Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Chapter 12- Arriving at a City

[Keeno POV]

Two more weeks have passed.  Fia told me that we crossed into Nidavellir a week ago and now it was just us needing to make it to a city.  To me it felt like we’d never find one, at least until yesterday when we found the first sign of civilization.  It was a surprisingly well-maintained road made of stone bricks.

“Good, just need to find a landmark and I can figure out where we are and the closest city.” (Fia)

“So, do you just have some kind of mental map or something?  How do you know all of this?” (Keeno)

“I’ve just lived a long time.  And before you ask, no, I have not explored the whole world.  A lot of it, yes, but not all.  Falheim, for example.  Rasu had to guide me several times since she gets a bird’s eye view.” (Fia)

{Doesn’t that mean Ama can help us here as well?” (Keeno)

{Hmmm.  Go left on this road and you’ll end up at a city by sunsset.}

“Then we better hurry, cities don’t normally let people in after dark unless it’s an emergency.” (Fia)

“Then how about we do the thing we did to get past the border?” (Keeno)

“We can, but don’t you want to mentally prepare yourself?  This is the first real time you’ll be in a city.  I’m not going to count the times we resupplied in Falheim since you pretty much never left the carriage.” (Fia)

“…Let’s get to walking.” (Keeno)

And so, we walked.  There wasn’t much on the road, though I could see signs of regular travel on it.  A few hours later, the city could be seen in the distance.  I was half excited, and half nervous.

“Before we get there, we need to go over a few things.  One, while I’ll be able to get in no problem, I’ll need to be your guarantor.  Two, never leave my side.  Three, and this is something you might not like, but keep up the noble act.  That way people won’t approach us as easily and the guards are less likely to question what we say and do.” (Fia)

“Just because I hate the process I went through to acquire the habit doesn’t mean I don’t know it won’t be useful.  Though when we’re alone I’m going to avoid acting like that.” (Keeno)

“That’s completely reasonable.  Honestly, it makes me happy that I get to know the real Keeno and not the princess Keeno.” (Fia)

“…Why do I feel like that is going to stick as a title?” (Keeno)

{I quite like it.  Though it doesn’t really do you justice since you have a higher position than any royalty.}

After another few hours, we finally made it to the city just as they were about to close the gates.  When the guard saw us approaching, he got a slightly annoyed expression, but when he saw me, he stiffened up.

“Cutting it close, miladies.”

“Apologies for that.  We would have gotten here earlier, but we were delayed.” (Fia)

Fia flashed a card at the guard and his already stiff expression stiffened even more and I could see him start sweating, and it wasn’t just because it got hotter near me.

“Please come inside.”

Fia nodded and we entered the city.

“If you are on a special quest, I can send word to the guild.”

“No need, though an inn recommendation would be nice.  We haven’t slept in a proper bed in almost two months.” (Fia)

“A place fitting your and the young miss’s status in near the guild called Cerulean.”

“Thank you, let’s go, Lady Keeno.” (Fia)

“Lead the way.” (Keeno)

As I passed by the guard, I glanced over to him.  When our eyes met, he bowed his head in what I think was either fear or respect, I couldn’t decide.  I walked closer to Fia and looked around a little.  The street was nearly empty with the exception of people here and there closing up shops or stalls.  After about five minutes we arrived at a large plaza with a building that looked like a cliché Viking longhouse being the centerpiece.

“That big building is a branch of what is collectively called The Guild.  In the past there were several different guilds that had adventurers, merchants, craftsmen, alchemists, and so on, but after the Fiend Season, they all combined into a single entity.  I’ll explain more about it when you are older and are able to join.  For now, let’s fine the inn.” (Fia)

It didn’t take long to find the inn we were told about.  True to the name, the place was completely blue, reminiscent of my sun.  When we entered the large door, we were greeted by a lovely smell and some light music.  A pretty lady was standing behind a desk and smiling at us.

“Welcome to Cerulean, how may we help you?”

“A single room, and preferably something to eat brought to us there.” (Fia)

“Please provide proof of identity and three Gold upfront.”

Fia pulled out the same card from earlier and three shiny golden coins.  The reception person didn’t even flinch and just nodded her head.  She wrote something down in a big book and walked from behind the desk.

