Thank you for waiting! I wish I can update more frequently. You can read more chapters for this book on mylovelywriter.com.

Mistress Kora brought us to the business district. It was close to the Temple, which meant travelling by foot was possible. We wandered around the streets, looking for vacant spots, but considering the traffic in this area, there was none. I was also worried about the price I would have to pay to occupy a spot. With how bustling the place was, renting or owning a property would surely not be cheap.

I was tempted to look in the outskirts. Nonetheless, a perfume was considered a luxury, especially here in Lovarda. Branching down to diluted and cheaper scents to appeal to the more common folks was possible down the road. However, since the materials were costly, the final product would not be cheap either. I had to consider the kind of people who would patronize the products, and the bustling business district was the place to reach these customers.

If I would run the business, I would most probably need to have someone trustworthy to run it as well. Though I would own the business, I doubt a thirteen-year-old standing in the counter would be appealing to those who would come in to buy. They would not take me seriously because of my age.

Settling these things today would not be possible. There were just too many in the checklist to manage—too many details to look over. However, looking around, I realized perfume shops were few and far in between. As I checked my competitors, none were innovative enough and the art of perfumery was dragging compared to the rest of the cosmetics industry.

Development was definitely possible here. I could set off on a competitive edge by means of packaging and marketing ploys learned from my old world. I had a dozen of ideas...like stylish incenses.

While it sounded dumb, the rich had way too much money. Offering incenses that dispersed wonderful scents would no doubt invoke the curiosity of the crowd. And I could package that as something to please the gods too. Of course, it was presumptuous of me to assume that they would like it, but as long as it appealed to the masses, why the heck not? The people would be enjoying air fresheners and prayers in one.

"Let's go back for today, kids," Mistress Kora said.

I nodded. I'd already taken notes of what I planned to do and where I could set up the shop. Mistress Kora did not interrupt my conscientious note-taking. He occasionally peeked into what I was writing though.

By the time we'd gone around the place, we—mostly Eren—had gathered a few boxes of snacks. If this girl wasn't regularly getting exercise, I reckon she'd have already fattened up like a pig for slaughter. Or perhaps it was because of the strenuous exercises we were subjected under regularly that gave her such a monstrous appetite for sweets. She hadn't been indulged since we escaped Venerya. She was most likely satisfying all her cravings at once.

"Eren, stop buying," I said, pulling at her dress.

"I already finished all my snacks. Just one more."

"Don't ruin dinner," Kora advised.

"Will we be eating out?" I asked.

"No. Your mistress told me to bring you back because she'll be cooking," he said.

"Then maybe we should start heading back," I suggested. "The Temple isn't that far, right?"

Mistress Kora hummed absentmindedly in reply and steered us in the direction of home. I was quite tired about running around so much, but the day ended up being very productive. I had also managed to familiarize myself with the vicinity, so I should have no problem running errands outside of the Temple should the need ever come to it.

"This little bastard!" A distant shriek reverberated.

I, along with many passers-by, curiously looked over to see a boy skid on the pavement just shy of a passing vehicle. He scrambled to safety as the reined beasts dodged him hurriedly. Unfortunately, he was tugged back by the rope of his hair by the woman and was forced down on the floor.

"I...I no take!" he pleaded. Tears slid down his scratched cheeks.

"What do you mean you didn't? You were the only one in there looking around!" The woman pulled on his clothes, baring his upper body to the crowd. "You waste of space have been running foul in the streets! Why don't you go back where you came from?"

I found myself stepping forward. By the time I realized my initiative, it was too late. I was already at the scene. However, just before I could come forward to intervene, a flash of blue hair blocked my line of sight.

"Wait," he said. "Can you please tell me what went missing?"

She harrumphed. "It was a ship figurine at the top of the shelf."

"How big was it?" he asked.

"About the size of a fist."

"He obviously has nothing on him. Where would he hide it?"

"How would I know?" she shot back. "And what are you—"

He cut her off. "There's a proper way to cop someone, madame," he said. "Why don't we call over one of the patrolling officers to check? I'm sure you wouldn't want such a commotion in front of your store. It might scare away customers."

"How long will they even arrive? I have business to return to!"

"Since that arrangement does not work, then I can suggest something else. I'm awarded a sentinel rank." He took out a badge and flashed it to her. "I'm qualified as a reserve and consultant of the local paladin's division. Why don't I investigate the matter for you?"

I stared curiously at the familiar figure and thought to myself what a small world it was. Who would have thought we'd bump into this guy? What more, he actually spoke so much—and he spoke up for someone else too.

I didn't take him to be someone who would care about this sort of thing.

Seeing that the woman did not protest, the blue-haired lad copped down the boy and found nothing on his person. "He's clear," he declared. "I'll help file a report for you on this. I recommend installing some security measures to help safeguard the welfare of your shop in the future."

With that, the matter was resolved, and the sobbing child lifted his clothes back to its proper place. He looked up at the blue-haired guy and whispered in Sarenillian, "I...I really didn't steal anything. You saw it, right? I really swear I did not take it."

