The Saintess and the Witch

As evening approached, customers gradually began to trickle in.

The people who came to this store to buy things were basically residents of the apartment complex. Chen Xuan had seen the old man standing at the counter choosing cigarettes several times before. It seemed that once a store had been around for a long time, it would naturally attract repeat customers, even a small convenience store in a remote location without a proper sign.

Chen Xuan had considered putting up a new sign and giving the store a more niche name, like "Real Estate Sales" or "Convenience Insurance," to deter most residents and indirectly increase his time to attract special customers.

However, most of his first earnings had been invested in instant noodle trading, and with insufficient capital, he had to abandon this plan for now.

"Speaking of which... if I really put up a used real estate sales sign, wouldn't it also confuse new customers who want to trade abilities?" Chen Xuan muttered to himself as he observed the customers milling about the store.

If they hesitated and decided to turn back, it would be a loss that outweighed the gain.

"Young man, which building do you live in?" The old man handed over the cigarettes he had chosen.

"This one's 22 yuan... Building 6."

"Scan the code," he said, skillfully pulling up his payment QR code. "You look young, are you working or helping your family run the store?"

"I'm working. It's close to where I live, and it's pretty easy. Here are your cigarettes."

Chatting with customers was a piece of cake for Chen Xuan. He also casually used his scanning gun to peek at the old man's abilities.

He discovered that as long as he didn't initiate a trade, the other party wouldn't see the trade window. Of course, scanning like this could only reveal up to four abilities at most. It wouldn't work directly on someone with many abilities to uncover their full hand.

"Business Acumen" LV1, White.

He actually had an ability, Chen Xuan thought.

He had originally assumed everyone had abilities, with only differences in quantity. But as he scanned the customers coming and going, he found that only about half had abilities, and most possessed only one or two. Abilities appeared more frequently in the 10 to 30 age range and were closely related to their identity. For example, he had seen the ability "Broadly Read Through the Ages" twice, and both times the individuals looked like students.

In contrast, the probability of elderly people having blank slates was much higher. Chen Xuan speculated that they must have had things they were good at in their youth, but these skills had gradually faded and been forgotten over time. In other words, abilities were not eternal. They could become stronger with continuous practice by their holder, but they could also fade with aging bodies and memories.

As for someone like himself, who started with four abilities, he was considered a prodigy.

It's just that few people could notice this "talent," and even if they did, it wasn't very useful.

"Ah, young people really need to go out and make their way in the world," the old man said, a hint of disappointment appearing on his face when he heard Chen Xuan's words.

If I said it was my own store, would you ask if I had a girlfriend next?

"I've tried, but I couldn't adapt," Chen Xuan replied with a smile.

"Hmm... Do you have a girlfriend?"

Huh? Why aren't you following the usual script?

Just as Chen Xuan was unsure of the old man's intentions, another customer lifted the curtain and entered the store.

He glanced over subconsciously and immediately realized this person was unusual.

In the pleasant autumn weather when everyone else was still wearing short sleeves and shorts, this person was wrapped in a gray-black cloak, completely concealed. The cloak looked as dirty as if it had rolled around in the mud.

Such an eccentric outfit immediately drew everyone's attention.

Even the old man forgot to ask if he had a girlfriend.

Facing the stares of everyone, the person seemed hesitant, taking a small step back. But soon, as if making up his mind, he walked directly towards Chen Xuan.

"Are you the legendary Emissary Your Excellency?" he asked, walking up to the counter. He leaned forward forcefully, his fists on the counter trembling slightly, as if suppressing his emotions. "I need your help!"

Well, with that tone and wording, I know this guy isn't from this world.

But the scene outside the shop is still a residential area!

How did he get in here?

"What kind of foreign language is he speaking? Can you understand it?" the old man asked, disdainfully putting away his cigarettes. "Why don't we just call the police?"

"Uh... It's fine. He's a friend of mine. He likes playing murder mystery games and gets really into character," Chen Xuan said, looking at the man and holding up a finger. "Shh... Go sit over there. I'll be right with you."

The man seemed to want to say something but ultimately complied.

"I'm dating online, I have several," Chen Xuan then turned back to the old man with a smile. "Thanks for coming. See you next time."

