After that fateful conversation, the red haired man departed to the capital.

Elise finally cooperated with the doctors and slowly recovered. While doing so, she became friendly with the nurses and doctors of the Riverfort Hospital. They also taught her how to read and write, as they are well aware that Elise had no basic knowledge to survive.

She was practically ‘adopted and raised’ by the nurses and doctors, teaching her the most basic knowledge that she should have known at her age. Upon her insisting, they gave her a job as an assistant to the herb keeper, making sure that the herbs are growing and maintained. She learned from the herb keeper about how to plant and take care of these herbs as well as how to harvest them.

Her days of happily learning new things and seeing the herb garden made her feel the safest. After living for twenty years in darkness she finally met warmth and genuine people who will never hurt her.

She soon became a cheerful and happy-go-lucky young lady. With an environment this warm and forgiving, this gentle and safe, she learned how to smile, joke with other people, play pranks and even sneak out of the Riverfort Hospital.

This was her life for four years until the festival when she had a fateful night with that silver haired man.

After knowing the fact that she was pregnant, she thought of aborting the child. However, when she contemplated, she felt so guilty about what she did that she was too shameful to face the Riverfort crew.

She also feared that the silver haired man would hunt her for ‘taking advantage’ of him. She just left a note indicating her thanks for their care and affection in all these years and that she wanted to know what is the world beyond their town. And so she fled in disguise to the southernmost area of the Seirende Empire called Mystic Woods, where she soon met her demise.

Letting out a sigh, Eli stopped thinking about these matters as she felt that even her Little Han was affected by her reminiscing of Elise’s life.

One thing is for sure, the only man Elise got ‘pseudo romantically’ involved with was that man with silver hair. All the men Elise met after she was saved by the red haired man were the doctors in that hospital and the acquaintances she interacted with during her fleeing from town to town.

As far as Eli is concerned, she has to stay away from the things that may lead her to the enemy, especially now that she is almost approaching her labor date.

“Anyways!!!” Eli yelled to reset her mood and thinking. She gently slapped her cheeks as if cheering herself up. Then she called Wisey and Baobao.

“We shall go to town!!” She cheerfully said.

“We?” Asked Baobao, titling his furry black and white head while his paw confusedly points at his chubby face.

“Yes, Baobao!! I got you a disguise item the last day I bought papers in Silvertown!” Now you can go with us without alerting anyone. Only you, Wisey and Grandpa Andi knew about this so still, be careful when we go there!” With a twinkle in her eyes, she explained while giving Baobao a collar with spell inscriptions.

“This will allow you to be seen as a regular bear familiar! It may be uncomfortable to wear for you the first time, but I hope you can put up with this first until I can open my caster path and use a veil spell on you instead.” She gently ruffled Baobao’s fur.

“Look, even Wisey has one too!” She pointed at Wisey. On her feet was also a tiny collar subtly blending on her feathers.

“Noo this!! Thank you!!!” Baobao was rather happy that he would no longer be lonely whenever the two went to town! “Finally I can go with you two wherever!!!”

He excitedly threw his precious carrot snack and ran forward to reach the item. He lifted the collar up to the ceiling with his black paws and waved it happily until he adorably fell backwards.

The room was filled with warm chuckles over Baobao’s silliness.

—

The walk towards Silvertown is rather cheerful.

Eli couldn’t get enough of the beauty of the SilverDew forest. It was springtime in Prasinos, the forest canopy and plants all over the forest were vibrantly green. Little sparkles of shiny silver dew subtly drops from the healthy herbs and plants. The tree trunks stood tall and sturdy while the gentle sunlight glistened through the moist ground. The wild rabbits and deers were happily hopping and roaming around peacefully. Eli enjoyed the journey through the forest while listening to Wisey answer her curious questions from time to time.

According to Wisey, the inner section of the forest is spring all year round. However, their dwelling is located in the outer section of the forest where the density of earth element magic is lesser. Thus the outer section still has four seasons, but their intensity is lessened by the nature of the Silverdew forest. This means that if the snow is heavy on Silvertown, it will look like a normal snowfall in Eli’s dwelling. If the summer is extremely hot, it will be a lot cooler in their location.

