The fire in the house was roaring brightly, reflecting half of the floor red.
Hearing the crackling of the firewood and looking at the north wind and the snow blowing outside the window, Akima felt warm all over her body. Perhaps it was the sequelae of rummaging through the rubbish heaps for food when she was a child. Usually in winter, her hands would develop frostbite, crack and molt. After moving to the Sleeping Island, it did not improve, but because of long-term exposure to salty food. seawater, became more serious.
But now, there are only a few gaps in her fingers, no blood, and no pain. Although the sores of frostbite are not unbearable compared to the pain she suffered when she was wandering and begging, no one would dislike the less pain. Some. She almost forgot about this whole body relaxing experience.
The living environment of Neverwinter is indeed indescribably magical, and even the most common residences are very different from other towns.
For example, in this brick house, both sides of the wall are painted with thick mortar, and every corner of the window is closely connected with the masonry. Even if the wind and snow outside are heavy, the interior will not be affected much. Difficulty maintaining adequate temperature. If it was an ordinary residence in Jinsui City, I am afraid that the air is leaking everywhere at this moment, and the doors and windows are howling.
In addition, there are holes in the fireplace, which can guide part of the heat under the bed in the bedroom next door. When the fire is turned off in the middle of the night, the bed is basically warm.
And that's just a small part of what she found. Such details are everywhere in Neverwinter, and the longer you live, the more profound the feeling will become. Sometimes Akima can't help but suspect that this city is not built because people need to settle here.
It is a paradise born for enjoyment.
As for why it was built in the western region, which was most affected by the evil moon, it was because of the strong contrast: the warmth felt in a place like spring in all seasons is obviously not as impressive as the warmth in the ice and snow. The more impossible something is, the more commendable it is when it is achieved.
For a moment, she almost believed the idea herself.
"The soup is ready, dinner is ready." Doris walked out of the kitchen with a pot of thick soup and placed it on the low table in the living room.
"... I'm sorry," Akima handed a cushion to her, and sat down at the table herself.
Two dishes and one soup, all of which are mushrooms as the main ingredient. This special product in the western region called bird's snout mushroom has an excellent thick taste and fragrant juice. No extra seasoning is needed, just sprinkle some salt, no matter what kind The recipes are all delicious. But she also knew that this was actually the cheapest ingredient in Neverwinter, and its price was comparable to that of wheat.
"Hey, I bought a lot of mushrooms in the house while the market was clearing and selling them," Doris said happily. "Even if we run out of food this winter, these mushrooms should be enough for us to last until spring. Although it's been a long time. It won't be as tasty, but at least it will fill you up."
Aqima scooped up a spoonful of the soup, and under the light of the fire, the little oily flowers floating on the soup surface reflected a golden luster, which was quite attractive. When it was put into her mouth, the full fragrance filled her mouth immediately, and flowed all the way into her stomach along the hot soup, making her whole abdomen warm.
It's still an impeccable taste, but she doesn't have the appetite she used to have.
After only two spoonfuls, Akima put down the small bowl in her hand.
"What's wrong?" Doris quickly noticed her strangeness.
"I'm thinking... Was the decision that day wrong?" After a long silence, Akima whispered, "Leaving here should have been just my plan, but now I've lost everyone and my long-lost relatives. A chance for a better life. If Bai Li and the others hadn't escaped the Sleeping Spell, they might have lived in a big house with heating now, instead of a few people crammed into a small house with no room to turn over."
"Why did you suddenly say this..." Doris was stunned for a while, then comforted, "No matter how small the house is, it is always a shelter from the wind and rain, not to mention that after their relatives save the down payment, they will continue to Moving out, it’s not as good as Sleeping Charm’s place, but I think it’s pretty good for two people. It’s better than when I was homeless before.”
"But now is not the past!" She interrupted the other party's words, and her tone was even a little grumpy.
Akima misestimated her own abilities and the wrong situation Such a thing? Even if the other sisters didn't care, she would never let Tilly's group see her jokes.
She submitted several job applications to the city hall in the same way as ordinary residents, but none of them got through. The ministries of construction and industry recruited all sturdy adult men, which meant she couldn't work on the minimum-demanding construction sites and furnace areas. In addition, most positions have literacy requirements, and those with slightly better pay also require a primary education diploma. Even the city hall clerk suggested that she go to the college to finish her studies first, so as not to delay her bright future.
Of the six people today, only Doris and Bai Li have a precarious job: the former is employed by the Witch League to enchant the enchanted copper rod created by Miss Mystery Moon, the salary and those of the witches living in the castle. Approaching, you can earn thirty or forty silver wolves in almost a day. It's a pity that this kind of work does not happen every day, and it may not happen once a week when it is less.
The latter started in a tailor shop. Since it had nothing to do with ability, the pay was basically the same as that of ordinary people, ranging from fifteen to twenty silver wolves a month, depending on the specific working day.
The other sisters also encountered the same dilemma as themselves.
In other words, the living expenses of the six of them fell on Doris and Bai Li.
Because of this, the warmer and more comfortable the life, the more guilt Akima felt when she rejected Wendy's good intentions, just to prove to that fellow named Nightingale that she was by no means a coward. Without relying on the Sleeping Charm, she can go on as she wishes. But now, this situation undoubtedly made her feel embarrassed.
Therefore, there was a hint of impatience in her voice.
But as soon as the words blurted out, Akima regretted, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay," Doris took her hand, "I know how you feel, and what I want to say is that everyone decided to leave Sleeping Charm together because they agreed with you. It's not anyone's. Fault. As for the little things like living expenses, don't worry about it. You paid so much for us in the past, can't you let us pay back some of it now?"
"What about repayment, I didn't do it for your repayment."
"Then we are the same, okay?" Doris blinked.
"But..." Akima didn't know what to say for a while. Looking at the sincere face, she suddenly felt something surging in her eyes. This feeling that had not appeared in a long time was as unfamiliar as iron covered with rust. The lock, even a little sour when opened again. However, she tried her best to endure. As a trusted leader, what she said just now was a gaffe, and she couldn't allow herself to make mistakes again and again.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Who?" She hurriedly turned her head away, pulled her hand back and stood up, both asking and covering up.
"It's me, Wendy," the other party replied, "His Majesty Roland wants to talk to you."