“Where’s the Merchant guild office?” TianXing asked bluntly.
“Further west at 10th street. Right next to the Notatum Trade Federation headquarters, which in case you do not know what it looks like. The building is very distinct from regular construction,” the middle-aged waiter replied.
TianXing took another sip of tea.
“How long does it take to get there on foot?”
“...Hmm, if I remember correctly, a friend told me it will take more than 2 burning candle clocks to reach the end of the city from here. But I recommend hiring a rickshaw puller or hitching a ride on another person’s wagon. That would be much faster.”
“That’s not possible, Waiter. I am now low on mon-No…I am saving money for the long run so services like these are a waste of money until I earn a lot back.”
TianXing hurriedly corrected herself.
“...If you’re worried about high loan rates, that’s a false statement. The creditors are not as greedy as the rumors would say they are, especially for larger sums for growing businesses.”
“Is that how you were able to get these luxurious decorations?”
“That’s a company secret, girl.”
The waiter diminished her immediately, and under his tone, TianXing was certain she felt a thread of hostility towards her which was of a greater intensity.
“...Alright, I won’t pry further”
“Is there anything else you wish to know?”
He chugged down another full cup. Racing her mind across all the information she had gathered for this journey, TianXing scrambled for the missing bits in the whole puzzle. Given that this unexpected source of help was very sudden, it took several moments before she could continue the conversation.
“Public records. They state that the first ever official occurrence of foreign trade was twenty years back with silk and porcelain as the main export. Have there been any changes within that time frame? Any new trends recently?”
‘So she’s going for that route, huh.’ the Waiter said to himself.
Scratching the back of his head, he began thinking carefully for a proper response.
“Argh well, this is very broad,” he commented.
“...”
Her eyes focused in anticipation for his answer.
“Where to start…Oh right, this will do!”
He cleared his throat and clapped his hands together.
“While the status quo hasn’t changed much in my years of service as head waiter, there are drastic additions to the Kingdom’s imports, partly influenced by those outsiders for, what I heard, their own convenience.”
“...Tell me more.”
“...”
He promptly shuffled his chair closer towards her until she could hear his breath.
“Besides food and cloth, the Mayor, backed by the Emperor, has hired a group of foreign engineers to assemble something to be imported here, called a train, which will most likely replace the river routes connecting here to the Royal Capital.”
“Train? Also, why carry out such an endeavor when going by boat is still viable and how is it superior?”
Memories of her days with the mentor, captain and the crew suddenly came into mind, catching on her heartstrings for a short moment.
“A train is an iron horse that eats coal. From reports, it's stronger than the strongest buffalo and faster than the fastest horse. If it’s successful in its construction, that horseless wagon could change the way we transport and travel as we see it. The project, fortunately, is barely in its waking stages but that's one thing to look out for in the future. Now, they have even started a foundry a few streets away.
Aside from that, we saw an increasing amount of the army equipping themselves with guns and installing new cannon placements at the sea forts. And all were bought from the Manustrion Principality-”
”I do not care about weapons, Waiter!” she silently hissed. Steadying herself, TianXing continued, “What are some other goods that have the most monetary gain?”
“Don’t expect much, young Ms. Only those that garnered the largest profits were exotic goods from organized auctions, mainly held by the Notatum Trade Federation, and, obtained by my secret sources, the aristocracy supposedly had sleepless nights, entertained by such items.”
“Ohhh…” was all TianXing could say in awe for the curiosity of those items and disheartened break that was a lack of opportunities to start a potentially thriving business.
“One was called ‘Scales of the Devon Thunder Dragon’,” the Waiter continued, “and the young lord of the Second House wore this material as his main battle armor. He was absolutely dumbfounded at how tough it was…It was way harder than his Aura-infused metal.
Another case was Lady Amethyst Iris of the Mount Hua Sect. She bought a set of claws, described to be filled with mystical properties and sliced from a ‘High-Archetypal Demonic Succubus’. What a nameful that was. It was soon carved out to serve as her latest nail guards.”
