Andrea was still not quite used to the clothes she was wearing, but as soon as Ailaira Green brought her into the bustling streets, she was immediately distracted by the dazzling array of goods for sale on both sides.
She spun around in the carriage, excitement written all over her face.
“Ailaira! What’s that? It looks delicious can we buy some later?”
“Wow, that person can even breathe fire! Is he a dragon too?”
“Oh no, it’s the patrol squad! I need to hide, quick!”
Ailaira, who had been resting with her eyes closed, was bombarded by Andrea’s incessant chattering.
The sound of Andrea shifting back and forth in the carriage grated on Ailaira’s already fragile nerves, and finally, she reached her limit.
With one swift kick, she sent Andrea out of the carriage, where she ended up sitting next to Jody, who was driving.
“Mean-spirited villainess,” Andrea muttered under her breath, ignoring the look of contempt Jody shot her way.
She focused intently on observing the city built by humans. Could this be considered infiltrating enemy territory?
“This place is so much better than home. The old geezers in the clan just cling to their traditions, sealing themselves off in Dragon Valley all day.”
Subconsciously comparing it to Dragon Valley, Andrea sneered in irritation. It was precisely because she couldn’t stand that stifling atmosphere that she ran away.
Jody, flicking the reins, was drawn in by Andrea’s words and asked probingly, “I read in a book that your dragonkind aren’t supposed to leave Dragon Valley, right? For you to be wandering around in a human city like this, is that really okay?”
Andrea waved her hand carelessly, propping up her chin. “Let them look for me. Those snobs would never believe I’d dare set foot in human territory. Besides, I’m even…”
Living under a human’s roof.
Andrea didn’t say the last part aloud. To be honest, she wasn’t sure how to define her relationship with Ailaira.
She could call it mutually beneficial, but her instincts kept reminding her that her feelings for Ailaira weren’t exactly pure.
And as for something more, Ailaira was the type who cared for nothing but her research, always aloof and detached.
Andrea wanted to treat Ailaira as part of her collection, to claim everything that belonged to her. As for Ailaira, she simply saw the Dragonborn’s body as a treasure trove, hoping to develop more competitive potions from it.
“So, where are we going now?”
Andrea, having changed the subject, was now curious about their destination. Where could they be going that made the research-obsessed Ailaira skip rest and rush out in such a hurry?
“To the United Guild. If you want to sell goods, you need a Certification from the guild. Otherwise, you’d be operating illegally, and if someone reports you, you’ll face joint enforcement by the Kingdom and the Church.”
As she finished speaking, the carriage rolled to a stop in a spacious square.
Andrea leaped off, gazing into the distance at the massive doors ahead. Bathed in the morning light, the doors glittered with golden splendor, as if they marked the boundary between the mortal world and heaven. Step through, and your soul would be elevated, entering a whole new realm.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Jody, carrying a step stool to the carriage door, knocked lightly and waited for Ailaira to disembark. “That’s the Gate of Precious Gold.
Anyone who passes through that door is either incredibly powerful or fabulously wealthy. In the United Guild, no matter what power you have backing you, they only care about two things.”
“Strength and wealth. If you have neither, you’ll have to use the side door.”
Jody pointed at a small, inconspicuous door to the side of the golden gates. In its shadow, guards were checking those queued up to enter.
Andrea nodded in understanding, then looked back at Ailaira, who was slowly making her way down from the carriage, and asked with a hint of expectation, “So, which door do we use, Miss Pervert?”
“No need.”
“Huh?”
Andrea stared, puzzled, as Ailaira stood in place as if waiting for something, and Jody, seemingly used to it, stepped back.
Just as Andrea was about to ask again, a red dot suddenly appeared on the golden doors, drawing closer and closer. When it reached them, Andrea realized it was actually a rolling red carpet.
Woven from velvet, the expensive red carpet rolled out from under Ailaira’s feet all the way inside the doors.
Irrelevant people were kept back by an invisible force, left to watch with envy as someone enjoyed such high-class treatment.
Ailaira stepped calmly onto the red carpet. Without her even moving, the carpet began to roll back, carrying her forward.
Andrea hurried to catch up, stepping onto the carpet as well. Surrounded by envious gazes, the Red Dragon Miss finally found her vanity sated, if only a little.
“Hey, Pervert, are you some kind of big shot here?”
Ailaira narrowed her eyes and took a gold, gleaming badge from her sleeve, waving it in front of Andrea. “I’m a Shareholder of the United Guild. This level of treatment is only so-so.”
Andrea didn’t quite understand, but it sounded impressive. She thought back to when Ailaira casually tossed away treasures that could bury her dragon body whole. “Just how rich are you…”
At those words, Ailaira’s lips curled into a smile. She turned, standing with her back to the gilded, splendid hall of the guild, every inch reeking of wealth.
“The ground beneath your feet, if I wanted, by tomorrow night it could be your own private bath. There’d be enough room for you to swim in dragon form, too.”
Andrea’s mind went blank. Her meager sense of wealth couldn’t even imagine such things, but Ailaira’s relaxed manner seemed to prove she wasn’t joking.
No need to stand in line at the crowded front desk, the red carpet carried the two of them past the crowd to a VIP room on the third floor.
The Branch Manager from the United Guild branch was already waiting for them. The woman wore a fitted gown that accentuated her full figure, and the subtle glimpse of black silk under the swaying skirt made it hard to look away.
Ailaira opened the door and was surprised to see a familiar face.
“Sidie Laratty, you’ve been promoted to Branch Manager already? That was fast.”
Sidie smiled, pouring tea for Ailaira herself. Her voice was soft and gentle. “It’s all thanks to your recommendation, Miss Green. If you hadn’t entrusted me with the sale of goods before, I wouldn’t have achieved such great results.”
“So, what brings you here in person this time? If there’s anything I can do, I’ll give it my all.”
Ailaira took out a sample of perfume from her pocket and placed it on the table. “Nothing complicated. Just help me get this certified first.”