A few days had passed since then.

 

“So this is Bright Light City? The name Western Capital really is extraordinary.”

 

Standing beside the halted carriage, a girl wearing a white fox mask gazed into the distance at the towering and majestic city walls, and at the golden flags fluttering atop the city, representing Summerfield and the Bright Light Saintess. She couldn’t help but utter a faint sigh.

 

Next to her, a girl with long golden hair stood silently, guarding her. Her gaze swept over the queue of people ahead and beyond the city gate, seemingly penetrating into the city itself, her sparkling golden vertical pupils narrowing slightly.

 

“Master, there are several familiar presences in this city, and quite a few riffraff too.”

 

“Oh? Really~”

 

Nodding slightly without confirming or denying, Violet didn’t continue to ask more questions. Instead, she turned her head with a bit of amusement to look at the other side where a white-feathered girl looked utterly exhausted, seemingly having lost the will to live.

 

“Cough… it’s not that bad. Leila only temporarily banned snacks and picture books for a few days to help you focus. Why are you acting like you’re quitting something serious…”

 

Lifting her eyes, which were as dull as dead fish, Miss Rene barely mustered some energy and protested in a low voice, filled with righteous indignation.

 

“This is too much, Miss Dawn! If I can’t eat and drink whenever I want, what’s the point of life! And my spiritual nourishment, all my precious collections, they were all taken by my sister! This is inhumane abuse!!!”

 

Seemingly deeply embarrassed, Leila, standing beside her, immediately held her forehead in exasperation.

 

“Isn’t the meaning of your life a bit too shallow? Besides, those picture books were just returned a moment ago. If I’m not strict, with your lazy nature, who knows when you’ll achieve your breakthrough. Do you want to end up like last time, just standing on the sidelines as a useless observer when something happens?”

 

“I don’t want to hear it! Big sister, you’re so mean!”

 

The two sisters, both having completed their bloodline breakthroughs, continued their meaningless bickering beside them. Violet, smiling, chose not to interfere but instead turned her head, seemingly sensing something. She looked at the man walking towards them and adjusted the little fox mask on her face.

 

“Miss Dawn, and everyone, you all seem as energetic as ever today.”

 

Violet nodded, her tone calm. “Mr. Avery, are you here to bid farewell?”

 

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

 

“Yes, praise the goddess. This time, we truly owe it to your righteous assistance. Otherwise, the entire caravan would have suffered greatly due to my immature decision. The White Dove Merchant Guild owes you a favor, as do I personally…”

 

As he spoke, Avery pulled out a bulging leather pouch from his pocket. With a gentle shake, the heavy clinking of coins inside was immediately heard, and he handed it to the girl with the white fox mask.

 

“I know that for true experts, money is merely an external thing. But I, Avery, am a man who repays his debts. Please accept this token of gratitude.”

 

“You’re being so polite~”

 

After glancing at the size of the money pouch and the brief look of pain that flashed across the merchant’s face, Violet understood that this amount was probably five times the fare they had previously paid. While it might not be much for the large White Dove Merchant Guild, for Avery personally, it was quite a significant sum.

 

After a moment of thought, the priestess didn’t take the offered money. The soft, white ears on her head twitched a few times as she stepped forward and quietly said,

 

“You don’t need to give us money. As you said, it doesn’t mean much to us. If you really want to repay us, Mr. Avery, how about doing me a small favor?”

 

“Gulp…”

 

The man instinctively swallowed, seemingly a bit nervous about the girl’s approach and unknown request. But ultimately, he nodded sincerely.

 

“What is it? Please tell me, Miss Dawn.”

 

“Hehe, it’s very simple~”

 

From beneath the mask, the girl’s sly, fox-like chuckle was heard, followed by her request.

 

“When you enter Bright Light City and continue your trade, please spread the word that it was 【Dawn】 who eliminated the monsters disguised as goddess followers on the 【Holy Spirit Trail】, who were crazily attacking passersby, saving the innocent caravan, and… my heroic image, how about it?”

 

Avery seemed slightly taken aback by the sudden request and then appeared somewhat hesitant.

 

“Promote… ? But I don’t really know the specifics of what happened on the 【Holy Spirit Trail】. If Pierre and his men were punished for desecrating their faith, wouldn’t I be…”

 

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I can assure you, the things on the 【Holy Spirit Trail】 are not holy spirits, and they definitely aren’t followers of the Goddess of Light. There’s no need to worry about desecrating your faith in Her Highness. Also, you don’t need to go out of your way to promote this. Just mention it subtly during casual conversations, that would be enough. How about it?”

 

Seeing Violet make such a confident guarantee, and perhaps considering the incredible power they had displayed earlier and the life-saving favor, Avery then nodded, taking back the money pouch.

 

“Alright, I’ll take care of it. We’re about to enter Bright Light City. Do you have any other requests?”

 

“No, we have plans for the rest of our journey. Mr. Avery, we’ll say goodbye for now… oh, right.”

 

As if suddenly remembering something, the girl with the white fox mask paused and then lowered her voice even more, moving a bit closer.

 

“Is it convenient to ask where you’re delivering this batch of goods?”

 

“?”

 

The man, who had been about to turn away, paused slightly. Looking back, Avery gazed deeply into the girl’s mask, into her gem-like silver-blue eyes. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice.

 

“Although it’s not a huge secret, according to the rules, I shouldn’t disclose our client’s information… but just this once, please don’t spread it around.”

 

The merchant didn’t speak directly but pointed to the distant, towering walls of Bright Light City and the flags fluttering atop the city walls, leaving a vague message before bowing again and departing.

 

“The recipient is the master of this city.”

 

Not until Avery’s figure disappeared into the crowd of the caravan, and the carriages began to move again, did the silently thoughtful girl finally start walking toward the city with her companions. Only the cold winter wind remained, swallowing her murmured thoughts.

 

“The Summerfield family, buying so much iron ore and magic crystals… what are they planning to do?”

 

Meanwhile, in another part of the city.

 

A snow-white unicorn with wings descended from the sky, landing steadily on the elegant and pristine castle platform where a butler in a black-and-white tailcoat was already waiting.

 

He reached out, respectfully helping the girl on the horse dismount. Her voice, as pure and flawless as heavenly music, accompanied the action.

 

“How is the preparation going?”

 

The butler responded warmly.

 

“Your Highness, everything is proceeding smoothly, and there are no issues with the funding. We expect to complete all the preliminary preparations before the 【Day of Divine Arrival】.”

 

“Good, praise the goddess, you’ve done well.”

 

The master of the city, Yuna Summerfield, the head of the Summerfield family and the Bright Light Saintess, raised her head. Her gem-like, translucent light blue eyes gazed at the bright sunlight streaming from the sky, and she smiled.

 

“Astrological changes indicate the advent of light upon this world. The undercurrents are already surging. It’s time for us to act. Send word to the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild and let the plan… officially begin.”