TianXing looked blankly back at him.
“What were all those otherworldly monsters and strange terminology?” she asked, bewildered.
“You’re asking the wrong man. I just read it as it says when I first saw the message. As long as they never come storming down the restaurant, I’ll never give a damn. It may be a different case for you though. Your options are limited.”
“I understand…”
She sharply replied, before sulking in her silence.
Giving a side glance at her, the Waiter observed her silence while pouring another cup for himself. Placing the vase aside, he spoke again.
“Whoever is it, that you want to safe back at home, their assaulters would never wait for your return, young Ms. They may be dead at this very moment. Let’s say you made it big in the next few years. With all the work you put in for that next several years, you will never have the time to know of their safety. Competition here is brutal and many lost their lives pursuing those goals. I can tell you are talented but it takes more than that to survive in this hot pot of boiling labor. And, I cannot say whether you’ll be lucky enough to see this through.”
Silence…
That’s when her face darkened.
“What’s with that discouraging speech?” TianXing finally answered.
She wiped her sweat off her forehead.
“Waiter, where’s the cheapest inn near the Merchant guild office?
“...”
The waiter told her the locations.
“What about the recommended day markets for shopping daily necessities?”
The waiter told her the street numbers.
“Alright, that’s all I need to know.”
She then placed a silver tael on the table, leaving her with a balance of a measly 24 silver left.
“My previous payment wasn’t satisfactory so let me replace it with a tael. We’re even now. I will be coming back for the food so I’ll see you later.”
“Young Ms.”
His voice deepened.
“What?”
“Be careful on your way to the pier. The closer you get there, the more chances you will encounter pickpockets and backstabbing robbers, especially with the numerous mouse alleys between the docks, offices and warehouses. Don’t be so reckless with your one life.”
“...I will be aware of that.”
“That’s good-”
“One more thing,” TianXing interrupted, “that ‘helpless’ person whom you spoke off. He’s one of the most determined people I've ever known.
Heaven falls when he dies the way you said.”
“...W-”
“Goodbye”
In the next few strides, the young lady made her way across the maze of dining tables and headed downstairs to the entrance. As the waiter saw the outline of her clothes, slowly becoming smaller and smaller the farther she went, he raised a cup for her out of the window.
“What a girl,” he acknowledged.
.
.
.
Evening soon came. And within a room of moderate size, housing a rectangular writing table, a twin wardrobe and a single person bed, TianXing carefully placed her two boxy luggage in the corner, locked the door behind her and closed the windows shut, followed by the covering of thick blue curtains.
Preparing her bed, she did not bother washing herself nor changing out her travel outfit and immediately laid on the bed in relief. Having been on the move since morning, she felt her sore back and blistering feet. Never had she traveled so far without taking her shoes off but now she was here. In a compact bedroom, located right above the chaotic pub below; beneath and beside her, swarming from all directions, were a cacophony of never-ending screams, shouts, grunts and moans.
She tucked in her blanket tighter.
Suddenly the right wall shook, and shortly after, a supporting beam wobbled, making the entire upper floor erupt in violent tremble. Normally, this events would leave TianXing sleepless for the whole night, but with all the fatigue of the journey here and the built up exhaustion from a lack of a proper bed back at her 10-day river voyage, she wasted no time falling into an immediate deep slumber, undeterred by the mayhem that persisted through the night.
‘This Is what happens when you stay in such a budget inn, huh?’ was her final thought.
…
Morning came and unlike her routine back at home, TianXing woke up to the sounds of the bustling morning market. Feeling refreshed, she exited her room and headed downstairs to the back alleyway. This narrow gap was gated and served as a small washing station for its occupants. Luckily for her, apart from some fainted drunkards on the washing benches, the central water taps were functioning correctly. After a quick urinary break, she headed to the nearby shed.
Filing her water bucket, she folded several pieces of cloth and dipped it in. And, to the best of her ability with what was available, TianXing washed her face, arms and legs, and wiped her hair.
