The Queen of Scrolls never admits defeat

"Hello, I'm Sylvia, the shop manager!"

Sylvia pushed the heavy catalog forward, the booklet sliding a short distance across the smooth countertop before coming to a stop just within Tarillo's reach:
"This is our store's catalog. You can take a look and see if there are any cards you need. I highly recommend the Level 5 Healing Potion! It's only 2500 Gem Coins a bottle."

Taliro nodded, his rough fingers turning the pages of the booklet's heavy cover.

On the parchment pages, the images and descriptions on the cards are clear and neat.

Even though the booklet contained many rare cards he had never heard of, his gaze still involuntarily drifted toward the adult witch leisurely drinking tea by the window.

Her long purple hair was loosely tied behind her head. Although it was only her back view, the energy fluctuations emanating from her body were like silent thunderclouds, seemingly calm but containing an awe-inspiring power.

Most importantly, she is a purple-haired witch.

Now all Valen people know that the purple-haired witch on the back of the initial card appearance is Moran, the legendary Card Witch and the founder of card magic.

Her portrait is a favorite among many gacha enthusiasts.

Inside the chieftain's tent hangs a portrait of Moran, which was obtained from a human merchant. Whenever someone in the tribe wants to draw a card, they go to the portrait to pray.

It was precisely because of Lord Moran's card magic that the Tatars, who lived deep in the mountains and depended on the weather for their livelihood, were able to have an additional channel for purchasing supplies. This not only improved their living standards but also made their tribe more prosperous.

Moran felt the gaze that kept falling on her. She put down her teacup and turned around to look at him.

Upon seeing her face, Tarillo exclaimed: "!!!"

He shuddered as if struck by lightning, and slammed the catalog shut in his hand.

The next second, he took three steps back, punched his left chest hard with his right hand, and bent over deeply.

This is the highest form of courtesy the Tatali tribe uses to treat respected individuals.

"Greetings, Lord Moran!"

His voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Sylvia looked at the Tatars bowing their heads in a posture of near-reverence, then at her mother, her little face filled with surprise and curiosity: "Mom, do you know him?"

Moran shook her head and walked to the counter: "They must have recognized me."

There was indeed no one stronger than her in the entire Valen, so she didn't bother to use shapeshifting potions to conceal her appearance when she went out.

It's not surprising that they were recognized.

Seeing the other party's solemn etiquette, she still said softly, "Please get up. I am just a witch passing by, and the... shopkeeper of this general store."

Taliro straightened up, but the excitement in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

Sylvia stroked her chin, her eyes darting around, and suddenly laughed: "So Mom was quite famous in the wilderness too!"

Tarillo lowered his head even further, overwhelmed by a surge of reverence, gratitude, and honor that left him at a loss for what to do.

Moran sighed helplessly and steered the conversation back on track: "Friends from the Tatali tribe, are there any cards you'd like to buy?"

"Yes!" Taliro answered loudly on the spur of the moment, then realized he had lost his composure and quickly lowered his voice: "Lord Moran, please wait! I need to discuss this important matter with my people!"

After saying this, he bowed to Moran again, then turned and practically sprinted out of the general store, leaping over the porch steps in one bound. Sylvia blinked, still not fully processing what was happening: "He... he's leaving already? Not buying anything?"

Moran watched the figure quickly disappear through the doorway and smiled: "They'll be back!"

Taliro dashed toward the largest, gold-trimmed tent in the center of the tribe, where the tribespeople were gathered.

He shouted loudly from more than ten meters away:

"Chief! Chief! It's Lord Moran's general store! She's with her daughter! Lord Moran herself asked us if we had any cards we wanted to buy!"

An elderly woman with gray hair, faded face paint, but still sharp, eagle-like eyes strode towards him and grabbed his hand: "What? Lady Moran, the Card Witch? Are you sure?"

His voice rose slightly in shock, drawing the attention of all the tribespeople around him.

“It’s true!” Taliro nodded vigorously, pointing to the enormous castle: “That moving castle belongs to Lord Moran! Her daughter is in the shop, and Lord Moran is sitting by the window!”

These words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

The surrounding Tatars swarmed around them, their faces filled with incredible excitement:
"Lord Moran's general store? Good heavens, is our tribe blessed?"

"Taliro, did you see what kind of cards they sell inside? Do they have any {Premium Preservation Cards}? The rainy season is coming soon!"

"How old is Lord Moran's daughter? Does she look like her?"

……

Problems came raining down on us.

Taliro was taken aback by the question, and his expression suddenly froze. He was so excited and focused on confirming Moran's identity that he didn't even look at the catalog carefully!
Under the expectant gazes of his people, he could only try to recall, stammering, "Oh, it seems there's a {Level 5 Healing Potion} card... Lady Moran's daughter, Miss Sylvia, said that one bottle only costs 2500 gem coins!"

"A level 5 healing potion for only 2500 gem coins?!" A young warrior with fresh claw marks on his face exclaimed in surprise. "Great! The goblin merchant who came last time asked for 3000 gem coins, and we thought it was too expensive and didn't buy it! Ram's leg injury needs this!"

"As expected of Lord Moran, the price is fair!" A slightly older female hunter bowed slightly towards the castle.

"Taliro, are there any other cards?" Chief Taram pressed.

Taliro scratched his head sheepishly, his painted face scrunched up: "I...I forgot! But Miss Sylvia said there are only level 5 and above cards inside, so there should be a lot of good stuff..."

"All of them are level 5 or higher?" Taram's eyes lit up. He pondered for a moment, glanced at his excited and expectant tribespeople, and said loudly:
"Since Lord Moran's mobile castle has stopped right next to our tribe and even opened a general store, it means we're welcome to come and buy things. This is a rare opportunity, so everyone, gather your gem coins and I'll go to the store myself!"

"Chief! Chief! I want to go too! I've never seen Lord Moran in person before!"

"I want to go too! I want to see Lord Moran's daughter!"

"Take me with you! I want to see what high-level cards look like!"

"I'd like to try my luck with Lord Moran; maybe I'll draw a good card?"

……

The Tatars were all scrambling to get into the shops, their voices rising and falling.

For them, buying cards was important, but even more important was seeing the legendary Card Witch in person. (End of Chapter)