8 The 'Innocent Foreigner'

Nadia was walking down the alleyway fairly pleased 'I got most of what I wanted there that's not too bad. I won't be caught off guard when I get attacked by Niukyu… hopefully.' Nadia muttered.

"That's an interesting bag you have."

"I know a powerful wizard. I got this bag allows me to transport a fair amount of goods." Nadia lied waving her hand slightly.

"You said they you were going to get medical supplies."

"Yes, bandages villas, mortar and pestle, a thing like that."

"Mortar and pestle?"

"Yes, I know how to make medicine. So I'll be making my own salves and stuff." Nadia replied in a low voice. It made her think of the reason she learned these things in the first place. 'I may have learned these skills because of them… but I'll NEVER be grateful to them for being the reason I learned these skills' Nadia muttered clenching her fist as she subconsciously rubbed her wrist with her other hand.

She shook her head slightly then she brought her hand up and touched the chain of her new necklace. She touched the pendant and was surprised that the pendant sword wasn't sharp but she knew that when she activated the blade it was. 'Wow, this is a real masterpiece.' She thought in amazement.

"Well if that's what you are looking for there is a shop I've heard about."

"… Mate, are you from here? You are well aquatinted with things here."

"I've been here a few times. I'm able to travel the fastest out of my unit so I'd often do this. Currently my unit in a place near here."

"I see so you are actually a soldier. Darn if you were a merc I would think about commissioning you."

Mate looked at Nadia in confusion he hasn't done anything impressive in the short time they've known one another. "Oh? Why that?"

"Ah… well, there are a few different reasons. One being I have a little issue talking with you about such things like this, I also have a slight grasp. I know you are hiding a fair amount more than just what you look like under that cloak, which makes sense as we've only known one another for about an hour. However, I can tell that you are not a threat to me at this exact moment. I can also tell that you are extremely skilled by how you hold yourself."

"Pardon?"

"My apologies it's a term from home, it pretty much means by how you stand and walk. Very light footsteps, attentive to what's going on around, and you are keeping your sword close to your side. It tells me that you are battle harden despite a generally young age, based on your voice." Nadia replied with a smile, this caused Mate to pause, he felt a slight chill she was very accurate.

"I do apologize if I made you uncomfortable, analyzing people in such ways is a bit of a habit at this point it has saved my skin a number of times, and dodge a number of bullets. Though it is a skill quite useful when dealing with clients." Nadia sighed waving her hand slightly dismissing it.

'This woman…'

The two walked down the alleyway making it out to a larger street however Nadia stopped when she noticed a familiar uniform. There was a group of knights from the duke's estate. 'They know I'm not in the estate.' Nadia muttered.

"What's wrong?" Mate asked all it confused that Nadia stoped.

"It's nothing." She replied before she moved the hair that normally hides her violet eye to hide her silver eye. Nadia picked up her pace a little matching with Mate's stride, standing by his side (only slightly behind him).

The two of them continued to walk down the street eventually walking past the knights however they suddenly grabbed Mate's arm. "Hold on a moment there are a few questions we'd like to ask the two of you." The knight exclaimed.

Mate got the reason Nadia was acting differently right then, for one reason or another he was sure she knew this was likely to happen. He was curious as to what Nadia was going to do when dealing with this.

'Alright. I can't give myself away by saying too much. So best to act like the foreigner I am. Hopefully, I'll have little issue speaking that.' Nadia muttered shifting slightly.

"Hopefully it won't take that long."

"No, it shouldn't take long."

"Alright then."

"Have the two of you happen to see a young lady with dark blue hair and silver eyes in town today. She often wears flashy dresses she can also be a little rude."

"No, I haven't seen anyone like that."

The knight then turned and looked at Nadia. "What about you young lady?"

"Ah…" Nadia replied tilting her head slightly with innocent eyes. "I. Don'tch speak. Your language dat well." she added speaking in a slight accent tilting her head and touching the side of her face as if she was thinking. "I like help, but don't know what ye said." she whimpered with a sad look on her face. '"Too bad I'm the one you are actually looking for."' Nadia spoke in english with a slight smile please she was able to speak her home language, and she could tell no one understood it.

"Dis kind man is helping me out today. I ave just arrived to town. We've be together most of day so him! I understand you look for someone… but that is all. I sorry dat cannot be help." Nadia sighed speaking in an accent making sure it was hard for them to understand what she said.

The knight let out a sigh then dismissed the two of them and got out of earshot before Nadia and Mate spoke to one another. "Pfft what was that?"

"It's called acting. Though it's my native tongue is what I spoke, but I am fluent in this language as well."

"And what reason you were 'acting'"

"Could I just say I don't like them."

"That's is not the full reason I presume."

"Haha, yes in truth I saw who they were looking for hours ago so the information would no longer be relevant anyways."

"I see, you better hope nothing happens to the girl."

"Fufufu, I can promise you the girl will be fine. She is much safe where she currently is then she is with them."

Mate stopped turning and looked at Nadia again. "Oh? More analyzing abilities."

"Ah, a bit of that and a gut feel I got."

"That so, give me the details."

"Right how about you take me to the place we plan to then at the store I'll tell you."

"... fine."

Mate was not to please with this answer but knew it was better to just go along with her demand especially since they were almost there. Only a few minutes later Nadia and Mate enter the store that would have everything she told the clerk everything she wanted before going over the bookshelves grabbing a book about herbs and flipping through it.

"So you want to know why I said what I did even though the knights were looking for her yes?"

"Correct."

"Well there are a few reasons for it, the easiest one to prove to you is how they spoke. The way that they told us about the girl, not to mention the words they used none of it was kind or of concern for the missing young lady of the duke house."

"So you are aware the girl is from the duke house."

"The crest kinda gave it away, not to mention it is the only noble family in the nearby area. Anyway, let me continue. The knight's body language was not one showing concern, even a person capable of hiding such they have little ticks they are unaware of and can not hide them. There was no evidence of concern for the girl rather their body language showed annoyance and anger." Nadia passed as she flipped to the next page. "Oh there's this in the area?" she muttered.

"Ahem, anyways my gut feeling tells me the girl is not treated too well for some reason. I wouldn't be surprised if was some kind of abuse. Why else would young noble lady leave their estate without telling one? I have a feeling the moment those knights find the girl they'd beat her or verbally abuse her. Sadly I have no other proof than my word. If the lady is smart she'd acquire funds for her escape. But then my culture is different from what it is here. I do wish the lady the best of luck in the future though." Nadia sighed closing the large book and deciding to take it as well.

She went up to the front. "You, yourself were not surprise hearing that a lady of the duke house disappeared why is that?" Nadia asked placing the book down on the counter.

"I've heard rumours of a lady fitting that description causing incidents."

"Mmm… might be a desperate attempt to get someone's attention. Or if they are really smart… pilling up a number of incidents in order to get kicked out of the house."

She purchases her items and they leave the store quietly. "You seem quite knowledgeable about such things."

"Ah well I've met people of all walks of life, and some of it is based on personal experience."

Nadia then stretched her arms slightly over her head. "Well thank you for your help, my task was finished faster than the expected cause of it." She thanked her companion. "I'd give you a little money for your time but all I got is jewels right now and I don't think you want that."

"It's fine I just came here for some amusement anyway."

"Tsk I'm not some sideshow." Nadia clicked her tongue. "Well, it's time for us to part. We'll see if we meet again sometime." she told him turning around and beginning to walk off.