Chapter 24: Unexpected Encounter

Heading straight to Rat Tail Alley, Charis, guided by the Demon King, scored the following haul.
A large deep-sea fish skeleton, stripped of flesh, gifted free by the fishmonger.
A bag of ground ink-ridge turtle shell powder, three copper coins, paid by Ophelia.
A small bag of sea shrimp, eight copper coins, also paid by Ophelia.
Leaving the market, sunlight streamed through the tattered canopy.Ophelia glanced at her two small bags, then at Charis, glumly clutching the fish skeleton.
“Charis, I get the shrimp and turtle shell powder—they boost hard essence.But this trash-bin fish skeleton? What’s it for?”
Ophelia couldn’t forget the fishmonger’s shocked yet amused expression when Charis dug the wrapped skeleton from the garbage, asking, “Boss, you still want this?”
Not only did the boss laugh, but nearby customers commented on Ophelia and Charis.If they hadn’t fled quickly, the laughter might’ve spread through the market.
“Uh… don’t worry about it. This skeleton’s useful.I’ll figure out how to cook it back home!”
Charis hugged the half-her-size skeleton, blaming the Demon King.Without Talos’s nudge, she’d never have rummaged through trash!
If not for passing the fishmonger’s bin, where Talos suddenly piped up about “a prime dragon supplement in the garbage,” Charis wouldn’t have touched it.
“Fine, at least no one recognized me.Let’s get your precious finds home.”
With her hands full, Ophelia couldn’t hold Charis’s hand, so she took the quieter Rat Tail Alley back to the entrance.
“Okay.”
Charis struggled with the bulky skeleton, glancing up at the fish’s gaping mouth, its pale eyes staring mockingly.
“Charis, I swear this fish is laughing at you.”
Ophelia, occasionally glancing back to wait for Charis, teased her about the fish-dragon stare-down.
“It’s not laughing. I’ll stew it in a pot when we get back.”
Charis talked tough, but honestly, being short and weak, the heavy load slowed her down.Ophelia couldn’t stand it.
“Stop pretending you’re fine. Hand it over, we’ll swap.”
“You’re not worried about getting dirty?”
Charis countered, but Ophelia was already waiting, hand outstretched.
“When a pet’s in trouble, the owner steps in.It’s within my ability. Give it.”
“Ugh… you said it, no takebacks.”
Ophelia easily took the skeleton single-handedly, passing the turtle shell powder and shrimp to Charis.
With a lighter load, Charis walked faster, glancing at Ophelia’s back.
‘You really aren’t scared I’ll run…’
Charis mused, but the ice chain on her neck and Contract Potion in her system meant escape was far off.
Continuing down Rat Tail Alley, the morning’s butchers and waitstaff were gone.The afternoon alley was eerily quiet, its shadowed eaves and footings stark against the bustling main street just a wall away.
Nearing the alley’s entrance, Ophelia suddenly stopped.
“Why’d you stop?”Charis, who’d walked ahead, turned to see Ophelia’s grim expression.
“Charis… come back.”Ophelia stared at something near the entrance, her voice low, stepping backward.
‘This isn’t like her. What’s at the entrance that’s so tough?’
Charis peered closely, spotting a pale gold carriage with fluttering flags.Beside it stood an old butler—likely the one from earlier—bowing repeatedly to a young lady in a rose-red dress, apologizing.
“So sorry, Miss!The new dress is being tailored urgently and will be delivered to the manor tonight.”
“I won’t wait! Take me to that tailor now, or I’ll ruin his livelihood!”
The young lady berating the butler had white hair and pink eyes, her domineering voice audible from afar.
‘Isn’t that the Rodley Family butler from this morning?Is that his young lady? So bossy.’
Charis felt the lady looked familiar but couldn’t place her.
“Let’s go.”Ophelia suddenly grabbed Charis’s wrist, hurrying deeper into Rat Tail Alley.
“Hey, wait, I haven’t—”Charis noticed Ophelia’s grim face resembled the bossy lady’s!
‘No way, is that the sister she mentioned?What are the odds they’d run into each other?’
Charis didn’t know Ophelia’s situation, so she followed along.
But a piercing gaze turned their way, making Charis feel like needles pricked her skin!
“You there, stop! Go block them!”The bossy lady barked, and the butler complied.
Surprisingly, Ophelia stopped voluntarily, not using her sword saintess speed to flee as she did chasing dragons.
“Charis, don’t say a word.”Ophelia warned, her red eyes deadly serious, like facing a grave enemy.
Intimidated by Ophelia’s stern glare, Charis stayed silent, listening.
Thud, thud, thud!
The butler ran over, wiping sweat, nervously addressing Ophelia.
“Miss Ophelia, your sister wishes to speak with you.”
His words shattered Charis’s doubts.
‘The bossy lady is Ophelia’s sister?What happened to this family—demon possession?’
Recalling Luline’s flat birthday wishes to “Miss Rodley” that morning, Charis sensed Ophelia was in for trouble.
“I was heading out anyway. I’ll see her.”Ophelia’s tone was cold, her expression blank as she glanced at her sister by the carriage.
Back at the Thousand Goods Market entrance, Charis trailed slightly behind Ophelia, quietly observing the lady.
Pink eyes locked on Ophelia, arms crossed rudely.Her ornate dress had layered white and satin skirts, cinched tightly at the waist, accentuating her delicate frame.
“Hey, who’s that with you?”The lady spoke, not even calling Ophelia “sister.”
“She’s none of your concern, Penny.”Ophelia stared at the shorter lady, using her name directly.
“Hmph, maybe not.But when did the Rodley Family stoop to scavenging trash?No wonder they disowned you—useless, talentless, trash-picking sister.”
Penny pointed at the fish skeleton in Ophelia’s hand, mocking without restraint.
‘This… is her real sister?Is she possessed by a demon?’
Charis looked up at Ophelia, who seemed unfazed, as if used to this.
“That’s none of your business anymore, Penny.”Ophelia held Charis’s hand, trying to walk past.
“Stop! It’s my birthday—don’t you have anything to say?”Penny blocked Ophelia’s path.
“Ugh…”Ophelia’s tone betrayed a headache.
The sisters’ tension made Charis want to bolt.
‘What’s wrong with the Rodley Family?What could drive sisters to this?Weren’t they once close, holding hands?’