Volume 1, Chapter 63 – Date

“Slaves really are everywhere.”

After leaving the Mage Association, Fia and Claire headed straight for Aurora City’s commercial district.

Unlike the ordinary streets lined with small vendors hawking their wares along the roadside, the commercial district’s streets were exceptionally clean. Every merchant not only had their own storefront but also hired clerks to solicit customers at the entrance, making the streets much wider and brighter than before.

However, because this was a densely populated area, beggars and slaves were also exceptionally numerous. While it wasn’t to the point of seeing one every few steps, a quick glance would inevitably reveal their presence.

Among them were some who, upon seeing Fia pass by, looked at her with hope, eager to beg for alms. But when their eyes landed on Claire beside her, they immediately withdrew their pleas and shrank back in fear.

Fia, her white twin-tails fluttering, frowned as her gaze lingered on the slaves lying by the roadside.

“This is supposed to be a church state that preaches human equality, yet human slaves still exist.”

“Slaves exist in every country, you know? Aside from those born into slavery because their parents were slaves, most slaves are criminals. Well, that’s what they say, but it’s often more about overly harsh laws.”

Claire offered a troubled smile as she explained.

“For example, failing to pay the residence tax can result in being sentenced to slavery, or even speaking ill of the king or local nobles can lead to the same fate.”

The residence tax was a fee paid upon entering the city, usually just two or three iron coins. After paying, guards would issue a wooden slip with the payer’s name and entry date. Without this slip—and unless one was a long-term resident—the guards would treat the person as a criminal and throw them in jail.

Whether the punishment involved labor like repairing city walls or mining, or outright enslavement, depended entirely on the whims of the local nobility.

It was worth noting that in special circumstances, the tax fee system could be temporarily suspended. For instance, Aurora City had recently waived the tax to accommodate refugees. The large number of slaves and beggars Fia saw now was a direct result of the refugee influx.

“By the way, little Fia, aren’t you worried about your sister at all? I was just thinking you might charge into the temple to rescue her without a second thought.”

Lowering her eyes to observe Fia’s expression, Claire voiced her concern.

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On their way here, the two had seen notices posted along the streets. The notices claimed that the third princess of the elf kingdom was being held in Aurora City and even stated that she had been betrayed by someone within the elf royal palace, smuggled out of the capital, and handed over to the Holy Kingdom as a bargaining chip.

Fia waved her hand dismissively.

“If that were true, I’d be storming the church right now. But Anastasia and the others were fooled by the same trick once before, so we need to be cautious. I’d rather wait until Anastasia finishes investigating before acting.”

The reason Fia and Anastasia had ended up staying at Claire’s clinic was precisely because the royal guards had fallen for the church’s false intelligence, believing that a member of the elf royal family was being held in Aurora City. Now that Fia was seen as a symbol of wisdom by Anastasia and her group, recklessly charging into the church only to find nothing would be a humiliating blow to her reputation.

If it were just Anastasia and the others who knew, it might be manageable. But if the church used it as propaganda to mock them, Fia’s life as an elf princess would effectively be over.

“This might just be another trap to lure me in. No matter how powerful the Unsinkable Moon is, it’s still just a magical artifact—and artifacts require a constant supply of mana. They’re probably running low and getting desperate to capture me.”

“I actually think it might be worth believing this time. Capturing a foreign royal is the kind of thing that’s usually spread through rumors. But announcing it officially, as they just did, would backfire horribly if it turned out to be fake. The church values its authority more than most monarchies—they wouldn’t make such a claim without basis.”

“Hmm…” Fia rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. “Claire does have a point. I’ll go take a look tonight and see for myself.”

With the Cloud Moon of the Illusory Sea altering perceptions, she could easily disguise herself as an ordinary guard and slip into the temple. Even if discovered, she could always blast a hole in the wall and escape.

She’d have to study the magic she’d acquired today thoroughly when she got back.

What Claire didn’t know was that Fia had already deciphered the language of magical incantations from the spellbook’s text that afternoon. For an ordinary person, learning an arcane language in a single afternoon would be unthinkable, but for Fia, it was routine. Now, she only needed to master the intonation and pronunciation required for chanting spells to fully grasp the art of magic.

“I’ll go with you.”

“That would just cause trouble for you, Claire… What if we’re exposed and the paladins raid your clinic that very night?”

Fia could use the Cloud Moon of the Illusory Sea to alter perceptions, but Claire had no such tool.

If Claire’s clinic were destroyed because of her, Fia would be too ashamed to show her face again.

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Yet Claire shrugged nonchalantly, as if the clinic meant nothing to her.

