Clop Clop Clop

  The sound of footsteps echoed in the air as the leaves rustled and rocks rolled down the mountains. The birds chirped, the rivers trickled, and a handful of animals roamed about, digging roots and grazing on grass. The forest eaceful as it could be.

  "Waaah!" ［Marika］

  "Ah! Marika, careful!" ［Yuna］

  Well, it would have been peaceful if not for the three figures also going about their days, traversing the lush forest and jumping over the flowing river. Things were never quiet with such a lively bunch around.

  And just now, as they crossed the bridge over the river, Marika slipped and almost fell towards the waters, a loud scream eg ever so clearly. Thankfully, Yuna was following close behind her, catg her almost immediately.

  "S-Sorry! A-Are you alright, Lady Yuna?" ［Grey］

  "Marika, you know... I should be the one asking you that... Are you okay? Are your ankles not hurt?" ［Yuna］

  "Don't worry! It takes a lot more than that to hurt me! I'm more than fine!" ［Marika］

  Marika replied, a loud decration resounding in the forest. Even then, Grey and Yuna couldn't help but worry even more. Especially with such a bright smile pstered on her face. It was one which screamed distrust.

  It wasn't just onor twice. Be it slipping, falling over, tripping, being chased by is, and many more. Marika has been involved in far too many unfortunate acts orip. It made them wonder whether she was just unlucky or very clumsy. Either way, it was w.

  "Then, shall we tinue?" ［Marika］

  "Un... Okay..." ［Yuna］

  Worry still weighing down on their shoulders, the three finally crossed the river, and not stopping a single sed, they tinued along the path, heading north to cross another mountain. The journey tinued.

  Where might they be going, one might ask? Simple. The three of them, as part of their tour, and also to participate in trade and purchase some items, are heading towards the nearby vilge which is also a part of the Chiefdom of Ti.

  As it stands, Ti is posed of several vilges coexisting in the archipego, scattered across the few rge isnds. From a popution of a hundred or two, all the way to several hundreds, the vilges have beeing for turies.

  And of these vilges, the five rgest are ruled over by "Chiefs", with a tral figure which they all submit to, the "Great Chief". As for the other, smaller vilges, they are simply ruled by elders and the like, paying tribute to the five main vilges. A fully-funing state.

  The vilge the Great Chief, Manelo, rules is the rgest of them all, named Balud, while they are heading to is a vilge by the keshore named Lobo, one of the minor, but also busiest vilges which is often sidered the tral point of the Chiefdom.

  Rustle Rustle Rustle

  A few more minutes epsed, and after more than half an hour of walking, the ke was finally in sight. Well, not only the ke, but the ever so beautiful vilge thriving near it was also present, basking in the crystalline radiance reflected by the ke.

  There was no time to waste. As soon as it was in sight, everyone quickly desded down the mountains, heading straight to Lobo vilge. A few more mier, their steps finally reached the wonderful ke vilge.

  "Hey! Fresh fish! Fresh fish! Fresh fish for cheap!"

  "Ma'am, these are fresh eels we just caught. Would you like to buy some?"

  "Mister, how much is this here?"

  What greeted them as soon as they arrived was a lively atmosphere like the one ba Lista, only less noisy and more rural. Even then, it was just as beautiful, people of all tribes bargaining and exging words with one another.

  Though it may be smaller than many tries, Ti also has a funing ahy ey, using both s and bartering on a regur basis, with merts and ers ing from all pces, searg for what they desire.

  Isoted they may be from the world, everyone uses the same currency as the people in the mainnd does. This is because, no matter where one is in the world, currency is made by dungeons and the likes. Meaning, there is only one universal currency.

  Unfortunately, due ti's small size and suspiciously low level dungeons, the highest denomination everyone could get is a ptinum . Even then, what is mostly used are copper and nickel s. Crystals are o be found.

  "Then, Lrey, Lady Yuna, what should we buy first?" ［Marika］

  "Hm? Didn't Marika also want to buy something?" ［Yuna］

  "Well, that wait. My priority right now is to make sure that Lrey and Lady Yuna have the best experience!" ［Marika］

  Decred Marika, ending her words with a sweet smile. There were no lies in her words, only siy as she expressed her wanting to be of use. A far cry from her previous, nervous and stuttering impression.