The old man huffed and puffed as he walked out of the store.

After the remaining few customers had also left, he quickly pulled down the rolling shutter and closed the curtains.

Only he and the strange visitor remained in the first-floor shop.

Is this person a new customer?

Why does it feel like he knows me? He called me an Emissary the moment he saw me.

And the title 'Emissary' sounds familiar, like I've heard someone call me that before...

"There's no one else here, you can take off your hood now," Chen Xuan said, pouring him a cup of coffee as usual. "Tell me about your situation. What kind of help do you need?"

"My name is Gilles de Rais," the man said, removing his hood to reveal an extremely haggard face. "I am a general under the Saintess."

Chen Xuan had no reaction to the name, but the mention of "Saintess" instantly reminded him that the girl he parted ways with had also called him that.

"Are you Joan of Arc's subordinate?"

He walked to the counter and immediately checked the man's information.

"Of course... Besides Lady Joan of Arc, no one else deserves the title of Saintess," the man said, lowering his head, his eyes filled with anger and regret. "But she, who achieved great victories for France and led everyone to retake Orléans and Reims, was framed by a despicable villain and thrown into a dungeon! I received reliable news that she will be sent to the stake tomorrow morning!"

What the hell? Chen Xuan couldn't help but be surprised.

Didn't she already change history and avoid capture at Compiègne?

"Let me ask first, how long has it been since the Battle of Compiègne?"

"About... three years."

Three whole years... but originally, only a year passed between Joan of Arc's capture and her execution. History had indeed changed.

Then why couldn't she escape the fate of the stake?

Could it be that damn historical inertia again?

"Take your time and tell me, how was she framed?"

"It's all the fault of a woman named Mad Judy!" Gilles de Rais's head shot up at the mention of the name, killing intent visible in his eyes. "She's the one who practices dark magic, the witch, yet she inexplicably became a honored guest of His Majesty Charles! Not only did His Majesty appoint her as his chief advisor, but he also let her interfere in military matters. This is completely illogical! Now everyone in the royal palace is blinded by this damned witch, obeying her every word... Lord Joan couldn't stand it and spoke out against her, only to be accused of heresy. It's utterly ridiculous!"

Mad Judy? Who was that? Did anyone really have that name? Chen Xuan searched for the keyword but found nothing.

Because history had changed course, a new butterfly effect had emerged?

But who could guarantee that Gilles de Rais was telling the truth? After all, he was just a general who had been leading troops in the field for years, and his knowledge of court affairs was all hearsay. How credible was it still uncertain.

"Lord Joan must not die at the hands of such a person... The Maid of Orléans should not die so ridiculously!" Gilles de Rais growled in a low voice. "With my own strength, I can't possibly break into Chinon Palace where she's imprisoned... It's heavily guarded, not even a bird could fly in. Just as I was about to despair... I suddenly remembered a story she told me, a story about meeting light in the endless darkness and receiving great power from the gods!"

"You are an emissary of the Lord God, you must understand that Lord Joan could never collude with heretics! She is the most devout follower of the Lord! I beg you, let the light dispel the darkness once more!"

So that's how it was.

Chen Xuan mused.

He wasn't here to trade abilities; he had come to this shop to save his superior.

But would this work? Relying on a story from Joan of Arc, would his plea be answered by the shop? This seemed a bit against the principles of business. Or perhaps... because Joan of Arc, as a guest, was already considered a valuable resource to this establishment, they were giving him special treatment?

If that was the case, why didn't Joan of Arc ask for help herself?

With the shop's capabilities, Chen Xuan felt it wouldn't be strange even if it opened a door all the way to a dungeon.

"How did you find this place? Did you go to Compiègne City?"

"No, I was in Chinon, near the royal fortress." Gilles de Rais shook his head. "Lord Joan had told me your story before, and said that as long as one holds a devout heart, the radiance of the Lord God can be seen anywhere. So, with a 'let's give it a try' mindset, I wandered around the alleys of the nearby town... I never expected to find such an incredible shop."

Chen Xuan walked to the window, lifted the curtain, and peered outside.

The sky outside was still dusk, but the buildings lining the street were now low-rise houses with gray tiled roofs. Dry vines climbed the old walls, resembling the weathered face of the man behind him.