Strength 99999 but the Holy Sister

During the time in Kloros, Ebusen had already sent a letter to the eldest lady, and the reply told him to grant Elsa's request. Isn't this enough to prove something?

Moreover, it seems that the arrogant Earl Leonard suddenly fell, and his eldest son had pursued the eldest daughter more than once but was rejected by her. Now that he can finally have some peace and quiet, the eldest daughter must be very happy - and all this is probably related to Elsa.

……

By the time everyone returned to the city, it was already evening. On the way, Lacey's mood gradually stabilized and she smiled.

Grace's guidance worked, and Lacey was not stupid - it was true that she grew up in the forest, but she was accustomed to the frightened looks of her tribesmen since she was a child, and she was not an ignorant child.

As a demihuman, Lacey understood that "missing" in their village was always a euphemism, a self-deceptive consolation. Those who had been away for a long time were unlikely to return. Her sister, Nerona, wasn't a particularly skilled hunter or warrior, much less a great magician like Grace. She was just an ordinary fox-folk. Lacey knew this well. Her absence, her disappearance, meant that like those who had left forever, she would never return.

And now I finally got news about my sister. At least it’s not the worst bad news. This may be something to be happy about - at least there is hope, right?

"I don't know how to repay you, Lady Grace..."

"You don't have to call me 'Sir,'" Grace paused, looking past Lacey's hair at Aisha, "and you should thank her. If it weren't for her this time, I might not even be able to come back."

“Even you…”

Lacey was surprised by Grace's words. In her mind, Grace was already an unimaginably powerful wizard. She subconsciously turned around and saw Elsa smiling at her and waving.

That indescribable beautiful smile was gently imprinted in her heart. This was the second time Lacey saw Elsa. She pursed her lips a little awkwardly and turned around quickly.

At this time, Silbaz had already said goodbye to everyone, and took advantage of the fact that the wind and snow gradually subsided to go straight to Ngo Village with a few trusted men. What Aisha asked him to do was to stay in Ngo Village temporarily and wait for news of Sister Lacey - if Lacey's sister escaped from danger, then she would most likely return to Ngo Village to look for Lacey.

As for the city of Kroros, Ebusen will be in charge of keeping an eye on it. As long as they are here, Nerona will not be disappointed if she comes looking for her.

……

Everyone decided to go back to the hotel first. Elsa still had to talk to Ebusen about the purchase of flint, and Grace and Lacey also had some luggage to pack.

However, before returning to the hotel, Grace seemed to have something on her mind, and after hesitating for a long time, she went to find Elsa.

"Can you lend me some money..."

Grace was obviously a little embarrassed to speak up. Although it was not a troublesome matter, she would not want to speak to Aisha if possible.

But among the people present, she could only turn to Elsa - Becky was as poor as her, after all, Becky was just a poor captured vampire.

Ebusan and Silbaz were just ordinary people, and Grace's interactions with them were limited to this short journey. They would soon be separated, and borrowing money was not an option.

As for Tricia, that's even more impossible.

Only Elsa, Grace felt that if she only had Elsa's money, she would not have any psychological burden to spend it herself, but might even feel inexplicably happy, so she spoke to Elsa, but when she met Elsa's golden eyes, Grace felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

"Borrow money?"

Aisha confirmed with a slightly puzzled expression, and Grace nodded uncomfortably.

"okay."

Fortunately, Elsa had no intention of investigating anything further. She was just a little surprised—surprised that Grace would take the initiative to ask her for help.

"How much?" Elsa was very straightforward, which made Grace feel relieved.

"Twenty silver coins."

"You're doing something—don't you want to take some more?"

"enough."

Twenty silver coins, this is not a lot of money in Elsa's opinion. At least in Elsa's opinion, as a witch, Grace should not be unable to come up with such a small amount of money - she looked at Grace strangely again.

Grace turned her head away awkwardly.

"I ran out of money a while ago, so I borrowed some money. I have to pay it back before I leave..."

Elsa didn't ask any further questions, but Grace explained the reason on her own.

In fact, Grace had no money a long time ago, or she had always been poor. It was not that she could not make money with her ability, but her personality and her identity as a witch made it difficult for her to contact others. Moreover, people like her did not need money to live well, so she never had the habit of carrying much money.

