Walking all the way, he encountered hundreds of people, but Lawson couldn’t find a single girl who caught his eye. Regardless of age or gender, everyone had been so ravaged by life that they barely looked human.

He couldn’t help but think: ‘No wonder when I casually picked a portrait to draw, it made Silas stare in amazement. And no wonder he describes ordinary people as country bumpkins.’

Looking at Silas again, he seemed completely used to all this, paying it no mind and focusing solely on hurrying along.

Soon, the two of them arrived at the town center, where there was a square. In the middle of the square stood a large well, and the area around it was packed with people fetching water.

It was even livelier here. People came and went, the roadsides were lined with shops, and every bit of open space was filled with all kinds of small stalls.

Lawson looked around carefully and found vendors selling fruit bread, clothes, daily necessities, weapons and armor, and even books and paintings. The variety of goods was dazzling.

Walking down the street, all sorts of sounds filled his ears: merchants hawking their wares, haggling, acquaintances greeting each other—one after another, filling the air with the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life.

Silas ignored the familiar greetings from the street vendors and walked straight into a shop called ‘Antique Charm.’

At the counter, he took out the beauty portrait drawn by Lawson and handed it over: “Horace~ selling a painting, name your price.”

Horace was the shop owner. He knew Silas, and as he put on his reading glasses, he joked, “Oh~ Master Mage, how come you’re selling paintings now?”

He then glanced at Lawson: “Hmm~ and you’ve picked up a little assistant.”

Silas tapped the counter with his finger, impatiently saying, “Cut the chatter~ I’m in a hurry.”

Horace put on his glasses and picked up the drawing to examine it closely.

As he looked, he couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh, “It’s drawn very well, full of spirit, but it’s an ink painting—the colors are too monotonous... At most, I can give you 1 kre.”

Silas was taken aback: “This painting is worth 1 silver coin? Then if I use high-quality paints and canvas, how much would it be worth?”

Horace thought for a moment, then raised his hand to show a number: “If it’s a proper oil painting of the same quality, I can give you 1 crown per piece.”

Standing to the side, Lawson could clearly feel that Silas’s breathing had become much heavier.

He saw the gray-robed mage lower the brim of his hat to cover his expression, and deliberately lowered his voice: “Very well, then get me a set of professional oil painting supplies... the best quality.”

“You’re sure you want the best? It’s not cheap—a set costs 3 crowns.”

Before he finished speaking, Silas had already laid out three gleaming gold coins on the counter.

Shopkeeper Horace was quite surprised, but clearly knew Silas’s character and didn’t ask further: “As you wish, Mr. Silas.”

After picking up the supplies, Silas took Lawson by the arm and left the shop.

Lawson could clearly feel that Silas was gripping him tightly, even to the point of pain, as if afraid he might run away.

Leaving ‘Antique Charm,’ Silas skillfully turned right, and after walking a little over a hundred meters, they arrived at the entrance of an inn.

The inn’s signboard had a picture of a flying bird. Through the glass-like transparent window by the door, they could see that the first floor was a tavern, with shadowy figures inside and a lively atmosphere.

As they pushed the door open, Lawson was immediately greeted by a burst of loud noise.

At the same time, a strange mix of smells—alcohol, body odor, food, perfume, and more—rushed at him. It was warm, with sour, rancid, fragrant, and stinky scents all mingled together, making him sneeze three times in a row.

Right after, he saw a young girl in a purple dress gracefully approach. When she got close, she asked in a flirtatious tone, “Master Mage, looking for some fun?”

The girl was about sixteen or seventeen, very pretty—she’d be at least a 6 out of 10 even on Earth. Her figure, especially accentuated by her low-cut, high-slit dress, made her look particularly alluring.

Compared to the ordinary women he’d seen in town earlier, this girl was as beautiful as a fairy.

Silas was clearly attracted as well. He looked the girl up and down, raising an eyebrow: “New here? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

The girl covered her mouth and smiled, “You have a good memory, sir. My name is Lillian, and I just started working here.”

“Lillian?”

Silas repeated the name softly, scrutinizing the girl. Suddenly, as if something occurred to him, the dazed look in his eyes instantly cleared.

“Miss Lillian, thank you very much for your kindness. Please give my regards to Madam Patsy. Oh, and here’s a little gift for you.”

As he spoke, he discreetly slipped a gold crown into the girl’s hand.

The teasing look on the girl’s face immediately faded by ninety percent. “Oh, Master Mage, you’re so generous. I wish you a pleasant stay in White Horse Town.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Lawson noticed that Silas seemed to breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

The mage walked to the counter, booked a room on the second floor, and hurried upstairs, almost running down the corridor before ducking into his room.

Once inside, he immediately closed the door, but not all the way—he deliberately left a narrow gap, then stood quietly behind the door, waiting.

He waited for a full quarter of an hour, but nothing unusual happened.

‘Phew～～’