Chapter 11

"Haris Kellyser, welcome back. Can you tell me what happened?" As the caravan and the group of adventurers found themselves in an awkward situation, a squad of guards rushed out from the city gate. The leader walked up to Kellyser with a smile and asked softly.

"They were trying to harm my master. As a loyal guard, I couldn't neglect my duty, even though my master doesn't care about such minor troubles." Kellyser put away his battle aura and sword, his face grim.

"Master? Not an employer? That's quite unusual. The magical pattern cloth? It's a little sand beast, right? Kellyser, don't glare at me. I don't like small animals; my meager income can't support them. So, Miss, are you selling your little sand beast?"

"No, I've already discussed it with Xiao Jin's parents. I'm going to take care of Xiao Jin." Nalasha pouted.

The leader of the guards smiled even more warmly: "Xiao Jin, a nice name. If you don't want to sell it, you should choose the Kiki Inn in the city. It's run by the beloved daughter of the great Mayor Aurel. No one in Qishui City dares to provoke her."

"Thank you." Nalasha was delighted and handed over a silver coin. She had learned from her experience in Sosha Town and didn't give gold coins.

"Generous Miss, is this your family's pocket money?" The leader of the guards didn't take the money.

Nalasha shook her head: "No, it's from selling water."

"Oh~! Ah? Selling water? Sophia Nalasha? It must be you. I'm so happy to welcome you, beautiful and kind Miss. If you wish, you and your brother Gong Sun Murong can dine at the mayor's residence tonight. Mayor Aurel has mentioned you many times. It's an honor to receive your gift."

The leader of the guards shouted happily and then took the money.

The merchants around them moved even further away, especially the one who had approached to ask what kind of sand beast was hidden under the magical pattern cloth. He was already trembling.

Because Qishui City is not like Sosha Town. The city has a dedicated intelligence-gathering and analysis organization. As the information collected increased, just five days ago, the mercenary base in Qishui City finally confirmed something.

That the two children who sold water and managed to survive to Sosha Town was not a matter of chance or luck. From the time the adventurers bought water and the process, it was calculated that since the two children started selling water, the number of adventurers who disappeared was six times the previous amount.

They wandered through every level of the ruins like ghosts, selling water.

After a sandstorm, adventurers who lost all their supplies would encounter their tent. Who knows how the tent survived.

Their delicious roasted meat was found in the sand beast's den.

They bandaged injured adventurers in rooms filled with traps.

They fed antidotes to adventurers who were poisoned and had used up their antidotes in the gas-filled hall.

Miss Sophia Nalasha's clothes were always as white as snow.

Their deeds should be sung by bards. They represented justice and kindness, so they were protected by the gods. It's a touching story that encourages people to do good and be rewarded. If any adventurer believed it.

Merchants are not adventurers, but they didn't believe it either.

"Miss Sophia Nalasha, I apologize deeply for my previous rudeness." The merchant who had approached earlier trembled as he came to apologize. He was not only physically trembling but also trembling inside. He handed over a card as he spoke.

Nalasha took it, looking at it in confusion. She couldn't read.

The leader of the guards introduced her at the right moment: "Adolf has a clothing shop. Miss Nalasha can get a set of clothes with this card, for free."

"Really?" Nalasha's eyes curved into a crescent moon, and she said, "Brother Murong doesn't have suitable clothes."

Merchant Adolf quickly handed over another card, which Nalasha accepted without hesitation: "Uncle Adolf, you're a good person. Thank you very much."

"Meeting the lovely Nalasha, even the worst person would become good. I firmly believe that." Adolf's heart settled.

"Come, come, adventurers have had a long journey and should rest in the city. Kellyser, if you're free tonight, we can have a drink to relax your tired body."

The leader of the guards invited Kellyser and put his arm around Kellyser's shoulder, saying, "I think I already know why the proud Kellyser found a master. I envy you; you can get comprehensive logistical support during your adventures."

"I'm a guard." Kellyser corrected.

