Oysaster (Please Bookmark)

New Era of Xin—Year -21

Northern Countries—Yuru Region

From atop the cliff, Guter gazed at the lakeside city of Oysaster before him. At last, a trace of comfort flickered in his weary eyes.

A real journey was nothing like casually binge-watching an anime. A few simple panel transitions in a manga often meant days of travel in reality.

Especially in a Western fantasy world like this, a journey spanning several cities meant facing far more than the forces of nature. One also had to remain wary of monsters and beasts that preyed on travelers in the wilderness.

Even though Guter had chosen the relatively safe option of traveling with a merchant caravan, the journey had still been fraught with danger. His nerves had remained tightly wound the entire way.

Fortunately, those nerve-racking days could finally come to a temporary end.

Outside Oysaster.

As usual, the caravan stopped its wagons for the guards to inspect. Yet after confirming that there was nothing wrong with the goods, the guards did not simply allow everyone to enter as they had before. Instead, they stopped each person and checked their identification documents one by one.

"This is trouble."

Guter frowned slightly. He had physically crossed over into this world, and ever since arriving, he had lived in seclusion, hiding under an assumed name in an abandoned Monastery and quietly grinding away at his training.

He had never gotten around to dealing with something like identification documents. Or rather, he had never even intended to solve that problem.

After all, countless nations and factions stood across this continent. Other than the Empire, most villages and cities had never made a habit of verifying the identities of those passing through.

Had Guter not calculated, based on when the Hero's party successfully defeated the Demon King, that this would be the year Serie publicly appeared, founded the Continental Magic Association, and began accepting disciples, he would never have left the Monastery to enter the Worldly realm. He would have kept lying low until he was fully prepared.

After all, in Frieren's world, there was no shortage of monster-like Demons and magical beasts. A select few powerhouses even possessed the ability to foresee the future.

It was not easy to get a chance to transmigrate into another world, much less obtain such a powerful cheat. Guter did not want to be noticed too early by Demon Generals or the Seven Sages and casually wiped out before he had finished growing stronger.

"Sir, please disarm yourself and present your identification documents!"

The guard's words beside him brought Guter back to his senses.

Watching the city guard approach step by step, Guter could only set down the Holy Scripture, obediently raise both hands, and explain that he had accidentally lost his identification while fighting monsters on the road.

The guard raised a brow and looked Guter over from head to toe. His expression was somewhat surprised, but not overly so.

After all, losing one's identification was far from common, but every now and then, they still encountered some unlucky soul.

The guard gave the Holy Scripture Guter had set down several careful looks. After thinking it over, he turned around to seek instructions from his superior.

"What is it now?"

The captain of the guards wore a sour expression as he watched the guard jog over, muttering impatiently.

Apparently, something major was about to happen in the city this year. Even the lord had personally ordered him to strengthen the city's defenses.

As a result, the city gates, which had always been managed rather loosely, had begun checking the identities of everyone entering the city.

Not only had the workload suddenly multiplied several times over, but he also had to shoulder far greater responsibility than before. No matter who it was, their expression would not look very pleasant.

"Lord Origi, a gentleman seeking entry has lost his identification documents. He asked whether you would permit him to pass."

"He lost his identification documents? What a nuisance."

"Why not just throw him over to the prison? Those people are far more efficient at questioning suspects than I am."

The guard captain grumbled all the way over. Upon reaching Guter, his sharp gaze suddenly fixed on him.

The murderous aura that erupted in that instant made Guter swallow unconsciously, and even his body retreated two steps on its own.

"Heh, just a green kid."

Most of the wariness in the guard captain's eyes faded. After glancing again at the Holy Scripture in Guter's hands, he was completely reassured.

"A young monk, then."

"Fine. Cast any Goddess Magic to prove your identity. If you can cast it, you may enter the city."

"All right."

Seeing that the guard captain was not making things difficult over his identification, Guter let out a long breath of relief.

He skillfully opened the Chapter of Great Fire of Judgment in the Holy Scripture. As he poured in a faint thread of magic power, three brilliant white beams shot from the book, drawing three graceful arcs through the sky before slowly fading away.

"Three Spears of the Goddess..."

The guard captain murmured slowly. "Such a young man's disposition. Starting right off with offensive Goddess Magic."

"I thought I might get a free Wound Healing Magic or Disease Identification Magic."

Ignoring the guard captain's muttering, Guter gave him a slight bow, then strode past the gate and entered Oysaster.

Not long after Guter entered the city, every member of the caravan had completed their identity checks and gathered again not far from the city.

Guter stepped forward, greeted the caravan leader, and received the payment he was owed for escorting the caravan along the way.

