We left the bar after that, trying to look as normal as possible since there's the possibility that we were being watched.

"Is there anywhere else you'd like to visit in particular, Aster?" Emilia asked.

I shrugged, "Not really? It's my first time here after all."

"In that case, shall we take a walk around the market? They do have a number of things around here, especially since people who wish to trade with the Rejmars would have to travel through this city if they come by sea and vice versa.

"Sure, that sounds good."

I linked arms with Emilia again and she brought me down the street where it seemed to be more crowded than the place we were at.

I took a note of the stores that we walked past to see what they were selling and there were indeed a whole variety of them along the street.

Aside from bars and boutiques, there were even book stores, cafes, crafts, toys, weapons, magic items and even what appears to be a library and even a school as well. Not to mention the different kinds of inns that let visitors stay for the night.

Both Emilia and I were just sort of wandering through the street and window shopping while soaking in the atmosphere.

Honestly, I was feeling quite good about this place because I realised this place was similar to those market streets you might find in a rural or less modernised town back in my old World that I might visit for inspiration in my writing. Thus, it gave me a little bit of that nostalgic feeling when I was walking along the street.

While in my old World the road in the middle would be for cars, this one was for carriages and monster slaves to move up and down them.

While the people in my old World would dress in modern clothes, the people here were wearing tunics, leather armour and fur cloaks.

Well… I suppose I was just looking for an excuse to justify why I was feeling like a kid in a candy store as I marvelled at the store displays.

"What's this one, Emilia?"

"Mmm… I believe this store's selling wood carvings and home furniture."

"And this one?"

"That's a library."

"Oh! And this one?"

"Ah, that would be a workshop. You can sign up for a class if you're interested."

"They have workshops here too?"

"Mmhmm. This place is kind of a tourist hotspot so they let them take different kinds of classes here."

"I'm guessing it's because of the slave trade?"

She nodded, "If you're looking for cheap slaves, most would come here to find them. But if you're looking for the professionally trained ones and want first picks… You'll have to go to the capital city at Fraltoheilm."

I tilted my head at her, "Why aren't the professionally trained slaves here?"

She waved her hand, "Oh, this isn't where they train their slaves. They would be transported to the capital city to be trained instead. This is just a trade city."

"But isn't the slave exhibition held here?"

"Mmhmm~ The slaves are first taken to the capital city to be trained before they are brought back here. They want all the trading to happen here you see, which works well for merchants like me since I wouldn't need to make the trip through the valley to do slave trading."

I see they already worked out a system for this huh?

We passed by a store and I skidded to a stop.

I quickly backpedalled and peered through the store window, "Wait, wait, wait… Is this what I think it is?"

Emilia joined my side and looked inside as well before sighing, "Yes… This is a baking class for sweets."

I turned to her, "Can we look?"

"Well… I guess we could, but if you want to attend a class I believe you have to make a reservation in advance."

"Let's just go in and see for a bit, please?"

She nodded though a little grudgingly.

I entered the store barely holding back my glee, wondering if they allowed outsiders to sample the class's baking.

A tall, muscled female Mahun seemed to be standing at the front of the room as the teacher instructed a room full of people of different races.

"Now, while your cakes cool, we can make the frosting by whisking the sugar and milk until it's smooth."

The instructor started whisking and the class followed suit, all of them completely engrossed in the lesson.

The instructor spotted us after a while and came over, though she didn't stop her whisking.

"Hello there, what can I do for you ladies? I'm afraid today's class is already finishing soon but if you're interested, I can slot you both in for tomorrow's?"

Emilia shook her head quickly, "Ah, no need. We're just here to take a look at the class."

"What are you guys making?" I asked.

She grinned, "A classic sweetroll! There's some I made beforehand over there if you want to have a taste! Just let me know if you're interested in joining the class!"

The instructor nodded at the side where a plate of very familiar pastries sat on top of a countertop.

Ohhhh~ Don't mind if I do!

I went towards it and was about to reach for it when Emilia pulled me back by the shoulder.

I gave her a look of confusion and she gestured to the wolf that was lying down in front of the counter, the colour of its fur making it almost indiscernible from the ground.

The wolf was looking at us with an expectant gaze, almost like it was daring us to try and take the sweetrolls it was guarding.

The instructor had already returned to the front of the class and continued her lesson, which made me reluctant to pull her away again to ask if we should be worried about the wolf.

Incidentally, I do not see a collar on its neck.

There's no way that this is a wild monster that managed to find its way here, would it?

"I don't think it wants us to touch those," Emilia commented.

But… But the sweetrolls?

I gave Emilia a sad look.

She grimaced, "Come on… The wolf is probably her pet or something and thinks you're trying to steal it. I'd rather not piss the instructor off and make a scene."

"But… But… Sweetrolls… How about I try and take just one?"

Emilia gave me a look, "They're just sweetrolls, come on… We can get those elsewhere."

"But I want those…" I whined.

She sighed, then looked around before suddenly disappearing and reappearing from view.

I then realised that she held one of the sweetrolls in her hand that she passed it over to me.

"Here. Happy now?"

Yayyyy! I wuv you Emiliaaaaaa!!

I started munching on the sweet while she pulled me out of the store.

Mmmm~ Delicious~ I wonder if that instructor has a bakery or a store that sells these somewhere because I'll most definitely buy these!

I finished eating the sweetroll and found Emilia giving me an odd look.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing… The others told me to be prepared in the event you found sweets but I don't really see… Ah, I suppose it's the mask isn't it?"

"Err… What are you talking about? Oh wait… Ok… I know, I get a little carried away sometimes when it comes to sweets but it isn't that bad, is it?"

She nodded at the workshop we just walked out of, "You were ready to start a fight with a wolf just to get a sweetroll."

"But it's good though? If you had tried one, I bet you would agree with me that it's worth it!"

"I doubt it."

"What if it was a plate of free Creas?"

"I'd kick the wolf aside to get it of course."

Ah yes, there's the usual Emilia. I wanna pat her head so bad.

I gave her a look to show the hypocrisy in her words and she rolled her eyes, "That's different ok? This is Creas we're talking about. Cold hard cash that you can use however you like and wouldn't betray you like some people I can name."

I pouted at her, "Aww… Is it better than me?"

"Come on, if someone were to pay you a million Creas to stab me in the back, you'd do it wouldn't you?"

"Eh… Not really."

She raised an eyebrow at me, "Ok, then what about a billion Creas?"

I shook my head, "Nope. I can earn those Creas myself if I want to, no need to do something like that just to get them."

"Right… I guess I'm asking the wrong thing. If someone offered you an all you can eat buffet for the best sweets ever made just to stab me in the back, you'd do it, right?"

"Ehh… I'll also say no to that."

She blinked and pointed at me, "I don't believe you."

"Mmm… I know it'shard to believe. I do like sweets and all but I value the people I love more."

"Even if they are prone to betray you? Because if someone offered me a billion Creas to stab you in the back, I might."

"But you haven't, so I won't," I assured her.

She gave me a look, "You are really weird, Aster."

"Why thank you~"

"That wasn't… Whatever, let's just keep walking."

Aww~ I think she's getting shy~

So cute~

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