"You were supposed to help investigate the missing carriage driver, and you came back with the conclusion that he was eaten by a horse? Why don’t you just say he was born from one!"

The red dragon on the other side of the crystal ball began to rage. On this side, the Sorceress remained utterly calm.

"See? You’re getting worked up again."

She took a light sip of her black tea and let out a comfortable sigh.

Mei Yige fiddled with the flowers on her desk, pondering whether to keep some birds. She was completely unfazed by the Guild President’s fury.

"You!"

"The connections behind this are too tangled for the Adventurers Guild to step in. When will higher-ups issue policies to clearly split Guild duties from local government? Adventurers should stick to adventuring—not playing detective. The Magic Consultant Office shouldn’t overreach."

Tapping her desk, Mei Yige voiced her thoughts. She’d expected to merely assist the local guard as a consultant. Instead, the Guild took the lead. That was a major problem.

If things went south, the Guild would collapse. Her job would vanish.

Carlicart’s furious expression smoothed into calm.

"You know how hard it was for a red dragon like me to become Guild President. I grasp these stakes. Once I handle the dungeon here, I’ll return. But splitting duties isn’t possible. Tata Town needs the Guild for this. It’s not orders from above—it’s the town’s will."

"What exactly are you planning?"

Mei Yige frowned. She was sharp to current events. The bold headline on her morning paper sparked an idea.

"Is this some royal faction’s—"

"No. It’s simply to build a better Tata Town. We can’t leave decisions to officials sent from headquarters."

Carlicart dismissed her guess instantly. She grabbed the crystal ball and showed it briefly to Mei Yige.

"I’ve got a gift for you. Wait—I’ll bring it when I’m back. I also found a reliable assistant."

"Just don’t screw me over."

Mei Yige didn’t care about factions. No one knew Carlicart better than she did—not even her mother. The red dragon wasn’t the sharpest, but she wouldn’t be anyone’s pawn. Even if she were, Mei Yige wouldn’t sit idle. She wanted peace. Anyone disrupting it would lose their life forever. Being ambushed thirty years ago didn’t make her fear anyone. As the Void Witch, one of the era’s strongest Sorceresses, she’d crush anything blocking her path. Why not retaliate against the Hero? Simple: she hated trouble.

"Relax and enjoy Tata Town, Miss Magic Consultant."

Carlicart ended the call. Mei Yige plucked a book from the shelf and flipped through it lazily.

How could she ignore the missing person case? The chaos during her ice machine repair let Hans get attacked. Some entity that took Old Bob’s wish slip from the prayer box fulfilled its promise then—and even gave Hans’s hair to Old Bob. The horse saw a golden-haired, black-clad figure take Hans away.

"Could it be you, Sister Shiren…?"

The hair pointed to Shiren. Tracking via hair faded fast—it only proved recent contact. But why? Was she playing guardian deity?

"Forget it. Don’t overthink."

Suspicious, but no evidence. And since she’d closed the case in Water Fungus Town, it was done. Mei Yige clasped her hands.

"I’ve done my best. Spirits, begone! Don’t ruin my dreams."

She valued sleep over justice for the carriage boy. Mourn the dead, then let them rest. Letting death ruin your life was the dead tormenting the living. She leaned back, closed the unread book, and shut her eyes. What headache would come next?

Rumors spread like wildfire—faster than autumn flames. But this time, it wasn’t the Mage’s doing. News of real divine protection swept Tata Town in half a day.

"Hey, we work devoutly day and night. Why no blessings for us? I’ve lived long, but this is the first time our town’s idols actually manifested."

At lunch, Mei Yige skipped home and ordered flat noodles at a shop. She never expected to bump into Larin again. Larin happily ate mixed noodles with garlic cloves—a true local foodie. The waiter placed condiments on her table without asking.

"Believe, and it exists. Disbelieve, and it doesn’t."

Mei Yige avoided deity talk. A certain blue-haired Goddess had already ruined her luck. Caring too much invited misfortune.

"That makes sense. But ‘strange events hide demons.’ Still, this’ll scare off troublemakers."

Larin chuckled. Diners around them chatted about Hans. A missing outsider carriage driver had given his greatest gift to the town.

"Some people are more useful dead than alive? Ruthless."

"Stay aloof if it’s not your business. Isn’t that our way? Oh—did you see today’s paper? We’re under Mieduan Mountain, but Derade Empire’s close. If talks succeed, our town becomes a city."

Larin’s words reminded Mei Yige of the report. This world held more than just the Kakacha Empire. East lay a great nation, split by the Great Rift Valley. Southeast bordered Derade Empire—a millennium-long rival. With the Demon King gone in the north, western nations waged endless dynastic wars. The two central empires, near-equal in size, couldn’t stay quiet.

"I’d love to buy Derade specialties from you."

"I knew you were practical. Hey, you know what—"

"Not buying anything now."

"You read me better than my mother. Last night, I caught a perfect drinking fish. Want it?"

Larin laughed. First time someone knew exactly what to say to her.

"If it costs money, no thanks."

"Oh, come on! We’re neighbors, buddies. Why talk money? Stop by my shop later—take it as a housewarming gift."

"Housewarming for renting?"

Mei Yige smiled, amused.

"I’ve got sharp eyes. You didn’t rent that place just to live there."

Those words killed Mei Yige’s smile. Was this guy mocking her?