As Natalia slowly opened her eyes, she found herself on Xialdre's back, being carried into a bustling town. Her head still throbbed slightly, but the view of the strange new place pulled her focus away from the discomfort.
The town was lively, with streets filled with people. Yet, Natalia couldn't help but notice the peculiar custom—almost every adult had rings piercing their lips. Only the children seemed free from this odd accessory.
"Oh, you're finally awake," Xialdre said firmly as they passed through the town's gates.
"How are you feeling?" Clementine asked, her tone warm and encouraging.
"Well... good, I guess," Natalia replied hesitantly. She looked around, still disoriented. "Where are we?"
"We're not entirely sure. We just arrived," Isayao answered with a shrug.
"This is the town of Mistigans," Arisawa chimed in. "The lip rings are part of their culture. They believe it's a symbol of beauty."
"Wait, how do you know all that?" Isayao asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I read about this place in a book by Stanley Sanchez," Arisawa replied smoothly. "Though I never thought I'd see it in person."
"Wait, is that the Amazing Wonders of the World?" Furina asked, her interest piqued.
"Indeed," Arisawa said with a nod. "Are you familiar with it?"
"I am! But I haven't finished reading it yet," Furina admitted sheepishly.
"Well, that explains why you didn't know about this town," Arisawa teased lightly.
While they chatted, Natalia turned as Nina approached her. "How are you holding up? Any lingering headaches?" Nina asked, her voice gentle yet concerned.
"Just a little, but I'm fine now," Natalia replied, offering a weak smile.
"You better get better soon, nyaw! Get it?" Rain interjected with an exaggerated grin.
"Was that supposed to be a joke?" Asabe asked dryly.
"Nyour such a meanie," Rain pouted.
"Probably because it wasn't funny," Xyrene added with a smirk.
"Not nyou too..." Rain groaned, to the group's amusement.
As they passed through the vibrant streets, the group decided to split up and explore.
Xialdre and Natalia headed off in search of a Rejuvenation Draught to aid Natalia's recovery. Furina and Arisawa wandered the town, diving into discussions about Mistigans' culture and traditions. Meanwhile, Asabe, Rain, and Xyrene made it their mission to sample every food stall they could find. Nina and Emiko, on the other hand, took a detour to a massage parlor, enjoying a moment of relaxation amidst the chaos.
Xialdre carried Natalia along the winding streets of Mistigans. The silence between them lingered briefly before Xialdre broke it with his measured tone.
"So, Natalia, tell me—what is your current power level now that the Dragon Lord's curse has been lifted?" he asked calmly.
The bustling voices of the townsfolk and the hum of civilization filled the air, painting a lively scene. Birds chirped melodiously, and a cold breeze swept through the streets, causing their hair to sway gently. Despite their presence, the people around them remained oblivious, engrossed in their own affairs, as Xialdre and Natalia continued their quiet conversation.
"My current power level?" Natalia echoed, a hint of confidence in her voice. "I'd say it's close to a Demon Lord's level."
"Oh? And what makes you think that?" Xialdre inquired, his tone even but curious.
"Well," Natalia began, "I've battled a Demon Lord before. His name was Judas, the Demon Lord of Greed. I defeated him."
"Defeating a Demon Lord is no small feat," Xialdre remarked, a flicker of interest sparking in his otherwise expressionless demeanor.
Their conversation was interrupted as they passed a small, weathered shop that exuded an unsettling aura. The grimy windows revealed shelves crowded with ominous wares. Xialdre stopped abruptly, causing Natalia, still in his arms, to shift in surprise.
"This shop," Xialdre muttered, narrowing his eyes at the eerie display. "It seems to stock ominous items. Perhaps they have the Rejuvenation Draught that Nina instructed me to get for you."
"Huh? Rejuvenation Draught?" Natalia asked, tilting her head.
"It's an alchemical potion," Xialdre explained. "It replenishes mana quickly and promotes full recovery. Nina plans to refine it further, but even in its current form, it could aid your recovery."
With that, Xialdre stepped through the creaking door, Natalia still cradled in his arms.
