Dusk was falling, the forest above shrouded in twilight as a shadow darted through, startling a flock of crows into frantic flight.
The sound of footsteps crunching on dry leaves echoed through the woods.
Before long, a striking silver figure emerged.
Sha.
She wore a black dress, its hem stopping at mid-thigh.
Beneath the skirt was a dark purple lining patterned like a starry sky, revealing a pair of smooth, slender legs and a plump, lush tail.
The tail swayed with the skirt’s movement, drawing attention, while her long legs were clad in black garter stockings, and on her delicate feet were deep brown leather ankle boots.
Her exquisitely stunning face was adorned with shimmering pink scales, as if she had painted on an elaborate makeup.
Enya tossed the dark black square token in her hand with a slight lift of her lips, a hint of pleasure flickering in her golden-red dragon eyes.
As her mood shifted, her tail swayed with greater vigor, and the wings that had been folded small like fans at her back spread open slightly.
Deeper within the forest from which she had come lay a corpse draped in a black robe.
Just moments ago, Enya had received some information.
The Lord of Mist Church had gone into hiding, and several groups of vulture-like hyenas had caught wind of this, rushing over to fish for any advantage in the murky waters.
The token in Enya’s hand granted her access to the Black Market beneath White Maiden Stone City, where she could purchase intelligence—even secrets about the Mist Archbishop, the strange white-robed man named Tulius.
Stowing away the Pass Token, the silver-black droplet pendant hanging from her long ears gleamed, enveloping her body in a radiant glow.
In just a short while, the Dragon Princess’s breathtaking beauty was completely concealed.
On the main road stood a privately run inn.
Enya, wrapped in armor, pushed open the heavy door.
Her arrival instantly turned the once lively atmosphere of the inn’s main hall cold and tense.
Oil lamps had been lit, their light dim and flickering with every slight movement, casting shifting shadows across the floor.
Inside, groups of people sat scattered.
About a dozen men of varying height and build, all armed with knives and swords, wore matching outfits as they gathered around a makeshift large table.
Moments before, they had been drinking deeply, feasting on meat, laughing and chatting casually; now, silence had fallen, their smiles wiped clean from their faces.
In a corner, two women in gray robes, faces hidden, wolfed down meat with the desperation of those who hadn’t eaten for days.
At the counter, a man in tattered black robes sat alone, quietly sipping wheat beer.
He lifted the cup for the last swallow.
Seeing the bottom of the cup, he was about to call for a refill when his gaze shifted to the door.
He froze briefly before turning his head fully towards the entrance.
Someone had come in…
No, perhaps it wasn’t human!
The figure wore silver-black armor but possessed a long tail not belonging to any human.
The tail wasn’t a typical furry one of the Orcs but was covered with black scales.
Two narrow slits appeared at the back of the armor, revealing a pair of folded wings.
From the fully enclosed helmet sprouted a pair of long black horns, their tips stained dark red.
This was clearly not a human!
Orc?
Or perhaps a demon from the South?
Almost every eye in the inn fixed on Enya.
Everyone held their breath, hands resting on their weapons for security.
Of course, there were exceptions.
Two slender black-robed figures in the corner paused briefly upon seeing Enya’s appearance, then resumed eating heartily as if nothing had happened.
Under the helmet’s visor, Enya curled her lips in disdain.
She used to enter a room without becoming the center of attention.
The problem was that long tail—far too conspicuous.
One glance, and people labeled her as an outsider, instantly raising their guard.
How had she become an outsider?
Sigh…
Ignoring the gazes, Enya approached the inn’s counter and faced the flustered innkeeper.
He was a middle-aged man, tall and burly, clad in a gray shirt with a black vest.
His weathered face was not well-groomed.
Enya spoke in a cold, clear voice.
“I want a room.”
“This…” The innkeeper hesitated.
Though rooms were empty, they were all already reserved.
If it were an ordinary guest, he would simply refuse, but this outsider was clearly no one to provoke.
He opened his mouth to say there were no rooms when a proud female voice interrupted.
“Hey, what race are you?”
Enya knew the question was directed at her but ignored it, instead slapping her palm lightly on the counter.
Clack!
The sharp sound made hearts jump—especially the innkeeper’s, whose broad chest trembled slightly.
With a flick of her hand, a gold coin appeared on the counter.
