【It was Fiona who had been here; she even left a letter on the coffee table in the living room.】
Fiona, of all people?
Olivia’s brow couldn’t help but furrow. She didn’t know what the woman wanted with her, but regardless of the reason, the fact that someone had slipped into her home left her feeling quite uneasy.
She went into the living room and picked up the letter from the coffee table.
As her eyes scanned its contents, Olivia’s frown deepened.
The message wasn’t complicated; it could be summarized in one request—money!
Yes, Fiona was asking Olivia for money.
This wasn’t entirely unexpected. During their last meeting, Fiona had vaguely alluded to the matter, though Olivia had refused her, citing that withdrawing large sums from the church would attract unwanted attention and compromise her cover.
Fiona had accepted that reasoning at the time, so why was she coming to borrow money again now?
Was the Rose Legion that short on funds?
Olivia thought back to the ball hosted by Count Gerard and the status of the guests invited. For a moment, she was lost in thought.
The people invited to that ball were the cream of society, many of whom possessed significant wealth. Such an invitation was clearly a calculated move by the Rose Legion.
So, was the Rose Legion truly desperate for money? Desperate enough to target her as well?
What exactly was the Rose Legion trying to do?
Olivia pondered the question and asked the magic mirror in her mind, but even the mirror didn't have an answer.
Clearly, this was an unforeseen development.
Finding no immediate solution, Olivia left a letter of her own in its place, reiterating the same excuse as before—that for the sake of her own safety, they should not take money from her.
After that, she went to sleep.
...................
The next day.
Olivia teleported to her bedroom in the chamber of commerce early in the morning.
Inside the room, Madeline had already prepared today’s outfit for her.
She dressed unhurriedly and stepped out to enjoy her breakfast at the headquarters.
Jasmine Street, where the chamber of commerce was located, wasn't particularly far from Annus Street, though one was in the Main District and the other in the South District.
This simple district division created many differences between the two areas.
The same goods would be slightly more expensive in the Main District.
Furthermore, the variety of items available in the Main District was much richer.
Here, Olivia was even able to find breakfast pastries rarely seen in the South District, satisfying her appetite for once.
As she expected, it wasn’t long after breakfast that Esme came knocking at her door.
"Miss Stella, you are as radiant as ever today. I wonder if I might have the honor of inviting you for an outing? The red maples on Red Maple Hill are at their most vibrant right now; I think it is an opportunity not to be missed."
Esme possessed considerable eloquence, immediately introducing the situation at Red Maple Hill.
It was not far from Jasmine Street—a mountain that was usually deserted, except for this specific time of year.
In the depths of autumn, as winter loomed but had not yet arrived, the trees on Red Maple Hill would erupt in magnificent colors like a burning fire. Only then would tourists visit to witness the beauty of nature.
"I would be delighted," Olivia agreed with a smile.
'Esme really is in a hurry. Is she so impatient to reveal her hand and have me join the Rose Legion?' Olivia thought to herself.
The frequency of the woman’s visits was high enough to indicate a sense of urgency.
Seeing Olivia agree, Esme couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile.
She knew that with the rapport they had built yesterday, the other woman wouldn't refuse a second invitation today.
"Please wait a moment. I have a few things to discuss with the people in the chamber of commerce. It shouldn't take long," Olivia said.
"Very well, I will wait for you in the carriage."
Esme didn't think much of it and boarded her own carriage first.
Olivia turned and sought out Madeline.
"Inform the church to arrange for someone to go to Red Maple Hill. Once there, find any excuse to cause trouble for me. Remember, the person must be a transcendent, preferably of the Sensate class rank, though it doesn't strictly have to be. Also, their transcendent path must not be one from the church, and they should be a fresh face,"
Olivia whispered her instructions.
"I understand, but why...?"
"Don't ask. There isn't much time."
"I see."
Although Madeline was quite curious, seeing Olivia’s serious expression, she didn't waste time indulging her curiosity.
As Madeline left, Olivia turned and departed.
Madeline wasn't actually a nun from the South District; she was a nun from the Morning Light Cathedral in the Main District. Since the Morning Light Cathedral was closer to Jasmine Street, the Elijah Chamber of Commerce was a project managed by them.
Thus, this was a collaboration between two cathedrals from different districts.
This was why Olivia had Madeline handle the task instead of personally notifying the Morning Light Cathedral through the King's Domain. She wasn't familiar with those people and didn't feel comfortable commanding them directly.
In any case, there was plenty of time.
As for why she wanted someone to cause trouble for her...
Olivia touched the Elemental Praise on her finger; that was the reason.
Currently, the reason the Rose Legion wanted her, as Stella, to join them was for her money. It had little to do with her personally, even if she were an ordinary person.
But she couldn't allow their relationship to remain so blunt and shallow. She needed to demonstrate more utility to gain more attention from the Rose Legion... Well, that was what the church required of her.
Therefore, she had to expose her transcendent path as an elemental mage.
And what was a better way to expose one's path than through a fight?
She was having someone cause trouble for her simply because she wanted an excuse to use her powers and reveal her strength in a plausible manner.
'I hope that after I reveal my strength, even if the Rose Legion sends someone of higher status to contact me, it won't be someone I know... But even if it is, there has to be a way to deal with it.'
Olivia’s thoughts raced.
She stepped back out of the chamber of commerce and approached Esme’s carriage.
"Ms. Esme, I'm here."
"You certainly didn't keep me waiting long. Let's go; let us enjoy this scenery that only appears once a year."
Esme proactively lifted the carriage curtain, inviting Olivia inside.
...
Red Maple Hill.
Even before they arrived, Olivia could see vast swathes of red maples swaying in the wind through the carriage window. The brilliant colors were like a raging fire spreading across the entire mountain, looking exceptionally magnificent.
At that moment, Esme spoke up, "To ensure we aren't disturbed while enjoying the view, I’ve booked the entire place. There won't be a third person on the mountain."
Question marks immediately popped up in Olivia’s mind.
She actually booked the whole mountain?
Rate on N.U.
