Katharine's Taste

Jielusi then cast a spell. Dressed in a magnificent Rococo gown and holding a white staff, she spun around, swirling up the thick snow around her and scattering it evenly over the scorching charcoal.

The snow hisses as it comes into contact with the hot coals, creating plumes of white mist that form a unique scene in the morning light.

"Don't sprinkle too much, or you'll wet the charcoal," Newman gestured with his bone claws, giving a clear reminder. "Try to spread it evenly."

"Understood!" Jielusi focused intently on adjusting the intensity of the spell, ensuring that every part received the appropriate cooling.

With all her might, beads of sweat appeared on the priestess's forehead.

Soon, with everyone's cooperation, the temperature of the charcoal dropped to a safe level. Newman nodded in satisfaction, indicating that the cooling process could be stopped.

With the fire-prevention spell lifted, everyone sprang into action, breaking up the remaining large chunks of charcoal. Skeleton servants and Frostmane Giant Wolf pulled carts, methodically transporting the broken charcoal back to the Youth Civilization.

Black charcoal dust swirled in the sunlight. Jielusi looked down at her elaborately decorated long dress and sighed helplessly. The delicate lace and ribbon embellishments on the hem were now blackened by charcoal ash, making her look particularly disheveled.

As for Zijin, she specially changed into a drab gray work uniform today, and her hair was wrapped tightly with a large headscarf, obviously she had come prepared in advance.

Jielusi returned to the carriage and asked Younier, who was doing inventory checks, for help, "Could you lend me a suitable outfit for work?"

Su Ming, who was typing on the keyboard in the workspace, looked up and asked in confusion, "I noticed you brought quite a lot of luggage when you came?"

"... The box was full of similar styles." Jielusi's expression was indescribable.

Su Ming was even more puzzled. "This trip, is it for official business?"

During these few days together, Jielusi was not very talkative, but she was diligent and conscientious in her work, and she was completely devoid of the spoiled airs of a noble lady. Logically speaking, even if she had preferences for clothing, she would not have left out any practical clothes.

"I was tricked by Lady Katharine," Jielusi bluntly told the truth. "Before we set off, she told me I couldn't lose face in front of Bone King and Bay Owl, and insisted that I wear my most magnificent ceremonial robes."

It turns out that the long dress was a ceremonial gown that the girl had kept hidden away; no wonder the material was so exquisite and the pattern so delicate.

"Lady Katharine prepared several trunks of clothes for me and insisted that I take them. While I wasn't looking, she switched the luggage I had originally packed," Jielusi continued, a look of helplessness on her face. "When I was packing, I discovered that the elaborate ceremonial dress I was wearing was actually the simplest one among them!"

Su Ming and Younier couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Younier lent Jielusi a set of work clothes and asked Jielusi to bring her a few pieces of those Lolita-style clothing. "I'm pretty good at sewing, I'll try to alter them for you."

"Thank you so much!" Jielusi said with a sigh of relief.

"When we get to the next village, I'll collect some dye to help cover up the patterns on your clothes," Younier said.

Su Ming to have an idea. He took out a copy of the "Green Bamboo Slip), unfolded it, and brought up a quick sketch.

He showed it to Jielusi, which featured Katharine and young Yise. Katharine looked exactly the same as she did now, but little Yise was like a doll. The little girl wore a lace tutu, a Bonnet hat, and an exaggerated Butterfly at the back, and held a parasol covered in flowers in her tiny hand.

Jielusi laughed out loud, "Yise, you've been through that too!"

"Katharine actually has such a bad habit." Su Ming shook his head while laughing, "So now that Yise isn't falling for it, he's going after you instead."

"Lady Katharine has been very kind to me... in other aspects," Jielusi explained, then requested, "Mr. Su, could you please make a copy of this painting for me?"

"Sure, just don't betray me."

"Of course!" Jielusi smiled.

After changing into her work clothes, Jielusi returned to the forest and joined the work team. New kilns were opened one after another, and charcoal was continuously transported to the Youth Civilization and neatly stacked in the cargo cars.

In the afternoon, everyone started the last charcoal kiln. The same familiar forced cooling process was followed, and then everyone rushed in to empty the charcoal from it.

After completing their mission, the two charcoal burners were sent back to their village by Jielusi, who also erased their memories of the past two days, allowing them to return home with the gold coins.

Once the last piece of charcoal was in place, the Youth Civilization emitted its familiar hum and set off into the night, heading towards the future.

--

Alva Territory, Lord's Residence.

The early winter sun shone into the courtyard, where Leoni was feeding several country dogs. His own battle pet—a majestic and ferocious silver wolf—had perished in the battle of Crescent Forest a year ago. Since then, he had lost all interest in taming new battle pets. Occasionally, when he missed them, he would come and play with these ordinary animals for a while.

