Xidi took the bottle containing the Sample with both hands, then quickly sealed it inside the nearby box, treating it with the cautious care one would give to an extremely dangerous item.
She signaled with her eyes to the subordinate beside her, who instantly understood and carried the box away.
Only then did Xidi breathe a sigh of relief, turning to Ailaira Green as she continued,
“It’s been quite some time since we’ve received a new product developed by Miss Green. May I ask what it’s for this time?”
Ailaira casually brushed the silver hair that hung over her shoulder, answering in a composed manner, “It’s just an ordinary Perfume, though it’s far superior to anything on the market right now. Nothing worth making a fuss about.”
The corner of Xidi’s mouth twitched slightly, barely managing to maintain a polite smile.
The most frustrating part was that she couldn’t even find a reason to refute, for this woman before her could casually concoct Alchemy Potions that most pharmacists would never attain in their lifetime.
“Haha, Miss Green, you truly haven’t changed. It seems the incident with the Church hasn’t affected you at all.”
Ignoring the undertone in Xidi’s words, Ailaira curled her lips with interest, lifting her teacup and taking a sip. “Oh? I’m rather curious how did the Church announce it to the public?”
“It was by the joint proclamation of the Twelve Judges of the Mother Goddess Church and the royal family of Verlendel Kingdom. They stripped you of your legal rights and forbade you from ever approaching the Royal Capital again.”
“The charges were ‘defiling the merciful Mother Goddess with worldly filth.’”
Upon hearing this, Ailaira spat out her tea on the spot, spraying it directly onto Andrea, who had been restlessly looking around beside her.
Utterly bewildered by her sudden face wash, Andrea wiped the water from her face, baring her teeth and glaring at Ailaira. “You! Are you looking for a fight!!”
“Sorry, I just couldn’t hold it in.” Ailaira took out a handkerchief to dab the tea from the corner of her mouth, quickly regaining her composure, and ignored Xidi’s astonished look, as if nothing had happened.
Andrea, still disgruntled, snatched the handkerchief from Ailaira’s hand and used it to dry the dripping strands on her forehead.
Only then did Xidi recover, hurriedly calling for someone to fetch a towel, and pouring more tea for Ailaira.
“Miss Green, your reaction was so intense could there be more to the story? If you’ve truly been wronged, the United Trade Guild does have some influence within the kingdom. We could help you submit an appeal.”
Ailaira had already calmed down.
She just couldn’t accept that she was the one being accused.
Though she never claimed to be a good person, in the matter of encountering a deity, she was completely the victim not only did she gain nothing, she ended up in a whole mess.
She still wondered what on earth about her attracted that crazy goddess. If she could change it, she would.
Ailaira let out a deep sigh, lifted her teacup, and gazed at her own reflection in the tea.
Her mind drifted back to the figure seated on the divine throne.
Since her transformation, there were few things or people she found herself helpless against, but the goddess named Aisera was definitely one of the most troublesome after all, in both might and influence, she was an opponent Ailaira could not hope to contend with.
“So, really, deities are just so unreasonable.”
Such a sudden declaration from Ailaira was downright blasphemous in this world of universal faith.
She dared say it, but Xidi dared not even listen, thinking to herself the Church’s accusations were well-deserved.
To prevent Ailaira from uttering any more blasphemy, Xidi quickly changed the subject.
“There happens to be a banquet in the city three days from now. We could formally introduce your product, Miss Green, at the evening party.”
“That’s fine. I’ll give you a few more trial bottles just find some pretty women to model them.”
“Then we…”
As the negotiations gradually fell into place, heading in a direction Andrea couldn’t follow, she yawned out of boredom and tugged at Ailaira’s sleeve, cutting the conversation short.
“Hey, Ailaira, can I go out to play? It’s so boring here.”
Ailaira glanced at Andrea, whose face drooped with boredom, then carelessly fished a dark gold card from her pocket and tossed it over. “Go ahead. If you see something you want, just use this card.”
Andrea’s eyes lit up as she held the card, emblazoned with the gold script of “Green,” already planning to max out Ailaira’s card as soon as possible!
“Don’t get your hopes up. That card has a spending limit. It’s only enough for you, you silly thing, to buy a meal.”
“Tch, rich miser.”
Having her little scheme exposed, Andrea stuck her tongue out at Ailaira in mock annoyance and ran off.
She’d barely opened the door before she crashed straight into the returning Assistant, sending the girl tumbling to the floor.
Seeing this, Andrea hurried over to help her up, apologizing, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“It… It’s fine. Guest, you’re really strong.”
Assistant rubbed her sore rear and squeezed out the words through gritted teeth, then slipped into the office, shutting the door behind her.
Andrea scratched her head in confusion, unable to figure out why, even after apologizing, the human girl was still so unfriendly.
But she quickly forgot all about it, distracted by the dazzling array of goods, and wandered off with Ailaira’s card in hand.
When Assistant returned to stand behind Xidi, the negotiations were already over.
Ailaira drained the last of her tea and set the cup down. “Let’s leave it at that for now. We’ll split the profits as before. I still have something to do and need to use your guild’s Communication Magic.”
“Of course, please, go ahead.”
Xidi saw Ailaira out, and only after she had disappeared from the office did Xidi finally collapse into her chair, massaging her throbbing temples in relief.
Her assistant quickly stood behind her to knead her shoulders, curiosity getting the better of her. “Ministry, is that Green really so terrifying? Is she worth all this caution?”
Xidi forced a bitter smile and shook her head, her eyes showing lingering fear.
“I’m just afraid I won’t be cautious enough.”
“That woman’s terrifying nature can’t be measured by common sense. Do you know why the Church and the royal family joined forces, yet only dared target her status and not the woman herself?”
“Because they’re afraid.”
Assistant froze at those words, recalling Ailaira’s appearance. Aside from her extraordinary beauty, there didn’t seem to be anything special about her. “Is she really that amazing?”
“The Sacred Magic Academy’s most outstanding graduate in a hundred years, an unparalleled genius in Alchemy Potion research, the new Saintess Candidate for the Church… Titles that ordinary people could never hope to attain in a lifetime are nothing but decorations in her career. Compared to these dazzling accolades, no one has ever truly fathomed her true strength.”
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