  "Then... Would it be alright if we buy some freshwater fish first? I'm a little curious about what kind of seafood you get in these parts." ［Yuna］

  "Of course!" ［Marika］

  There was no time to waste. As soon as Yuna voiced out her wants, Marika's eyes beamed, her head turni and right as she searched for stalls which sold fish and seafood harvested from the nearby ke.

  From giant crabs, bck lobsters, freshwater eels, basses, trouts, and many more. A plethora of seafood could be dispyed left tht, some still alive and spshing about. It was like the fish market in Lista all ain. Only that there isn't a salty smell of seawater.

  "Oh? Lady Marika, wele back. Are you here to buy something?"

  "That's right. We're here to buy some fishes." ［Marika］

  "Oh! Good for you! A fresh batch of rainbow trouts had just arrived!"

  A rge smile pstered on his face, the vendor reached out for a nearby crate. As soon as he did, the sound of spshes echoed in the air. Soon, water spilled towards the ground as the man dispyed the rainbow trouts he just acquired.

  "Ohh... They really are fresh..." ［Marika］

  "Right...? And they're cheap as well! Just for you, I'll give you a handsome dist! 15 kiels will do!"

  The man announced with a bright smile extending from ear to ear. Hearing his words, everyone froze, as if they heard something so absurd. But though they may be frozen, the expressions on Grey and Yuna's faces were very bright.

  Well, why wouldn't they be? After all, such a rge trout could already fetch about 50 kiels ba Lista, and even higher in Galderia. The price had just been cut by more than three times. They were so shocked, they couldn't even express their happiness.

  "So cheー" ［Yuna］

  "So expehat's a scam!" ［Marika］

  But, oh well, it seems like Marika has a totally different opinion, smming the stall's desk as she yelled at the man. It was then that the man started bag off, switg to the defensive as the bargaiweewo began.

  Grey was so surprised by the price that he didn't even realize using his eyes. But the moment he did, surely enough, the man was lying. He could only feel awe for Marika for finding out about it so quickly. The clumsy yet knowledgeable girl.

  "Mister, don't try to cheat me! It was just 10 kiels not long ago!" ［Marika］

  "Now, now, Lady Marika, that was long ago before the Evil Beast appeared. With the sea so dangerht now, prices have gone up."

  "Liar! I know that the prices haven't been affected that much!" ［Marika］

  "That... Lady Marika, you must uand. I'm just trying to make a living here."

  The man tried to reason out his way from the situation, but Marika didn't let him go so quickly. The clumsy and cheerful Marika was now gone. All that was left was a young dy who had the eyes burning fiercely like that of a housewife, expert in bargaining.

  The bargaiweewo tinued and many prices were throw, right, front, aer. The man tried to be firm with his prices, but Marika's offensive was no joke. It didn't start long before the man's defense finally started breaking down.

  "Alright! 12 kiels! Take it or leave it!"

  "Hmph! You should have been ho sihe beginning!" ［Marika］

  In the end, Marika was the one who came out victorious, cutting down the initial price by a whopping 20%! To Grey and Yuna who barely bargains with prices, she was nothing short of a legendary shopper. A fearsome figure indeed.

  "Lrey, Lady Yuna, he said he'll sell it for 12 kiels each!" ［Marika］

  "Marika, you sure are amazing, aren't you?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah... You're both knowledgeable and firm. That's really admirable." ［Grey］

  "Hehehe! This is nothing!" ［Marika］

  Hearing Grey and Yuna's pliment, Marika couldn't help but blush a little, feeling a little embarrassed. She was back to her cheerful and carefree self, a beaming smile pstered on her face.

  Soon enough, Grey and Yuna started buying a lot of things from the stall. And though the vendor was feeling upset about losing to Marika in bargaining, after seeing how much Grey and Yuna bought, his mood quickly improved by leaps and bounds. Oh, how fickle people be.

  Well, it wasn't only the prices which were iing. Sihere aren't as in Ti, each item is sold whole. As for smaller, cheaper things, they are sold by a fixed number of items per kiel. Three es for 1 kiel, for an example. It was an iing and unique experience.

  "Then, Lrey, Lady Yuna, where do you want to go ?" ［Marika］

  "Fufufu! You sure are excited, aren't you?" ［Yuna］

  "Of course! It's my duty, after all! Tell me if there's anything you want to buy. I'll make sure to knock down their prices for you!" ［Marika］

  Marika decred ever so fidently as she puffed her ample chest proud as one be. And for the first time sihey met, Grey and Yu like they could finally put some trust in her words, feeling like they could rely on her.

