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nThe total for the three magic potions came to just under a hundred gold coins, a fraction of the cost of an intermediate potion.

nAfter purchasing the magic potions, Howard and Vivia moved on to their next objective.

n“This is for you!”

nHalfway there, Howard, ensuring they were unobserved, suddenly pulled Vivia aside and handed her the Liontiger potion they had just bought.

n“Keep this safe, use it when you need to, don’t be stingy or worry about the cost! Compared to your safety, these two hundred gold coins mean nothing.”

nVivia looked at the potion in her hand, then at Howard’s face.

nShe didn’t say anything, just nodded.

nShe knew that with her current strength, she couldn’t provide any direct combat support to Howard.

nAlthough she was a herbal healer, her knowledge of magic potions was limited, and she could only prepare a few basic potions.

nIf she couldn’t contribute on the battlefield, the least she could do was take care of herself and not become a burden to Howard.

nIf things were as bad as Nula had described, the enemy would undoubtedly investigate the relationships around Howard.

nEven if they couldn’t uncover Howard’s true identity, linking them together wouldn’t be difficult.

nTargeting a soft target rather than going after Howard and Nula, whose strengths were unknown, is a decision any intelligent assassin would make.

nThat’s why Howard and Nula were in such a hurry to leave, and why Howard had allocated so much of their budget to equip her, to enhance her capabilities.

nBeyond magic potions, Howard also planned to buy Vivia a mana protection item or several suitable scrolls.

nThe former is good for its reusability, while the latter boasts stronger power.

nIdeally, they would acquire both, but reality dictated Howard’s budget could only stretch to one choice.

nOpting for mana equipment meant insufficient funds for scrolls, and purchasing enough scrolls left no money for mana items.

nAfter watching Vivia carefully store away the Liontiger potion and reiterating his advice, Howard led her towards the scroll counter.

nUltimately, he decided on scrolls.

nMana items, although reusable, were not the current priority.

nThe immediate concern was addressing the limited but extremely dangerous assassination attempts.

nWeighing the options, the superior power and effect of scrolls made them the more valuable choice.

nAcquiring mana items could wait until their arrival in Sorona; navigating the immediate crisis was paramount.

nTwo basic teleportation spells, one multiple fireball, one ice spike spell, and one imprisonment spell—five scrolls in total, equivalent to the power of a top-tier level 3 magus.

nThis purchase depleted all of Howard’s remaining budget, even slightly exceeding it.

nHowever, this effectively armed Vivia.

nWith the Liontiger potion enhancing her constitution, and offensive or defensive measures like the multiple fireballs and ice spike spell, along with escape options provided by the imprisonment spell and basic teleportation scrolls, Vivia was well-equipped.

nAs long as she remained alert, there was virtually no chance of her being captured.

nAnd as long as Vivia wasn’t caught, Howard and Nula had countless ways to counter any assassination attempts.

nAfter completing their purchases, Howard and Vivia made another round of the Grand Marketplace, retrieved the repaired leather armor and twin blades from Rodel’s sole blacksmith, and then headed to the Adventurer’s Guild branch in Rodel.

nHoward had yet to settle the payment for the wolfrat carcasses and young wolfrats he had consigned.

nAlthough Duduro had died, the transaction between him and Howard was considered complete; Howard simply hadn’t had the chance to collect his gold coins.

nWhile not as substantial as the bounty from the monster tide defense quest, the amount was not negligible.

nWishing to avoid drawing attention, Howard and Vivia entered the guild branch with their hoods up, concealing their faces.

nAside from a small gasp of surprise from the clerk behind the counter, Howard managed to collect his gold coins without revealing his identity to anyone else and left immediately afterward.

nThe gold coins were a bit more than expected.

nIn total, one hundred fifty-five coins.

nAdult wolfrat carcasses were priced at ten gold coins each, while young wolfrats were twenty gold coins each, amounting to one hundred fifty-five gold coins in total.

nThough not enough to purchase new equipment, the sum was more than sufficient for their travel expenses to Sorona.

