The results of the first day were undoubtedly discouraging. As the imperial capital, Langard’s Middle District potion shops were run by people with considerable knowledge. If even they hadn’t heard of the materials, the hope of obtaining them seemed slim to none.

  Dragon’s Slumber Fruit was somewhat better—some older shopkeepers knew of it. But the Hadra Abyssal Fish was a different story—no one had even heard of it!

  "......Could it be that the Hadra Abyssal Fish is already extinct?"

  Thinking about Semiris’s sense of time, Hulim suddenly found the possibility quite plausible......

  The next day.

  Standing at the boundary between the Middle and Lower Districts, Hulim hesitated.

  She hadn’t given up, but her failure in the Middle District made her hesitant to continue searching there. Langard was huge—she might not finish checking all the potion shops in the Middle District even in ten days. She might find what she needed, but it was more likely that the underground organization would find her first.

  They seemed to be busy with something lately, which was why they hadn’t bothered her. But Hulim didn’t think they’d let her off the hook once they were done.

  In the end, Hulim decided not to continue in the Middle District. Instead, she walked into the Lower District.

  Logically, the potion shops in the Middle District should be of higher quality. However—

  "Semiris once said: if you’re hesitant about taking a path, don’t hesitate—take another. Because that path lacks conviction for you......"

  ......

  Even though it was the Lower District, Langard was no ordinary city. The streets didn’t look poor or backward at all.

  It was still bustling, and public security was excellent.

  In fact, several large organizations—including the Royal Capital Garrison Knights’ headquarters and the Adventurers’ Guild’s Royal Capital branch—were located in the Lower District.

  It seemed the differences between Langard’s districts weren’t as distinct as in other cities.

  Hulim searched the Lower District for a long time.

  She asked three potion shops in a row, but the results were as expected—no luck.

  Worse, as she’d thought, the Lower District shops were inferior to those in the Middle District. Their stock of materials was smaller, and they didn’t even have many of the common ingredients for Dragon Sleep Incense.

  "Ding~! Dong~! Ding~! Dong......"

  Before she knew it, Hulim had wandered onto a street lined with blacksmith shops. There were far fewer ordinary people here, and many more dressed as adventurers.

  Clearly, there were no potion shops here. Hulim quickened her pace.

  "Moo——!"

  "Watch out, coming through!"

  As she passed a blacksmith shop at an intersection, a cart blocked her path, parked sideways in front of the shop. A dwarf walked out of the blacksmith shop and shouted angrily at the cart driver.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Why are you so slow! Don’t you know how busy I am lately!"

  "Calm down, calm down~!"

  The driver grinned apologetically and opened the cart, revealing piles of metal ores inside.

  "I’ll be on time next time!"

  "Hmph!"

  The dwarf glanced at the ores.

  "The quality’s decent. Don’t let it happen again!"

  He then turned and shouted into the shop:

  "What are you lot standing around doing? Get out here and unload!"

  Staring at the cart blocking her way, Hulim—who had planned to quickly pass through the street—was forced to stop.

  "......"

  She thought for a moment, glanced at a narrow street nearby, and finally decided not to go around the cart. Instead, she turned into the narrow street......

  Hulim walked for a long time, but the street showed no sign of ending—it only grew narrower, and the number of passersby dwindled. Just as she wondered if she should have gone around the cart, a plain-looking potion shop with only a potion shop sign (and no name) came into view.

  "......"

  Looking at the shop—with only a sign and no name—Hulim held no hope for it.

  "......Might as well try."

  She still stepped inside the potion shop......

  "Jingle~!"

  The wind chime at the door rang as she entered.

  Hulim stood inside the shop.

  As soon as she walked in, she felt something was different about it.

  The scent was still mana......

  But somehow, it felt distinct.

  "Can I help you, little miss?"

  "！！？"

  Hulim jumped in surprise, dodging suddenly to the left. She stared wide-eyed at the person who had appeared beside her on the right.

  When did they get there!?! I didn’t notice at all!?!

  "Ah, what an interesting reaction. Don’t worry—no one can hurt you here, little miss."

  The shopkeeper spoke in a calm tone.

  There was something magical about her words. Hulim, who had been tense, gradually relaxed without realizing it.

  But then she realized something was wrong.

  "How do you know I’m a girl?"

  Since arriving in Langard, Hulim had been wearing a full black robe and mask. Normally, it should be impossible to tell her gender from her appearance alone. Moreover, she was certain she hadn’t said a word since entering the shop.

  "Oh, that? Isn’t it obvious?"

  The shopkeeper smiled and replied with a rhetorical question.

  Hulim: "......"

  ......I suppose there are people like that.

  "Anyway, little miss—you haven’t answered my question yet?"

  The shopkeeper approached slowly. The shop only had one soft light, and with the bright sunlight outside, the interior looked somewhat dim. So Hulim—standing in the sunlight—hadn’t clearly seen the shopkeeper’s face earlier.

  But when the shopkeeper stepped into the sunlight streaming through the door, Hulim froze.

  She’s so beautiful......

  The shopkeeper was an Elf female. Her silvery-white hair cascaded down to her waist, shimmering in the sunlight. Her eyes—clear as green crystals—seemed to hold a flowing galaxy, full of light. Her skin was extremely delicate, and her figure was as perfect as if carved by the gods themselves!

  Most importantly, she exuded a constant aura of peace and tranquility—making people feel as comfortable as sitting under a big tree on a plain.

  "T-that......"

  Rarely losing her composure, Hulim felt her heart waver. She quickly steadied herself.

  "......I want to buy some materials."

  "Mm-hmm. After all, this is a potion shop—people usually come here to buy potions or materials~."

  Hulim: "......"

  The Elf walked inside and asked, "So, what materials are you looking for, little miss?"

  Staring at her back, Hulim hesitated for a moment, then followed her in.

  "......Um, do you have Dragon’s Slumber Fruit Juice and a Hadra Abyssal Fish?"

  "......"

  The Elf suddenly stopped and turned around, looking shocked.

  Seeing her expression, Hulim felt a twinge of disappointment. Could it be she doesn’t know either—

  "What do you need these for?"

  "Huh——?"

  Hulim froze.

  "You know these two things?!?"