Celia couldn't shake a persistent feeling of unease.
Nearly every person they passed on the street turned to look at her, making her intensely uncomfortable, as if she were completely exposed to public scrutiny.
Based on her previous understanding, these humans should have pounced on her like madmen, locking her in a cage upon sight...
Yet now, with hunters clearly all around, she remained unharmed. Everything depended entirely on the powerful presence of her husband beside her, protecting her.
Even so, waves of anxiety kept rising.
Celia could only press her petite frame closer, wrapping herself tightly around the man's dangling arm, desperately seeking a sense of security.
Unconsciously... his arm...
She didn't pay it much mind... she was already used to it.
Anyway, Liam liked it.
Truth be told, when alone, Celia had sometimes been unable to suppress her curiosity.
She'd been in her husband's room, just... without the man present, that kind of mindset.
But for some reason, Liam...
"Lord Liam."
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, her eyes fixed intently on his steadily moving feet.
"Hmm?"
A slight smile touched Liam's lips as he glanced at the girl beside him—clinging to his arm like a warm, affectionate octopus.
If this were a month ago, this elven girl would never have dared such intimate behavior.
"N-nothing... It's nothing, really..."
She didn't know why she had called out his name; she just felt like it.
Oh, right.
Celia thought of something else, her moist eyes instantly sparkling like stars.
She quickly looked up and asked curiously, "Lord Liam, have you ever seen a goblin?"
Since adventurers existed in this world, there must be goblins too, right?
"Yes."
"You've always stayed with the elves, never ventured out. How do you know about goblins?"
"Ah... I-I just heard about them."
Celia brushed it off vaguely, but inwardly she was excited and quickly followed up, "Then, Lord Liam, if you defeat goblins, can you level up?"
"Goblins are low-level monsters. Killing them might offer some minor benefit for a low-tier elf like you."
"Why? Are you so interested in goblins? Do you... like them?"
"No, I don't like them! I just think... they're interesting?"
"If you're interested, and since we still have time, I can take you to see some this afternoon."
"But for now, it's already noon. I need to get you something to eat first, little one."
"Really?Thank you, Lord Liam!"
"Mm."
Liam's gaze remained profound, fixed straight ahead.
They walked on like this for a while, shops lining the street passing by one after another.
When they passed an establishment bearing an emblem of a "Sword and Tankard," with the words "Adventurer's Guild" prominently displayed above it...
Seeing this sign, Celia, who had harbored dreams of conquering the world since childhood, felt a stir.
Like a child who had never been shopping before, she stopped and gently tugged at the man's sleeve.
"Adventurers..."
She knew there were many adventurers in this world, like the ones she'd seen earlier by the gate.
But she had been too terrified to pay them any mind then.
Now, with the Adventurer's Guild right before her eyes, a surge of novelty washed over Celia.
She couldn't help but want to try being an adventurer for fun, just like the protagonists in those stories...
The idea churned within her.
She wanted to ask Liam, but the words reached her lips only to be swallowed back.
After all, they were just out shopping.
Making such a request seemed far too childish.
Moreover, her status in the human world probably wasn't suitable for it...
Liam felt the girl's movement beside him.
He turned and followed her gaze to the Adventurer's Guild sign.
The sunlight was intensely bright and glaring, utterly different from the deep, bone-chilling coolness of the forest.
The stone bricks underfoot were scorching hot, almost burning to the touch.
Before she could look for more than a moment,a peddler carrying a bamboo basket approached them.
He had half his face covered with a black cloth, as if afraid to be seen.
The peddler's gaze was identical to the young adventurer's from before, quickly settling on Celia, lingering particularly on the elven girl's pale, clean neck.
He offered an ingratiating smile and said, "Your Excellency, your pet is truly beautiful."
Liam glanced at him, frowned, but still gave a low grunt of acknowledgment.
"Uh... pardon me. Judging by your attire, you must be new to this country?"
He paused, then piled on the smile to explain, "It's like this, Your Excellency."
"Here, keeping a pet requires the pet to wear a floral wreath by regulation. Otherwise... you might be stopped by the city patrol."
As the peddler spoke, Celia bristled.
She was Liam's beloved little wife!
How could she possibly be just... a pet in human terms?
And having to wear a floral wreath or something... how could that be?
Though a little scared,
Celia trusted her husband. Based on his actions when they entered the city, he would absolutely never allow her to be treated as a pet.
He'd probably knock the other person down again... and take their money.
"Fine. I'll take one."
What?
Celia tugged hard on the man's arm, her face flushing with upset, her eyes glaring at him with a hint of resentment.
Incredible! He actually agreed?
Liam let out a soft hum, his smile laden with meaning.
"Give me the smallest, lightest one. Take the appropriate amount of money yourself."
As he spoke, Liam retrieved the money pouch from his ring and tossed it casually to the other man.
The peddler, having never seen such a manner, flinched and hurriedly reached to catch it.
The pouch felt almost hot in his hands; he dared only to hold it gently.
—Even a novice adventurer just starting out, earning money solely by hunting goblins, lived a life far more comfortable than an ordinary peddler.
"Your Excellency, uh... may I look first?"
The peddler bent down, his gaze once again falling on the timid and fearful Celia, lingering on her neck for a moment.
He hesitantly stroked his chin.
Celia didn't dare breathe heavily, clutching her husband's arm even tighter, her eyes growing moist.
This was so unfair...
"Such a delicate little face. Being with you, Your Excellency, must be the best choice for her."
The peddler smiled obsequiously.
"For a pet as petite as yours, I'd recommend a lighter, cuter style. Let me get one out to show you."
He smiled, squatted down, placed the bamboo basket behind him, and rummaged through it with his head buried inside.
Shortly after, he produced a floral wreath.
This wreath was different from the ones forced upon imprisoned slaves.
It looked much more delicate, with a pink bow tied onto the vine.
"Your Excellency, will this do?"