“Let them smash it, then. There’s nothing of value there anyway. Compared to a clinic, you’re far more important, little Fia.”

“More important than the clinic…”

That phrasing was far too embarrassing.

Fia lowered her head awkwardly. Even as a joke, hearing someone say “you’re more important than X” was enough to make her blush—let alone when Claire’s tone held not a hint of jest. She was entirely serious.

Unaware of Fia’s discomfort, Claire’s gaze drifted downward, her expression turning playful.

“Speaking of which, I didn’t realize little Fia doesn’t wear undergarments. The elf princess might not be of age yet, but she’s not that young either. Going without could hinder development, you know?”

“Huh?” For a moment, Fia froze, uncomprehending—then her face turned bright red as she stiffened and clutched her chest with one hand. “C-Claire! What are you talking about?!”

“My, my, I confirmed it with my own hands yesterday. Have you forgotten? Who would’ve thought the innocent, adorable, and brilliant elf princess would be the type to go commando? I was quite shocked—it’s a rather perverse preference.”

Only after Claire’s reminder did Fia recall the incident from the day before. To avoid the patrolling soldiers, Claire had pinned her against a wall—and her hand had brushed against Fia’s chest. That was when Claire must have realized Fia wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

To think she’d slipped up there.

But it wasn’t her fault! Who could’ve predicted the beautiful girl beside her would suddenly push her against a wall?

To keep Claire from successfully teasing her further, Fia cleared her throat and lifted her chin slightly, forcing her expression to remain calm.

“That’s because I didn’t sleep well yesterday, so I forgot to put them on when I woke up.”

“So you’re wearing them properly now?”

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Though she wasn’t, Fia was certain Claire wouldn’t dare reach out to check. She puffed out her chest.

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll have to confirm it myself.”

“Hey, Claire, are you a pervert?!”

Caught off guard by the response, Fia took a quick step back.

Seeing Fia’s reaction—like a startled animal—Claire burst into laughter.

“Just kidding. Even I wouldn’t do something like that in public. Hmm… As an apology, I’ll let you touch me back.”

With a smirk, Claire turned sideways toward Fia. One hand rested beneath her chest, deliberately accentuating her ample bosom, while her eyes gleamed with an unmistakable invitation.

It was practically an incitement to crime.

Claire’s figure was undeniably well-developed, her curves pronounced enough to leave Fia unsure where to look. Even a single glance felt improper.

“Not going to try?”

As if to taunt her further, Claire gave her chest a deliberate shake.

Tch.

She was definitely teasing her.

Though part of her wanted to retaliate by actually going through with it, if Claire showed no reaction at all, Fia would be the one left embarrassed.

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Clicking her tongue in frustration, Fia huffed.

“As if I’d fall for that.”

“Hehehe, you’re too adorable, little Fia.” Choosing not to push the joke further, Claire smoothly changed the subject. “If you don’t want me involved, I’ll just wait near the temple as backup. Anastasia will probably go with you, right? Rescuing royalty is the royal guards’ duty—with her around, things will be much safer.”

“We’ll talk about it tonight.”

Just as with Claire, Anastasia lacked a means to alter perceptions, making her presence a potential liability.

As for safety concerns, while Fia could currently only freely use spells like [Fairy Fire], [Wind Blade], and [Torrent], she still had her body’s absurd physical strength to fall back on. She could probably kick a hole straight through the temple’s sturdy walls—though it might hurt a bit.

After walking a bit further, Claire suddenly looked surprised.

“Huh? There’s actually a shop selling ice desserts in Aurora City.”

Following Claire’s gaze, Fia spotted a vendor with a pushcart. Unlike the usual rough-spun clothing, the vendor wore a light blue robe—the lowest grade of magical armor, if Fia remembered correctly.

Earlier, at the Mage Association, Fia had seen the prices of magical armor in the spellbook. Depending on their strength and purpose, the costs varied wildly.

For instance, a robe that slightly boosted spell power cost as much as thirty gold coins, while one that only marginally improved elemental affinity sold for a mere three silver coins. As the young clerk had put it, this so-called “marginally” was subjective—some felt it worked, others thought it was a scam.

Still, novice mages were happy to buy even the three-silver robes. Not for the effects, but because the robes themselves were status symbols. Wearing one announced their identity as spellcasters, earning them respect.

The young man’s business clearly wasn’t thriving. Though his cart was surrounded by children gazing longingly at it, few customers approached. Even those who inquired about prices usually left with a wry smile after hearing them.

The “ice desserts” appeared to be something like ice cream, served in wooden buckets.