> Ellie PoV <

With our business in the guild finished, we leave.

We walk at a relaxing pace towards the middle of the city.

"Hey, Ellie."

Kira whispers with a worried face.

"Nano's been quiet for a while now."

"That's a bit strange, isn't it?"

I close my eyes and tilt my head in thought.

Nano has been silent ever since we entered the city.

Nobody else can hear Nano, so it's not like Nano is being shy.

"Maybe Nano broke again?"

"Eh? Nano can break? And what do you mean 'again'?"

"It used to happen a lot.

Nano got better at it though."

"That sounds horrible! Doesn't it hurt?!"

Kira really does worry a lot about people.

"Ah, but Nano isn't a person."

"Oh, that's right isn't it? Still, can we help Nano somehow?"

"Ah no problem I just have to use the, uh, [Star Magic] Revival spell, yes."

I raise my right hand and press my index and middle fingers to my temple.

"<>"

I recite the special words Nano taught me.

It's in our old language, so Kira is looking puzzled.

{<>}

{<>}

{<>}

{<>}

{*Tzzt* *Khhhhh* Ahh there we go.}

"Oh it worked! Good job Ellie!

{Yeah, I can think straight again thanks to you.}

{Just, notice earlier next time.}

"That, sorry Nano."

I apologize properly for my blunder.

"What even happened?"

{I lost to that guard with the scary face.}

Stolen story; please report.

"Eh, the guard captain? What do you mean you lost?"

{I made a mistake. I tried to mind it.}

"Ah, it was that, after all."

"Can't help it if it's that guy."

Me and Kira nod in agreement.

"He even broke me for a moment."

I confess to Nano.

{As I thought, a formidable enemy indeed.}

"But Ellie got even, so don't be too harsh on him."

{Got even? How?}

"She snapped his arm like a twig."

{WHAT? How can you two walk around so leisurely after assaulting an officer?}

" "You lose if you mind it." "

Me and Kira remind Nano in unison.

{Ahhh, that was dangerous. I almost broke again.}

Good, crisis averted.

I don't like to <> Nano.

My body gets a bit numb when I do that.

I'll do it as many times as I need to, but unpleasant things are unpleasant.

* * *

As we were carefully catching Nano up to speed, we arrived at City Hall.

It's a dull-looking brick building on three floors.

Each floor is about half the size of the guild's.

We go up to the second floor and approach the clerk.

She's a calm-looking woman somewhere in her mid-20s.

"Welcome to City Hall, how can I help you?"

"We're here to build a base."

The clerk immediately understood and went into action.

We show our guild cards, point out the area on a map and pay the fee.

Well, the fee in question was almost nothing.

I suppose there's not much demand for a plot of land in the middle of a monster-infested forest.

The clerk takes out a huge tome, flicks it open and starts scribbling.

"All set!"

Over in two minutes.

People buying land in the middle of nowhere must be common.

Not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

* * *

It's gotten a bit late, it's almost sunset.

We book a room at an inn, but we head back out.

Kira says there's one more place to visit.

It's the church.