Chapter 123: The Bad Sister Tricks Yimomo Into the Car~

But no matter what, they had originally planned to just have lunch and then leave… yet now, none of them could go anywhere.

After all, considering everyone’s condition—especially Ileya’s current state—it was best not to rush traveling for the time being.

So, they all decided to rest here for a while before setting off again.

This herbal shop was much like the clinic back in Ileya’s hometown.

There were plenty of rooms available for guests, and they were quite clean, each one emitting a faint herbal fragrance.

It was obvious that the old apothecary must have had a bit of an obsession with cleanliness before he passed away, which worked out perfectly.

The group tacitly agreed to stay here overnight.

At the Lady’s wave, everyone left her guest room.

However… one person did not leave.

That was Ileya’s half-sister, Reliel.

She stood there, pursing her lips as if wanting to say something but hesitating.

The Lady’s eyes shifted but she didn’t ask why Reliel stayed behind.

Instead, she slowly swallowed.

At that moment, her ears twitched.

She seemed to have heard the faint sound of a little mouse outside.

But… oh well~ if someone eavesdrops on this, let them~

“Sigh~ Reliel… you know, as the Lady of the Marquis Castle, I could easily live a peaceful, comfortable life, but I insist on getting stronger, don’t I?”

Huh?

Although she didn’t know why the Lady suddenly said that to her, Reliel obediently and honestly shook her head, her blue eyes filled with confusion.

So cute~

“That’s because, in a year… there will likely be an unprecedented Severe Crisis! It might be… a war between humans and Supreme Beings!”

This news had been widely circulated among the nobility.

But large-scale mercenary groups like the Hunter Blade didn’t have particularly reliable information channels.

Huff… just as Ileya had expected, upon hearing the news, Reliel’s pupils sharply contracted…

Her mind began racing.

No wonder all the nobles in Crystal Capital had been gradually leaving for the Royal Capital over the past half month.

Could it be… the King was making a move?

Then… when the war starts, where would mercenaries like them stand?

The girl didn’t know, but now… she seemed even more certain of her previous thoughts.

She could no longer afford to live comfortably in the mercenary company.

She wanted to become stronger—not just to surpass Ileya in front of her, and not simply out of stubbornness.

Reliel wanted the power to protect herself, to protect her father and Bena.

And such power… could never be obtained by staying in the mercenary company for her entire life.

So… Reliel looked at Ileya before her.

“Where… are you heading this time?”

Heh~

A little fish biting the hook~

The corner of Ileya’s mouth twitched into an almost imperceptible smirk.

Of course~ now wasn’t the time to be proud; take it slow~

“We got a Map of the Divine Era Ruins, and to verify some of my suspicions… we plan to see it for ourselves.”

“…That journey should be dangerous, right?”

The little mute spoke again.

To be honest, it was the first time the Lady had heard so much from her half-sister.

She had to admit, her voice was quite pleasant~

Like clear spring water dripping into a secluded valley, producing an ethereal sound.

Maybe… having her tell bedtime stories would help with sleep.

“Do you need an escort?”

The girl lifted her eyes—those same eyes as their mother’s, but with less gentleness and a bit more innocence—staring straight at Ileya.

Mm~ that’s exactly the line I was waiting for~

However…

Although Ileya chuckled inside, on the surface she raised an eyebrow with clear disdain.

“Oh? You think… I need someone weaker than me to escort me?”

“…”

Sure enough, Reliel’s expression darkened.

If someone else had insulted her like that, she might have just turned and left.

But when Ileya said such things, she could tolerate it a little more.

That’s right! She… didn’t seem to have any ill intent.

After all, this was just how she spoke…

Hmm… thinking that way in her heart, Reliel didn’t continue talking.

She just stood there with the look of a bullied little girl, her eyes filled with grievance.

Although I’m wronged, I won’t say a word (~)!

“Ahem! Um… if you actually want to come along, it’s not impossible either~”

Being looked at with that expression, Ileya suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

But the moment she said this… Reliel’s gaze changed.

From grievance… to anticipation.

Those blue eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight, and the slight curl of her lips made Ileya feel like…

hugging this cute little sister and bouncing her around~

“But~”

Ileya shifted her tone.

“This time, besides the relevant personnel… I’m only bringing my own maids. You, as a guard… obviously don’t qualify~”

As she said this, the Lady wore an expression of “I’m really in a tough spot here~.”

Exactly! The truth was out!

She was trying to rope in her half-sister to serve as a maid on this journey~

After all, Reliel was one of the prime suspects who, in the original “plot,” would have killed Ileya.

The two of them had so much fate, always running into each other in different places.

If she didn’t bring her along and properly train her, that would truly be a wasted gift of fate…

A female… maid, huh…

Reliel first pursed her lips.

Then, as if making up her mind, she looked at Ileya before her.

“I can.”

Plan complete~

Suppressing the urge to laugh, the Lady nodded calmly.

“Good… then from now on, you’re my Third Personal Maid~”

Just… third?

Reliel frowned, clearly dissatisfied.

Why wasn’t she number one?

Snap! But Ileya ignored her thoughts and snapped her fingers.

Phew… in the next moment, Amisa appeared by the bedside.

“Lady.”

“Mm~ take her to the seamstress shop and get a proper maid outfit made~ From now on, you’ll be colleagues on this journey.”

“Yes…” Amisa didn’t ask any unnecessary questions and only smiled at Reliel.

“Well then, Miss Reliel, let’s go~”

Knock knock knock!

Just as Reliel was about to tell Amisa she wanted to report back to the mercenary company first…

The guest room door suddenly knocked.

“Excuse me! Lady!”

Holly’s voice came from outside.

At this moment, her way of addressing Ileya had changed from “white-haired loli” to “Lady,” just like everyone else.

“Come in~”

Ileya raised an eyebrow—just as she thought… it was that little mouse?

Ah… the door opened, and the girl stood shyly at the entrance.

“Well… I accidentally overheard something just now as I was passing by…”

As she spoke, Holly, dark circles under her eyes thick, stepped forward anxiously.

“Although… I might not be of much help, but… but could I come with you?!”

Saying this, she hurriedly bowed deeply—ninety degrees—to the Lady in front of her.

“I… I can be a maid too!”