Recaps

Claire arranged for Wendy to perform a story for Sophia and invited Wendy to work in Nafu City before leaving the royal capital. Sirian arrived too late to see Claire, and Shane revealed Sophia had arranged his admission to the Knight Academy.

• Wendy performed the mermaid story for Claire and Sophia, who praised it and agreed to help promote it.
• Claire paid Wendy five hundred Gold Coins and offered her a bard position in Nafu City; Wendy then tried to order everything in the menu's most expensive row, which contained music.
• Claire left the royal capital for Nafu City, explaining that she needed to oversee cooperation with the great nobles.
• Sirian rushed to the Tulip Shop hoping to see Claire, but Shane told him she had already left and promised to arrange a light punishment for his unauthorized departure from the Knight Academy.
• Sirian said Sophia had arranged his admission to the Knight Academy, and Shane confirmed that she was Claire's friend.

Claire oversaw Nafu City’s expanding West District and announced that the new shops would hire local residents. At the job fair, she found that her appearance earned her an offer to work as a greeter, so she moved on to inspect the next booth.

• Regan reported that forty-five merchants had signed contracts and that construction crews were returning to Nafu City, while Claire told him to prioritize the West District’s construction.
• Over the following weeks, Nafu City’s residents watched the West District transform as construction supplies poured in and the Water Cloud Beast shaded the workers.
• Claire posted a notice announcing that shops in the West District would recruit local clerks, with base pay of fifty Silver Coins and possible bonuses exceeding one Gold Coin.
• Residents flocked to the job fair, where thirty-five shop entrances screened applicants and managers asked to see their résumés.
• Claire visited a recruitment booth, but its manager offered her a well-paid greeter job because of her looks; she left to check the next booth.

Claire arranged for the massive mermaid statue modeled on Eve to be moved to Nafu City’s northern district, where Teklin would lead the craftsmen in refining it. The statue arrived safely, and Claire left its final design and nighttime glow in Teklin’s hands.

• Claire learned that the statue’s rough form had been completed and told Regan to have Nafu City’s craftsmen prepare to refine it.
• Claire found townspeople gathered around the statue at the city gate, but they scattered when they saw her because they feared breaking her safety order.
• Isaac arrived in his modified airship, and he and Claire used Levitation Spells and the airship to transport the statue safely over the city.
• Claire appointed Teklin to lead the statue’s finishing work and asked him to make it strikingly beautiful and use luminous materials so it would glow at night.

Wendy’s mermaid story grew popular in the royal capital, drawing large crowds and generous tips. A manager from the Dayas Opera House invited her to stage the story there, and Wendy eagerly agreed to begin rehearsals.

• Wendy performed the mermaid’s story daily in the Outer City, improving her storytelling as her audiences and tips grew.
• Residents debated whether the prince would return to the Mermaid Princess, and a girl stormed off after arguing with a boy about it.
• After a performance, Wendy guarded her tips from a group of imposing men until their elderly manager explained they were Dayas Opera House enforcers.
• The manager invited Wendy to stage the mermaid’s story at the opera house and offered at least two thousand Gold Coins per performance plus a share of ticket sales.
• Wendy accepted the offer and began gathering her belongings, insisting on carrying them herself.

Wendy’s performances of Mermaid Princess made her famous in the royal capital, and she even sold two complimentary tickets at a huge markup. After watching Wendy perform, Sophia met with her and offered her a job.

• Wendy’s Mermaid Princess tickets became so sought after that a young nobleman paid one thousand Gold Coins for two tickets from a hooded seller.
• The young couple recognized Wendy as the ticket seller when she appeared onstage, but they were eventually drawn into her performance.
• After the show, Wendy learned that Sophia, the owner of the Dayas Opera House, wanted to meet her.
• Sophia praised Wendy’s improvement and offered her anything she wanted if she would work for her.

Sophia tried to recruit Wendy by revealing that she had manufactured Morey's fame and offering to make Wendy a renowned bard. Wendy declined and decided to seek out Claire in Nafu City, while Sophia arranged for her Mermaid Princess performances to spread to other cities.

• Sophia told Wendy that she had built Morey's reputation through promotion and said Wendy's own success depended on Claire's story and Sophia's support.
• Sophia offered to shape Wendy's public image and make her famous throughout the kingdom if she worked for her.
• Wendy remembered Claire's offer of a bard-related position and chose to pursue her love of storytelling instead of fame and money.
• Wendy told Sophia she would finish performing the Mermaid Princess story, then go to Nafu City to find Claire.
• Sophia accepted Wendy's decision but arranged for her to perform in other cities in a week and again urged her to reconsider.

