The Queen of Scrolls never admits defeat

After leaving the Tatali tribe, the moving castle traversed the rolling mountains and arrived at the City of Chaos on a misty morning.

This colossal city without walls stands on the largest plain in the chaotic realm, with layers upon layers of buildings spreading out and streets winding like a maze.

Tavern signs hung side by side, the sound of blacksmiths' hammers rang out day and night, the market was crowded with merchants from all races, and the city was home to adventurers from all over the continent.

There are no laws here; power is the only passport, making it a haven for criminals and robbers.

Moran still did not conceal his appearance, but simply parked the castle on a relatively open hillside outside the city.

Sylvia was in high spirits, earning gem coins by opening her shop. It was located right next to the main road into the city, making it easy for passing travelers to see the shop's sign.

In the first few days, most adventurers, upon seeing the behemoth that was the moving castle, immediately thought of staying away to avoid displeasing the "big shots" inside and bringing about their own demise.

In a chaotic city, less curiosity is the key to survival.

Only a few adventurers who took a few steps up the hillside saw the sign for the Witch's General Store and went inside.

Fortunately, after one adventurer left safely, the witch's general store's business improved considerably.

Every morning, Sylvia would open the door of her general store to greet these weary adventurers, and gradually she became familiar with how to deal with different races. Her days were busy but fulfilling.

Every day after closing time, Sylvia would lean on the counter and count the day's earnings with Kaba, sorting the {Gem Coin Cards} by denomination. Watching the gem coins she earned increase and the number of cards on the shelves grow, she felt a great sense of accomplishment.

However, the calm lasted for less than a week.

The chaotic city is ultimately different from the Tatali tribe, which is confined to a corner of the world.

This place is a vortex of information, a breeding ground for rumors.

Not to mention that nowadays, spellcasters on the continent of Valen almost always have a communication bracelet, or at least a communication card.

Ordinary people find it difficult to survive in the chaotic city, and the adventurers who come and go all have communication bracelets that can send pictures and voice messages.

After Moran appeared at the general store and was recognized by passing adventurers, someone took a picture of the moving castle and posted the message "Card Witch Moran appears outside Chaos City" in the group chat.

The news spread like wildfire.

At first, only a few curious people came to the outskirts of the city to observe the moving castle from afar and point at the sign of the witch's general store.

Gradually, photos, videos, eyewitness accounts... spread throughout Warren quickly via communication networks.

Two weeks later, the crowds on the hillside began to get out of control.

Among them were high-level mages who had traveled from afar using {teleportation cards}, just to catch a glimpse of the Card Witch; wealthy merchants who brought their families, hoping to purchase high-level cards directly from Moran; fervent card-drawing enthusiasts, just to get closer to Moran and draw a few good cards from the card pool; and even people from powerful factions in the city who sent formal invitations and gifts.

The hillside where the moving castle is located was originally lush with vegetation and wildflowers.

In just one week, the flowers and plants were completely trampled bare by the endless stream of footsteps, revealing the dry, hard yellow soil underneath.

A long, winding line stretched outside the grocery store from dawn till dusk, with people carrying tents and dry rations, exchanging various legends about Moran as they waited in line.

Sylvia was initially excited.

Business is better than we ever imagined!

Every day when the store opens, the number of cards on the shelves decreases at a visible rate.

She had to make Zizi frequently restock the card shop, make Sentai constantly organize the shelves, and have Kaba specifically responsible for counting the endless stream of gem coin cards.

Revenue figures are breaking records every day.

Sylvia even begged Moran to extend their planned two-week stay in Chaos City: "Stay a few more days! Business is so good, it would be a shame to miss out!" Moran did not object.

She simply watched, stayed by his side, and waited quietly.

Gradually, the excitement began to turn sour.

Sylvia found herself trapped.

Her daily life became a fixed cycle: being woken up by the noise outside the castle in the early morning, hurriedly eating breakfast and rushing to the counter, where she would then spend ten hours non-stop receiving, introducing, trading and collecting money.

At noon, I could only hurriedly stuff a few bites into the sandwiches my mother prepared, and I even had to squeeze in a drink of water.

Her throat became hoarse from talking non-stop, and her little hands were slightly sore from repeatedly counting the {gem coin cards}.

What was originally a fun experience of being a store manager has turned into tedious, repetitive work.

To make matters worse, the area outside the castle is always packed with people.

She wanted to go to the garden for some fresh air during her afternoon break, but as soon as she peeked out, she was met with countless stares, excited shouts, and people taking pictures with their wristbands raised.

She wanted to take an evening stroll into town with her mother, just like when they first arrived, and try the grilled ribs at the local barbecue restaurant, but that was simply impossible.

The road from the castle to the city gate was already completely blocked.

Even at night, the castle was still brightly lit.

The people in line lit bonfires, bards played lutes and sang impromptu card witch hymns, and vendors hawked food and water. The noise didn't subside until late at night.

Sylvia could only hide in the castle, peering out the window at the real lights of the chaotic city in the distance—the taverns, markets, theaters, the "adventures" she had originally planned to explore—now all of them were unattainable landscapes.

The smiles on her face became fewer and fewer.

Sometimes, during breaks in her work, she would stare blankly at the seemingly endless queue outside the door.

Sometimes, when counting the gem coins earned that day, only weariness remained in those once-shining eyes.

Moran saw all of this.

She knew what her daughter was going through.

The desire to make money erodes the original intention of travel and life, and there is also the suffocating feeling of being trapped in an invisible cage.

But she didn't rush to intervene.

Some detours can only be understood by walking them yourself.

Some choices must be made amidst confusion in order to become truly your own.

Every morning, she would brew her daughter a cup of calming herbal tea; and at night, when there was a lot of noise outside the castle, she would activate the soundproof barrier to give her daughter a quiet sleep.

She is waiting.

Sylvia herself realized that some things were more precious than gem coins.

The turning point occurred on an ordinary evening.

The general store had just closed for the day. Zizi was checking the restocking list, Senmo's vines were tidying up the messy shelves, and Kaba was silently sorting the mountain of {gem coin cards} by denomination.

Sylvia sat on a high stool behind the counter, watching everything unfold before her. (End of Chapter)