"You should be fine," he replied. I did not think he understood, but the pleading child would have expressed himself quite well enough with the teary face. "You're clear."

Unfortunately, he was not understood.

"Will I be sent to jail?" the child asked innocently. "There was a boy before me. He's the one who took it. I tried telling the woman, but she started accusing me instead."

"You can go."

"There should be no problem," I intoned, realizing the language barrier. "Do you live in the Temple?" I asked, looking at the young child.

The boy looked up and gazed at me, surprised. The guy looked over to me as well.

"Yes," the boy replied.

"It's alright. He's letting you go. We're also on our way to the Temple. Would you like to return with us?" I inquired softly.

Perhaps it was the inherent trust when someone spoke in one's language that the boy immediately brightened and came over so trustingly. He tugged on the sleeve of my coat and I looked up to exchange glances with the boy's savior.

Just as I thought—Arondite Gayden. Presumably. Black Flame.

"He said there was a boy before him who took the figurine. He's the witness, but when he tried reporting it, he was accused instead," I said, then looked down at the boy. The shop owner glared at me. "Which direction did they go?"

He pointed to the path to our right. "This way."

"I see. Can you identify him?"

"A green shirt. With bright white hair," he replied.

"Green shirt. Bright white hair," I relayed.

Arondite Gayden nodded, then looked over to the direction he pointed in. He took long strides in that direction and, to my surprise, quickly tracked down the suspect within a few minutes. By the time he'd dragged back the suspected child and his mother, most of the onlookers had already dispersed.

"Is this him?" Arondite asked.

The boy nodded, sniffing.

Arondite flashed his badge once more and explained the situation to the mother, who nodded and gazed down sharply at the child at her arms. The kid stiffened and cowered away, but was held in place.

The ship was soon retrieved and then returned to the shop.

The shop owner was livid. She did not apologize and retreated inside.

I felt dissatisfied that no apology was given, but it was not good to pursue matters recklessly.

"You're very impressive," I told Arondite. "Good luck on the tournament."

He frowned at me but said nothing in reply. Leaving the scene and Arondite Gayden, I tugged the kid with me, helping wipe away the tears, and reunited with Mistress Kora and the others.

"How was it?" Mistress Kora asked.

"It was resolved," I replied.

"Did you know the kid?" Kora continued.

"He said he lives in the Temple, I thought as much."

"No. The other one. You talked a bit. It looked like he recognized you."

"That was Black Flame."

"Ah?" The three of them chorused.

"Really?" Erenol asked.

"I think. Most probably," I said. "I'm ninety-nine percent sure!"

"He was handsome," Eren quipped.

I looked over to her, quirking a brow.

"Doesn't mean I like him! Can't I appreciate handsome people?"

"What about me?" Maun asked, pointing to himself.

"He's asking what about him," I translated.

"I figured as much. But you're not handsome." Eren harrumphed.

"I wasn't asking you," he said.

A chuckle drummed up my throat. It seemed to me that Maun was growing a little spoiled these days. He seemed to be wanting attention and praise. I didn't want to praise him too much lest he got too arrogant, but it was apparent to me that he was a little insecure.

Considering the situation, I didn't translate his reply to Eren, lest I wanted the argument to continue. Instead, I decided to drew everyone's attention elsewhere.

"Let's buy some gifts," I said, looking at the child I was tugging away with me.

"What gifts?" Kora asked.

We stopped by a bread shop to buy some loaves. The food looked good enough, and I wanted to buy something to share with the Vertvaldenians back at the camp. They had helped us a lot with many things so this should also count as thanks. Bread was not expensive. It should not burden them.

So, we came back with boxes upon boxes of bread. Our arrival caught the eye of many people. The monks who caught her struggle all stepped forward to help. In the end, it became some sort of procession—which made it all the more eye-catching.

Mistress Veronika, who had started dinner preparations, welcomed us warmly.

"It seemed you brought home something," Mistress Veronika said with a smile.

"It was Evy's idea," Kora told her.

"Did something happen?" she asked.

"Evy wants to open a shop," Erenol replied.

"A shop?" Mistress Veronika's eyes rose questioningly.

"I want to make perfumes," I said. "And I can earn some money."

"But you already have a lot of money."

"But it's not mine," I said.

Her lips thinned as she stared at me questioningly. "What do you mean it's not yours?"

"I said I'll use the money to rebuild Oblivion," I told her. I caught surprise spread across her face at my reply. "I can earn some money on my own for the meanwhile. The perfumes sold off pretty well last time!"

Veronika chuckled. "I see. That's good. It seems you've been raised pretty well. Let me hear your ideas later."

"Definitely."

"Evy, Maun, Eren, you all go and give the bread away," Mistress Kora said, stocking a box of packed loaf breads into our arms. He then nudged us away. "I'll stay here to help your mistress with dinner."

"Okay!"