Chapter 16 Chapter 16: Is This Relic of Yours Guaranteed Authentic?
Chapter 16: Is This Relic of Yours Guaranteed Authentic?
"We don't mind accepting your request. But let's be clear upfront—after all, this is our first time on this planet, and we know nothing about the situation here... Don't you think your outfit is a bit too conspicuous?"
Of course, Stelle and March 7th couldn't possibly say something like that. It was up to Dan Heng to keep an eye on them, preventing these two from inexplicably making promises to others.
Having traveled across who knows how many planets aboard the Astral Express, they had certainly encountered plenty of strange and bizarre creatures. A flying, talking fairy wasn't all that surprising. But on most planets, ordinary humans ultimately held the dominant position.
"Hmm... You make a very good point. After all, many humans tend to be quite startled when they first see a fairy."
Fairy Elysia nodded her head, then clapped her hands together. A dazzling light, almost too bright to look at, flashed—by the time the three of them opened their eyes again, the original fairy form had transformed into a pink-haired little girl with braided hair, her entire body wrapped in a black robe.
"This way, there shouldn't be any problems, right?"
As she spoke, little Elysia even spun around to look herself over, seeming exceptionally pleased with her current appearance.
"Wow, you really are so cute! This must be your normal appearance, right!"
When she saw this harmless little loli standing before her, March 7th ultimately couldn't hold back. She went up and scooped the other into her arms: "The story you just made up can't fool me. Tell your big sister quickly, who left you here all alone? Where's your family?"
"Is that companion you mentioned earlier, the one who abandoned you here, your family?"
March 7th subconsciously conjured up a grand fantasy drama in her mind. The earlier fairy story was probably just something a child made up for self-protection... But how could such an adorable little girl possibly have any ill intentions?!
Little Elysia originally wanted to resist, but after hearing the other's last sentence, she suddenly changed her mind.
"Well... How should I put it? He's actually my..."
"What, Daddy??!"
Little Elysia's low murmur, something she was too embarrassed to say out loud, was precisely captured by March 7th and then broadcast loudly. Judging by her expression, she didn't seem to be joking but genuinely believed in the truth of this matter.
"What kind of parents are these in the world? Actually abandoning a little girl in the middle of this icy, snowy wasteland!"
"......"
At this point in the development of events, Dan Heng was completely at a loss for what expression to use to remind his companions about being vigilant against offline scams.
And Stelle's train of thought was even more peculiar. After carefully observing the two hugging each other, her mind quickly discarded all wrong answers and arrived at a perfect conclusion—
"But looking at it this way, March 7th, don't you also look very much like the child's mother?"
"Huh???"
———— ————
The earlier farce ultimately ended amidst laughter and merriment. Not because everyone successfully concluded that March 7th was little Elysia's mother, but because this strange ethical drama soon welcomed its fifth participant—
"Hey~ everyone, are you the ones responsible for meeting up and taking the goods? Strange... such serious work, why did you bring a child along?"
A blue-haired man carrying a briefcase gradually entered everyone's field of vision from afar. If you were familiar with Belobog's underground business, you'd recognize him as that merchant who frequently travels between the Overworld and Underworld, calling himself Sampo.
"Uh... Why are you all looking at me like that? We agreed beforehand—stick to the original price, payment on delivery. I won't suddenly give you a discount now. Friends, when you're in this line of work, you should follow its rules."
While everyone was still completely baffled, this suddenly appearing blue-haired man delivered a whole speech to them with righteous indignation.
It seemed... he had mistaken them for someone else?
Logically speaking, such unexpected situations would usually be handled calmly by Dan Heng or Mr. Yang. But Stelle, participating in trailblazing officially for the first time, suddenly displayed her unparalleled talent at this moment.
"How much do you want? Name your price."
"??!"
That posture with arms crossed and that supremely confident tone—if they hadn't just gotten off the Astral Express together barely ten minutes ago, March 7th and Dan Heng might have believed it.
There is an illustration here; it can be viewed after updating the version.
"What do you mean? Do you think I, Sampo, am the kind of person who jacks up prices on the spot? Just as originally agreed—only this much." Sampo extended five fingers in mid-air.
Just as March 7th was anxiously thinking about what to do in this situation, little Elysia spoke up again unhurriedly: "Money is certainly not a problem. But if we're following the rules, shouldn't you at least let us take a look at the goods first?"
There is an illustration here; it can be viewed after updating the version.
Cooperation—perfect!
"Oh? So this little friend is actually the key figure? Of course no problem. After all, I, Sampo, am the most trustworthy."
"You can rest ten thousand hearts at ease! The things I, Sampo, sell are absolutely guaranteed authentic! If they're not authentic, I'll eat them right in front of you!"
As he spoke, Sampo placed the briefcase before everyone. His finger pressed on the latch buckle, seemingly about to unveil this mysterious treasure chest...
"Suspect and his accomplices spotted! Arrest them immediately!"
At precisely such a coincidental moment, when everyone's attention was focused on that corner with the briefcase, several Silvermane Guards came running over from not far away.
"Crap! How do these guards have noses as sharp as dogs'... Help me out here! I really don't want to get caught!"
The moment March 7th and the others' attention was drawn away by the Silvermane Guards, when they turned their heads back, they realized Sampo's figure had already vanished from the spot.
"Huh? Where'd that guy go? How did he disappear in the blink of an eye?!"
"Report! Captain Gepard! The suspect who stole the relic earlier has fled! Only these few accomplices of his remain at the scene."
Several Silvermane Guards who had rushed over from afar surrounded the four of them. Soon after, they were joined by a blond-haired man carrying a large shield on his back.
"Hey hey! We're not with that guy from earlier! Otherwise, look—when that guy ditched us just now, did he show even a hint of hesitation?" March 7th couldn't stand this injustice and immediately retorted.
"I am a Captain of the Guard, not an arbitration panel. As citizens of Belobog, you have the right to defend yourselves. But that should be done under the gaze of The Architects, not now." The officer called Gepard stated righteously. When carrying out missions, he typically doesn't involve any personal feelings.
"What? But we're not even citizens of Belobog! You don't have some strange rule here like... if you don't have household registration, you don't have any rights or something?"
"Oh right! I have photos I just took here... Look! This is your planet!"
To prove their identity as visitors from outer space, March 7th had a sudden inspiration and handed over the photos she had just taken aboard the Astral Express to them.
"......"
However, after seeing that somewhat mind-boggling photo, Gepard merely fell silent for a moment before immediately ordering the Silvermane Guards behind him to take them into custody.
"Take them to meet The Supreme Guardian."
"Yes!"
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