Chapter 180: Make Them Stay

Outside the window, the sounds of sawing wood and chiseling stone rose and fell.

In the Blazing Heat of the sun, the construction crew, which had only just returned yesterday, was already back at work.

They had rested for two days, and Lu Wei had already paid for the entire project in advance. This motivated the crew even more, and the work site was buzzing with energy.

In the newly cultivated vegetable patch to the south, Zovir carried a wooden bucket, watering the recently planted cabbage seeds. His slender figure moved busily between the rows.

Meanwhile, on the first floor of the general store, Anna sat diligently before the shelves, silently waiting for her “non-existent” customers.

When Cersei went upstairs, Anna even asked her expectantly, “Miss, would you like to buy a sleeping bag?”

She probably thought Cersei would be staying the night, just like Gante.

Little did she know, this Female Holy Knight had no need for a sleeping bag.

What she needed was a stretcher.

Too bad the general store didn’t sell them.

That’s right. Mirana hadn’t had a sudden crisis of conscience.

Furen was now fast asleep under the effects of the Sleep Powder.

Although he was a Magic Dullard, the Sleep Powder’s effects weren’t based on “Magic,” so he was completely unable to resist the overwhelming physical drowsiness.

Well… you couldn’t say he had *no* reaction at all.

At least before he passed out, he realized he had been “poisoned.”

He just didn’t realize who had poisoned him.

Or perhaps, in that short amount of time, he didn’t have a chance to think it through.

And so, mustering the last of his strength, he used all his might to knock over Mirana’s teacup.

The pale green tea snaked through the cracks in the floorboards, representing the last act Furen performed in what he perceived as a “life-or-death moment.”

“…”

Mirana stared blankly at the overturned teacup at her feet. She felt as if a great stone was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

The sound of footsteps—THUMP, THUMP, THUMP—rang out from behind her.

Soon, Gante’s voice drifted over.

“Miss Mirana, thank you. Rest assured, Young Master Furen won’t be harmed in any way.”

“You can leave the rest to us.”

…

…

‘So conflicted…’

Meanwhile, at the Sawing and Sewing clinic.

At the same moment Furen collapsed before Mirana, Bai Ya was hesitating outside the clinic, clutching a large cloth bundle.

An hour earlier, she had followed Lu Wei’s instructions and gone to the tailor’s to buy the dress Aryan had her eye on the day before, along with two shirts, three pairs of socks, and a pair of sturdy leather shoes.

All of it was in Aryan’s size.

The total cost was 4 silver and 20 copper coins.

This was 1 silver and 20 copper coins more than the 3 silver Lu Wei had paid in advance.

That happened to be the exact price of the shoes.

Bai Ya had bought the shoes because she’d noticed Aryan’s were also getting old. She figured she might as well get everything in one go, worried that Aryan would be too reluctant to replace them herself.

As for the extra 1 silver and 20 copper coins… she had no intention of getting reimbursed.

In fact, she planned to pay the 3 Silver Coins Lu Wei had advanced out of her own pocket as well.

‘Giving her so many clothes… he must have an ulterior motive.’

‘Even if the captain is just trying to express his gratitude, Aryan will definitely get the wrong idea.’

Glancing at the small clinic’s sign, Bai Ya muttered to herself, believing her actions were tantamount to “letting the wolf into the sheepfold.”

But she couldn’t just keep the clothes for herself.

The only solution, it seemed, was to pull a little switcheroo.

If she changed the gift-giver from Lu Wei to herself, she could perfectly avoid the issue.

Aryan wouldn’t have any suspicions, she was sure of it.

But…

‘But… would that count as lying?’

‘It probably shouldn’t count. After all, I’m the one paying for the clothes.’

‘As for the captain, I’ll explain everything to him when he gets back.’

‘Then it wouldn’t be lying, right…?’

Wringing her fingers in distress, Bai Ya tried very hard to convince herself, but her expression remained conflicted.

But just as she was hesitating, the clinic’s wooden door suddenly swung open with a CREAK.

“Huh? Bai Ya?”

Aryan, holding a basin of water, froze for a moment upon opening the door to find Bai Ya outside.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ah, I… I came to see you…”

“Then why didn’t you come in?”

“I… I, uh…”

Bai Ya hemmed and hawed for a long moment, her face flushing red as she finally held out the cloth bundle.

“This is for you…”

“Ah, what’s this?”

Aryan set the copper basin down, wiped her hands on her apron, and took the cloth bundle with a puzzled look before opening it.

Her expression immediately changed to one of surprise.

“Bai Ya, are these clothes from… you?”

“Not me. The captain asked me to buy them.”

Bai Ya’s head drooped. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to “lie for her own happiness.” She explained listlessly,

“After I went back yesterday, I told the captain about our shopping trip.”

“Then he gave me some money and told me to buy you some new clothes and deliver them today. He said it’s a gift to thank you for your help.”

“Oh, really…? Thank you.”

Aryan paused, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She hugged the cloth bundle tighter without realizing it and asked softly,

“Then why didn’t Lu Wei come himself?”

“He went over to the Dome Pillar again today.”

Bai Ya mumbled, “We left some of our spoils there and forgot to bring them back. He was afraid they’d rot if we left them too long.”

“Oh, I see.”

Aryan nodded. Although she noticed Bai Ya was acting strangely and guessed the reason, she didn’t point it out. Instead, she just smiled, stepped aside to let her in, and changed the subject.

“Bai Ya, hurry and come in. You can rest for a bit.”

“By the way, where’s Mr. Furen? How come I haven’t seen him? Is he alright?”