Enya repeated her request to the innkeeper in the same indifferent tone.
“Give me a room.”
The innkeeper wavered.
The voice’s owner seemed irritated by Enya’s silence.
Click clack clack~
On the stairs to the second floor, a girl in a gorgeous red gown quickly approached Enya, her small heels clicking sharply.
Golden hair, golden eyes, youthful and beautiful.
She appeared about sixteen or seventeen.
At her arrival, the men in uniform rose, gripping their weapons tighter, the inn’s atmosphere growing heavier.
Meanwhile, the two in the corner kept eating.
The noble girl showed no anger but rather a strong curiosity.
Her eyes greedily scanned Enya from head to tail, clearly fascinated by that swaying appendage.
Under the armor, Enya frowned slightly.
If not for the crowd, she would have scolded this young lady.
I already have two daughters; watch your manners!
The girl stepped beside Enya, chin raised arrogantly as she asked,
“Hey, are you a Dragon tribe Adventurer? You must be powerful, right? My family’s got plenty of money. Come be my bodyguard—I can get my father to pay you handsomely. Dragons love gold, don’t they?”
“No need.”
Enya dismissed the offer casually.
The refusal seemed to prick the girl’s nerves.
She narrowed her eyes, staring at Enya’s helmet, and said coldly,
“You can name your price.”
“No need.”
Again, Enya’s tone was flat and dismissive.
“You!”
The golden-haired girl’s chest heaved with anger.
Just as she was about to lash out, a black-haired maid hurried over and pulled the haughty noble away.
“Miss, please don’t be like this!”
The golden-haired noble snorted, pushing the maid aside with a disdainful glare.
Their relationship seemed strained.
Turning back to Enya, the girl said,
“All the rooms here have been booked by my father.”
“Miss, you…” The black-haired maid’s worried expression deepened, clearly thinking her lady was making a mistake.
Before she could say more, a middle-aged stout man hurried down the stairs, followed by a formidable one-eyed guard and a butler.
The stout man looked like a wealthy merchant, his round figure and kind face matching his friendly demeanor.
He smiled as he approached Enya and apologized.
“Madam… outsider?”
“I sincerely apologize for my daughter’s earlier words. All rooms here are indeed booked by me. To make amends, please choose any room you like on the house. The cost is on me.”
Enya tilted her head slightly, casting a glance at the merchant.
He was indeed a businessman—less haughty than pure nobles.
She nodded slightly, accepting the offer, while her eyes flicked to the golden-haired noble, who resembled a peacock spreading its magnificent tail.
Having gained Losili, Enya had become much gentler, more patient with girls her age—and she was not the sensitive type to kill families on a whim.
The innkeeper quickly called a servant to show Enya to a room.
With this concession, the matter was settled.
The merchant smiled as he escorted Enya out.
Waving his hand, the guards who had stood returned to their seats.
The merchant then turned to his daughter, his face darkening as he prepared to scold her rashness.
But the words died in a sigh.
“Kalian, go to your room and stay there for now.”
“Hmph!”
The girl named Kalian bit her lip, snorted in frustration, and turned her head away.
In the direction she faced was the black-haired maid.
Kalian glared at her with disdain before stomping upstairs.
The merchant sighed helplessly.
He looked to the maid.
The young, beautiful maid was clutching her skirt, head bowed and dejected.
The merchant patted her shoulder gently.
“Lucia, go keep Kalian company in her room.”
“Yes, master.”
Lucia glanced at the merchant, who smiled and silently gave her permission.
She pressed her lips together, lifted her skirt, bowed low, and quickly followed the noble upstairs.
At the door, a faint “click” sounded as the door shut behind her.
The merchant, accompanied by the leather-armored one-eyed guard, headed into the courtyard.
He asked the guard,
“How strong is that outsider woman?”
“Judging by her magic, she’s only fifth-tier. Factoring in her bloodline, she might just stand a chance against me.”
The one-eyed man crossed his arms confidently.
The merchant nodded slightly.
In a corner, the two gray-robed, hooded figures—one tall, one short—headed toward the guest rooms, leaving the inn’s hall behind.
The inn was built in a “口” shape with three stories: the first floor of stone, the upper two of wood.
Enya entered a secluded room.
Knock, knock, knock~
Just as she sat down to remove her armor and rest on the bed, a knock came at the door.