The three set out into the city. Eska finally wears her usual clothes, feeling much more comfortable than in the infirmary garments she had been stuck with.
The crisp air and bustling streets awaken a mix of curiosity and anticipation in her.
Valen turns to Eska, his voice calm but purposeful. "We'll stop at Sven's store first— I need to grab some materials for the alchemists at the church. Afterward, we'll head to the Cathedral."
Eska's yellow eyes light up at the prospect of exploring. "Ok!" is all she can muster, her excitement barely contained.
The streets are quiet at first.
A few people sweep their porches, while others walk around in the cold. Children dart past, shouting and laughing as they play tag, drawing Eska's attention. The houses are each a single floor and made of bricks.
She turns her head, her gaze following them with fascination.
Ciel notices her curiosity and laughs lightly. "There are usually more kids outside, but most stay indoors when it's this cold."
Eska nods absentmindedly, still marveling at the sights. The further they walk, the busier the streets become, until the faint hum of life grows into a roar.
They arrive at the Marketing District, its sign proudly displayed at the corner. Eska freezes as the scene before her unfolds.
The street is alive with voices—shouts of merchants advertising wares, laughter and conversations blending into an overwhelming din. Stalls crowd the pathways, colorful banners flutter above them, while buildings with ornate signboards line the perimeter.
Eska's awe shifts to unease. Her smile falters as her eyes dart between the mass of people. The noise pounds at her ears and the chaos of the crowd disorients her.
She instinctively raises her hands to cover her ears, her breaths quickening.
A steady hand grabs her shoulder, pulling her into the comforting presence of Ciel's familiar robes. Ciel's voice breaks through the storm. "Eska! Are you alright?" she asks, worried.
Eska looks up, her eyes wide and overwhelmed. "I don't know," she says softly, struggling to process her surroundings.
Ciel studies her, piecing together the situation. "You've never been around this many people, have you?" she asks gently, her warm smile reassuring.
Eska shakes her head, still visibly shaken. Valen lets out a small sigh of relief as he begins to understand what's happening.
"Come," Ciel says firmly, taking Eska's hand and holding it close. "Stay with me. This will help." Her calm yet resolute tone provides Eska with a fragile sense of security.
Her voice grows firmer. "You'll need to get used to this, Eska. There are going to be crowds like this everywhere we go."
Though still uneasy, Eska clings to Ciel's guidance, her steps tentative but determined. The three move forward into the bustling heart of the district.
They weave through the bustling crowds, Ciel firmly pulling Eska along as they follow Valen, who seems to have quickened his pace. Eska glances nervously at the sea of people, her grip on Ciel's hand tightening.
Gradually, the streets give way to a more orderly row of buildings and soon they arrive at one that stands out with a sign reading "Sven's Alchemy."
Valen pushes open the double doors and a small bell jingles as they enter. The noise from outside fades, replaced by the quiet hum of activity inside.
Workers move between shelves, organizing jars and wiping down counters. Eska breathes a little easier as the muffled atmosphere soothes her nerves.
"Welcome," calls a voice from the front counter, though the tone lacks enthusiasm. A burly man with a perpetually furrowed brow sits with his cheek resting on his fist.
Valen walks over. "Sven, good morning. I'm here to pick up Adevi's order."
Sven snaps out of his daze and moves to the door behind him, shouting, "Adevi's order!" He turns back, his eyes drifting toward a jar containing a dimly glowing blue mushroom about the size of an adult's head.
Valen tilts his head, noticing Sven's distracted demeanor. "Are you alright, Sven?"
"I'm not," Sven admits with a sigh. "But there's nothing you can do—unless you can get me two hundred fresh moonlit mushrooms, about this size, in three days?" He gestures to the jar, his tone half hopeful, half defeated.
Valen raises a brow. "I don't think that's possible, Sven. You'd be hard-pressed to find that many in the city's forests, let alone of that size."
"Yeah, I figured," Sven mutters, slumping slightly. "Normally, I'd be prepared, but out of the kindness of my heart," he says with exaggerated sarcasm, "I hired a new group of hunters. Let's just say they delivered… but didn't use the proper storage."
Valen crosses his arms. "Isn't that what you always remind us when we buy cheap materials from your competitors? 'You get what you pay for'" He finishes with a familiar quote from Sven.
Sven huffs, clearly irked, but his attention shifts to Eska as she steps closer, tugging Ciel along. "And who's this young lady?"
"This is Eska," Valen says, gesturing to her. "She's new to our group and recovering from a past hunt."
Sven softens, offering a hearty laugh. "Well, welcome, Eska! I hope you bring me some good business."
Eska's gaze lingers on the glowing mushroom in the jar. "Aren't those the mushrooms that grow on the palebark aspens north of here?" she asks curiously.
Sven blinks, surprised. "Why yes," he says, glancing at Valen. "A well-informed young hunter. Peculiar."
Eska tilts her head thoughtfully. "If you want them to get brighter again, you could soak the aspen's root in water and let the mushrooms drink the water."
Sven frowns. "Drink it?"
"Yeah," Eska says. "When I was a little younger, I used to play with these mushrooms underground. They'd dim by the end of the day but I was told that soaking the root in water and giving it to the mushroom would make it glow again. 'Like tea' she said"
A faint giggle echoes in Eska's mind, so soft it's almost imperceptible.
Sven narrows his eyes in thought, muttering, "That's… I've never…" Without another word, he rushes into the back room, leaving the group puzzled.
Sven returns moments later, carrying a thick, pale root wrapped in cloth. Its fibrous surface looks slightly dry and he places it carefully on the counter.
Without a word, he grabs the jar and pours some water from a nearby pitcher, his hands moving quickly with a mix of excitement and skepticism.
He takes the root and examines it closely, muttering, "Like tea." Then, with a steady hand, he places the root into the water, ensuring it is fully submerged.
Air bubbles start to stream steadily from the root.
The group watches silently as Sven turns back to the dimly glowing mushroom on the counter.
Gently, he opens the jar holding the mushroom and tips it slightly to place the water-filled root in without disturbing the fungus.
As soon as the root touches the mushroom inside it radiates a soft, pulsating blue light from it.
Sven's eyes widen as he stares at the jar. "Well, I'll be damned…" he murmurs, his voice low with amazement.
The room falls silent.
He glances up at Eska, his expression a mix of disbelief and gratitude.
"You weren't kidding," he says, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I've been working with these mushrooms for years and I've never seen anything like this."
Eska shrugs, a little shy under the sudden attention.
Sven chuckles, shaking his head as he seals the jar carefully.
"Well, you just saved me a lot of trouble, kid." He holds up the jar, now glowing slightly brighter and places it on a nearby shelf. "Looks like I might be able to save the rest of the batch after all."
A worker emerges from the door behind the merchant, carrying a bundle of small jars neatly secured together with a sturdy leather belt.
Each jar glimmers faintly in the light.
The worker places them gently on the counter, giving Valen a respectful nod. "Adevi's order is ready," he says before stepping back into the storeroom.
Valen picks up the bundle, slinging it over his shoulder with ease. He exchanges a quick word of thanks with the merchant, who offers a nod of gratitude in return.
"Let's get moving," Valen says, gesturing for Ciel and Eska to follow. Together, they step out of the shop and back into the bustling streets, the jars clinking faintly as they disappear into the flow of the city.