MISS PAINTER, YOUR ART HAS COME ALIVE!

Things were gradually getting better...

Chewing on salted potatoes, Kaelis pondered as she ate.

After indulging slightly last night with a meat-included dinner, Kaelis had come back to her senses.

Even though she had money now... it still wasn't enough.

She took inventory of her current assets once more.

After accounting for purchased goods, the gift given to Old Struth, and the two bags of potatoes bought last, she now had two gold coins and seven silver coins remaining.

“Rebuying those unrecoverable art supplies... even being as frugal as possible, it'd probably cost another two silver coins..."

This sum wasn't insignificant, but she definitely couldn't spend it freely. Even excluding consumables like pigments, daily food expenses would still consume quite a bit...

However, at this point, Kaelis wasn't particularly anxious anymore.

Yesterday's events had clarified something important for her.

She couldn't survive through painting simply because she desperately lacked reputation?

The new nobility disliked her, the old nobility couldn't see her.

If so, why not forge others' paintings?

Just like last night, she could continue pretending to be a maid from some noble household, then sell the paintings... given enough time, she'd eventually accumulate a reputation. Wouldn't her life improve then?

“Though the prerequisite is that these works must be truly good works...”

Meaning masterpieces.

Kaelis wasn't skilled at original creation, but she excelled at replication.

Given that...

A famous artist's painting took at least a month, sometimes up to a year.

All long-term investments, and currently...

“Hmm... but these are matters for later. I can take it slow... at worst, use several aliases. Minor aliases to sell inferior works for quick cash, major aliases for quality pieces.”

Life had hope again!

After realizing this, Kaelis's mood improved significantly.

Picking up the face-covering veil she'd remade last night, she put it on properly, then slung her shoulder bag containing all her treasures across her body.

Leaving her residence.

Her destination remained the marketplace.

Primarily because that place truly was excellent... crowded with people, abundant street stalls, occasionally even uncovering good finds.

If not buying there, she'd have to search shops in the noble district instead.

Those prices were too steep, Kaelis had even seen pure gold paintbrushes valued at ten gold coins!

Clearly, that place wasn't accessible for her current situation.

Better stick to the nearby affordable market!

Kaelis's mood remained cheerful, even as the sky lacked blue, appearing somewhat overcast. She could still move forward with a smile.

Yet this smile was destined not to last.

Just as Kaelis arrived at the market, preparing to enter and make some purchases, a hand suddenly extended from a nearby carriage...

“Eh?”

Kaelis froze.

But in that instant, her entire body was lifted like a doll straight into the carriage!

Damn it! Kidnapped by human traffickers?!

Kaelis's heart panicked, instinctively wanting to activate her ability.

Yet as she began to activate it, she looked up.

Inside this not-too-large carriage, excluding herself, there were still three other people...

And two of them... she recognized...

“Good morning, Miss Thief~ Did you sleep well last night?”

The tall, graceful woman leaned against her side. Up close, the woman's slender yet curvaceous figure was striking. Her long legs appear slightly plump, making the relatively spacious carriage seem almost too cramped to accommodate her.

It was her who had reached out and grabbed Kaelis inside!

Even in this, Kaelis rarely saw such uniquely silvery-white hair. On her gentle, mature face, a perpetual half-smile expression remained.

Opposite her, another woman possessing notable status frowned slightly.

“Heather, I've told you many times, don't engage in excessive verbal exchanges with criminals...”

“Don't be so serious, Gravilier. Haven't we already decided on this?”

“That's still for later.”

The girl called Gravilier frowned but turned her head to look at the nervous and uneasy Kaelis.

She supported her hands beneath her chest, her expression serious.

Kaelis noticed the long sword sheathed at the woman's waist once again...

She found it!

Kaelis offered silent prayers for her boss, then realized, That guy wasn't a good person either.

Forget it... Heaven, just let that boss get into trouble.

Thinking this, Kaelis couldn't help swallowing hard, looking at the people before her.

The third person also appeared quite young but wore different clothing from Gravilier and Heather, another dark outfit, uniquely tailored, resembling an academic's attire.

Unsure what this person was here for.

Seeing Kaelis captured, the young Gravilier exhaled, then turned to the woman beside her.

“Dorothy, deliver the verdict.”

“Understood.”

The woman nodded, then pushed up her glasses, producing a white, palm-sized conical crystal. She released it, letting it float among the group members before finally looking at Kaelis.

“According to the Ascender Management Law, you violated the prohibition against displaying ability hierarchies in public. Additionally, per the City Management Law, you authorized unauthorized business operations in non-designated areas. Combined penalties require you to pay a fine of five silver coins and undergo one month of prison...”

The white crystal flashed once, signifying successful recording.

“One month?!”

Kaelis froze, then her expression changed drastically.

Prison wouldn't provide meals, only relatives or friends could deliver food. But in this world, she knew no one...

If she went a month without food... could she even survive?!

Instinctively wanting to escape, but the woman had already slapped handcuffs onto Kaelis's wrists.

Simultaneously, something behind her emitted light.

A phantom red armor materialized over her body, preventing Kaelis from making any rash moves.

Yet at this moment, Heather suddenly spoke.

“Request to file an appeal.”

“Appeal granted. Please state your objections to the verdict.”

“No objections. Request immunity.”

“Present your immunity documentation.”

Heather and Dorothy exchange questions and answers as if completely rehearsed.

Immediately after Dorothy finished speaking, Heather produced a seemingly brand-new badge-sized insignia.

