Chapter 28 (Volume 2 Start): Miss Yiluo Is Lying Again!

The Elva Empire, under the influence of the Holy Church, sat in the northeastern region of the Western Continent, bordering the demi-human nations beyond the Sealed Demon Mountain Range and the Landing Plains.

Following the empire’s southern border, passing the Arkanthi Empire and five more nations, one would eventually reach a small town near the edge of the primal forest.

It was famous for forging and was the closest western settlement to Chaldea City.

Today, the town’s century-old, single-heir blacksmith shop welcomed two beautiful young ladies.

A muscular blacksmith in his thirties hammered endlessly at a glowing piece of metal.

Sparks burst with each strike.

Sweat rolled down his tanned, firm face.

His entire focus was on the blade he was forging—
so much so that he didn’t notice the two girls entering his shop.

“Heyyy~ Mister Muscles~”

“A noble customer has arrived to spend money~”

A silver-haired girl, appearing about thirteen or fourteen, wore a large straw hat that shaded half her delicate, youthful face.

A finely made white dress fluttered lightly around her petite frame, cute sandals decorating her feet—
she was the very picture of innocent charm.

Standing about four and a half meters from the blacksmith, she leaned forward slightly, cupped her hands like a tiny megaphone, and called out in a cheerful, soft voice.

“Miss Yiluo, the blacksmith doesn’t seem to hear you at all. He’s too focused. Should I call him instead?”

Behind the girl stood a sixteen-year-old silver-haired cat-eared maid.

Her slender limbs and curvy figure contrasted beautifully, her crimson eyes fixed on the girl beside her.

Her cheeks were pink, and the little cat ears beneath her headdress twitched adorably.

These two visitors were none other than Yiluo and Yi Coco.

Coco watched Yiluo acting cute and couldn’t help wanting to intervene—
but being ignored was an insult to her master.

As a maid, she had the duty to fix that.

But just as Coco stepped forward, Yiluo stretched out a small white arm to block her.

“Don’t. It’s… kind of fun.”

Coco noticed the subtle smirk beneath Yiluo’s hat and sighed.

Her master, Miss Yiluo,
was definitely about to cause trouble again.

During the ten days of travel, Yiluo had robbed three nobles, tricked seven merchants, fainted eleven Church followers, and—most absurdly—spent an afternoon drinking tea with two bishops while praising the Lord and condemning the “outrageous thieves and liars plaguing society.”

Meanwhile, poor Coco had gone from terrified…
to becoming extremely proficient in acting alongside her master.

Dang—dang—dang—

The hammer rhythm continued steadily.

Yiluo stepped slightly closer, still outside the range of flying sparks.

She cupped her hands again like a small trumpet and raised her voice:

“Forty! … Forty! … Forty! …”

Her voice blended with the hammering, creating a strange harmonious rhythm.

Without realizing it, the blacksmith adjusted his movements, syncing with her calls.

When Yiluo suddenly changed from “40” to “80,” her tone becoming stronger, the blacksmith’s hammering also grew more forceful and faster—
and under this strange coordination, a remarkably well-shaped blade began to take form.

By the time they reached the final strike, the blacksmith lifted his hammer high, exhilarated.

He didn’t know who the girl was—
but he silently thanked her for motivating him.

If she bought a weapon, he’d give her a 20% discount!

With that joyful thought, he hammered down heavily at Yiluo’s shout of:

“Three hundred twenty!”

Splat—

The overpowered strike bent the nearly finished sword in half.

“Ah—pfft—”

Coco burst out laughing.

As expected of Miss Yiluo—
mischievous to the core.

“Wh—what???”

The blacksmith froze, staring in horror at the ruined masterpiece.

Tears of heartbreak filled his eyes.

He threw the hammer aside and turned—
ready to scold the girl who ruined his rhythm—

Only to meet a tiny maiden with big watery eyes, lips trembling, fists held tightly as if cheering, looking like she might cry at any moment.

Every harsh word in his throat evaporated instantly.

With such a pure, beautiful girl looking that pitiful—
how could he blame her!?

“Handsome big brother… was it because I tried to cheer you on, but messed up the timing… and made you ruin your sword?”

“It must be my fault, right?”

“It’s all my fault that blacksmith big brother didn’t hammer it properly…”

The blacksmith panicked.

“No no no! It was my fault! I misjudged the force—how could such a cute young lady be at fault?”

“Don’t blame yourself! Really!”

“What would such a lovely customer like to buy?”

“I have decorative swords, practical weapons for servants, premium gifts—everything!”

“And! For you, a special discount—20% off anything!”

Seeing her tear up again, he frantically waved his hands.

“All… all 20% off?”

Yiluo blinked her tearful eyes in surprise, admiration sparkling within them.

“How could I ever trick someone as beautiful and adorable as you? Do I look like someone who lies?”

Yiluo: “Nope~”

“Exactly! Pick anything! If you want a custom piece—fine! Since you came today, I’ll give you 30% off!”

He thumped his chest with pride.

Where else would he ever meet such a perfect, innocent angelic girl?

Not giving her a near-cost price would be a sin!

“Oh, Coco, hand Mister Muscles the Holy Ring of Heavenly Judgment.”

The sudden shift in tone—
from soft and cute to calm and commanding—
nearly made the blacksmith choke.

The tears vanished.

The cuteness vanished.

The “handsome big brother” became “Mister Muscles.”

He was stunned.

And then he saw the sword Coco handed over.

The ancient aura.

The metallic scent of blood.

The impossible weight.

This was not something an ordinary girl should possess.

Worse—
it looked EXACTLY like the Church’s holy relic.

His hands trembled.

“This sword… young lady…?”

Yiluo waved casually.

“A replica~ Coat it with the best metal. Good durability. Must be very pretty and fancy~”

The blacksmith looked at Yiluo.

Then the sword.

Then Yiluo again.

Sweat poured down his forehead.

Replica???
This was NOT a replica!!!

The girl before him—
could she be THAT demon witch the Church was hunting?

The one who destroyed a city and killed two Radiant Knights!?

She… she looked just like the wanted poster—

“Mister Muscles? What’s wrong? You can’t forge it?”

Yiluo tilted her head, smiling sweetly.

A cold glint flickered in her eyes—
and the blacksmith nearly fainted.

“I-I can! I’ll start right away!”

“Hehe~ thank you, Mister Muscles.”

“If it doesn’t turn out well, I’ll come back for you.”

“And don’t tell anyone, okay? I hear forging holy relic copies is… frowned upon~”

She smiled sweetly.

He nearly collapsed.

“Yes!! Yes!! Of course!!”

Just as the blacksmith was praying to finish quickly and survive—

A Church knight stepped into the shop.

His heart dropped to the floor.

Oh no.

Ohhhh no.

I’m dead.

.

.

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(Author’s note)

Thanks to Tonkotsu Ramen-sama for the Emperor-rank reward!

Although Jiaqi is saving up drafts, unless there’s terrible writer’s block, updates will continue with double releases or 4000+ characters this month.

Special thanks to all readers for your support—
your donations, monthly votes, and likes.

Jiaqi sees them all and is deeply grateful!