From the moment I was chosen by the holy relic

The two found themselves getting along better and better. Eric talked about how hard he trained as a child, never giving up on his dreams despite his humble origins, while Eileen recounted her life at magic school and the fun she had exploring ruins. Their laughter and conversation made the journey less lonely.

The morning sun shone on the gentle hills, and dewdrops slid down the blades of grass, sparkling with crystalline light. Eric and Erin's journey had been going on for several days, during which they had traveled along winding country roads, sometimes through deep forests, sometimes across endless farmlands. Morning mist shrouded the earth, and the distant church steeple appeared and disappeared, like a guide leading to the sky.

The air is filled with the fresh scent of earth. In the fields, farmers wield sickles, sweat streaming down their faces. Their shouts mingle with the calls of cattle and sheep, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the countryside. Golden waves of wheat ripple in the wind, like waves on the earth. A stream meanders through the fields, its banks dotted with wildflowers. The air is filled with the fragrance of earth and wheat. Children play on the field ridges, their joyful laughter echoing through the air.

Eric gazed at the scenery before him, took a deep breath, and smiled with satisfaction: "This field is truly reassuring. This is the true essence of Nostria, the beauty created by the hardworking people."

Eileen also looked up into the distance, her gaze filled with a complex mix of emotions. Although she maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, she longed for this peaceful life. The people on this land upheld the meaning of life in their own way, which, though monotonous, was exceptionally real.

After several days of travel, the outline of a majestic city appeared on the horizon. It was Orion, the capital of Nostria. The closer they got, the clearer the city's splendor became.

The first thing that catches the eye is the tall wall built of bluish-gray boulders. Majestic guards stand on both sides of the city gate, holding long spears, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. A large moat surrounds the city, and carriages and pedestrians come and go on the bridges.

Inside the city walls stand neat rows of stone bungalows, their architecture simple and ancient. Interspersed among the houses are winding alleyways that extend into the heart of the city. The cobblestone streets are worn smooth by the footsteps of carriages and pedestrians. Bustling shops line both sides of the streets, their wooden signs displaying their names in bold characters. Some sell cloth, others pottery, and there are rows of blacksmith shops, the clanging of hammers filling the air.

Eileen tightened the reins, her gaze sweeping over the bustling market beside the road. Vendors called out loudly, hawking all sorts of goods: fresh fruits and vegetables, vibrant spices, freshly baked bread, and glittering jewelry. One vendor hung a string of golden amber pendants in front of Eileen, shouting, "Miss! These accessories are more dazzling than your beauty! How about buying one?"

Eileen scoffed, lowering her head to ignore it, but her gaze was drawn to a nearby bookstall. Her eyes swept over an ancient spellbook, and she couldn't resist picking it up and flipping through it. The stall owner, a wrinkled old man, immediately approached her: "Miss, this is from Iser! A fair price, absolutely worth it!"

Eileen looked down at the spellbook in her hand, her brows furrowing slightly. The more she looked, the more something seemed off. The paper was rough, and the text was blurry; it was clearly not a proper magical document.

She snorted and was about to put the book back when she heard the stall owner say in an unfriendly voice, "Oh, miss, you've already flipped through this book, so I can't sell it to anyone else. You'll have to buy it."

Eileen looked up and stared coldly at the old man: "I won't buy it. This book is fake."

"Fake?" The old man immediately raised his voice, attracting the attention of passersby. "These are genuine magical documents brought from Iser! How dare you slander my things as fakes? Buy them! Otherwise, I'll call the security patrol!"

Eric, who had been watching the commotion from the sidelines, immediately turned serious upon hearing this and stepped forward, saying, "This is clearly unreasonable and an attempt to force a sale."

"Hey, sir, this is Orion," the old man said without any fear, mimicking Eric's accent. "You ignorant outsiders, let my nephew on patrol teach you a lesson!"

Eric clenched his fists, his anger almost bursting forth, but Eileen gently pulled him back. She glanced at the old man calmly, her tone composed: "Eric, don't waste time. We have more important things to do; it's not worth getting into trouble over something so trivial."

Eric glared at the old man resentfully, but finally, at Eileen's insistence, he pulled out two gold coins and tossed them onto the stall. Seeing this, the old man's face immediately lit up with a smug smile: "That's more like it! Buying early saves trouble!"

Eileen took the book, turned and walked away without looking back. The two had just turned the corner when Eileen casually tossed the book into a roadside pond, her movements clean and efficient, as if she were discarding an insignificant piece of trash.

"You—!" Eric, seeing her actions, couldn't help but shout angrily, "These two gold coins are enough to buy a good sword!"

Eileen shrugged nonchalantly, her tone calm: "It's just two gold coins, enough to buy peace of mind. Rather than wasting time here arguing with a thug, we should resolve this quickly and move on. We didn't come to Orion to fight with people."

Eric paused, his anger subsiding slightly, but he was still somewhat indignant: "But this isn't fair! He's clearly cheating!"

Eileen stopped and turned around, looking at Eric with a calm and determined gaze: "Eric, do you want to clash with the security forces for two gold coins, risking being detained? Or do you want to complete your mission in peace and deliver what is truly important to the King?"

Eric opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't refute, only letting out a heavy sigh: "Okay, you're right. I just can't swallow this."

"Those who take advantage may not have the last laugh," Eileen said calmly, a hint of coldness in her eyes. "He earned two gold coins that don't belong to him today, but the price he pays tomorrow may far exceed those two gold coins."

Eric was taken aback, as if he sensed a profound wisdom in her words. He scratched his head and sighed, "Well, I still admire your composure; I could never learn that."

Eileen smiled slightly and said nothing more. The two walked into a more bustling street, where the surrounding noise gradually masked their earlier unpleasantness. The shops along the street were still lively, with vendors calling out their wares one after another. Stalls emitting the aroma of freshly baked bread were crowded with customers, and shops selling handicrafts displayed exquisite ornaments and carvings.

Eric's mood gradually improved in this atmosphere. He pointed to a candy stall on the street and smiled, "When I was a child, I loved these candied fruits the most. Every time my father came back from the market, he would bring me a small bag."

Eileen couldn't help but ask curiously, "Have you ever eaten it again after you grew up?"

Eric shook his head, a hint of regret on his face: "No, later I became a knight, and life got busy, so I lost those simple joys."

Eileen gave a meaningful smile: "Then why not take this opportunity to rediscover some simple joys?"

Eric paused, looking at her cool smile, and finally couldn't help but laugh too: "Okay, you're right." He stepped forward, bought a bag of candied fruit from the stall owner, and shared it with Eileen. The sweet taste quietly permeated the bustling street.