But she has been living in Kroros City recently. The hotel costs money, the guild commissions cost money, asking people for information costs money, and Lacey's food and clothing also cost money. Grace is used to spending lavishly, and suddenly she found that she had no money. Grace tried selling some potions but still could not make ends meet. She had to be careful not to reveal her identity and strength so as not to attract attention. In the end, even the dignified Ash Witch had to face the dilemma of having no money in her pocket.

A few days ago, she pawned a few magic books. They were not rare copies, and to someone who didn't know their value, they might just be things that looked like they had some collectible value. But they were the few proofs left by the former members of the Witch Society, and they were very important to Grace. Before leaving, she had to use the money to redeem them.

"How come you, an Ash Witch, are poorer than a nun like me?"

Grace felt a surge of anger at Elsa's playful teasing.

“I don’t have the habit of saving money…”

Elsa shook her head, looked at Grace meaningfully, took out a few gold coins and handed them to Grace.

"People like you, you can tell at a glance that you've been living alone for a long time."

Although it was true, Grace almost couldn't catch her breath.

……

------------

493. Someone Shows Up Halfway Through the Road... (4K4)

Three streets east of the Governor's Palace is a market.

It is called a market, but in fact it is just a mess of narrow streets like a slum. The houses on both sides are mostly shops and taverns - they look very old, and of course, the prices are very cheap.

If you pass by the guild, you might end up here. It's a good place to rest for active adventurers.

If it were summer, this place would definitely be very lively. However, in winter, the temperature dropped sharply and heavy snow blocked the roads. Fewer and fewer merchants and adventurers came to Kroros, and the market naturally became much quieter.

Adventurers like to call this place a flea market. They will drag some strange old items to sell, such as worn armor and weapons with rolled blades. Some novice adventurers are often recommended to try their luck here, after all, a set of brand new equipment is very expensive.

Or, occasionally someone would bring in scraps left over from selling raw materials, which would usually be snatched away by cunning business brokers.

Otherwise, they might as well just put themselves up for sale - adventurers who bypass the guild's jurisdiction often take on less prestigious commissions to save on intermediary fees, and also give clients with less ample funds more options. Naturally, they need to consider the creditworthiness and risks of individuals without the guild's endorsement.

It was already evening when Grace arrived here.

Although the wind and snow had stopped, the empty streets were still chilly. A few languid figures were lingering in front of the tavern, and the few shops were all closed. Grace followed her memory and pushed open the door of a small shop with ease. The dim light was set off by several rows of old wooden cabinets, and the stench of some kind of straw mat and lard wax mixed together and hit her face.

This is a place that specializes in pawnshops and antique consignment businesses. The owner is a slightly plump older man. He sits behind two rows of cabinets, looking at Grace with his glasses adjusted. The firelight from the fireplace dyes half of his face red.

Grace took off her hood, revealing her beautiful silver hair. She walked to the wooden cabinet and knocked lightly.

"Sir... Oh, it's you," the merchant said, smiling as he saw who it was. He stood up and greeted him. "I've been hearing a lot about you lately."

"Really? Those adventurers?"

"Of course, there aren't many active adventurers at this time, and there aren't many interesting stories worth mentioning. However, beautiful ladies like you are an exception. If you wish, those who want to dine with you could line up from here to the city gates."

Grace just asked casually, out of cautious habit. She never cared how others talked about her, whether it was good or bad.

Yes, she didn't care, but for some reason she shook her head.

"They wouldn't think so if they heard the sound of my voice."

Her hoarse voice carried a strange meaning. Grace had been pursued by many people. After all, she was indeed quite beautiful as a woman, until she became a witch and destroyed her own throat. Generally speaking, the identity of a witch and this unpleasant voice are undoubtedly the misfortunes of being a woman.

——I just wonder if this would be considered a minus point in the eyes of some “kind” nun?

Grace realized she was thinking a funny question.

"never mind."

Grace placed two small stacks of silver coins in front of the merchant, unwilling to continue the topic.

"I'm here to redeem what's mine."

However, the businessman did not take it immediately, but hesitated for a moment. Grace tilted her head slightly and looked at him.

"What's wrong? I think it's still some time before it's overdue."

"Oh, beautiful lady... You must have misunderstood. That's not what I meant." The businessman smiled, bent down and rubbed his hands, trying to read something in Grace's eyes. "Are you still short of money? Please listen to me. I want to buy your book, and you happen to need money. I think maybe we can make a deal..."

"Sorry, I don't plan on that."

Grace refused outright, showing no intention of negotiating.

"Please don't rush to decide. I think you can consider it. I'm willing to give you 180 silver coins..."