Back at her room, she applied some basic whitening powder and bit on a red powdered card. That was her makeup for what was about to come. Unpacking another set of new gray ShenYi, she dressed herself anew. Checking herself on her handheld mirror, she made a firm nod.
Heading downstairs for the second time, she ordered a light breakfast of rice porridge and 3 sticks of YouTiao. As she gobbled her way through, TianXing noticed the nearly unsettling tranquility of the entire pub. Just last night, this place was crowded to the farthest edge. This was quite the stark contrast she had observed. However, TianXing took no further thought to this and proceeded onwards.
She then headed for the counter, paying for the food as well as for a week’s stay. After her registration, TianXing began her walk towards the Merchant Guild office. As she passed the entrance to the inn, the young lady hastily checked the amount of money she had left.
‘17 silver…’
Like a time ticking bomb, she clenched her fist in resolve. Her heart’s racing, knowing that she will only have a limited amount of time before she goes destitute, and after that…She does not want to imagine what happens after that.
A light shudder.
.
.
.
Several minutes had passed since she started her journey. As the lady scurried her way through the winding alleyways and wide streets full of horses and carts, she always kept herself light on her feet. Remembering the warning given by the Waiter, her eyes raced across everywhere she went. Shadows, corners and hidden crates. Anywhere that seemed potentially dangerous she stirred her way out of there, remaining close to the main street which was wide and crowded for the most part. She felt safer, plowing through the sea of pedestrians.
That’s when she was suddenly hit by a child who knocked her off balance. The child, instead of apologizing, hastily retreated, blending himself in with the masses behind her. Quickly supporting herself with the unintended help from the person beside her, TianXing instinctively checked her pockets for the money pouch and unfortunately, she cursed. It was stolen.
“WAIT! THIEF!”
She screamed. TianXing was sure that she had hidden her valuables tightly, nestling deep within the inside of her clothes. But, that boy managed to slip his hands expertly past her.
“Tch!”
With no moments to waste, she rushed after him, screaming out loud for help as she did so.
‘This is very catastrophic.’
Her thoughts ran wild. Her anxious predictions made her panicked. Her eyes, flushed with urgency, dashed all over the place. But all she saw were men and women. Pushing further, she went headstrong. The crowd, indifferent to her troubles, only made some leeway for her to pass smoother. It was not until two minutes into the blind chase that she finally caught a glimpse of the boy, somewhat pushed back by a clash with an angry commuter, before disappearing again into the gaps of adults, towards an alleyway in sight. He wore dark monotone fabrics, but his smaller size stands out amongst the adults from that sequence of events, even if that gave him an advantage in escaping the scene. Shoving her way in pursuit, inching closer and closer towards the burglar; crying out and pleading for him to stop, her heart raced faster than ever.
As predicted, the boy took a sharp turn to the left and into that narrow alleyway. Not far behind, TianXing followed after.
The cat and mouse chase continued on for several turns until she met the boy at a dead end. Plastering himself to the ends of the wall, he had his back faced to her, cowering deep in fear and cuddling tight on that pouch.
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Panting with battered breaths with her face and hair, a disheveled mess, she stopped a few strides behind the boy, looking at him with seeping angry intent. Calming herself, she did a quick scan throughout the alley before settling her eyes focused on the perpetrator. With a closer look, he wore a heavily patched tunic with ripped pants. On his sash, a chipped knife was loosely attached with a medium-sized sack beside it. TianXing now knew what was going on.
“Oh no…Shit!”
She had fallen into a larger trap.
Turning quickly on her heel, she was met face to face with a group of paupers and youthful robbers.
‘When…When did they get behind me?’
TianXing was so fixated on catching the boy that she failed to notice that this was no ordinary pickpocket attempt. The isolated alleyways were already such an obvious giveaway for potential danger.
“BACK AWAY!”
And now she might die.
Giggling lustfully as they slowly approached her, TianXing grabbed a dilapidated plank from the ground before brandishing it weakly in front of them. Swaying petitely while they increased their pace. However, they were not the first to attack.