How nice it is for Eli, she gets to finally witness the winter snow and the beauty of fall, and she will finally witness a ‘gentle’ summer! What can she do? She previously lived in one of the most humid tropical countries in the world.

They finally entered the ever bustling Silvertown.

On the sidewalk there was a pregnant woman, clad in a light cream colored cloak. Her hair was tied in a simple manner while her eyes were gray. Her face is gentle looking as she exudes a vibe of a loving expectant mother. On her shoulder, rest a tiny parrot with bright yellow feathers that are so striking. They mounted a huge brown bear that looked gentle and huggable with his fuzzy fur. This trio is none other than Eli, Wisey and Baobao in their disguised form.

Staring at the busy townspeople, Baobao was nervous. He was a solitary animal. All his life, he lived in the forest and only interacted when someone wanted to harm him or his master. He cautiously walked along the sidewalk still on high alert.

However, he suddenly felt a warm hand gently giving him a rub. ‘Yes right, I’m with my buddy and my master, there’s no need to be cautious.’ Not all people in the world are out to harm his master. So he decided to relax and give her master a peaceful journey.

Having a mount in town is rather an ordinary sight to the Silvertown residents; their town is popular to mages, researchers and hunters permitted to explore Silver Dew forest. Hence, as long as Baobao wears the collar, no peculiar thing is bound to happen.

Their first destination is, of course, the Argentum Shop! Eli couldn’t wait to see the order she placed with Grandpa Andi! Eli felt so excited that she felt her heartbeat fast.

It was a space bag!!!

Grandpa Andi told her that there was an item that can allow her to put her goods in a small pouch and carry it wherever she goes without the heaviness and bulkiness. She asked him for how long she had to wait for her to purchase such. Fortunately, Grandpa Andi’s friend is about to visit in town and will be staying here for a vacation. He asked his friend to take a quick visit to the Seirende headquarters and get a stock of the space bag. She was immediately notified by a messenger hawk upon the arrival of the item.

Today is the day!!!

Finally, gone is her dilemma to limit her purchase every time she goes around town. Now she can shop all she wants! She is filthy rich! She has 24 million Shinies in her crystal card. But what use are these millions if she couldn’t buy what she wanted just because she couldn’t carry it all home?

“This time we’re gonna shop until we drop!” Eli said with a mischievous smile on her face as she gently dismounted from Baobao’s comfortable back.

Standing at the sidewalk near Argentum’s entrance, she took a quick glance at Baobao and gave him a nod.

Immediately Baobao shrunk into a medium sized teddy bear.

“Cutie!!!” Eli shouted in adoration as she pinched Teddy Bao’s cheek. Her cuddling of Baobao stayed for a good few minutes. She never even noticed the passerby’s gazes and her two companions bickering. She almost forgot that they are in town with the intent to shop for the items she need and not to cuddle Teddy Bao.

“Pfft” Wisey let out a cackle. Then she mentally sent Baobao a mocking message, “Yo buddy, where’s my fierce valiant Baobao now?! You look like a toy! Bwahahahaha”

Baobao glared at Wisey. Oh how he wants to catch this smarty pant bird and fry her in the kitchen. “Wait until we come back, I’ll fry you crispy!” He retorted.

Wisey gave another mocking look and told Teddy Bao, “Oho? Try it, Teddy Bao! Can you even reach me now?”

“Make sure you fly from the moment we enter Silver Dew, or else, see this paw? It will surely catch you and deep fry you for master’s dinner!” Baobao sent another glare while raising his cute teddy paw.

“Ooooohhh how terrifying that ‘teddy paw’ is!!! Aaack I’m so afraid~~~” Wisey stretched her wings and gracefully placed it in front of her break, like a noble lady laughing at a person she was ridiculing.

Oblivious to the bickering of the two familiars, Eli reached out her hand towards Baobao.. In response, Baobao raised his paw and let Eli hold it as they entered the Argentum.