Upon entering the artisan district, Anna was overwhelmed by the smell of iron and the heat the whole area was giving off.
She stopped for a second, stunned by the difference. The red-eyed woman knew a barrier was erected between the districts and there was a reason for that, but she didn't expect it to be so overwhelming.
[ - I can understand and accept that barrier more than the one between the noble districts and the others.]
Eliza, still being dragged by Anna by the hand, was a bit blushing but still answered with a relatively calm voice.
- Yes, it wasn't here before. But a number of visitors from other countries, and even the rest of the country, complained about it. So the same mage who did the other barrier made this one. But the sounds still go through. It's just less loud.
Anna nodded at that. She could hear a lot more now that they had traversed and had to agree that the noise was pretty loud now. It was as expected, so not really bothering. But she could understand not everyone could handle that. They were still walking when Jane made herself known with a little voice inside Anna's spirit.
[{ - Hm… How long do you intend to hold her hand? Look at her, she's struggling not to blush too much! It's obvious she never had that kind of contact before! }]
{ - Eh, if she wasn't interested, why would she blush at all? Aren't we two women? Isn't it a normal thing to do? }
[{ - Not like that! Interlocking your fingers and all? I'm only eighteen, but I obviously know not every friend does that! Let me take back my body now. }]
Jane didn't wait for Anna's green light and forcefully retook control of her body. It was actually pretty easy; after all, she was the original owner. So of course her body would welcome her back easily. Her eyes changed color to their original blue. She looked for a second at their hands, then at Eliza's face, which was blushing more and more, before letting go with an embarrassed smile.
- I'm sorry. I… Well, it's a bit complicated. I'll explain to you later, okay? So, this is the artisan district, right? It feels really warm here. Didn't you say there were all kinds of artisans? Even wood-using ones? Fire is a hazard then?
Eliza couldn't answer immediately. She was looking at her hand that still had some warmth coming from Jane's. It took her a few seconds before she shook her head and lifted it to look at Jane, avoiding her gaze a bit.
- Y-yeah, but those have workshops built to protect them from the warmth and fire. So fire problems aren't that common at all. Well, before we built those, of course, we had problems.
Jane nodded at that. It made sense to protect them. Nobody would like to see their work go up in flames, especially after so much time and effort on them.
The duo continued to walk side by side, Eliza showing her the various shops some artisans set up. Based on the white-haired woman's explanation, these had a few scuffles with the merchants and were banned from selling their products over there.
The redhead looked at a few swords and daggers, weighing them in her hands to check the balance, before placing them back with a disappointed shake of her head. Eliza observed that curiously.
- They aren't good enough? I find them pretty well made, no? I'm no expert on them, of course, but a lot of weapons coming from the district are quite popular.
- That's the thing, they are popular. It doesn't mean they are good enough. Well, they are to protect yourself from a robber. But not for real combat, not at all. If you took any of the daggers I used in my village, you would find them totally intact even after they shattered skulls and bones. These ones? No way they would survive a real fight. They would break after a few uses. And they definitely won't bear the momentum I can give them with my gift.
The blacksmith back in her village was really good. She didn't know any of his secrets, but she never saw a single one of his blades or other weapons break. Her white katana was a perfect example; only she knew the trials she put it through. And it was still in one piece, without a single chip on its blade. Of course, she had to sharpen it and take care of it often. But anyone who doesn't do that is just a piece of scum.
- The young lady seems to know her way around blades, I see.
The sudden voice came from the owner of the shop the two ladies were in front of. Since Jane didn't bother to be careful of what she said, he could hear everything. But contrary to belief, he didn't get mad. The duo turned to face him and saw it was a skinny man, around forty years old, with his chest bare.
- Pardon me, ladies. I didn't mean to intrude on your conversation. But I agree with the young woman. These are mostly for nobles to deter others. Or defend themselves if the hooker they are with is a bit too aggressive!
At that, the skinny man broke out in boisterous laughter while the two ladies blushed furiously. Of course, Anna joined in the laughter inside Jane's head. After a few seconds, the man calmed down before continuing.
- But even if my products are mostly for show and a few uses, there are some really good blacksmiths here. You just have to find them and look beyond the front too. They only sell to a select few. Well, I have to go back to creating more now. Have a good day!
He turned around after waving at them before walking into his shop. A few moments later, clanging sounds could be heard from the back, joining the rest of the sounds in the street.
Jane turned toward Eliza and shrugged her shoulders.
- Well, that was a bit weird. Shall we go to the commoners' district? Speaking of that, you didn't tell me where the Mercenary Guild is.
- Come then, it's this way. The Guild is in the next district. Nobles wouldn't want a bunch of Mercenaries walking around, as you can guess. So the only place that made sense was with the commoners.