"Exactly, a guard, a loyal and brave guard, who can still receive support from your master." The leader of the guards insisted on his point.

Nalasha, now happy, said to Gong Sun Murong as they walked into the city, "Brother Murong, they are very easy to talk to."

"That's because they are smart. Tonight, we'll bring gifts to the mayor's residence and ask about the fastest way to Celeste City." Gong Sun Murong held Nalasha's hand and observed the city.

Qishui City's name is related to its water scarcity. Perhaps because it's too large, the city has much less greenery than Sosha Town. The buildings are grayish-brown, one after another, and the roads are paved with relatively solid stones cut from the desert.

It was already hot outside the city, and inside, it felt even more stifling. The air circulation was poor, and the smell was unpleasant.

"I'd rather live in the desert and sleep in a tent." Nalasha frowned, looking very unhappy.

"I also prefer to sleep in a tent with the young master and Miss." Moses was also uncomfortable. For the past half month, the tents they had slept in were temperature and humidity controlled, with good air circulation. They didn't have to worry about sand beasts or sandstorms, and they could take cool showers every day. Where could they find such a comfortable environment?

"Brother Murong and I will go to the inn. The others should go home if they need to, or say goodbye to their friends. Don't sell your harvest; give it to us, and we'll take it to Celeste City. If you want to come with us, bring your family. If you don't plan to come... remember not to talk too much." Nalasha spoke like an adult.

The thirty adventurers dispersed, and seven people, including Moses, stayed behind.

Before Nalasha could ask, Moses explained, "We seven are weak, and the other adventurers don't consider us friends. The people we talk to the most are the ladies behind the bar, but they only care about money. I plan to save my money for the capital."

"Poor you." Nalasha expressed sympathy.

"But the seven of us are still alive, while many stronger adventurers are believed to have died." Gong Sun Murong added.

"Yes, young master, we are cowards." Moses smiled, not caring about his fear of danger.

The nine of them really stayed at the Kiki Inn. The service was excellent, and the accommodation was impeccable. The only thing that made Nalasha feel a bit sad was the price.

A regular room cost twenty silver coins per person per day, and the most luxurious suite cost ten gold coins per day. They chose the suite, which would require selling a lot of water to earn back.

******

That evening, Gong Sun Murong brought Nalasha to the mayor's residence. Mayor Duncan Aurel had prepared a sumptuous dinner.

There was roasted hyena meat, roasted sand beast meat, roasted red sand fox meat, roasted six-legged pork, roasted broad-bellied snake meat, roasted...

There were fried... fried...

There were also several fruit wines and a fruit platter.

Clean vegetables were arranged on plates, and the meat was sliced thinly. One way to eat was to place a slice of vegetable between two slices of meat.

Another way was to put a slice of meat and a leaf of vegetable between two slices of bread, with a little cheese or butter, adding two more ways to eat.

Nalasha first cut a piece of meat, placed it on her plate, and then carefully and elegantly cut it into small strips, then into small pieces, and ate it with a fork.

This way, she could enjoy the dinner with just one piece of meat, and when they returned to the inn, she could have Brother Murong cook for her. At that moment, she was certain that Brother Murong's family's civilization was the greatest, as they could easily make dozens of dishes from one type of meat, a god-like existence.

"Mayor Aurel, thank you for your invitation. This is the gift we brought." Gong Sun Murong didn't want to beat around the bush and, following local customs, took out the gift and opened it in front of the host.

"Master Murong, you are too kind, and Miss Nalasha, who is like a princess, let me see what the gift is."

Mayor Aurel put down his utensils and came over to Gong Sun Murong.

The gift box was opened, revealing its contents.

"Oh, perfect, the complete feathers of a sixth-level, ninth-grade Red Feather Hawk." Aurel, who was well-informed, immediately recognized the first gift.

The servants looked surprised. A sixth-level, ninth-grade sand beast crystal core could sell for twenty thousand gold coins in the city.

However, the Red Feather Hawk couldn't be judged solely by its level. It flew very fast and high and could emit a high temperature that could burn people. Many adventurers would rather face a seventh-level or higher sand beast than a Red Feather Hawk.

