As the sun sets, the chirping of various animals comes and goes, and in the distance there is the sound of the ship's bells and the shouts of the crew. From time to time, horse-drawn carriages passed by Ness and Rui and hurried to the harbor ahead. Some of the do-gooders whistled flirtatiously at the two, Ness blushed and bowed her head, and Rui was nonchalantly unimpressed.

"The more embarrassed you are, the more energetic they are. Rui said dismissively, his eyes still looking ahead.

"If Fern was here, they wouldn't have dared to do that. Ness pursed her lips, her tone a little frustrated.

"You'll have to get used to Fern not being with you, he's just a mercenary after all, and I don't know what happened to him now. Rui's tone didn't change in the slightest.

"Fern's going to be fine, he's good at swordsmanship, and ......," Ness was anxious, "he hasn't gotten paid from me yet." ”

"Then he has to have the ability to take it. The corners of Rui's mouth rose slightly, "Besides, not every mercenary accepts the commission for the sake of money, as you think." ”

"Isn't it?, how many mercenaries are there who aren't in it for money?" asked Ness, curious.

"I can't say, but at least ......" Rui looked back at Ness, "Fern isn't. ”

Ness didn't know how to answer, she still hoped in her heart that what Rui said was true, but she didn't know whether to believe her or not, so she simply diverted the topic. "It's so damp in this swamp, it's sticky and uncomfortable, and you must take a shower when you get to the wet harbor. ”

"It's coming soon. Rui spoke in the same tone as usual.

Wet Harbor, as its name suggests, is soaked in humid air and seems to smell musty from everything. The warm air currents blowing from the White River and the humid conditions of the Black Marsh create the year-round nature of the wet port, making it the only ice-free port in north-central Wallis.

Cargo was transported along the White River between the north and the south, and the wet port served as a transit point for the overland route to Canrito and many other north-central Walliss, as well as a stopover for fleets and travelers. Crews and travelers from all over the harbor fill the harbor, communicating with each other in a lingua franca with a variety of accents.

Ness and Ray groped their way to the Swamp Rose Inn, where they were swept by countless ill-intentioned glances along the way, and some drunkards leaned on the two of them with the strength of their alcohol, and Ness even vowed never to come here again.

The innkeeper was a chubby, middle-aged man, but he was very light in his running. "Is there anything I can do, two beautiful ladies? I'm the boss here, Joseph. ”

"We needed to stay here for a few days waiting for a friend. Rui said coldly.

"I'm sorry for both of you. Joseph spread his hands, "As you can see, there have been so many people here lately, and I really don't have a room here." ”

Rui looked at Joseph noncommittally. "Why are there so many people here lately?"

Joseph looked helpless. "Isn't it because of Canrito? It's a necessary place to go to Canrito by water in the north, and many people arrive here to learn that Canrito is blocked, and they don't want to go back, so they have to stay here. ”

"Damn, it's Canrito's trouble again......" Rui muttered in a low, angry voice.

"Do you know what happened to Canreto?" Joseph's eyes rolled twice. "These people who don't know what to do next, but they're willing to pay a lot of money in exchange for some useful information, if you're willing to cooperate with me......"

Ray interrupted Joseph, "Sorry, we're not interested!" She looked at Joseph's open mouth, and a feeling of disdain rose from within. "There really isn't a room?"

Before Joseph could reply, Ness rushed to the side and said, "Boss, we also waited for him at your place because our friend repeatedly told us to wait for him, otherwise we would have gone to another hotel." ”

Joseph, a little annoyed by Ray's refusal, was impatiently grimacing, and when he heard Ness say this, he tilted his head to look at Ness. "What's your friend's name?"

"Fern, Fern Woodrow. Ness uttered Fern's name word for word.

"It's this guy, ......" The innkeeper frowned, as if he was engaged in a psychological struggle, "Okay, count me unlucky, help him again." Joseph called out to one of the maids who was sweeping the floor, "Come, child, and take them to the room on the south side of the second floor." ”

"But, sir, that room ......"

The maid was about to say something when Joseph interrupted, "It's all right, let them stay." The boss smiled at Ness, "Tell your friend that he owes me another favor." ”

The rooms are not big, but they are very clean, and the window is out of the busy port with a great view. "Do you know Boss Joseph well?" the girl asked, setting up their luggage for the two of them.

"Why do you ask?" asked Rui warily.

"Oh, this room is the best room in the hotel, and it is not for travelers on weekdays. The girl didn't expect Rui to react like this.

