The number of people on the street had significantly decreased compared to before, and the surrounding buildings were generally lower and more dilapidated than those seen earlier.
The streets were also narrower.
This area was far from the city center, already reaching a more remote region.
The environment made this clear to Fia.
Because of this, Fia found it hard to believe this was a clinic.
In her impression, a clinic was a place for treating patients, naturally spacious and clean.
However, the two-story stone building in front of her was no different from the nearby houses.
The only distinguishing feature was the open door with the symbol of the Goddess of Life hanging on the door frame—a magical hexagram with a seed-like pattern in the center.
Fia often saw this symbol along the way.
It was present at the temple gates and on the statues in the public square.
It seemed that only places recognized by the temple and serving the public could display such a sign.
“Anastasia, is this really a clinic?” Fia tried to peer inside the door.
With the not-so-bright morning light, she could see there were no beds or similar setups inside, just a few tables and chairs, a counter, and what seemed to be a cabinet for storing herbs.
The unique scent of herbs faintly wafted from inside.
“Yes.
When I first arrived in Aurora City, I scouted the surrounding area.
This is the only clinic nearby.
In the Holy Kingdom of Milcandis, people go to the temple to heal their injuries, so the existence of a clinic is particularly notable, and I had to remember it.”
“I see.”
“But…” As she spoke, Anastasia furrowed her brows, as if seriously contemplating something.
“I remember the owner of this clinic.
Her medical skills are so advanced that even the temple acknowledges her, but I can’t recall her name.”
“Can’t remember the name?” Fia tilted her head.
A similar situation occurred last night when Claire faced the soldiers entering the city.
The commander, who had been healed by Claire, forgot her name.
At the time, Fia didn’t think much of it, assuming it was just because they hadn’t seen each other for a long time.
But now it seemed strange that Anastasia, who had clearly investigated the clinic a few days ago, couldn’t remember that the owner was named Claire.
If Claire had an ordinary appearance, the kind that would be hard to spot in a crowd, it would be understandable.
But Claire was a beautiful girl who could rival Fia herself, and she had a great deal of charm.
Forgetting someone who could easily be called a dream girl was quite difficult.
“Your Highness, we’re already close to the slums. We should be carefu—”
“Open the door! Let us in!”
Just as Fia was about to nod, a rough knocking sound suddenly came from the distant street.
Almost instinctively, Anastasia pushed Fia, and the two of them pressed against the wall, checking the source of the sound.
About twenty armored soldiers were going door to door, breaking into residents’ homes to search.
Fia didn’t need to be told; she knew they were looking for her.
Knowing she had just wiped out a hundred-man squad, yet only sending twenty or so to search now, the Holy Kingdom must have considered them cannon fodder from the start.
They wanted to use them to expose her location and then gather a large force to surround and eliminate her.
How cunning.
Although she could handle it, it was troublesome.
“Wind of Detection.”
Anastasia’s low voice made Fia look up.
Perhaps using some kind of magic, Anastasia’s eyes changed from blue to green.
“Tsk.
They’re all ordinary soldiers, not even reaching the first rank.
Although I can handle them alone, a fight would definitely attract the main force of the knights.
Your Highness, we—”
“Hmm? This aura, could it be little Fia? And the other one is… Anya?”
Before Anastasia could finish speaking, a girl in a dark dress and white shawl, with silver hair cascading like a waterfall, appeared before the two of them.
It was Claire.
Claire’s pure green eyes were full of confusion.
“You—”
Almost instantly, Anastasia placed her hand on the sword at her waist, assuming a combat stance.
However, her eyes were not filled with vigilance but with an emotion akin to fear.
“Anastasia, this is the Claire I mentioned,” Fia said, not noticing the fear in Anastasia’s eyes.
She stood in front of Anastasia, keeping an eye on the soldiers in the distance while quickly explaining to Claire, “Claire, we’ve run into a bit of trouble.
Can we hide here for a while?”
“We can, but…”
Since Fia kept glancing behind her, Claire couldn’t help but look back as well.
Upon seeing the soldiers approaching, Claire blinked, as if understanding something, and her expression became serious.
She stepped aside to let the two of them in.
“I understand.
Come in quickly.”
“Ah, thank you.”
With that, Fia was about to slip into the clinic.
Then she was suddenly pulled back by Anastasia.
“Wait, Your Highness.”
As she spoke, Anastasia discreetly glanced at Claire.
Her usually resolute face showed hesitation, and she gripped Fia’s wrist tightly, ready to pull her behind at any moment.
“Your Highness, this person is very dangerous.
My instincts tell me to stay away from her.”
“Oh my, I have no intention of betraying you.
I’ve never wanted to get involved in the feud between elves and humans.
If I were helping the humans, I should be shouting right now, calling those guards over, shouldn’t I?”
Feeling hurt by Anastasia’s suspicion, Claire widened her eyes, looking genuinely concerned.
“I’m only agreeing because of the one-night stand I had with little Fia.”
A one-night stand? Fia couldn’t help but mentally retort.
Of course, she didn’t mind being teased by a beautiful girl like Claire.
Looks always have a significant impact on first impressions, especially when Claire happened to be the kind of gentle yet outwardly youthful older sister that Fia liked.
“But your presence is more dangerous than the guards.”
“Anastasia, that’s very rude.
If we don’t go in now, it’ll be too late.
Hurry up and get inside.”
Under Fia’s urging, Anastasia hesitated, then nodded as if resigning herself after a long pause.
“I understand, Your Highness.”
“Even though it’s not the first time we’ve met, you’re acting like strangers.
Anya, you’re being too distant.
You two go upstairs; I’ll handle things here.”
After entering, Anastasia seemed to remember something and suddenly stopped, turning back to look at Claire.
“Is there no hidden place to hide?”
“No.
But this is a place recognized and protected by the church.
They wouldn’t dare act recklessly.
Rest assured, since I promised little Fia I would help her when needed, and she hasn’t forgotten me, I will fulfill my promise.”
“…If they break in, I’ll handle it my way.”
Anastasia’s threatening words didn’t scare Claire.
The latter just shrugged without any tension.
“Suit yourself.”
As the guards’ voices grew closer, Anastasia stopped hesitating and followed Claire inside, heading upstairs.
Only the faint, awe-filled voices disappeared into the wind.
“Not only are you not afraid, but you also remember our promise.
The destined child, huh…”
