"Huh? Take your money back, you moron! I don't take bribes!" the smith shouted, waving his hand angrily.
Unbothered, Lucy turned away and headed toward the door. Alfie and Rebekah followed close behind. The smith's voice echoed behind them, persistent and loud.
"Come back here and take your money! Come back here!"
He kept yelling until the trio opened the door that connected the forging room to the main equipment shop.
Alfie slung his scabbard across his back like a backpack. The sheath had two straps crossing over his shoulders. Rebekah, on the other hand, tied her scabbard around her waist using a long rope that looped around securely.
Lucy stopped at the shopkeeper's table—the same one who tried to overcharge them earlier. He sat high on a wooden stool behind the counter, waiting silently for customers. Without a word, she dropped five gold coins onto the table, turned, and continued walking toward the exit.
The shopkeeper's eyes widened. "Hey! Come back and take your money—I don't want it anymore!" he yelled after her.
Lucy smirked over her shoulder. "I'm not paying for the sword, mister. I'm paying you for not stopping me from walking out with my student. It would've been unfortunate if I had to hurt an innocent young man."
The man blinked, speechless.
Without waiting for a reply, Lucy walked out of the shop. Alfie and Rebekah followed close behind.
"Master," Rebekah said as they walked, "are you sure it's okay to just give out ten gold coins like that?"
"Of course. It's just a little gesture to thank them for not trying to keep Alfie from me," Lucy said with a warm smile.
"Ohhh, so that's why you gave them the money!" Rebekah replied with a knowing grin. "For a second, I thought it was because you love Alfie."
"Huh? I do love both of you," Lucy said, chuckling. "And yes, that's why I'll be the one to discipline him properly."
"Whatever it is, Master, bring it on!" Alfie chimed in proudly. "I'm not scared of anything. I'm ready for a one-on-one duel right now. I need stronger opponents to grow."
Lucy smiled.
"Suit yourself, Alfie."
"I won't interfere with your stubbornness anymore," Rebekah said, yawning as they continued toward the motel.
"Master," Rebekah added, "don't you think it's too late to travel? You remember what that old man said about the border of Eminence and Sunflower? We shouldn't walk into trouble knowingly."
"We'll decide once I check on my horse," Lucy replied. "If she's in good shape, we're setting off."
Rebekah sighed and lowered her head in disappointment.
"Hey, Master!" Alfie said with sudden excitement. "You said you were gonna get us new clothes. Let's find a shop!"
"Can't you see the shops are closing one by one?" Rebekah replied. "It's almost midnight already. You won't find a single one open ready for business."
Alfie sighed in disappointment as they approached the motel. Once there, Lucy headed straight to the stables behind the building to check on her horse, while Alfie and Rebekah waited out front.
"Hey, Alfie," Rebekah asked softly, "do you want to continue traveling tonight?"
"Of course not!" he said, rubbing his temples. "I'm exhausted. My head hurts so much—I really hope Master's horse is sick."
"Lower your voice, you fool!" Rebekah hissed. "What if Master's right behind us? We'll be in serious trouble!"
Alfie exhaled deeply. "My bad. I'm just worn out from all the stress today. My head's been hurting like crazy. Feels like the pain is spreading to my whole body."
Rebekah's face turned serious. "Since when?"
"Since we started walking to the motel," Alfie answered.
"We should tell Master," Rebekah said. "That doesn't sound like an ordinary headache. It might be connected to your Force Energy."
"Huh? Force Energy? What's that?" Alfie asked.
"It's like your physical strength—but stronger, thanks to your Renshi," Rebekah explained. "Your muscles are strengthened by how much Renshi you possess. Since you have a ton of it, your Force Energy is really powerful."
"Ohh! That must be why I could slice through the Rock of the Forest… and lift that old man's heavy hammer!" Alfie exclaimed.
"Yes, yes, yes," a voice said behind them. "That's exactly why."
Alfie and Rebekah spun around, startled.
"I didn't even hear Master's footsteps," Rebekah thought nervously.
"I hope she didn't hear me wishing her horse was sick. No, no, no—this is bad!" Alfie panicked internally.
Lucy looked at them both with a mischievous smile. "Nice explanation, Rebekah. And nice prediction, Alfie. You wanted my horse to fall ill? Well, now she is. We won't be traveling tonight."
Alfie immediately bolted into the motel.
Rebekah gasped and ran after him.
"You kids shouldn't run off like that," Lucy said calmly as she stepped inside behind them. "We're sleeping in the same room. There's nowhere to hide."
Alfie and Rebekah burst into the room Lucy had booked for the three of them, looking like they'd seen a ghost.