Sun Dragon Arc - Chapter 36: True Sincerity

Our journey lasted for half a day. The weather was a constant switch of sunny and cloudy, the heat from the sun was sublime so it was excellent too. Overall my hike is actually satisfactory, not boring at all.

I'm guessing the ozone layer in this world is in perfect condition compared to my previous world. Although I haven't really felt any scorch in Japan before.

The breeze is slightly cold so I'm guessing winter is right around the corner.

As we walked, I determined that our destination is nearing close. A few kilometers below a cliff, there was a city surrounded by walls.

I really can trust [Write Destiny]'s efficiency.

"I think we're here."

I informed Asura as I observed the scenery from below. It looks like that city is in a grass plains biome which is enclosed by groups of woodland.

"Look down."

I said when she was finally next to me.

That being said, the breeze in this place where I'm high up feels like I'm in heaven. Not! It's cold!

"I think I'll be leaving you there, Asura. I hope you'll be fine by yourself."

I gave Asura an affectionate smile. I was genuinely happy in helping her with this since it reminded me of how Thalia-san helped me.

That's strange though, unlike most people, Asura is composed when a beauty like me smiles for her. Does she lack a thing for common sense? Well, doesn't matter.

"Thank you..."

That's what I've wanted to hear.

Asura thanked me while bowing her head, this meant that she was grateful to me for going with her this far. I'm not done yet until I get her in that city though, since I'm entirely sure there's an entrance fee and she's penniless.

"Before leaving, I'll accompany you until it's safe. Please allow me this, I'm just worried something might happen to you on the way."

I'm not worried about her getting attacked by monsters because I'm sure that parasite will protect her. What I'm worried about is she encounters some perverts like the one earlier and having to deal with it herself. Plus, I'm not entirely sure if that parasite can keep her from harm.

She nodded in response which I took as a yes from her. Her safety is important, really important! I can't let a cute girl like this get hurt at all!

I stroked her hair and she seemed no different than a white puppy in my perspective right now.

"Good girl, good girl... So adorable..."

You can't imagine how much I want to kiss this girl right now and throw her in bed. Who cares if I'm 5 years older! Just kidding.

Since we now know where to go, Asura and I descended the forest through a ridged path that lead downwards, this is most likely the road the merchants take to traverse this land.

To be honest, Asura's a really quiet individual. I'm guessing she can talk with that parasite so she's that quiet.

At last after four hours of moving, we've entered the line. Albeit we had to take several breaks because Asura was exhausted and I also had to carry her on my back on the way.

It's at times like this when I have someone to compare with that I appreciate I have unlimited stamina.

From what I've heard from one of the city sentries that keep watch over the gate, the currency of this continent is called Gryles. There's not much difference compared to Mithras, their currency's values are the same. The only thing different is that Gryles has a dragon as it's design whereas the one in the star Continent possess constellations in correspondence to their nations.

This brought nothing but trouble to me who doesn't have a single Gryle.

"Holy shit, I knew it's going to be like this."

I cursed at my forgetfulness.

It may just be luck but only twelve people are in line so this is a good chance for me to go out and use [Write Destiny] somewhere noone is looking and switch my Mithras with Gryle ones.

I didn't bother telling Asura I'll be back and hastily went out of my position in the line to blitz myself back to the forest with Body Reinforcement Magic.

I groaned in dissatisfaction after I realized I've used my cheat too much for today and even when I said I have to save my affection points, I'm even doing it again!

But there's no other choice, I didn't have any Gryles on me and there's no way in hell I'm begging for money just like last time. Especially when there are bound to be rude bastards along that line unlike when I was in the Star Continent where everyone had pure thoughts.

Since I have an alternative method which is [Write Destiny] I might as well just put it to use. Although my affection point expenditure won't be looking good from now on...

"All of Seven's

mithras will be

neatly replaced

with gryles."

Using that as description, I activated my skill which burned down the piece of parchment I wrote in. Afterwards, I ran back to the line where Asura was without worrying for a second if my money did convert or not. I just had complete confidence in my cheat since it had never failed me before. Except for the fact it almost made me a girl predator once my affection points ran out.

"Okay I got it, sorry for leaving you out here."

I tried to get in from behind Asura but the guy right behind her didn't move but even blocked my way with his hand.

"Hey, don't cut in line."

"I've been here first. What are you on about?"

"Liar, just shut up and wait at the back."

My eyebrows dropped into a frown at his absurd remark. Since he's just behind Asura he should know that I was right behind her before he came to the line 3 seconds before I left.

Behind him was a whopping size of more than fifty people waiting from the very back and he's telling me to go and wait there when originally I'm ahead of him before I exited?

Now that I think about it, he actually does make some point...

Leaving my spot in a line and coming right back isn't as simple as standing up from my bed, making coffee and coming back right after.

However... Me being at the very back would mean that I'd be making Asura who's very close to the entrance already wait for me for a couple more minutes or so and I disdain making people wait.

I'll have to hold my ground even for a little to look for a chance. Although I didn't really hope big since I'm willing to wait in line if I still want to retain my chivalry.

"I swear I was here already, I just went to do something important and came back. I even left my companion in my place."

I claimed, however he didn't buy this and even asked Asura. I can tell for sure that this guy is just acting dumb. Does he want to be one head ahead in line that badly?!

"Hey you, are you really her companion?"

Asura positively nodded to affirm my statement, I expected she would since she's a cute innocent girl.

"You leave a line and come back like nothing happened? Are you letting us the people at the back who's been patient all this time to wait longer because of you? You have the looks but you sure don't got the brains, huh?"

Ugh! This annoying bastard!

As much as I'd like to bury a sword at his throat, that would plainly count as murder just because I'm emotionally unstable. I have to control myself against his defamatory provocations.

