> Ellie PoV < With our business in the guild finished, we leave. We walk at a relaxing pace towards the middle of the city. "Hey, Ellie." Kira whispers with a worried face. "Nano`s been quiet for a while now." "That`s a bit strange, isn`t it?" I close my eyes and tilt my head in thought. Nano has been silent ever since we entered the city. Nobody else can hear Nano, so it`s not like Nano is being shy. "Maybe Nano broke again?" "Eh? Nano can break? And what do you mean `again`?" "It used to happen a lot. Nano got better at it though." "That sounds horrible! Doesn`t it hurt?!" Kira really does worry a lot about people. "Ah, but Nano isn`t a person." "Oh, that`s right isn`t it? Still, can we help Nano somehow?" "Ah no problem I just have to use the, uh, [Star Magic] Revival spell, yes." I raise my right hand and press my index and middle fingers to my temple. "<>" I recite the special words Nano taught me. It`s in our old language, so Kira is looking puzzled. {<>} {<>} {<>} {<>} {*Tzzt* *Khhhhh* Ahh there we go.} "Oh it worked! Good job Ellie! {Yeah, I can think straight again thanks to you.} {Just, notice earlier next time.} "That, sorry Nano." I apologize properly for my blunder. "What even happened?" {I lost to that guard with the scary face.} If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "Eh, the guard captain? What do you mean you lost?" {I made a mistake. I tried to mind it.} "Ah, it was that, after all." "Can`t help it if it`s that guy." Me and Kira nod in agreement. "He even broke me for a moment." I confess to Nano. {As I thought, a formidable enemy indeed.} "But Ellie got even, so don`t be too harsh on him." {Got even? How?} "She snapped his arm like a twig." {WHAT? How can you two walk around so leisurely after assaulting an officer?} " "You lose if you mind it." " Me and Kira remind Nano in unison. {Ahhh, that was dangerous. I almost broke again.} Good, crisis averted. I don`t like to <> Nano. My body gets a bit numb when I do that. I`ll do it as many times as I need to, but unpleasant things are unpleasant. * * * As we were carefully catching Nano up to speed, we arrived at City Hall. It`s a dull-looking brick building on three floors. Each floor is about half the size of the guild`s. We go up to the second floor and approach the clerk. She`s a calm-looking woman somewhere in her mid-20s. "Welcome to City Hall, how can I help you?" "We`re here to build a base." The clerk immediately understood and went into action. We show our guild cards, point out the area on a map and pay the fee.

　　Well, the fee in question was almost nothing.

　　I suppose there`s not much demand for a plot of land in the middle of a monster-infested forest. The clerk takes out a huge tome, flicks it open and starts scribbling. "All set!" Over in two minutes. People buying land in the middle of nowhere must be common. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing. * * * It`s gotten a bit late, it`s almost sunset. We book a room at an inn, but we head back out. Kira says there`s one more place to visit. It`s the church.