Since there were elves living here, it meant she was in the Sacred Race’s nation.
Lin Shu didn’t dwell on that familiar-sounding name any longer. She clenched the crystal tightly and continued along the path.
The lights ahead grew more numerous, and clusters of houses came into view.
On the streets, she could see many vendors, along with members of the Fairy Race and Angel Race who had wings.
‘At least there are humans here. I didn’t end up in some strange place.’
After asking around, Lin Shu found the town’s pawnshop.
The one who received her was a Fairy Race sister, leaning on the counter with her elbow, looking utterly bored.
“My, my? What brings such a cute human girl to our town?”
Seeing Lin Shu, the fairy lady perked up with interest, straightening her posture as her gauzy wings fluttered a couple of times.
“In a hurry for money?”
“Yes, please.”
Lin Shu placed the crystal on the counter and pushed it forward.
“This quality…” The fairy picked it up, squinting to examine it under the overhead light. “It’s exactly the same as that kid’s goods. Don’t tell me you got it from her?”
“You can tell?”
“Of course. She comes here often, almost every few days. I have no idea what her family spends so much money on…” She trailed off. “Anyway, I’m rambling. Here you go.”
The fairy lady took out several silver coins—more than Lin Shu had expected. “Since you’re both cute kids, I’ll give you a little extra. Keep it a secret, okay~”
“Um… thank you…”
Lin Shu took the money. She then paid extra for a simple piece of cloth, carefully wrapped her spellbook and the remaining silver coins in it, and slung the bundle across her chest.
“Boss, in your town, is there anyone who can contact the Sacred Church’s Demon-Hunting Corps?”
“The Demon-Hunting Corps?”
The fairy raised an eyebrow, seeming to try and understand an unfamiliar term.
Seeing the local look equally puzzled, a bad feeling rose in Lin Shu’s heart.
‘Even she doesn’t know?’
“Now that I think about it… I heard my business friends mention that the Sacred Church’s esteemed ones are recently preparing to establish an organization. That must be the Demon-Hunting Corps you’re talking about.”
Lin Shu’s heart skipped a beat.
‘Establishing? It hasn’t been founded yet?’
A terrifying thought crashed into Lin Shu’s mind.
She pressed further, “Wait, what’s the date today?”
“May 14th, Sacred Year 114. Why?”
All the blood in Lin Shu’s body seemed to freeze.
‘No wonder that elf girl named Furina said there was no Demon-Hunting Corps. At this time, the war between the Sacred Race and the Demonic Race hasn’t happened yet. The Demon-Hunting Corps hasn’t been established.’
‘I’ve gone back in time?!’
“What’s with that look? Did you forget some special anniversary?” The fairy lady raised her eyebrows teasingly.
“…No, it’s nothing. Thank you, I should go.”
Lin Shu forced a smile and left the pawnshop with unsteady steps.
‘The star… Did it send me to this point in time?’
‘Then what about my original timeline? Did I just vanish?’
‘If that’s the case, what will Hati do?’
‘And Sefina… she might be in danger.’
‘Without my blood’s support, I don’t know if she can resist the Sacred Race’s suppression alone.’
Thinking of this, Lin Shu couldn’t help but grow tense, clenching her fists.
‘No.’
‘I have to find a way back. But how? Can it be done with magic?’
Lin Shu hurriedly pulled off her pack, took out the only magic primer she had brought with her, and flipped through the advanced magic index. None of the entries were capable of affecting time and space.
She lowered her hand, closing the book in disappointment.
‘Calm down. Think from another angle.’
‘Since the Key is related to my crossing over, then the method for my return might be related to it too.’
‘And the Key is connected to the Sacred Church.’
‘At least being in the Sacred Race’s nation is safer than being in the Demonic Race’s territory.’
‘The Sacred Church’s headquarters is in the royal capital. There might be answers about the Key or transcending time and space there.’
‘Hati said the Sacred Church has been looking for this Key. Although at this point in time, they might not know of my existence yet… but what if I take the initiative to seek them out?’
‘At least… it’s a direction.’
‘First, go to the royal capital.’
Having made up her mind, Lin Shu got up and set off.
—
After wandering around the town a few times, Lin Shu tried to find a carriage heading her way, but the coachmen looked at the money in her hand and shook their heads one after another.
“To get to the center of the nation, this money isn’t enough,” only one elderly coachman kindly told her. “If you’re in a hurry, you can try asking at the dock with this money. Boats at night are cheaper, and taking the waterway can save a lot.”
With a try-anything attitude, Lin Shu went to the town’s dock.
The dock was quiet, with only the sound of river waves lapping against the shore.
A few small boats were scattered about, moored at the dock, but a conspicuously luxurious large ship was anchored right in the center.
It didn’t look like the kind that would take ordinary passengers.
Lin Shu wisely steered clear of it and found a boatman dozing off at the bow of a smaller boat.
“Boatman, is this enough money to get to the royal capital?”
The boatman, a dark-skinned elf, looked up and scanned her. “It’ll only get you halfway.”
“That’s fine too.”
“Then wait a moment. I’ll get ready.”
Lin Shu stepped onto the boat’s bow, about to sit and wait, when she was drawn by a commotion not far away.
The previously quiet dock suddenly became restless. Lin Shu looked up.
A group of people in black uniforms emerged from the luxurious large ship.
And from the edge of the distant woods, two figures were walking toward the dock.
By the moonlight, Lin Shu could see the two people clearly, and her pupils constricted sharply.
It was Furina.
And the older elf woman who had called out to her from the treehouse. Furina’s hand was being pulled by the woman, stumbling forward as she walked.
She stared at the person in front of her, her eyes utterly numb.
‘Isn’t that her family? Why would they…’
“Furina…” Lin Shu instinctively took a step forward but was grabbed by the shoulder by the boatman.
“Hey, weren’t you about to set off?”
His tone was urgent. “Don’t cause trouble. Those people run a floating casino.”
The older elf woman’s voice drifted over. “We really need the money urgently. Your sister’s illness requires a lot of money too…”
Furina didn’t answer. There wasn’t a single ripple in her sapphire-blue eyes.
“But believe me, this is only temporary. You help out at the casino, and we’ll come get you back very soon…”
“Liar.” She moved her lips, uttering two words.
The elves who had come out of the large ship saw them and walked over with smiles.
However, in that instant—
Furina violently shoved the person in front of her aside by the shoulder, turned around, and ran.
“Furina!!”
“Hey! Madam, your daughter ran off!”
“The deposit’s already paid! Catch her! Hurry up and catch her!”
Lin Shu looked down at the coins in her hand.
‘That’s the money Furina gave me.’
Furina ran desperately, pursued by the people behind her, her figure drawing closer and closer to Lin Shu’s location.
Gritting her teeth, Lin Shu turned to the boatman. “Change of plans. I’m not taking the boat for now.”
“Hey, you can’t be serious, you—”
Before the boatman could finish, Lin Shu jumped off the boat’s bow.