Chapter 49: You said I was poor!? That’s true
“Uh, I just remembered something urgent!” Ailiya blurted, springing from her seat before the awkward silence could suffocate her. Grabbing Sylvie’s wrist with a flimsy excuse, she yanked her along. “Sylvie, let’s go!”
Dragging the still-dazed Sylvie, Ailiya fled the stall under Arthur and Felix’s stunned gazes, not looking back.
They jogged until they rounded a corner, out of sight of the stall. Ailiya leaned against a wall, panting heavily. “Huff… huff… saved…”
“Ailiya?” Sylvie looked at her, concerned.
“I’m fine, fine,” Ailiya waved off, then thanked her sincerely. “Really, thank you, Sylvie. That was the best meal I’ve had since coming to the capital.”
Sylvie’s face lit up with a gentle smile, her hands clasped nervously at her chest. After a pause, she gathered her courage. “Um, Ailiya, are you free now? If it’s okay… I’d like to take a walk with you. There’s something I really want to show you.”
The heroine wants to show me something? Could it be a key plot item?! Ailiya’s curiosity surged. “Free! Super free!” she nodded eagerly. “Let’s go!”
“Okay!” Sylvie’s eyes sparkled like stars, nodding enthusiastically.
They strolled side by side through the capital’s afternoon streets. Sunlight filtered through tree leaves, casting dappled patterns on ancient cobblestones. The clatter of carriage hooves mingled with the sweet aroma of bakeries and floral scents from shops, creating a serene, idyllic scene.
Sylvie’s gaze drifted to Ailiya. Her black-and-white maid outfit looked charming in the sunlight, her short white hair swaying with each step, revealing a creamy neck like fine jade. Her legs, wrapped in sheer white stockings, caught the eye—not lifeless white but vibrant, the thin silk hugging her curves, faintly showing the warm flesh beneath, balancing innocence and youth. Paired with delicate black shoes, her ankles looked dainty and endearing.
“Ailiya,” Sylvie asked, entranced, “do you wear that maid outfit all day? No casual clothes?”
“I have some, but Lady Liliane gave me ten maid outfits,” Ailiya replied, a bit proud. “They’re easy to wash, comfy, and versatile—formal or casual. Plus, if I need to fight, no need to change. So practical!” She lifted her skirt to show off the sturdy fabric. “Way better than my old, faded clothes!”
Mid-conversation, Ailiya froze, spotting a familiar figure across the street—Aurora, laden with shopping bags, glaring at them like a specter outside a luxury store.
Oh no.
Ailiya’s heart sank. She knew Aurora, the “攻略者,” hated her getting close to Sylvie, the “intended heroine,” fearing Ailiya’s “bug” status would derail the plot further.
It’s not my fault! Free food—who could say no?! she screamed internally. And why’s this shopaholic always eating cake or buying stuff? How rich is she?
Expecting a scolding, Ailiya was surprised when Aurora just sighed, shook her head, and entered another shop.
She gave up? Ailiya mused. Guess she’s over fretting about details since she burned her guidebook.
They continued to a bustling market street, narrower than the main avenue, lined with stalls selling jewelry, old books, odd magical materials, and crafts. The crowd buzzed with haggling and chatter, scented with roasted chestnuts and spices.
“I love this street,” Sylvie said, eyes shining. “It’s cheap, and you can find valuable stuff sometimes.”
“Valuable” struck Ailiya like lightning. “Let’s hunt for treasures!” she exclaimed, eyes gleaming, pulling Sylvie into the crowd.
Sylvie laughed at Ailiya’s money-driven enthusiasm, feeling she was starting to understand her quirky classmate.
They weaved through the packed market. Ailiya eyed shiny trinkets; Sylvie lingered at book stalls. The clamor of vendors and the scent of spices made Ailiya dizzy.
A sudden surge of people swept through.
“Wah!” Ailiya stumbled, separated from Sylvie in the crush.
“Help!” she yelped, a leaf caught in a whirlpool.
“Ailiya!” A warm hand pushed through, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back to safety.
“Thanks,” Ailiya panted, clutching her chest.
“Be careful,” Sylvie said, still holding her wrist.
Ailiya, catching her breath, felt an odd emptiness at her waist. She patted it—My wallet’s gone!
“What’s wrong?” Sylvie asked, seeing her panic.
“My wallet’s gone!” Ailiya wailed. Just a few coppers, and you steal that?!
“Don’t move. Close your eyes,” Sylvie said, her tone suddenly serious.
Confused but obedient, Ailiya shut her eyes. Sylvie’s warm fingers gently touched her eyelids, a soft, sunlike mana seeping in.
“Lumen Viam Sequere! (Path of Light, guide me!)” Sylvie intoned, her voice ethereal and solemn.
A warm white light flashed before Ailiya’s eyes. Sylvie whispered, “Open them.”
Ailiya did, gasping. A winding trail of faint light particles stretched from her feet into the crowd, like a game’s quest marker.
“Follow the light,” Sylvie said confidently. “It’ll lead to your wallet.”
Meanwhile, in a nearby alley, a small figure slipped from the crowd.
A girl, barely twelve, tossed a faded cloth wallet, smirking. “What an idiot. No guard at all—too easy.”
Leaning against a wall, she eagerly unzipped it. “Let’s see… what’s for dinner—”
Her smile froze. Inside were a few lonely coppers, rattling pitifully.
Not enough for a decent cut of pork.
She clenched the wallet, trembling with fury, spitting on the ground. “Damn it! A pauper in the capital?!”
“Who’re you calling a pauper?!” a furious voice rang out.
The girl spun to see the white-haired maid, hands on hips, glaring. “Give me back my wallet!”