"You didn't lose it, did you?"

"how could be?"

The merchant put on a smile and tried to say something, but the next second he met Grace's gaze - a scrutinizing gaze. It was hard to describe what that feeling was. He had seen many adventurers, but few of them could give him a sense of oppression, and this one was obviously not so ordinary.

"Okay, okay... I get it. If you don't want to sell it, please stop staring at me..."

He quickly waved his hand, smiled awkwardly, turned around and took the book from the wooden table behind the cabinet - on the wooden table were a lamp, a cylindrical glass magnifying glass, some crystal powder, ink, a feather pen and a half-written manuscript.

Grace glanced over.

"If I were you, I wouldn't spend so much time studying these outdated magics."

These are the books used by the witches. Of course, all the books related to the abyss magic have been destroyed. These books are very ordinary magic books, and the spells recorded in them are not amazing advanced spells. Instead, many of them are some useless little magics - otherwise Grace would not have taken them out and pledged them here.

Grace still has quite a few books like this. During the time of the Witch Society, they collected a large number of magic theories for research and integration, hoping to use them to make use of the power of the abyss. Naturally, the notes in the reference books also contained some fanciful ideas, and there were many old magics from decades or even hundreds of years ago - it was just ridiculous to say that the unfinished work of the Witch Society was sorted out and improved by the secret magic sages, who proposed the later universal magic theory, which largely eliminated these antiques.

"No, no, no, how can this be called 'outdated'? Those old things always have their charm! Seriously, where did you get these books from? You shouldn't be their first owner... I mean, they look quite old. Although the magical theories recorded in them are outdated, the author's annotations are so refreshing, just like, just like..."

Refreshing?

Of course, this is something written by the witches from their own perspective. Although they are all insignificant insights, they are completely different from the current magic theory.

"With all due respect, you don't look like someone who has much knowledge of magic."

Grace interrupted the merchant, took over a few books, roughly confirmed that they were not damaged, and put them into the space bracelet. When the merchant saw this scene, his eyes couldn't help but become more fiery - it was obvious that the woman in front of him had a lot of such things in her hands.

"If this is just a temporary interest, the magic book published by the Warlock Union is more suitable for you."

Grace gave some pertinent advice and turned away. Grace had no intention of dealing with businessmen slowly, she had always been like that.

The businessman looked at Grace's back with reluctance, sighed, took out his account book and made a mark.

Until night, the small shop welcomed a young woman again. She was wearing a large black cloak that covered half of her face, but even so, one could still tell from her bright eyes and eyebrows that she was a real beauty.

As soon as she walked in, she took out a heavy purse, and the rustling sound attracted the merchant.

"I've brought the money, but where are the books I wanted?"

She slammed the purse on the counter, and the merchant took one glance and held his breath - there were several gold coins in it!

But he immediately turned bitter...

"I don't have the book anymore..."

"what?"

"After all, it's something someone else has mortgaged here. According to the rules... if she doesn't want to sell it to me, I can't force her to buy it..."

This is the truth, but the woman simply does not trust the merchants - other people may not know the situation of this street market, but she knows it very well. These merchants do not have much credibility at all. It is simply that they find that they cannot afford to offend the other party.

"whispering sound."

She was shocked and took the purse back, which made the merchant look painful. She looked at the merchant meaningfully, paused, raised her fingertips and took out a gold coin.

"Tell me where that man went, and it will be yours."

she whispered.

……

As soon as Tricia returned to the inn, she took out a pile of ancient books that Elsa couldn't even understand the words, and sent a crow to deliver a handwritten letter to the imperial capital.

After Elsa and Lacey packed their luggage, they went to the stable to feed hay to the gray deer - this was a relatively new experience for Lacey, and of course, it was the same for Elsa, but she had seen Grace feed the gray deer, so she knew what to do.

The gray deer was very smart. It seemed to recognize Elsa and Lassie, and behaved very obediently. Its mouth made a sizzling sound when chewing hay. Its big eyes sometimes looked at Lassie, and sometimes glanced at Elsa. The child had a soft heart, and soon Lassie was laughing continuously. Seeing this, Elsa felt a little relieved.

At the same time, Elsa opened the panel to check.

【HP: 99999】

[Magic Points: 71]

【Strength: 99999】

【Spirit: 2】

[Unallocated points: 84]

[Idea (Vivian Trauns): 121]

[Idea (Patriculosia en Serilhilda): 156]

[Idea (Filia Livret): 89]