"We're friends with your boss, okay, we'll sort out the rest ourselves. Rui sent the maid out.

The girl seemed to have something else to do, "Do you really not need me?"

Rui didn't know where to go, and he was at a stalemate with the other party.

Then Ness shoved a silver coin into the girl's hand. "I'll look for you if we need help, and now we're going to rest. ”

The girl looked at the silver coin in her hand and walked out satisfied.

"Did you learn this from Fern too?" asked Rui lightly.

"Well, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Ness gathered her bags. "Let's hurry up and get our things sorted out and go down there for something to eat, it's been a few times since we had hot food. ”

"Agreed. Rui stopped talking and straightened his bags.

It was dinner time, and the tavern was bustling, and almost all the tables were occupied, except for the few empty tables left in the corner. The vulgar sailors drank ale and pinched the maids who walked between the tables from time to time, and the whole environment was chaotic. The appearance of the two mages caused quite a stir, some people looked at them and laughed maliciously, and many more whistled and coaxed them to sit down at their table.

The two men walked around the crowd and headed straight for an empty table in the corner, where a sailor stood in their way as they passed the middle table. "Won't the two beauties sit with us?" said another sailor, who also walked around behind them, blocking the retreat.

Nessy was a little overwhelmed for a moment when she encountered such a situation for the first time, but Rui was very calm and said without changing her face, "I advise you to get out of the way while I am still in a good mood." ”

The sailor who stood in the way laughed, "Okay, I like it, you can come and accompany me." Then he glanced at his companion who was blocking the retreat, "The other one is yours." With that, he stretched out his thick arm and put his arm around Rui's shoulder. Just as his hand was about to touch Rui's shoulder, a trace of imperceptible ferocity flashed in the mage's eyes, and an extremely frightened expression suddenly appeared on the sailor's face, as if he had seen an evil ghost, and then he lay on the ground with his head in his hands and kept shaking, and a strange sound came out of his throat with fear.

Seeing this, the sailor behind him didn't dare to make any more moves, and even stammered a little when he spoke, "You...... Do you ...... What did you do?"

Rui turned slowly. "I'll count to three, you'd better run fast enough to ......"

The sailor didn't even think about turning around and running, he didn't know why he was so scared, but he still rushed out of the door as fast as he could.

"Two or three. Rui said three without any pause after the two, and the sailor suddenly fell to the ground, making a strange grunting sound in his throat, saliva flowing from the corners of his mouth, and his whole body convulsed.

Several of the companions at the same table were so frightened that they didn't even say a word, and hurriedly picked up their heads and fled out of the tavern without looking back.

None of the others in the room stopped coaxing or even facing Ness and Rui, and the tavern fell silent.

Rae casually walked over to the empty table and sat down, and Ness, who was obviously frightened by what had just happened, asked as soon as she sat down, "Are you using dark magic?"

"Yes, you know dark magic? Mage Tower doesn't teach that. Rui replied as he beckoned to the maid.

"It's very limited. Ness looked at Rui's finger warily, "No wonder you say you're a mage, but you don't wear a mage's ring." ”

"You should have noticed, forgiven if Fern hadn't noticed, because he didn't know our rules, but you, Ness, shouldn't have been. Rui touched his fingers.

"I ......," Ness was speechless. "Why do you want to learn dark magic?"

"It's a long story, you'll find out later. Rui's face showed a hint of helplessness. "Now, all you need to know is that I will not harm my fellow soldiers. ”

Ness bit her lip, the past day and night had exhausted her, the heat and humidity were very uncomfortable, her shirt was sticking to her body, and she was wet all over her body, and now she just wanted to eat something hot and take a warm shower comfortably. At this point, she preferred to believe Rui's words.

"I wish Fern could be here. "The physical fatigue combined with the mental exhaustion made Ness want to have someone to rely on by her side.

Rui sighed and said with a wry smile, "Even I'm starting to miss him." ”

Only then did Ness realize that the pale woman in front of her was only a girl who was not much older than herself. Along the way, she never showed negative or dependent emotions, and always led Ness to Wet Harbor with a calm and calm attitude. Ness had to admit that Rui was much better than herself. And at this moment, as a still very young girl, Rui inadvertently revealed the pressure in her heart.

In any case, Ness felt very lucky to meet Rui, but the thought of Ferne's life and death at this time, coupled with the worry about the future journey, rushed over Ness's heart, and her eyes turned red.

Ray guessed what was on Ness's mind and comforted her, "He'll be fine, pray for him." ”