After filling their stomach with a warm meal, the duo began exploring the main town again. Dương was certainly the most gleeful being here, entering tailor stores, restaurants, crop markets, jewelry stores, shoe stores, Thư was willingly dragged around everywhere by the tug of her black robe. There were certainly many things to see around here!

“ Hey, this lady is selling gemstones over here, let’s check it out! “, She called out to her guide and skipped over to see what was in store. Thư was just about to ask Dương if the stones were pretty til she saw a deep scowl plastered on his small face.

His tone was cold and filled with discernment, “ That diamond gemstone she’s selling, it’s clearly fake. To sell it with such a high price, she really is shameless! “.

“ How did you know it was fake? “

She picked up the pale gemstone. Her guide pointed to its surface. “ These types of diamonds can be found in my home, deep beneath the ocean, it’s bright light could only be seen underwater. The gemstone you’re holding right now is shining even on land which is impossible! “, Dương clenched his fist.

“ I resent people deceiving and selling fraudulent materials! “

Anh Thư placed the gemstone down and carefully held the merman in her palms. She stood up and walked away, while patting the little creature tenderly, it seemed to calm him down. “ Mind her no business, Dương...it's okay “, upon hearing his master’s mellifluous voice, he simply sat on her hand obediently and looked down at his tail.

They both rented a place for the night, it was decent with enough space for one person and a tiny creature. The little guide watched his master chop vegetables up to cook their dinner. His high-pitched voice suddenly rang up, “ Why didn’t you do anything back at the town? “

“ Do anything?..The gemstone lady, you mean? “

“ Don’t call her a lady! She doesn’t deserve being called one! “, he spat in response

“ Then tell me, what would you do in place of me? “

“ I would call her out right in front of everyone! “

“ I supposed that method is effective and could cause a stir to her business. “, she mumbled as the chopping sound of vegetables continued.

“ Why didn’t you call her out then? If you knew it was a good method then why didn’t you speak up, saintess? “

Thư stopped what she was doing and let out a sign, her back still facing him.

“ Because I’m a pussy. “

“ A what now? “

“ A pussy. I should have spoke up but you have no idea how much I fucking fear attentions on me. I hate it so much plus the chances of me stuttering over my own words will somehow decrease my chances of being believable. Damn it, Dương, I have A HUGE fear of people and people in general! The only reason why I’m so open and outgoing with you is because...I don’t know….you’re not human?... “, he allowed his master to finish herself. She was literally rapping her way out of this conversation right now.

“ First of all, poor choice of wordings, could have just said coward-”

“ Coward doesn’t sound as coo-”

“ Second of all, don’t interrupt me. “

“...”

“ Third of all, you literally fell down from the sky and the first thing you said to the town people was: ‘Hi hello, where is this?’ with a smiley face. “

“ THAT WAS BECAUSE I WAS IN SHOCK- “

“ What am I saying, saintess, is that you shouldn’t be so afraid of speaking up and letting other people hear you. It is scary at times but you know I have your back? “, Dương calmly communicated with his master.

“ …”

“ What? “

“ You suck at consoling. “, she let out a “hmph” before turning back to boiling water to make soup. It was purely an excuse to hide her expression, Thư furrowed her eyebrow.

Me? Speaking up?, I don’t know if that time ever comes.

The corner of her rosy lips curved in a smile, I suppose it’ll not be that bad if he has my back, I guess.

The sun dawned upon the blue sky, it’s color was a combination of orange and yellow, reflecting across the white clouds, causing pink cloud-like smears scattered in it’s heavenly state. Sounds of melodic birds sang it’s rhapsody as if greeting a new day, roosters called out in command of a waking, it was simply the blissful signs that the world had to simply go back to fucking work.

Anh Thư was attacked right on her bed by some tiny, fish-like creature that just wouldn’t stop screaming into her ears with multiple “wake up!” and “saintess!”

“ WHAT THE HELL?! SHUT UP “, she sleepily yelled and flicked at the air as if trying to push her little guide away.

