"----"
An indescribably heavy atmosphere immediately spread through the scene.
Whether they were from Emilia's camp or Anastasia's camp, they exchanged glances, and that oppressive air gradually settled over the gathering.
It couldn't be helped.
For Emilia's camp, the last time they had seen Anastasia was during the Royal Selection a year ago.
Moreover, only Fang Li and Emilia had met Anastasia before. Sylvia, Rem, and Beatrice were only seeing the true face of this renowned merchant for the first time today.
As for Fang Li and Emilia, they had merely met Anastasia once during the Royal Selection.
So even Fang Li was facing Anastasia at such close range for the first time.
Under those circumstances, Fang Li could not help giving Anastasia a careful look.
Of the five Royal Selection candidates, Fang Li had dealt quite extensively with four of them.
There was no need to mention Emilia. He had known Crusch since the White Whale subjugation, had interacted with Felt many times during Elsa's initial attack, and had even come into close contact with Priscilla. He had a fairly thorough understanding of all four Royal Selection candidates.
Only Anastasia had remained unseen by Fang Li since their brief encounter during the Royal Selection.
Compared to the others, Fang Li knew far less about Anastasia.
Naturally, Anastasia was surely the same.
Thus, with a professional smile, Anastasia spoke.
"A year has passed since the Royal Selection. Back then, I never imagined you would do so many surprising things. You even subjugated the White Whale. As a merchant, I was so moved at the time that I cried out loud, you know?"
That was no exaggeration.
The White Whale, one of the Great Beast Trio, could appear at random along any trade route, spewing white mist and continuously endangering the