The sky was dark when I woke up. I couldn't identify whether it's nighttime or a morning before the sunrise. Thankfully there's a clock in my room. The number being pointed showed that it's already 5 a.m.
I got up to take care of my wound first before doing anything else. Due to the feeling of urgency, I didn't have time to check them. As I tried to straighten my back, I heard a cracked sound and quickly lay down on the bed.
"Arghhh!" I shouted in pain. As I expected, I broke a bone on my back. I closed my eyes to channel some mana. I have read many fantasy stories before so I tried to apply that knowledge right now. If it's just using imagination, I can do it easily with my previous life experience.
I guided the mana to my broken bone and imagine it being slowly attached back. The process was slow and painful. I couldn't channel much mana to begin with because of the poison, so forcefully exerting it this much would put a toll on my body. My forehead was covered in sweat and I coughed up blood a few times.
After a long hour, I managed to attach my bone back. I lie down in exhaustion. In the end, I fell back asleep and woke up two hours later. It was already 8 a.m. and the sun has risen.
"First, I need to get new clothes before going to the bank and take out my money. Then I need to go to the Mercenary Guild to pay those two yesterday. Finally, I need to meet 'that' person. Looks like I have so many things to do," I mumbled to myself and started to move.
"Oh, you're awake?" A middle age woman who welcomed me warmly yesterday smiled as I descend down the stairs. I smiled back as a courtesy.
"You look a lot better now compared to yesterday. Come take a seat. I will prepare a breakfast for you." So she went to the kitchen, leaving me alone. I'm sure she saw the blood on my collar dress, since I coughed up blood a lot. However, she just pretend to not see anything and didn't ask me about it.
I took a seat on one of the many empty chairs on the table. I waited as I looked through the window, watching the street come to life with people. A hot soup was placed in front of me a moment later. It came along with two pieces of bread.
"I know it won't be much for you, but this is what I have to offer. Also, wear this." She puts on a scarf around my neck. With a knowing smile, she said,"It's getting colder these days. I don't want my customer to catch a cold."
I felt something warm inside of me. I know it wasn't just the scarf that made me feel warm like this. I was ready to be colder than anyone else the moment I woke up alone in this world, but her words and actions made me want to tear up. She reminded me of my parents and I missed them dearly.
I thought I'd be a cool female character. How foolish of me to think that. I didn't realize just how alone I was the moment I woke up in this body. There's no one to rely on except myself.
"The soup is delicious," I commented after putting a spoonful of soup into my mouth. "It also tasted a bit salty."
"Isn't it because you tasted the tears coming out of your eyes?" The woman eyes soften as she watched me eat. It was honestly embarrassing to cry while eating like this, but I couldn't stop.
•••
I met the two mercenaries after finishing my first two tasks. The man, whose name is Gild and the woman, whose name is Wendy greeted me. I pulled out a bag that filled with twenty gold coins and handed it to them.
"Here. It's your payment. I already checked the news and it said the festival was going well. Thank you," I thanked them with a smile.
"The job wasn't that difficult thanks to the information you provided us. Moreover, you keep your promise so there's no need to thank us." Wendy said after taking the money. She didn't count the money, which surprised me a little since she inspected the earring I gave yesterday very carefully. Like she would reject my offer the moment she notices it was fake.
"Remember, you need to leave this empire before evening. The Duke won't leave you alone the moment he knew you disrupt his plans," I sternly reminded them. I didn't want to involve anyone if I could but now that it has come to this, I need to be responsible.
"Did you guys have a destination to go to?"
"We don't have a clear destination yet. But I think it's good to stay in the Celdic Kingdom for a while and see if it's a good place to live in. I think it would be fine if we just become a farmer," Gild answered. Indeed, since the Celdic Kingdom was famous for its agriculture, it become an ideal place for farmers to make a living.
"If that's the case, then why don't you come with me? I planned to go to the Aphelia Kingdom."
"You mean the kingdom that strives with magic? Wasn't there a strict requirements for a foreigner to live there?" She asked.
"I have a relative who's a citizen in that kingdom. It would be fine if we got their letter as a proof to temporarily stay there for a couple years," I explained. I already sent the letter to that person this morning. As long as he still remembers his daughter, he won't refuse my request.
"If you agree, please wait for me around the border of the Celdic Kingdom. I still have a lot to settle first." I talked a bit more with them before bidding a farewell. Then I moved to the next task.
I found a tavern in a back alley. If I'm not wrong, that person works here. I wore a hood as I opened the door to the tavern. It was less crowded than I expected, probably because it's still a broad daylight. I took a seat on one empty table.
A waitress came not long after I took a seat. With a lazy voice, she asked, "Would you like to order?"
I put down my hood and looked at her. I ignored the surprised look on her face and answered, "Yes. A lunch meal for two, please."