“Please follow me to your room.  Something to eat will be brought to you shortly.  If there is anything else you need from us, either ring the bell in the room or come and ask me.”

We followed the lady up two flights of stairs and down a hallway.  She stopped in front of an ornately carved door.  When she opened it, we entered inside.

“Please enjoy your stay Madame Fiametta.  You as well, small child.”

With that, the receptionist shut the door and left.  I walked over and sat down on the big bed and almost sunk into the cushy surface.

“This is even better than a bed in my previous life, much less any that I’ve had in this one.” (Keeno)

“Hehe.  How about we take a bath before our food gets here?  I, for one, could really use one.” (Fia)

“Right.  I’ve been trying my best to not think about it, but my tail could use a good washing.” (Keeno)

We both walked into the bathroom.  We spent a good while in there washing up.  Once we were out and dressed on clean clothes, courtesy of Fia’s fancy storage ring thing, we found two trays of hot food sitting on the small table.  We sat down and immediately started to eat.  Between mouthfuls of tasty food, I spoke.

“No offence, Fia, but this is so much better that anything we’ve eaten before here.” (Keeno)

{Hehehehe.  Even Keeno thinks your cooking is just barely acceptable.}

“OI!  At least she ate what I made, unlike a certain Sun Goddess that almost retches when she even smells my cooking.” (Fia)

{Well maybe next time you cook, try not making something with so much onion and garlic that it’d cause the entire vampire race to go extinct.}

“Guess I’ll be the one that will start cooking for us when we finally settle down…I need to learn to cook.” (Keeno)

{HA!}

“Don’t get me wrong, Ama, Fia is by no means the worst cook who I’ve had the displeasure of eating their cooking.  Like that one time where I honestly believe they were trying to poison me.  I mean, how do you make food glow purple, and be both over and under cooked, to the point it was nearly sentient?” (Keeno)

{…Tch.}

“What did you just try to do?” (Fia)

{I tried to see if I had any good curses for that person, but I don’t.  At least not one that won’t drag innocent people into it as well.}

“Do the fungus thing again.” (Fia)

{Oh yeah, I forgot about that one…And done.}

“…” (Keeno)

“Don’t look at us like that, Keeno.” (Fia)

{Please don’t, we’re just taking out our frustration on deserving people.}

“Yeah, so why don’t I get any input?” (Keeno)

“…” (Fia)

{…What do you want to happen?  If I can do it I’ll let you know.}

“A case of sunburn that gets to the point of flaking, but then gets worse again.  Bonus if it gets the person in trouble by ruining anything they cook.” (Keeno)

“…” (Fia)

{Fia, we should really consult Keeno about stuff like this.  Her idea in genius.}

“I agree.  A fresh perspective is always good, and her being someone with memories from another world will further increase the ideas.” (Fia)

{Hail Goddess Keeno!  Master of interesting curse ideas!}

“HAIL!” (Fia)

“Hehehehehehehe.  Praise me more!” (Keeno)

Fia moved over and started patting my head.  The temperature in the room increased a small amount due to my joy.

{Hehe.}

I was about to ask what Ama was laughing at when I yawned.  It was only then that I realized just how tired I was.

“Ugh.  I feel like I could sleep for a year or twenty.” (Keeno)

“Well, you just might.  You may not have really noticed it, but you don’t have a normal perception of time.” (Fia)

“Please wake me up, I don’t actually want to sleep that long.” (Keeno)

“Sure thing.  Feel free to go to sleep first.” (Fia)

“Mm.” (Keeno)

I slipped under the covers of the big bed and almost immediately fell asleep.

Chaos Realm:

Crisis:…

Order: In-chan, I know what you’re thinking and no, it’s already been taken care of.  There is no point in you getting involved.

Order is right.  There will be enough when Atmos comes back and Phobos shows up.

Crisis: Good.  I may be insane, but I don’t like it when someone messes with someone as far as forcing their Fate on them as early as that.  Hehehehehehe.  Atmos and I are going to have so much fun tormenting him.

Luna: Count me in too.  Please don’t stop me, Tamamo.

Tamamo: Even I want to join, so why would I stop any of you?

Order: Payto, I think we messed up telling them about Phobos.

Eh, they would have learned about him when Amaterasu showed up.

Order: …Fair point.