Claire prepared new attractions for Nafu City and recruited Eve to portray the Mermaid Princess for visitors. Eve agreed to appear at a designated seaside location every few weeks, while Claire planned to protect her and use the rare sightings to encourage tourism.

• Regan told Claire that the Mermaid Princess statue had been installed at the city gate, and Claire explained how she had turned the surrounding area into a plaza and the Magic Airship into a paid sightseeing attraction.
• Claire checked on the western district's progress, then visited Rona and Eve at the hospital courtyard.
• Rona told Claire that the Magic Fruit tree was close to bearing fruit, and Eve asked what Claire would teach her that day.
• Claire taught Eve to act as the Mermaid Princess by gazing toward shore, and explained that Eve would appear only once every few weeks to make sightings feel rare.
• Eve agreed to the arrangement, and Claire said she would oversee Eve's safety.

People across several cities heard rumors that a real mermaid had been spotted near Nafu City, spreading excitement and prompting plans to travel there. The chapter ended with a Griffin Barony convoy trading information about the mermaid for entry into another city, as its captain hurried to report the news to the lord.

• Two women told a gentleman that the mermaid was a character in Mermaid Princess, and he claimed a mermaid had been seen near Nafu City.
• The gentleman showed the women Nafu City's location on a map, then wrote in his notebook that the Viscount's method was working.
• A supposedly drunk man told a tavern that he had seen a mermaid near Nafu City, and the crowd grew eager to visit.
• The man revealed to his companions that his performance had been staged as part of the Viscount's plan to spread the rumor.
• A Griffin Barony convoy leader offered the city captain information about the mermaid instead of the entry fee, and the captain let the convoy in before rushing to report to the lord.

Claire’s promotion of the mermaid story drew Princess Irene’s interest, and she decided to visit Nafu City. After receiving word of her plans, Claire ordered preparations to ensure her visit went smoothly and boost the city’s reputation.

• Claire promoted the mermaid story across the kingdom, drawing travelers’ attention to Nafu City.
• Irene asked Sophia about the mermaid and learned that traces of one had reportedly appeared in Griffin Barony.
• Sophia told Irene that Griffin Barony belonged to Viscount Griffin, who had given her the Heart-shaped Crystal.
• Irene told Sophia she wanted to travel to Griffin Barony to see the mermaid.
• Claire received Sophia’s letter announcing Irene’s visit and told Regan that it was excellent news.
• Claire ordered the city cleaned, patrols increased, and other preparations made to welcome Irene.

Claire prepared Nafu City for Princess Irene’s visit by having Rona grow flowers in the southern district and Regan organize a street-cleaning effort. The next morning, Claire and Hant waited with the knights for the royal procession, while Claire noticed powerful mages secretly guarding the princess.

• Claire took Rona to the southern district, where residents had planted flower seeds, and asked her to use Growth Spells to decorate the houses.
• Rona grew exhausted after tending more than a hundred households, but resumed working after resting and learning that Princess Irene would arrive the next day.
• Regan directed the Water Cloud Beast to wash the western district’s streets, then organized residents to clean up the rainwater.
• Claire brought Hant and the knights to meet Princess Irene’s approaching procession, and noticed Archmage-level mages guarding the princess.

Claire welcomed Princess Irene to Nafu City and guided her there on the Wolf King while trying to shape her first impression of the city. Irene arrived to an enthusiastic reception, where Melly gave her flowers on Claire’s behalf.

• Claire greeted Irene without kneeling, and Hayden criticized her before Irene intervened and invited Claire to call her by name.
• Irene asked to ride the wolves, and Claire took her to Nafu City on the Wolf King despite Hayden’s warning.
• Claire told Irene about Nafu City and joked that Sophia owed her tens of millions of Gold Coins.
• Irene entered Nafu City to cheers and remarked on how happy its residents seemed.
• Melly gave Irene a large bouquet and said Claire had told her to do it, surprising Claire.

Claire showed Irene Nafu City's sights and specialties, then used a story about the city's past hunger to persuade her to try dried shredded squid. Irene rebuked Hayden for interfering and threatened to remove him from her side during the trip.

• Claire brought Irene to see Nafu City's mermaid statue, while residents greeted her enthusiastically.
• Claire introduced Irene to Iodized Salt and began offering her dried shredded squid, but Hayden slapped the food from his hand.
• Claire ate the squid after it fell, then told Irene how Nafu City's residents had once suffered from hunger and how he had vowed to feed them.
• Irene asked Claire for some squid, but Hayden objected, so Irene told him to be quiet and defended her choice to stay close to the people.
• Claire withdrew the squid and looked fearful of Hayden, prompting Irene to threaten that Hayden would not remain by her side if he continued interfering.