The seven people, including Moses, who were sitting at a small table nearby, were also amazed. They stood up and looked over, not knowing what gifts the young master and Miss had brought, and didn't expect them to be so generous.

Aurel smiled in satisfaction and then looked at the next item, his eyes widening: "How can this be real? A complete seventh-level, fourth-grade Moonlight Snake. It's supposed to appear at night, blend with the moonlight, and self-destruct when it can't escape. Other adventurers only ever found parts of its body."

Moses's mouth twitched, and he looked at his companions. The six of them again showed a look of relief. When they paid for the water and roasted meat, they didn't know why the Moonlight Snake didn't run away or self-destruct. It was because of the young master's Starlight Pursuit Flash! Looking at the snake's name, it was restrained by the young master.

The box containing the third and final gift was not yet opened, and Aurel stopped his actions, smiling. "There are always many foolish adventurers, but to be stupid enough to cause trouble for the two of you, I must say, they no longer need to worry about their future."

"I and Brother Murong don't actively seek to kill others. We just want to sell water and food to those who need it." Nalasha tried to express her kindness and helplessness, occasionally feeling wronged.

"Who can say otherwise? Let's imagine a fourteen-year-old boy with a four-year-old sister, trying to help every adventurer in the harsh desert. They sell precious water for just a few copper coins, ten pounds, enough for an adventurer to drink for three days. But what happened?"

Aurel looked at the servants.

The servant immediately continued, "But they were unwilling to pay even a few copper coins. Did they not know that the ones selling them the water of life were two children? Is there anyone more cruel or heartless? The gods have punished them, and justice prevails."

"We, we finally took care of them." Nalasha said, feeling very embarrassed.

"Dear Miss Nalasha, please forgive me, but you are talking about two things. You killed them because they were not strong enough. Did they know you were stronger before you acted? I think they absolutely did not." The servant said with red-rimmed eyes.

"If they knew, they would have run away long ago. Water of the Sky." Moses muttered to the people around him.

The six nodded in agreement.

The servant continued, "When they drew their knives, they saw you as children. I can't imagine how they could bring themselves to raise a bloody weapon against such a cute girl."

Nalasha opened her mouth to say, "They didn't get a chance to attack before they died," but held back.

"Yes, so, I, Duncan Aurel, the mayor of Qishui City, will award a bravery medal to the handsome and brave Gong Sun Murong and a justice medal to the lovely and kind Nalasha. The highest honor in the border city of the principality. I will issue a wanted notice for those who were killed and give you the reward. I have estimated it to be nearly thirty thousand gold coins. Let's round it up to thirty thousand."

Aurel now represented justice, the order, and the will of Qishui City.

Nalasha was confused. Killing people and taking their things, and still getting a reward of thirty thousand gold coins, how many waters would they have to sell?

Gong Sun Murong was clear-headed, gestured for Moses to come closer, and whispered a few words in his ear. Moses left.

He then said to Mayor Aurel, "The greedy ones have been punished by the gods. Let's enjoy the third gift in a pleasant mood."

Aurel naturally did not refuse and eagerly opened the last box, but then looked puzzled and asked, "This is..."

"A creature six meters long, with a four-meter-long tail, three meters wide, and nearly two meters tall, gray in color, with a hard, patterned shell. Oh, it has six legs and can spray sand. This is part of its shell and crystal core." Gong Sun Murong, not knowing what it was, described it.

A golden light flashed, and Xiao Jin, who was lying next to Nalasha, broke free from the magical pattern cloth, jumped onto the table, and stared at the crystal core with glowing eyes.

"Xiao Jin, come back. You are a fire-type, and that is an earth-type. You can't eat it." Nalasha called out.

Aurel looked at Xiao Jin, then at the crystal core in the box, and suddenly clutched his chest, breathing heavily.

"Sir, please don't be too excited. This is a gift from Master Murong and Miss Nalasha." The servant's voice trembled as he tried to calm the mayor.