The interior of the shop was far larger than its modest exterior suggested, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. The air carried the scent of herbs mingled with aged wood. Shelves lined the walls, laden with strange and disquieting items: jars filled with lifeless, unblinking eyes, bottles swirling with strange liquids, and trinkets that seemed to emit a faint, eerie hum.
Natalia glanced around, unease creeping into her expression as she took in the bizarre inventory. "This place feels... off," she murmured.
Xialdre, however, remained unbothered, his cold gaze scanning the shop's contents. "Let's see what they have."
"Master, I think I can stand now," Natalia said, her voice determined.
Xialdre hesitated but set her down carefully. Natalia wobbled slightly, her legs trembling as she adjusted.
"I'll help you walk," Xialdre offered, placing her arm around his shoulder to steady her.
"Thanks," Natalia murmured, leaning on him for support as they approached the counter.
Behind the counter sat an old woman in dark robes, humming a strange tune. She stopped as soon as she noticed them, her sharp eyes narrowing in their direction.
"What do you need?" the woman asked, her tone curt.
"We're looking for a Rejuvenation Draught," Xialdre said evenly. "Do you have any?"
The old woman's lips curled into a strange smile. "Oooooh, I do. Would you like to purchase some?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Isn't this a shop?" Xialdre replied, his tone unwavering.
The woman cackled softly before turning away to rummage through a massive cabinet. The shelves inside were crammed with bottles of all shapes and colors.
"Almost all the items in your shop feel ominous. Are you some kind of herbalist?" Natalia asked politely.
The old woman, however, ignored her question, continuing to rummage through the cabinets in search of the Rejuvenation Draught.
After a moment, she pulled out a briefcase from the bottom shelf, its latches gleaming ominously.
Natalia's eyes darted around the room, landing on various unsettling items: a jar of teeth, a decaying black rose, a sharp metal collar, and other artifacts that radiated malice
"Hehehe, I'm no herbalist, young lady," the old woman said, turning her head toward the two with a wide, unsettling grin as she began walking back toward them.
"I'm merely a shopkeeper hired to work here. My manager hasn't arrived yet, but I assume she'll be back sooner or later," the old woman explained.
The old woman the returned, placing the briefcase on the counter. She opened it with a theatrical flourish, revealing ten bottles of a purple liquid.
"Is this what you're looking for?" she asked, her grin widening as she continues "Each bottle inside this brief case is a full Rejuvenation draught, created with bloods of noble Dryad's, though there is no really any other way to confirm it, so you really just have to believe me now Ehhehehe"
Xialdre picked up one of the bottles, inspecting it closely. His expression remained unreadable as he held the bottle up to the light.
"This liquid contains the aura of Dryads," Xialdre said calmly. "Rejuvenation Draughts are made from a Dryad's blood, mixed with human blood to achieve their effects. At first glance, this seems accurate."
The old woman's grin faltered slightly.
"But," Xialdre continued, "there's another potion made with Dryad fluids—Verdant Draught. It mimics the aura of a Rejuvenation Draught but is far more dangerous. And this..." He paused, his voice turning icy. "This is no Rejuvenation Draught."
Without warning, he hurled the bottle to the ground. It shattered, the liquid burning through the wooden floor with a hiss.
The old woman didn't flinch, but her eyes darkened as Xialdre leaned in, his voice low and menacing.
"What exactly are you trying to pull here?" Xialdre asked, his tone cold and expressionless as a dark aura emanated around him.
The old woman froze, her piercing gaze locking onto Xialdre's unyielding eyes. Natalia, sensing the rising tension, cautiously took a few steps back. Her body, still recovering, was unprepared for battle, but her instincts screamed for vigilance.
A heavy silence hung in the air, the two figures seemingly locked in a battle of wills. Natalia held her breath, her heart pounding as she prepared for whatever was about to unfold.
The quiet shattered suddenly as the old woman burst into laughter, her voice echoing with eerie amusement. "EHEHEHEHEHEH!" Her astonished expression twisted into something wild and unsettling.
"Interesting. Very, very interesting," the old woman exclaimed, her grin widening unnaturally.
Xialdre, unfazed, remained still, his hands buried in his pockets, his cold, calculating demeanor unchanged despite the unsettling display before him.