[center][h2]Ortusian Wilderness[/h2][/center]

[center][@Xaltwind][/center]

[quote=Vanessa][color=lightblue]"I don't have any money on me, mind you. But how about this mana crystal? Would you be interested in trading goods, Miss Merchant?"[/color][/quote]

Neither Iskah nor Rie were particularly amused at Vanessa's choice of storage. The latter, however, changed moods when the Dark Mage presented her with an azure jewel known as a mana crystal.

Rie's eyes sparkled as she beheld the gem. Her hands moved to grasp it, but stopped short of her own volition. Money-hungry as she may be, she will not take anything that was not given to her. "[color=coral]Oooh! You got yourself a deal, Miss Vanessa![/color]" Rie said, never taking her eyes off the mana crystal. "[color=coral]To answer your earlier question, Zipanguese magic ain't all that different from magic here in the continent. However, we do have something called 'ofuda'; slips of paper with a marking or markings on them. These markings imbue the paper with magical properties. From simple magics like turning the paper into a fireball when thrown to sealing magic when the paper is affixed to something.[/color]"

The Gyoubu Danuki then handed a stack of ten of these 'ofuda' to Vanessa. "[color=coral]I can give you these for your mana crystal. These ofuda are pretty basic and just need to be thrown. But there's some good spells in here like those fireballs I mentioned and some make flashes of light amongst others.[/color]"

[quote=Vanessa][color=lightblue]"Don't worry. I told you I'd help you get your man, and I've every intention of doing just that. I really don't like breaking agreements after all."[/color][/quote]

Iskah smiled at Vanessa's attempt at reassurance. "...Thanks. I'm sure with the two of us, we can get Aun out of there." But then the smile turned mischievous. "Just don't attempt to steal Aun from me in the meanwhile, okay?"

Rie laughed at the exchange and also spoke up. "[color=coral]I'd help too, but I've got a business to run. However, if you need something for your mission, just come find me in the capital and I'll see if I can sell it to you for a fair price.[/color]" The tanuki monster declared with a grin.

"[color=coral]You know what? Since we're all going to the capital anyway, why don't we all head there together?[/color]" Rie offered. It would certainly make the trip livelier, but would also take more time considering Rie's cart full of wares.

"I certainly wouldn't mind." Iskah surprisingly said. "With Rie's cart, it probably will only take two or three days for us to reach the capital from here." The Lizardman and the Gyoubu Danuki then looked to Vanessa for her opinion on the matter.