“Come, come, come! Look here! Freshly dug large rubies from pit 1046! Worth every penny! Guaranteed authentic! Ten times compensation for fakes!”
“Come look, sapphires rivaling the Tears of the Ocean! Costs less than half the outside price!”
“Came all the way to the Crystal City—aren’t you taking some local specialties back home? Crushed diamonds from the mines, cheap! A whole bag costs no more than a lunch!”
“Three, two, one! All aboard!!”
Watching the bustling scene of people lifting goods onto carts, Ileia couldn’t help but sigh.
Truly, no matter where it is, merchants are always among the most energetic professions~
Only…looking around at the commoners who all instinctively kept at least five meters away from her, this so-called “Jewel of the Eastern County,” the girl’s mouth twitched.
This… was the “dignity” Ileia had accumulated before, or more accurately, her “infamy.”
As for Yumina, she was already used to such situations by now, chest out and head high, looking every bit like the sycophantic little follower of a tyrant.
Of course, if she wasn’t busy tugging with all her strength on the chain restraining the dog, she’d look even more the part.
Step step step…
Just then, two men dressed like ordinary commoners came trotting up to Ileia.
“Milady…we…”
They opened their mouths, hesitating.
These two were actually guards from the marquis’ castle.
Wanting to know how she was now perceived by commoners, Ileia had specially ordered them to disguise themselves and gather intel today.
“What? Didn’t find out anything?”
Ileia raised an eyebrow.
Had her infamy reached such a point that it had become a taboo people wouldn’t even dare to talk about?
Hmm…could it be that she really was quite imposing after all?
“Th-this isn’t it~”
One of the guards scratched his head, then subconsciously glanced at his mistress’s expression.
“Then spit it out already!”
“Yes…uh…Milady, in the city you are considered…”
A person hated by all, even dogs are annoyed at the sight of you!
The kindest noble in town, the little daughter of Baron Curie, cries every time she goes out because she gets bullied—by you.
You clear out taverns on arrival, forcing owners to wait on you for no profit, so they curse about you all day—also you.
Pass by merchant caravans and randomly dismantle their wagon wheels—that’s you.
Walk your dog without cleaning up after it, letting it foul the streets and ruin the cityscape—also you.
I have truly never seen anyone who manages to earn unanimously negative reviews from everyone, sure to win the “Most Despicable Newcomer of Royal Year 414” award!
Milady, you really are like a demon descended from the heavens, the living embodiment of calamity on earth!
This was what the guard had just wanted to say to suck up a bit afterward.
But was abruptly shoved aside by his companion.
“Ahem! Milady, your reputation in the city is quite…formidable!! Few dare to speak of you lightly, they just say…best not to provoke you.”
The guard bowed his head.
Tsk!
With that terrible eloquence, why’d you insist on speaking first…truly…
The other guard shot his companion a glare, then could only slowly bow as well.
“Is that so?” Ileia stroked her chin.
Seems like these commoners were still mostly afraid of her.
Hmm…she had a rough idea of her position now.
But…there really wasn’t much interesting to stroll through on these streets.
After all, wherever she went, people scrambled to avoid her, which didn’t feel good.
Might as well head back first…wait for a chance to disguise herself properly, then come out again.
Once back, she could check out the castle’s library.
“Stop right there! You little rascal!”
“Woof woof woof!”
Just as the young lady was mulling over her next move, a commotion suddenly came from a nearby alley.
“Who’s barking?!”
The twin-tailed little follower immediately arched her brows, about to rush over to block the alley entrance to prevent anyone from bumping into her mistress.
“Hey! Don’t go, let me see.”
But just as she took a step, Ileia pulled her back.
Step step step!
The next second, a tiny black kitten that seemed only a few months old darted out from the alley!
The moment it emerged, its eyes fell upon that Dullahan (the huge armored dog).
“O…S…”
“Mew?!”
The kitten’s fur instantly stood on end, wanting to turn and run!
But before it could, another stumbling figure appeared behind it!
This shadow was much bigger than the kitten, and obviously far less agile…
“Ugh?!”
Bang!
This dark figure crashed right into the Dullahan’s metal muzzle!
“Growl!”
This was an obvious act of provocation, instantly sending the Dullahan into a frenzy.
No matter how hard Yumina tugged at the leash, the Dullahan, wreathed in blue electricity, directly pounced and knocked the person flat on the ground, both front paws pressing down on their shoulders…
“Aaaaah!!”
The one knocked over…seemed to be a young girl, screaming in terror, struggling to get out from under the beast’s claws.
But clearly, she didn’t have the strength.
Fortunately…the electric currents and restraints prevented the Dullahan from exerting full force—it could only pin her down with its weight.
“Arf arf! Arf arf arf!!!”
Its huge metal-muzzled jaws opened and closed, saliva dripping constantly onto the girl’s face.
“M-milady!”
Yumina holding the leash was actually starting to panic a bit now.
Although bringing the Dullahan into the city to scare people wasn’t unusual…
It had never actually killed anyone before…
But compared to the maid’s panic, Ileia simply stood there, arms crossed, eyebrows slightly raised, watching the person pinned by the giant dog.
Face dirty, hard to make out features, voice sounded like a young girl.
But…that pure black long hair, with just a bit of white in the bangs…
That color combination was simply too striking.
After the previous “goddess” had shrunk…this is exactly what she looked like.
So that really is the “Goddess of Death”?
What a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road.
“It’s fine~ Just keep holding onto it.”
When it came to this goddess, Ileia felt not the slightest bit of goodwill.
It actually…had nothing to do with how the goddess had arbitrarily condemned her before.
She simply found this person annoying, for no particular reason.
Of course, if back then—when passing her sentence—the goddess had said something like “be a good person in your next life,” or “take one last look at your family before you go,” Ileia might have felt a bit grateful.
But at that time, the goddess had been a lofty deity, and she was merely an ordinary soul waiting for reincarnation.
But now…
Hoo…
Standing three or four meters away, Ileia’s lips curved into a faint smile.
She lightly tapped the ground twice with her iron rod, as if trying to draw the “goddess’s” attention.
Tap tap!
“Hey! You two, stop right there.”
But in this situation, such a delicate voice had absolutely no effect.
Both the dog and the girl’s attention was entirely on each other.
“Hoo…”
For some reason, in this moment, a faint fury suddenly rose up in Ileia’s heart.
It seemed to come from the original little girl, from her pride that had already reached its peak, her utter arrogance.
Step step…
Obeying the impulse in her heart, Ileia took two steps forward.
Before the twin-tailed maid could say anything, Ileia had already raised the rod in her hand and smashed it down toward Dullahan’s dog head!
Bang!
Sizzle—!!
“Awoo!!”
In an instant, blue electric currents crackled wildly.
The Dullahan, which had just been pinning down its opponent, suddenly went limp all over, blue smoke curling up from its mouth.
It collapsed right on top of the little goddess.
Thud.