However, since all logistics and supplies throughout the journey had been provided by the caravan, and Guter's main purpose had been to catch a ride, the payment they had agreed upon beforehand was not much—only five silver coins.

But when Guter glanced at the design on the coins in his hand and discovered that they were Schutral Silver Coins, he could not help freezing for a moment.

He glanced at the caravan leader. This employer was certainly generous.

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

If he haggled a little when buying things, these five Schutral Silver Coins could basically be used as six ordinary silver coins.

"Mr. Asaoka, our caravan still needs to resupply in Oysaster, so we expect to remain here for some time. Are you truly not considering continuing the journey with us?"

"As for payment, I will settle the next leg at the standard guard rate."

The caravan leader tried to persuade him to stay. Monks had always been scarce and highly sought after, so whenever a leader had the chance to recruit one into the group, they would naturally give it a try.

After all, if a team had reliable support, the Warriors on the front line would have far more confidence when facing enemies.

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

Guter politely declined the caravan leader's invitation. Before becoming Serie's disciple, he did not want to form too many connections with others, lest he become entangled in too much karma and be detected by the Demons' prophecy magic.

Thus, even while traveling with the caravan members, Guter had always introduced himself as Asaoka, a false name he had come up with on the spot.

Even the Holy Scripture he carried was merely a layer of cover for his identity as a mage.

Seeing how firm Guter's refusal was, the caravan leader could only bid him farewell with regret.

After parting with the caravan, Guter put away his silver coins and pulled the brim of his hat lower. Following a small path by the roadside, he enjoyed the sights of Oysaster, the city on the lake, beneath the pleasant midday sun while searching for a suitable inn.

As he followed the path, Guter strolled into a quiet park. Suddenly, a refreshing breeze rose from the lake, carrying the pleasant scent of grass and a faint floral fragrance through the area.

Yet instead of gradually dying down, the breeze steadily grew stronger.

"Hm?"

Guter reached up to hold down his hat, only to catch sight of a delicate women's hat drifting toward him on the wind.

Without the slightest hesitation, Guter reached out and caught the hat that had been blown away. He turned it over and carefully examined its style and the pattern painted upon it.

"Nice material and craftsmanship. Its owner is probably a wealthy young lady."

After making his assessment, Guter pinched the hat between his fingers and walked in the direction from which the wind had blown, intending to return it to its owner.

"Tap, tap, tap—"

As hurried footsteps drew closer, Guter looked toward the sound. It seemed finding the owner would not be difficult after all.

But when he saw who was approaching, Guter's expression involuntarily dazed.

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

"I see. So it is your wife's hat. No wonder it is a women's style. Please take it."

Guter pretended to relax, smiling as he handed the hat to the formally dressed man before him, who wore a monocle.

Ding!

Daily mission: Daily Good Deed completed

After hearing the system notification, Guter lowered his hat brim again, gave the man before him a slight nod, and turned to leave alone.

Yet even after Guter's figure had disappeared into the distance, the man still held his wife's hat, staring gravely in the direction Guter had gone.

"Duncan!"

"Huff, huff, huff—"

Suddenly, a pleasant female voice sounded behind him. Upon recognizing the voice of his wife, Lektyre, Duncan's furrowed brow naturally relaxed. When he turned to face her, he already wore a smile.

"Oh? My hat was found."

Lektyre delightedly took the hat from Duncan's hand. Her eyes curved into crescents as she leaned close beside her husband.

"Yes, dear. But I was not the one who found it. A passing gentleman did."

As Duncan spoke, he handed the women's hat to his wife.

"I see. Then I hope that kind gentleman has a wonderful day as well."

As she spoke, Lektyre put the hat back on her head.

To keep it from being blown away again, she specifically asked her husband, Duncan, to pat the top of the hat a few times for her.

"But Duncan, do you have something on your mind? Why do you seem so distracted?"

After adjusting her hat, Lektyre studied her husband's expression, tilting her head as she asked in confusion.

"Was it that obvious?" Duncan chuckled helplessly, taking his wife's hand as he explained.

"Yes, I was somewhat concerned about what just happened."

"I have the feeling that kind gentleman seemed to know me, but I have absolutely no memory of him."

"If you cannot figure it out, then stop thinking about it!"

Lektyre looked at the hand Duncan was holding, pouted at her husband, then suddenly exerted force while he was distracted, pulling him toward a certain direction.

"Lektyre?"

"Mm-hm, mm-hm."

"Duncan, I heard there is an especially delicious restaurant in Oysaster. Stop thinking about other things and come look for good food with me."

"..."

"All right, if you want to."

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