Gift Exchange

Ely chose to attend the event because of the formal invitation. Rafaela was the one who would accompany her there.

She sent a notification, then the messenger came to tell her the meeting time and place.

After sunset and twin moons were high in the night starry sky, Ely and Rafaela entered the meeting hall through the backdoor. They skipped the arrival formalities because many people were flocking around the entrance.

"Fortunately, this building belongs to the Guardian Of Dream. We can enter through the back door unnoticed by any third party." Ely sat on the guest seat in the corner, watching the other people waiting for something she didn't know.

"Master, here is your tea." Rafaela put a cup of tea and some light side dishes on the table. She then stood behind her master.

"Thank you." Ely nodded slightly and sipped her warm ginger tea.

A few minutes later, many influential figures arrived at that meeting. The sixth prince and seventh princess were also present with an additional representative from the Imperial Family.

For their purposes? They wished to greet, introduce themselves, or express their gratitude properly to the saintess of the holy land. The young divine-like figure who prevented the Demon God's descent into this mortal world.

"Feifei, do you think Lady Miko will be late?" Prince Yan Hui checked his wristwatch.

"No, she will probably choose to come exactly at the appointed time." Princess Yan Fei shook her head.

She turned around and went away from the entrance. She felt uncomfortable after greeting those influential figures from various backgrounds.

"Uh-huh?" Princess Yan Fei was stunned when she found a familiar in the corner of the hall. The one that everyone awaited was already there, sitting in serenity.

She pinched her brother and gave a gesture to her clan's elder. They then went there to greet the holy saintess.

"It is an honor to see you again, Lady Miko. I have read the letter you left. You don't need to worry because the Lumina Family is over. The Imperial Family will send a virtuous noble to handle this city's affairs." Princess Yan Fei grasped her hand on her waist in a respectful greeting.

The two people beside her also sent their greetings.

"Mm, I've come by invitation. May I know what kind of event I'm attending now?" Ely glanced left and right. She felt that this event was like an ordinary banquet. Yet, she couldn't be sure because everyone had the aura of the hungry wolves.

Princess Yan Fei exchanged glances with her brother and elder. They were fully aware that the holy saintess had only come to the mortal world for two days and did not know many things. Her holy land told her to come down to experience life, and they hadn't explained anything to the innocent, clueless girl beforehand?

However, how did they explain if this event was mostly filled by many parties who wanted to curry favor with yet another holy land?

"Ah, this is a formality, but I just learned about this region's culture. You can express your gratitude, but I have no idea with the many other people present here." Ely made a steeple of her fingers.

"Yes, I feel embarrassed to say it. Originally, it was just the Imperial Family and the Luponia Magic Academy. Yet, everyone else insisted on coming because they wanted to greet you. They are good people." Prince Yan Hui rubbed his head awkwardly.

"And what kind of proper gratitude do you want to convey? I think I've received enough gratitude." Ely blinked her eyes as she was still clueless about this formality.

However, she suddenly remembered the reward for exposing the Lumina Family's dark secrets. Imperial Family's generous gifts! She would receive it here and now, right!?

The three Imperial Family members then said a few words of pleasantry before the elder presented a gift from the Emperor. After all, preventing the Demon God's descent and playing an important role in uncovering the secrets of the Lumina Family was a great merit for the Empire.

A few seconds later, Graham Potter and his granddaughter gave the holy saintess a gift.

"I thank you on behalf of the mages of the academy. Please accept this as a token of our gratitude. It may help you in exploring the world of magic more deeply." Graham Potter describes his gift box with pride. It was his masterpiece and some great magic items.

"I accept your gratitude." Ely didn't need to look at the box's contents and immediately handed it over to Rafaela as she did to the Imperial Family's gift box.

She then took out a small paper box from her secret storage pouch and pulled out ten protective talismans.

"I will be leaving tomorrow afternoon after visiting Holy Church. Please accept my farewell gift. These talismans may save your life in times of need." Ely passed six talismans to Princess Yan Fei and four to Lily-Mae.

"You'll be leaving so soon, Lady Miko?" Lily-Mae felt a bit down.

"Then, I will accept your return gift with great gratitude. Please let me know if you need assistance from the Luponia Magic Academy. We will be happy to help you, Lady Miko." Graham Potter expressed his gratitude.

He was shameless enough to accept the talismans by not giving his granddaughter room to reject the life-saving gift, even if it was only for pleasantries.

The surrounding people, whether they were influential figures from nobility or any sect, they learned something new from that sight. Would they get a life-saving treasure if they gave a farewell gift to the holy saintess?

The crowd then came to the holy saintess one by one like a meet and greet queue. They uttered several pleasantries, gave a valuable farewell gift, and the holy saintess had no choice but to give the return gift.

It was a life-saving treasure that could save even a 6th Rank expert's life! They had to get it on this occasion, even at the cost of many valuables and fortune.

Ely actually had no obligation to give the so-called return gift. However, those people looked at her like a group of puppies, eyeing her mass-produced protective talisman. She also thought it was a custom in that region. Thus, she had no choice but to comply with the gift exchange, right?

These people wished to exchange their valuable things for C Rank talismans...

She had no idea why these people were so eager to get the protective talisman from her. But, considering these mass-produced talismans could take a few deadly blows from Grand Master-level expert, it may be worth the trade. She could put that thought aside without any sour taste as a conman.

Nevertheless, it was always good to have more allies. They might come in handy in the future.

"Well then, It's time for me to get going. I wish you all good health and happiness. If fate permits, we will meet here again." Ely breathed a sigh of relief after everything was over. Responding to more than a hundred people one by one was tiring.

"Please wait, Lady Miko."

Someone called out rather hastily.

Ely glanced sideways and found that it was the old gentleman, the great elder of Luponia Magic Academy. "How may I help you, mister?"

"Is it possible for you to sell your anti-magic resistance to our academy?" Cao Yazhu stated his intention straight to the point.

Ely didn't want to be there any longer. It might be nice to receive many valuable items like magic items, rare crystals, etc. However, she already felt tired and sleepy.

Therefore, she took out another small paper box and handed it to Rafaela. "Okay, but I only have a few anti-magic resistance talismans. You may discuss it further with my guardian. If you'll excuse me."

After saying that, Ely bid her farewell and then left the hall.

Cao Yazhu then looked at the masked lady clad in a white-gold cloaked outfit. For a moment, he felt she was a high-rank great priest of a particular church. However, he knew this lady was one of the protectors who protected the holy saintess.

"Forty-two talismans. Please pay with spirit stones at a fair price. We are quite generous to your academy. So, show us your generosity." Rafaela grinned behind her mask. She would extort this old gentleman for this transaction if the other party couldn't satisfy her.

The surrounding people whispered amongst each other because it was pretty bold to ask something from the holy saintess openly. However, the hoy saintess didn't mind it, and the anti-magic resistance was beyond precious for Luponia Magic Academy.

They would also want to get at least a piece if they were allowed to compete. But no one wanted to offend the Saint-level expert and magic academy. Thus, they chose to retreat.

"I hope this can satisfy you." Cao Yazhu handed over a storage pouch full of spirit stones.

Rafaela noticed this old gentleman's expression and said something like the highest bid, the biggest amount he could issue. Thus, she didn't give the other party trouble and accepted his generosity.

Once the transaction was over, Rafaela rushed after her master. They left from there right after.