  "Then... I guess fruits would be ?" ［Yuna］

  "Fruits?! Alright, follow meー Ah! Sorry!" ［Marika］

  Trust which was quickly broken by her clumsy nature. It hasn't even been a couple seds sihey decided to rely on her, and she already bumped into another person. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt and the person she bumped to was very nice. She was quickly fiven.

  "Umm... For now, how about we look at where we're going?" ［Grey］

  "Y-Yes! Of courshe! Safety first!" ［Marika］

  And as, the old Marika is back, bitiongue once again. Now, Grey and Yuna don't know whether they should worry or not. The young dy before them was simply too uable and tradictory to herself. Another iing character.

  Shenanigans aside, everyohen headed from oall to another, buying a lot of things. With how cheap the prices are, there is no way Grey and Yuna are going to miss out on it. It was yet another shopping spree!

  It was fortuhat ste rings were also present in Ti. Though they are called "Treasure Rings", they served the same purpose. Thanks to it, shopping has never been any easier.

  Time passed some more, and after buying fish, fruits, vegetables, meat, ors, and all sorts of things, Grey and Yuna were finally doh all the shopping. Now, they are only waiting for Marika to finish buying the bracelet she has been meaning to buy for herself.

  "Mister, e on! Lower it down a little!" ［Marika］

  "I'm afraid I 't do that anymore, Lady Marika. It's 135 kiels, and that's final."

  "Urgh... 135..." ［Marika］

  But it seems like things are not going as smoothly as they usually did. Though Marika ma down the price by a whole 15 kiels, she still couldn't afford it. To top it all off, the vendor wouldn't budge any further either.

  Even though she was the Great Chief's daughter, she doesn't actually receive much of an allowance from the Great Chief. And though she could just force things with her status, she wasn't oo do such a thing. Things were turning grim for her.

  "Mister, 135 kiels, was it?" ［Grey］

  "That's right. I won't go any lower."

  "Alright, then we'll buy two of them please." ［Grey］

  k Cck k

  A resounding cck echoed in the air as a number of s were pced atop the stall's desk, glimmering with a wonderful sheen. A whole two bronze s and seven nickel s were offered without much hesitation.

  Seeing such a sum, the vendor didn't think too muy longer and quickly pocketed it, then giving a pair of bracelets to Grey with a rge smile on his face. But of course, they weren't frey nor Yuna to wear. They were for...

  "Here, Marika, you have these." ［Grey］

  "Eh... Ehh?! For me?!" ［Marika］

  "Of course. Is there anyone else named Marika out here?" ［Grey］

  "Un! It's thanks fuiding us today. We really had a lot of fun." ［Yuna］

  There was a bit of hesitation painted on Marika's face at first, but being pressured by such expet eyes from Grey and Yuna, there was only so much she could do. She could only accept with a heart full of gratitude.

  "S-Shank you very math! I'll make sure to treshure it!" ［Marika］

  And in a very Marika-like manner, she gave her thanks, bowing her head repeatedly whilst bitiongue from time to time. Grey and Yuna couldn't help but chuckle lightly at her as, w where the fierce bargaining dy had gone.

  "Then... Now that we're done here.... Where shall we head to, Marika? I suppose the tour's not over yet, is it?" ［Grey］

  "Of course! There's still a lot more to see!" ［Marika］

  There was no time to dawdle. As soon as they were doh their business in the market, they headed towards the horizon, led by the ever so cheerful Marika. The very same Marika who bumped into another person again and almost tripped over. That very Marika.

  Their destination was one of the establishments nearby. An open building which was filled to the brim with silk, fabrics, and fibers. There were no sewing maes, only looms and hands quickly moving with astounding intricacy.

  The teology may not be so advanced in Ti pared to the mainnd, but their art and products wouldn't lose out to them. The fabrics woven from their looms were both vibrant aiful, showg both Ti's culture and delicacy. True masterpieces.

  "Waah... Grey, what's this thing..." ［Yuna］

  "That's a loom. As you see, it's used for weaving." ［Grey］

  "A loom, huh... I wonder if we make one like this in our house..." ［Yuna］

  And as usual, Yuna's curiosity is springing up in her eyes. Her eyes wandered all around the pce as she examined what kinds of things were present that she hadn't seen before. It was like they were having a school field trip.

