What an exhausting day...

I lay down In my sleeping bag and take a look at the stars.

[Auru: "Do you like the stars, Mr. Igni?"]

["Huh? I guess, I mean they are symbols of great power, so..."]

[Auru: "That's not exactly what I meant... I meant if you like watching the stars or find them pretty."

["Hmmm, I don't really know, I don't do this very often."]

[Auru: "Hmm... okay."]

While listing to the soft crackling of the fire, feeling its warmth, my exhaustion quickly puts me to sleep.

The sun blinds me as I carefully open my eyes...

It's so bright, it almost hurts. How can anyone enjoy this brightness? When my eyes adjust to the light, I find myself alone next to a burnt-out campfire... Where did Auru go?

As I look around, I find her picking berries not far from our campsite.

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[Auru: "Ah, you're awake, Mr. Igni!"]

["Hmm... Yeah, by the way, why are you picking those berries?"]

[Auru: "Oh, you see, those berries are a herb commonly used in healing potions."]

["So you have some knowledge in Alchemie?"]

[Auru: "Yes, although it's just a little. My father told it to me when I was little."]

["Alright then, just tell me, when you're done, so we can continue our journey."]

[Auru: "Okay, it won't take long anyways."]

After about two minutes, Auru returned to the campsite. We packed our thing and went further down the main road.

The next city along our way is Raventhroat, A large city surrounded by massive city walls to protect the citizen from roaming monsters.

The center of the city is composed of a thin but high mountain. *Ravenrock*. *Ravenrock* is around 120 meters thick and 300 meters tall. The only way to reach the top is to take the long road, which spirals all the way to the castle atop.

The road is accessible from the central marketplace, which is always filled with bountiful shops and colorful caravans managed by fine-looking shopkeeps from across the whole kingdom of Theflheim. But some of the shops are not as colorful and bright as the others. These shops are managed by bizarre figures cloaked in dark cloaks. Those shops also sell some curiosities only a well-trained eye could identify.

As diverse as the shops are the people looking through the range of goods available. Ranging from Beastvolk with their animal ears and tails, looking for some meat to eat to Orcs with huge tusks sticking out of their deformed jaws and hulking muscles, taking a look for their next new armor set.

Amongst all those diverse people, I spot one familiar fellow.

A tall Darkelf woman, wearing a dark purple robe.

One of my former subordinates. A Witch called *Grinla Farkner*.

["Hey Auru, whatever I do, stay right behind me."]

[Auru: "Oh, okay..."]

We approach the witch carefully.

["Hey there, Grinla."]

The darkelven witch turns her head around in surprise and fear of being discovered in a human settlement.

[Grinla: "Who said that?"]

["Ehem, down her..."]

[Grinla: "Oh, my bad! I didn't see you down there... Say... How do you know my name?"]

QUICK, THINK! I can't tell her, I'm Ignatius, the demon lord, who almost ruled the world in an open area like this. Especially not with Auru around.

["Well, let's privately talk about this. How about we book a room in this Inn right there?"]