A Ghost Town

Before leaving, Rei had actually told Aria to sleep on the way there so she could store her magic in her new cube. But let alone sleep, Aria couldn't even stop being restless all the time.

First, of course because she wasn't sure she could take care of the mushroom demon--which god knows how scary it would be. But also, when she imagined that she would see the same scenery that she used to see as a child… She also started to feel cramped.

Even Feny, who saw her, began to feel sorry too. "But you know, it'll be fine! Even though I can't do magic, I've also fought monsters sometimes. Well, the little ones, but still!" Feny said, trying to calm her down. Aria chuckled softly at that, but she didn't reply anything.

"Or how about we rest first?" Feny asked again while looking out the window. "We've been going for almost half a day anyway."

"It's okay. You said we'd be there soon, right?" Replied Aria.

Hearing that, Feny sighed softly again. "Even though he already knows that your village has experienced the same outbreak, I can't believe he still sent you off alone. That man has no heart." She sneered.

"Well, at least you accompany me." Aria replied with a smile.

"And so should dad! But he's gone god-knows-where." She grumbled then. "As I thought it might be his ex-girlfriend or something--"

Crack! But suddenly their carriage stopped. And before they could ask the courier, someone knocked on the carriage door first. From his clothes, he looks like a soldier. "Excuse me. But if I may ask, where are you headed?" Asked the bearded man.

"That, um, to Lukan city." Answered Aria.

"Then you better turn back. Because the city is now experiencing an epidemic and it is forbidden to receive visits from outside."

Aria was a bit panicked, but luckily Rei had warned her about it this morning. "But I did come to help. Sir Alrei Kransfein sent me." She explained while showing the badge she got from Rei.

There is a special logo shaped like a tulip there. And in an instant, the soldier instantly widened his eyes in shock. "You mean that Mr. Kransfein?! I am so sorry. I had no idea that he sent you." He said then while returning the badge earlier while bowing.

"Uh, ah, yes. It's fine." Reply Aria who became a bit taken aback too. To be honest Aria had expected that from the start, but seeing the soldier act so respectful towards her, perhaps Rei's position as a noble could be even higher than she had thought.

"Then you may continue. But I have to warn you, if you show symptoms of the disease too, you will not be allowed to leave the city again." He said again. "Even so, are you sure you want to go there?"

Silence for a moment, Aria nodded. "Please let me in." She said and they were finally allowed to enter the city gates.

There was already no noise at all that disturbed them along the way. But as soon as they entered the city, an atmosphere of silence and a heavy air immediately greeted them. The taste was so familiar that Aria started to feel goosebumps.

Even when Aria and Feny got on the town square, they still didn't hear or see anyone there. "I guess this is why they call it the ghost plague." Said Feny who also started to feel uncomfortable.

Taking her breath slowly, Aria tried to look around. She couldn't have noticed it as a child, but her current self could indeed feel an odd magical aura everywhere.

"I've heard about it from the guard." Someone said suddenly, appearing out of nowhere. There was a young man wearing a scarf there. He looked younger than Aria, but still seemed a bit older than Feny. "They said somebody sent people to help."

"M-My name is Aria, and this is Feny. We--"

"Are you healers or something?" Cut him. "If so, please just leave all the medicine you brought with you and go back while you still can. Especially you, since adults are more susceptible to the disease." He added while looking at Aria.

"..." Aria was almost confused by that reaction, but then she tried to reply. "That, mm, I did bring some medicine. But if possible I also want to help until the plague is over and--"

"I appreciate your good intentions. But to be honest, only children are still healthy here. And I don't want to bother them anymore if you get sick too."

"…Even though he's polite, he's a bit annoying, isn't he?" Feny whispered softly to Aria.

Only then did she look back at the boy. "We got orders, you know. So we can't just go back." She said. "And, well, if Aria gets sick, I'll just take care of her. That should be okay, right?"

"That mister too?" He asked back while pointing to the courier who was still waiting on the carriage. Feny wasn't sure she wanted to say yes. But after being silent for a while, the boy finally sighed softly. "Well, don't tell me I didn't warn you all." He said then.

"Then hurry up and come with me. We're pretty busy today." He continued while walking. "And you can call me Cal."