The Baroness looked towards the direction of the whispering forest; she swore she heard a howl, "That's peculiar wolves howling at this time of day."
Baroness Elowen, Evie, and the maid-nanny, Hetty, we're seated in the Caerwyn carriage. Despite the short distance, poor Evie sat with cheeks pale and lips pursed—looking far more like a seasick sailor than a noble girl dress for an outing.
It was bad enough that baroness insisted she be covered in layers of clothing and wear thick stockings but her father even insisted she wore a frilly hat. At least though she did not have to walk all the way to the town square. She could get used to traveling in uneven roads.
The carriage itself was a modest but lovingly kept craft, built years ago by Baron Edrien himself. He had designed it as his bridal carriage, a gift to fetch home his beloved mage bride. Its wood bore his hand-carved sigils for protection and strength, though time and poverty had left the velvet cushions threadbare and the paint faded.
Hetty, perched dutifully at Evie's side, tilted her head. "My lady, are you quite alright? You do not look so well."
Baroness Elowen frowned, reaching to check her temperature, "I knew this outing was too soon. We should turn back at once—"
"No!" Evie squeaked, nearly leaping out of her seat. She hadn't endured all that jostling only to lose her chance to complete that quest. "I mean—maybe if we opened the window, Mama? Just a little?"
"Alright, but only if you hold on to me or else you'll fall" Baroness Elowen instructed.
And so Evie was allowed to watch out the carriage door . Her mother holding to her as though she could be carried away by the wind.
Evie could see they were getting closer to the town square as a modest yet vibrant scene unfolded before her. The cobbled stones were uneven, patched by the villagers' own hands, but every corner buzzed with life. Children dashed between stalls, chasing hoops and ribbons, their laughter rising over the noise. Vendors called out, offering little wares; thin skewers of dried meat, baskets of tough root vegetables, oat-stretched loaves of bread, and chipped pottery glazed in cheerful colors.
The Baron's guards walked the square with quiet pride. Their armor was mismatched and worn, yet they were welcomed with nods, hearty pats on the back, and small gifts of food—a half-roll of bread, a slice of dried apple. The townsfolk had little to spare, but they gave anyway. The guards' presence was not heavy or harsh, but steady and reassuring, like trusted guardians keeping watch.
Adventurers streamed through in groups, their boots muddy, cloaks frayed, and weapons scarred by battle. Their packs clinked with monster horns, cracked fangs, and dimly glowing crystals. Some haggled with smiths or traded for coarse bread, while others leaned on stalls, laughing and boasting loudly, their voices filling the square with rough cheer.
It was no grand capital square of marble and gold. But in its modest way, it lived—peaceful, bustling, held together by grit, laughter, and the stubborn hope of a people who endured even in scarcity.
And to Evie, after years trapped behind manor gates, it was the most dazzling sight in the world.
Outside, whispers followed their procession like ripples on a pond.
"Look, it's lady Elowen's carriage!"
"The Baron's riding alongside on horseback!"
"Saints, those twins—aren't they the most handsome lads - they certainly took after the Baroness don't they?"
"The older one has a scar on his left cheek - I heard he got it fighting of a Goblin king when he was just five years old.!"
"I heard the younger one has been invited to showcase his magic at the Imperial mage tower!"
"Truly?"
"They are both to go to the Imperial Academy come next spring. The Baron was gushing about it the other day at the Guild Hall!"
"Of course! I would be surprised in they weren't invited - the Baroness after all was a top mage and the Baron a legendary Tank in his adventuring days."
The twins perched on either side of the stablemaster, Smead, who was driving the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Evie's lips curved into a mischievous smile. She might have looked pale moments ago, but now her little heart thumped with anticipation.
"My lady, we've arrived," Smead softly announced.
At that very moment —
[ System Notification ]
🌟 Quest [Completed]: Go to the Town Square.
Condition: Reach the Town Square
Reward: [Unlocked] System Purse
Evie gasped softly, sapphire eyes shining as her fingers curled with delight. "At last! I've done it!"