“ Rise and shine, sunshine!! “, Dương is full of energy for someone who woke up so early.

She wanted to rest a lot more but someone wasn’t letting her, constantly tugging her blanket, mini-slapping her face, trying to open her eyelids. This buddy was literally a walking alarm but not very effective, very annoying. He was just about to scream into her ears again when his tiny body flopped to the side and fell on the mattress. Thư got up faster than lightning speed and grumpily walked towards the bathroom.

At least they have clean bathrooms in this world.

What day is it today? Thư stared at the mirror after washing her face before her eyes widened. Today is where Linh Đa arrives in town, she can’t miss this significant event in the story!

“ Dương, let’s go to the town’s alchemy center. “

“ I didn’t know you were into alchemy, saintess! “

“ Well I kinda am? But, we’re going there to meet a specific person. “

Dương tilted his little head in curiosity, “ A person? Do you know them? “.

“ Shouldn’t you know who this person is??? “

She stared at him, he stared back, they both stared at each other without a word, before Dương scratched his head. “ Are we meeting the protagonist, saintess? “

“ Yeah? “, Thư frowned.

“ Well forgive me for having bad memories! I don’t frequently read novels like you do!”

“ Then why are you my guide if you can’t remember significant events?.. “

“ I was assigned to! Take me as you’re in a video game and I’m your help system “

The brunette shook her head as the merman pouted and looked away, I want a refund. She didn’t forget to put her mask on properly and head to the door.

she took him by surprise when she ran past him. “ SAINTESS! DON’T LEAVE ME HERE “, and with that he swam-floated to match her speed.

The alchemy center was a place full of gifted individuals with the talents for creating different substances into elixirs and medicines. Most of the time new magic powers were discovered and noted down, you can call them scientists of the fantasy world. Our protagonist’s entrance shook the whole center with her intelligence and knowledge. The plague that was fated to wipe away the town of Vinh Quang, ceased to exist all thanks to her.

Symptoms of the disease were said to be high fever, rashes, hematemesis, and limb paralysis. Highly hazardous and airborne with everyone having no precautions to protect themselves from contacting it, Vinh Quang could have withered away.

A small section of the novel stated that if the alchemists failed to react in time to the virus, they had to burn the whole town including its own people, a desperate attempt to contain it from spreading further.

This never happened, of course.

The Alchemy Center resided itself near a lotus river where visitors could feed the fishes. It was a popular tourist spot and was home to one of the great architecture in this kingdom. It was true that Thư’s heart always waver in anticipation at the sceneries, her eyes knitted at every detail, her light foot caressing every ground it touches. Behind the mask, her expression was one of pure happiness.

At last, they finally arrived at their destination!

Thư’s prediction was right on spot as they both pushed through the crowd, standing in the middle of the entrance, surrounded by curious eyes, was a beautiful young lady. Her raven black hair thickens in resemblance to silk, a charming frame wrapped with pink layers of garment, she embodied the angel visions.

No wonder she was called the angel incarnation, this was no doubt our female lead, Linh Đa! Dương looked over to his master with raised eyebrows, an expression that clearly says: “She’s prettier than I expected”. And Anh Thư couldn’t help but nod. The novel’s description did Linh Đa no justice.

“ My lady, are you telling us that you could find a cure? “, a male alchemist asked, amused, his mockery tone failed to affect Linh’s confidence.

“ Yes. “

A mixture of reactions were shown through the crowds, her face glistened with determination earned many hopes of people, but the other side seemed to doubt the truth to her utteration.

“ Why don’t you go back to drinking tea and embroidering, fancy lady! “

An anonymous man spoke up, he kindled a wave of laughter.

“ Yeah! What’s a woman got to say about matters that only men could handle? “

“ Aren’t you all too emotional for this research? Try not to cry, lady! “

The ridicules directed to Linh sparked a fire in Thư's heart. She knew this scene happened in the story but she was too busy admiring this world that she failed to realize that it’s not a utopia.

