We continued to explore the lively town square, taking our time at the various stalls that lined the area. Elaria walked beside Mirelle and me, stopping often to examine the items on display. She explained their uses and significance with an easygoing enthusiasm, always glancing at me with a soft, almost reverent expression, as though I were someone precious.
The square was alive with a vibrant energy. We tasted snacks from street vendors, savoring the aroma of grilled meats and freshly baked pastries, and occasionally paused by the fountain to listen to the bard. His lute produced tranquil melodies that shifted into lively tunes, prompting laughter from adults sharing drinks and playful dances from the children encircling the fountain. Their joy was infectious, spreading to everyone in the square.
Eventually, we made our way to a quieter corner of the square. Elaria turned to us with a smile and gestured toward a path leading away. "That was fun, wasn't it? How about we visit the church next and then call it a day?" she suggested, her voice carrying a touch of nostalgia as she glanced back at the bustling square.
"That sounds nice," I agreed.
"I'll follow wherever Lady Celeste goes!" Mirelle chimed in enthusiastically, placing her hand over her heart in an exaggerated display of loyalty.
Elaria giggled at Mirelle's declaration. "You're quite the devoted one, aren't you?" she teased lightly before motioning us to follow. "Alright then, let's head to the church."
As we walked, the crowd began to thin, and the streets grew quieter. Before long, a large white building came into view.
People dressed in robes of white with black, green, or red accents moved about the area, some offering nods of greeting as Elaria bowed politely to each of them.
"This is the church," Elaria said, gesturing to the slightly weathered structure. "It might look a little worn down, but that's intentional. They believe simplicity honors the Goddess Sylvara."
We entered the church as the last rays of sunlight faded, and the deep calm of twilight enveloped the space. Inside, Elaria guided us through the rows of wooden pews, pointing out small details she admired and sharing snippets of her past.
Elaria revealed that she had been orphaned at a young age and taken in by Father Emmanuel, the head of the church. "He didn't force me to become a nun," she explained, her voice soft with gratitude. "He let me choose my path, and I decided to stay here, helping others as he helped me."
Curious, I asked, "If you don't mind me asking, why did you become an Adventurer instead of staying here full-time?"
Elaria paused, leading us to the front pews. "Why don't you sit down first?" she said, patting the space beside her.
Mirelle and I took our seats beside her. From where we sat, we could see the grand stone statue of the Goddess Sylvara, depicted lovingly cradling a child in her arms. The expression on the goddess's face was tender, filled with a warmth that seemed to radiate throughout the cathedral.
Elaria gazed at the statue for a moment before speaking. "I don't have a complicated reason," she began, her voice calm but weighted with sincerity. "Father Emmanuel gave me and so many others a place to call home. He raised us without asking for anything in return. I became an Adventurer so I could protect what he protects, and maybe repay a little of the kindness he's shown me."
"I see..." I replied, unsure of what else to say. Her words carried a quiet strength, and the depth of her gratitude was evident.
For a while, none of us spoke. The serene atmosphere of the cathedral and the soft glow of its candles created a sense of peace. Occasionally, Elaria would share more about her life and the memories tied to this place, and I listened, appreciating the moment.
After chatting for a while, we finally left the church. By the time we stepped outside, the sky had grown dark, and the three moons shone brightly above us. Elaria tilted her head back, gazing at the celestial display with a soft expression. "Why don't we call it a day and head back to the inn for dinner?" she suggested, her attention shifting from the night sky to us.
"That sounds great," I agreed with a nod.
We began our walk back to Ann and Rique's Inn. Upon entering, the cheerful Little Ann was nowhere to be seen. Instead, we were greeted by a large, muscular man with a belly that suggested he enjoyed his own cooking.
"You must be Celeste and Mirelle. I'm Annika's father and the inn's cook, Rique," he said with a hearty voice and a warm smile.
"Rique, is Little Ann already asleep?" Elaria asked, her tone casual and familiar.
"Yeah, she just finished dinner and went straight to bed. Are you three planning to eat?" he replied, his hands already busy wiping the counter.