nReturning to the inn, Howard saw Nula in the courtyard, leading a chocobo named Lightning, which was pulling a two-wheeled carriage with a canopy.

nThe carriage wasn’t large, but it was ample for the three of them, especially since one person would need to keep watch at night, leaving just enough space inside for two to sleep.

nWith transportation arranged and all preparations made, they only needed an opportune moment to set off towards Sorona. .

nAlthough Howard’s stay in Rodel was brief, barely more than a week, with half of that time spent unconscious, the events that unfolded were no less significant than those in Lorinda.

nThe level of danger, in fact, was several notches higher.

nIn the underground base, if not for Two’s successful awakening, if not for Two’s ability to absorb mana smoothly, if not for Two regaining certain permissions and abilities, Rodel might now be a completely different place, with Howard and Nula likely buried underground.

nThe Eternal Flame would not spare anyone who hindered their plans, as had been the case in the past, and so it remains.

nOn the last night at the inn, Howard didn’t dream.

nHis eyes closed and then opened, and it was morning.

nGazing at the dim morning light outside the window, Howard suddenly remembered the days when he would wake up before dawn.

nWinter training in the bitter cold, summer training in the scorching heat—easy to say, but only those who have endured it know the suffering involved.

nEven without physical pain, the weariness of the spirit and body wouldn’t lessen by the slightest.

nBut as he said that, after getting used to it, it wasn’t so bad.

nWhen Howard first chose to leave, he maintained the habit of waking up before dawn.

nAlways alert, perhaps even overly sensitive.

nBut everyone needs rest; late nights lead to late mornings.

nThe power of habit is terrifying; it can silently overturn everything you’ve known.

nTouching his forehead, Howard sat up.

nIt had been a long time since he last woke up this early.

nRubbing his hair, he climbed out of bed, methodically dressing himself and equipping his gear: half-armor, belt pouch, potion bag, hunting knife sheath, and scabbard.

nWith each piece of equipment he donned, Howard became more alert.

nBy the time he was fully equipped, he was completely awake, his gaze sharp.

nSmiling at his reflection in the mirror, Howard grabbed a clean towel to wipe his face, just as a knock sounded at the door.

nAdjusting the diagonally exposed hilt of his knife on his shoulder, he turned and said, “Come in.”

nThe door opened, revealing Vivia, already prepared herself.

n“Nula sent me to call you. We’re ready to depart.”

n“I’m all set,” Howard smiled at Vivia, tucking the towel into his Space Ring. .

nHe had organized all his belongings the day before, packed them separately, keeping the essential items in his Space Ring and the rest in a bundle.

nPicking up the bundle by the bed, Howard passed by Vivia, ruffling her hair.

n“Let’s go, we’re setting off.”

nVivia tilted her head, watching Howard’s back, then hurried to catch up.

n“Why do I feel like there’s something different about you today?”

n“Different?” Howard, looking at Vivia beside him, smiled more broadly.

n“Indeed, something is different. You could say I’ve come to understand some things.”

n“Understand what?” Vivia looked at Howard, puzzled.

n“Some things I used to insist on, but now, upon reflection, seem rather pretentious,” Howard explained, reaching out to ruffle Vivia’s hair again.

n“I hope you’ll never have to deal with such things.”

n“You didn’t say what it was.”

n“If you encounter it, you’ll naturally understand. If you don’t, then that’s even better.”

nDescending the stairs, Howard saw the innkeeper cleaning the lobby.

nAfter greeting her and settling the bill, he and Vivia headed to the backyard where Nula stood by the carriage, grooming Lightning’s feathers.

n“Are we all set? Let’s get going.”

nUpon seeing Howard and Vivia, Nula waved them over.

nHoward helped Vivia onto the carriage, then went to the stable to fetch Redfeather, fitting the saddle in place.

nThe carriage moved out first, with Howard riding Redfeather, following behind.

nThe streets of Rodel were nearly empty in the early morning, allowing their small convoy to exit the city without delay despite their moderate pace.

nAs they left the city, the sun had yet to fully rise, only a faint glow brightening the horizon.

n…

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