are quite extreme!"

Merlin was outside the forest leisurely walking away while reading a thick book.

'It's a good thing I managed to read through all the books in the library before I was rudely interrupted. I only stole- I mean bought 5 books because they were interesting and would be a good read on my journey'

"Hmph I even made sure to pay for these books"

She placed a bookmark and closed the book then put it in her bag.

"I wonder where I should go next. How about Altena? They should have some interesting books!"

She pulled out a map of the world and a compass, she corrected her direction and began traveling to the nearest port.

...

-3 Years Later, Santorio Vega-

"Let's go!" Merlin yelled out.

She was inside a casino within the amusement city, Santorio Vega. Merlin was gambling to her hearts content. Does she have a gambling addiction? Of course not, she could stop at anytime she likes. Around her was a group of men and women dressed in fancy suits and dresses. They had been following her around the casino either hoping to get some of her luck or just to watch.

As Merlin collected her winnings, she sensed a large group heading towards her. Looking over she spotted a group of tall men wearing black suits. Merlin turned back to her group.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that I must depart early!"

She summoned her staff. The guards noticing this started to rush to her.

"Stop right there!"

"I hope you enjoyed the performance that I, Merlin, have given!" She did a deep bow.

"Au revoir Las Vegas!" She slammed her staff into the ground, and she disappeared in a burst of flower petals. The people clapped at this performance while the guards grew terrified, not knowing what to say to their boss.

...

-2 Years Later, Far East-

Merlin sat within what looked to be a luxurious Japanese mansion. She sat at a table while reading through an old newspaper from a few years back that she found lying around.

'Zeus and Hera familia failed to defeat the One-Eyed Black Dragon leaving their familia's devasted. Both familia's were exiled from Orario by Loki and Freya familia's. How interesting, I can't believe I haven't heard of this until now! Have I been living under a rock when this happened'

'Wait I think I actually was... Not important!'

'I've decided! My next location is the dungeon city!'

Merlin jumped up from her seat and left the room. She navigated throughout the mansion, passing servants and guards who would do a slight bow whenever she passed. Arriving in front of a large double door she pushed it open abruptly. 

"Amatsu!"

Merlin's sudden arrival caused the person inside to flinch and almost spill her tea all over her documents that she was looking through. The woman sat at a desk with a mountain of documents looked over at Merlin. The woman had long black hair that easily reached her knees, she wore what looked to be a somewhat revealing Japanese shrine maiden attire and had a golden crown on her head.

"For the last time! My name is AMATERASU not AMATSU!" The goddess corrected Merlin.

"Understood!" Merlin did a mock salute. "Anyway Amatsu, I'm leaving!"

"I just said-! ... Eh?"

"I'm going to the dungeon city! I'll make sure to send you letters of my time there! Oh and don't worry I finished that magic device you wanted about a minute ago!" Merlin tossed a small cube towards Amaterasu who quickly caught it and handled it like it was the most fragile thing in the world. "Bye bye!" Merlin turned around and ran out of the room.

Amaterasu sat there in shock. 'Merlin said it would take about 5 years to finish and would need an absurd amount of resources which I gave her... Yet she finished it right this minute just so she can leave... Was I scammed?' Once she recovered her face grew red in anger.

"MERLIN!!"

...

'Wow I didn't expect Amatsu to have her familia chase me!'

Merlin had successfully escaped the Far East. Boarding ship that would take her to the nearest port city to Orario. She was now leaning on the railing of the boat, looking out to the horizon. She closed her eyes and felt the sea breeze flow gently against her face.

'This reminds me of that cruise ship I was on in the past. I won a give away and got a ticket to come abroad. The cruise was about a month long I think. Well this ship obviously can't compare but the sea breeze does still feel nice'

'I wonder what I'll find in Orario'

'Amatsu Won't send some of her familia to chase me in Orario... right?'