From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Chapter 83: The Old Lady

As the last echoes of Ty's fiery pursuit faded into the distance, the atmosphere on the bridge gradually returned to its usual hum of activity. Todd and Nana, still perched at the edge, exchanged glances that mixed admiration with a touch of concern.

"Should we go after him?" Nana asked, her eyes tracing the path Ty had taken.

Todd shook his head slightly. "No, Ty knows what he's doing. Let's trust him to handle this. Besides, we have our own part to play."

With that, Todd led the way, his steps deliberate as they navigated through the bustling crowd. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of watchful eyes from a nearby rooftop followed their every move.

"You sure we shouldn't be worried about him? I'm not sure about his sense of direction all that much," Nana spoke out, a hint of worry in her voice as she perched atop Todd's back. They continued down the long road when Nana added, "How much supplies do we even have left?"

Todd, pulling his bag over as he walked, looked inside and stated, "Maybe another meal or two, but we definitely need to do some shopping once we settle in somewhere."

A giant boom echoed in the distance, prompting Nana to wonder, "You think that was Ty?"

"Probably," Todd replied. "By the way, how was he able to fly like that?"

"Beats me. He's always doing crazy stuff, so I won't worry about it too much. We can ask him when he gets back," Todd said with a shrug, his tone casual yet tinged with the same curiosity that Nana felt. As they journeyed on, the unanswered questions about Ty's abilities lingered in the air, adding an air of mystery to their adventure.

Nana, perched comfortably atop Todd's back, watched with wide-eyed wonder as they reached the end of the bridge.

The town that unfolded before them was an eclectic mix, strikingly different from the misty expanse of the bridge they had just traversed.

She observed the streets, noticing how the rugged cobblestone seamlessly gave way to smooth stone pathways.

It felt as if they had stepped through a portal from an old world into a new one, bridging time itself.

Around her, the town was alive with a curious blend of the old and the new. Horses and cattle, symbols of a time-honored way of life, moved alongside strange metal contraptions.

These machines, humming with an unfamiliar energy, were busy transporting goods.

Nana's fascination grew as she took in these sights, her mind buzzing with questions about this blend of traditional and modern ways.

Suddenly, her train of thought was interrupted by a sharp call. "Over here, Nanako and Ogre friend!"

The voice seemed to come from an old woman standing a short distance away. Nana's gaze shifted to her, noting the woman's simple clothes, which whispered tales of simpler times.

The woman's face was a network of wrinkles, each one a testament to a life rich with stories. There was a certain wisdom in her eyes that captivated Nana, hinting at a deep well of knowledge and experience.

Todd and Nanako looked at each other, both perplexed, and then gave a sly shrug to each other before heading over to where the old lady was. They were curious if she might need any help.

As Nana approached her, the old lady quickly came over, her eyes immediately focusing on Nana's hair. "What's with the glow in your hair, young lady?" she asked with an intrigued tone.

The voice from Nana's hair spoke up, laced with a hint of caution, "Please, don't get too close to me. I'm a bit claustrophobic." As it spoke, a small blue light emerged from her hair.

The old lady, visibly shocked, pointed at Nana and exclaimed, "You're a water fairy, aren't you?!"

The fairy, nestled within Nana's hair, responded with a slight, satisfied smile. "Finally, someone recognizes me at least!" she declared.

"How could I not? There were so many fairies before the first fall of the kingdom and before the sealing of the Dragoon," the old lady reminisced, her voice tinged with a touch of nostalgia.

The fairy, clearly excited by this, asked, "You remember those times?!"

Before the conversation could delve further into the past, Nana cut in, "Hey, what did you need our help with?"

The old lady, slightly blushing at her own enthusiasm, apologized. "Sorry, I do apologize. You'll have to forgive me for my outburst; it's been a long time since I've seen a fairy, that's all. But I am the head maid for House 3, and Lady Amaris sent me to get you and your escorts situated."

Nana responded, "Oh, well, thank you. However, Ty, the other guy with me, chased after a thief who stole something valuable from him. He went after the cloaked man."

The old lady listened intently, her expression shifting to one of understanding as she processed Nana's explanation about their current situation.

The old lady's expression shifted to one of surprise upon hearing Nana's story. "And where exactly did this robbery take place?" she inquired, her brows furrowing with concern.

Nana gestured towards the bridge, now a hazy silhouette in the distance. "It happened just there, on the bridge behind us.

A man cloaked in black collided with him, skillfully pickpocketing him. In an instant, they were both sprinting, their chase ending with a dramatic leap off the bridge."

The old lady's face creased with worry, her eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "Did you happen to notice any particular markings on this person?" she asked, her voice tinged with urgency.

Regretfully, Nana shook her head. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that detail. But there was another incident, similar in nature, involving a dark-cloaked figure and an innkeeper. Fortunately, she wasn't harmed."

The old lady's distant gaze lingered as she processed Nana's words, her mind seemingly weaving together fragments of information.

After a moment steeped in thought, she gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"I see. It sounds like the work of the Clover Fields," she mused, her voice tinged with a clear note of disapproval. "They're a rogue group, known for their strong opposition to the current kingdom and its rulers."

She paused, her expression turning solemn.

"They are a small sect, staunch in their belief that the Hero Legato should be the one in charge, especially after his heroic deeds in saving the world."