Chapter 69

She was a bit dumbfounded.

【You didn't know? Brown hair, gray Ma Jia—that one is the security officer the family sent to guard the Harmony Grand Ceremony.】

The subordinate beside her offered an explanation.

【O-oh, I see... Reporting, sir, we are apprehending a stowaway—that is, this Miss, she's very suspicious, it must be her!】

The female subordinate showed a look of sudden realization,

and immediately began to file a complaint.

【Bullshit. Take a good look, will you? The eyewitness report said it was a silver one, and you bring me a silver-haired Miss? Think that's the same thing? And you got into a fight with a guest?!】

【Enough, scram. I'll handle this.】

The female subordinate's explanation did not earn the officer's approval,

and instead made him very angry.

【Y-yes, sir!】

Seeing the officer lose his temper, the two subordinates hurriedly scrambled away.

【My apologies for letting esteemed guests witness such a farce.】

【I am Gallagher of the Hound family, and those idiots are the pups I keep.】

【They are still young and don't know better—they misunderstood my orders and actually mistook a Penacony guest for a criminal... Sigh, truly lacking in manners. On behalf of the Hound family, I extend my sincere apologies to the two of you.】

After the subordinates left,

this officer introduced his identity,

and apologized to the two of them.

【Stelle: The silver one is?】

Stelle asked, a little concerned.

【Gallagher: The Hound family is the dream's gatekeeper, responsible here for a range of security work including apprehending stowaways.】

【Earlier we received word that some lawless elements have snuck into Penacony under the guise of the grand event. With the Harmony Grand Ceremony right around the corner, those with ulterior motives are hardly few...】

Gallagher explained a few things to Stelle.

And while he was explaining,

the girl beside Stelle showed slightly guilty behavior.

【Don't worry, Miss. I'm sure this is a misunderstanding—how could such a cute girl be a stowaway?】

Gallagher noticed the girl's nervousness,

so he spoke up in a joking tone to comfort her.

【... Thank you. If you hadn't stepped in to help, I really don't know what I would have done.】

The girl said gratefully.

【Gallagher: No trouble at all.】

【I still have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. If you need anything, contact me through the pups nearby. Enjoy the sweet dream.】

Gallagher gave a friendly smile,

and walked away from here.

【Thanks so much for stepping in to help! Otherwise I might really have... been taken away.】

After Gallagher left,

the girl began speaking to Stelle with a look of relief.

【Stelle: This help isn't free, you know.】

Seeing how cute the girl before her was,

Stelle couldn't resist teasing her a little.

【I-I know, if you receive a kindness you have to repay it!】

【I only just noticed... you're a Nameless, right? Is this your first time in Penacony?】

The girl nodded seriously,

then timidly opened her mouth to ask.

【Stelle: If you want an autograph, not today.】

Stelle's way of speaking was as unserious as ever.

【That's not what I meant! Although I do admire the Nameless, that's true...】

The girl's face flushed slightly, a little embarrassed.

【I mean, you were invited by the family, right? I-I could serve as your guide!】

【Even though I was mistaken for a stowaway by the Hound family, I'm actually a local—an artist of the Iris family, 'Firefly'! Though only a temporary performer...】

【When I'm not performing, I also take on reception work around the Glaux Avenue area. If you don't mind, I can show you all sorts of interesting things. As long as I work properly, maybe the Xujiubu Society won't bother me...】

The girl said her name,

and mustered her courage, proposing to be Stelle's tour guide.

【Stelle: Weren't you working earlier?】

Firefly's last sentence,

left Stelle a little puzzled.

【Firefly: No performance today, and guide work isn't always available either... Everyone who comes here is a guest of the highest rank, most of them with attendants...】

Firefly gave Stelle an explanation.

【Stelle: I see, the Star of the Festival is pretty realistic too...】

Stelle felt a little wistful,

She felt that even in dreams, class distinctions still existed.

【No no! Pinoconny is where dreams converge, and the grand feast never ends! But with the grand ceremony approaching, the pressure is naturally higher...】

Liuying quickly waved her hands, indicating she didn't mean that.

【Star: Are you also a family member?】 Star asked curiously.

【Liuying: Me? No, not at all... I'm not yet a family member, just working for them...】

Liuying shook her head like a rattle drum.

But after saying that,

she unconsciously glanced toward the noisy crowd, as if searching for something.

Her expression changed slightly.

Yet it lasted only a moment,

and she returned to normal.

【Liuying:... Let's not talk about that! I'll take you to tour the town... Let's go!】

Liuying looked at Star,

smiling broadly,

ready to act as a guide and take her sightseeing.

March 7th: "Wow, what a cute girl."

March 7th: "Star, I didn't expect you'd meet such a cute girl after arriving in Pinoconny."

Star: "Hehehe. She's so beautiful. I declare, she's my second wife!"

Liuying: "Huh?? Second wife?? (blushing. jpg)"

Paimon: "So Liuying Miss is actually in the livestream?! (surprised. jpg)"

Ying: "Liuying Miss has spoken a few times just now, but she didn't say much, so people overlooked her."

March 7th: "Liuying Miss is truly adorable—she's practically a match for this lady!"

March 7th: "But speaking of which, Star, what do you mean by 'second wife'? Who's your first wife?"

Star: "Do you even have to ask? Of course it's you!"

Star: "Aren't you my first wife?"

March 7th: "??? Eww!! When did I become your first wife?! (covering face. jpg)"

Star: "Hehe, woman, denying it won't help—I say you are, so you are! (dominant. jpg)"

Brother Dan Heng: "..."

Himeko: "..."