Eliza smiled and once again took the lead toward a new district. They passed another barrier, and the sounds were attenuated.
That part of town was almost normal. There were just people walking around or talking in the streets. The only thing standing out were the various men and women dressed in leather or plate armor, most of whom seemed like seasoned combatants. There were a few mage-looking people too, with staffs strapped on their backs.
- Let's go directly to the Guild. There's not much going on here besides that.
While walking toward a multi-floored building, Jane noticed passersby stealing glances at them. It was quite obvious with the way Eliza was dressed; a dress didn't seem like common clothing here. She must have looked like a noble strolling with her bodyguard in tow.
- There's something I don't understand, Eliza. Why aren't there people who recognize you? Aren't you their princess?
That question made her friend wince a bit before smiling sadly.
- Well, not many of my people know me. I didn't go out a lot when I was young. It's not that I don't like them; it's more because a lot of the nobles don't like me in the court. So I usually stayed at home, studying and training my magic. But due to… some events, I have to move. Besides the nobles, not all of them too, there aren't many people who know me. And I would like it to stay that way.
Jane nodded. She could understand that way of thinking. And it would be easier for Eliza to move around without attracting unwanted attention.
The duo walked a bit faster and finally arrived at the Guild building. The inside was almost the same as in Vanel, just bigger. The Guild didn't seem like it wanted to bother with decorations, and it was a fair choice. Mercenaries aren't really known to bother themselves with flourishes. There were, of course, exceptions, but they were rare.
They got to the counter and, after a little talk with the receptionist, they finally registered themselves as a party. Their interlocutor explained a bit more about how parties worked.
- As members of a party, you can take on missions that are higher than if you weren't if you have three or more party members. For example, here Miss Eliza is a Member rank Mercenary. If you had one more person with you, it would be possible to take on Experienced missions. But you can still do missions the same rank as Miss Eliza, even if Miss Jane isn't at that point yet.
Ranking up is faster that way too, which is why we encourage Mercenaries to form parties. It's safer and more profitable.
Jane made sure to remember that. It seemed like the decision to form a party with Eliza was a good one. At least climbing the ranks would be a bit easier that way. The two women decided not to take on any missions for now. It was already quite late in the day, and it would be preferable to rest before doing anything.
They departed from the building when Anna suggested something.
{ - Why don't we go to a bar? It would be a nice change for once. }
The redhead was a bit surprised but soon nodded her head with a smile. She proposed it to Eliza, and her friend was okay with it.
- Some of my servants told me about a good one not that far. There is good music, and the atmosphere is nice, not too loud, and there don't seem to be too many brawls. They said the food is quite good too.
At the mention of food, Jane's stomach decided to grumble a bit, making her blush slightly after a startle. She made an embarrassed smile while Eliza let out a crystal laugh.
They made their way to that bar, and after a few minutes, they were in front of a sign saying "The Clever Hazelnut." Inside was a large room filled with patrons; there was a small stage where a lone woman was playing gentle guitar music.
A waitress came to greet them after they seated themselves. After ordering some drinks and a bit of food, Jane restrained herself from getting way too much, and they let a little silence linger before Eliza broke it.
- So… about earlier? I still can't understand what happened. Your eyes were different, and even if your aura didn't change, you seemed like a totally different person.
A sigh escaped Jane's lips. She knew she had to explain herself after that little stunt Anna pulled—a stunt she didn't feel any remorse about, with how proud she was feeling right now. That emotion totally came from her friend.
- Well, it's a bit complicated, so I'll just summarize. When I ran away from my village, I found that necklace in a bag my mother left me. After cutting myself accidentally with it, a new soul came into my body. That's Anna, an old mage who had no choice but to be sealed. I freed her, and now we share a body. We can switch whenever we want. Please don't mind her; she is strange.
{ - Hey! I'm not strange. Just special. And I'm not old at all! Well, maybe a bit, but when I died, I was young! }
Jane decided to ignore her with a shrug. Eliza looked a bit pensive but soon smiled.
- I suppose that's how all those Ouroboros members got burned to ashes. I was wondering why you didn't mention that when we were talking about your gifts. I thought you were hiding your mage powers from me.
- No, I don't have much to hide at this point.
Their food arrived just at that moment, and they ate while occasionally talking and laughing. They just enjoyed the atmosphere of the bar.
In the far back of the room, a man was staring intently at the duo. That gaze had already been noticed by Jane, but she said nothing. It could just be someone who was interested in the two beautiful women.
But when that man finally got up and passed them to leave the room, Jane got a weird feeling, like he was a bit like the Ouroboros goon she killed back in her village. She followed him with her eyes until he got out, then turned her head to Eliza before whispering.
- Don't wait for me. I have to… do something.
Without waiting for her friend's response, Jane got up and walked out of the bar to follow the strange man.