"Wenwu, I didn't expect you to be into this type..."

"K-Karida? What are you doing here? When did you get here?"

After Amia left, Wenwu saw the rabbit-eared girl, Karida, step out from behind a nearby tree.

"I've been here for a while."

Wenwu didn't know what to say to ease the awkwardness. "So... you saw everything?"

"Mm..."

"You're not... angry, are you?"

"No, just a little disappointed. I didn't expect you to like this type."

As she spoke, Karida looked down at her own full figure, her face clouded with dejection.

"Ahem... Karida, what are you doing here?"

Wenwu desperately wanted to change the topic because he knew that no explanation could possibly salvage this situation.

"Wenwu, I came to tell you that the Empire has issued a bounty for your capture."

"What? Why?"

"You're being accused of framing the Princess Royal and of setting fire to Blackstreet."

"Ridiculous! If they want to slap me with false crimes, they don't need a reason. Sure, I won't deny setting the fire in Blackstreet, but I wasn't the instigator. And an accusation of framing the Princess? That’s even more absurd. If Desmona hadn't betrayed me, none of this would have happened. Add in the tales spun by those Blackstreet scoundrels, and here we are."

"Karida, is your information reliable?"

"Are you doubting the credibility of intelligence from a member of the Gray Church?"

Wait, the Gray Church? Wenwu had never known Karida was part of that organization. Then again, he had only met Karida a few days ago.

"I never thought you'd be with the Gray Church. I honestly assumed you were just a regular bunny girl working at the casino..."

"What? You didn’t know? I thought I mentioned it already, Wenwu."

Wenwu struggled to reconcile his memories of this world with his past life before waking here. "Cough. So, you’re telling me this means I need to make a run for it?"

"More or less. Oh, by the way, Silver, keep your master in check, will you? Don’t let him keep getting into messes like this."

At some point, Silver had silently approached Wenwu.

"That’s not something I can promise," Silver said nonchalantly. "You know how clueless my master is, don’t you, Karida? But I’ll do my best."

Calling me clueless in front of others? Wenwu felt his headache intensify.

"Well, if the Empire’s really after me and dawn is approaching, it’s time to move."

"Wait a moment."

Karida called out, halting Wenwu in his tracks as he prepared to leave.

"What now?"

"You’re just going to take my information and leave without compensation?"

"So you’re saying... you want me to pay?"

"Of course."

"Well... Karida, I'm broke. Besides, do we even need to talk money when we're this close?"

"Personal ties are one thing, but I'm giving this intel in my official capacity as a member of the Gray Church. And don’t you know? Intelligence dealers make most of their coin from their so-called 'friends.' Still... if you're out of money, you can pay with your body."

My body? Wenwu was stunned. He’d heard of women offering themselves to men to clear debts, but this? The idea of a man doing the same? Despite the odd circumstances, something about it felt more like him getting the better deal.

Without hesitation, Wenwu agreed on the spot.

"One piece of information, one night."

"Deal."

"Just to be clear—it’s one night, not one time."

"Fine."

For once, Wenwu felt confident in himself.

"Karida, could I ask for another favor? If there’s major news from the capital, could you let me know? Since I won’t be able to return there for some time."

"Sure. But the cost is one night per intel drop."

"Deal."

Karida took hold of one of Wenwu’s fingers, drew it to her lips, and bit down lightly, just enough to draw a small bead of blood. She swallowed it with ease. Wenwu hadn’t expected a rabbit to have such sharp teeth.

"There, the Gray Church’s unique sigil spell is complete. I’ll be able to send information to you directly through telepathy."

"That’s it? Should we give it a trial run?"

"You like flat-chested girls, huh? Guess you’ll make a move on Silver eventually too."

Karida’s voice echoed in Wenwu’s mind. While the spell was evidently effective, Wenwu couldn’t help feeling utterly unimpressed by her choice of message.

"That counts, by the way," Karida added. "You now owe me two nights."

"What? That counted?"

"Of course."

Wenwu sighed and rubbed his temples, suddenly overwhelmed by growing pressure. "We’ve wasted enough time here. Let’s hit the road before the Empire’s goons show up."

"Safe travels. Bye-bye!"

After saying their goodbyes, Wenwu and Silver embarked on their new journey.

"Hey, master, maybe ease up a little, yeah? Don't want to wear your body out too quickly."

"Don’t concern yourself with things that don’t involve you, kid."

"Hmph."

Unimpressed, Silver turned her head away with a pout.

"Hey, master, I’ve been meaning to ask. About what those Blackstreet rats said—the Divine Tree Seed from the Elvenfolk, do you really have it?"

"No. I gave it to the Princess Royal."

"How exactly did you get your hands on the Divine Tree Seed in the first place?"

Wenwu recounted the entire ordeal to Silver.

"Master, you’ve changed. The old you would never have done something like that."

"This..."

Wenwu had no response to Silver’s remark. Perhaps, in some ways, he and the person whose life he now lived were still worlds apart.

Clenching his fists tightly, Wenwu forced out, "I swear, I’ll reclaim the Divine Tree Seed! Sigh..."

"Master, you had a real intensity just then. You kinda ruined it with that sigh at the end, though."

"I... I just don’t know who to trust anymore. I never thought Desmona would sell me out at that crucial moment."

Hearing this, Silver tapped her chest confidently, puffing it out as if to say, "You can trust me!"

Seeing this, Wenwu’s lips curled into a soft smile. Perhaps Silver was the only one in this world who would never betray him.

Not long after Wenwu left, a petite figure appeared beside Karida.

"So, how’d that feel, watching the show just now?"