Mist Empire’s Rise: Fake Noble to Fog Queen

The man stared at her in horror - was this even human? She must be a devil incarnate!

Even Troy and Hol were momentarily stunned, completely blindsided by this turn of events.

However, Hol recovered quickly. After just a second's hesitation, he drew his wand and cast a spell at the man.

Luo Wei sensed a distinct wave of dark elements as the magical power struck the man's head with precision. A semi-transparent gray soul was pulled from his body by the magic, only to snap back instantly.

This was her first time witnessing a human soul leave its body, and in such a manner no less.

The dark magic tore off a thin piece from the soul, like a fragment of memory, which scattered in the air and dissolved into concentrated dark elemental energy in the blink of an eye.

So that was it - human souls were composed of memories and dark elements. Luo Wei had an epiphany.

No wonder dark magic could control human souls and create terrifying nightmares.

The richer one's memories, the stronger their soul; the clearer their memories, the more substantial their soul. That explained why infants without memories had no souls, and forgetful elderly had weakened soul bodies.

However, something puzzled Luo Wei - if human souls were made of dark elements, what about light mages?

Light and dark elements were incompatible, so did that mean light mages had no souls?

No, that couldn't be right - light mages must have souls. There had to be something she wasn't understanding.

Luo Wei furrowed her brows, then decided to let it go.

She rose from her chair: "Thank you for your help, Hol. This favor won't go unrewarded - I'll have Bella give you a gold coin."

Hol's face immediately lit up with a sunny smile: "You're too kind, Miss Luo Wei. Helping you is only natural - no payment needed!"

"What's due should be given," Luo Wei said firmly.

After all, she had just secretly learned his dark magic spell. Now she wouldn't need his help to erase memories anymore. One gold coin was fair price for stealing his technique.

After seeing Hol off, Luo Wei turned to look at the man on the ground: "Troy, dispose of him."

"Right away," Troy picked up the man, "Where to?"

"Academy Street," said Luo Wei. "Since he's so fond of spying on my shop, we shouldn't deprive him of his hobby."

"But he's lost part of his memory - what if he suspects us?" Troy worried.

"Let him suspect. He wouldn't dare tell anyone," Luo Wei gave a light laugh. "The Church's people are far from saints - he understands this better than we do."

Would he dare report such a major failure to his superiors?

Not only would he not report it, he would keep it strictly secret.

In the future, without her prompting, he would find ways to fabricate surveillance reports, presenting perfect answers to both sides.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Let's go, we have much to do today."

Luo Wei picked up the oil lamp from the table and climbed the cold stairs from the cellar.

Troy took the man out through the back door while she returned to the living room and settled by the fireplace.

Bella brought over a fragrant cup of barley tea, gently placing it on the small table to her right.

"Sit down, Bella," Luo Wei gestured to a nearby stool. "You're the housekeeper now - let the others handle such tasks."

"Master, have I served you poorly?" Bella nervously fingered her apron.

"Not at all - I just have more important matters for you to handle," Luo Wei said gently.

Bella exhaled deeply and carefully perched on the low stool: "What would you like me to do, Master?"

Luo Wei: "Did you learn anything about the wasteland outside the city that I asked about yesterday?"

Bella nodded: "Those wastelands all belong to the city lord and haven't been granted to anyone. I asked the city lord's steward, and he said we could lease them as long as we pay taxes on time."

"We can't buy them outright?"

Bella shook her head: "No, the Principality of Lunkos strictly forbids lords from selling land."

Luo Wei recalled that Lunkos did indeed have such a law.

Land was the foundation of kingdoms, and most countries, not just Lunkos, prohibited land sales.

However, while this was the law, there was actually considerable flexibility in practice.

Some impoverished lords who couldn't make ends meet had to sell land - how else could they afford the enormous expenses of maintaining their castles?

Many lords would sell their land under the guise of land grants, then recoup the money through collecting land rent.

There were also special cases. For instance, to facilitate collecting high taxes from merchants, countries allowed the sale and lease of building land within city limits. The Star Luo Residence and its newly expanded backyard were considered commercial land.

Luo Wei considered that while the wasteland outside the city could certainly be bought, the price would likely be exorbitant.

Having finally found a chance to profit, the Siria city lord would probably demand an astronomical price.

High-priced land on someone else's territory that could be reclaimed at any time wasn't worth it.

"Leasing is fine," Luo Wei decided.

At worst, when they moved away, they could just cut down the mulberry trees, burn the fields, scatter some grass seeds and restore it to wasteland.

"Very well, I'll go lease the land this afternoon," Bella said eagerly.

"No rush - wait until tomorrow. Eagerness doesn't make for good business," Luo Wei sipped her barley tea. "Isn't there a small plot of empty land outside the backyard? Have someone till it - I want to plant something."

Bella thought hard for a moment before saying: "Master, I believe that land isn't ours."

"Then buy it," Luo Wei placed a bag of gold coins on the table. "Let me know if you need more."

"Also, collect some manure and pile it on that plot."

Bella's jaw dropped: "M-manure?"

Had she heard wrong? The master wanted her to collect manure?

"You heard correctly - manure," Luo Wei said matter-of-factly. "I want to create an experimental field. Manure compost can improve soil quality and increase grain yields."

Better to explain clearly upfront to prevent the staff from wild speculation about her intentions or assuming she had some strange proclivities.

Though she didn't know what an experimental field was, as soon as Bella heard about increasing grain yields, her eyes lit up like stars.

"Yes, Master! I'll collect manure diligently - I'll try to gather all the manure in the city!"

Luo Wei: "...That won't be necessary."

A mountain of manure behind Star Luo Residence would suffocate her!

Bella had already excitedly withdrawn. Coming from a background of poverty and hunger, she had a bone-deep obsession with food and couldn't wait to see if manure really could increase grain yields.

As soon as Bella left, Belial and Chris emerged from the corner, their sparkling eyes gazing at her longingly.

"Master, your tea has grown cold. Shall I bring you fresh tea?"

"Master, would you like me to massage your shoulders~?"

Luo Wei's wrist twitched. When she looked up, she thought for a moment she'd wandered into a spider's den.

"No need," she said firmly. "Didn't Bella give you tasks to do?"

The two showed disappointed looks and sadly lowered their heads.

"The housekeeper didn't," Chris said softly. "She won't let us come out, but I want to brush Master's hair."

Belial also complained indirectly: "Master, how did you find the barley soup I made? The housekeeper tasted it and said it wasn't good, so she won't let me make it anymore."

Luo Wei glanced at the barley tea on the table - so this was Belial's creation?

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