The boy stood.
Behind her, he quietly turned to face her back and took out his knife. Grabbing it in both hands, he tensed his body and charged forward, catching TianXing off by surprise. He stabbed deep into her right calf.
“ARGHHAAAAA!”
Screeching out in agonizing pain, she felt her heart stop for a moment before suddenly collapsing hard onto the grim hard floor. Her leg twitched disturbingly and gave out.
The boy, lifeless in his eyes, grunted and pulled the knife out. Blood spluttered as he did before he raised it up again. He then came in for another hard strike to her right thigh. But in the rush of adrenaline, TianXing managed to narrowly dodged the second blow. Ultimately, his blade scratched her upper leg by a significant degree. In desperation, she clumsily landed a quick kick to the boy, sending his feeble figure a distance away in the heat of the moment. Disregarding the boy, the group of burglars continued their approach, raising their blunt bats and metal pipes in the air.
Dragging her body to the farthest corner, TianXing’s violently shaking arms eventually gave in. Still screaming and crying out for anybody to come and help at the top of her lungs, the burglars watched on in horrid pleasure for her pathetic display.
Tears flowed down her bloodshot eyes while foam appeared around her mouth. Her eyes constricted.
‘Am I gonna die of shock trauma?’ flashed one of her thoughts.
‘What are they gonna do with this body?’
‘Will I ever be found?’
Looking at her injuries, there was a wide trail of deep scarlet blood.
‘It…It hurts!’
Gritting her teeth as one of the paupers was preparing for a hard swing of his bat at her head, she momentarily decided to accept her fate and braced for impact.
But, unbeknownst to her, it truly was never death. Not now at the very least.
“LEAH TCETORP!”
An echoing voice sounded as the bat closed in for the injury. Instantly, its swing was abruptly halted a small distance away from TianXing’s face. Her entire being was suddenly wrapped in a strange, yet familiar luminous, silver light. It was brighter than any fire she had ever seen, reminiscent of moonlight, and it gave such a sensation of warmth and security. Her panicked heart felt like it was at peace and her burning surge of pain on her leg was quickly fading to nonexistence.
That light deflected the strike from the bat and started to spread out in all directions, engulfing the other burglars and they stood there, stunned in amazement. Before they knew it, the light launched them off to the walls and several loud thuds and bone cracking could be heard as they fell to the ground with such force.
“Huhh…”
TianXing slowly gazed past those burglars. Now, standing still at the entrance of the alley, was a tall and slender figure, donned in flowy white robes decorated with golden crosses and light gray accents. The figure held, as what she saw as, a long pole of unknown material similar to wood and it emitted the same bright light as herself was surrounded by. Moments later, the figure lowered her staff and its light faded away, at the same time as her’s did. Still frightened with some fear after that faded light, TianXing remained still on the ground and that’s when she saw two more individuals running towards the white figure. Those two also wore outfits of a similar color scheme with cross motifs. Unlike the figure who wore a white hood, she can identify the two as a manly warrior and an old man.
The warrior was clad in full shining glassy, white armor with a texture closer to ceramic and on his upper chest plate, a red cross served as the main structure for his bevor. Underneath that layer, he wore a mixture of chainmail and a black long-sleeved gambeson at the gaps. Finally, he donned a pale yellow cloak, draped over his entire body and reached his armored boots while carrying a glimmering longsword on his hip. The golden plated, ruby encrusted pommel, dark maple leather grip and glossy silver hilt further complemented the overall light theme. He looked to TianXing’s way. His helmet clanged loudly as the long red tail feather at the top fluttered grandly in the air.
On the other hand, the old man wore a majority of black with a black cassock, white inner layer and black leather boots. In his hands, a blocky book was carefully tucked under his shoulders. Around his neck, he wore a shiny silver necklace with another white cross at the end. His beard was cut short, covering his entire chin, cheeks and around the lips.
