Ceres

12

"Princess."

Just when Ceres was about to close the door as she went out of the room, Gil appeared in front of her. Today is the day that she was about to go out of the inn to meet the old man.

"Do you have any information?"

"About the raw materials you wish to find, this city has no information about them. We will have to look at other cities or maybe, even other kingdoms. I've checked with the auction houses but they do not have any information as of the moment. Regarding the materials you bought, I already found a blacksmith that can temper it 100 times but he needed two months to work on your commission. Considering the work on tempering and the distance from him, you may be able to get your hands on the weapons in four months."

"Four months is a bit long but it's alright. You already gave me enough. If he cannot forge the weapon I like, what you gave me will even be sufficient until we find the raw materials I needed."

Gil didn't talk back and was about to disappear when Ceres told him not to.

"Gil, starting from now, if I didn't ask you to hide, do not hide. I needed someone I can talk to about a lot of things and it'll be troublesome if I have to always find and talk to you privately."

"Yes, princess."

"And also..."

Ceres looked straight at Gil's eyes.

"Don't call me princess. Call me Cerio because that will be my name from now on. We will be friends from the same village. I think it's okay to use Redbud Town. It's just a simple and small town in the east of the capital."

"I understand, princess."

Ceres narrowed her eyes as Gil still called her 'princess'.

"Make sure you do and, change your clothes to ordinary ones. I'll wait for you at the entrance."

Gil immediately disappeared in front of her and she started walking away from her room.

---

"Your protector doesn't need to hide anymore?"

The old man is currently leading Ceres and Gil to the spirit healer.

"This is much better."

"Did you go out and explore the city while I was away? What do you think? Is this city refreshing or what?"

Ceres didn't answer his question and just continued to walk. If Ceres seldom talk, Gil doesn't really talk to anyone except Ceres. This made the old man feel bored.

After some time, they found themselves standing in front of a shabby house in the city's suburbs.

"Old Pang!"

After the old man shouted, the door opened and he led Ceres and Gil inside.

"Old Pang is one of my oldest friends. He's seldom in a good mood so be patient with him."

What made Ceres so surprised was that when they went inside the shabby looking house, it looked as if she entered a different world. The inside was so huge and it looked like a traditional house made from wood with a courtyard that has luscious green grasses and also a plum tree that is in bloom even though it wasn't the season for flowers to bloom. Moreover, it was clear that they were inside the house but there is currently a blue sky that can be seen in the courtyard. She wondered if this is a separate place or just an illusion.

"You liked the place? I put a lot of effort and resources to make this. I even sacrificed my precious stuff for this residence. That Old Pang made me do this because he likes peaceful sceneries."