Gender discrimation exists in this world. The brunette closed her eyes in disappointment, of course it does. Dương angrily swim-floated in a blazing circle on top of her shoulder at the bewildering scene. “ How despicable, who are they to judge someone by their gender? “.

Anh Thư holds a steady gaze on Linh with a conflicted expression.

She knew what was going to happen and that these men who doubted the female lead’s capability, would shut their mouths with shame in the future. However, Anh Thư never expected it to be so overwhelming and intense in real life. She could already feel Linh’s emotions just from standing in the crowds alone.

It’s cold to be judged, which is why Thư never risks taking the spotlight for herself. She’d rather hide in the background.

I can’t stand here any longer without having to scream at these people. The idea she had in mind was unimaginable, at least for her, the thumping of the lass’s heart could only go so far. Her hands were sweaty.

Fuck it. Let’s do this. Dương curiously followed her.

Amidst all of the bustling conversations and yellings, a masked stranger steps out to the front line and raises her hand, catching everyone’s attention. It wasn’t til she set her shaky hands down that she realized everything was quiet, everyone’s eyes were on her, she took a big gulp and spoke in the loudest voice. “ My lady, are there specific ingredients needed for the cure? “, Thư was relieved that her words weren't a bunch of stutterings.

For a second she swore a flicker of light flashed past Linh’s dark orbs, as if she'd been waiting for someone to ask. Linh Đa grinned. “ That’s a great question, miss. There’s only one ingredient to the cure, and it’s the “Violet Tranquility”.

Our female lead once again startled the whole crowd.

“ Violet Tranquility? That’s impossible, no one has ever seen it before. “

“ Has she finally gone mad? “, the eruption of loud, noisy voices was enough to drive her insane. Listen to what the female lead has to say, will you?!

Anh Thư spoke up again, this time, surprised at how loud and clear her words were. With just a steady “Quiet!” she wiped the whole center to silence. The mask made her look ten times more intimidating, behind it was a blushing face, a completely common reaction when she speaks to crowds. Linh Đa nodded and took the chance to continue her claims.

It wasn’t until the lady unwrapped the package in her arms did she shock everyone, including the alchemists.

Laying on thick layers of finely white cloth, was a flower with it’s full root still wavering in the air, as if still alive. The purple lotus petals opened themselves to show the golden anthers.

The Violet Tranquility was given its name by an ancient God in the legends, a mysterious flower that glows in the dark, and passes the sense of peace to anyone who touches it’s petals. Everyone believed its existence was purely a work of fiction, after all, the last person who ever saw it never wrote about his experience. To see the legendary flowers so close by, the town folks were all curious, wanting to analyze it further.

The male alchemist earlier approached her, this time with his mouth wide open. “ H-how did you.. “, Linh unrespondly hand him the flower. He wasn’t expecting this as he jumped to hold the cloths inplace, afraid of hurting the fragile lotus, he shakily nodded before heading over to the alchemy lab.

Linh Đa had set up many meetings with the alchemy center with the cure, her proofs and claims were valid and tightly backed up with facts. The young lady was clearly educated, she knew what she was talking about, even the alchemists agreed. However, to find the purple lotus was deemed impossible. That was the reason why she was looked down upon.

Given 2 days to find the so-called-flowers, purely made as a joke to make a fool out of Linh. Who knew she would actually bring the sacred Violet Tranquility to the center. No one knew how she got it. No one knew why the merchant cultivated a dry land with no rich soils, no one knew how he hit it off rich. And most importantly, no one knew that the secret to planting the Violet Tranquility was a dead soil with no minerals. No one knew.

That was the start of the female lead's heroic fame.

Anh Thư hurriedly outside with her mini guide swimming beside her, both of them relieved to finally escape that cramped crowd, she let out a sigh. It went better than she expected, the brunette smiled. Thư, for once in her life, she was thankful for her courage to speak up. At least it gave Linh a voice.

“ Let’s go Dương “, she beckoned the merman.

“ We have a long way to go. “