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

Since I wasn't so used with this kind of treatment since I've never encountered such a thing in the Star Continent before, I was caught up in the moment.

"Now now, don't be rude. I'm just saying the obvious."

"Obvious my ass, are you trying to pick a fight or something?"

I snapped.

Without my permission, I was feeling the mana inside my mana core slowly going wild with rage.

I've had enough of these retardation.

However, if I let this be and become ignorant of the consequences, there's a possibility that my manabrain would be so filled with mana that I'd have to release it in the external world in the form of magic, more specifically into swords which I'm adept in.

If that happens, my swords will definitely target this guy since magic directs itself as desire, if it confirms I want to kill this bastard it would misunderstand and launch an attack.

I have to calm myself before this idiot gets himself killed!

"Alright. I'm sorry, I'll go wait at the last place in line."

"...Huh?"

He looked dumbfounded as I gave Asura gryles enough for her entrance fee before leaving them. He must be shocked that I bailed without going into a rage or something, what a jerk.

Some girls took some quick glances at me as I passed by them which helped to alleviate my mood a little.

By leaving after losing to an argument, I was feeling my mana going even wilder but I managed to regain control after forcing myself to move on from that. I wonder what would have happened if I let my mana go wild, would it have affected everyone present here including Asura? I wouldn't want that.

While I was patiently waiting in line I happened to see something interesting while keeping watch over Asura as her current guardian.

Just as he deserved, the guy who argued with me suddenly tripped as he walked forward after it became Asura's turn to enter the city. I wasn't the type to know sound amplification magic but I didn't need it to hear him shout something about someone tying his shoelaces together.

I don't know who did it, but that made me regain much of my pride.

Twenty minutes passed and I finally entered the city, Asura has been waiting for me this whole time.

The road next to the entrance was busy and blooming with economy in this part of the city where visitors from many different places always popped out of.

Stalls, stores and advertisements didn't lose out at all to the number of people going inside. Some people who came from the entrance instantly came to check their hardware and replenish their supplies.

But let's put my mind to an objective here.

"For now, let's find you a lodging."

The search for a local inn began, ofcourse I refrained myself from using my cheat. I didn't need something that overpowered to fix something I could do myself.

As both Asura and I nor the parasite didn't familiarize with this place beforehand, we had to explore and ask the inhabitants around.

There were even steep and uneven roads that zigzagged here and there in this city which is a first for me. Were the officials here just lazy to fix this or did they do it on purpose? I sort of like it though.

After a long day of searching for the most suitable inn for Asura where I could leave her, we finally found the inn that fit all my criteria of being customer friendly, extravagant, and not too expensive in a suburban area.

The inn we entered had two crescent moons overlapping with each other as it's signboard. It looks like it's name is Gracious Moon Inn based on the tiny literature below the moons.

Once we entered the building, I prepared my eyes with how high it's quality is and if it's acceptable to house Asura. I don't think she's a picky girl but I want the best for her.

The interior was beautifully decorated with wooden walls, a sparkly clean bronze floor, pristine glass-like ceilings and magic-powered lanterns for lighting. On the other hand, it featured four handsome bartenders and numerous bar maids looking like they're only 2 or 3 years older than me. The sight of the many fresh prey surrounding me made me drool but I made sure that noone saw that.

Should I kidnap the girls? Yeah, not happening even if I urgently need affection points.

...On second thought I might just do that if it came to that.

Anyway since I'm here it's time to say goodbye to Asura. I have to leave her to her own adventure afterall, I can't let myself stay with her, I might prey on a 14 year old girl as long as she looks pretty.

I'm not worried about leaving her, it's not like she's alone anyway.

I went to the counter and negotiated with the lady in charge. On my way, I had a handful of stares from both the bartenders and maids, I was disgusted by the looks from the boys but I really enjoyed the stares from the girls. Perhaps I can even drag some of those girls off somewhere dark and do something with them? Ofcourse for affection points farming purposes.

I came back in a sparky mood towards Asura. She's a good girl for not moving a single spot. Is she some kind of mindless doll? Or perhaps did she turn into a zombie because of that parasite!?

No, that can't be.

"I'm back, Asura-chan. I already paid for a month's worth of rent here. So you should be okay here for a while."

I gave Asura the key I received from the receptionist that had a "43" number on it to Asura, and started to think of any last words to say before I make my epic exit.

"Thank you so much, Miss Seven."

She bowed her head to me, showing her gratitude. It would be rude of me not to accept it, she'll feel bad if I didn't and that's a selfish thing for anyone to do.

I don't know why those hypocritic protagonists in isekai novels make people raise their heads when the latter is expressing their gratitude, do they even know how it feels to have your appreciation rejected? It's as if you're a leech, a useless burden.

"During that time you should find a job that pays you well."

I advised. She can't possibly live leisurely for the next 31 days, she has to earn a living one way or another.

"I will."

Asura replied with resolution in her voice. Now then, I'll just mess with the great fake god Ashura a little.

"And your highness, please take care of Asura from now on."

I sniggered at his probable reaction while Asura looked at me nervously. She probably thinks I don't know about her parasite yet but figured I might've known just now.

"Don't worry, nothing too bad will happen even if I'm gone. Take care of yourself, Asura. You only have one body afterall."

It was time for me to go. I turned my back and walked towards the exit but I figured saying one last sentence before going for real this time.

"Ah, and let's see each other again someday if destiny permits it."

Meaning we'd meet again if I made it possible. I'll only mess with destiny when I feel like it.

With a supreme sense of satisfaction, I left the inn after sneaking a wink at Asura. I was now persistent in leaving so I did.

Hopefully she survives, I should write her safety down once I'm finally alone.

Twilight came and I left the city. Searching for a new purpose and goal in life to work on.