Having placed all the tasks on the shoulders of the faithful people, I left efforts and worries in the Great Forest and confidently stepped into the teleport. Baron tried, involved almost all of his magical resources and opened the transition to the opposite end of the Empire, in a very provincial town, the name of which I never remembered. The flat rectangle of the portal appeared in the wall of a brick darkened by moisture and dampness, led straight into a narrow alley at both ends of which a light was seen and people could hear people talking.

Having gallantly adjusting the collar of the camisole, I was about to step forward, as my gaze came upon a beggar vagabond, who was sitting with his back to me and enthusiastically crawling in some kind of pouch. Hearing my steps behind my back, the beggar hastily turned around and, seeing my respectable outfit, began to hastily rise to his feet. Yeah, and his leg is only one, a crumpled rag of empty leg hangs loosely in place of the second one, and it strikes him ... Involuntarily wrinkling my disdainful physiognomy, I slightly recoiled, but, as if not noticing my reaction, the beggar perched on an ugly-looking wooden crutches and leaned towards me, stretching out a trembling hand and obviously wanting to give alms.

The first thought was to pull up his stupid backups, however, she was immediately wiped into the far corner of consciousness and I, having decided not to begin my vacation from a similar step, reluctantly reached for the purse.

- On, just do not drink it all right away. - I could not resist the possibility of at least saying something disgustingly caustic, threw a copper coin to a beggar and, turning away, headed in the opposite direction.

- God bless you, gracious lord. - Immediately, a beggar began to humiliate himself, and I abruptly stopped without bringing my foot to the ground. The insight came instantly, firing the whip from the palm of materialized energy, I boldly sent him to the beggar using the energy of a turn.

- Well, well, better not come up with anything? - A beggar asked the changing voice, with unconcealed mockery, having caught the end of the whip invisible to ordinary people without any effort, he no longer held his crutches, his leg hitherto absent in its rightful place.

- The same can I ask you why this masquerade? - Ratting the librarian’s weapon and drawing in his energy, I gave him a grin.

- I wanted to check something. - The demon shrugged indefinitely, his usual look had already returned to him and, stretching out his hand, he beautifully pulled his hat out of the air and covered it with the top of his head.

“Come on, give me a little more fog, otherwise I don't know how it works.” - I sneered at me.

- Foolish one who believes that he knows everything about life. - Xa-Aran smiled and, coming closer, kindly patted me on the shoulder.

- Oh, yes, a cheap philosophy in the style of Socrates is just not enough for me, let's see what appeared. - Also slowing down the tone and moving it to a more joking and ironic, I slowly moved to the exit from the alley.

- I wanted to discuss a couple of nuances about your vacation. - Not lagging behind a single step, the demon went near.

“What's wrong with him?” You yourself said that we have time wagon. - I'm a little wary.

- No, no, I have nothing against it, rest, develop, the journey is the best way to collect your thoughts and think about many things. - The demon shook his head and, straightened his hat, we just went out onto the street lit by the sun and a pair of annoying rays fell on his eyes.

- Aaa, probably you want to plow. - I understandably stretched.

- Not at all, you should not think so badly of me, partner. - I pretended that Xa-Aran was offended, but I did not accept his game and he immediately stopped wriggling.

- I just want to give you advice, are you going to walk along the coast, look into the port cities? - Without much interest looking around, the demon specified.

“I won’t even ask how you knew about it.” - I sighed, resigned to the phenomenal awareness of my so-called partner.

- That's right, I just know it. So, I would advise you not to waste time looking at a huge pool of salt water, but to direct your feet deep into the Empire, this is where you will be able to see many interesting things, because you started this idea with a vacation for this. - With a knowing smile summed up the demon.

- What's the point? I already was in the capital. - I decided to find out what was happening.

- My boy, the Empire is not the capital at all. El Ten is just one of its cities, albeit the largest. I have already studied this mainland enough, and take my word for it, you will not find anything interesting for yourself on the coast, but it's up to you to decide, I do not insist on anything. - With feigned indifference shrugged XA-Aran and, giving me a funny wink, walked in behind a cart loaded with bags full of something incomprehensible. As one would expect, because of her, the demon no longer came out, evaporated in its own style, Copperfield was fucking, at least once it would have gone culturally.

In spite of all my “demonic” nature, Xa-Aran didn’t do anything to me and never shoved sticks into the wheels, so I didn’t have a single reason not to listen to his words. And the fact that he is a demon, pfff, I’m not a racist of any kind, demons are people too, as paradoxical as this may sound. Plans to change it was easy and fast, my previous desire to ride to the sea was just an idea, the implementation of which can be done later, but the anticipation of something interesting, according to Ks-Aran, took hold of me completely and I went in high spirits make purchases and prepare for the long haul.

Yes, yes, you heard right. My path will be long, I have made a firm decision not to use the teleportation system of local magicians and not to resort to the help of Horial. All these instant movements kill the very concept of "journey." Although the desire is spontaneous, but I want to walk around the Empire on my own two feet, see what’s where and how, meet new people, become aware of local realities, the future ruler should know his country. I do not doubt for a moment that I can turn this action in a couple of hours, but no one has canceled the excitement and spirit of adventurism, I spent a lot of time in my life other similar entertainment, which inevitably caused such a reprint of fat on my worldview.

And the whole situation around, such a romanticized Middle Ages, magic and its own capabilities create a lasting impression of the game. The unreality, the frivolity of everything that is happening, all my urgent tasks seem to be entertainment and a feeling of unlimited power in my soul. How can I hold on? I did not deny myself anything, let this world be real, but no one can forbid me to play a little, to introduce my own rules into it, which can be changed at any time.

The town turned out to be small, but rather lively. There were several villages spread around it, and there was a concentration of trade. There is a teleport in the city, but it is used infrequently, only by merchants, Imperial servants and few travelers that look into this wilderness most often for business needs and not for tourism. My appearance went unnoticed, but I still changed the bright, expensive camisole for a simpler dress, and then slowly walked through the mall, buying everything that in my opinion could be useful on the road.

Different small things from inexpensive artifacts, they were very much appreciated here and they were inexpensive only by my standards, a few dozen gold strummed in the purse. I also didn’t forget to get a four-legged pet, now I’m talking about a calm, according to the merchant, not a bit obstinate horse, and I loaded a variety of junk in the form of a bowler, a blanket rolled up into a roll and other camping nonsense. A ring with a diamond warms the soul in my pocket, I found it in one of the jewelry shops, I didn’t have enough money to buy money, so I just stole it and replaced the original ...