"I'll pass," Elaria said with a slight shake of her head. "I was just escorting these two back." She then turned to us. "Celeste, Mirelle—if you need me to show you around town again, you can find me at the church or leave a message with the guild receptionist."
"Will you not be eating with us?" I asked, slightly disappointed.
"Not today, but maybe another time," Elaria said kindly. She glanced toward the door as if ready to leave but turned back to us with a soft smile. "Take care, and rest well."
"Thank you for showing us around today, Ela," I said, offering her a grateful smile.
"It was my pleasure. I wanted to do it," she replied warmly before stepping outside into the night.
With Elaria gone, we turned our attention to Rique, who stood behind the counter. "What'll you have for dinner?" he asked, listing off the evening's menu options.
After some thought, I settled on a hearty soup and sausages, while Mirelle eagerly chose the meatiest dish available. We paid for our meals, then sat down to eat. The food was as delicious as it looked, and I couldn't help but bow slightly to Rique as we finished. "Thank you, Mister Rique. It was wonderful!"
"Well, aren't you a polite lass," Rique said with a chuckle. "Now, why don't you two head to bed? It's late, and I'm about to close the kitchen."
"Yes, that's the plan. Goodnight, Mister Rique," I replied, leading Mirelle toward the stairs.
Once we reached our room, I felt the sweat from the day catching up with me. The idea of going to bed without washing up felt unpleasant, especially with my current youthful body. "Mirelle, do you want to take a bath with me?" I asked, glancing at her.
"I'd love to bathe with Lady Celeste!" Mirelle replied with her usual enthusiasm, her face lighting up with joy.
"Alright, let's get cleaned up," I said, opening the door to our room and heading toward the bathroom.
The inn's bathroom was modest, as expected in this world's equivalent of the Middle Ages. A wooden bucket filled with cold water sat in the corner, enough for a quick wash. While nobles likely enjoyed warm baths in luxurious tubs, this was standard for common inns. Thankfully, my [Creation Magic] made such inconveniences easy to solve—I conjured a simple tub and warmed the water with a spell.
With Mirelle's cheerfulness making the chore more enjoyable, we washed up quickly and returned to our room. Just as I was about to lie down, Mirelle approached me hesitantly.
"Lady Witch... can we sleep together tonight?" she asked, fidgeting with her fingers. Her tone was shy, as though she feared I might say no.
"I don't mind, Mirelle. I'd love to," I said gently. Truthfully, it felt lonely sleeping without her by my side. The two beds in the room were large enough for us, or perhaps we were just small enough to fit comfortably. We pushed our belongings onto the other bed and settled down together.
.
..
...
As I lay there with Mirelle nestled beside me, my thoughts wandered. The events of the day replayed in my mind, blending with memories of the past year. From being transported to this strange new world, meeting a goddess, spending weeks in a meadow, creating a golem companion, exploring a dungeon, surviving in the forest, and now arriving in Eisenwald... It felt like a lifetime of experiences compressed into a single year.
That single year had been packed with events. Even during the months I spent in the forest, I hadn't truly rested. Instead, I had been engrossed in research—exploring the limits of my powers, understanding my [Creation Magic], and observing Mirelle's evolution. It was productive, but far from relaxing.
As I reflected on it now, I realized I'd never taken the time to properly rest. My mind had been running nonstop since the day I arrived in this world. Thinking it over, I decided that perhaps it was time to take things a little slower. After all, this world was nothing like the one I had known. Its diversity of people, the existence of magic, and powers that once seemed fictional were all very real here.
It was exciting, but also dangerous. I needed to remain cautious. These new abilities, as wondrous as they were, could easily cloud my judgment if I wasn't careful. Power had a way of leading people astray, and I couldn't afford to let that happen.
Tomorrow, I would visit the guild. With that simple plan in mind, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. Taking the time to process everything that had happened so far was necessary, and it eased the unease lingering in my heart.
As I drifted off to sleep, Mirelle's warm embrace wrapped around me like a protective cocoon. For the first time in a while, I felt truly at peace.