Two girls wearing gray cloaks were walking with their heads down on the street.
Due to the loud noise before dawn and the purple crescent moon covering the sky, most of the residents of Aurora City woke up from their deep sleep.
Countless people stepped out of their homes, craning their necks to look in the direction of the sound, discussing what had happened in the city.
This gave Fia and Anastasia an opportunity.
The people blocked the streets, hindering the guards’ actions, and also provided cover for themselves, allowing the two to easily weave through the crowd without worrying about being stopped at any moment.
“It looks exactly like the medieval times.” Fia quietly observed the people on the street, feeling no sense of urgency in their escape.
Although she had been in this other world for several days, this was her first time closely observing the city’s residents.
Most people in the city wore dirty summer shorts and shirts, with patches being a common sight.
Their skin was rough, indicating they often engaged in heavy labor, resembling medieval farmers except for the lack of headscarves—people in this world didn’t have the habit of wearing them.
Additionally, each household had quite a few children, with at least three kids per family.
Fia even saw a family with nine children gathered around their parents.
Polygamy was also common in this world, but only among well-dressed men.
They often had two or three wives or concubines in long dresses by their side, and their children were dressed more neatly, unlike the children of ordinary families who only had a piece of cloth wrapped around them as clothing.
The wealth gap was particularly evident among these children.
The children of wealthy families had rosy cheeks and could enjoy bread while standing on the street with their parents, while the children of ordinary families were thin and could only watch the wealthy children enjoy clean bread.
As for the city itself, the streets were wide enough to accommodate three carriages side by side, and some vendors were preparing their stalls by the roadside.
Occasionally, villagers from surrounding villages carrying crops and game could be seen on the street.
Fia could tell they were villagers because of the difference in attire and demeanor compared to the city’s residents.
It was certain that if it weren’t for the explosion earlier, in an hour, this place would become a bustling street filled with the sounds of vendors and carriages.
“Medieval times?” Perhaps because they hadn’t seen any guards on the street, Anastasia was no longer as tense as she was at the beginning.
She slowed her pace and, like Fia, observed the residents of Aurora City on the street.
“Yes, it’s a period in history.
As it develops further, knights in armor will be replaced by gunpowder and firearms.”
“Gunpowder? Firearms?” Anastasia’s lively blue eyes revealed confusion.
Could it be that this world hasn’t even seen black powder and firearms? No, since it’s a world based on magic, ordinary black powder and firearms would seem as weak as toys in people’s eyes.
After all, even she, who had just arrived in this other world, could throw out magic with power comparable to a nuclear explosion with her bare hands.
It’s no wonder black powder and firearms would seem insignificant.
Fia couldn’t help but think of the gray owl she encountered when she first entered the great forest.
With those wind blades covering the sky, it was hard to imagine people would be interested in dirty firearms with strict manufacturing requirements.
This is what they call a different technology tree.
It’s not an uncommon sight.
Fia had even seen civilizations that had developed interstellar travel technology but were still at a medieval level in other technological aspects.
When the number of civilizations reaches a certain level, it’s not surprising to see all sorts of strange things.
Fia further explained to Anastasia, “Firearms are a type of tubular weapon that can shoot bullets from a long distance—shoot arrows, allowing for a one-hit kill.”
“Wouldn’t it be more convenient to just use crossbows and bows?”
“Although that’s true, bows and arrows require strength from the user, and their lethality, range, and firing speed are limited.
Firearms far exceed them in efficiency, whether in terms of killing efficiency or the efficiency of learning and mastering their use.”
Forming a team of archers requires selecting skilled individuals from countless soldiers, with both strength and temperament being essential.
After selecting people, a lot of time and money must be invested in long-term training.
However, firearms only require short-term training, and even children can cause harm to adults.
Anastasia began to think with her head down.
“A tubular thing that shoots arrows, with high killing efficiency.
Are you referring to fire staffs or thunder staffs? But they are magic staffs.”
“Well, if there’s a chance, I’ll let you see them, Anastasia.” She didn’t know what the fire staffs and thunder staffs Anastasia mentioned were, but judging by the names, they must be very magical items. The conversation fell into silence.
Fia quietly glanced at Anastasia walking beside her, protecting her on the inside.
Due to the recent battle, Anastasia’s expression, partially hidden by a few strands of golden hair, looked slightly tired.
Although Anastasia hadn’t said anything, Fia could feel from Anastasia’s silence that she was feeling guilty and self-reproachful.
The reason was, of course, her poor command.
She failed to realize that the news of the royal family being held in Aurora City was false information deliberately released by the Holy Nation, leading the elven princess into a trap.
If she were in Anastasia’s position, she would also feel guilty and ashamed to face the elven princess.
Moreover, Anastasia had done her best, which was evident, so Fia had no intention of blaming Anastasia.
Maybe she should say something to ease the awkward atmosphere.
Fia withdrew her gaze, pretending not to see the despondency on Anastasia’s face.
“These pieces of knowledge shouldn’t belong to the elven princess’s memory, right?”
“Ah… yes.
I’ve never heard of these things.
If this weapon called firearms is as powerful as you say, perhaps the extra memories you have are more beneficial than harmful to us.” Even saying this, Anastasia didn’t seem to feel any discord.
Fia couldn’t help but admire Anastasia’s ability to accept things.
Normally, at this point, Anastasia should be questioning her identity.
Of course, this was just Fia’s private complaint, with no other meaning.
After last night, she no longer worried about her identity.
She was the elven princess, and the elven princess was her.
After a moment of silence, Anastasia seemed to find it difficult to speak, biting her lip as she opened her mouth.
Her usually determined face showed shame, making her unable to look Fia in the eye.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.
If I had thought more thoroughly, you would be safely out of Aurora City by now.”
“Anastasia, I never blamed you.
No one can guarantee they won’t make mistakes, especially when we’re in enemy territory.
It’s already difficult for you to remain calm.” Fia’s forgiveness made Anastasia’s cheeks flush, but it was not an ambiguous blush; it was a strong sense of guilt, which also made Anastasia’s tone intense.
“But I made mistakes not just once, but twice in the same battle.
First, I failed to protect you under the unsinkable moon, and now I’ve exposed you to danger for a royal family whose name I don’t even know! I have no face to face you.
Do I really deserve to stay by your side?” Her words were filled with doubt, but the doubt was not directed at Fia; it was directed at Anastasia herself.
Fia couldn’t help but be taken aback.
Ah… this is troublesome.
Is it a role reversal? Last night, Anastasia comforted her, and now it’s her turn to comfort Anastasia.
Fia couldn’t help but smile wryly.
