Alma POV 7/17
We came into the Verdant streets, the first thing we saw was the beautiful floor. It was made of hard bark, ancient bark at that which I got from appraising it. A lot of moss was growing over it, and even other plants such as smaller parasitic trees that were of other species, and many mushrooms, colorful grasses, and flowers of all kinds
The entire streets of this place were like a forest itself, while the buildings were at each side of the streets. The buildings varied between three types, those that were made into the tree itself, those that had the shape of giant mushrooms and were perhaps giant mushrooms, and conventional wooden homes. Elves had no problems getting wood, they never touched the big sacred trees, but they got wood from these other trees growing over the sacred tree branches, which were just parasitic species.
Of course, they were allowed to just piece the wood of the tree from the inside out and make houses inside of it anyway? So what was the point of respecting the damn giant trees if you were going to carve a home inside as if you were a damn bird?
Anyways, I saw a few herbs around, but nothing interesting. The mushrooms looked edible though, and seemingly some people picked them around randomly. I guess it was a buffet of natural richness everywhere, even the trees around the streets were overflowing with colorful fruits which people picked up casually for a snack. I saw some people just casually picking an apple from a tree and just beginning to eat it without even cleaning it or something.There was a girl with a basket collecting mushrooms around the streets, and another girl that looked like her twin was collecting herbs around too. I appraised them and found out they were indeed like twins and had some strange ability named [Twin Connection], which I didn't know what it could truly do.
Just casually I began to realize I could pick up talents around the streets and then promote them into strong guards and allies for my own group, so I could be better protected. Picking up those with weird talents might prove to be useful.
"What's wrong, Alma?" wondered Elred, as he looked at me. I was looking at those two twins.
"Hm? Twins? T-They're indeed rare… Have you… never seen twins before?" he wondered.
"I have not… they're very cute and look similar as well… Hey, they kind of have a feeling to them, can't you sense it? I think they have some type of special power." I said.
"Special… power? They're just… commoners…" he said.
"So what?! What's wrong with being a commoner? Does that makes my people fewer people out of the sudden?" I asked angrily, Elred quickly changed his cheeky rich kid attitude and apologized."Uwah! I-I am sorry, I didn't mean to insult your people!" he cried for forgiveness.
"Hmph. Now come with me." I said as I walked towards the twins who were startled by us.
The two girls were wearing very humble dresses, and they were even patched up a bit. The two were around 6 years of age and had beautiful emerald eyes and short blue hair.
They were startled by our domineering presence, the pretty clothes we wore obviously said royalty right over their faces, and things weren't any more surprising after they saw I had a crown over my head too. The rich girl's appearance was all over me with my gold rings and the colorful pendant that Elred gifted to me.
"You two, stop what you're doing right there!" I said as I revealed myself to the people around me. Suddenly, everyone looked at me. I felt a bit embarrassed; I seem to have made a fuss. The people liked gossips, so they thought I was going to punish the girls or something.
"Wait, who is that girl?!"
"She's… I remember her! She's the Princess! Alma-sama!"
"A-Alma-sama's here?!"
"Princess-sama, what are you doing outside the castle? It's dangerous outside!"
"Have these girls offended her?"
"They're up for something bad then…"
"Oof, I am glad I am not them…"
"Mommy, what did these two girls do?"
"I-I don't know, but if they offended the princess… something very bad!"
"Picking mushrooms from the streets is only done by the poor, I guess the princess got bothered by that."
"Silence all of you!" I roared, waving my hand, everyone shut up right away. I was weaker than a Rank 1 Magus but my authority itself was stronger than any magic power.
The two little girls felt paralyzed in shock as they looked at me and Elred. Elred didn't help at easing the mood because his glare was very sharp towards them… Wait, is this how he usually acts with people? Maybe he's a softie only with me…
"P-Princess-sama…?!"
"D-Did we do… something?"
"No, but-"
"Please, forgive them!"
Suddenly an elven woman with long blue hair rushed towards me, kneeling before me and forcing her daughters to kneel too.
"Please, they're just little children! T-They didn't do anything bad! W-We'll never pick up mushrooms!" cried the woman. She must be the mother, I bet.
"What are you even talking about? I am not here to do anything to them. Your daughters have talent, lady. I noticed that because I have sharp eyes… (and the abilities shared from Dagger as his owner)!" I said.
"T-Talent?!" asked the woman, the girls were also left speechless.
"Indeed! Take this…" I said.
I quickly gave the woman a paper I wrote with a note and my sign, it was an improvised ticket to get inside the castle. I also gave them ten gold coins just because I was feeling generous.
"T-Thanks…!"
"Bring them to my castle tomorrow morning. I have great plans for them. Their future is looking bright, so make sure to protect them well from any envious hands this night." I said.
"Y-Yes…! I will!" said the woman while nodding.
"You can go now," I said.
The woman quickly flew away with her daughters, as Elred was left shocked.
"What?" I asked while raising an eyebrow.
