The distance from the Dungeon Entrance to the nearest city, Moravia, wasn’t long.
After all, Clorel could reach here in half a day by running, so Su Yao thought reintegrating into human society should be easy.
She had thought so.
“Clorel, how much farther is it? Why don’t we find a place to rest first?”
“You really are useless, Master. Taking a break just after a short walk at this speed means it’ll be tomorrow morning before we reach the city.”
Whether it was the maid uniform that gave her a sharp tongue or her displeasure at being called “Master,” Clorel’s voice had been a bit sharp since they set off.
But the way the chestnut-haired maid kept glancing back betrayed her true feelings.
The loli’s body was far more fragile than Su Yao had imagined.
Taking advantage of Clorel turning her head again, Su Yao tilted her head up at a forty-five-degree angle, her large eyes slightly glistening with tears as she looked at her.
“Can’t help you, come up.”
Just as Su Yao expected, the cute act worked perfectly.
Clorel squatted down, turning her back to Su Yao and stretching out her hands. Su Yao eagerly climbed onto the beautiful girl’s back.
“Thank you.”
A faint, fresh fragrance reached Su Yao’s nose. Perhaps due to the light exercise, Clorel’s body temperature was a little higher.
For a former Imperial Princess, being suddenly dressed in a maid uniform and forced to call someone “Master” would’ve probably made anyone else explode with anger.
Someone with a worse temper might’ve threatened or imprisoned Su Yao outright to get their way. But though she was reluctant, Clorel still agreed to their mutually beneficial arrangement.
She really was a good person.
Of course, Su Yao never intended to bully her. As for the battle attire, it wasn’t chosen maliciously— her limited imagination only allowed her to reference some bizarre culture from an island nation’s alternate dimension.
Could she imagine it as a magical girl’s battle suit? Well, maybe, but no.
Still, if they were to act together, the maid uniform was more convenient—even if this particular maid uniform wasn’t exactly proper.
The journey became much easier from Su Yao’s perspective.
But judging from Clorel’s expression, she didn’t seem very tired, and the corners of her mouth were curling upward ever so slightly.
No idea what good thought had crossed her mind.
The two successfully arrived in Moravia. Near the city gate, Su Yao asked Clorel to put her down and reminded her once more of the three rules.
First, call her “Master” when others are around; otherwise, just use her name.
Second, don’t stray too far from her.
Third, never draw weapons even if encountering enemies from the past— unless the opponent has ill intent.
This city lay within the territory of Marquess Willey, whose domain bordered two neighboring nations besides the Vichy Kingdom that had invaded Clorel’s country. The other nation was the Rhine Empire.
Thanks to trade among the three countries, this area was once prosperous, but now only two still traded.
According to Clorel’s introduction, Willey was lazy, shortsighted, and indulgent. The king had once planned to strip him of his title.
Unexpectedly, Willey colluded with the Vichy Kingdom, opening his territory with no resistance.
Because of this, Clorel’s country had been at a disadvantage in the early stages of the war, which was part of the reason for their defeat.
The city guards at the gate stood listlessly. Someone collected an entrance fee from those entering the city.
It was obvious this incompetent marquess rarely trained his soldiers.
The pair entered the city at dusk. The streets were lit by lanterns.
Along the gray brick buildings, pedestrians wore various clothes, all bearing similar expressions of sorrow.
In the filthy alleys at street corners, many figures—both big and small—were curled up.
The incompetent marquess, of course, did nothing to manage his land properly. They passed countless beggars and vagrants.
But the city’s center seemed separated from the outskirts by some kind of barrier.
Just a street’s distance, but the prosperity here dazzled Su Yao.
Street performers drew applause, horses’ hooves echoed cheerfully on the roads, and richly dressed nobles laughed as they entered all kinds of shops.
Of course, the beggars hadn’t disappeared—they mostly hid in dark corners, their eyes fixed on the trash bins beside upscale restaurants.
Su Yao stopped in front of a gilded restaurant door.
“This is it. If we’re going to pose as nobles and merchants, at least the surface act has to be convincing.”
Clorel’s eyebrows twitched. Her small treasury had already been depleted by Su Yao’s spending spree.
Though most of the investment had been spent on her, the former Royal Princess still felt a pang of pain watching the bag of gold steadily shrink.
“Maybe somewhere else? I know a restaurant with good food and affordable prices.”
“No way. It wouldn’t make sense anywhere else. It’s just eating, but some things can only be done here.”
Su Yao straightened her chest, smoothed her white dress, and smiled as she walked inside.
The doorman froze for a moment. Many noble patrons dined at “Rosasaria,” but they had never seen such a petite, elegant noble before.
Moreover, the maid trailing behind her was oddly dressed but radiated a faint aristocratic aura.
They speculated whether Su Yao was the hidden daughter of some duke and her maid at least a baroness.
“Welcome. Enjoy your meal.”
The waiter bowed slightly and gently pulled open the gilded carved door handle.
Su Yao led Clorel inside.
Magnificent crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their warm yellow light casting a cozy glow on the white walls. Crossing the red carpet, they were led by another waiter to a table draped in white cloth.
In the vase on the table was a freshly picked white flower. Su Yao didn’t know its name but its scent resembled some kind of lily.
“Why are you just standing behind me? Sit down and keep me company.”
Su Yao’s voice was soft, but many turned to look at her. Men and women alike displayed expressions of astonishment and admiration.
Of course, there were a few “perverts” whose gazes held nothing but raw desire.
Clorel obediently sat opposite her. Both possessed advanced “Court Etiquette,” so even though Clorel wore a maid uniform, no one dared question them.
The waiter stood respectfully by, waiting for their order.
Su Yao frowned slightly as she examined the Menu. Despite being a magical world, the technology here lagged far behind modern times.
She had no idea what any of the complicated dish names meant.
She didn’t bother guessing and, to the surprise of those watching, said, “Bring one of everything on the menu.”