Enya paced around the underground chamber, her maids following behind.
They couldn’t quite understand what Enya’s occasional nods and contemplative looks were all about.
This was actually Enya mentally simulating how to carve the magic array later to achieve the desired effect.
There were three rooms in total, and the spatial layout was decent.
As for exactly how to design them, Enya had no ideas for now, and there was no rush, so she put it aside.
After finishing her tour, Enya came to the stairs. Just as she was about to go up, she turned around and spoke to Lucia.
“Lucia, have someone tidy up the house upstairs. I’ll be staying here. Also, teach that elf beside you some human language. Not too much—just enough to complete basic education will do.”
“Ah? Okay, okay.”
Lucia was first surprised, then quickly nodded in agreement.
She was surprised because Enya wanted to live here instead of that luxurious big house.
It didn’t make sense. Normal people would choose the lavish mansion with hundreds of servants attending to their every need.
But Lucia quickly figured it out.
That big house was previously where Master Gro had lived. Even though Master Gro was already… It had been a house with an owner, and Ms. Enya seemed not to like it.
But this house had also been lived in before, hadn’t it?
Except for newly built houses, it seemed every place had traces left by a former occupant, so that explanation wasn’t quite reasonable.
Thus, Lucia fell back into confusion.
As for the other half of that sentence…
Lucia secretly glanced at Wendy beside her.
When Wendy wasn’t talking, she gave off the image of a tall elder sister, but once she opened her mouth, she turned into an idiot.
Fortunately, Lucia couldn’t understand the conversation between Wendy and Enya; she could only try to interpret through tone and expressions.
Lucia felt that Enya and Wendy’s relationship was very close—even developing beyond that of a mistress and maid!
A Dragon Mistress and her Elf Maid—that certainly sounded like a story with potential.
Enya also gave Wendy some instructions, telling her to learn a bit of human language, saying it would be enough to reach the level of a ten-year-old child.
After giving these orders, Enya led the two maids up to the ground floor.
Once they came out of the stairs, the staircase restored itself to flooring, looking identical to the rest of the area.
Even if someone stepped on it now, they wouldn’t fall through.
A hidden passage—an ancient and complex Black Box Magic.
The caster might only know how to use it, but exactly how the effect was produced—basically no one knew.
Black Box Magic meant you just use it and leave the rest to miracles.
Enya scanned the living room.
With her back to Lucia and Wendy, she said, “I’m going out for a while. Each of you mind your own business. If anyone asks where I went, say you don’t know.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Lucia replied.
Wendy was gradually understanding now; she imitated Lucia, lifting her skirt slightly with her fingers as she bent her knees and bowed, speaking a mix of human language and Elvish.
“…?”
“Yes, Mistress~”
“……”
Enya gave her a white look, then repeated it in Elvish.
Only then did Wendy understand. Then Enya quickly walked out the door, leaving Lucia and Wendy standing there.
The two maids watched Enya leave, then looked at each other, wordless for a moment, and finally averted their gazes.
When two people who don’t speak the same language and are from different races are left together, this sudden silence is normal—after all, they don’t even know what the other is saying.
After a while, they once again met each other’s gaze.
“Um…”
“You…”
Then another silence.
Both Lucia and Wendy wore awkward smiles. Fortunately, it was Lucia who finally broke the frozen atmosphere.
She smiled and took Wendy’s hand. Despite the language barrier and racial difference, they could still sense each other’s goodwill.
The two maids had finally achieved their first proper eye contact and mutual acknowledgment since they met.
Enya found a secluded spot, changed into a simpler dress, and used the “Thousand Faces Mask” to mold a moderately attractive face for herself. Disguised as a chestnut-haired woman, Enya didn’t leave through the estate’s back gate but climbed over the wall.
With her chestnut hair coiled up and wearing a brown-toned dress, a moderately attractive human woman in her mid-twenties appeared inconspicuously on the clean streets of the affluent district.
Enya was in the minority; most ladies traveled in groups, and the majority took carriages.
Enya passed by a noblewoman who was walking a small white dog, followed by two young and pretty maids.
Upon seeing Enya, the noblewoman cast her a glance, looked her up and down, then lifted her proud chin.
