Chapter 347: Mira's Invitation

The woman stood quietly in place, thin as dried grass, barely able to keep the robe on her body.

She looked at the little girl in front of her with an expressionless face, but a trace of curiosity suddenly flickered in her eyes.

“Who are you”

Gwen was currently looking up.

She was too short, and with Mira standing in front of her, the sunlight was completely blocked.

White long hair slipped out from the hood, and her eyes flickered slightly as she inconspicuously glanced around.

The people who had been walking around earlier had all dispersed at some point.

Only she and Mira remained standing in the alley.

The noisy lower district had turned so silent that even a pin drop could be heard.

〖Gwen, be careful, she actually noticed you〗

The translucent unicorn beside her leaned closer and whispered softly into Gwen's ear.

〖Yeah, she's the first one who’s ever noticed you〗

〖It’s alright, Gwen, we’ll all help you!〗

〖Don’t be afraid, we’re all here. If anything happens, we’ve got your back!〗

Gwen took a deep breath, and the fear and panic in her heart gradually faded.

As long as her friends were by her side, there was nothing to be afraid of.

She subconsciously looked at the tiny Gwen in armor—that was herself, all grown up.

The young Gwen stared at her steadily, then turned her head and gestured toward Mira with her lips.

Gwen nodded inwardly and then turned her gaze toward Mira.

She would protect her friends.

“My name is Gwen.”

Mira carefully observed her, slowly squatted down to meet Gwen's gaze, and reached out her withered fingers to gently stroke her pure white hair.

“Such beautiful hair. Are you from the White Raven Principality?”

Gwen nodded, thought for a moment, then shook her head.

“I’m not sure. After my parents died, I wandered here from the North.

I don’t know anything about the White Raven Principality, but many people say I’m from there.”

Mira's eyes widened in surprise, but after a moment, she chuckled softly.

She rubbed the top of Gwen’s head. “I thought you were from the Silent Sanctum, but turns out you’re just a little kitten.”

Her fingers weren’t soft at all, and the touch made Gwen wince a little.

Mira retracted her hand and stood up, patting the dust off her robe.

“Little Gwen, what are you doing here? Hungry?”

“Of course not! Do you think kids only know how to get hungry?”

“Oh? Then what is it?”

While they talked, Gwen took the opportunity to glance to the side when Mira wasn’t looking.

A translucent little squirrel slowly crept that way—it was one of Gwen’s friends too.

But after a few steps, it froze in place.

Mira looked directly at it.

Gwen’s body trembled.

This time, all her friends fell silent.

Even those who wanted to speak had their mouths covered by the nearby animals.

Mira could see her friends.

She could see these phantoms that only Gwen could see!

If it were anywhere else, Gwen might have been happy.

Her imaginary friends had found someone else they could talk to—perhaps they could become friends.

But this was the slums of Blood Harbor.

The woman before her was the High Priestess of the Life Mother Church—a monster who fed on the souls of her followers.

Gwen’s heart slowly sank.

Yet Mira seemed oblivious.

She chatted with Gwen for a long time and even pulled her into a nearby building.

The believers here were also cooking porridge.

Mira served herself a bowl, then turned to look at Gwen.

“.I don’t need any. I just had porridge.”

Mira didn’t insist.

She found a step along the street, sat down with devotion on her face, and raised the bowl of porridge.

Gwen peeked at the bowl.

The porridge was watery—not as thick as the one Josh made—but it still gave off the scent of food.

Mira brought her dry lips close to the bowl, sipping the porridge in tiny mouthfuls.

She said nothing.

Quietly, she finished the entire bowl, even tipping it to drink the last drop of broth.

Only then did she show a satisfied smile.

“I really love porridge.”

“Actually, I love food in general.

But most of the time, I can only have porridge.”

“When I was little, I used to think—if there’s a place where porridge is always available, I’d go there and never leave, even if I died.”

“Now it’s just right.

There’s porridge to drink, and everyone can stay alive.”

Gwen blinked, looking at the rice sticking to the corner of Mira’s mouth, then glanced at the pot.

For some reason, she suddenly wanted a bowl too—even though she’d just had one at Josh’s place.

Well, porridge doesn’t really fill you up anyway.

“Want some porridge?”

Gwen quickly shook her head and looked warily at Mira.

Mira giggled and patted Gwen’s back, pointing to the end of the alley.

“Go on home, little kitten.

Next time, big sister will treat you to porridge.”

The street was gradually filling with people.

The sun was setting, and many laborers were finishing their work, ready to go home.

Gwen opened her eyes wide, looked at the alley, then at Mira.

Then she jumped off the step and ran away.

Before leaving, she glanced back—Mira was waving at her.

The setting sun cast a golden glow over her.

“What a strange person...”

Gwen mumbled quietly.

〖If even Gwen says she’s strange, she must be very strange.〗

〖Don’t say things like that—you make it sound like Gwen is the strange one!〗

〖She is pretty strange though.〗

〖Hmph, Mira must’ve been scared.

Gwen is super powerful—she let you go because she couldn’t beat you!〗

〖No, I think the porridge was poisoned.〗

Gwen withdrew her gaze from her noisy friends.

She hesitantly asked the unicorn, “What kind of person do you think she is?”

〖A very dangerous one.

She could see you, and even see us.

She might be skilled in this area and could suppress your ability.

It’s best to stay away from her.〗

Gwen frowned in thought, then solemnly nodded.

After that, she turned to the armored girl. “What do you think, little Gwen?”

〖Like Mama.〗

Gwen froze.

She instinctively wanted to refute it, but the words stuck in her throat.

The expression on her face shifted repeatedly—from anger to doubt, from certainty to hesitation, and finally to confusion.

She could no longer remember her mother’s face.

“Little girl, why are you standing here?

Did you lose your parents?”

A voice suddenly came from beside her, and Gwen turned around.

A man in a hood stood there, his eyes evasive.

From the gap in his sleeve, twisted and eerie tattoos could be seen.

“My mom and dad are gone.”

“Is that so...

Come here, little one.

Uncle can help you find them.”

A few other hooded figures came over, quietly surrounding her.

Gwen nodded expressionlessly and followed them into the depths of the alley.