After listening to Dora, I asked her to accompany me to the Adventurers Guild, and she agreed. Her reason being, 'It will be fun to tag along with a cute and powerful girl like you on your journey.'
Honestly, I'm starting to wish I didn't ask her to tag along with me. It's not because of what she answered, but because she is currently clinging to my arm as we walk, and my arm is in between her chest.
I used to be a boy before my change. So having a cute girl like Dora cling to me like this is making my imagination run wild and my down below to feel funny.
"Could you let go?"
"No way. Walking hand in hand with you will tell everyone that you are taken."
"Taken? But I'm not taken."
"For now, you're not, but we'll see.... Fufufufuu."
This is what I am talking about. She keeps saying confusing things like this that are making me feel funny.
I admit that she is cute, beautiful, and smells great. And the way she is holding my hand is heavenly.
Wait no! Bad evil thought. Don't be seduced by her charms, Lilia.
"Anyway, how long will it take us to reach the city?"
"It's a day's journey from here. We can reach it faster if you fly," Dora answers me.
"No thanks. From what you told me, flying is a high-level spell that only A-rank magicians can use. If I fly into the city, it will bring so much attention to me, and I don't like attention."
"Bummer. I would have loved to fly with you at least once."
"I-i-if th-that is what you want, then I will fly with you some other time. I'm not doing this for you; I'm just doing it because I wanted to. Hmph!"
"My my my, I will love that, Lilia-chan."
Dora whispered to my ear, causing me to blush. Seriously, why is my body reacting to every little advance of this girl clinging to my arm?
We traveled like that till it was nighttime. I used Creation magic to make a small tent for the both of us. Dora insisted on sleeping while clinging to me, which made me sleep less than I liked.
The following day, we resumed our travel to the city. Two hours later, I was able to see the entrance of the city.
"So this is Mufti city."
"I forgot that this is your first time to the city, huh?"
"Yes, it is. Anything I'll need before I enter the city?"
"Well, money for one. We need one silver coin to register at the entrance."
I really wanted to ask her, but I was afraid that she will laugh at me if I do.
Dora, seeing my blush, smiled mischievously.
"Don't tell me that you don't know how money works in the human realm."
I looked away from her in embarrassment.
It's not that I don't know how money works, it's just that I have never seen money besides copper. So I don't know how there look or their value.
I looked at Dora and saw her laughing at me, which caused my blush to intensify.
"If you are going to laugh, then make yourself useful and explain the values of money to me and the exchange rate between them."
"Sorry, sorry. I always forget you came from a remote village. So you know what a copper coin is, right?"
"Yes, I do. It is the lowest currency."
"That's right. Copper coins are what is required to lodge at a cheap inn or to buy cheap foods and other cheap stuff. A hundred copper coins are equivalent to one silver coin. A silver coin can buy you several things, and anyone who has like 50 silver coins is considered very rich among commoners. 100 silver coins are equivalent to one gold coin. These coins are usually owned by nobles and famous adventurers. Ten gold coins can buy you an expensive mansion, and five gold coins can buy you a large house."
"I see. Then doesn't it mean that this city is charging too much just to enter?"
"That's true, but the city is really one of the most beautiful in Eclipsora Kingdom, you know."
"By the way, is there another currency after the gold coin?"
"That will be the White Gold coin. One hundred gold coins are equivalent to a single White Gold coin. I have never seen one before, but I heard that only royals own a white gold coin. A person who has one white gold coin can live the rest of his life without worrying about money again."
I don't really care about being rich. I plan to journey around the world as an adventurer.
"So my dear Lilia, do you have a silver coin?" Dora asked me.
"Don't worry. I can just create some."
"Sometimes I forget how absurd your powers are. Creation is a spell that requires the top A to S-Rank magician to perform, and you are doing it so casually."
We moved to the entrance of the city and saw two guards dressed in heavy silver armor. They were collecting the payment before allowing anyone into the city.
I, along with Dora who was still clinging to my right arm, lined up with the other people who wanted to enter the city. Though for some reason, we caused a little commotion.
"Look at that girl."
"Is she a noble?"
"She is so beautiful like a doll."
"Her beauty rivals that of the fairies, and these are fairies I'm talking about."
"The girl besides her is a nine-tail fox."
"I thought all the fox tribe were extinct."
"Who cares about her? I'm more interested in the beautiful white-haired noble."
And so the rumors started. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm beautiful, but I didn't think I was beautiful enough to get the attention of everyone lining up at the entrance of the city. It was very embarrassing.
Dora seems to be basking in the attention, and she clinged more to me as if to tell everyone that I am hers.
I will never admit to her that I am happy about it.
When it was our turn, I took out two silver coins that I've created and paid the man for myself and Dora. We entered the city, and my jaw dropped in shock at what I saw.
Mufti city stretched out before me, a tapestry of magical spires and bustling streets. The air was filled with the fragrant scent of enchanted flowers, and the soft glow of mystical lanterns illuminated the winding paths. Each building seemed to tell a story of ancient times, their architecture a blend of human elegance and skilled craftsmanship.
The city was a labyrinth of wonders – towering libraries with floating books, marketplaces adorned with stalls selling rare artifacts with various people coming and going as there please, and enchanting gardens where beautiful flowers can be found.
"This city is huge. The houses are so big, and the streets are filled with people."
"Fufufufuu... Your surprised face is quite the treat, my sweet Lilia."
That comment turned my cheeks red.
"Must you always say embarrassing things just to get a reaction from me?"
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help myself. Seeing your expression when you entered the city reminded me of my first time entering a city."
"Well, we can go to the adventurers guild anytime. Let's look around the city a bit before going."
"It will be our little date... Fufufufuu."
This girl will be the death of me.
And so, we began to walk around the city. We strolled down cobblestone streets lined with shops that sparkled with otherworldly merchandise. Mufti city was a haven for adventurers, with weapons imbued with ancient spells and various potions. The city resonated with the hum of magical energy.
Dora and I visited the Great Plaza, where a majestic fountain carved from a single crystal stood. Its waters glowed with an ethereal light, and around it, performers enchanted the crowd with illusions and acrobatic displays. Mufti city embraced diversity – elves, dwarves, humans, and even beings from distant realms mingled within the city.
After watching the performance by the fountain, Dora took me to a clothing store and turned me into her personal dress-up doll. I didn't complain because of my passion for cute things, and all those clothes were cute. I ended up paying ten silver coins for all the clothes that Dora bought for herself and me, which is a lot, by the way. It was quite a lot of money, but it was nothing to me, and the clothes were clothes made for nobles, so it works out for me.
We went to a small restaurant and ate their food. It was the first time I have ever eaten food in a restaurant, so I was excited.
People were giving me strange looks, though. So I asked Dora why that is.
"Well, you are incredibly beautiful, and you are dressed like a noble. So people are wondering why a noble would be coming to a cheap restaurant like this one."
I see. People think I am some noble, but that was far from the truth, though. Well, I don't care what others think about me anyway.
And so, I ignored all the looks I was getting and continued to enjoy my food, which was delicious, by the way.
After that, I walked around the city with Dora until we came to a large building made of marble walls with a big signboard at the entrance that read 'Welcome To The Adventurers Guild.'
"This is the place, Lilia."
"I guess it is."
I was so moved that a single tear fell down from my left eye. I wiped it immediately and smiled before opening the door.
'Mom, I've finally arrived at the adventurers guild. Please watch over me as I make you proud.'
That was my thought as I stepped into the guild.