Taken aback, “B-But we’re dealing with Travelers. Wouldn’t it be wiser for us to understand and measure our capabilities for the worst case scenario? The other you can overwhelm even Lyra herself, if we have that power with her and Ragna…”

Siola groaned, “There is no we in that.”

“…”

“The moment I turned; I lose control until the other me is done with whatever she’s doing. It has been short, but you wouldn’t want to find out if it can go a second longer or not.”

Grimaced, “I understand.”

“You better be.”

Siola turns to see the moon once again.

“How… How did it come to be, if I may ask?”

“I don’t know.”

Flashes of equipment and items of the person she has never met, “I don’t know.”

With the help of the maids, Siola donned the casual attire of a noble. Which has the same style to what Elara is wearing.

“Hrmm… it’s unsettling to know that I’m fit in this.”

“We could order a new one if you’d like. One that suits your liking more.’

“I’d like it if I can owe people less, if you don’t mind.”

The two then went to the dining hall where Siola met the others in their casual attire. Vanya with her eyes widened is full of joy after seeing her.

“You make that look great, Siola.”

“Thank you, Madam— Ahem, thanks, Vanya.”

She smiles.

Siola went to her seat but after she caresses Lyra’s arm muscle. And the elf was disgusted by it. The dinner is a freshly cooked assortment of seafood. Giant crabs, lobster, even fish.

“How lavish.”

“Please, eat as much as you like. We have so many things to discuss.” Said Elara.

Siola clasp her hands together, “O’ my Lady of Light, bless this table full of nourishment, that thy servant and people may dine in joy and harmony.”

The sigil on her forehead glows slightly as golden light particles scatters. Elara gaze upon her in awe while on the other end, Lyra is already munching down on the food.

Vanya looks at her with disdain, “Hell of a worshipper you are.”

“Hmph, my lord doesn’t need such theatrics.”

“I’ve never seen the people of Divine Order does that when they pray.” Says Elara.

As Siola doesn’t bother to explain it, Ragna answer, “That’s because she’s their champion. That sigil is the proof of it.”

“Champion of the Divine Order? But if even Lyra doesn’t have the sigil…”

“Right, that’s the one thing that’s amiss in your story, Lyra.”

She stops shoving crab meat on her mouth, “Well, that’s one thing I wanna know too.” Glancing at Siola, “After disappearing into the dungeon, she came back like that.”

Vanya looks at Siola, prompting her to respond, “Mm, just what happened in there, Siola?”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Brows raised as she munches on the succulent meat of the lobster.

“What, I simply carry on the task as my Lady’s blade. Purifying undead to the afterlife. I just happened to get carried away and lost track of time doing it, as I should.”

“Doesn’t explain the thing on your forehead though.” Says Ragna.

“You’re being too nosy.”

Raising hands, pressuring the topic no further.

“Let’s talk about your plan instead, Elara. If it’s even called that anyway.”

Setting down her cutlery, “Faseth, fetch me the item.”

The butler came and handed her a key, the same one that Ragna shows.

“Travelers are ingenious people. They have knowledge that can far surpass our own. Although some prefers to slay monsters and become legends, some prefers to lay low. Starting a business and the idea of Travelers becoming merchant is one I admire.”

“But I did not expect that they would go as far as to change the landscape of trade entirely. Producing goods that used to be available only for nobles and sold them to commoners with a price that is impossible for others to meet.”

“Isn’t it a good thing though,” said Vanya, “A lot more people can afford them now.”

“If you view of them that way, yes, but as a merchant yourself Madam Vanya, I’m sure you can guess what would happen if competition is stifled.”

“Before this, you can find so many merchants, all from different family be it nobles or merchant groups. A vast array of system, trades from the local fish farm, to the mine, to the adventurer’s guild. Competition is thriving and healthy. Until one day, a traveler came to the picture with a small stall, and selling swords that can cut trees like it’s butter.”

“Obviously, such items are desirable, yet it only costs 5000 Golds.”

*Cough *Cough *Cough

Siola choking on her milk, “5000 Golds.”

“Yes. It might as well cost a copper coin (1 Golds) if a weapon of such caliber is sold at that price. And that is not the end of it either.”

“Soon, magic swords of unparallel abilities were created. With that kind of sword coming into the market, local blacksmith has given up and set up shop somewhere else. Throwing a stick to the wheel of a cart that is steadily growing over the years.”

“Other travelers see the opportunity and they began to use their powers to gain wealth. Items such as medicines, tools resembling nothing in our world, soon the world of trades were flipped upside down and almost the entirety of the top merchants have now been replaced by these travelers. And Windsong, my family, is included in that list.”

“We couldn’t keep up as we are far behind. We cannot source our materials like they do, our workers cannot create items like they do, and we couldn’t sell the items at a price that they have. Materials, labor, logistics. We would be lucky if we can make a copper in profits, but no.”

“Each and every day, we lose customers. Each week, we lose our partners. With the situation getting worse and worse, we had to lay off so many of our workers, but they have nowhere to go. Those travelers prefer to employ beast kin and demons as their workers instead of the people they harmed. And why would they? Demons and beast kin can do more than us humans after all.”

Her chest boils, she takes a sip of a drink to refresh her throat.

“I-It sounds like you’re struggling so why did you serve this expensive dinner for us?” asked Vanya.

“Isn’t that obvious?” turning to Siola, “A fellow noble, one with a promising power that can tip the scale of our fortune. I need to make a good impression.”

“And you largely succeeded,” said Siola, “But you haven’t told us what are you going to do to solve this problem of yours.”

“There are a few ways to deal with this issue,” glancing at Ragna, “But I would like to avoid the wrath of a Traveler and go with a less grave approach.”

“As I mentioned before, Heroes have been summoned in the capital. Which indicates that the royal family has indeed aware of these problematic travelers, or if the rumor is true, Lorkhan is preparing for another war with Sonata. Although heroes themselves are not participating in the war, they are still dispatched to certain areas where monsters reside.”

“We need to turn the royal family’s attention to these Travelers instead. Ideally, to implement a law that allows for fair trade.”

“Though, the problem is even the royal family is also the recipient of these Travelers. And if not for the fact that our family is shunned by the high society, I would’ve been able to bring this matter to his majesty, but as we currently are. It’s not possible.”

She stood, “But what if we become too much for them to ignore?”

“As the acting lord of Windsong, I want to improve the lives on Hikanda Town and Wagoner’s Waycross. We’re steadily making our way by collaborating with the adventurer’s guild and allow their adventurers to settle on our dungeon.”

“I could use some help with trades and that’s where I think Madam Vanya could assist. And as for the three of you, if you would, I and by extension the Windsong family wish to sponsor you. Be it funds for your journey or the services we provide, you will have our full support.”

Lyra put her foot down, “Royals, huh. I don’t feel like going even if I can.”

Ragna chuckles, “What, you got other places to be?”

“Yeah,” tilting her head toward Siola, “I go where she goes whether I wanted to or not.”

Attentively listened to her story, Siola’s eyes twitched, “Sponsorship.”

“Do you have any idea what that means, Elara?”

“Pardon?”

“Unlike partnership… or employment… you will not have the right to tell us what to do. We would promote your family, but that will be the extend of it unless we are kind enough to do more, but we will never be your subordinates under that condition.”

“Is that truly what you want from us?”