Elegy from Another World

A few days later, following the abandoned trade route, we arrived safely at Teferini, a border city in a neighboring country. This city was quite different in style from Valencia; the architecture was more rugged, and the air was thick with the smells of ore and smoke, clearly a town known for its mining and forging industries. Clearing obstacles along the way took some time, but overall the journey went smoothly.

Now that we'd arrived in a completely new environment, everything needed to be started from scratch. We first went to the local Adventurers' Guild, registered using pre-prepared, inconspicuous aliases and backgrounds, and once again became the lowest-ranking F-class adventurers. Taking on and completing some simple gathering and clearing tasks not only earned us some living expenses but also helped us better integrate into and understand the city.

On the way back to the city after completing a quest, Tia looked at the brightly lit general stores and goldsmith shops along the street and couldn't help but ask me in a low voice, "Lady Liscia, why don't we pawn some of the gold we're carrying? Wouldn't that give us a lot of money immediately, and we wouldn't have to work so hard on these low-level quests?"

I shook my head and patiently explained, "Tia, we're new here, and our identities are sensitive. Two unfamiliar, seemingly unremarkable new adventurers suddenly producing a considerable sum of gold is tantamount to telling everyone, 'We're suspicious, come investigate us or rob us.' Wealth needs strength to protect it. Before we establish ourselves, keeping a low profile is the most important thing."

Tia suddenly realized her mistake and patted her forehead. "I made a fool of myself again... Thank you for reminding me, Lady Liscia."

"Okay, so for the next week, we'll mainly focus on getting familiar with the environment. Don't rush to find out sensitive information to avoid attracting unnecessary attention," I advised.

"Received!" Tia nodded seriously.

So we spent a relatively leisurely week, eating in taverns and strolling the streets like ordinary adventurers, silently observing the local customs and power distribution in Teferine.

A week later, we officially began the main purpose of our trip—learning and absorbing new technologies. First, we went to the largest bookstore in town and bought some books on the local magic system, mineral distribution, and basic engineering to enrich our knowledge base.

Next, we found an information broker who seemed to have a good reputation. I stated my purpose directly: we wanted to find artisans or mages who could create "high-end equipment" or complex magical items, not blacksmiths who could only forge ordinary swords and armor.

The intelligence broker stroked his chin and gave us a name that surprised us: "You can go find the leader of the 'Grey Fox' caravan, Yisen."

"A caravan leader?" Tia couldn't help but ask. "We're looking for artisans, why a merchant?"

The intelligence broker glanced at us, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Some things here can't be traded openly. Mr. Yisen... has extensive connections. He can connect you with truly capable people. Don't ask more; that's the rule."

We wisely refrained from pressing further. Following the code and location provided by our intelligence provider, we headed to an inconspicuous warehouse district in the west of the city that evening. After a short wait, a well-dressed but capable-looking middle-aged man appeared—this was Yi Sen.

During the conversation, Yisen frankly admitted that he did know some friends with "special skills" who could manufacture the "non-standard" equipment we needed. But as an intermediary and guarantor, he needed payment.

"Can't we use money?" Tia asked tentatively.

Yisen smiled and said, "Some rare materials are hard to buy even with money. Besides, I see that you two are adventurers, so you may be able to obtain some materials yourselves. My method is usually barter. You provide the materials, or complete some special gathering or escort missions, and I will contact the craftsmen to make them."

I understood what he meant: "So, you give us a list of materials, we collect them, and then we exchange them for the finished product?"

"That's right." Yisen nodded. "Of course, depending on the complexity of the equipment, the 'brokerage fee' I charge will also be reflected in the list."

This approach, though somewhat roundabout, seems to be the most suitable for us at the moment. It allows us to obtain the technological products we want while avoiding revealing the existence of Utopia and our true strength. Tia and I exchanged a glance and nodded.

"We'll accept it as long as the material requirements are reasonable," I said.

"Deal." Yisen replied readily.

We signed a simple magical contract. Tia asked somewhat eagerly, "Then when do we begin?"

Yisen gave a businessman's smile: "It's already begun. Now, tell me what you want to make? The more specific, the better."

I took out a stack of pre-prepared blueprints, including a partial structural diagram of an internal combustion engine that I had drawn from memory, as well as several basic machine tool diagrams. "We want to build a vehicle... that can move autonomously using some kind of energy (like magic crystals), similar to a horse-drawn carriage, but without the need for animal traction," I described it using the terminology of this world as much as possible.

Yi Sen took the blueprints and examined them carefully for a while. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Interesting... I'll take it and ask about it. A day later, I'll send you the list of materials needed based on the preliminary assessment through the Adventurers' Guild."

"Okay, thank you."

Leaving the warehouse area, Tia and I returned to our temporary inn. The first step had been taken; now, we just had to wait for the checklist and prepare for the new challenges.