Oysaster

New Era of Xin — 21 Years Before

Northern Countries, Yuru Region

Standing on a cliffside and gazing at the city of Oysaster nestled within the lake, a trace of relief finally flickered in Guter's weary eyes.

Real-world travel is nothing like binge-watching a series; the simple scene transitions in a manga often translate to days of arduous trekking in reality.

Especially in a world with a Western fantasy magic setting, a journey spanning several cities requires one to face not only the raw power of nature but also the constant threat of monsters and beasts lurking in the wild to ambush travelers.

Even though Guter chose the relatively safer option of following a merchant caravan, the journey had been fraught with danger, forcing him to remain in a state of constant mental tension.

Fortunately, those days of walking on eggshells could finally come to an end.

Outside the gates of Oysaster.

The caravan stopped its wagons for the guards to inspect as usual. However, after confirming the goods were in order, the guards did not wave the group through as they normally would. Instead, they detained everyone and began checking identity documents one by one.

"This is troublesome."

Guter frowned slightly. Having transmigrated into this world in his physical body and lived a reclusive life ever since, hiding in an abandoned monastery to cultivate in silence, he had never bothered to handle—or even thought about—obtaining identification.

After all, with the continent filled with various nations and factions, most villages and cities outside the Empire had no tradition of verifying the identities of travelers.

If not for the fact that Guter had calculated—based on the time the Hero and his party successfully defeated the Demon King—that this year would be when Serie would make a public appearance to establish the Continental Magic Association and recruit disciples, he would never have chosen to leave the monastery and enter the world, preferring to hide until his wings were fully grown.

After all, in the world of Frieren, there is no shortage of monster-like demons, and a select few among the powerful even possess the ability to foresee the future.

Having transmigrated to another world and obtained a powerful cheat, Guter did not want to be targeted by a Demon General or one of the Seven Sages and be wiped out before he had a chance to develop.

"Sir, please disarm and present your identity documents!"

Beside him, the guard's voice pulled Guter back to reality.

Watching the guard approach step by step, Guter had no choice but to put down the Holy Scripture in his hand, raise his hands in compliance, and explain that his identification had been lost during a struggle with a monster on the road.

The guard raised an eyebrow, scanning Guter from head to toe. Though he looked surprised, he wasn't overly shocked.

After all, while losing one's identification wasn't exactly common, every so often, one would run into such an unlucky soul.

The guard took a few extra looks at the Holy Scripture Guter had set down, pondered for a moment, and then turned to consult his superior.

"What is it now?"

The captain of the guards wore a sour expression, grumbling impatiently at the guard who had trotted over.

It seemed there was some major event happening in the city this year; even the lord had personally ordered him to tighten city security.

Consequently, the city gates, which usually had lax management, had begun verifying the identity of every person entering.

Not only had the workload increased several times over, but the responsibilities were heavier than before; anyone in his position would likely have the same foul expression.

"Lord Origi, a gentleman wishing to enter the city has lost his identity documents. I am here to ask if we should grant him passage."

"Lost his documents? What a nuisance."

"Why not just toss him in the dungeon? Those guys are more efficient at interrogating people than I am."

The captain grumbled the whole way over, and upon reaching Guter, his sharp gaze locked onto him.

The sudden burst of murderous intent made Guter swallow instinctively, his body involuntarily taking two steps back.

"Hmph, just a greenhorn."

The guard captain's vigilance faded by more than half, and after glancing at the Holy Scripture in Guter's hand, he completely let his guard down.

"A young monk, I see."

"Fine. Just cast any Goddess Magic to prove yourself. As long as you can cast it, you may enter."

"Understood."

Seeing that the captain wasn't going to make things difficult regarding the missing documents, Guter let out a long sigh of relief.

He skillfully opened the Chapter of Great Fire of Judgment in the Holy Scripture. As a faint trace of mana was injected, three beams of pure white light shot out from the book, tracing three graceful arcs in the sky before slowly dissipating.

"Three Spears of the Goddess, is it?"

The captain murmured, "Truly the temperament of a youth, starting off with an offensive Goddess Magic."

"I was hoping to see a Wound Healing Magic or a Disease Identification Magic..."

Ignoring the captain's muttering, Guter bowed slightly and strode past the gate, stepping into the city of Oysaster.

Not long after Guter entered, the members of the merchant caravan finished their identity checks and gathered not far inside the city.

Guter stepped forward, exchanged greetings with the caravan leader, and received the payment due for his protection services along the way.

However, given that the caravan had provided all the logistics and supplies, and that Guter's primary goal was simply to hitch a ride, the agreed-upon payment was modest—only five silver coins.

Yet, when Guter glanced at the pattern on the coins in his hand and realized they were Schutral Silver Coins, he couldn't help but freeze.