Hearing the description, he already knew what part of the shell and crystal core was in front of him: a seventh-level, eighth-grade Toothed Sand Ironclad Beast.

"Yes, a gift. I apologize, but a Toothed Sand Ironclad Beast, two levels higher than the Scorching Wind Golden Tiger, is the natural enemy of the little tiger. That's why Xiao Jin is so excited. This gift... is truly... too valuable." Aurel introduced it and muttered, "Gods, how did it die?"

Nalasha heard his muttering but wouldn't tell him that she and Brother Murong spent ten days poisoning it with toxic water.

This creature had to suck in sand before it could spray it. When it was sucking, they mixed in the toxic water, gradually accumulating the poison over ten days. It was so strong, resistant to attacks, and immune to magic, with a very flexible tail that could whip like a whip.

But it was foolish. Even though it realized the sand it was sucking in was toxic, it still continued to spray. If it didn't die, who would?

"Xiao Jin, look, Brother Murong and I have taken care of one of your family's enemies. There probably isn't a second one over there. Your parents and siblings should be safe. Come back, be a good boy." Nalasha was more concerned about the little tiger.

Xiao Jin tilted his head, looked at the Toothed Sand Ironclad Beast's crystal core, and then, in a very human-like way, pouted, looking smug. He picked up a piece of roasted meat and returned to Nalasha's table, eating voraciously.

Mayor Aurel couldn't describe his feelings. When he invited the two children, he thought he had already shown enough respect, but he never expected the gifts to be so shocking.

The Toothed Sand Ironclad Beast lived deep in the desert. Since he became the mayor of Qishui City, he hadn't seen one. A seventh-level, eighth-grade creature. Without using strategic weapons, Qishui City might have to sacrifice a fifth of its strong warriors to set a trap and eliminate it.

Similarly, without using strategic weapons, did it mean that the two children, if they wished... could destroy the city? The little tiger was indeed cute. He would issue a mayor's order, declaring the Scorching Wind Golden Tiger a symbol of Qishui City, and anyone who offended it would be killed. He didn't want anyone to provoke the brother and sister.

"I accept this gift. What can Qishui City do to help you two?" Aurel asked sincerely.

He understood that the gifts were not only a sign of respect but also a form of deterrence, and perhaps they needed his help with something.

"I and Brother Murong want to receive an education." Nalasha put down her knife and fork, looking at Aurel expectantly.

Aurel thought for a moment and said, "The Ivy Battle Aura Academy in Qishui City... can't teach you. You can go... well, Qishui City has a good way to get to the capital, Celeste City. It takes five days to cover a distance of over 6,940 kilometers and deliver you there."

"How much does it cost?" Nalasha was very concerned about the cost.

"Qishui City needs to deliver a batch of goods to the capital. It's on the way, and even if it wasn't, it would still be a necessary trip. If the lovely Nalasha wants to go to the capital, who would dare to refuse?"

"Hmm! Actually, the best gift to give you would include Xiao Jin. I know many people want a Scorching Wind Golden Tiger as a pet, but when we left the desert, I promised Xiao Jin's parents that I would take good care of it, Mayor Uncle, you know, right?"

"I know. I'll write you a letter of recommendation. When you arrive in the capital, you can enter any academy, and they won't stop you." Aurel looked at Nalasha with affection.

He thought that if he had a granddaughter like Nalasha, he would be willing to give her the moon if he could.

He had two grandsons, one ten years old and the other nine. They seemed suitable to interact with Nalasha, but in reality, they were far too different. Even as a young Scorching Wind Golden Tiger, it wasn't friendly to just anyone.

If his grandsons got too close to the little tiger, they would be blown away.

The brother and sister seemed genuinely kind. They didn't show the little tiger directly but covered it with the magical pattern cloth.

If they didn't cover it, and everyone saw it, how many bodies would pile up due to the greed it would inspire? Selling water had already increased the number of missing adventurers sixfold. What about a young Scorching Wind Golden Tiger?

******

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