Together, the three of them would certainly stand out amidst the crowd of bleak and matt monotones of the Hanfu clothing of the worker class on the streets.
As TianXing observed the group from her stationary place, the warrior brought up the attention of her to the rest and they casually made their approach. While the warrior began carrying the injured burglars to a central location and the hooded figure aided the recovery of the impulsive boy, the old man carefully knelt down beside her. Making eye contact, he smiled widely. His wrinkles accentuated a darker shadow, showing his age. Speechless on what to say, the man started first.
“Are you hurt anywhere else, Miss?”
Upon hearing his words, TianXing felt surprised at how heavy his accent was and now that she had a closer look at him, she realized he was a full-fledged foreigner, characterized with his flat hawk nose and green eyes. Same went for the warrior with having a more defined jawline and shaper upturned nose.
“Ah n-no Sir. I feel much better now. I…I thank you for your companion’s aid. The one in the hood. I’ve been left for death if not for you all.”
“The pleasure’s all ours, I can assure that.”
Looking over his shoulder, the old man called for the warrior, “Nephew Dominic, how are the thieves acting up?”
“I have secured them, Father,” answered the warrior as he tightened the knot, “We now just have to transport them to the police post and they’ll repent.”
Even he had a heavy weird accent.
“Splendid work! Niece Marialye, what of the child?”
“He’s still breathing. Just malnourished,” the woman flatly replied as she finished the last processes of healing up the poor child. But for the hooded woman, while her accent was heavy, the natural flow of her tone was far too pleasant.
‘What a…what an otherworldly voice!’ TianXing exclaimed internally. Never had she heard a voice so mature and grand yet fresh. She felt it was akin to heavily marinated pickled plum. But luckily, the trance the woman’s voice gave her was soon interrupted by the old man, addressed to as Father, bringing her back to her senses.
“Do you need help standing, Miss?”
“No, no. There’s no problem.”
With haste, she grabbed the edge of the wall beside her and pulled herself up. Meeting at eye level with the three foreigners who were now gathered around her.
Immediately, TianXing lowered her head down, surprising all of them.
She screamed her thanks for a second time.
“Miss, please…do not grovel before us. It is of our good hearts to come for anyone’s aid, as the Lord preaches for all.”
The old man slowly raised his hands up in true spectacle.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”-
when you already have it with you.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. For we are God’s handiwork, created in the name of Nazarenus Maxiltaleih to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
And to never forget to love one’s self and to share love with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Let us not become weary for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Nazarenus, so that every one of us may receive what is due to us for the things done while in the body and spirit, whether for the good or the bad.
As for what God always intended for.”
The warrior sang in rhythmic fashion. His eyes, marked by the pleasure of thought.
An awkward silence shortly followed until the old man changed paces.
“Anyhow, how is Miss's leg doing?”
Looking down and moving her supposedly injured leg, she was flabbergasted to find it clean of blood and pus. There was no scar and the leg was akin to having never been stabbed in the first place. Aside from that, the several bruises she had on her arms, elbow and buttocks were no longer visible and aching. Moreover, the weight of fatigue that accumulated in her body had simply vanished.
“It’s…I feel greater than ever.”
She rushed forward. Closing in towards the hooded woman and rub her hands tightly in an embrace, TianXing awkwardly gave her heartfelt attitude.
“I’ve no clue about what Madam just did, but due to your light, I wouldn’t need to spend more money on clean clothes and medical treatment since I am currently low on money. Again, thank you very, very much!!!”
As much as she was wary of all the people that approached her on her arrival, she was still a youthful 22 year old at heart. Watching a talented woman like the hooded individual save her life and somehow mystically healed her wounds in seconds after saying some strange words was something natural for her to admire like a role model. Taken aback by this approach, the woman was about to make a swift sidestep out of the maiden’s way but she unfortunately slipped on a puddle.
Together, the both of them fell with TianXing on top.
.
.
Grimacing in slight discomfort, TianXing realized what she had just done. Feeling the woman’s grunts below her, she panicky got off her and desperately asked for a pardon.