"Evie," lady Elowen said firmly, though her lips twitched with amusement. "Remember—you must stay by Hetty and your brothers at all times. Smead will remain with the carriage. If you get lost, return here or ask a knight to escort you back to the fountain square. Understood?"
"Yes, Mama!" Evie chirped, bouncing on her toes.
"And remember do not go beyond the inner wall!" baroness Elowen reminded.
Then she tilted her head, "I won't mother - But... aren't you going with me around the town square mama?"
"No I need to check on a few urgent matters I'm afraid. But you will have Hetty and your brothers with you."
"My wife, we've arrived!" Baron Edrien declared as he opened the carriage door, offering his hand gallantly to his wife. "Shall we take a stroll together?"
"A stroll?" lady Elowen arched a brow, slipping her hand into his but narrowing her eyes all the same. "You think I asked you to come my Lord because we're going on an outing?"
"Well - I mean it's rare for Evie to come out and about let's stroll around the square together!" Baron Edrien backed away a little, shrinking from his wife's gaze. She was angry about something and He couldn't tell.
"We are not here for leisure my lord. First, we'll stop by the Guild Headquarters to check the reports - which you failed to do. Then we'll oversee the restoration at the eastern gate - which you have forgotten. And afterward I want to see the granary myself and speak to the tenant farmers— which you did not want to do" She began ticking tasks off in her head, her voice brisk.
"But, my wife..." Edrien's voice softened into a playful whine. "I wanted to stay with Evie, walk with her through the stalls—"
"I'm sorry—did I mistake you for MY HUSBAND the dependable Baron of Caerwyn?" Elowen cut in, crossing her arms and sweeping past him with a regal huff. "If you are not, I guess I must go look for my husband. Good day!"
"My wife, wait!" he pleaded, watching lady Elowen trail off in angry huff.
"Papa, you made Mama angry. I think you should go after her," Evie teased.
He bent down to press a coin into Evie's palm. "Here, something from Papa. Don't spend it in one store my sweet girl!" then he ran after his wife like a large scolded pup.
Evie gasped, staring at the silver coin in her hands.
Just then the system prompted:
[ System Notification ]
🌟 New Quest: Purchase a Town Item
Condition: Purchase 1 (one) Item from the town square
Reward: Unlock System Store
"I still haven't opened the reward from earlier..." Evie whispered, her finger hovering over the glowing [Town Square Quest] prompt. Just one tap and—
"My lady? What are you pointing at, is it the blue miasma again?" Hetty's eyes went wide, her hands already twitching as if to grab for healing water, a hocus-pocus mix the guild and temple prepared. The Baroness entrusted Hetty to carry it around for Evie's condition as if it was her inhaler.
Evie jolted as if she was caught doing something naughty. "No! Nothing at all!" She waved her hand dramatically, dismissing the screen.
Every time she'd tried to explain the System to anyone at the manor, they all thought she was cursed, or touched by dungeon miasma. So she kept the system a secret from them. The last thing she needed was another round of healers and doctors poking her like a frog in a jar.
"Just—ah, wow! Papa gave me such a shiny coin!" she quickly pretended to admire the coin.
Hetty squinted, unconvinced but the twins poke their heads in the carriage.
Perfect timing Evie thought.
"Sweet!" Eleur's eyes widened, practically bouncing. "Father gave you pocket money!"
"You can buy so many skewers with that" Elsan said, already plotting.
"And even a cute ribbon for your hair or a hat." Eleur suggested.
"Alright let's go! I want to go look at all the stalls!" Evie said running away from Hetty's suspicious stare.
"Evie, look, look! Over here!" Eleur tugged her sleeve, pointing at a squat little stall made of patched wood and cloth. "These meat skewers are only one copper coin!"
Evie bought a few in a bundle and shared them with her brothers and Hetty. The nice shop keeper gave her a few extra. The jerky was leathery at first bite, but once softened, the smoky flavor bloomed on the tongue—salty, rich, with a faint sweetness that clung to the teeth. It was the kind of snack that made you chew and chew until the fire-kissed taste sunk deep, stubborn and satisfying.
