"Do you know where Obsidian Basilisks roost?" I asked the hotel receptionist.
"Is... Is that the Hazel Blaze herself???" the girl replied, unable to formulate a coherent response.
"We need Grimmia ASAP," I said urgently. "If you don't know, we're leaving. This girl's going to die."
"D- die?? Hazel Blaze is super strong, she can't just die!"
*So strong that she's passed out twice since we've met.*
I turned around to leave the building. Obviously, this girl was no help.
"W- wait! You can find an Obsidian Basilisk lair 150 kilometron south. Normally, travelers are advised to avoid such a place... Why do you need Grimmia, though? Normally, the cure to external Obsidian Basilisk petrification is the 'icy-hot' treatment-"
"I'm not sure. Hazel Blaze said she needed it, and it could treat her."
*I need it, too.*
"Well, if you need ice magic, I can help..."
*Are you kidding me?*
"... Hazel Blaze is in no shape to use magic on herself. She's passed out twice now after trying to use it," I said, trying to think of an excuse to leave. "Thank you for the directions. We'll be on our way."
"Please if she wakes up I want her autograph and-!"
I slammed the door on the way out. We didn't have time to waste.
"Nnnn... rrrgghhh..."
Hazel Blaze drunkenly groaned as she awoke from her slumber once again.
"Get a White Vipress carriage... they're... fast..." she weakly said.
*Her energy's dwindling. When it's someone as rowdy as her, that's never a good sign.*
"We're going to the lair in the south, right?" I asked, trying to confirm the receptionist's information. "How long will it take a White Vipress to get there?"
"They're fast... Only 2 hours... 3 hours at the very most... *COUGH*-"
*Yeah, that's not gonna cut it.*
I had around 2 hours left on my system quest.
"Is the White Vipress the fastest monster here?"
"Well... other than wyrms..."
"Got it."
"What? What do you mean... 'got it'? Even I can't afford wryms..."
I hailed a taxi without explaining, and a familiar horse-drawn carriage pulled aside.
"It's you two again! ... What's wrong with her?"
"Yeah... she's dying. Can you get us back to where I first came from?"
"Huh? Dying? Are you sure?"
"Regardless, I need wryms ASAP. Please get us there as soon as you can."
"You're referring to the Royal Library, correct?"
"I believe so, yes."
"Roger that. Hop in, you two."
"So that's what it is," the taxi driver said after hearing my explanation. "It's as I feared."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I noticed the mark her side earlier. It's quite apparent. For the time being, though, I reckon she's alright."
"Rrrnnnnnnggghghghghhh..."
Hazel Blaze had passed out again and was struggling to breathe.
"For the time being? For how long, exactly?"
"With a mark that size, she's easily got over a day before she falls into critical condition."
"Over a day? That's a relief."
"I wouldn't say that. She'll be tough to cure."
"Why?"
"You need two mages to perform the icy-hot treatment. And maybe it's just her personality, but she's burned every bridge with the local mages. Nobody will want to save her."
"You sure know a lot."
"Haha, I'm sure you know horse carriages of this quality are considered a luxury. My clientele is often the same several hundred people, so I'm familiar with the goings-on of the place."
"Right."
*I did not know this type of carriage was a luxury. What the hell is Emma's carriage, then?*
"We've arrived. I can't take you further inside, unfortunately. This roadway is reserved for special occasions," he said. "Hazel Blaze has already covered the fare many times over earlier today, so I'll let you go."
"Thank you."
I picked up my human luggage and jumped off.
"You're very welcome. Let's meet again soon."
With a crack of the horse's reins, the carriage took off in a cloud of dust.
I made my way over to the regal gateway from before. The same guard was still stationed there.
"Entry requires identification or ticket," the guard said, his face turning sour once he recognized my luggage.
"Here," I said, handing him my newly-minted Adventurer ID.
The guard's face scrunched up in disbelief. "You were an F-rank?"
I shrugged. "I guess."
"Typically, F-ranks are not permitted entry past this point, but I'll let you go as you're acquainted with those folks."
"Thanks. As you can see, we have a bit of an emergency here."
The guard nodded and opened the pedestrian gate, and I hastily rushed inside.
*I'm acquainted with "those folks", huh? The extent of Ruby's influence has yet to be tested.*
It'd taken me minutes to traverse this walkway at a stroll's pace, but at a sprint, the time taken was negligible.
*Wow, it's freaking packed here.*
When we arrived on Emma's carriage, we must've been the first ones there because it'd been empty earlier. It didn't take me long to locate them, though. That fancy carriage was unmistakable among the others.