Two months back.

Inside a tent of considerable size, it was a rare thing to see. A tent with three stories. Jessica was in charge after their first few days of touring.

During that time, Jessica followed Cassie as they were brought along by Saleh. Having already given Cassie a tour of specific spots. Saleh decided to do a general overview. Having gone over everything the night before. Visiting the main spots in person allowed the knowledge to sink in more appropriately.

Saleh was out continuously, therefore, today after getting the lay of the land. It finally came his time to take a break. More specifically, to spend some time with Isabel.

“I have a meeting set up as a political guest, it is a bit annoying. However, part of the reason I was going out was to strengthen political connection to the dwarves or Blue Wolf Tribe.”

“Does that mean, someone else was sent to a dwarf city?”

“Yup, though to be more specific. I took the place of the person going to the Blue Wolf Tribe. It is annoying to mix work and pleasure, but, it has to be done.” Speaking with a bit of annoyance, Cassie couldn’t help but release the real reason, “It also means that I can extend my stay an entire month for a few days of work!”

Shaking her head, Jessica was a little curious who she was meeting. Ultimately, she didn’t say anything. It wasn’t any of her business. Poking your nose into someone else's business was dangerous. Especially when this was between two extremely powerful forces.

Moving into the room, they saw a long table, currently someone was already seated at the head seat. Giving the people in the room a signal, they soon left as they came in. Shortly after, Jessica was asked by Cassie to leave. With a bit of hesitation, she still did as she was told.

Eventually, silence was met after the doors closed.

“So you’re the first and only second generation Mercury?”

Cassie sat at the table with a smile. She was indeed the first and only second generation Mercury. It was a title anyone, that was able to enter the Mercury City Orphanage, could take or was given. Generally, it was a common practice. Only Mercury was not such a simple name.

Therefore, a person with Mercury as a second generation was not possible. It wasn’t that no children of the orphanage didn’t have kids with the same name. It only meant the same as their parents. Meaning, they reached adulthood, had children and died shortly after.

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Some not even being born before a parent has died. While others had been abandoned. Mercury City was a difficult place to live. Everyone had their own story, nobody had time to worry about the story of a child, an orphan no less. Thus, a child born from a Mercury that was raised in the orphanage would also be a first generation Mercury.

The reason she was the first and only was because, to pass the name down, there was a single and simple requirement. It was to be strong, not just normal strong. Helga was able to go from an orphan to an elder.

“I don’t think I am that special. I’m of the belief, big sister Zelna Mercury Everwater is the only Mercury that should be categorized different, or special.”

There was a strange look on the woman’s face. Brushing the white hair away from her face, she started over, “I seem to have misspoken, I was just a bit surprised. My name is Alta Hill.”

A smile appeared on Cassie’s face as if she was happy to make her acquaintance, “My name is Cassie Mercury, why were you surprised?”

Alta looked a bit troubled by how friendly she was, “There were many rumors of you. Some that appeared to be heavily exaggerated. What I didn’t expect to be exaggerated was you aren’t a graded being.”

“Why is that surprising? Because of who my mother is?” Bringing her finger to her chin, she had an inquisitive look in her eyes. Showing she was truly interested in this.

“A very small amount is due to that.” Letting out a sigh, Alta continued, “It might be improper to say it. Yet, since you asked, I am inclined to answer. It is well known in the tribe you have a snow wolf with which you used to bring you here. This wasn’t just a simple carrier. It is clearly something that you have spent an insane amount of resources on…”

Without needing her to finish, “So why am I someone that has the resources and still choices not to invest in myself? Or something along those lines?”

Alta didn’t answer immediately. For the first time since she had taken up post in the tribe, she felt unprepared. What caused her the most confusion was how this little girl could cause her to feel so confused in such a short amount of time. She was someone not to be underestimated, and yet she led the conversation without even the tiniest signs of friction.

Unable to keep the curiosity inside, she finally answered, “Yes.”

Cassie, took a second before smiling as her eyes squinted into crescent moons as her dimples appeared, “That is a good question.”

An awkward moment started and refused to leave. Cassie just smiled gently at her, with absolutely no intentions of answering. Letting out a sigh, “Do you really want to take this work up? Is it something you can do?”

Taking the file on the table, she glanced through it before a smile appeared on her face once more, “It looks doable.”

Without waiting, Cassie left. It wouldn’t do too well if she stayed and drew too much attention. It was a meeting that was seen as one power giving due respect to another, after coming for a visit. Furthermore, it was unwise to appear like more than it was. At least for the time being.

Alta was just unsure if everything was going to be okay.