Foreign Land Reclamation By a Vegetable-growing Skeleton
Chapter 1363 - Chapter 1363 Chapter 924 Concealing the Aura of Poverty

Chapter 1363: Chapter 924: Concealing the Aura of Poverty Chapter 1363: Chapter 924: Concealing the Aura of Poverty “That Black Cord Mercenary Group? What level is god-level?”

“God-level is next to the top level. Apart from uber-godly level, god-level mercenaries are already the second most formidable.”

“They are already the second most formidable? I thought that all the powerhouses here were of this level, but it turns out to be second from the top.”

After asking about some more topics of interest, the Monarch signaled to Ange that they were ready to leave. However, Graystick suddenly pounced forward, trying to hug the Monarch’s leg. The Monarch reacted quickly, lifting his leg and shoving her to the side.

“No, my Lord, you’ve already treated me this way, how can you not take responsibility? Please let me follow you.” Graystick got up on her knees and earnestly pleaded.

“Heh, you want to follow me? Why?” The Monarch, seeing right through what Graystick was after, asked somewhat amused.

“Because you’re majestic, powerful, noble…” Greytick started to flatter him, when the Monarch interjected, “Tell the truth, you know I can see through your soul.”

“Err… You took all my money, oh, no, following you is an opportunity for me to change my fate, please give me this chance,” Graystick said.

“Then I’ll give you two choices, follow me, or take your money and go,” said the Monarch, tossing the bag of Demon Crystals in front of Graystick.

Graystick immediately replied without hesitation, “I choose to follow you, I give you the money as a gesture of my filial piety,” said Graystick while picking up the money bag and presenting it to the Monarch.

The Monarch reluctantly nodded, “Alright, give the money bag to Nagi, from now on you’ll listen to Nagi’s orders.”

Because Graystick chose to follow him, the Monarch and Ange decided not to leave after all, and treated the place as a temporary base. When Nagi returned from gathering information, he went straight inside.

Nagi could not help but give a thumbs-up upon hearing that Graystick volunteered to join, “From now on, you’re no longer a small-time swindler. Good or bad, your future will be different. You really seized your opportunity, smarter than that guy Wrench by far.”

Nagi had learned everything there was to know about the Astrology Institute: “There are two Stargazing Mirrors. One belongs to the Royal Observatory; that one is larger in size, and sees farther, but it’s not open to the public. Only wizards studying Astrology have the credentials to apply to use it, and all the researching wizards have applied for it.”

“The one that’s open to the public is owned by the Astrology Institute, much smaller in size. But because it’s open to the public, it has now become a new cultural trend for nobles to pretend to be cultured and sophisticated. Many people book it for one or two nights, holding banquets, entertaining clients and friends, drinking wine while stargazing and discussing business deals, it’s very popular,” Nagi explained.

The Monarch sighed, “That works too, you people really know how to have fun.”

Nagi chuckled sheepishly, “It’s indeed a great spot, much quieter than those noisy taverns. Those barmaids and maids cling to you just for a slightly bigger tip. This is much better. It makes me want to rent it for a few nights too, to entertain my clients and strengthen our relationships, it’s just that most of them are crude folks who’d rather visit taverns.”

“These past few days, it’s been rented out by the Merchant Federation, accommodating different clients each night for several days. None of the guests know each other from before, as long as you have a ticket, we can easily blend in.”

Upon hearing about the Merchant Federation, Graystick, who was eavesdropping, raised her hand, “My Lord, the Merchant Federation is not a commerce guild, we might not be able to blend in.”

“It’s not a commerce guild, then what is it?” asked the Monarch.

Graystick took out a ring and said, “The Merchant Federation is a religion, worshipping the God of Business. Every follower offers a tithe of one percent and then can purchase all kinds of information from the Merchant Federation. If it’s the Merchant Federation, then those they are entertaining aren’t clients but followers. Half an hour ago, I too was a follower of theirs.”