“According to the Kingdom's Post-War Resettlement Act, Mr. Struth willingly exchanged his medal for one immunity privilege, exempting this girl from all non-capital offenses...”

“Appeal valid. Immunity granted. However, per legal provisions, this medal will be confiscated. Mr. Struth's positions obtained through status will be immediately terminated. Property remains uncompensated. Do you accept it?”

“Accept.”

“Immunity valid. Approved.”

Following a series of operations leaving Kaelis dumbfounded, the white crystal flashed again, seemingly completing another record.

Although Kaelis had listened in a daze, laws, appeals, she'd clarified one thing.

“Am I... safe now?”

She seemed judged guilty, yet also not guilty.

What was this? A formality? Resetting some status?

“...You could understand it that way.”

Having everything completed, Dorothy nodded, retrieved her crystal, then exited the carriage and left.

Gravilier reached out to unlock Kaelis's handcuffs, while beside her, Heather gently stroked Kaelis's head.

Seeing Kaelis's dissatisfied puffed cheeks, she even gasped.

“Did you really think you could escape forever? This wasn't ten years ago when the war just ended. Your crime will be recorded. The longer you escape, the harsher the punishment becomes... But now your case is cleared.”

“But only this once.”

Gravilier continued Heather's words, her serious eyes fixed on Kaelis.

She seemed somewhat dissatisfied with this procedural charade but suppressed her emotions.

“Every soldier deserves respect... I don't know what method you used, but... there won't be a next time. I hope you'll properly abide by the Kingdom's laws!”

Gravilier spoke, making Kaelis feel afraid.

What a strict woman.

She definitely wouldn't want to be friends with someone like this in the future.

After several more scoldings, once certain she was truly unharmed, Kaelis carefully exited the carriage. Only after confirming no reaction did she quickly flee.

Watching Kaelis's back disappear, Gravilier finally snapped back to attention.

“Speaking of which, we never asked where she learned that flower-step technique...”

“...Should we pursue?”

“...No, forget it.”

Gravilier shook her head slightly.

“After all, we probably won't meet again in the future...”

“You can't be sure.”

Heather smiled, adjusting her attire.

Looking at the puzzled Gravilier, she smiled again.

“I'm guessing.”

...

Having fled far away, certain there were no issues, Kaelis finally exhaled deeply.

Her innate respect for large-scale enforcement agencies resides deep in her mind, especially toward Gravilier... possessing bare-handed tiger-fighting abilities, merely looking at her made Kaelis's scalp tingle.

Thankfully, everything had ended.

“Come to think of it... they mentioned Struth just now, right?”

Kaelis pondered, when suddenly mocking laughter rang in her ears.

“Get lost! We don't want you here... Even if I really get robbed one day, I won't hire you!”

Kaelis turned her head.

Just in time to see a shop owner dumping a basin of water, targeting the elderly man standing at the entrance, his posture perfectly straight...

“Huh?”

“...”

Cold water soaked his entire body. The surrounding merchants, seeing this, didn't utter a single word in the old man's defense, instead revealing expressions of schadenfreude.

Yet despite this, Old Struth remained completely silent, merely bowing formally before turning and leaving in silence.

He suddenly noticed Kaelis, causing his face to unusually show traces of embarrassment, then quickly turned to head in another direction.

Witnessing this scene, seeing everyone's indifferent expressions, Kaelis suddenly felt a strange discomfort.

Gravilier and the others had mentioned... after surrendering the badge, Struth would lose all his positions...

In a sense, because he helped her, he'd fallen into this predicament.

Remaining silent for a long time, Kaelis said nothing, slowly approaching to quietly follow Old Struth.

Watching him walk alone down the street, seeing others mock his drenched and pitiful appearance, Kaelis felt only irritation and anger.

Until leaving the marketplace did Old Struth finally stop, helplessly looking at the girl who'd followed all the way.

He nodded slightly, gesturing for Kaelis to speak with him elsewhere.

“It's fine... this has nothing to do with you.”

Although Kaelis's face was hidden by a veil, Struth wasn't an ordinary person. Seeing the girl's eyes, he understood her thoughts.

He merely shook his head, speaking calmly.

“This was my choice... consider it repayment for your things...”

The old man's eyes remain exceptionally calm, showing no irritation or dissatisfaction, as if he'd long seen through his fate and grown accustomed to it...

“But…” Kaelis clenched her teeth. “If you were still in charge, how dare they treat you like this...”

“That was merely a job... A job doesn't affect how people view you. It's your character that determines how others perceive you... I'm not good at interpersonal relationships.”

Old Struth had experienced many trials in his lifetime. He didn't care about others' mockery, but rather, Kaelis's simple, sincere concern made him feel a long-lost warmth.

He remained silent for a while, then shook his head slightly.

“Compared to me, how did your matter resolve? Is it settled?”

“...Mhm.”

Kaelis lowered her gaze, appearing somewhat gloomy.

“Good.”

Old Struth nodded slightly.

“...I could only help you with this once. But I heard them mention, you're already a second-stage Ascender... That talent is actually quite remarkable. Although life might be tough now, if you persist, in a few more years after becoming a Warrior, your life will definitely improve..."

Old Struth comforted the girl, unable to suppress his voice.

As a veteran soldier, Old Struth knew that possessing such talent at Kaelis's age was extraordinary. With proper training and patience, she'd undoubtedly achieve greatness in the future.

But...

What he hadn't anticipated was...

Kaelis lifting her head in confusion at this moment.

“So... what exactly is an Ascender? And what's a Warrior?”

“...”