Chapter 13: Still Can’t Escape the Fate of Wearing a Dress
The eastern marketplace of the capital bustled with activity, a vibrant hub of commerce.
This was the largest market in the capital, home to over seventy percent of the city’s shops, similar to the market in Vikarn Port that Bai had visited before.
In fact, all cities in the North Empire were designed based on the capital’s layout, sharing similar features.
For instance, in the capital, a grand cathedral with a massive clock tower stood where the now-destroyed Clock Tower of Vikarn Port had once been.
This wasn’t Bai’s first time in the capital. She had spent some time here before joining the Knights, and she had returned frequently on official Garrison business.
So, the capital wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. Wanting to change out of her uncomfortable black dress, she made her way to a small, unassuming clothing shop in the market.
…Although this shop did sell clothes, it was also a hidden military outpost where Bai had exchanged intelligence several times.
Of course, she wasn’t here for intelligence today. She genuinely wanted to buy clothes.
She chose this particular shop because it was the only clothing store she knew…
In the past, she had worn either her knight’s armor or her uniform; she hadn’t needed to buy clothes.
Following a familiar path, she reached the slightly run-down shop and pushed the door open.
Creak…
The old wooden door groaned, accompanied by the gentle tinkling of wind chimes.
The interior was just as she remembered: two rows of simple clothes displayed in the center, a glass cabinet filled with colorful fabrics in the back, a chipped counter, and a few flimsy curtained changing rooms.
However, behind the counter wasn’t the usual stern-faced knight who handled intelligence, but a frail old woman.
She wore gold-rimmed glasses, meticulously sewing a garment, seemingly oblivious to Bai’s entrance.
“What’s going on? Did they change personnel? But why an old woman…?” Bai hesitated. “Could it be… because the war is over, it’s become a real clothing store now?”
It was possible.
“Excuse me, madam—” Bai called out hesitantly.
Even if it had become a regular shop, it wouldn’t be a problem. In fact, it was even better, since she wasn’t here for intelligence.
“Please have a seat. I’ll be with you shortly,” the old woman said softly, without looking up.
Bai frowned. The voice sounded familiar, but it must have been from before her transformation, a hazy memory.
Since the woman was busy, and Bai wasn’t in a hurry, she found a seat and waited patiently.
About ten minutes later, the old woman finished sewing, removing her glasses with trembling hands and looking at Bai.
“Young lady, are you… oh?”
She paused, her gaze falling on Bai’s black dress.
“Hello, madam. I’m here to buy some clothes,” Bai said, standing up.
“Is it because the dress you’re wearing isn’t… to your liking?” the old woman asked, looking at Bai’s face. “Or is it simply uncomfortable?”
Bai finally saw the old woman’s face clearly, her eyes widening in recognition.
It was…
“It seems you recognize me. Did Little Lin Yan tell you about me?” the old woman smiled, standing up slowly.
“Yes, Lady Leticia,” Bai said, bowing slightly, her expression complex.
The old woman was Leticia, one of the Empire’s nine Legendary Knights, Lugner’s equal, the creator of the black dresses she and Lin Yan wore, and the wielder of the Authority known as [Absolute Negation].
Leticia and Lugner were knights of the same era. Although overshadowed by Lugner’s fame, she was still a formidable Legendary Knight, the only female among the nine, and a pillar of the Empire.
But Bai hadn’t expected to find her here, in this small shop, spending her days sewing.
“It seems she told you quite a bit,” Leticia chuckled, walking closer and examining Bai’s dress. “I made this in a fit of grief and anger, after hearing about Lugner’s… undignified death. It’s not one of my best works.”
She paused. “I understand if you don’t like it.”
Bai quickly waved her hands. “No, no, I like… I mean, that’s not why I don’t like it. I’m just not used to wearing dresses.”
“I see. So you came to me for a new outfit?” Leticia asked, then muttered, “That Little Lin Yan really can’t keep her mouth shut…”
“No…” Bai started to deny it, then realized the shop’s location was incredibly remote.
Claiming to have stumbled upon it by chance would be an obvious lie. And if she denied Lin Yan telling her about it, how would she explain knowing about this place?
She had no choice but to play along.
“Yes, Miss Lin Yan told me about you,” she said quickly.
Sorry, Miss Lin Yan, I’m borrowing your name.
“That Little Lin Yan,” Leticia chuckled fondly, a nostalgic look in her eyes. “I’ve made quite a few dresses for her. Besides this, all I know is killing demons and such…”
You have a strange definition of “all I know,” Bai thought.
“Since Little Lin Yan recommended you, I suppose I can make you a new outfit,” Leticia said, looking at Bai intently, her gaze piercing. “But on one condition—”
“I want to see your true face.”
Bai wasn’t surprised by the request, her expression turning serious.
Leticia clearly knew something about her.
Even if Lin Yan hadn’t said anything, Uncle Lin, with his meticulous nature, would have reported to the Legendary Knights in the capital, and Leticia, being close to the Lin family, would have been the first to know.
But Bai wasn’t sure how much Uncle Lin had revealed.
She paused, then said softly, “Alright.”
She touched the rune on her collarbone, slowly withdrawing the power within.
