Chapter 8: Into the Wind Nation

The village, towns, and cities are under the protection and watchful eyes of King Lockheart. The chief told me that each nation was protected by Aristocrats or royals that each God appointed after the war, and each nation was created and established. Those titles have been passed down from generation to generation. 

Since we were at Lakota Nation, we were in the King's territory. I was also informed that each ruler has been at odds with each other, and sometimes they battle each other. 

Yeah, I better stay away from that. I'll have to look at a few spells to help me prevent getting caught in the crossfire. And also, there's another thing I want to avoid, and I want to keep my abilities to myself. 

If people found out how I can do the things I can do, there's no doubt in my mind that I'll be used as some tool. I'll also have to ensure no one knows about Fenrir and Hel's true identity as the missing Celestial. The chief had told me the Gods of any nation don't want any other Celestials to step foot in their nation. 

This world might not know about them being freed and let alone getting new bodies, but if people knew about them, there's no telling what could happen. I have faith that those two can handle themselves. They were Celestials, after all. 

After I was done with my business with the village chief, I saw Fenrir and Hel talking with some beast folks. They were explaining something about the weapons. Fenrir was the one who was engaged in a deep conversation with one of the Bearman. 

When they finally spotted me, they bid goodbye to the beast folks and walked to where I was. 

"Are they your friend?" the chief said. 

"Yes, they are, and they are my bodyguards, too," I told him. 

"Oh. Make sure to register them at the Adventure Guild, so it won't cost you gold coins again." The chief reminded me before giving me a temporary pass to the next village so they won't charge us anymore. 

"Where are we going next? I'm starving," Fenrir said. 

Oh, I almost forgot, he had this huge appetite, and it had been a whole day since we last ate. 

"We'll find some nice stores here first. Then I'll cook," I replied. 

We walked for a bit and found a weird store. It was weird since everything from the outside was painted black, and people of any race seemed to avoid it. I could even feel some bad vibe at it, but I love mysterious stores, so I'll go and check it. Sometimes, creepy stores sell good merchandise. 

"We'll check that store," I told them. 

As I entered the store, I saw an old woman behind the counter who seemed like she was sipping a cup of tea. 

"Ah, welcome, dear customer," she said, leaving the counter and walking to where I was. "How may I help you?" 

"Granny, I need something unique. If you can recommend something, I'll get it ASAP," I replied. 

The old lady smiled at me. 

"Then how about this," she told me, leading me to the isle of weird things. She then pointed at the door. 

It was a single unattached lone door at the back part of the shelf. It was a normal mahogany door with a knob, but it wasn't attached to any wall. 

"A door?" I asked her. 

"Young man, this door is not an ordinary door. Behind this door, you'll find a store you can't find here," she told me. "Want to try?" 

At first, I doubted the old lady, but I tried anyway. 

She opened the door, and what was inside made me think that the gold coins I'll pay for this normal door would be worth it. And why? Who in their right mind met a door with a GROCERY STORE inside? Are you kidding me? Do such doors exist? 

"What do you think, young man? Do you like it?" the old woman said. "This is the last item among its class. My merchant salesman told me the company that used to create doors like this had stopped their operation long ago. This is the last one."

"I'll buy it! How much for this door?" I spoke. There's no way I'll let go of this rare item. 

"Five hundred gold coins," she replied. 

My jaw dropped when I heard the price.

"What?? Grandma, that is too expensive," I told her. 

Seriously? Five hundred gold coins?

"Young man, that door is worth the price. As you can see, it's literally you walking into another world's store and buying whatever you want at a lower price," she urged me. 

I put my index and thumb fingers under my chin and think about it. I really want to buy it, but it's too expensive. 

After a long debate, I finally took a bag of gold and gave it to the old lady. After confirming the amount of gold, I took the door and stored it in my storage box. 

The old lady even gave me a free dining set for buying that expensive merchandise. 

When I left the store, Fenrir was already waiting for me. 

"What took you so long? I'm starving to death," he told me. 

"Sorry," I told him. "I'll cook you delicious food soon. Just hang in there for a bit," I told him. 

We went to a butcher's store as our final stop. I let Fenrir choose whatever meat he wanted. Since I knew nothing about meat, I let him pick whatever he wanted.

And when he was done, and I was about to pay for the mountain of meat he chose, I felt like fainting when the butcher told me how much it all was. 

"Eight hundred gold, sir," the butcher said. 

"W-why is it so expensive?" 

"This meat came from class A monsters, Sir. And hunting is deadly; that's why they're expensive," the butcher replied. 

Without further ado, I pulled out another bag of gold coins and gave it to him with trembling hands. Saving those gold coins, I got from the castle was a good idea.