Nagi exclaimed in surprise, “The Merchant Federation is actually a religion? No wonder I always felt they were secretive and acted strangely. So that’s the deal, a one-percent tax? That’s really cheap, aren’t many denominations collecting a ten-percent tithe? How can they charge so little?”

“Cheap? Others can become followers just by worshipping casually, but here you have to give one percent of your income to become a follower. If it weren’t for the various discount and promotion information they often offer, who would believe in them? However, the core followers pay more than just the one-percent tax; it’s the ten-percent tithe, or even the twenty-percent tax,” Graystick said.

“Discounts? Promotions? What kind of promotion information?” Nagi asked, curious.

“Of course, it’s things like firewood, rice, oil, salt, clothes, hats, bedding, socks, pots, buckets, pans, and the like. They’re really good deals, with discounts of 30% or 20%, buy five get one free, points deduction, free raffles, three items for a silver, and so on.”

“That is indeed quite a deal, is there a god’s name? I might as well believe in it and see,” the two murmured to each other, almost getting off topic.

Getting back to the point, Nagi said, “Isn’t that perfect? You’re a follower of the God of Business. Just use your name to blend in.”

Graystick shook his head desperately, “No, no, they have a keen eye for wealth. They can tell a rich person from a poor person at a glance. An impoverished guy like me would give it away the moment I stepped through the door.”

“You’re poor? Your house is hiding more than eight hundred Demon Crystals, and you’re poor?” Nagi scoffed.

“That’s the money I scam… worked hard for. I’m too stingy to spend it usually, only daring to buy discounted goods, eat nearly expired food, and wear out-of-fashion clothes. Of course, I’m poor; I’ve never been rich in my life,” Graystick defended staunchly.

Nagi assessed her from head to toe, “Indeed, you exude a poverty-stricken aura. So what do we do? I regularly interact with the Merchant Federation, and some of them might recognize me.”

Just when everyone was at a loss, Ange walked over, rubbed his fingers together, and flicked them onto Graystick.

Wood shavings fell onto Graystick, immediately growing into fine tendrils that crawled over Graystick’s body, spreading and intertwining until they formed an exquisite green gown.

Ange lacked a sense of aesthetics, but he had a good memory. The gown grew according to the style of the Elven Priests of Kael’danil. And the aesthetics of the Elves need no mention–stately, lavish, noble, expensive…

“Hisss, this… there’s not a trace of artifice. This is a purely natural gown. Look at its texture, doesn’t it resemble the pattern of tender spring shoots intertwining? It’s brimming with life force yet quite fragile, a touch could wither it. I’ve never seen this style before, but it must be costly. Natural items are expensive, heavens, it’s concealed your impoverished air,” Nagi said, astounded.

Graystick was even more astonished, frozen in place as she urgently spoke, “I don’t dare move, will it get damaged? What should I do, what should I do? Nagi, bring the mirror over, I don’t dare to move.”

“It won’t break, it’s sturdier than clothes,” Ange said.

“Ah? Really?” Graystick tried moving her arms and then stared in amazement, “Eh, it feels so light and fits snugly; I feel like I’m not wearing anything.”

Graystick then became bold, fidgeting with the dress before running back to the bedroom to look at herself in the mirror, from which occasional shrieks and silly laughter could be heard.

After a long while, Graystick came out, shuffling reluctantly. The gown fit even closer to her body, clearly, she had removed her other clothes to wear it directly against her skin.

Pinching the edge of her skirt, Graystick said in a disheartened tone, “I’ve never worn such beautiful clothes. It’s a pity that wearing them lowers their class because of me. My face, skin, and hands just can’t complement it.”

Ange tilted his head, “Believe in me, pray to me.”

Half-doubtful, Graystick prayed to Ange, and then watched as he conjured a holy light that swept across her face, neck, and arms. Her rough skin immediately became as tender, white, and smooth as a peeled egg. A tide of faith surged within Graystick.