"Grey Rock Pass is indeed a relatively important pass in the Central Old Continent, but I do not know much about spices."
Shade nodded. He was unfamiliar with the area, so even after she introduced the situation, he still did not know its exact location.
Miss Astley did not continue the topic. She reached out and opened the carriage window:
"We have already left the Outer City District, so there is no need to worry about the air quality when opening the window now. Mr. Watson, please enjoy the urban scenery of the 'City of Scholars'—Arcadia City. Until we reach our destination, I will not take the initiative to speak to you again. You can use this time to think carefully about how to deal with me."
She said this considerately, then took out a handkerchief and covered her mouth as she coughed.
Seeing Shade look at her worriedly, the witch smiled and explained:
"Pretending that I am still very weak is extremely beneficial to my current situation. My business partners will know that my health is still poor, my opponents will think I remain as I was before, and my colleagues in the Council will not ask how I temporarily recovered my health."
As she spoke, she coughed several more times, instantly returning to that fragile, heartbreaking appearance from before.
Her acting could rival that of Vanessa, a professional opera actress.
Shade thought to himself, turning to look out the window.
Just then, a newspaper printed with the image of "Lion" Laine giving a speech blew past the window. Riding the wind, it flew through Arcadia City's streets toward the higher reaches of the deep blue sky, while the carriage continued onward along the straight slope. Rows upon rows of houses unfolded on both sides beneath the gentle sunlight.