She Is Not a Witch

After leaving Yellow Leaf Town, the Carithes caravan journeyed south, finally nearing Hopland. The latter part of the journey was very smooth, with no more attacks or assassination attempts. Before departing, Loranhil had sold about twenty sets of black riders’ armor to the mayor, making a small profit while adding credibility to the mayor’s spreading rumors.

After the Carithes Merchant Association’s convoy left, Mayor Ruud made a show of reporting to the Commercial Alliance’s higher-ups. He sent security teams to patrol the nearby mountains multiple times, appearing diligent and beyond reproach. He then displayed the armor and weapons, convincing people that a powerful organization had indeed attacked the Carithes Merchant Association, not ordinary bandits.

As the caravan approached Hopland at dusk, they crested a hill to see the city spread before them. It embraced the ocean like a giant crescent, with several tall white lighthouses along the shore. Countless sailing ships docked at the port, and an endless stream of horse-drawn carts hauled goods along the main road from the port to the city. The eastern part of the city featured uniform brick-red houses, while the west was dotted with various villas and gardens where nobles and the wealthy resided.

This was one of the top three cities and ports in the Vegar Commercial Alliance, and an important commercial center in the southern continent. Nearly a million people lived here, and its massive port received merchant ships from the Verdant Empire, Southern Islands, and even the Golden Oriole Dynasty. Accompanied by gentle sea breezes, flocks of seagulls cried as they swooped over the harbor, circling the city before flying away.

Loranhil sat in her carriage, observing the bustling streets through the glass window. The brick-paved boulevards were exceptionally smooth, lined with orderly rows of laurel trees. Even as night approached, the streets remained lively. Various stalls lined the roadside, selling redwood handicrafts, tropical fruits from the Southern Islands, engraved weapons from Falcon, and local grilled fish.

The air was filled with the cries of vendors, the aroma of food, the chatter of tourists, the orange glow of stall lamps, beast-eared races, and Eastern people in long robes—a scene of noisy prosperity.

The merchant convoy’s riders formed two lines, protecting Loranhil’s carriage in the center as they slowly passed through the night market. Many pedestrians had to temporarily move aside, and some arrogant individuals who initially seemed displeased quickly shut their mouths and stepped aside upon seeing the Night Flower emblem.

The Carithes Merchant Association was one of the major merchant associations in Hopland and a high-ranking member of the Commercial Alliance’s ruling council, holding one of the 26 seats and having a say in all major alliance matters. With its headquarters in Hopland, it wielded considerable local influence.

“Floris!” “Floris!”

Cheers, screams, and music erupted from ahead, with colorful light beams illuminating the night sky.

“Young miss, there’s a concert at the theater ahead. We may need to take a detour,” Ceres’s voice came from the front of the carriage.

Hearing the loud, chaotic cheers, Loranhil grew curious. Did musical performances in this world have such great appeal?

“No, let’s get out. I want to see this too.” She put on a black robe, hiding her hair and face in the shadow of the hood, and opened the carriage door.

“Young miss, there are too many people here. It might not be safe,” Chelsea said, following her out of the carriage and standing behind the young woman.

“It’s fine, I’ll be careful.” She blinked, her supernatural core in her consciousness shifting to the Nature Sequence. Her supernatural perception began to spread, gradually revealing the entire city’s layout in her mind.

“Alright, but please allow me and a few others to stay close and protect you.”

“No problem.”

With that, Loranhil was pulled by Chelsea into the crowded open-air theater venue.

The crescent-shaped stage was separated by fountains. On the golden tiered stage, a huge gold and red curtain slowly parted, revealing a singer in a sparkling gown. She had large, wavy golden curls and wore a white dress covered in reflective sequins that shimmered in the stage lights. She raised an alchemically crafted microphone, and her voice rang out.

[The first time I saw you we were both so young]

[I close my eyes and that scene flashes again]

…

[Looking at the lights, the ball, and the dresses]

[I see you coming through the crowded crowd]

Her voice was natural yet melodious, her long eyelashes trembling slightly before flicking upward. Her soul-stirring expression instantly drove countless audience members wild, with screams echoing throughout the venue.

Loranhil stood on the theater’s upper level, watching the passionate sea of people below. She couldn’t help but marvel at the power of music, which intoxicated people in every world.

The singer continued to move forward on stage, flanked by two dancers. They placed their hands on their hips, stepped sideways, turned halfway, their skirts fluttering slightly, then turned sideways again to move forward, step by step, following the rhythm of the song.

Next, a small gondola slowly rose from beneath the stage, enclosed by white court-style railings. The singer stepped into this small enclosure, and her dancers closed and secured the railing.

[I’ve been waiting, now all I can do is run away from here]

[You’ll become a prince, I’ll become a princess]

[This is a love story]

The gondola slowly ascended as golden reflective confetti rained down from both sides of the theater. The singer’s voice gradually rose, and the audience’s emotions reached a crescendo.

[Darling, just say yes]

…

[But to me, you’re my everything]

[I beg you not to leave]

The white-gowned singer waved to the audience as she sang, with waves of screams surging through the theater. Her bearing was truly that of a princess.

“How wonderful,” Loranhil couldn’t help but admire. She wouldn’t be so bold herself, being of a more shy and quiet nature.

“Young miss, this is Floris, the White Songstress who has become famous across the continent in recent years.”

Chelsea quietly explained the singer’s background. Despite her beautiful appearance, she had faced many hardships in her rise to fame due to her slum origins. She had been attacked by many but persevered. These experiences resonated with the common people, earning her even more fans.

Song after song followed, with the performance finally concluding as fireworks burst above the stage.

After the show, Loranhil at last reached her journey’s end: the Carithes Merchant Association headquarters.

The iron gates opened, revealing a brightly lit courtyard. Association directors and managers from various regions lined both sides of the courtyard, respectfully welcoming the association’s new owner.

As Loranhil stepped down from her carriage, a golden carpet had already been laid out, extending to the mansion’s entrance. As she walked on the soft carpet, each consul bowed with their left hand on their shoulder in respect.

Inside the mansion’s great hall, a long dining table was set with various delicacies. Nearly a hundred maids in black and white uniforms stood neatly on both sides of the table, heads bowed silently in wait. Candles illuminated the hall, with golden light flooding the entire space.