Chapter 53: The Stage Known as the Western Capital

A few more days passed after that.

“So this is Mingguang City? The reputation of the Western Capital is indeed extraordinary.”

Standing by the stationary carriage, the Girl with White Fox Mask gazed afar at the towering, heavy city walls and the golden flag fluttering atop the city, representing the Summerfield Family and the Saint of Bright Light, letting out a soft sigh.

Beside her, the golden-haired girl stood silently, her gaze sweeping over the crowd lined up ahead and the city gates behind, as if she had already entered the bustling city, her brilliant golden slit pupils narrowing slightly.

“Master, there are several familiar auras within this city… a fair number of losers, it seems.”

“Really?”

With a noncommittal nod, Vilyric didn’t ask further but turned her head, watching with amusement at the pale, seemingly desolate White Feather Girl who looked as if she had lost all will to live.

“Cough… this is too much. Leila has only temporarily banned a few snacks and sketchbooks for you to concentrate, but you make it sound like you’re going through withdrawal…”

Renee, with her dull, dead fish-like eyes, mustered some energy and protested indignantly in a low voice.

“This is too excessive! Miss Xī, if I can’t eat or drink whenever I want, what’s the point of life! And my mental sustenance, all my precious collections, were taken away by my sister! This is inhumane abuse!!!”

Feeling embarrassed on her behalf, Leila next to her immediately facepalmed in disbelief.

“Isn’t the meaning of your life a bit shallow? Moreover, weren’t those sketchbooks just returned? If you don’t toughen up a bit, with your lazy nature, who knows when you’ll break through. Do you want to be a mere bystander again like last time?”

“I don’t care! I’m not listening! Big sister is a big bad guy!”

The two sisters, who had already completed their bloodline breakthroughs, continued their pointless squabble, while Vilyric smiled and chose not to intervene, but turned her head as if sensing something and adjusted her little fox mask.

“Miss Xī, everyone, you seem as spirited as ever today.”

Vilyric nodded, her tone calm.

“Are you here to say goodbye, Mr. Afuri?”

The young merchant took off his top hat, smiling as he bowed to the girls before speaking.

“Yes, O Light Goddess, this time I am truly grateful to you all. Otherwise, our entire caravan would have suffered heavy losses due to my immature decisions. The White Dove Merchant Association owes you a favor, and so do I personally…”

Saying this, Afuri pulled out a bulging leather coin purse from his bosom, and with a gentle shake, the sound of heavy coins clinking came from inside as he offered it to Miss White Fox.

“I know that for true strong individuals, wealth is merely an external thing, but I, Afuri, am someone who believes in gratitude. Please accept this little token of my appreciation.”

“How polite!”

After eyeing the size of the coin purse and the fleeting pained look on the merchant’s face, Vilyric realized this amount was likely five times what they had previously paid for their fare, which might not be much for the vast White Dove Merchant Association, but for Afuri personally, it was a considerable sum.

After some thought, Miss Priestess didn’t take the money offered by the merchant. The fluffy snow-white ears on her head twitched as she stepped forward slightly and quietly spoke.

“No need for the money. Just as you said, it doesn’t hold much meaning for us. If Mr. Afuri truly wishes to repay me, how about helping me with a little task?”

“Gulp…”

The man instinctively swallowed, seeming a bit nervous at the girl stepping closer and her unknown request, but ultimately, he nodded sincerely.

“What is it? Please enlighten me, Miss Xī.”

“Hehe, it’s very simple ~”

From beneath her mask, a sly giggle reminiscent of a fox sounded, followed by her request.

“When we enter Mingguang City and continue our trade, please promote that it was [Xī] who defeated the monster disguised as a divine being on the Holy Spirit Path that attacked the innocent caravan and saved us, as well as promoting… my image, how about that?”

Surprised by the abruptness of her request, Afuri paused for a moment before showing some hesitation.

“Promotion…? However, I am not familiar with the specific circumstances on the Holy Spirit Path. What if Pierre and the others were truly punished for offending the faith; wouldn’t that…”

“Oh, you can rest easy on that. I can assure you that what dwells on the Holy Spirit Path is not the Holy Spirit, and they certainly can’t be the followers of the Light Goddess. There’s no need to worry about offending the faith towards Her Highness. Of course, you don’t need to make a big deal out of it; just casually mention it over tea when appropriate, that should be enough, right?”

Seeing Vilyric’s earnest assurance, and perhaps considering the incredible power they had previously displayed and the life-saving favor, Afuri hesitantly nodded and retracted the coin purse.

“Alright, I will take on this task. As we are about to enter Mingguang City, do you have any other needs?”

“No, we’ve already made arrangements for the upcoming journey. So Mr. Afuri, we must bid you farewell for now… oh, wait.”

As if suddenly remembering something, Miss White Fox paused for a moment and lowered her voice again, leaning in slightly.

“May I ask, if it’s convenient, who exactly are you delivering this batch of goods to?”

“?”

The man’s action of turning to leave stopped momentarily as he turned back to gaze deeply at the gem-like, clear silver-blue eyes beneath the mask of the White Fox Girl, after a while, he spoke in a deep voice.

“Though it’s not a grand secret, I am not supposed to disclose the names of the clients… but fine, just this once, you must not spread this around.”

The merchant did not specify but instead pointed toward the distant towering Mingguang city walls and the fluttering flags atop them, leaving behind a vague comment, then he bowed again and retreated.

“The recipient is the master of this city.”

Until Afuri’s figure disappeared into the crowd of the caravan, the thoughtful girl finally began to walk alongside her companions toward the city ahead, with only the cold winter wind swallowing her silent musing left behind on the land.

“The Summerfield Family, acquiring so many iron mines and magic crystals… what do they truly intend to do?”

Meanwhile, in another part of the city.

The snow-white unicorn with wings descended gracefully, landing steadily on the elegant and tidy castle platform, where black and white tuxedo-clad attendants had long waited respectfully.

He extended his hand, skillfully and respectfully helping the girl down from the horse, and her pure, ethereal voice rang out simultaneously.

“How are the preparations going?”

The attendant replied softly.

“Your Highness, everything is proceeding smoothly, and the funding chain is sound. We expect to complete all preliminary preparations by the day of the Sacred Arrival.”

“Mm, O Light Goddess, you all have done well.”

The master of this city, the head of the Summerfield Family, the Saint of Bright Light, Yuna Summerfield looked up, her gem-like, clear light blue eyes gazing at the bright sunlight pouring from the sky, revealing a smile.

“The shooting stars are shifting; this is a sign of light descending upon the mortal realm. The tides of bright and dark are churning, it’s time for us to act. Go send word to the Lingyin Merchant Association and let the plan… officially commence.”

   

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