That morning, Noah's humble home was bustling with activity once again.
The fields Arcer had carefully prepared were nearly ready for planting. Meanwhile, Tomas had been given a new assignment.
To build a private study for Noah.
In Noah's mind, he needed a quiet place to organize plans, record information, and think through the next steps in developing their small community.
"When our numbers grow..."
"I can't keep planning everything at the dining table or out in the yard."
"I need a proper workspace."
Although their home was still modest, Noah believed a study was just as important an investment as a kitchen or a warehouse.
Outside, Amira had been ready since early morning.
Her clothes were still worn and patched, but her face was far brighter than it had been when Noah first met her.
Meanwhile, Noah checked the leather pouch containing the monster gems from their hunt.
The blue gems went into one pouch.
The red and purple gems into another.
"If they're worth different amounts..."
"I'd better keep them separated."
Once he was satisfied everything was secure, Noah looked down at his own clothes.
A white shirt.
Black trousers.
The same outfit he had been wearing ever since arriving in Magnora.
He sighed quietly.
"Hmm..."
"I suppose it can't be helped."
"I can't exactly generate a tailor and a cloth maker just because I want new clothes."
Amira let out a quiet giggle.
"You're funny, Mister."
"Funny?"
"Yes."
"This is the first time I've ever heard someone complain because their clothes are too nice."
Noah laughed as well.
"Where I come from, clothes like these are completely ordinary."
"But here..."
He looked down at himself once more.
"...they make me stand out."
Just then, Tomas approached carrying something in his hands.
"One moment, my Lord."
He held out a pair of simple sandals woven from straw.
Noah accepted them.
"Your shirt and trousers are ordinary enough."
"But those shoes..."
Tomas glanced at Noah's polished black dress shoes.
"...are far too conspicuous."
"Villagers—especially the poorer ones—usually wear footwear like this."
"They may not be comfortable."
"But at least you won't attract unnecessary attention."
Noah examined Tomas's handiwork.
The sandals were neatly woven.
Sturdy.
And crafted with remarkable care.
He even thought of something this small...
Without hesitation, Noah removed his leather shoes.
Then slipped on the straw sandals.
They certainly felt different.
But they suited life in Magnora far better.
"Thank you, Tomas."
"You're right."
"If I want to understand this world..."
"...I need to look like I'm part of it."
Tomas simply smiled with quiet pride.
Not far from the house, Pinix was already waiting.
But Noah's attention was drawn instead to a leather bag hanging from the giant bird's side.
He walked over and examined it.
"This..."
Tomas stepped forward.
"I made it from preserved Deerly hide."
"I thought it might be useful if you buy anything in the village."
"It'll make carrying your belongings much easier."
Noah chuckled.
"You're a true craftsman."
The compliment made Tomas lower his head modestly.
"Being able to help you is more than enough for me, my Lord."
Noah nodded with satisfaction.
The more time passed, the more he realized that every person Astra created truly possessed extraordinary expertise.
I made the right choices.
Each of them can accomplish things I've never even learned to do.
He turned toward Arcer and Tomas.
"All right."
"We're heading out."
"Take care of our home."
Arcer nodded.
"Have a safe journey, my Lord."
He immediately returned to the fields to begin planting the seeds and preparing a proper enclosure for the Cowny.
Meanwhile, Tomas gathered his carpentry tools.
Today, he would begin building the study Noah had requested—
The place where many future plans would be born.
Noah and Amira climbed onto Pinix's back.
At first, the giant bird simply walked leisurely along the narrow trails of Terrania Forest.
The atmosphere was so peaceful that Noah found himself enjoying the cool morning air.
Then he remembered something.
"Pinix."
"Try running."
"We should save some time."
"Kooaaak!"
Pinix responded immediately.
In the blink of an eye, its powerful legs launched it forward through the forest.
Whoooosh!
The wind slammed against Noah's face.
"W-Whoa!"
"You're fast!"
"This is much faster than I expected!"
In front of him, Amira instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.
Her blue hair whipped wildly in the wind as both hands gripped Pinix's feathers with all her strength.
Even Noah nearly lost his balance.
"Good grief..."
"At this rate..."
"We'll reach Araris Village much sooner than I thought."
Pinix continued sprinting without showing the slightest sign of fatigue.
And ahead of them...
The road leading to Araris Village gradually came into view.
By midday, Noah and Amira finally arrived on the outskirts of Araris Village.
Before the village gate came into full view, Noah stopped Pinix behind a dense cluster of trees.
He climbed down first, then helped Amira dismount.
Taking a length of rope, Noah began tying the giant bird to a nearby tree.
Amira watched him with a puzzled expression.
"Mister..."
"Wouldn't Pinix wait for you anyway?"
Noah paused.
"What do you mean?"
"I've heard that animals who are truly loyal to their owners won't run away, even if they aren't tied up."
Noah fell silent for a few seconds.
Only then did he realize.
"...Good grief."
"I'm still thinking like someone from Earth."
He smiled sheepishly.
He untied the rope.
Then gently stroked Pinix's neck.
"Wait for us here."
"Don't go anywhere."
Pinix nodded.
"Kooaaak!"
Noah smiled in satisfaction.
"Good."
"Let's go."
The two of them continued toward Araris Village on foot.
The village gate was bustling with merchants and travelers.
Two guards stepped forward to stop Noah.
"Halt."
"What brings you to Araris Village?"