For a moment, there came no response and TianXing hesitatingly looked up, only to be met by the woman’s sparkling eyes. The fall took her hood off, revealing a face that was as picturesque and grand as her voice. The woman had fair pale skin, ridden of any blemishes or birthmarks. Her face was distinctively characterized by a stronger jawline, close-set thin eyebrows, longer eyelashes, well defined high contrast cheekbones, a button nose, fuller and more succulent cherry lips, and monolid bright olive green eyes. Long, wavy blond hair, comparable to being dyed with pure gold, further awed TianXing in gasp.
However, nothing astounded her more than one particular feature on the mature woman’s face. It was a pair of petite elongated ears that extended longer at the helix which ended at pointed edges.
“Ah…”
TianXing was speechless, stunned at the sight of her beauty.
That was when the old man snapped her out of it by covering back the woman with the hood. In the back, the warrior tried his best to hold his laughter at the ridiculousness of this scene and the maiden’s reaction to his long acquainted companion. TianXing, back to her senses, looked away in embarrassment.
“Sister, nearly everyone here and back had similar expressions…and…and, that never gets old! Hahahaha!”
His laughter soon turned hysterical, to which the old man stepped in.
“Now, now, Nephew Dominic, you are being too excessive. You might end up scaring the young Ms.”
“Haaa…True…My sincerest apologies, Father.”
“...”
Turning to the old man, TianXing questioned him with curiosity.
“Sir, about Madam Ma-Ri-..What happened to her ears?”
“...”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Ah, I’m not hurling insults. Her ears truly looked so beautiful, even if they were deformed.”
“It’s not an irregularity, Miss. She’s just an elf.”
“Elf…?”
“It’s half-elf, Father.” the woman corrected him, “And when you mentioned it was not an abnormality, well, it surely is one!”
After that small sudden outburst, the woman glanced back at TianXing, glaring at her before facing back the old man.
“I’ll be waiting outside, Father,” she finally concluded before she tapped her wooden staff hard on the ground. Mist soon formed around her and as it dissipated from where she last stood, the elf was nowhere to be found in TianXing’s line of sight.
Massaging his forehead, the old man addressed Marialye’s actions, “Please excuse Niece Marialye, Miss. Being the rare offspring of a human noble and his elf slave, she was always disregarded from either community as ‘incomplete’ for most of her life so she despises her appearance. Especially whenever someone fawns all over her, her usual calm demeanor reverts back to the brash persona she wore in her younger years. Although objectively, she truly is one of the prettiest I have ever laid my eyes on, granted that I have never met the residents of the World Tree.”
“I-I have never heard of such stories from where I came from but I can tell it infuriates her very badly. Should I-”
“Don’t bother. Sister now has a place to call home, “ the warrior interrupted, “We, the Corpus Sanctus Church Society, are her beloved sanctuary.”
“Brilliantly said, Nephew Dominic. I now recall back to my prime years when I first came across her living as a 11 year old vagabond. Now, she is a respected member of divine virtue and an intellectual of Magecraft and Magick. Oh how times have passed…”
“Wow…that’s so benevolent of you, Sir.”
TianXing was starting to feel overwhelmed.
“Just as what you said, Miss!” the warrior interjected again. He then approached her closely. Their faces nearly touching
“Sister, you should also have a desire you want to accomplish. A purpose in this turbulent, cruel and unrelenting world. There must be a reason you came to ShanWei.”
“W-wait, Mr D-. This is…”
TianXing also began to grow cautious.
“Is it for a loved one? Was it out of your selfish desires? Did someone force you? Or you went about it on your own accord? These are questions I have seen many people like you have and now you are struggling to find a true, ‘correct’ path. Is that right?”
