Chapter 17: Rat Alley

Perhaps because the teacher’s dormitory was near the main road, carriages often passed by, and some drivers would greet the teachers leaving the building.
“Hey! Good morning, Saintess!Where are you and your friend headed?I’ve got room in my carriage!”
The one waving was a woman with a purple headscarf, her light brown hair cropped short.She wore a grayish-yellow hemp dress and held the reins of a brown horse pulling a plain brown-black carriage, nothing too eye-catching.
“Good morning.We’re heading to Thousand Goods Market.Still three copper coins?”Luline stepped forward to confirm, while Charis followed quietly.
‘I’d better keep my mouth shut.I’m in unfamiliar territory.’
Charis tugged her hat brim lower.She was still wearing the saintess’s robe, which hid most of her dragon features.
“Charis, we’re set. Get in.”
Luline opened the carriage door, stepping up first and offering Charis a hand.
‘What, does she think I’m too short?’
Charis eyed the steps, well above her knees.With a bit of effort, she could climb up herself.
“I can get up on my own.”Charis prepared to jump, but Luline frowned and shook her head, her slender fingers beckoning.
“No messing around. Listen to me.”
Luline’s gaze was serious, her emerald eyes cool and appraising.Charis, wary of causing a scene in public, relented.
“Ugh… fine.”
Charis reached out, and Luline swiftly pulled her up.
Inside the familiar carriage, Charis sat close to Luline, the seats slick and the ride bumpy.
“What are you doing?”
Luline glanced down at Charis, who slid into her side with each bump, only to grab something and pull away to keep distance.
“Maintaining a safe distance.”
Charis was honest—she remembered Luline touching her horns once, and that vulnerable feeling wasn’t pleasant.
“What, you’re scared of me?”
A faint smile crossed Luline’s cool face.Unlike Ophelia or Aisha, she wasn’t pushy or prone to pinching.
“Uh… kinda.”
Charis answered cautiously, knowing the difference between sharp words and sharp actions.If Luline took issue, she’d face an unfair human tribunal.
‘A demon in a human court?Like a meat bun tossed to a dog—straight to the judge’s plate.’
“Scared, yet bold enough to use our kitchen and nearly get away with sneaking food?”
Luline propped her face on her hand, her tone teasing.
“That wasn’t sneaking!I ate breakfast openly in the morning, not creeping around at midnight.”
“Sounds like you think you’re in the right.Want to argue it in court?”
“Forget it, forget it. I’ll shut up.”
Charis flashed a placating smile.Luline turned to the window, letting it go, her expression relaxed and carefree.
Seeing the saintess in a good mood—and likely the easiest to talk to—Charis seized the chance to learn some basics about the human world.
“What’s that Thousand Goods Market you mentioned?”
“Interested?”
“A bit. Curious.”
Charis blinked, giving Luline a wide-eyed, blue-eyed stare of curiosity.Luline’s heart skipped a beat, closing her eyes to think.
‘Charis is a demon, but harmless for now.She’s under Aisha’s Contract Potion, so she can’t hurt humans.No harm in telling her.’
“Alright, I’ll explain.”Luline agreed.
“Thanks, go ahead.”Charis clasped her hands in gratitude, her ears perked, with Demon King Talos listening in.
“Look out the window.The street ahead is Thousand Goods Market…”Luline pointed outside, and Charis leaned in, eager to hear more.
Thousand Goods Market.
The most famous commercial district near Xaska Magic Academy, run by President Sly of the Vane Chamber of Commerce.A sprawling commercial hub, it housed trade in spices, perfumes, clothing, magical curse tools, and monster materials, among countless other activities.
At the market’s entrance stood a towering iron gate, five people high, with “Thousand Goods Market” etched in flowing, gilded script, gleaming in the sunlight.
Inside, winding cobblestone paths rose and fell, crowded with people flowing like a vibrant, multicolored river into the distance.
Far off, a massive white commercial plaza loomed, distinct from the Snow Crystal Tower’s plaza.It brimmed with jewelry, tool shops, and clothing displays, surrounded by red-roofed buildings of all sizes, their connected signs and colorful lights dazzling the eye.
Stepping off the carriage, Charis was awestruck by the market’s grandeur, but Luline grabbed her hand.
“Follow me. We’re not going to the main road.”
“Main road?”
Charis caught whiffs of perfume and spices in the air—not the place for buying groceries.
“We’re taking a side path.Tuck your tail in.”
Luline pointed at Charis’s rear, where her tail had started wagging excitedly.
“Oh, oh, I’ll keep it still.”
Charis suppressed her tail’s urge, following Luline to the side path.
A rusty sign hid in the buildings’ shadows, reading “Rat Tail Alley.”
Though called a “side path,” Rat Tail Alley, nestled in the bustling Thousand Goods Market, still saw a trickle of passersby.
The narrow lane allowed just one mid-sized carriage to pass.Charis trailed Luline, glancing around at shirtless butchers and resting kitchen staff.
A faint, greasy smoke hung in the air, not exactly pleasant.
“Move faster!Delay the lady’s banquet, and you’re not eating today!”
A sharp shout came from ahead.An old butler in a suit scolded servants hauling oil and rice sacks.The servants, with furry beast ears and tails propping their bodies, looked sturdy but strained under heavy loads.
“Beastfolk…”Charis stopped, and Luline paused too, quietly watching.
The butler noticed the saintess’s gaze, turning to wipe his sweaty brow and hurrying over to greet her.
“Oh, Saintess, what brings you to Rat Tail Alley in person?”The butler rubbed his hands, bowing to Luline.
“Good morning, Mr. Butler of the Rodley Family.What are these supplies for?”Luline inquired.
“Oh! It’s my lady’s birthday today.I’m out early to buy essential ingredients.”
“Happy birthday to Miss Rodley.”Luline offered a flat “blessing.”
“Thank you, Saintess, for your kind words.I’m busy now, but next time, please visit the manor to meet the lady.”
The butler retreated quickly, resuming his scolding of the beastfolk.
“Seen enough, Charis?”Luline turned to Charis, who watched the laboring beastfolk, a complex feeling stirring in her heart.
“Are those beastfolk slaves?”
“Yes.Beastfolk have great stamina and strength, so they’re often used as laborers.”
“How can they just accept that…”
“Because their magical essence aptitude is low—far below demons, humans, or elves.Lowly trades are common; it’s how they survive.”
Luline’s tone dipped, but her eyes showed no emotion.
Charis studied Luline’s emerald eyes, sensing her attitude toward beastfolk wasn’t so simple.
‘The saintess could’ve kept walking.She doesn’t seem close to the Rodley Family, yet she stopped to see the beastfolk’s struggles.’
Charis suddenly felt lucky.At least she wasn’t forced into hard labor or carved up for materials.
“Stop staring. Let’s buy ingredients.”Luline tugged Charis along.
“Oh.”