### Chapter Seventeen: Miss Peilo?
Ah, Winter City! It’s not quite like Nalanda with its exotic charm. The first glimpse of this grand metropolis hits you like a brick — a mind-boggling shock that’s hard to describe.
If I were to liken it to something, it would be… a steel beast lying dormant amid the unrelenting snowstorms, or maybe a hidden gem in the misty clouds of Edinburgh.
These two analogies aren’t contradictory because Winter City is a miraculous fusion of romance and industry, two seemingly oppositional elements. From afar, amidst the unique, ornate buildings, factory chimneys rise like towering sentinels, hidden in a snowy landscape, as if they are unquenchable forges of the ice and cold.
This is the most industrialized city in the world, despite not being the capital of the Valen Empire.
As the Holy Church’s procession arrived outside the southern gates at noon, the sky was clear, but the chill still lingered. The knights, despite having donned shirts beneath their armor and wrapped cloaks around themselves, were stomping their feet to keep warm.
The war chariot halted at the southern gate, and the captain of the knights stepped forward to speak with the guards.
I sneakily lifted the curtain, curious to take a good look at these fellows clad in high-collared, thick leather armor, cloaked in dark coats and round hats, exuding an overwhelming gothic vibe. Their weapons were all sorts of bizarre—some had serrated saw-blades, some could fold like large axes, and others resembled serpentine twin swords. I looked for a decent long sword but couldn’t find one!
“Carlos.”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
Carlos still looked dapper in his little suit, seemingly unfazed by the cold, though I noticed he’d wrapped an Iris cloak around himself.
I pointed at the guards, who were opening the gates for us. “Those… are those strange weapons?”
“Correct.” Carlos nodded. “The Winter City guard is a core strength of the duke’s house, an army referred to by outsiders as Workshop Hunters. They’re famous for their powerful individual combat skills, and their weapons are all designed and manufactured by the central workshop—some of the finest weird weapons in the world.”
“Central workshop? Is that a weapon factory?”
“Pretty much, yes. It’s a bit complicated to explain, but you’ll get it soon enough.”
Nodding in response, I couldn’t help but grasp that every one of those weapons could unleash terrifying destruction. Facing such an enemy would be nerve-wracking, as you could hardly predict their attack patterns! Truly unpredictable — I was starting to find that intriguing.
After not too long, our group entered the outer city walls, and before long, the clamor of the streets hit our ears.
“Mr. Carlos, Miss Silvya,” the captain of the knights approached our war chariot, “next, we need to head to the parish to deliver goods and, while we’re at it, escort these merchants to the underground prison. Would you both like to accompany us?”
“Shall we check out the parish?” Carlos didn’t directly answer the captain but turned to me for my opinion instead.
“Where’s the Osemiru Cake?”
“In the Commercial Street.” Carlos immediately understood my intentions and waved at the captain, “We’ll be visiting Duke at Shanter Castle soon, so we won’t be joining you. Please take care of the merchants—be sure to inform me of the results.”
“Understood, Mr. Carlos,” the captain responded with a bow, his gaze lingering briefly on me before saying, “Then, farewell. See you both later.”
With that, he directed the group to leave.
After parting ways with the knights, Carlos instructed the carriage driver to make a trip to Commercial Street.
It wasn’t far from where we were, and in roughly half an hour, the war chariot came to a stop in front of a rather cozy-looking cake shop on the corner.
Even before stepping out, I could smell the rich, sweet aroma wafting through the air.
“Slurp~ I’m going to take a look.”
I eagerly lifted the curtain, ready to jump down from the chariot, but Carlos grabbed my arm.
“What are you doing?!” I turned around and glared at him.
Who gave you the audacity to stop me from eating, Carlos!
He ignored my fierce gaze.
“I’ll buy it; you stay in the carriage.”
“No way!”
I’d heard the sweets in Winter City were quite famous, and a cake shop this big must have loads of delicious treats! I had to see them with my own eyes!
“Then wrap up your cloak,” Carlos said.
“I’m not cold,” I lightly shook my head.
“Idiot, I don’t care if you’re not cold! It’s your face; if someone sees you, it could create some trouble.”
“Trouble?” I furrowed my brow in confusion.