“N-Wa-What are you sayi-”
“Nephew…”
“Well, that is why, messengers of our Lord, the missionary Father Paulin, the defender of the righteous Holi Knight order, myself Nephew Dominic, and the prophetic mage, Niece Marialye, alongside countless other fellowships of intertwined faith, have sailed across vast oceans of leviathan-infested waters, spanning far past the four cardinals of the Amplus Ocean to settle in this uncleansed land of false impersonators that mimicked God’s binding.
It is HERESY!
Miss, why don’t you spread a hand to our Church of Sanctity? I am more than delighted to escort your lost soul to a place of resolution and repentment. Let’s work together for a brighter future as we wait for the Second Descend of Maxiltaleih, FOR GOD’S GIFT OF ETERNAL JOY!!!”
His passionate voice resonated grandly, reverberating across the narrow alley where they all stood.
Creeped out by the warrior’s manner of speech, sensing he might have a few screws loose, TianXing planned to make the run for it but currently, the location was not in her favor. The warrior was blocking her at the front and the old man stood center at the entrance. Clearly, she also doesn't have the speed or the stamina to outrun them. So regrettably, she gambled to talk her way out.
“I-I love your passion, honorable warrior!”
“So!? Is that-”
His delighted voice sounded.
“But I’m sorry! I would like to pass this righteous invitation. Honestly, I feel like I need time to make a choice and currently, there is no time for dilly dally. I am running late for an appointment. So please, could I go do my own errands?”
“Oh…so…you are one of those temple FANATICS, aren’t you?
His eyes were bursting with rage.
In the corner of her eye, TianXing could also see the warrior slowly reaching out for his sword. It was a threat.
Suddenly, she felt the chills down her spine.
“I…I…”
This feeling was way worse than when she was confronted by the burglars. The warrior gave off such pressure upon her, it was unyielding, tightening her heart and blanking out her mind. TianXing knew she could easily faint any moment now. Fortunately…
“ENOUGH, DOMINIC!”
“Hurrgghh…hurrgh…ack, ack, ackak!”
Thankfully, the old man stopped him and TianXing was able to catch her much needed breath. Grabbing her chest, she coughed heavily while the warrior was being reprimanded.
“Nephew Dominic, I am endlessly touched by your devotion to the Lord, but you must remember, these Gods of mockery are also experts in their craft and we cannot run away from that truth. This is the reason why we must take one small step at a time, from one soul to another, then tens of them, before settling with hundreds, eventually thousands, millions, to as many people out there, who eat and sleep in these eastern lands. Let’s spread the glory of God to them!” declared the old man, gripping the warrior’s shoulders firmly.
“I-I get it now, Father!”
He smiled.
“Good child,” the old man patted his shoulders.
Facing back to the recovering maiden, he promptly got her up carefully and tidied her clothes, before activating a charm on her. After a bath of pale yellow light, she reappeared, washed off all sweat and grime.
“There you go, Miss. You are now prepared for whoever you are gonna have a session with. First impressions are key. Do you get me?”
“Y-yes…” was all she could simply reply.
‘As long as I can get out of here soon.’
“Finally, please take this.”
The old man mystically summoned a small flexible hardcover booklet, emerging out of a ring on his index finger, and handed it to her. The book was bound by horse leather and at the center front, the words ‘Holy Scripture’ was imprinted on it in bright gold cursive letters, to which TianXing was illiterate of such writing.
“What’s this?”
“It is a token of our acquaintanceship. Further down the road, I hope you will reconsider our invitation.”
“...”
“Our doors are always open for new family members, Miss. Just keep a lookout for that recognizable white cross on a roof and you will surely find us.”
Raising his hand, the old man gave his parting words, “Again, it is a pleasure meeting you, Miss. Nephew Dominic, we are leaving.”
The warrior nodded, casually carrying the thieves and child in tow.
.
.
.
TianXing then waited, until their footsteps were no longer heard again, before letting out a deep sigh. Feeling her skin, she had goosebumps all over and the ends of her fingers still shook wildly. Grabbing her purse and securing it within her undergarment this time, the young maiden finally started the last leg of her journey to the Merchant Guild office, arriving smoothly after a hasty 10 minutes later.