Elyshara turned, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"This is my natural hair color. The previous one was a magical illusion, so don't overreact, okay?"
She chuckl ed, sticking out her tongue playfully at the visibly surprised Hastora.
Hastora narrowed his eyes.
"Really now? You're not pulling my leg, are you?"
"I'm not. This is my real hair color."
Hastora remained silent, observing.
He needed to be certain the woman before him was truly Elyshara, and not an imposter.
The change in hair color made her look strikingly different, almost like a completely different person.
Hastora glanced at her neck.
There it was—a mole. Elyshara had a mole on her neck, just like this woman.
"I believe you," he said, then quickly averted his gaze.
"...? Why keep glancing at my neck?"
"Nothing. I was confirming something, and it's done. Now, let's find you some suitable clothes."
"Alright, let's go! I can't wait!"
They stepped deeper into the shop. Elyshara's eyes sparkled as she surveyed the various garments—elegant lace gowns, shimmering modern outfits subtly embroidered with magic.
She turned to Hastora, a small smirk forming. "Maybe something that'll make your heart skip a beat… daring enough?"
Hastora leveled her a flat stare. "Choose something that doesn't make people think you're soliciting customers."
"So icy… yet your face is warming up. Should I take that as a win?" Elyshara playfully nudged his arm.
"Not tossing you into the River Oblivion already takes everything I've got." Hastora replied flatly.
Elyshara laughed, nodding. "Fine, elegance it is. But you're picking it—so if I look good, you're to blame."
Hastora rubbed her temples. 'Why does this feel like babysitting a hyperactive dragon?'
Yet, silently, he observed. Again, his instincts whispered—Elyshara was more than just a traveling companion.
She held more mysteries than met the eye.
'Forget it. She seems harmless enough.'
Hastora approached Elyshara, who was browsing the racks.
"This is my choice. Now, try it on." Hastora held up a garment.
"But this isn't a dress. You promised to pick out a dress for me!"
Elyshara pouted, her face turned away. "Hmph. I don't want to talk to you."
Hastora's brow furrowed, his voice cold. "Don't act like a spoiled child. You're not cute."
"What?" Elyshara's eyes widened, her breath catching. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to retort, but no words came out.
She lowered her head, her eyelids fluttering as tears welled up.
"You're really mean… saying that with such a straight face… it stings." Her voice cracked at the end, and a lone tear slipped down her cheek, catching the light like shattered glass.
'Damn it! Is she going to cry again? The thought of enduring her cries in the Nihility Collapsefor even five minutes was excruciating."
With an irritated expression, he stammered, "T-There's a reason I chose this outfit for you. I think you'll look very beautiful in it."
"Ha?"
Her face flushed crimson.
Her fingers nervously intertwined, and her voice was softer than usual.
"W-What… do you mean by beautiful? Say it again, slowly."
Hastora sighed, his demeanor returning to normal.
The compliment had been a desperate attempt to stop Elyshara's tears.
He wasn't ready for another emotional meltdown.
"I'm just stating a fact. This outfit suits you."
Hastora extended his hand, offering the clothing. "Here, put it on."
He pointed to the changing room. "You can change there."
"... "
"Don't just stand there, take it and put it on."
"O-Okay, I'll put it on now."
Elyshara took the clothes and rushed to the changing room, her face flushed.
There was still time to choose his own clothes before Elyshara was ready.
Hastora moved towards the men's clothing rack a few meters away.
He surveyed the garments, stroking his chin. Something cool and practical for combat would be perfect.
"Perhaps…a jacket?"
He picked up a jacket, examining it. "Not bad, but… not cool enough."
He replaced it and continued browsing.
Then he saw it. A long black coat, half-finger gloves, and slim-fit black trousers inside a glass display case.
He approached. "Perfect. This is exactly what I've been looking for."
He saw the price tag: 5 gold coins.
"What?!"
His eyes widened. 5 gold coins for a simple outfit?
'Five gold coins for a coat? Are they robbing royalty now?'
"Hastora, I'm done!" Elyshara emerged from the changing room.
"How do I look? Am I pretty and cute?"
She ducked her head slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear—a small attempt to hide the blush on her cheeks.
She wore a sleeveless white top that showed off her long neck, a neatly tied black tie, and a dark long coat draped over her shoulders, unbuttoned, flowing gracefully with her movements.
A knee-length black skirt added an elegant yet practical touch, while a decorative belt accentuated her slender waist.
Black stockings reached her thighs, creating a bold yet feminine look.
"You look better than before," Hastora offered, with a flat expression.
"Eh? That's it?" Elyshara's smile faltered as she stepped closer, her eyes searching his face.
"So? What else do you want me to say?"
"Hmph, nothing." Elyshara turned away.
"Then I'll get changed."
Hastora took the outfit from the display case and headed to the changing room.
He had to. It was the perfect outfit. He couldn't just leave it. Despite the price, he had to buy it.
After putting on the clothes, he moved with quiet confidence, the long black coat unbuttoned, swaying slightly with his movements.
Underneath, a plain black shirt clung to his athletic build, complementing the slim-fit black trousers.
Half-finger gloves covered his hands, leaving a hint of pale skin at the base of his fingers—a subtle yet chilling touch.
"How do I look?"
Elyshara glanced at him, quickly averting her gaze.
"Y-You look… dangerously good. That coat should come with a warning." Her face was crimson.
Elyshara's breath hitched.
It wasn't fair—how could someone look so lethal in just a coat?
The air around him felt colder, sharper. Like a blade drawn half from its sheath.
"Good. We're done here. Let's pay."
Hastora headed to the cashier, followed by Elyshara.
"Excuse me, we'd like to pay for our clothes."
The cashier, busy counting money, looked up.
"Hmm… please show me the price tags."
"Price tags?" Hastora raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, the tags attached to the clothes you bought."
Hastora took his price tag. "Here's mine, 5 gold coins."
Elyshara retrieved hers. "And mine is 2 gold coins."
The cashier took the tags. "Alright, 2 gold coins and 5 gold coins."
Hastora took 7 gold coins from his pocket and gave them to the cashier.
After paying, Elyshara walked beside him, humming faintly as they left the shop.
But Hastora's thoughts were already elsewhere. Behind that amused smirk of hers and the city's vibrant colors, a deeper current stirred—something far more urgent.
The Arcanum Pool.
A place hidden from the world, yet vital for the storm that was coming.
In the novel, the Arcanum Pool—rumored to cure curses, supercharge mana, to heal fatal wounds and grant great power to someone when consumed.
Currently, only Hastora, the author, knew of its existence.
If the nobles found it, they'd auction it off to the highest bidder—regardless of the consequences.
If that happened, other kingdoms would attack the Eldorian Empire to seize it.
The Eldorian Empire was ruled by Queen Valeriane von Asterea.
Her husband was declared missing, his whereabouts shrouded in mystery.
But that was false. He hadn't disappeared; he'd gone somewhere to do something.
That would make it easier for other kingdoms to attack Eldoria.
Without her husband, Valeriane wouldn't be able to defend against them alone.
Ultimately, the Arcanum water would still be taken by other kingdoms.
Hastora had already written and detailed those events.
This was an absolute prediction.
He had to find the Arcanum Pool before anyone else.
However, will the nobles find it first?
To be continued in the next chapter…