'Ooh, there's a hell of a lot of people here!

　Under the blazing sun, there was a huge crowd in front of the South Gate, one of the two gates in the royal capital. The front of the gate was like a square, with one large fountain in the center. There are people from the King's Capital, as well as many people who would have visited from other countries. It is noisy and noisy, and the heat is so overwhelming that it is enough to make you hesitate to move forward.

　And beyond the crowds, there was also the figure of an earth dragon that must have pulled the dragon carriage up to this point. Although it is not clearly visible, it is a type of dragon and has a strong presence. While the crystal dragon had a presence in the sense of beauty in appearance, the earth dragon, for example, is a physical meaning.

　If one were to get underneath the huge body of an earth dragon, it would easily crush them.

''This is the second time I've seen a dragon that hasn't attacked a person.
'What's with all that fancy talk...'

　Basically, dragons are classified as demons, so the majority of dragons attack humans. Wraith, accompanied by his master, has encountered dragons so many times that it's troublesome to count them. The words came out naturally from that experience, but they had enough impact to be drawn.

''Haha........well, it's this time of year, there are probably many people who are looking for the royal capital's festival. There should be a lot of people there.''

　That's exactly what it is, a variety of people from adventurers, merchants and even tourists.
　Wraith looks around with a look of curiosity, but is sensitive to the word "festival".

　She rolls her eyes and looks at Sylvia.

''Heh, there's a festival going on?''
''Yes, it's an annual event in King's Landing, and it's only the capital of the kingdom, and the scale is incredible!　I'm sure there will be one soon, if you'd like to go with me?
Oh, sure, let's go. Let's go!

　I've never experienced a festival before in my life, so my interest is only piqued. Wraith keeps the tension up and proceeds to blend in with the crowd. The merchants have each spread out their tools of business in a place that doesn't interfere with the passage, and the road is naturally made.

　

''Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...!
Yeah, you okay, Wraith?
It's okay.

　When Raffy called out to Wraith, who was struggling with the crowd, Wraith told him he was safe with a devilish look on his face. It was almost at the same time that his right foot was stepped on with all his might.

''I........!

　Wraith reflexively tries to hold his right leg - and loses his stance.

'Ah.'

　At the same time such a dumb voice leaked out, Wraith was swallowed up and kidnapped by a wave of people. Raffy and Sylvia's voices rapidly became distant and finally unrecognizable.

''No way, hey...!

　Wraith struggled desperately and managed to escape the crowd. He sits down on a bench and gasps for air.

'd*mn it, I got separated...'

　A frightening amount of people. Even the Wraith, who was reasonably well trained, was difficult to resist.
　Wraith shuddered to himself, "Is this the horror of the city....... He cleared his throat with a gulp and smiled wryly.

'I can't blame you for being a straggler. Let's try again...!

　The Wraith's eyes were those of a warrior. Only a mere crowd of people could get this excited about a mere crowd of people, and only the Wraith could do that. It's a sad reality for the countryman.

　However, due to the fact that it was worth the spirited challenge, Wraith was able to have enough time to look around. Observing what kind of things she could see while experiencing growth.

''Heh.''

　Some of them seemed to be alchemists like Wraiths, while others were selling ingredients. Some of the people were selling materials for demons. As Wraith proceeded to be hit by the heat, something caught his eye.

　In that shop, colorful plants were being sold.

　Intrigued, Wraith ducked through the crowd to the store.

Welcome, you can find everything from medicinal herbs to flowers for gifts here. Let me know if there is anything you need.

　The one who is smiling generously as he says this is an old man in his early thirties.

It's a good thing I'm an alchemist. Do you have anything interesting to say?
Oh, you're an alchemist, brother. Well how about this....

　What was offered to him was a plant with a small red flower. Wraith didn't recognize it either.

''What's this?''
"Brother, do you know what a mandrake is?
Yeah, well,

　It was a famous material that anyone who was an alchemist would know about. It contains a neurotoxin in its roots, and its potency is so powerful that it can sometimes cause a person to die. It is often used as a painkiller and sedative and is quite difficult to handle.

　The old man who owned the store grinned meaningfully as he held a plant with a small red flower on it.

''This is a new species of mandrake, recently discovered.
'What? Really?
Yeah, it's not out there yet, so it's our little secret.

　The shopkeeper narrows his voice and gives off a how-is-it-all vibe. Lace nods yes with a serious expression.

''Alright, it's special for my brother. I'd really like to spend three gold coins, but right now I only need one gold coin. What do you think, do you want to buy it?
One gold...

　It's a high price. But it's not an amount I can't afford. It is even discounted. In addition, it's a new species with high scarcity value.

　As an alchemist, there's no way to miss out on this one.

''Buy it.
'Always!　You're a very bold man, big brother. How about a nice set of hippopotamus over here?　Five silvers for now.

　The hippopotamus is a perennial herb found in the highlands and has thread-like petals. It has an anesthetic effect and is a useful plant for doctors and others.

　However, it can also be used as a material for alchemy. Its price is not so high.

Okay, together.
Great, great, that's a total of one gold and five silver.
I understand.

　Lace takes the amount of money he is told to take out of his bag and tries to hand it over. Just before the gold and silver coins fit into the hand that the shopkeeper held out.

　A hand reached out from the side and grabbed Wraith's arm.

　Unintentionally, Wraith turned towards it and saw a familiar figure - Raffy with an impatient expression.

''Oh, Raffy.''
Finally, I found...
Well, Mr. Wraith, that was a close call.
Is it dangerous?

　At the same time Wraith tilts his head at Sylvia's words. The arm that was grabbed by Raffy is pulled back.

''Wait a minute, I still have to pay...''
'Lace, you don't have to pay for fake goods.'
...False?

　When Lace naturally turns her gaze to the old man who owns the store, he shakes his head with an expression as if to say that he is falsely accused.

''It's rude to say that our products are fake!　What the hell do you know about that, little girl!
I can see that. It seems to be well hidden, but it still has traces of magic in it. It's obvious that it's been tampered with, isn't it?

　To the shopkeeper who raised his voice, Sylvia said sharply. As it was, Sylvia let her hand touch the plant that the shopkeeper had said was a new species of mandrake.

　Then the reddish flowers turned more and more purple. It's the color of a normal mandrake's flower.

''..........''

　When Wraith looked at the shopkeeper accusingly, he never tried to look at him. Wraith quietly walked away from the place without saying a word.

'There are sometimes people in places like this who try to cheat you out of money like that. I'm glad I got there in time.
"You're too vicious... and I've fallen for too many scams...
Hahaha let's be a little more cautious, Mr. Wraith.

　Even Sylvia, who is a year younger than me, is worried about me. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you arrive in the capital, but you still haven't learned to be cautious in that aspect.

"Just make sure you don't get separated this time, Wraith.
Yeah, I feel like a kid...

　He looked at Raffy, who was in a position of being a complete protector, and was unconvinced. However, he was certain that he was unreliable, so he had no choice but to obey.