Staring at the silver hammer on the ground, its head still bearing traces of uncleaned red earth, the air seemed to freeze for several seconds.
Only the faint clamor outside the window emphasized the silence within the hall.
Yan Huan narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze moving between the hammer and Castorice's flawless, delicate face as he asked probingly,
"Miss, why are you carrying a hammer around with you?"
Castorice's expression did not change. Even her breathing remained perfectly steady.
She bent slightly, moving as elegantly as if plucking a flower, and effortlessly picked up the rather hefty hammer. Her voice was calm.
"Your Excellency misunderstands."
"I heard Okhma City was awaiting reconstruction and urgently needed vigorous development."
"So I thought that bringing a tool might allow me to contribute my modest strength to building the holy city."
As she spoke, she gently placed the hammer on the low table beside her, producing a muffled thud.
"Wow~~"
"You're pretty considerate, huh? You even brought your own construction tools."
"Mm..." Castorice nodded faintly. "People generally say I'm thorough."
However, the moment her words fell—
Clang!
Another crisp metallic impact shattered the brief calm.
This time, a gleaming dagger slipped from the wide sleeve embroidered with faint butterfly-wing patterns.
The dagger had an unusual shape. Its blade was as thin as a cicada's wing and nearly transparent under the light.
Only the edge carried a flowing trace of dark blue, radiating an eerie chill. One look was enough to tell that it was no ordinary object.
Castorice: "..."
Yan Huan's gaze shifted from Castorice's suddenly stiffened lips to the clearly painstakingly crafted weapon on the floor.
"Miss, what is this for, then?"
Castorice fell silent for a moment, and her amethyst eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.
She bent down again and carefully pinched