Claire took Irene around Nafu City and brought her to the school, where Irene read a story to the children. The children’s lesson from Snow White surprised Irene when they concluded they should never eat food from strangers.

• Irene enjoyed dried shredded squid, and Claire gave her the rest of the packet while provoking Hayden.
• Claire took Irene through the flower-lined Residential Area, which made Irene say she was beginning to like Nafu City.
• At the school, Claire persuaded Irene to let Hayden wait outside while the maids accompanied her.
• The children greeted Claire enthusiastically, and Irene agreed to tell them a story from Claire’s book.
• Irene read Snow White to the students, who said its lesson was not to eat food given by strangers.

Claire questioned Irene’s admiration of Snow White, prompting Irene to reconsider what the tale praised. Claire then took Irene to Nafu City’s market, where Irene eagerly bought ingredients at extravagant prices, and they set off to make lunch.

• Claire asked Irene what Snow White’s story taught, then challenged the idea that beauty alone deserved praise.
• Irene accepted Claire’s point and playfully bristled when Claire teased her about being a princess.
• Hayden met Irene and Claire outside the school, and Claire suggested they get lunch.
• Claire took Irene to the market, where Irene happily paid far above the asking prices for ingredients.
• Irene carried her purchases to the Wolf King, and Claire said they would make a local pork-knuckle dish for lunch.

Claire brought Irene to the kitchen and taught her to help make egg fried rice. Irene struggled to crack the eggs but helped prepare them, then tasted the finished dish and praised it as delicious.

• Claire took Irene to the kitchen and invited her to learn how to cook.
• Yuna greeted Irene and washed the vegetables Claire had brought.
• Claire taught Irene to crack and beat eggs, and Irene struggled through the steps.
• Claire cast a protective spell on Irene, then cooked the eggs and rice herself.
• Irene tasted the egg fried rice and said it was delicious.
• Yuna returned with the washed ingredients, and Claire began preparing them while Yuna watched.

Claire cooked Dongpo Pork Knuckle and several other dishes for Irene, who was impressed by the food and learned more about Claire from Yuna. After lunch, Claire arranged for Irene to rest before their afternoon sightseeing trip to the shore where mermaids appeared.

• Claire cooked a meal for Irene while Yuna told Irene about Claire's deeds in Nafu City.
• Irene realized the citizens' affection was really for Claire and grew impressed by him.
• Claire served Irene Dongpo Pork Knuckle, Twice-Cooked Pork, Sichuan Boiled Fish, and egg fried rice, and Irene praised the food.
• Claire told Irene that a princess should learn to love and benefit the people, making Irene happy.
• Claire invited Irene to rest before visiting the shore, and Yuna led her to her prepared room.

Claire modified Isaac’s airship and took Irene aboard to see the mermaid, while hiding the trip’s true purpose from her. The airship flew over Nafu City, where Irene admired the view and asked Claire whether his streetlights made money.

• Claire had Regan summon Rona and bring Eve back after Irene left, then worked with Isaac on modifying the airship.
• Irene found Claire and Isaac at the Academy of Sciences and stayed to watch them work.
• After the airship was finished, Claire kept Hayden from boarding by claiming it could carry only two people, and Irene agreed to go with him.
• Claire guided the airship toward the coast as Irene enjoyed the flight and looked down at Nafu City’s lights.
• Irene asked whether Claire’s streetlights made money, and Claire told her they did not.

While steering the airship, Claire and Irene talked about Claire’s reasons for helping Nafu’s residents and played a question game to get to know each other. After Claire teased Irene about romance, Irene asked whether Claire currently liked someone.

• Claire explained to Irene that she valued the residents’ smiles more than profit and that their happiness made her happy too.
• Irene realized she knew little about Claire, so she suggested they ask each other questions and promised not to lie.
• Claire said she had last cried months earlier after her father died, then described her ideal love as quiet and full of everyday warmth.
• Claire joked that the most romantic thing would be taking an airship with a princess to see mermaids, making Irene blush.
• Irene calmed down and asked Claire whether she had someone she liked now.

Claire took Irene to see Eve on the reef, and their conversation left Irene confessing her feelings for him. Irene asked Claire to watch the sunrise with her as she leaned against his shoulder, while Eve finished her appearance and swam away.

• Claire brought Irene to the coast and waited with her for Eve to appear on the reef.
• Claire described the sights Irene could see beyond palace life, and Irene shared stories from her childhood as they talked.
• Claire pointed out Eve when she appeared, and Irene admired the mermaid while asking whether she was waiting for a prince.
• Irene worried that she might end up like the mermaid, kissed Claire's cheek, and asked him to watch the sunrise with her.
• Eve left the reef and swam toward the predetermined direction.

