Chapter 282: Hidden Information

Inside the Cecelia Merchant Association, the ratio of family affiliates to alliance collaborators stands at about 3:7, with roughly 30% of that being a few key allies. These allies hold shares ranging from 5% to 15%, firmly following the Cecelia Family’s lead, forming a similar religious family structure.

Less than half of the remaining portion is truly shared among countless large and small merchant associations that have joined from all over the world.

This ratio is strikingly reflected in the entire merchant association building and all the shops within.

Additionally, Miss Xī finds herself facing the sign of the “White Fox Saintess Specialty Store,” which hangs a pure white, noble flower emblem beside it.

That is the direct badge of the Cecelia Family.

In other words, this specialty store was opened exclusively by Edwina and Fleidetrika from the main family…

“What the heck! Those guys!”

“Ugh!”

The receptionist girl, appearing youthful and somewhat naive, jumped in surprise at Miss White Fox’s sudden outburst. Although confused, she quickly bowed and apologized profusely.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! It must be my fault! Did I say something to upset you?”

She cautiously glanced at the witch’s long dress that Miss White Fox was wearing and suddenly realized.

“Ah! I-I get it! As a devoted fan of the White Fox Saintess, you can’t possibly accept those mass-produced ordinary merchandise, right? No worries! Our shop can provide customized products exclusively for Her Highness the Saintess, made by skilled artisans directly affiliated with the association. I guarantee they will be of the highest quality!”

“Please… please do not report me! Wuwuwu!”

“…?”

Setting aside the fact that the other party’s reaction seemed overly sensitive, this merchant association was advanced enough to have a complaint mechanism already?

How much has Losa Cecelia learned from those guys at Min Chen’s place…?

Of course, Vilyric would never report the poor girl for further reducing her already limited bonus. Rather, from the very start, Miss Fox didn’t pay attention to what she was saying and was only lost in her own thoughts.

But the association’s affiliated artisans…

With such a high-profile setup for this store, located prominently on the first floor, it was indeed closely related to the Cecelia Family.

The girl wearing a mask surveyed her surroundings.

Though it was night, the brightly-lit merchant association building was bustling, with hordes of customers flowing in and out of the numerous shops, rivaling the scale of the Adventurers’ Guild in the United Kingdom.

Finding specific items in such a crowd was no easy task.

As she considered this, Vilyric shifted her gaze back to the still-anxious receptionist girl.

“Could you please call your manager over? I’d like to speak with him.”

“What! Uwu… Do you really have to file a complaint?”

“What on earth have you been through…?”

After some thought, Miss Vilyric decided to take the most straightforward approach.

She discreetly pulled out a Holy Light coin from her pocket and slipped it into the girl’s hand before she could react in surprise, whispering first.

“Shh, let’s keep this discreet. This should convey my intentions. I’m not here to cause trouble or file a complaint; I just want to talk to your boss… You understand commercial collaborations, right? Consider this a tip for delivering a message.”

“Uh, ah…?”

The receptionist, dressed in the same witch dress, instinctively looked down and immediately widened her lovely eyes in shock.

Vilyric didn’t know the receptionist’s salary but figured that considering the average prices in the Holy City, a Holy Light coin tip should clearly signal, “This is a big shot.”

After all, in this city, transactions rarely used Holy Light coins; instead, the commonly circulated currencies were the “Six-Winged Holy Coins,” “Four-Winged Holy Coins,” and “Two-Winged Holy Coins” corresponding to the Church of the Goddess’s Holy Emblem.

Sure enough, after a brief moment of shock, the receptionist, trained as a clerk under the Cecelia Family Merchant Association, quickly realized what was happening. “Please hold on a moment!” she exclaimed, hurriedly disappearing into the back room amidst her colleagues’ astonished gazes.

Seeing the girl’s reaction, Miss White Fox nodded in approval and also entered the store, finding a conspicuous spot to sit down temporarily and waited quietly.

Hmm… Although being surrounded by all these displays related to a “White Fox Saintess,” with various attendees and customers wearing high-fidelity masks or witch costumes passing by was somewhat torturous psychologically, making her consider, “Maybe I should change places?”…

Fortunately, the initial receptionist girl didn’t keep her waiting too long. She quickly returned, accompanied by a young and stylish manager dressed in an official uniform, who had emerged from the back room and located the notable Miss Fox, so similar in costume.

“Thank you for your patience! This is Manager Sela. Sela, this is our guest.”

By the way, while she thought she was being discreet, after the introduction, the receptionist quickly leaned in and whispered to the manager, “This guest seems very wealthy. They might be placing a large order!”—which the intended recipient heard clearly.

Seeming to understand the receptionist’s personality, Manager Sela, dressed in a black-and-white uniform with her short hair pinned back, exuded a mature and intellectual demeanor. She shook her head helplessly before turning her gaze to Vilyric, subtly assessing her from head to toe before speaking.

“Hello, I am Sela Cecelia. I’ve heard you have something important to discuss. What is it?”

“Cecelia… Are you a collateral branch of the family? To have a store this small managed by a demigod, it seems quite impressive.”

“…?”

Hearing the underlying meaning in the White Fox Girl’s words, Manager Sela frowned slightly, her previously relaxed demeanor fading as she further scrutinized the other girl. She then waved to the somewhat overly sensitive receptionist.

“Xiao Mo, you can head outside to take care of other customers.”

“Ah, but that coin…”

Sela shook her head.

“Since the guest said it’s a tip, just accept it. Doesn’t your sister’s treatment cost have you worried recently? Use this good fortune in a way that is genuinely valuable.”

“Okay, well…”

Seeing her superior say this, Miss White Fox didn’t intervene, and the girl could only nod gratefully. She repeatedly bowed and hurried back to her station.

Once she was gone, Sela smiled at Vilyric again.

“That girl isn’t greedy; she’s just struggling in life. If there were any offense before, I hope you can forgive her.”

Turning her gaze away from the now distant girl, Miss White Fox calmly replied.

“Hmm… She and her sister aren’t followers of the Church of the Goddess, are they? Otherwise, the Temple should provide subsidies for treatment costs, right?”

“Ah?”

Seemingly surprised that the topic had suddenly shifted to this, Manager Sela nodded after a moment of amazement.

“Yes, in fact, if she were willing to join the church with her sister, she wouldn’t have to work to save for treatment, but everyone has their ambitions. We, as outsiders, shouldn’t interfere with her decision.”

“Alright, please follow me. Let’s move to a more suitable place for a long discussion.”

   

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