CHAPTER 187: STAND AND DELIVER

Rock Sand City - City Gate.

Four young women in a carriage stared at the thick, rough city walls in the distance.

"Finally here! No more eating sand!"

"So this is Rock Sand City!"

"What are those ’eyes’ up there?"

While Kathy and the other two were checking out Rock Sand City with obvious curiosity, deep excitement flickered in Kiri’s eyes.

"Master! Senior! And... the Eternal Annihilation Demon King... No... now he should still be the first Ember Tournament champion, ’Child of the Gods,’ ’Perfect Incarnation,’ the young master of the Valois family, Carlos Valois!"

This time, she’d definitely win everything!

Kiri’s eyes narrowed slightly, like she was seeing a totally different future!

Suddenly, Kathy’s voice hit her ears:

"Kiri? Kiri?"

"Sorry, I was zoning out. What’s up?"

Kiri snapped back to reality. Was there something they needed?

Heidi pointed at the soldiers outside checking travel permits and urged:

"Kiri, you’re the only one left."

"..."

Oh crap.

In her rush to get to Rock Sand City fast, she’d totally forgotten that she was currently a nobody.

What should she do...

A thin layer of sweat popped up on Kiri’s snow-white forehead.

’What happens to people who can’t show ID?’

They’d get arrested and grilled until their identity got confirmed.

And could her background be traced?

Obviously not!

Wouldn’t she end up locked away until she croaked?

Big trouble! Big trouble!

The future Northern Hero was facing her first do-or-die crisis!

The gate captain, not seeing the last person pull out a travel permit, immediately shot his guys a look.

Clatter!

Several soldiers immediately surrounded the carriage.

"Travel permit!"

Their faces were dead serious, their eyes sharp, staring hard at the somewhat freaked-out Kiri.

’Just a regular person?’

The gate guard captain was confused.

But he didn’t dare drop his guard. Who knew if this might be some traitor in disguise?

Years of bloody lessons had taught him never to get sloppy!

"Kiri, you didn’t forget to bring your travel permit, did you?"

Grace said casually, but then...

"Um... no... I don’t have one..."

At this point, Kiri could only fess up, ’nervously’ messing with the corners of her clothes.

This was acting that fit an ordinary person. Though facing a crisis, Kiri already had a game plan in mind.

"That’s totally normal. After all, who carries their travel permit around the house all the time?"

Kathy showed understanding and actively explained to the garrison captain.

Meanwhile, Heidi kept looking Kiri up and down, her eyes flickering with puzzled light.

...

"I get it."

After listening, the soldier captain nodded like he understood.

Though it sounded crazy, it wasn’t impossible in this world.

"But I’m sorry, this lady still can’t enter the city, and by the rules, has to be detained."

The soldier captain had only listened patiently this long because he was being considerate of the three psionics.

If they were ordinary people, there wouldn’t be all this chatter—he’d have busted them already.

With a wave of his hand, two soldiers moved to arrest Kiri.

"Roar!"

Grace blocked Kiri’s path, her beast pupils glaring something fierce.

She absolutely couldn’t stand others arresting her buddy right in front of her!

"I don’t think that’s gonna fly either."

After a moment’s hesitation, Heidi also jumped in, psionic flames dancing at her fingertips.

If the boss got lost, who’d pay up?

"Everyone!"

Kiri’s eyes filled with emotion. Whether in the past or future, they were always this solid.

The soldier captain’s face went dark.

Hold up, you three rookie psionics? How dare you mess with us?

Aren’t you scared of getting busted too?

But the soldier captain really didn’t dare make a move.

Not because he couldn’t win—he was at least a standout among low-tier fighters and could easily handle three non-tier psionics.

But with his trained eye, he could tell at a glance that they were wearing complete sets of spirit gear.

The meaning was crystal clear—they definitely came from serious money!

’Huh? That is?’

Why did the patterns on these three’s spirit gear look familiar?

A holy greatsword with wings???

This instantly triggered the soldier captain’s memory from a few days back!

’Could... could it be...’

His expression changed.

"May I ask what connection you three have with the Valois family?"

His voice got softer, no longer keeping up his previous tough-guy act.

Why was this soldier captain bringing up the Valois family?

The three women looked at each other, almost simultaneously falling into thought.

"Connection... connection..."

Kathy touched the emerald necklace at her throat as memories came flooding back:

That morning had been exceptionally bright, brighter than any other.

"Sister Iris, I’m here!"

"Kathy, come sit next to me."

"Sister Iris, what’s going on?"

"I’ve always seen how you feel about Carlos. This necklace has been passed down through our family for generations. Today I’ve decided to give it to you."

"This... this is way too precious! I can’t take it!"

"Little Carlos will figure out your feelings eventually. Do you know what this means?"

(Iris pretended to take it back.)

"I... I get it..."

Kathy immediately put on the necklace, her cheeks turning red...

...

Meanwhile, Heidi unconsciously touched the emerald earrings on her ears, remembering that day.

That afternoon had been exceptionally warm, warmer than any other.

"Greetings, Duke Iris."

"Little Heidi, still so formal. Call me sister."

"Sis... sister."

"Sigh..."

(Iris pretended to sigh.)

"Does the Duke have troubles?"

"It’s all because of my clueless little Carlos. Our Valois family only has this one heir."

"Young Master Carlos is so amazing, Duke, you don’t need to worry..."

"Little Heidi, if only little Carlos were as sharp as you. (Iris suddenly switched topics) I heard your family line hasn’t been doing too hot lately?"

"Things really aren’t great, Duke..."

"These earrings have been passed down through our family for generations."

As she spoke, Iris placed them on the stunned girl.

"So beautiful, they match little Carlos perfectly. What do you think?"

"Thank you, Duke..."

...

At the same time, Grace couldn’t help but look at the emerald bracers on her wrists.

That afternoon had been exceptionally filling, more filling than any other.

"Captain, you called for me?"

"Let’s chow down together, little Grace."

"Awesome!"

Gulp gulp—the simple-minded Grace started eating without thinking twice.

"I remember your Dorn clan’s only rule for picking mates is strength?"

"(Gulp) Right! The world belongs to the strong, and the strong can rule everything!"

(This fish soup is so damn good!!!)

"These bracers are spirit gear passed down through the Valois generations. I think they suit you perfectly."

Grace, totally absorbed in the fish soup, didn’t notice when a pair of emerald bracers appeared on her wrists.

"Little Grace looks really good in them."

"Captain... what are these?"

"Little Grace, try to see if you can beat little Carlos. If you take him down, I’ll give you an even more precious gift!"

"Leave it to me, Captain!"