“Well, you have black hair and black eyes,” Carlos shrugged nonchalantly, looking a bit careless. “If someone suspects you’re impersonating royalty, you’re going to have quite a bit of explaining to do. Just put it on and let’s go.”
“…Oh.”
That’s when I recalled what Angel had said about the Valen Empire’s royals, all having black hair and black eyes. Grudgingly, I pulled on the cloak and put the hood over my head.
“Is this good?”
“Hmm~” Carlos looked at me, my entire face obscured by the hood’s shadow, and patted my head with satisfaction. “Perfect! You can take it off once we’re at Shanter Castle.”
“Don’t touch my head.” I swatted Carlos’s hand away and shot him a quick eye roll before hopping out of the chariot.
This cake shop looked quite popular, with throngs of customers outside and a packed interior. Desserts here were definitely a luxury; the clients looked far from ordinary—dressed elegantly, many resembling servants or butlers.
“Please… please don’t crowd! Um, those who have paid already, please wait to the side and don’t affect the customers behind you, thank you…”
The sweet yet slightly flustered voice rang out among the crowd. I stood on tiptoes in the back, trying to peek inside but could still see nothing, getting more and more anxious.
What to do? I guess I’ll just have to push my way in!
I glanced around for a less crowded direction and squeezed my way inside with some effort.
“Excuse me, make way!”
“Thank you! Please!”
After what felt like an eternity, I finally made it to the front of the counter and looked up at the sweating shop girl.
“I want… Osemiru Cake. Give me a lot, a lot.”
The noise around drowned out my words as the girl seemed not to hear me. She looked overwhelmed by the crowd, sweat trickling down her forehead as she wrinkled her slightly freckled nose, and her beautiful big eyes were full of distress, with tears welling up.
I unconsciously raised my voice.
“Osemiru Cake!”
My sweet, melodious call instantly silenced the place.
The shop girl finally snapped into action, “I’m sorry, please wait a moment…”
Just as she began to speak, she suddenly froze, staring at me with wide eyes before rubbing them in disbelief, looking utterly adorable.
“…you’re… Miss Peilo?”
What?
I tilted my head, furrowing my brow in confusion, then gasped, realizing I had just exposed my identity when my hood slipped off!
“Cough cough.”
Panicking, I hastily pulled my hood back up, coughed lightly to play it cool, and fished a coin out from my pocket, placing it on the counter.
“Cake.”
“Is… is that really you, Miss Peilo?”
The shop girl seemed relentless, her eyes filled with a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
Peilo? I don’t know her! Who is that?
Did she mistake me for someone else?
“No, you’re mistaken,” I murmured.
The awkward silence wrapped around us, and I pressed my hood down even tighter, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.
“Hey, I can’t be wrong…”
“Is it really her?”
“I think it is.”
“She’s not supposed to have…”
Whispers started to ripple through the crowd as curious gazes turned toward me, making me suddenly the center of attention. I felt a wave of irritation wash over me, and the urge to escape this situation rose.
…Forget it, I’ll just let Carlos buy it for me later.
Reluctantly stealing one last glance at the tempting cakes on display, I bolted through the crowd and dove back into the war chariot.
“What happened?!”
Carlos was taken aback when I rushed in, panicked.
“I was spotted.”
I said it nonchalantly.
“…Why are you so stupid?” Carlos held his head in exasperation.
“Stop talking.”
I awkwardly turned my gaze away, not quite sure how serious my predicament was. However, seeing that Carlos didn’t seem too worried put me somewhat at ease.
“What now?”
“Don’t worry; I’ll go buy it for you.”
Carlos was about to step out when suddenly, the shop girl’s hesitant voice floated through the curtain.
“Um… Miss, I brought your cake…”
I hurriedly lifted the curtain, and the girl was standing there, carrying a huge bag of cake, panting slightly.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Um…” she looked nervously at the ornate carriage that symbolized the Holy Church and then hesitated before summoning her courage, “May I ask, do you really not know Miss Peilo?”
Looking into her earnest eyes, I thought for a moment, but I couldn’t recall ever meeting anyone by that name.
“I don’t know her. Who is she?”
Upon hearing this, the shop girl’s face fell with disappointment.
“Just… just a customer who used to come here often. She loves Osemiru Cake too.”
“She looks like me?”
“She’s as beautiful as you.”
