What she did to pass the time was knit her unfinished scarf.
Under a small mana-powered lamp, Aeriel made progress in knitting the scarf, bitter about the fact that Invictus still chose not to tell her his story.
"And what's the rice wine for?! If you're going to buy liquor, drink it!"
Sadness turned into annoyance. Aeriel wanted to lash out her
frustration but couldn't, remembering that Invictus was already sleeping.
"All I wanted is to know more about Lord Invictus. I've cooked different varieties of food for him, and he would always say that he likes it. But I never know what his favorite food is. Should I just choke him with a pillow since he does not want to tell me anything?"
Frustratedly, Aeriel decided to continue finishing the scarf later and threw herself on the bed, letting out a deep sigh before closing her eyes.
---
Another morning came...
It was Invictus who was the first to wake up. He left the room to clean himself and also buy themselves breakfast.
Invictus carved in his mind not to forget to wear his mask before going out. He would only take it off when he is sure that no one's around and when there is no risk in revealing who he really is.
The chicken outside was cawing, wheels from the carriage creaking as it rolls on the uneven path, children were already happily playing outside.
Everyone and everything in the Virval Highlands was just so peaceful, away from problems and threats from monsters, the resources needed were efficient, and there was no risk to their health.
On his way outside, Invictus came across the innkeeper, wearing a cooking apron and gloves, brightening up after noticing him.
"You are with the lady in room number 3, right?" She excitedly asked, stopping on his way.
"Uh, yes," he answered shortly.
"Great! And I reckon you're on your way to buy breakfast, yeah?" She guessed, giving Invictus a thumbs up.
"Hmm, another yes."
The innkeeper was overjoyed to know that her guesses were both correct, snapping her fingers in excitement.
"Last night, your partner borrowed my kitchen. She gave me some of her gratins, and it was absolutely delicious! I loved it! So, I'm thinking of cooking breakfast. What I'm saying is, don't bother buying breakfast. I'll bring some in your room by the time you come back."
"Isn't that too much of a trouble?"
"No, not at all. Just do what you wanna do and come back for breakfast."
"Okay, I'll see you in a bit."
'Hmm, I'm always faced with kind people every time I'm about to make decisions. Is fate trying to tell me something? Or is the goddess of time and whatever it is testing me if I'd back down on my words? It's confusing.'
Last night, after Invictus bought the rice wine, he went out of his way to roam around the whole forest. The security in the mountain was not that
tight since they have a low crime rate.
Sneaking around, traveling with a bottle of wine in his hand, and installing his plan on the ground, Invictus was almost done with his scheme. It took him hours to wander around the forest, memorizing the patterns and paths they would take later on.
Alone, Invictus went down to the feet of the mountain, all the way to the gate. The guard who was so sour about meeting a Semper was there, doing his job as always.
When people from the town are leaving, guards do not need to check on you or mind you. Their only concern was the people coming in. And considering that Invictus brought nothing with him, he was ignored. But
still, he felt the enmity at the back of his head.
"If I'm not mistaken, the mine is on this way. And I will find a ten-foot-tall falls within a minute of walking."
Going down from the mountain, going to the cave mine and falls was like hitting two birds with one stone.
The splashing of water falling from a high level gradually sounded louder and louder as Invictus got closer.
Fogs caused the trees to moisten, and the path was damped, making it hard for Invictus to hurry up. He was careful not to trip over every step he made. Stepping on rocks covered in damped moss would be the wrong choice in someone's life because they are slippery as hell.
A single mistake almost trips Invictus over. Luckily, he has good balance, tiptoeing his way to the mine. He has a business to do there, and that's where the item he needs to use in his plan could be found.
The mining cave was just a few meters away from the falls.
"I'll come back here when I'm done doing business."
He has a boatload of work to do, and washing comes later. Invictus reached the mining cave, and guards' figures and minecarts filled with raw magic crystals came into view.
Seeing how he was wearing a mask and was walking straight toward them without prior warning, the guards who were assigned to protect the mining cave and its miners unsheathed their swords.
Hostility was directed to Invictus, but he immediately raised both of his
hands, showing them having no ill intent.
"There's no need to be so uptight. I just came here to buy some raw magic crystals."
After discerning that Invictus has no weapon whatsoever with him and just really wanted to buy a boatload of raw magic crystals, they sheathed back their weapons.
Standing in front of the opening were three guards, wearing the same type of average-quality iron armor, not too shabby and not too lacking.
"If you need it to feed your Ruddy Fireflies, you will first have to process the raw magic crystals to be edible for your light."
Said one of the three guards as Invictus pushed onwards towards his goal.
"Using it to feed the Ruddy Fireflies is not the reason I'm trying to buy
some raw magic crystals."
"Then for what purpose are you trying to use them?"
Before coming to the mining cave, Invictus had already thought of a lie he would tell the guards if ever buying the ingredient didn't go smoothly as he predicted.
"I want to make some fireworks!"
~