Chapter 31: A Lord’s Burdens and a Farewell Visit

Late into the night.

Inside his study, Xien finally concluded the day’s arduous affairs, leaning back in his chair with a weary stretch.

Lately, he had been working late into the night, a stark contrast to his past habit of merely glancing over documents before delegating them to his subordinates.

This significant change was inextricably linked to the Saintess.

Firstly, a major undead incident had erupted just outside the city suburbs shortly after the Saintess’s arrival, serving as a harsh lesson for Xien.

Secondly, the city’s affairs had genuinely multiplied in recent days, with many tasks proving too complex for his subordinates to handle alone.

Whenever he recalled the myriad events of the past month, Xien couldn’t help but sigh.

“The Saintess’s influence truly is immense,” he mused aloud.

Ever since news of the Saintess’s arrival in Yarokan City leaked, the city had suddenly surged in renown.

An increasing number of outsiders flocked to Yarokan City, including ordinary people seeking refuge, devout followers of the Saintess, and adventurers drawn by curiosity.

This influx of strangers generated a multitude of large and small issues within the territory, directly increasing his workload as lord to surpass the combined efforts of the past two years.

Yet, it wasn’t entirely a bad development. Imperial soldiers, previously emboldened, no longer dared to venture into the city’s outskirts to mock them.

Moreover, the flow of new blood had directly stimulated the entire territory’s economic growth, with many merchants now keenly observing the prospects of Yarokan City, this small border town.

Consider one industry that Xien found utterly preposterous, yet, upon closer reflection, remarkably logical.

In Yarokan City, there was a single, solitary funeral parlor: the Walnut Peach Reincarnation Hall Coffin Chain Store.

Due to the previous undead incidents in the cemetery outside the city, the Saintess had visited the graveyard twice, performing a complete purification ritual and prayer. Consequently, many now eagerly sought its services.

What, after all, do people fear most?

The inability to rest in peace even after death!

Necromancers, with their twisted minds and perverse ideologies, frequently resurrected the deceased to serve as their undead thralls!

Now, however, this was a cemetery personally purified by the continent’s most powerful priest, the current Saintess of the Holy See!

Even ordinary people felt a sense of spiritual elevation when merely approaching this graveyard, overwhelmed by the sacred aura emanating from it. Necromancers, of course, wouldn’t stand a chance.

Whether it was truly the safest and most suitable place for burial after death was unknown to the common folk. They only knew it was the nearest, most reputable, safest, and free public cemetery!

And so, the Reincarnation Hall’s coffins began selling like hotcakes.

Throughout that month, the coffin shop was perpetually overflowing with customers, all eager to purchase coffins.

The shop owner, a true genius, seized the opportunity to introduce various discounted coffin packages.

These included the “Single Special Package,” the “Second Gravestone Half-Price Package,” the “Deluxe Winged Lovers Package,” and even the “Loving Family Package.”

Upon learning of this, Xien was utterly dumbfounded.

‘Good heavens, could money truly be made like this?’ he wondered.

Although he had no idea how much the owner had earned, the sheer volume of sales suggested it was a considerable sum.

Even Xien himself, taking advantage of the special offers, had discreetly sent his subordinates to procure a “Supreme Noble Deluxe Single Chamber” package.

If even the previously obscure coffin shop could become such a sensation, then any place the Saintess had visited would undoubtedly experience an even greater boom.

In essence, Yarokan City was currently flourishing, thriving in every aspect. While he couldn’t predict how long this prosperity would last, Xien was certain that if the Saintess ever returned, the territory would undergo even more dramatic transformations.

Indeed, following a person of great stature ensured that even those trailing behind would eventually get a taste of the spoils.

Considering that Yarokan City still harbored a relic from the Saintess’s own era, Xien felt an even greater sense of optimism for the future.

Just as Xien was lost in his reverie, a knock echoed at his study door.

*Knock, knock—*

“Enter,” he called.

In good spirits, Xien elegantly dabbed away a trace of drool from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, then looked towards the person who pushed open the door.

It was a young woman, dressed in a black dress, with dark hair and crimson eyes. Her beauty was truly unique in the world, and her graceful stride was utterly captivating.

However, the moment Xien saw her, his body stiffened, and a wave of nervousness washed over him.

“Good evening, Lord Xien.”

“M-Miss Eve, good evening to you too,” he stammered.

Indeed, the visitor was Eve Wells, who had returned from the ancestral home. She was the only person in all of Yarokan City capable of making Xien so utterly flustered.

‘What could Lady Eve want with me?’ he wondered.

‘Had a subordinate made a mistake?’

‘Or had the recent commotion in the territory disturbed her?’

In that instant, Xien’s mind raced, considering all possible reasons for Eve’s visit, many of which he immediately skewed towards the worst-case scenario.

Of course, amidst his frantic thoughts, Xien didn’t forget to personally pull up a chair for Eve.

“Miss Eve, please, have a seat.”

“Thank you,” Eve replied. “Ah, there’s no need to brew tea for me.”

As Eve sat down, she saw Xien diligently reaching for the teapot again and quickly stopped him.

It was late at night, and she certainly hadn’t come to reminisce with Xien.

“My apologies for disturbing you at this hour, Lord Xien,” Eve said. “I have a few matters to discuss with you, but rest assured, it won’t take long.”

Xien paused his movements. He couldn’t explain why, but a faint sense of unease settled in his heart upon hearing her words.

Nevertheless, he managed a smile and replied cautiously, “Please, Miss Eve, there’s no need for formalities. Speak your mind.”

“It’s like this, Lord Xien,” Eve began. “Having been in slumber for so long, my knowledge of the outside world is quite outdated. Would you be able to provide me with a current map of the Kingdom?”

“Of course, Miss Eve, that’s no problem at all,” Xien responded. “If you don’t mind, I have a map right here that you’re welcome to take.”

He harbored no doubts about Eve’s statement. After all, centuries of change had seen the once-glorious kingdom gradually decline.

The older generation often lamented these changes aloud, yet secretly paid close attention to them.

For Eve, an ancient being from the same era as the Saintess, such a request was hardly surprising.

Xien rose and retrieved a well-preserved parchment map from a nearby bookshelf, then presented it to Eve.

Eve accepted it, nodded, and softly uttered another “Thank you” before unfolding the map and studying it intently.

Throughout this time, Xien stood by silently, not making a single sound.

He had to admit, the girl before him, her gaze lowered in concentration as she perused the map, possessed a unique beauty.

Time had left virtually no trace on her face; her skin remained fair, like that of a young maiden. It was difficult to reconcile her composed and steady demeanor with such a youthful appearance.

After a long while, Eve folded the map and exhaled softly.

She then looked at Xien, who had been waiting patiently, and offered an apologetic smile.

“My apologies, Lord Xien, for making you wait so long.”

Xien shook his head repeatedly, responding earnestly, “Not at all, Miss Eve. Your matters are always of paramount importance.”

“You jest, Lord Xien,” Eve said, a faint smile touching her lips. “There’s nothing so crucial about it.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Eve steered the conversation back to its purpose.

“Lord Xien, there is actually one more matter I came to discuss with you.”

“The Saintess has departed, and I am preparing to return to my slumber. I came specifically to bid you farewell, lest you worry when you cannot find me.”