Chapter 5

Before she knew it, the day of her induction into the Knights had arrived.

The Imperial Capital was a two-hour carriage ride from the town where the Costa Viscount family resided. After getting off the carriage at the carriage stop on the outskirts of town, Iris began walking, relying on a map.

To avoid disgracing herself as the head of the Costa Viscount family, she had come wearing one of the better outfits that remained in the manor. She carried only the bare minimum of luggage that she could hold in her hands.

– I didn’t notice it the last time I came, but the Imperial Capital is really lively. There are so many people.

Overwhelmed by the number of people, which she rarely saw in the Costa territory, Iris was amazed. Everywhere she looked, people were coming and going, and the enthusiastic calls of vendors could be heard from all directions. It was really lively.

On her way to the Knights' dormitory, she suddenly noticed people entering a shop. Judging from the sign with a carved herbal plant, it seemed to be a pharmacy.

"Pharmacy..."

Iris gazed at the shop.

It appeared to be a two-story building, with the first floor serving as the shop. Through the glass window next to the door, she could see several customers inside. For it to be so prosperous, it must be selling very effective medicine.

"Maybe I should buy some and send it to Dean."

Dean had been taking the medicine arranged by his uncle Sylac ever since he started feeling unwell a year ago. However, even after taking the prescribed dosage, there was no sign of improvement. On the contrary, his condition was gradually getting worse.

Iris looked at the clock on the main street.

– I still have more than an hour, so it’s fine, right?

Since she had arrived with plenty of time to spare, she still had some time before the assembly.

– Alright, I’ll do it! Maybe Dean will get better!

Although she didn’t have much money, she thought she could manage to buy a little medicine. With that decision, Iris entered the shop.

"Welcome!"

As she opened the door, a bell chimed, and a bright voice greeted her.

The woman behind the counter, with fluffy blonde hair and pink eyes, a combination of colors Iris had never seen before, looked adorable. Her small stature made her seem like a young animal, but her calm demeanor suggested she might be older than Iris.

"First-time customer, I see. What brings you here today?"

"Well, it’s not for me, but for my younger brother—"

"Your brother? Does he have a cold?"

"It’s not a cold—"

Iris explained Dean’s symptoms.

He had no appetite and constantly complained of fatigue and lethargy.

His stomach felt heavy, and he felt exhausted when walking.

He was gradually losing weight, and recently, he could hardly get out of bed.

"Hmm, I see. It would be best if I could examine him in person, but—"

"He lives in the countryside."

"Is he seeing a doctor? Is he taking any medicine now?"

"Yes."

"I see. Then, how about something to help with his physical recovery as a supplement?"

The pharmacist turned around and looked at the shelves lined with medicine bottles, then took one of them.

It seemed that the symptoms she had heard were unfamiliar, and unfortunately, she couldn’t provide a specific remedy. Instead, she prescribed a nutritional supplement to aid in physical recovery.

"Please let me know if it doesn’t work."

"Thank you."

Iris bowed and left the pharmacy.

– She was so kind. Maybe I found a good shop.

She tightly hugged the paper bag containing the medicine. Once she arrived at the Knights' dormitory, she would send it along with a letter confirming her safe arrival.

Just as she started walking and looked back at the pharmacy, someone bumped into her, causing her to stumble.

"Ah, I’m sorry!"

She had been looking elsewhere and hadn’t been paying attention.

As she hurriedly apologized, Iris noticed something odd about the dirty man in front of her.

"Someone! Thief! My wallet was stolen. Catch him!"

A cry came from the other direction, and the man in front of her started running.

Could this man be the thief?

Iris quickly chased after him, confident in her speed.

"Wait!"

Just as she caught up, the man turned around.

It seemed he was part of a duo, as another man who had been running a bit ahead also stopped and turned to face her.

– Two against one. The odds are not in my favor, but I can manage.

Iris quickly scanned the surroundings for something to use as a weapon and grabbed a broom nearby, positioning herself to defend.

One of the men looked down at Iris and sneered.

"Huh. I thought someone was chasing me, but it’s just a kid. Kids should stay home and sleep."

In the next moment, the man raised his fist and lunged at her.