He glanced at the caravan leader; this employer was quite generous.

After all, among the silver coins circulating in the Central Countries, Schutral Silver Coins had the highest silver content.

If one haggled a bit with a shopkeeper, these five Schutral Silver Coins could essentially be used as if they were six.

"Mr. Asaoka, our caravan will be resupplying in Oysaster for some time. Are you truly certain you won't consider joining us for the remainder of the journey?"

"As for the compensation, I will settle the payment for the rest of the trip with you at the standard mercenary rate."

The caravan leader spoke up in an attempt to persuade him; after all, the position of [Monk] was always a rare and highly sought-after commodity. Any leader would try their best to recruit one if the opportunity arose.

After all, with a reliable support unit in the team, the warriors on the front lines would feel much more confident when facing enemies.

"No, thank you for the offer, but I still have unfinished business in this city."

Guter politely declined the caravan leader's invitation. Before he could apprentice under Serie, he did not want to form too many connections with others, lest he become entangled in karma and be tracked by the Demon Race's divination arts.

Therefore, even when interacting with the caravan members during the journey, Guter had always referred to himself by the spur-of-the-moment pseudonym, [Asaoka].

Even the [Holy Scripture] Guter carried was merely a cover to mask his identity as a mage.

Seeing that Guter's refusal was firm, the caravan leader had no choice but to bid him farewell with a look of regret.

After parting ways with the caravan, Guter tucked away his silver coins and pulled the brim of his hat down a little lower. He strolled along the roadside path, enjoying the scenery of the lake city [Oysaster] under the pleasant midday sun, while keeping an eye out for a suitable inn to lodge in.

As he walked along the path, Guter wandered into a quiet park. Suddenly, a refreshing breeze blew from the lake, carrying the pleasant scent of fresh grass and a faint floral fragrance.

However, this breeze did not subside as time passed; instead, its intensity began to gradually increase.

"Hm?"

Guter reached up to press down on his hat, but inadvertently caught sight of an exquisite lady's hat being blown toward him by the wind.

Without a moment's hesitation, Guter reached out and caught the hat. He turned it over, carefully examining its style and the patterns embroidered upon it.

"Nice material and craftsmanship. It seems the owner is likely a wealthy lady."

After a brief analysis, Guter pinched the hat and walked in the direction the wind had blown from, intending to return it to its owner.

"Tap-tap-tap."

As a hurried set of footsteps approached, Guter looked toward the sound. It seemed the task of finding the owner would not be complicated after all.

However, upon seeing the person approaching, Guter's expression couldn't help but flicker with a moment of daze.

"Greetings, sir. That is my wife's hat. Thank you for retrieving it for us."

"I see. So it is your wife's hat. No wonder it is a lady's style. Here you go."

Guter feigned a relaxed demeanor and smiled as he handed the hat to the formally dressed man, who was wearing a monocle.

Ding!

Daily Quest: Daily Good Deed completed.

Upon receiving the system notification, Guter lowered his hat brim again, gave the man a slight nod, and turned to leave on his own.

Yet, even after Guter's figure had walked far away, the man remained clutching his wife's hat, his gaze fixed with a heavy, contemplative look on the direction where Guter had vanished.

"Duncan!"

"Huff-huff-huff."

Suddenly, a pleasant female voice rang out from behind the man. Upon hearing that it was his wife, Lektyre, Duncan's furrowed brow naturally smoothed out. When he turned to look at her, his face was already wearing a smile.

"Oh! My hat has been found."

Lektyre looked at Duncan's hand in surprise and took the hat, her eyes curving into crescents as she leaned against her husband.

"Yes, my dear. Though it wasn't me who found it, but a gentleman passing by."

Duncan said, handing the lady's hat to his wife.

"Is that so? Then I wish that kind gentleman a wonderful day as well."

Lektyre said as she placed the hat back on her head.

To prevent it from being blown away again, she specifically asked her husband, Duncan, to help her pat the top of the hat a few times with his hand.

"But Duncan, is something bothering you? Why do you seem so distracted?"

After adjusting her hat, Lektyre examined her husband's expression and tilted her head in confusion.

"Is it that obvious?" Duncan laughed helplessly, took his wife's hand, and explained.

"Indeed, I am a bit bothered by what just happened."

"I have a strange feeling that the kind gentleman seemed to recognize me, yet I have absolutely no impression of him."

"If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it anymore!"

Lektyre looked at the hand Duncan was holding, pouted at her husband, and then, catching Duncan off guard, suddenly exerted force and pulled him along as she began to run in a certain direction.

"Lektyre?"

"Hmph-hmph."

"Duncan, I heard there is a particularly delicious restaurant in this city, [Oysaster]. Stop thinking about other things and come find some good food with me."

"."

"Yes, as long as you are willing."