He put down his food bowl and heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw his younger brother, Libro, standing at the entrance of the courtyard with a stranger.

"Good day, Your Excellency Leoni!" The visitor removed his hat and bowed. "My name is Jeffrey, and I am a special envoy sent by Princess Dafulin."

Leoni nodded slightly in return, but his gaze shifted to his younger brother, his brow furrowing slightly. He never participated in the specific affairs of the territory, nor did he like to be bothered by such trivial matters; he always left them to Libro to handle.

"It's like this, brother." Libro glanced at Jeffrey, "Princess Dafulin has something she'd like your help with. In return, she's promised to reduce our territory's taxes for three years."

"When did we become unable to pay taxes?" Leoni sneered, then turned sharply to his brother and demanded, "Tell me the truth, what exactly happened!"

Under his brother's intense scrutiny, Libro was forced to reveal the truth: he had secretly transferred the manor guards to the Lords' Alliance Army. Now that Jimite was dead, Princess Dafulin was beginning to purge the rebellion.

For a moment, Leoni wanted to beat his younger brother to death. As long as he was around, the family could maintain its foundation without having to take sides.

"What advice does Princess Dafulin have for me?" Leoni gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain calm and refrain from doing anything pointless. He turned to the princess's envoy, Jeffrey, "I have nothing to say about the punishment that is due, but if you wish to go further—"

Since being wounded in that brutal battle, Leoni's strength has plummeted from the Saint Rank, and he is no longer the fearsome "Icefield Nightmare" he once was.

If Dafulin pushes too far, Leoni will show her that even an old dog has a few teeth.

"Leoni," Jeffrey began, finally having his turn to speak, "Your esteemed domain has always been a model in upholding the Northern Lands Lords' Covenant and protecting the rights of its people. Therefore, Princess Dafulin is willing to reach a reconciliation with your domain this time."

Upon hearing this, Leoni's tone softened slightly, "How do you intend to reconcile?"

"Two conditions," Jeffrey said, "One-sixth of the territory, to be placed under royal supervision."

A flicker of surprise crossed Leoni's eyes. This was far more lenient than he had anticipated; was Dafulin planning to let them go?

"The second condition?" Leoni pressed.

"I hope Your Excellency can personally travel to Lisi City to conduct an investigation," Jeffrey said.

The explosion at the Asitake residence caused severe damage, and the subsequent vandalism and arson completely erased any trace of the incident. Although the investigation has so far found nothing suspicious, Princess Dafulin, out of caution, still hopes to find out the details of her kidnapping.

"Right now, looking across the entire kingdom, I'm afraid only Leoni can accomplish this," Jeffrey said sincerely.

Although Leoni has always abhorred getting involved in political turmoil, and Princess Dafulin is not an easy person to deal with, it's not something he should refuse if it's just about using his ability to rewind time.

"I can make the trip to Lisi City," he agreed.

--

The following morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, the massive White Bone Train arrived at Hard Rock Canyon.

Only now did Su Ming begin the first comprehensive preparation and maintenance of the new motorcycle.

Because the Doomsday Train's structure was much more complex than before, and since it was their first time operating it, everyone had to watch tutorials while working. Fortunately, the engineers from Precision Machinery Heavy Industries had prepared detailed video tutorials beforehand. Hansite and his team held tablets and carefully followed the steps in the videos to carry out the operation.

Newman joined them with two black and white skeletons. Surprisingly, after just one night, the two skeletons became much more agile, handing over tools, helping out, and running around like spinning tops.

After the preparations were on track, Su Ming and Zijin walked together towards the canyon on the side of the parking area. The canyon was not very high, with steep rock walls on both sides, full of holes formed by wind erosion.

"Is this where you were six months ago?"

"Yes, thanks to Jimite, we fought the White Graupel Cavalry right here," Zijin's voice was filled with reminiscence. "That Price organization mage focused fire on me and beat me terribly."

"Speaking of which, how did such a massive White Bone Fortress get from the Plain of Despair?" Su Ming asked curiously. Although the straight-line distance was only three or four thousand kilometers, considering the actual road conditions, a detour would easily amount to a difficult journey of over ten thousand kilometers.

"Teleportation magic, of course," Zijin replied. She hadn't explained this to Su Ming in detail before, so she elaborated, "That was the first and only large-scale teleportation in this world. Galio thus solidified his position as the number one teleporter, his title changing from Black Raven to Traveling Crow. The materials and crystals consumed back then made him regretful for many years."

"I feel like the new title is even worse than Black Raven," Su Ming thought to himself.

"So how did you get to Cui'an Sea Cliff?" he asked, finishing his question in one go.