Chương 15: Above the Sky

South Crystal Dungeon is a famous dungeon for both adventurers and merchants because, like its name, it has many crystals compared to other dungeons. So many high-rank and low-rank adventurers go to South Crystal Dungeon to earn benefits. Also, South Crystal Dungeon is one of the famous spots from Eastern City. Walking on the bridge crossing the deep valley to go towards the Crystal Dungeon, Elsie said.

The bridge was made from crystal material that was shining with dim light. It was a steady bridge fixed in position, not moving by the air currents waving in the valley. Winifred was still holding Elsie's hand. Looking down into the valley while walking on the bridge, it was the deepest thing that Winifred had ever seen.

After crossing the bridge, many groups or parties and people were heading straight to the road going to the south, where the Crystal Dungeon is. There was also a carriage for those who needed it and were ready to pay for it.

"Let's go by carriage," Elsie said, looking towards Winifred.

Elsie looked inside the carriage first. There was no one. After that, Elsie and Winifred sat in the carriage. It was the same type of carriage as before, a carriage connected with a horse.

It was an empty carriage. "We need a private carriage," Elsie said to the man who sat in front of the carriage.

"Okay," the man driving the carriage replied.

"Also, we're in a hurry, so please increase the speed."

After that, the carriage started moving fast towards the South Forest, where the Crystal Dungeon is.

"So you're going to pay all the carriage fees alone?" Winifred asked, looking at Elsie.

"Yes, we need some privacy, that's why," Elsie replied.

Winifred understood that Elsie was up to something she didn't want to show others.

"So how much time does it take to go to the South Crystal Dungeon?" Winifred asked with curiosity.

"With the carriage at normal speed, 3 hours to the South Forest, then after that, 1 hour walking to the Crystal Dungeon inside the forest. Carriages do not go inside the forest because it's dangerous," Elsie replied, looking toward Winifred.

"Winifred," Elsie said, looking towards Winifred with a smile on her face.

"Yes, what is it?" Winifred asked.

"I know our plan was to go shopping first. I also wanted to show you the city, the people, and how things work here. I didn't want to show you fighting monsters on the day after you came, but this is also a good opportunity for you to learn," Elsie said.

"It's okay. I can learn from this, and we can help Luna and the others, so it's a good thing," Winifred replied, understanding Elsie's concern.

"Well, we have time in this carriage, so I can tell you something. So listen carefully, okay," Elsie said.

"Okay," Winifred replied.

After that, Elsie told Winifred about the different human races that exist on the planet. For example, the boy Luke belonged to the elf race, and the other two were human. The snake person you saw in the city was a beast person. There are many races, and they all have different characteristics compared to each other. There are also hybrids, like a child from an elf and a human or a beast person and a human. There are other races too, like demons and demi-humans. Like you saw in the city, the dog ears and tails—they were demi-humans. They have human bodies, but they have ears and tails like animals. Also, don't compare their strength to humans; they are stronger. There are also other unique races I will tell you about later.

An hour later, "You can stop here," Elsie said to the person driving the carriage.

Winifred and Elsie walked out of the carriage. It was an open ground, and there was no one nearby as far as the eyes could see.

After paying for the carriage, Winifred and Elsie waited for the carriage to leave. The carriage went back toward the South Gate, where they came from. Winifred didn't understand why Elsie stopped the carriage in the middle because she said to Luna and the others that she'd bring Leo back before sunset in the eastern mountains.

"Won't he doubt us, hearing what you told me? Don't you think he'd be suspicious about us discussing basic knowledge about races and stopping the carriage in the middle of nowhere? If I were in his position, I'd be suspicious," Winifred asked with curiosity.

"Don't worry. I used a sound spell, so he will never get suspicious. Even if I didn't use the spell and he overheard us, he would never think about someone coming from another world, so don't worry," Elsie said with a smile on her face.

"Oh…" Winifred responded with a little smile.

"Grab my hand," Elsie said while offering her hand to Winifred.

Winifred grabbed Elsie's hand, knowing why she had stopped the carriage in the middle of nowhere.

After that, Winifred and Elsie started going upward into the air.

"We're going much higher than before. Are you ready?" Elsie asked.

Knowing Elsie was trying to hide from people on the ground, Winifred replied, "Yes, I'm ready."

This time Elsie continued flying upward. At one point, they crossed the sky.

As they ascended, Winifred tried to touch the sky. Her heart started beating faster the higher they went, and she stretched out her hand to touch the sky. Winifred couldn't believe her eyes.

Then Elsie stopped high in the sky, where the sky seemed to be beneath them, hiding them from people on the ground.

Looking at Winifred trying to touch the sky, Elsie smiled.

Winifred and Elsie were higher than the clouds. The clouds were beneath them. Looking at the clouds and the beautiful view of the Eastern City through gaps in the clouds, Winifred gazed in every direction.

Breathing heavily, Winifred said, "I've never seen anything like this before."

"Do you like it?" Elsie asked.

"Yes," Winifred replied, her eyes wide and filled with wonder as she tightly grabbed Elsie's hand.

"Let's go," Elsie said.

"Okay," Winifred agreed.

Elsie and Winifred started flying toward the South Forest. Winifred could see bits of the forest through the gaps in the clouds and enjoyed the view.

"I want to learn flying magic, Elsie," Winifred said.

"Yeah, I know. Anyone could tell you want to learn flying magic from the look on your face," Elsie said, smiling.

Hearing what Elsie said, Winifred laughed.

Elsie and Winifred continued flying towards the South Forest. After a while, there were no clouds beneath them. The sky was clear, and they could see the South Forest below.