Su Yao was very scared now; it seemed like her maid was possessed by some filthy spirit, yet nothing abnormal showed up on her status panel.
During this past week, no matter how outrageous her requests were, Clorel had always fulfilled them with a smile—even when asked to warm the bed, there was no complaint.
Something was wrong. Very wrong!
“Slimes, keep a good watch over the place. I’ll come back to play with you the day after tomorrow.”
The pale blue gel-like creatures bounced excitedly around her upon hearing Su Yao’s announcement of leaving. It was clear they were reluctant to see her go.
Besides the large Magic Spring, Su Yao had also purchased and set up two small Magic Springs in the catacomb’s corners. Thanks to this, twenty Water Slimes could regenerate every two days.
The initial upgrades were swift; in just six days, more than fifty slimes sacrificed their lives to help Clorel reach level 17 and Su Yao level 5.
It showed in her appearance as well—her tablet successfully upgraded to rank A. Pfft, rather, she had grown a few centimeters taller, and her delicate face now resembled Clorel’s golden-haired look more closely.
Come to think of it, could it be that the chestnut-haired maid’s recent obedience was because she now regarded her as a little sister?
No matter the reason, having capable staff was a good thing.
Upon reaching level 5, Su Yao discovered she could command the slimes. It was amusing to see them obediently form a circle and hop around in front of her.
Of course, their favorite thing was still dragging her into the Magic Spring to “consume” her—slimes instinctively liked to envelop things within their bodies.
Su Yao couldn’t bear to use her dungeon monsters for leveling up anymore. Although monsters granted DP upon death, as leveling efficiency dropped, it was more worthwhile to let the slimes stay by the springs to generate DP.
Besides, these guys were rather cute when obedient.
So on the day she was scheduled to deliver goods to Hilvi, she decided to take Clorel to Moravia’s Adventurers’ Guild to register as adventurers.
Calling them adventurers was actually like calling them “odd-jobs specialists” combined with “freelancers” in her eyes.
From slaying evil dragons to cleaning toilets or catching cats, as long as the client could afford the pay, they would do anything.
Of course, the Adventurers’ Guild never issued requests for illegal activities.
Su Yao planned to take on some monster-slaying quests with Clorel.
With her there, she only needed to “AFK” on the sidelines cheering them on.
Battling monsters would help Clorel improve her skill proficiency, help Su Yao level up, and also earn rewards—three birds with one stone!
She truly was a genius!
Leaving the catacomb, Clorel obediently carried Su Yao piggyback.
Although she wanted to say she was no longer the frail little girl with a strength value of four, since free transportation was on offer, why not take it?
The last time they came to Moravia had been in the evening, and they arrived and left in a hurry.
This time, Su Yao set off early and finally arrived (carried) in Moravia before noon.
Compared to the evening, the border town was livelier during the day. As soon as they entered the city, they heard vendors shouting to sell their wares.
A few unruly kids ran around the streets, occasionally bumping into passersby, provoking curses (let’s hope those wallets stayed safe).
“Let’s go, Clorel. We’ll deliver the goods to Hilvi first.”
It was time for Su Yao’s most dreaded social interaction, but to build her catacomb, she had to meet this major client no matter how unpleasant it was.
On the top floor of a luxurious inn, stepping over the red carpet laid for guests, the two met once again the gray-templed butler at the end of the hallway.
“Please wait a moment, my lady is currently receiving visitors.”
The butler bowed slightly and stopped them.
The magic world’s lack of appointment systems was inconvenient. Come to think of it, what kind of communication methods did this world have? Carrier pigeons?
Su Yao’s thoughts were interrupted by the heated argument erupting behind the door.
“Hilvi, I’ve tolerated you for long enough. Hand over the supply sources; these luxury goods should be managed by me, the heir to the Ashly family. You just need to obediently wait for the political marriage and live worry-free as a noble lady.”
“Father hasn’t appointed an heir yet. Brother, aren’t you too impatient? Besides, without the Chamber of Commerce I manage, how long do you and Father think you’d enjoy life relying solely on territory taxes?”
“Even if Father hasn’t appointed an heir, everyone can see it’s meant for me. By seniority, I’m the eldest; by ability, I’m also above you!”
“If that’s the case, then why don’t you refuse my Chamber of Commerce dividends and start a new guild yourself? I swear, as long as you turn a profit, I’ll hand over the supply immediately.”
“Fine, Hilvi, you… just you wait!”
Frustrated footsteps approached, the door was violently flung open, then slammed shut with a bang.
Su Yao swore she hadn’t deliberately eavesdropped—it was just that the man’s hysterical yelling was so loud, she could hear it clearly outside the door.
“Take care, Young Master Norton.”
The butler politely saw the guest out.
Unexpectedly, the man stopped as he passed Su Yao and Clorel. “Royal Princess?”
The golden-haired girl instinctively glanced back at the chestnut-haired maid. Surely her identity hadn’t been exposed again?
But the man reached out to grab her directly.
Clorel didn’t hesitate to block him, and only then did Su Yao realize who he had mistaken for the Royal Princess.
“Me? You have the wrong person,” she said, pointing at her nose.
“Young Master Norton, this is Miss Su Yao, a noble from a distant land and an important guest of my lady. Please show some respect.”
“Tch.”
The man gave Su Yao a once-over from head to toe, clicked his tongue, then stormed off.
Su Yao looked after him in confusion. This was her first time being mistaken for someone else.
Normally, no one would mistake a random golden-haired girl on the street for a Royal Princess, right? It must have been a coincidence.
“Miss Su Yao, please come in.”
The butler opened the gilded door and gestured politely.
On the sofa sat the blue-eyed girl who always gave Su Yao a headache, sitting upright. Three cups of freshly brewed “leaf” water rested on the table.
Su Yao sat opposite her once again, watching as she kept adding white sugar from a small bowl beside her into her cup.
Ugh, wasn’t that a lethal amount?
“Too much sugar is bad for your health,” she couldn’t help but advise.
“People tend to binge when they’re upset; it’s normal, Miss Monster.”
Su Yao silently took note of her current state. From her expression, it was impossible to tell Hilvi’s mood.
“I brought a lot of goods this time. Miss Hilvi, do you still have enough gold?”
“Of course. Miss Monster’s products are very popular—not only in my restaurant but even the nobles in the Capital are clamoring for me to increase the supply of ‘white sugar.’ Thanks to you, I’m making a fortune.”
Just moments ago, she had been arguing with a hysterical man, yet now she smiled artificially and discussed business with Su Yao.
How should one put it? “Nobles seem to live very exhausting lives.”
Hilvi’s hand stirring the sugar paused. For a moment, a glimmer of moisture seemed to flash in her pale blue eyes, but the next instant, she regained her composure.
“Living has never been an easy thing.”