After Irene left Nafu City, Claire considered upgrading his trade panel to reach better traders. He spent one last Trade Point on food from a culinary plane, then used ten more to begin the upgrade, which left him waiting as the trade plane changed.

• Irene spent the dawn watching the sunrise with Claire, then returned to her usual behavior after they got off the airship.
• Claire showed Irene around Nafu City and its new amusement park over the next few days.
• Irene departed, told Claire she would visit again, and proudly showed him that his pink crystal gift worked.
• Claire weighed the benefits of upgrading his trade panel against keeping his current rate of earning Trade Points.
• Claire traded one Trade Point for a huge pumpkin that granted night vision and then spent ten Trade Points to upgrade the trade plane.
• Claire watched the plane become shrouded in mist for nearly half an hour, then fell asleep without seeing further changes.

Claire used the upgraded trading panel to match with Hong Qi, a gravely wounded cultivator who needed a life-prolonging treasure. She discovered the panel could identify his wares, and Hong Qi withheld his cultivation techniques until Claire agreed to find what he needed.

• Claire spent her restored Trade Point to start a trade and matched with the dying cultivator Hong Qi.
• Hong Qi asked Claire for something to prolong his life, explaining that he had exhausted his life force while escaping.
• Claire claimed she could obtain a suitable treasure and asked Hong Qi what he could offer in exchange.
• Hong Qi showed Claire his pills, magical artifacts, and cultivation techniques, while the upgraded panel displayed information about each item.
• Hong Qi noticed Claire wanted the cultivation techniques and put them away, insisting she trade him the life-prolonging item first.

Claire and Hong Qi negotiated over Hong Qi’s cultivation methods, with Hong Qi seeking a way to restore his lost life force. They traded two Trade Points and an Advanced Healing Potion, leaving Hong Qi with temporary relief and Claire owing him a life-restoring potion within two months.

• Hong Qi showed Claire his cultivation methods, and Claire said she wanted the Crimson Firmament Scripture and Frost Ghost Technique.
• Claire explained that she needed two months to recover enough Trade Points, so Hong Qi offered two of his own to speed up their trade.
• Claire accepted the Trade Points and gave Hong Qi an Advanced Healing Potion, which eased his injuries and gave him hope she could find a life-restoring potion.
• Hong Qi sent Claire a friend request, and Claire accepted, spending one Trade Point.
• Claire messaged Hong Qi that the potion was meant for external use, and Hong Qi applied the remaining half to his wounds after drinking the rest.

Claire received Sophia in Nafu City and learned that the King had sent her to discuss Claire’s relationship with Irene. Sophia explained that the King wanted Claire to avoid hurting Irene and to let their relationship develop naturally, leaving Claire with some freedom as long as he meant her no harm.

• Regan told Claire that a beautiful woman had come to see him, and Claire guessed she was Sophia before learning she had gone sightseeing in Nafu City.
• Sophia arrived at Claire’s reception room with gifts from local men, praised the city, and said she had investments there.
• Sophia revealed that the King knew Irene had kissed Claire and spent the night holding his arm, as witnessed by the two Archmages.
• Claire nervously asked what the King intended and promised to do whatever was required to protect himself.
• Sophia explained that the King neither wanted Claire to reject Irene nor gave permission for them to be together; he wanted Claire to let things develop naturally and harbor no ill intentions toward Irene.

Claire asked Sophia where to find something that could replenish life force for an experiment, and learned that a life-extending potion would be auctioned in the Royal Capital. Sophia gave her an invitation, leaving Claire to prepare to bid against the nobles.

• Sophia teased Claire about winning Irene's affection, and Claire joked with her about borrowing money.
• Claire asked Sophia about treasures or potions rich in life force, and Sophia explained that such potions were scarce and cost around five million Gold Coins.
• Sophia told Claire that a life-extending potion would be auctioned in a few days at a duke's auction house.
• Claire decided to attend the auction and bid, and Sophia offered her an invitation instead of lending her money.
• Sophia asked to ride Claire's airship, but Claire claimed it was being repaired, so Sophia left disappointed.

Claire brought Heart-shaped Crystals to Shane and planned a wedding-centered campaign to sell them as symbols of love. He received Sophia’s auction invitation and borrowed three million from Shane to prepare for a purchase.

• Claire arrived in the royal capital and showed Shane the new Heart-shaped Crystals for the Tulip Shop.
• Claire suggested that Shane promote the crystals through Wendy’s performance and Irene’s endorsement.
• Claire proposed giving a crystal to Duke Charlie’s wife at their wedding and using newspapers to market it as an essential wedding gift.
• Shane called Claire the biggest bastard for devising a scheme that pressured husbands to buy the crystals.
• Claire accepted Sophia’s auction invitation and borrowed three million from Shane for the auction.