Chapter 18: Forbidden Potion (I)

The sunset painted the streets of Heiyili a warm orange.

Yiruo was holding Yilena’s hand as they walked home. The warmth of the pink earring still lingered in her palm, and the little star on her earlobe swayed gently with each step.

“Little Yiruo~”

Yilena’s voice carried its usual lightness:

“What do you think of Heiyili as a city?”

Yiruo looked up and glanced around.

The bakery on the street corner wafted out the scent of the last batch of bread. The grocery shop owner was closing up for the day. A few children ran past them, their laughter scattering along the road.

From a distance came the sound of wheels rolling over stone slabs, mingling with cooking smoke and the evening breeze—a sound that brought an inexplicable sense of peace to the heart.

“It’s full of life,” she said softly. “And very warm.”

She paused, then added:

“Everyone… is very friendly.”

Yilena smiled, watching her, waiting for her to continue.

Yiruo was silent for a few seconds, then lowered her head, her voice even softer:

“…I really like this place.”

Yilena’s eyes curved into crescent moons.

She didn’t speak immediately. She just held Yiruo’s hand and continued walking.

After a stretch, she finally spoke:

“Little Yiruo, do you know why I took you all around Heiyili today?”

Yiruo thought for a moment.

“To let me… get to know the people around you?”

Yilena nodded, then shook her head.

“Right, but not entirely~”

She stopped, turned around, and crouched down to meet Yiruo’s eyes.

Those sapphire-blue eyes were so serious at that moment that it was impossible to look away.

She reached out and lightly tapped Yiruo’s nose.

“Bringing you out was indeed to let you meet the people around me,” she said. “But more importantly—”

Yiruo was stunned.

“I want you to witness this city’s growth.”

“I want you to truly become a part of it.”

She paused, her lips curving into a gentle smile:

“Part of today’s journey was to let everyone know that a lovely child has come to this small city.”

“Likewise, you will be under this city’s protection.”

Yiruo opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.

The word “protection” felt foreign to her.

Yilena stood up, took her hand again, and walked on.

“This city was originally located at a crossroads between major nations.”

“Humans, elves, beastmen, vampires, demons, and other races—all once fought over this land.”

Yilena gazed into the distance, as if recalling something.

“But one day, monsters descended here. They rampaged and nearly destroyed this place.”

She tightened her grip on Yiruo’s hand, her eyes softening.

“The warriors who had been fighting each other decided to join forces against the monsters. With the help of a mysterious powerful figure, a miracle happened.”

“The wave of monsters was repelled time and again, and eventually vanished from this city. Through their common struggle, the people forged bonds and decided to build a new city.”

“That city is Heiyili—a truly free city.”

“Everyone supports each other, and also keeps each other in check.”

“That’s why this city rarely sees conflict, and protects everyone who lives here.”

Yiruo listened quietly.

“Of course~” Yilena suddenly laughed again, reaching out to ruffle Yiruo’s hair. “These are just safeguards. If something really happens—”

She leaned down, bringing her mouth close to Yiruo’s ear, her voice soft:

“Miss Witch will definitely protect you~”

Yiruo’s ears instantly turned red.

She mumbled:

“…So you saved this city?”

Yilena laughed out loud.

“Mm~ I’m just a common witch you see everywhere~ I wouldn’t know anything about that~”

With that, she let go of Yiruo’s hand and took two things out of her storage gear.

Two masks.

They were symmetrical in design, carved with delicate patterns and decorated with feathers of different colors.

One slightly larger, one slightly smaller.

Yilena picked up the smaller one and gently placed it on Yiruo’s face.

The mask covered the upper half of her face, leaving only her sapphire-like eyes and slightly flushed cheeks visible.

Then she put on the larger mask herself, and from her storage space took out two black robes. She draped one over herself and handed the other to Yiruo.

Yiruo was wrapped in the oversized robe, making her look even smaller.

“What are we… doing?”

“Buying some materials~”

“…Materials?”

Soon, Yiruo understood what “buying some materials” meant.