Enya couldn’t be bothered with her inexplicable competition.
As they passed each other, the noblewoman realized her expressions had been wasted on empty air.
Furious, she turned her head, but Enya was already far away. The noblewoman could only snort coldly.
The two maids waiting on her immediately lowered their heads, hardly daring to breathe, afraid their mistress would take her anger out on them.
Enya stood high in the air, opened her golden-red Dragon Eyes, and looked down at the city beneath her. She hung there for a full hour before slowly descending into an alley.
Qingshui City, also known as the Lakeside City, was built beside a huge lake.
It had a significant advantage in water and land transportation, and thus had partially industrialized through the West Wind Reform.
That’s right—industrialization.
To the north of Lakeside City lay a vast industrial zone, surrounded by residential areas for common workers, then the middle class, and further south were commercial districts and equally extensive mansions.
In the very center of the city was the Lord’s Manor.
What was called “shared production” here was actually just contract manufacturing of low-end products, with the technology all coming from the West Wind merchant guilds.
To the west of Lakeside City—the gate through which Enya had entered—was an advantage of vast plains, where large crops were grown. To the north was a massive port.
Grain and water transport—no wonder Lakeside City was a prosperous place.
Enya remembered that the stones for White Stone City were shipped from here by water. It seemed the shipping magnate must have made a lot of money.
Enya emerged from the alley and walked into the commercial district supported by the lake. The foot traffic was decent; well-dressed pedestrians moved through the area filled with various shops, though most were in pairs or groups.
A group of young boys and girls passed by, chatting about something.
Enya didn’t bother listening.
She strolled down the street and was hit on three times; she ignored all of them. But she did have some thoughts.
‘Maybe I should just make myself uglier so no one bothers me!’
Of course, that was just a thought.
Enya had some standards for her appearance.
She wouldn’t deliberately make herself ugly, and she cared about being clean and neat. Her own beauty made her feel happy.
Just then, she turned her head and saw a clothing store. Enya hesitated, then finally pushed the door open and went in.
As soon as she entered, a woman dressed in black and white fitted attire came up to greet her.
The shop assistant saw Enya and smiled brightly like a blooming chrysanthemum. Though it was a bit formulaic, it looked genuine enough.
When she was in Red Pine City, Enya used to buy clothes when she was bored, experiencing the leisurely life of ordinary people. Shopping and buying clothes in a women’s boutique was something she was very familiar with.
The shop assistant greeted Enya and led her inside.
“Madam, please come in. Are you looking for custom order or ready-made? Either is fine. Come take a look over here.”
“I’ll take a look first.”
Enya walked in calmly. The storefront wasn’t too big, but once she passed through to the inner hall, the space was much larger. It was organized by category, filled with all kinds of women’s clothing.
The dazzling array made one’s eyes swim, but Enya was experienced and accustomed to such scenes.
The shop assistant brought her to a rack.
“Madam, look, these are made of the finest fabric. Wearing them will definitely highlight your unique temperament. And look at this style—it’s the newest this year…”
“Not bad.”
“Madam, take a look at this one…”
“It’s nice.”
“Madam, and this one…”
“Mm-hmm.”
Enya and the shop assistant communicated as usual. Enya even tried on several dresses and had them all wrapped up. Now the shop assistant’s smile became even more sincere.
Nearby, a few other ladies were also picking out dresses, but they were hesitating.
After all, women’s clothing was really expensive!
Even if their family circumstances were good, they wouldn’t dare do what Enya did—try one on and buy it, like scattering money.
“Who is that woman? Do you know her?”
“She doesn’t look familiar…”
“Then… should we go get to know her?”
The three hesitated for a moment and finally decided to send one person to strike up a conversation.
If they could get acquainted, they would introduce her to everyone. If she had an arrogant personality, then they would keep their distance—live and let live.
The women jockeyed among themselves and pushed out one person. After preparing a bit, the woman walked toward Enya.
Enya was having the shop assistant wrap up a purple dress when she saw a stranger approach. She showed a puzzled expression on her face, but inwardly she was already laughing.
Fish on the hook.
The best way to gather information was to find those well-informed ladies.
They were always happy to share the gossip they knew. That was Enya’s experience over the years.