  "Lady Yuna, would like to try it?" ［Marika］

  "Is that okay? I'm not particurly experienced with it..." ［Yuna］

  "That's okay. There's always a first for everything." ［Marika］

  Cheerful as one be, Marika headed to the weavers and asked for permission to use the extra loom. It didn't take too loher. Wheurhere was a big smile on her face, her hand making a "thumbs up" sign.

  "First, you use this... Then do this... And...." ［Marika］

  Yuna's instructor was her than Marika too. It was not only farming, fishing, and eics. She was knowledgeable in a lot of fields in Ti, capable enough to reach Yuna weaving. It was no wohe Great Chief is so fident in her.

  Soon, Marika's little lecture with Yuna about the basics of weaving finished, and after repeating Marika's words in her mind over and ain, Yuna finally started to move her hands, imitating what Marika did before her.

  "This... And this... And this, right... The..." ［Yuna］

  At first, Yuna was moving slowly, but with each passing sed, she picked up speed and moved quicker and quicker. Before long, Yuna's hands and pedals moved like a mae, weaving out a pattern like the ohe other weavers were making,

  To her learning speed and skills, Marika could only open her mouth in agape. Not only her, the other weavers were also intrigued, stopping in the midst of their work. All eyes were on her, curious and astonished.

  "A-Amazing! Is this really her first time?!"

  "Isn't she eveer than most of us!"

  "The design is beautiful as well!"

  tless praises rained down upon Yuna as she tinued moving her hands a. Even the more experienced weaver couldn't help but admire her skills, watg in silence as she tinued her work, serious as one be.

  It was only natural. After all, Yuna's mind was like a sponge which could absorb all kinds of knowledge unlike any other. If it weren't frey's "Divine Mind", he could only hope to catch up to her. She was a bonafide prodigy.

  "Ah! Marika, I'm done! Look! I maー" ［Yuna］

  "Lady Yuna, you're super amazing! Are you sure it's really your first time weaving?! You were like whoosh and fwoosh! So amazing!" ［Marika］

  "Y-Yes?" ［Yuna］

  Yuna couldn't even gather her thoughts yet, when Marika grabbed and held her hands tightly, looking at her with eyes full of expectations. It wasn't only her. The other weavers also swarmed around her, just as curious aed.

  "G-Grey! Help meeee!" ［Yuna］

  She cried out, but it was futile. Rather than help his girlfriend, Grey found it more iing and enjoyable seeing her swarmed by a crowd of excited people. He only chuckled to himself, watg the se unfold and wishing her good luck.

  It was only after she answered all of the questions from the others that she was finally let go, now pletely wasted and exhausted, her face void of life and colors. It was even more difficult than subjugating monsters, a true hell.

  "Grey, you... You meanie, I promise I'll remember this..." ［Yuna］

  "Oh? Did I do something wrong?" ［Grey］

  "Uuu... You... Just you wait. I'll get you back for this." ［Yuna］

  Yuna threatened Grey, pouting ever so cutely. But trary to her expectations, there was no feeling of remorse oer's face, only a smiling face as he chuckled to himself. The idiot couple are flirting once again.

  After the weaving workshop, everyone headed to the nearby establishments and watched the people work. There were handicrafts, smithing works, scultures, and many more. There was even a building where the people had their tattoos made. It ce full of wonders.

  "Grey, look, a smithy! Why don't you try it out?" ［Yuna］

  "Hmm... I think I'll pass for now. I want to explore more anyway." ［Grey］

  "I see... That's a shame..." ［Yuna］

  Of course, havi from experience, Yuna didn't try things out anymore. Instead, Yuna tried trey into doing so, wanting him to experiehe hell that she did. Unfortunately for her, Grey was not oo fall for such obvious traps.

  The only thitempts did was make her pout even more. Topping it off with Grey's periodical chug, she only became more frustrated. She was just too obvious for her own good,

  "Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!" ［Yuna］

  The only way the young dy could do to vent out her frustrations was to pound Grey's bad shoulders with her closed fist, all the while still pouting and puffing her cheeks. At that point, Marika had gotteo all their flirting.

  Flirting aside, the tour tinued and they headed out to more pces. They went to the nearby meadows to see the herding of livestock, to the ke to see the fishermen fish, and to the fields to see the people farm. An all around adventure.

  "Then, Lrey, Lady Yuna, let's get going, shall we? There's still a lot more to see!" ［Marika］

  "Un!" ［Yuna］

  CHAPTER 230 END