From looking at her I could understand that she was shocked and frightened by the event.. She was looking pale for a moment and I became worried as I saw her face.
Lira: "I am okay young master. Just.."
Gilbert: "It is okay. You can tell me."
I said while holding her, her hands were sweating cold, shaking like she was having a panic attack. I took her to the near of the road to not disturb anyone again and so she can be safe.
Lira: "I was just....I am just scared so much."
Gilbert: "It's okay....it's okay. Look at me, I am here."
I tried to calm her as much as I could. Heck I was doing everything I could do. I didn't know what else to do. I felt powerless as I was unable to help her, someone who tried to protect me. Yet here I am. I hugged her as there was nothing else I could do at that time.
It seemed like her breathing got slower. She stopped for a moment. And slowly and gently hugged me back. She seemed to have gotten calm.
Lira: "I am sorry, sir."
Her voice was so upset and sounded like she was about to burst out of cry. She was clenching her teeth again. Her hands were forcefully started holding her skirts.
Gilbert: "You don't need to apologize."
It clearly wasn't helping her. But I didn't know what to say right now because she doesn't tell me the reason she's upset.
Lira: "It's just.."
She was clearly having hard time expressing her emotions. Was she suppressing them whole time just like I did back then?
Gilbert: "You don't need to hide anything away. You can take your time. We are not going anywhere until you can feel better again. Okay?"
Lira: "I promised you to be your guide but here I am..."
She must be upset because she couldn't fulfill her duty. I must calm her down. How can she take the responsibility when nothing was at her fault. I didn't understand the reason, but what I do understand that she is disappointed in herself.
Gilbert: "You didn't do anything wrong. It wasn't your fault. What could have you done? Rather I am at fault for bumping him."
She cried a little, I could feel the tears dropping on my shoulder, her voice crying in silence.
Gilbert: "It's okay Lira. Let's have fun together from now on, okay?"
She wiped her tears, turned his face to the sky and took a deep breathe. We waited a little until she calmed down.
Lira: "Okay. young master."
Gilbert: " Are you feeling better?"
Lira: "Yes, young master...Thanks to you."
She started smiling and her voice became more cheerful than before. I am glad I could have worked out something. I did not want to leave her sad after she tried protect me. Honestly, by that act alone, she deserves the best maid of the year.
She was finally smiling. It was the first time seeing her smile. I will treasure this moment 'till my grave. I took her hand and we continued traveling. There were lots of things, I asked Lira everything I saw.
There was a guy who was selling colorful shining gemstones. Surprisingly, They weren't for jewelry or decoration. They contain magia and they were made for people who use magia operated machines but can't use magia. They used them as fuels to power their automated machinery.
There were a lot of machines that was powered by magic. While it resembled my world from previous a lot, there were a lot of things different. Like mechanical reapers used magia to operate themselves. But they still needed someone to push the machine.
I also asked Lira how machines used magia as a fuel, like how they help operate the machine. Apparently, she also doesn't know. Better to ask my parents when we get back.
Aside from machines, magia shops and swordsmiths, There were game stalls. We played a game where there was a wooden mock gun you fire to dolls, and if you can trip them and make them fall. You get the one which you could trip. The player had 8 chances per game.
As for my gameplay....I could not get anything and I swear there was something wrong with the toy. I was sure I was hitting the target. What else it could be if the game wasn't rigged.
I turned to the owner of the stall and asked him.
Gilbert: "This game rigged isn't it."
Lira started laughing suddenly as if it was my incompetence.
The stall owner: "Why would it be kid. There were kids before you who could win at least a prize. You have to practice and get better."
Lira: "Young master, I can show you how to win in this game. You are currently inexperienced as you have no experience playing this game before. Please, watch me."
As Lira took the toy gun with all of the sheer confidence she had, I saw her miss the every shot one by one, which made me laugh as she was the one to talk. Her expression on her face was worth to see after this scene.
Gilbert: "After all talking with that confidence. This was what you could do. You are no better than me."
I continued laughing as she turned her face to the owner.
Lira: "This game must be rigged, isn't it mister."
Which made me burst into a even greater laughter.
Gilbert: "See! I was right. How does it feel to be incorrect. Ms. Confidence."
Her face suddenly fall flat.
Lira: " Young master. I don't like that nickname."
Gilbert: "Oh... sorry."
I still couldn't stop my laughter.
Lira: "I just wanted to get my young master a gift."
Gilbert: "Thank you Lira. I appreciate that. Let's go get something to eat."
Lira: "Yes, young master. What are we going to eat?"
I don't know what kind of dishes are getting cooked here. But I am hungry. I should probably make Lira choose for us.
Gilbert: " I think I want to eat a local cuisine or something popular nowadays. What do you suggest?"
Lira: "Hmmm. I think I know where we should go."
She suddenly started going in the opposite direction. I was confused and caught up to her to ask where we are going.
Gilbert: " So where are you taking me?"
Lira: "I want to make it a surpise, young master."
Gilbert: "Oh, okay but don't make me eat anything weird."
Lira: "Follow me master."
I started following her. The streets we passed through was quite interesting. I saw a lot of beggars, homeless people, food stands and many more. But one thing that caught my eye was a house. It felt very different from the city, with a unique architecture.
It had a small garden and beautiful columns that have jewel stones on them. It's likely that it catches the eyes of every passerby. It was truly and eyefeast to look at. It looked like it belongs to someone so important for the city
Lira: "Young master. Did something catch your eye?"
Gilbert: "Yes, that house, it looks really eyecatching."
She checked to house I was mentioning.
Lira: "That house belongs to the mayor of the city, young master."
It was obvious that the house belonged to someone important, but a mayor. How can they be this rich. You have to be a superstar to afford this kind of place. It looks like a mini villa.
Gilbert: " They must be plenty wealthy. Am I right?"
Lira: "According to the rumors, he became rich during the machinery revolution. During the process he was so reliable for the king that he appointed him as the mayor of the city he operated his companies in."
That was a story without details. I can hardly believe a story that misses a lot of stuff.
Gilbert: " So, was he lucky or made the right choices? That's the real question."