Yilena led her through the alleys of Heiyili, winding around.

They were heading home, but they kept going deeper.

Left turn, right turn, left again. They passed through an alley so narrow only one person could fit, then turned into what seemed like a dead end.

Then she noticed a magic circle hidden in the wall.

Yiruo had completely lost her sense of direction.

“Where… are we going?”

Yilena walked up to the wall, waved her hand, and a hidden door appeared.

After pushing it open, they walked a bit further.

Finally, they stopped in front of a shabby-looking general store.

The shop was hidden deep in an extremely narrow alley, without even a sign. Only a dim oil lamp swayed in the wind.

Yilena pushed the door open.

Inside, it looked like an ordinary small shop. The shelves held some scattered daily necessities. Behind the counter sat an old man dozing off.

But Yilena didn’t stop. She walked straight to a small door behind the counter.

She knocked.

Knock—knock knock—knock—knock knock knock.

The knocking followed a pattern, like a password.

A hoarse voice came from behind the door:

“Where does the wind come from, and what do you wish to take?”

Yilena smiled lightly and replied:

“The witch takes fire; clear water extinguishes it.”

The door creaked open.

Behind it was a staircase leading down, dim light seeping up from below.

Yilena turned back and reached out to Yiruo:

“Come, watch your step~”

At the bottom of the stairs was a hidden underground world.

This was Heiyili’s famous underground trading district.

Since many precious materials couldn’t be traded openly in the city, this underground market had gradually formed.

Yiruo stood at the foot of the stairs, her mouth slightly open in shock at the sight.

It was a massive underground space, with roads brightly lit and people coming and going.

But unlike the lively streets above, most people here wore masks and black robes.

Stalls covered the entire area, displaying all kinds of rare magical materials.

Any alchemist or mage would be thrilled at the sight.

People were trading at stalls, others talking in low voices, and merchants pushing carts full of boxes hurried past.

The air was mixed with all sorts of strange smells—the bitterness of herbs, the metallic scent of ores, and the lingering aura of certain magical beasts.

But no one caused trouble here.

Everyone followed the rules.

That was why this place could exist long-term.

Yilena took Yiruo’s hand and skillfully weaved through the crowd.

They stopped at one stall after another, buying materials from her list.

“Little Yiruo~ Look at this.”

Yilena picked up a stalk of Moonlight Grass and held it out to Yiruo.

Yiruo stared at the plant, which gave off a faint blue glow, slightly dazed.

“You should recognize this plant, right? It usually grows in cracks of ruins, nourished by moonlight.”

Yilena pointed to a pile of Moonlight Grass in front of them.

“Let me test you. Which one has the best quality?”

Yiruo observed carefully, and a faint blue magical flow appeared in her pupils.

She reached out and picked two from the pile.

“Using magic to judge? Good idea.”

Next, Yilena had her choose Stardust Sand and Dragon’s Breath Red.

Every time, Yilena let Yiruo pick first, then supplemented her judgment before paying.

Her movements were as practiced as if she were in her own backyard.

Yiruo followed behind her, a slight hint of joy on her face, like a child being praised.

Then they came to a shop that looked more refined than the other stalls.

Above the shop hung a small sign with a few elegant elven characters written on it.

Behind the counter sat a young elven woman, her pointed ears peeking out from her golden hair.

She was bent over, polishing a piece of crystal that emitted a faint blue light.

Sensing the newcomers, she looked up with a professional smile.

But the moment she recognized Yilena, the smile turned into a frown.

“…You again, Yilena.”

The elven woman turned away and continued polishing the crystal in her hand.

Yilena didn’t mind at all. Instead, she smiled even brighter:

“Long time no see~ Ofina~ How’s business lately~”

Ofina rolled her eyes:

“As long as you don’t come, my shop will be the best in the entire underground trading district.”

“Oh dear~ That’s such a mean thing to say. I’m just here to support your business~”

“Support?” Ofina gave a cold laugh. “When have you ever not haggled my high prices down to cost price?”

