After mastering the resurrection technique, they begged me to extend their lives.

Early the next morning.

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

At the entrance of Ningye Town, several merchant carriages stopped, attracting people's attention.

At that moment, three militiamen were on duty. One of them gripped his rifle, stepped forward, stopped the leader, and urged him to turn back:

"Ningye Town is under lockdown; neither entry nor exit is permitted. The capital city is currently apprehending wanted criminals, so you should find somewhere else to stay. Most of the nearby towns are under martial law."

"What...?"

Looking from that angle, the person leading the group seemed out of place among the people around her, because she had two small fox ears on her head...

She is petite, standing less than 1.55 meters tall.

He was dressed in a rather simple outfit of a chest wrap and shorts that exposed his legs, with a cheap cloak draped over his back to cover his fox tail. He didn't look like a fighter.

— "Ajin" (or "subhuman").

"Soldier, we are merchants from Stardust Harbor. We've finished our trading trip and need to return to the port. Also, we always stop in Ningye Town to resupply, as your captain, Mr. Chris, knows!"

Also... our entire caravan is made up of demi-humans, how could we possibly have any wanted criminals among us! Please let us stay in town for half a day! We'll leave after that!

"..."

The fox's voice has a natural, alluring quality.

Upon hearing this, the deputy militia captain frowned, looked the fox-woman up and down again, and quickly turned his gaze to the people behind her, observing all the members of the convoy.

"Sir, they are all demi-humans, and there are a few bodyguards. Uh, they are employees."

The fox spirit was a little nervous.

But she knew this operation had to succeed because Aleiente was undergoing a major transformation, and the "wanted criminal" was likely lingering in a nearby area.

If they can't successfully infiltrate and obtain the information they want, then the mission issued by the higher-ups cannot be completed, and the losses will be enormous.

It can be said that this operation was entirely funded and dispatched by a mysterious financier.

"Okay, provide proof of business travel."

Vice-Captain Ryan confirmed again that none of the wanted individuals were in the convoy, then leaned closer to the fox girl and added in a low voice:

"80 Silver Deer".

"!OK."

Without a second thought, the fox spirit nodded immediately.

While 80 Silver Deer isn't a small amount, it's still simpler than other needs.

If money can solve the problem, once the princess is found and rescued, why would we be afraid of not making a profit?

She reached into her pocket, took out a small money pouch, counted out a sufficient amount of silver coins, and handed it to Ryan.

"Release them."

With the captain absent, the vice-captain is practically the head of the town.

Ryan waved his hand, and the previously locked wooden gate slid open to the sides with the help of two other militiamen.

"Leave before the crowning ceremony."

"Okay, okay! Thank you!"

The fox spirit breathed a sigh of relief.

It was noon when Yaomian arrived, which was exactly half a day from now. Without further hesitation, she immediately signaled the team behind her to file in with the goods.

One corner.

The person who had come out early to scout the location turned his gaze away from the girl.

[Xingmi, a demi-human, Silver Bell Fox Clan, Threat: None]

LV: 11

Occupation: Astrologer (Junior)

Brief Introduction: The only daughter of the owner of the "Starry Sky Merchant Guild" in Stardust Harbor, she is skilled at using astrological divination techniques to conduct business and help the guild achieve profitability.

Highlighted quest prompt: [Find the wanted young sorcerer suspected of casting forbidden spells and bring him out of town.]

The client's mission description: "The target is extremely handsome, around ten years old, male, carrying a cheap cane and staff. He's a bit rough around the edges, but don't get too worked up. Pretend to be his helper and take him away. Then, in the wild, tie him up and capture him alive. Arrest him and bring him to the agreed location—Stardust Harbor Sorcerer Association. Find the acting president and collect your reward of 500 gold dragon coins."

“…………”

Even through the panel, An Xiao could already read the resentful expression on this "sugar daddy's" face, his teeth clenched...

That tone, that high price...

Who issued the task?

This is so hard to guess.

An Xiao shook her head, then shifted her gaze, sweeping over the seemingly honest but actually cunning demi-human bodyguards at the rear of the convoy—

A chill ran down my spine.

"Goodness, they're all over level 20: hunters, rogues, swordsmen, apprentice priests... and even a level 30 orc warrior... You've got a full mercenary lineup, haven't you?"

This isn't a "rescue team" at all; it's clearly another group that's come in to capture them...

They were just disguised as a caravan.

"500 gold..."

That's quite a lot.

However, the thought that the "Iron Maiden of Endedes" he had stolen might have cost far more than ten thousand gold pieces...

Faced with the girl's exasperation, everything made sense again.

She seemed to want to feed me.

But within the territory of Aleiente, she herself was a wanted fugitive. If she were to appear again, the Volta's wyvern riders would immediately lock onto and hunt her down; she was no match for them.

Therefore, Stardust Harbor, a neutral free trade port dominated by the Batos commercial nation, became her best foothold—safe and stable, and allowing her informants to track her down.

"Lilia, Lilia, it seems the debt between us won't be settled anytime soon."

An Xiao murmured.

Just when he was wondering how to leave Ningye Town with the princess, his former enemy spent a lot of money to send someone to provide him with alternative plans.

Who would have thought that?

"If I take the initiative to negotiate, Xingmi's mission can be half completed immediately, which she would be happy to accept. But I would ask her to find a way to escort my 'creation' out as well. Would she agree? Is there a way to resolve my request?"

An Xiao fell into thought.

It's clear that within town, she'll make as many concessions as possible to complete her mission.

But once they left the city, their situations changed instantly.

He would be under the surveillance and surrounded by an entire caravan, and if they actually took him away and handed him over to Lilia, then his fate would be...

It's very likely he was played to death by a little girl.

This is not good.

"Using Xingmi is fine. But once I leave the city, I must be able to protect myself."

"Those people are higher level than me, and the princess isn't a combat type, so it'll be difficult for her to help me defeat them. Therefore, if I want everything to go smoothly, I have to make sure they don't dare to touch me."

"What should we do?"

Calm down, take a deep breath, and think.

Planning, planning.

I don't know how many breaths passed.

The answer flashed through my mind.

"Got it."

"I can't do anything with you guys, but surely... I can handle Hoshimi too?"

Once we leave the city, if we find an opportunity to subdue her first, will you low-ranking mercenaries dare to touch a hair on my head again?

The only daughter of the merchant guild, a level 11 fox girl, soft and cuddly, not very strong...

Ah, very good.

"It's mine now."

Thinking of this.

An Xiao tightened her hood and walked up to Xing Mi the second after she passed by.

……

……