"It's so chewy!" Evie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling - finally she was eating meat, a luxury after weeks of thin rice gruel during her convalescence. She held out a strip to Elsan, who eyed it warily, as though unsure whether he was about to enjoy a snack or crack a tooth.
[ System Notification ]
🌟Quest [Completed]: Purchase a Town Item
Condition: Purchase 1 (One) Item from the Town Square
Reward: [Unlocked] System Store
Evie screamed happily on the inside, she was able to complete two quests in one day. She was excited to open the rewards once she has a chance. But first, Evie was set on shopping and stretching her silver coin.
And so the twins dragged her from one stall to another.
"Look at these ribbons Evie this one matches your dress." Elsan showed her a stall was draped with bolts of coarse linen and faded wool but at its center fluttered a few strips of ribbon. It was soft, with a beautiful sheen.
"Don't forget the sweets, Evie!" Eleur pointed toward a tiny stall stacked with jars and inside glimmered preserved fruits—slices of apple and berries, sugared and dried until they sparkled faintly in the light.
"Look, Evie! Wooden whistles shaped like a wolf—only one copper coin!" Elsan pointed, a shrill note squealing from the craftsman's lips.
"No, no—over here!" Eleur tugged her sleeve, towards a store selling a beautiful feathered pen "You'll be using a pen soon - the teacher said you write so well he'll graduate you early to writing in pens!"
As they went about their merry way, the twins trotted behind their sister, each carrying bundles of her purchases—ribbons, sweets, biscuits, tea, a vial of ilang-ilang tonic, and a bar of sampaguita-scented soap and still trying to outdo each other with the next "perfect find."
Although she couldn't afford any true adventurer's gear with her remaining coin, Evie lingered at the stalls in awe. Gleaming swords lay in neat rows in one stall and sturdy shields shone with fresh lacquer on another. There were Wands carved from all types of wood and metal glimmered faintly at the tips with different colored stones. There were various adventurer clothes being tinkered by craftsmen, some displayed leather, a few hammering armors and helms and there were those enchanting cloaks and attaching runes.
Evie was looking at a stall that had Glass vials of potions lined the tables like jewels, glowing faintly in blues, reds, greens and a deep purple, when she smelled it - a familiar, sweet, and warm. "Ooh... could it be?"
Evie turned, eyes widening at a stall where neat bundles of white sticky rice were wrapped in glossy banana leaves. Beside them, a jar brimmed with coarse brown sugar and some fried meat cut into small-almost granular size.
The vendor, a cheerful woman with steam still clinging to her cheeks, opened a woven steamer to add another batch of ibos, the fragrant heat spilling into the air. She plucked one bundle out and split it open, revealing the soft, glistening rice inside.
"Would you like some ibos? Three copper coin for two, my lady," she said brightly. "You can either have it with some sugar to make it sweet or meat crisps to make it savory."
Evie's mouth watered as she leaned closer. "I want ten savory and ten sweets please!"
"Hey don't you think that's a little too much." Eleur tried to reason.
Elsan added "You can't finish all of that."
"Of course I can't, this is for all of us back at the manor! We can have cook cut them up and share it for dessert!" she said happily receiving her purchase.
"Allow me, my lady," Hetty offered, taking the bundle with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Hetty... I feel like I'm all done for the day," Evie sighed, a little weary from the bustle and more people has started to pour in the town square.
"Then shall we return to the manor?" Hetty asked, offering her hand.
"Yes, please." Evie said eager to return home to not only the delicious snacks they've brought but to finally get a moment to open her System. She will sneak out of her room and find time to go to east woods of the manor. She did not realize then that the system has sent out another notification.
[ System Notification ]
🌟New Quest: Meet the World's Hero
Condition: Bump into the World's Hero
Reward: Unlock Rebate System
When Evie later opens her system she will truly be surprise.