Yilena clasped her hands together and blinked:

“That’s because your prices are too outrageous~ Calling something ‘twenty-year-old ancient tree moonlight stone’ when it’s just common ore dug up by ordinary adventurers.”

Yiruo hid behind Yilena, only a masked little face peeking out, watching the exchange.

She noticed a common thread—

Miss Witch’s acquaintances all seemed to “dislike” her, but they never actually drove her away.

“I remember you still have some Phantom Butterfly Scale Powder, right?” Yilena asked.

Ofina took a deep breath, pulled a small box from under the counter, and placed it on the table.

“The scale powder you want. This is the only premium bottle. Collected last year from the depths of the Shadowy Forest, very high purity.”

Her gaze fell on Yiruo, and she gave a meaningful smile:

“Oh, you brought a little sidekick? Bringing a child to a place like this?”

Yilena pulled Yiruo forward.

“My child is amazing~ Come on, Little Yiruo, take a look at this.”

Yiruo studied the bottle of Phantom Butterfly Scale Powder seriously for a moment.

“Good purity, but there’s a bit of impurity.”

“Did you hear that!” Ofina immediately puffed out her chest. “Premium goods!”

“Five gold coins,” she quoted the price.

Yilena held up two fingers.

“Two.”

Ofina’s eyes widened.

“Two?! Are you robbing me?!”

“Two,” Yilena said with a grin. “If you don’t agree, I won’t buy.”

“This is my prized stock—”

“You wouldn’t want such an innocent child to see you inflating prices, would you?” Yilena said softly.

Ofina: “…”

She slammed her head onto the counter.

“…Two gold coins. Take it and leave.”

Yilena happily paid.

Ofina pocketed the coins and waved her hand:

“Alright, alright, finish your shopping and get out. I always lose money when you come.”

But Yilena didn’t move.

She took out two more gold coins and placed them gently on the counter.

Ofina’s eyes lit up:

“Has your conscience finally kicked in?”

Yilena lowered her voice:

“I want to ask for some information.”

Ofina looked at the gold coins, then at her, and finally accepted them.

“Talk.”

Her expression turned serious.

“There’s been something off lately.”

“Outsiders have started showing up in Heiyili.”

“They don’t show themselves often, but they occasionally appear in the underground market.”

She paused, lowering her voice even more:

“On the small roads outside the city, people have found bodies that were attacked.”

“They looked like they had their life force drained… Doesn’t seem like monster work. The method was very professional.”

“Something unclean has set its sights on this place.”

Yilena’s gaze darkened.

“Exactly where?”

Ofina whispered a district name.

Yilena nodded and didn’t ask further.

She packed up the materials, took Yiruo’s hand, and prepared to leave.

Just then—

A familiar magical fluctuation appeared in Yiruo’s senses.

Black magic, carrying a mad will, swept past her.

Yiruo whipped her head around.

A black robe. A half-mask.

And that fleeting sense of familiarity.

Her pupils abruptly contracted.

That magical frequency!

The figure was walking in another direction, soon melting into the crowd.

But Yiruo had seen it.

Under the mask, that fire-red eye.

It was the woman who had appeared in the café before.

Her fingers tightened slightly.

“Little Yiruo?” Yilena noticed the abnormality. “What’s wrong?”

Yiruo’s voice was a bit tight:

“…That woman.”

She pointed in the direction she had seen her.

“The woman with the black cat appeared.”

Yilena looked in that direction, but saw nothing.

She didn’t press. Instead, she gently squeezed Yiruo’s hand.

“It’s okay,” she said softly. “I’m here.”

Yiruo looked into those gentle blue eyes, and her unease eased a little.

Yilena prepared to take her away.

But Yiruo stopped.

That woman appearing here was no coincidence.

She looked back once more, scanning the crowd.

And in a corner she couldn’t see—

The masked woman stopped and looked back.

A meaningful smile flickered in her fire-red eyes.

The black cat in her arms let out a soft “meow.”

“Carlos,” she murmured, “things are getting interesting~”