Chapter 79: The Restoration Army’s Guesthouse
Rebecca’s fatigue-eliminating potions, now transported to Givia’s headquarters with the help of her soldiers, provided Givia with a month’s supply.
Back at her post, Givia immediately immersed herself in work, poring over the reports from her guerrilla units, not even bothering to change her travel clothes.
After advising Givia not to overwork herself, especially after consuming the potion, lest she risk a mental breakdown from accumulated stress, Abyss and his companions left the headquarters. There wasn’t much to see there. It was a humble space, furnished only with essential equipment and a small room containing a simple bed and a table, left behind by the house’s previous owner. The table was bare, suggesting Givia didn’t snack while working.
A young female soldier escorted them to the guesthouse designated for distinguished guests. It was likely another donated property, formerly a private residence. Compared to the headquarters, its location wasn’t as central, but it was far more comfortable. It was a two-story house with multiple rooms, fully furnished, although lacking servants. A few soldiers stood guard outside. The guesthouse seemed empty. Despite preparing these accommodations, the Restoration Army hadn’t had many visitors.
“We apologize for the guesthouse’s humble appearance,” the young soldier said, her Common Tongue heavily accented with Ossi. Her sun-kissed skin suggested she served as Givia’s personal guard. “You may rest here or explore the town freely. We’re currently short-staffed, so you’ll have to dine at the town’s restaurants. However, the princess has instructed us to cover all your expenses. If you have any requests, please inform the guards outside. They’ll assist you.”
The two guards standing at the entrance snapped to attention, their boots stamping the ground in unison.
“Please convey our gratitude to the princess,” Abyss said, nodding at the young soldier. “We’ll be staying here for a few days. If the princess needs anything, she can find us here. We’re currently devising a plan to take the offensive against the enemy. If we have any ideas, we’ll visit her at headquarters.”
“Understood!” the soldier said, saluting smartly.
Leona watched the soldier with admiration. Although she had grown up surrounded by luxury, her knightly spirit resonated with this display of discipline and efficiency. Shodo Town, despite its small size, was the heart of the Restoration Army. Soldiers, assisting the citizens, were everywhere. The military camp outside the town, its rhythmic training cries echoing through the streets, filled her with a sense of purpose.
After the soldier left, they chose their rooms. Leona, naturally, shared a room with Flora. They had become close friends, Leona enjoying the comfort of Flora’s embrace. If she were still alive, she might be the type who couldn’t sleep without Flora by her side.
Rebecca didn’t request to share a room with Abyss. She chose a room further inside the house, explaining that she would set up her portable alchemy equipment there. Alchemy was her life’s passion, and now that they had a stable base, she wanted to rebuild her laboratory, a space filled with the comforting aroma of herbs and potions.
Abyss chose a dimly lit room. Although he didn’t dislike sunlight, he preferred darker environments. And here, he could discreetly summon his undead servants without being observed, eliminating the need to constantly erase people’s memories.
After settling in, the three girls changed their travel clothes. Abyss wasn’t concerned about his ability to produce items from thin air being discovered. He had done it several times during their journey, and no one had questioned him. Givia seemed unconcerned, even casually consuming Rebecca’s potions, brewed with ingredients seemingly conjured from thin air. After all, powerful mages often possessed unusual abilities. They simply assumed it was one of Abyss’s talents.
But producing items from thin air was an extraordinary feat. Spatial magic was still underdeveloped on this continent, considered a useless field. Yet Abyss could store and retrieve objects effortlessly. People’s indifference was simply due to their lack of understanding of spatial magic. They didn’t realize how remarkable his ability was.
“ABC! Give me something delicious! I’m hungry!”
Abyss had just settled down in his room, reading Star’s notes on Outer Gods, when Leona, dressed in a pretty new dress, burst in, her voice loud and demanding, like a hungry cat.
“Oh, alright,” Abyss said, summoning his magical catfish and retrieving a roasted goose from its belly. Thanks to the time-freezing effect within the catfish’s stomach, the goose was still warm and fragrant. He tossed it to Leona, who beamed at the sight of the delicious food, then noticed Flora standing behind her.
“Flora, are you hungry too?” he asked. “Where’s Rebecca? Didn’t she come with you?”
“Rebecca said she has some new ideas she wants to try. She’s conducting experiments in her room. I’ll bring her some food later,” Flora said, entering the room and standing beside Abyss. “I wanted to ask you about something. The young soldier who escorted us here seemed frightened when she saw me. Do you know why?”
“Oh, you mean Haina?” Abyss chuckled. “Of course I know. I carried you out of your coffin right in front of her and Alva. That poor girl must be filled with questions.”
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