Path of Peace is a religious sect located in the northwest. While it may not have many followers in the central regions of the Empire, it commands the faith of about half of the population in the Empire's northwestern borders—a staggering number large enough to worry the Imperial Army. This concern prompted Minister Honest to personally dispatch Berlick there, placing him within Path of Peace to control this massive sect.
After all, this region is far from the Empire's heartland, making it difficult for the Empire to extend its influence there.
Kaguya was now heading to the northwest part of the Empire.
Winter here was particularly harsh, with the howling northwestern wind cutting through like a knife, biting into the skin with icy coldness. The landscape stretched out in a vast expanse of white, with sparse vegetation—only a few scattered shrubs and the occasional hardy pine tree, adding a splash of green to the otherwise snow-covered scenery.
Kaguya wasn't dressed warmly, wearing a black and red Gothic-style long dress, a headband, black and red gloves on her arms, black stockings on her legs, and small black leather shoes on her feet.
If someone from Kaguya's original world saw her, they would probably shout out, "Kurumi!"
Of course, her hair color was a bit off. Kurumi had black hair, while Kaguya's was silver.
This all started a while ago when Kaguya, bored and with nothing better to do, decided to design a few outfits for Sayo or Kurome to wear, adding a bit of fun. The first outfit she thought of was Kaguya's own black and red Gothic-style long dress. She sketched out a rough design and handed it to Luna, who was skilled at sewing.
Given that this was a personal request from Her Highness, Luna immediately put her all into the task, and it wasn't long before the outfit was completed.
However, Kaguya had forgotten one crucial detail: the body measurements. She hadn't told Luna that the dress was meant for Sayo or Kurome, so Luna naturally assumed it was for Kaguya herself and made it to her measurements. By the time the outfit was finished, Kaguya realized this oversight, but it was too late to have it altered.
Moreover, Luna was looking at her with such anticipation that Kaguya couldn't bring herself to say anything. Luna was the most introverted, sensitive, and fragile among them all, so much so that Kaguya didn't even dare to joke with her.
If Luna found out she had made a mistake, the poor girl would be heartbroken. So, Kaguya gritted her teeth and decided to wear it herself.
She had to admit that the dress was exquisitely made—so much so that even Kaguya, who had initially resisted the idea, ended up liking it. The craftsmanship was meticulous, with elegant lines, and the fabric was soft and smooth, making it comfortable to wear.
Still, wearing Kurumi's outfit made her feel a bit embarrassed, though thankfully, she was the only one who had crossed over to this world.
As she entered Antara, the largest city in the northwest, the scenery around her changed dramatically. The city's architecture was very different from the rest of the Empire, with heavy, solid buildings lined up in rows, exuding a strong exotic charm.
Perhaps due to the cold winter, the streets were sparsely populated, with few people around, and the bustling scenes Kaguya had imagined were nowhere to be seen. The occasional passerby hurried along, adding to her disappointment.
She had been hoping to experience some of the local culture—at least some local snacks like grilled lamb skewers. The foodie in Kaguya thought to herself.
Just as Kaguya was feeling disappointed, a group of people appeared on the street, walking towards her. Leading them was a tall, handsome young man with red lips and white teeth, but there was a faint aura of gloom about him. His arrogant demeanor and swaggering stride immediately marked him as a spoiled rich kid.
Kaguya frowned. She found people like him the most annoying—those who, emboldened by their status and power, acted as if the world revolved around them. Kaguya despised such people and had no interest in dealing with them.
The young man leading the group was aimlessly wandering the streets when he suddenly caught sight of a beautiful silver-haired figure. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over to her.
"Hello, beautiful lady. I never expected to meet you here," the young man said with a bright, sunny smile, looking as radiant as a sunflower in full bloom.
"Do you know me?" Kaguya asked curiously.
No one here should recognize her, and even if they did, they'd likely run away. It had been a long time since she'd encountered someone with enough guts to approach her like this.
"We just met at this very moment," the young man replied with a warm smile, his eyes full of sincerity.
But to Kaguya, it was nauseating. She had thought this guy knew her, but it turned out he was just trying to hit on her, which made her feel even more disgusted.
"If you don't have anything important to say, please move aside," Kaguya said bluntly.
She had no patience for dealing with people like him.
"If you don't mind, may I invite you for a cup of coffee?" the young man asked, dressed in an immaculate suit, with a finely knotted tie that made him look very proper. His elegant demeanor added to his gentlemanly air.
"Sorry, I don't like coffee," Kaguya replied impatiently.
"No problem, if you don't like coffee, how about tea? Or maybe milk?" the young man continued with a smile. "If I'm not mistaken, you're from out of town. As a local, it's only right for me to show you some hospitality."
Looking at him, Kaguya found him even more annoying, like a fly buzzing around in a restroom. She originally wanted to beat him up and kick him out. But suddenly, her clear, beautiful eyes lit up, and a playful smile appeared on her lips as she thought of something fun.
"Do you have any cacti here?" Kaguya asked, her cheeks blossoming with a beautiful smile.
The young man seemed captivated by Kaguya's stunning smile, a dazed look crossing his face. After a moment, he snapped out of it and asked, "Cacti?"
"Yes, do you have any cacti?" Kaguya repeated with a smile.
"Yes, of course we have cacti," the young man replied eagerly, thinking he might have a chance. He quickly ordered his men, "Go find a pot of cacti, now!"
"Yes, sir!"