Noah hesitated.
If I tell them I'm here to sell monster gems...
They might become suspicious.
His eyes drifted toward Amira.
A spur-of-the-moment excuse came to mind.
"I'm here to sell a slave."
Amira instinctively lowered her head.
She knew Noah was only making up an excuse.
Even so...
The words still stung.
The guards merely nodded.
"You may enter."
They passed through the gate without further questions.
Once they were well inside the village, Noah let out a long breath.
"I'm sorry, Amira..."
"I honestly couldn't think of anything else."
They continued along the village's main road.
About fifteen minutes later, Amira suddenly slowed her pace.
"Mister..."
"See that little house over there?"
Noah followed the direction she pointed.
"That's my home."
"Just take a quick look..."
"Don't stare."
"My father is outside."
Noah glanced over only briefly.
A large man sat in front of the wooden house, sharpening a sword.
Without another word, Noah looked away.
Fortunately, the straw hats Tomas had woven helped conceal their faces.
"Amira..."
"What about..."
"Your mother?"
Amira slowly stopped walking.
She lowered her head.
Tears began falling one after another.
Noah quietly guided her into a narrow, empty alley.
"It's all right."
"You can tell me."
Amira bit her lip.
"When Mother helped me escape..."
"...Father killed her."
Her voice trembled.
A moment later, she broke down crying.
Noah stood in silence.
For a long while, he couldn't find the right words.
He gently embraced her.
"So..."
"You've been carrying all of that by yourself."
"Why didn't you ever tell me?"
Amira wiped away her tears.
"I..."
"I thought..."
"No one really cared about me."
Her answer made Noah's chest tighten.
He gently held her shoulders.
"Listen."
"From now on..."
"You're my little sister."
"If something's wrong..."
"Don't carry it alone."
"Tell me."
Amira looked into his eyes for a long moment.
Then slowly nodded.
At that moment, Lucia—still hiding in her Rabiba form on Noah's shoulder—rubbed her little head against Amira's cheek.
A small smile finally returned to the girl's face.
A short while later, they arrived at a large wooden building.
Above the entrance hung a sign.
Gem Trading Center
Noah and Amira stepped inside.
"Good morning."
An elderly blond man with a long beard greeted them from behind the counter.
"Are you an adventurer?"
Noah smiled awkwardly.
"Y-Yes."
"I'd like to sell a few gems."
Thump.
He placed the leather pouch on the counter.
The moment the old man opened it...
His eyes widened.
Without saying a word, he immediately closed the pouch again.
"Not here."
"Come with me."
Noah grew even more confused.
Did I mess something up again?
The old man led them into a small room at the back.
Once the door was shut, he sat across from Noah.
"What's your name?"
"Are you a noble?"
"Or perhaps... someone with a Blessing?"
Noah laughed softly.
"No."
"I'm just an ordinary adventurer."
The old man sighed.
"Then where did you get all these gems?"
"Most ordinary adventurers only manage to bring back white gems."
"And if they find blue ones..."
"It's usually only one or two."
"But you..."
"...have dozens."
Noah quickly came up with an explanation.
Think.
Don't let him grow suspicious.
"I was hunting with a party."
"They all died."
"After it was safe, I collected the gems they left behind."
The old man studied Noah for several moments.
Then slowly nodded.
"Hmm..."
"That makes sense."
"Besides..."
"You certainly don't look like a fighter."
Relief washed over Noah.
Thank goodness...
He bought it.
The old man began counting the gems one by one.
"Very well."
"I'll buy them all."
"You have sixty-two blue gems."
"They're worth..."
"...two hundred Silver Coins each."
Noah simply listened.
He still had no real understanding of the world's economy.
After finishing his calculations, the old man slid a leather pouch across the table.
"The total comes to..."
"...twelve Gold Coins..."
"...and four hundred Silver Coins."
Amira's eyes grew wide.
To her...
That amount of money was something an ordinary villager could hardly imagine possessing.
Noah merely nodded.
My first trade.
No point making things complicated.
He accepted the offer.
As they stepped out of the room, several adventurers had just entered the building.
One of them shouted excitedly,
"Incredible!"
"We got a red gem this time!"
"It sold for five hundred Silver Coins!"
Noah immediately stopped walking.
"...Five hundred?"
"Wait..."
"Weren't mine only bought for two hundred?"
Slowly, he turned around.
The old merchant was still standing behind the counter.
He simply smiled as though nothing had happened.
Noah returned the look with a faint glare.
So... he lowballed me.
The moment they stepped outside, Amira let out an irritated sigh.
"That merchant was so dishonest."
Noah merely chuckled.
"It's fine."
"Let's call it tuition."
"It was my first business deal."
"Besides..."
He lifted the pouch of coins, now pleasantly heavy in his hand.
"We still walked away with something."
He smiled.
"Come on."
"Now it's my turn to keep a promise."
Amira tilted her head.
"A promise?"
"Buying you new clothes."
Amira's face immediately lit up.
They spent the rest of the day exploring the village.
Noah bought several new outfits for Amira.
He also picked out simple clothes for himself.
And of course...
He purchased work clothes for Tomas and Arcer as well.
Several pairs of sturdy shoes were packed into the leather bag Tomas had made.
By the time the sun began sinking toward the horizon, they left the shops looking completely different.
Their clothes were still simple.
But now they were clean.
Neat.
And most importantly...
They no longer looked out of place among the people of Magnora.