Xia Li remained silent when faced with the question.
The question about the Saint’s death had appeared!
If she said the wrong thing now, it would be disastrous!
But staying silent for too long would also raise suspicion…
“It’s probably because of the Night Goddess’s blessing. She protected me at the crucial moment,” Xia Li shrugged, figuring that blaming everything on the Night Goddess would leave no room for contradiction.
“The power of the Night Goddess? That’s not surprising at all.” Verennika lightly tapped Xia Li’s chin with her fingertip, her gaze resting on Xia Li’s face. “The blessing you received seems no less than that of a Saint.”
“Guess I’m just lucky.”
“That’s not something luck alone can grant. The great Night Goddess clearly saw a certain quality in you.” Verennika moved closer, her breath carrying a faint floral fragrance as she approached Xia Li’s cheek.
“Do you have anything else?”
Xia Li took a step back, cautiously raising her arms to guard herself.
“You and I are both favored children blessed by the Night Goddess. Our meeting today may not be a coincidence but fate itself.” Verennika narrowed her eyes and extended her pale hand toward Xia Li. “I want to invite you to join my commissioned mission.”
“No thanks, I’m not interested. Just give me the promised magic sword.”
“But I haven’t even told you what the mission is…”
“No matter what it is, I’m not doing it.”
“The reward is two gold coins.”
“I said I’m not interested… Wait, two gold coins?!”
Two gold coins—that’s 200 silver coins.
That was dozens more silver coins than all her belongings combined!
This was a Saint, one of the top ten most influential figures in the Englia Empire.
Her wealth to throw money around like that was absurd!
Xia Li felt as if beneath Verennika’s angelic and pure facade, a succubus was hidden, constantly tempting her, trying to pull her deeper.
But she just had a bad feeling about this…
“I have other things to do…” Xia Li tried to back away.
“Three gold coins.”
“Even if you say that…”
“Five gold coins.”
“Fine.”
There was simply no way to refuse!
Xia Li slightly regretted not holding her tongue, but since the words were already out, she cleared her throat and said with some embarrassment, “Alright, I’ll ask. What exactly is this mission?”
“To investigate the source of the monster infestation in Aiden Forest.”
“How do you know the source is in Aiden Forest?” Xia Li feigned surprise.
“No disturbance within ten kilometers of Steinberg escapes my magical perception.” As a Saint, Verennika’s words carried undeniable weight.
“Is it just the two of us?”
“There’s another companion. She’s the only person with a pure heart I’ve ever met.”
“Oh? Then I’m looking forward to meeting her.”
“Let’s go.” Verennika reached into her spatial magic and took out the magic sword, handing it to Xia Li along with a shining gold coin. “Consider this an advance.”
“Gulp…”
The gold coin in Xia Li’s hand was small but heavy.
Under the sunlight, it gleamed brilliantly.
Imprinted on the coin was the crowned Empress of the Englia Empire—so beautiful and dignified, it made one want to kiss it.
The magic sword, surprisingly light in her hand.
Xia Li tried swinging it; a gust of wind accompanied the motion, shaking a branch five meters away until it snapped and fell.
Hey, not bad.
“Looks like my judgment was right. Just feed your greed for money, and you’ll do anything.” Verennika’s face held a cryptic smile.
“I’m a performer, not a prostitute. I’m not that kind of woman.” Xia Li grabbed her clothes and took half a step away.
Could it be that this Saint didn’t suspect her identity but was interested in her as a person?
Saints shouldn’t be that vulgar!
But then again, this world was essentially an isekai…
So maybe it wasn’t impossible!
“Don’t misunderstand. I just admire you.”
“Admire? You’ve already seen what kind of greed I hide in my heart.”
“Everyone harbors greed, even myself. It’s the original sin of humanity. But unlike others, you don’t hide your desires, nor are you like Alma Stein, who treats the blessing of the great Night Goddess as a treasure not to be touched.”
…What was she on about?
Xia Li’s head ached at Verennika’s religious tone. Amid the messy words, she understood the last sentence’s meaning.
Luya’s mother, Alma, had married strategically for the Night Goddess’s divine blood.
Could it be that because Xia Li had taught Alma a lesson, Verennika—the Night Goddess’s fanatic follower—was treating her so nicely?
Whatever, it wasn’t important.
“Where’s this other companion you mentioned? When do we leave?” Xia Li thought about having dinner with Enis and the others later and didn’t want to be delayed.
“She’s already here.”
“Where?” Xia Li looked around just as something suddenly slipped inside her clothes and touched her waist. The cold touch made her shiver.
Who was that?!
Xia Li hadn’t sensed anyone approaching. She quickly grabbed the hand, but the icy fingers slipped out like an eel.
The pouch of money she was holding disappeared with it.
Turning around, she saw a figure cloaked sitting on a branch, toying with her money pouch. “What’s wrapped up so tightly here? Let me see… Just money?”
The figure sighed in disappointment, then deftly leapt down from the tree. Pulling back the hood of the cloak, strands of jet-black short hair fell to her shoulders, and her amber eyes scanned Xia Li.
She tossed the pouch back to Xia Li, a small fang showing as she smiled. “Never thought Verenn would pick you as our helper. Things are getting more interesting.”
Verenn?
That was a surprisingly casual way to call a Saint.
And judging by what she said…
“You know me?” Xia Li frowned.
“Of course. Who in Steinberg’s high society doesn’t know you? You’re the only one in the entire city bold enough to cause a ruckus at Stein Manor and steal someone else’s love.”
“Tch…” Xia Li didn’t want to be famous for something like that!
She’d have to get more compensation from Filia for the mental damage!
“Furs Scorch. That’s my name.” Furs smiled and extended her hand. “Xia Lili, I hope you’ll bring something even more interesting than yesterday.”
Xia Lili? What kind of name was that…? Xia Li felt goosebumps all over but out of politeness shook Furs’s hand.
Huh?
Something seemed to be moving in her palm.
Xia Li instinctively pulled her hand back. A black-brown shiny creature with a smooth hard shell and two antennae flew out.
A bug… a bug?!
Furs had been hiding it in her hand?
What was wrong with this girl?!
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