It had been a short while but the city and its people had grown on Iris. It felt bad to leave it but she had to do it.
The sun had just risen and Iris was ready to make the journey.
Her next stop was Noir, the city of making. It was one of the biggest production capital in this world and also home to some experts with political influence.
But that was far from the reason Iris had chosen that city. The city may have excellent magic users but the main reason to start from here was something different for Iris.
This city was a neutral ground for everyone.
If Oreta was a closed and tight-knit society, Noir was a free town. Anyone could enter and leave, anyone could trade without any issues. Even the influence of the council and the commission was lost.
There was freedom there was not present anywhere else in this world and it was mainly because of the wealth the city had. The port city of Noir was an important connecting point between other places and it was huge.
As a result, it was impossible to manage and required massive resources to run. No one wanted that kind of responsibility on their shoulder.
Not that no one had tried. The council had tried but even their resources came short of proper protection and maintenance. In the end, they had left the place in the hands of the merchants who ran it.
Iris would have loved to meet one of the top brass there and talk to them.
But alas, that was not why she was going there. Her target was somewhat at the outskirts of the city and was difficult to meet.
The journey itself was difficult but at least Iris was not defenseless this time.
After the sudden attack by Misha and being faced with the reality of her helplessness, Iris had done some research on how she could improve herself.
But the reality of her situation was cruel and she only had limited options.
The shop only had books on basic martial arts and magic attacks. Nicole and Misha had given her a run-down as well but there had been no time to master it.
Thankfully, there was something in the shop that she could use. The magic paper was back and it was more useful than ever.
It could be used to store magic and attack of all kinds. Iris could absorb the natural attack magic and use it to protect herself.
It was limited to her capabilities and the attack was nothing special yet but it was improving.
And it also gave Iris a lot of exp to kill monsters.
'Exp +100
User hit lvl 9 (10000/20000)
Attack power increased. Control refined'
Just one more level to go and Iris could finally get the translation skill needed to read those books.
But the requirement for achieving it made her groan. The monsters had been a great source of exp in the start, even giving as far as 500. But the more she defeated, the less exp she got till it was only a hundred.
Also, she had no strength left in her arms. She should just have taken Misha's offer to help her out.
Or even Nicole's.
But she could not have taken that risk and now she had to suffer.
The only luck she had was the healing magic she was continuously casting on herself. It made her fatigue go away and rejuvenated her.
But that limit was approaching soon as well and her eyes were beginning to tire as well.
Her next attack hit a monster, no, it missed the monster because the monster fell before she could hit it.
"Hey, look at where you are aiming" someone scolded Iris and her dizziness instantly went away. Her mind entered into alert mode and focused on the new figure in front of her.
The other was a warrior with no noticeable features that stood out. She was human with brown hair and ordinary clothes. So, in simple words - she was no one important.
"You were in the way" Iris felt her heart stop beating for a second as those words left her mouth. Her tired mind made it impossible to focus and refused to filter her words.
"Excuse me? I was in the way? You missed because you were too slow" the other glared back but flinched when those brown eyes met her own.
For a second the other blurred out into another figure, the brown turning into vermillion shades but it was gone the next blink.
Iris had to blink a few more times to get rid of the dizziness inside her eyes.
"So you are blind as well as def. Can't you even hear me properly? Well, what else can I expect from someone like you? I will let you go this once and not report you to the commission. Be thankful for my benevolence" the other muttered with pride.
She waited for Iris to respond but Iris had nothing to contribute.
There was a ringing in her ear and the feeling of 'not right' was loud in her ear and she knew she needed to getaway. The alarm bells were loud in her ear.
"Council Lady Russo, please respond" was it her imagination, or was that voice familiar to Iris? The feeling of doom just got worse and worse as the voice came closer.
"My lady, where are you?" Iris knew she had to get away now or there will be no chance to escape later.
"I should go now" Iris muttered hurriedly and made a hasty retreat.
But luck was not on her side and she felt something head her way. She ducked but the shot at her side was too fast for her to react.
"Found you, little healer. You had us worried since we were unable to find you till now. Thankfully, we had someone who recognized your magical signature quite well . But don't worry, we will pry all your secrets from you" the brown-haired lady replied as Iris felt her body stiff.
They had injected her with something and it was interfering with her magic.
She was not quite helpless though but she needed to wait for the right time to execute her plan.
"Lady Russon, there you are" it was Rose, her red hair bouncing in the air as she skipped toward them. The other lady looked at Rose as well and Iris knew it was now or never.
'System, a knife please'
The tool was in her hand and the rope was cut in seconds. She had been lucky that the other had not thought of this possibility and had not used any tougher means.
"Lookout" Rose warned but it had been too late. Iris had her magic back and she made use of it to knock the brown-haired lady unconscious.
Rose looked a little shocked to see her and that was the only reason Iris managed to get away this time.
"Hey, wait. Rachael comes here fast" of course she was here as well. There was no way Iris would be able to escape if the other caught her now.
It was not supposed to happen. Not so fast at least.
There was a hand on her wrist and someone pulled her back in the bush. It startled Iris enough to let her guard down and get dragged further into the bush.
"Shhhh, Are you trying to run away as well? Don't worry, I will help you for now" a voice whispered and it made Iris freeze but for an entirely different reason.