When one is transmigrated to another world, they usually tend to change the story and seek for survival. Either by befriending the most powerful person or being that powerful person. But Iris seeks the opposite. With the pain and suffering that she had on her original word, Iris wished to have a laid back life in this world. But since Iris has no prior knowledge of this new word, she hoped to gather more information. And one thing to do is to travel. With the help of that wanderer she met, Iris was able to fend for herself in this foriegn world.
'Antacia, huh.'
Iris thought to herself as she glanced once more at the piece of paper with cursive and italic writing.
After that, she then looked up at the gate's entrance. Staring at the big letters plastered on its curved arch entrance. Based on its well designed structures, one could immediately tell that this town is well built. This city is called Antacia. According to the unnamed wanderer, Iris needs to find the famous tavern located at the very corner of the east wing. And since it only opens at night, Iris has a lot of time to kill as she wanders and explores around the city.
Rough steps on the gravel as the sounds of horses whining and stomping can be heard as Iris finally reached the city of her destination. Wagons were lining up at the big gates stopping at the toll booth to negotiate. Clearly this is a lively city.
The atmosphere was vibrant and lively as the town's market greeted her upon entering the gates. With the cloak that Iris received from the same wanderer, she comfortably roamed around the city with ease. Though nobles tend to avoid being in this city in fear of making trouble, Iris shouldn't be careless. There may be someone who recognized her as a daughter of a noble in another city.
That is why even when the sky was still high up in the sky, Iris decided to head immediately to the famous tavern even knowing that it was still not open. It's not the tavern she was seeking anyway; it was the person operating it.
—----
"Just…just how big is this place!" Iris exclaimed to herself as she found herself in a secluded alleyway where she could rest her feet momentarily.
She wiped her brows as she could feel her sweat starting to form once again on her forehead. In a narrow alleyway with a cobblestone pathway, Iris squatted down as she started to open a bottle of water and gulped it all down in one go. Iris knew that she could get to that tavern in an easy way by just asking the locals or other travelers around. But the thing is, the people out there are very… different from what she expected.
A ray shined on Iris' face as she looked up, remembering the horror she went through just earlier.
…
As she could feel the summer heat getting into her; Iris roamed her eyes on the bustling stalls. In the busy marketplace, Iris was not sure where to start. But knowing the destination she sought is famous as the wanderer said, then anyone should know it by its name.
A long-haired woman then caught her attention after seeing her stall with little to no customers as of yet. With her back facing Iris, she was watering the potted plants and flowers displayed on the stall.
Upon seeing that, Iris smiled a little knowing that maybe that dainty looking woman will, without a doubt, surely answer her queries. She then proceeded to stride to the woman with confident steps along the way.
Facing the woman, Iris then proceeds by clearing her throat loud enough for the woman to hear.
"Pardon me, miss. But could you point out whe—"
"Yes?"
Before Iris could even finish her question, her eyes widened upon seeing the face of the woman as she turned around facing Iris. Her face was green. Bulging eyes with a parietal eye. She was very like a lizard in human form.
Her mouth remained hanging as she became speechless at such a sight. She started to back away slowly in astonishment. Iris was caught off guard.
"Uhm, are you okay?" The lizard looking woman looked at Iris with concern visible in her feminen voice.
"I-I... ahh… I'm j—.." She stuttered, still gazing at the lizard faced woman.
Upon hearing her normal voice, Iris became even more skeptical. As she continued backing away, her left heel suddenly pressed into something thick.
"Ugh! Watch your feet!"
A manly voice then cried out behind Iris which made her jump in place in surprise. Iris swiftly turned her head at the owner of the irritated tone of voice. "Oh God! I deeply apologize!"
With her hand properly placed in front of her, Iris immediately bowed her head down in embarrassment. But upon doing so, she was able to see something on the ground that she was not expecting to see. Iris' eyes widened upon seeing it.
It was a huge snake tail.
Like a robot, she slowly lifted her head. Looking from the scalytail, eyeing it up to the man before her. Was this supposed to be feet that she just stepped on? Hard to believe, but yes.
And with that, it looked like she was in a daze. A lot of things were running through her mind.
'A lizard man…and now a half snake and half man!? Wait…why am I even surprised? This is a fantasy world. It would make sense that there will be people with animal hybrids…. Of course! I bet even orcs and demons exist here!' Iris said to herself, still with the same daze and blank expression.
'Hey human! Are you okay?" The snake man before her then asked with a perplexed expression and tone of voice upon seeing Iris' rigid and stupefy expression.
The same lizard like woman earlier also decided to approach her in concern which attracted some attention from the people around them. With that sudden surge of attention, Iris was overwhelmed.
"Miss, are yo—"
Before the same lizard woman could even finish her question, Iris was already quick on her feet as he ran fast from the forming crowd with heavy breaths.
….
And that's how it goes earlier. Now calming and looking at it now, it is quite fascinating how all of it normally exists here.
"That's right. I'm in a fantasy world. It's not that abnormal to see non-human species blending in with humans.' Iris said to herself. With her elbows on his knees, Iris lowered her head down in exhaustion.
After giving a deep sigh, Iris ruffled her messy short brown hair as she continued talking to herself like a madman. "Hah… I must have looked like a racist…. Or is it speciesism?"
And while doing this, Iris was not aware of a kid rushing to her direction from the near distance. He was holding what looked like a small coin purse in his small hands. And when the kid did a sharp turn on the narrow alleyway that Iris was resting on, the kid loudly fell down on the hard ground right in front of Iris. The bronze and metal coins from the kids' purses spilled on the ground making a sound that attracted attention.
With that loud bang, Iris was startled, but it was soon replaced with worry ness upon seeing the kid's bruised knee and arms. She immediately rushed to the kid who was still on the ground, struggling to get up, and helped him to get up.
"Kid, you okay? Geez, you shouldn't run around in these busy streets or els—"
"There's that kid! He's with that woman!!"
"After them!"
A loud voice of a man then cutted Iris off as she was tending to the kid.
'Were they chasing this kid? But why?' Iris asked herself as he glanced at the scared kid.
But nevertheless, she couldn't just let the poor kid be. Iris firmly grabbed the kid's wrist and led him out of the alleyway. Four brute and fierce looking men were chasing after the two of them as they ran in every direction. Taking sharp turns and knocking some things on the way just to lose those pursuers.
But alas, Iris was never familiar with those narrow alleyways. She just arrived at Antacia regardless. Facing the tall brick wall before them, Iris immediately knew that she fucked up.
"Got you! How dare you run away from us you bitch!" A big muscled man said harshly, clearly pissed off by all the chasing they did.
He looked like the leader of the group. Iris took a nervous gulp upon seeing the other four strong looking men. Usually, she could take down a man or two. But seeing that the five men were carrying weapons with them, Iris was clearly at disadvantage. And with a kid to protect, this will be tough.
" Big sister…" The kid clutched on Iris cloak in worry upon seeing that they are practically trapped with no one to help them.