After concluding a satisfactory deal, Mia wandered through the market searching for Chloe. The sun had already begun to dip below the horizon.
When she finally found her, Mia cut short the greeting with a single word and extended her hand.
"Let's go."
Mia had visited Raven's market in her previous life too. Though back then, the war's deterioration had erased all traces of such vitality, the temple of Goddess Aetos—still standing amidst ruins—remained vividly imprinted in her mind. She wanted to take Chloe there.
"Chloe."
Her unusually solemn voice hovered low near the young girl's ear. This was the first time Mia had addressed her by name. Sensing the gravity of what was to come, tension instinctively coiled through Chloe's shoulders.
"As I said earlier, following the contacts I arranged will lead you to the Grand Temple. You'll learn practical divine power manipulation rather than theology. Either way, it's education beyond what your father permitted."
"...But I don't possess any divine power."
Oh no. The intensity of her past life as 'Si-si' had caused Mia to misspeak at this critical juncture. But damage control mattered more than mistakes—how else had her political career survived this long? She fixed Chloe with an unflinching gaze as though never flustered.
"You have talent. Anyone attuned to divine power would recognize it."
Her words carried conviction so absolute even skeptics might believe. Chloe's face glowed with emotion, hearing this validation from someone she revered.
Admiration weighed heavily on Mia. She deemed herself unworthy of such reverence, not after living steeped in sin. Before Chloe could voice overwhelming gratitude, Mia preempted her:
"You won't regret this path."
The shadow flickering across the girl's face melted into a bright smile.
"Never. I don't even want to call him 'Father' anymore. You've given me a new life—why would I regret it?"
Relief and bitterness intertwined in Mia's chest. Reshaping lives carried responsibility—a burden she'd always dodged by treating people as tools. Yet this trust kindled faint guilt even in her.
"You might still yearn for your old comforts someday."
Chloe shook her head fiercely.
"Comfort? There was none. Forging my own path brings more happiness than any gilded cage."
That sufficed. Mia needed only one thing from Chloe now: relentless resolve to pursue her chosen road. That stubbornness, Mia reflected, had forged 'Si-si' in her past life too.
"See that alley? Follow it to the stone building adorned with goddess statues. Tell them you're under Grenier's patronage and request transfer to the Grand Temple."
"Will that... truly work?"
"I've sent donations in your name. They'll ensure your safety. With your skills, you'll adapt quickly."
"I... I'll repay this kindness."
The tremble in what should've been steady words gave Mia pause.
"Thank you. Truly. I left so abruptly last time without even—"
Mia smirked and retrieved an object from her bag—a cage holding a navy-blue messenger bird. She pressed its handle into Chloe's bewildered arms.
"Gratitude should include occasional updates."
"What's this...?"
"A military carrier pigeon. Empty promises mean nothing without means to fulfill them."
Chloe clutched the cage, radiant smile brimming with unshed tears.
"Yes! I'll write often! Thank you, really—"
"May fortune walk with you."
Mia gave a final shoulder pat before turning away. Chloe's stifled sob followed her, but leaving now was kinder to them both.
No reason to pity her anyway...
Still, if her pawn found happiness through this aid, so much the better. Mia brushed aside lingering thoughts of Chloe's fate.
Next destination: Marquis An's estate.
The Grenier merchant guild's name functioned like a master key—the mansion gates swung open without scrutiny. Servants ushered Mia down an oppressive corridor flanked by stone lions, their grandeur screaming the owner's desperate thirst for prestige.
Placing these in guest corridors? How transparent.
Mia scoffed internally but maintained neutrality. Such wealth wasn't laughable—maintaining noble status in Raven demanded exorbitant costs even without extravagance.
He wants commoners awed by unimaginable luxury.
But what meaning did merchant-city opulence hold for the Blanchett heiress? Mia could acquire any luxury by snapping her fingers. These stone ornaments barely qualified as children's toys.
"You brought only this?"
Marquis An's voice dripped disdain as Mia entered his study. His face fell at her meager offering.
Did he expect red carpet treatment after jumping into illegal ventures last-minute?
Swallowing derision, Mia bowed humbly—the same humility she'd used when proposing narcotics deals to placate him days prior.
"My apologies. Our distribution network remains underdeveloped. Bulk shipments could draw unwanted attention."
His expression softened marginally at her polite tone, but greed still gleamed beneath.
"Tch. This pittance? Surely you've more. With sufficient stock, I could sing Grenier's praises to central nobles."
Was he ignorant of Veridian politics, or testing her?
The marquis' clumsy maneuvering nearly drew laughter. Grenier already dominated continental trade—this fool acted as if they needed his patronage!
Mia merely offered an awkward smile. Taking it as surrender, the marquis dismissively waved servants away.
"Regrettably, this is all we have. However..."
She paused meaningfully once alone.
"Continue."
"...What price would you pay for information?"
"Information? Unaware Grenier dealt in such."
His feigned disinterest couldn't mask keen attention.
He's thrilled. Likely thinks he'll be the first to buy intel from us.
No wonder the greedy marquis earned repute for lacking business acumen. Mia smiled benignly.
"We're merchants. Why avoid profitable ventures?"
"Profitable information, you say?"
