"Hey, pink hair! Do you have no respect for the order of Sumeru City?"
Perhaps a VIP had arrived. The crowd, which had been pointing and whispering about the beautiful March 7th, suddenly fell silent and eagerly cleared a path.
A moment later, a handsome youth with long white hair cascading to his waist and crimson eyes radiating an icy indifference strode through the cleared path, stopping before March 7th.
"Um... it was a misunderstanding... all a misunderstanding! Ha ha..."
For some reason, the warm, pleasant air turned bone-chilling with the youth's arrival. It felt like needles piercing March 7th's snow-white skin, sending shivers down her spine.
"Explain yourself," the youth said coldly. "As a criminal, I'll grant you one sentence to defend yourself."
Recognizing Nahida, the youth nodded slightly to her before fixing his icy gaze on March 7th. His piercing, oppressive stare instantly weighed down on her, crushing her spirit.
"Um... I just wanted to take Nahida to the back mountains of Sumeru City. No ill intentions."
If it were an ordinary person, or a Pathstrider with limited experience, they might have trembled into silence under the youth's oppressive aura.
But March 7th was no ordinary person, nor a Pathstrider lacking experience. She was a Pathstrider who had personally witnessed the Emanator War and even participated in it!
How could she possibly be intimidated by such a minor display of pressure?
Under the White-Haired Youth's oppressive aura, March 7th merely felt a slight chill, nothing more. Dismissing the cold with a wave of her hand and an awkward smile, she insisted it was all a misunderstanding.
She had simply wanted to take Nahida to the back mountains on a dark and windy night—no harm intended, no harm intended...
Hmm? Something doesn't quite add up here...
"At night? The back mountain? With no malicious intent?" The White-Haired Youth's expression grew even colder upon hearing March 7th's explanation.
"Whether you truly harbor no malicious intent or not, you'll have to explain it clearly in the Trial Chamber!"
Clearly, March 7th's words hadn't resolved the misunderstanding; instead, they deepened the White-Haired Youth's suspicions...
After all, who would believe someone who takes a young girl to the back mountain in the dead of night, claiming they mean no harm? Only a fool would!
Moreover, the back mountain was where the Irminsul stood. Who knew what they planned to do? Perform some vile, lewd acts under the Irminsul's watchful gaze?
Though the pink-haired girl had chosen the wrong target—Nahida was far from a defenseless commoner—her intentions were glaringly obvious.
Without further thought, the White-Haired Youth waved his hand behind him, signaling his subordinates to take March 7th into custody for thorough interrogation.
"U-um... Let's get out of here!" Surrounded by the Matra, March 7th suddenly panicked.
Not because she feared being imprisoned, but because she dreaded what Sister Lumina would think if she heard about this (≧□≦)!
By now, March 7th had realized just how absurd her earlier statement had been...
"Alright, alright, Sneer" Nahida interjected, having observed everyone's expressions. Knowing further confrontation would be pointless, she stepped forward to explain.
"This Miss March 7th is a bit...simple-minded. She's a bit foolish, so please be understanding."
"She simply wanted to buy my time. She had no ulterior motives or sinister intentions."
"Hey! Who are you calling a fool?!" Despite Nahida's striking resemblance to Sister Lumina, March 7th couldn't resist snapping back.
You can say I, March 7th, am weak, but you absolutely can't call me stupid!
This young lady is naturally gifted and intelligent—how could I possibly be the idiot you claim I am?!
"So, anyone who disagrees with me is an idiot, huh?"
"Who's disagreeing with you?!" March 7th continued to retort upon hearing Nahida's words.
Hmm... something feels off here.
Pfft... HAHAHAHA!
Just as March 7th realized something was wrong, Nahida, who had been observing her demeanor, burst into laughter.
Stelle, standing beside March 7th, twitched her lips, her expression conveying utter speechlessness.
"Alright, it seems we misunderstood. Given this Pink-Haired Beautiful Girl's intelligence, it's a miracle she hasn't been scammed herself, let alone scamming others."
"Since she's not exactly sharp, does that mean I have a chance...?"
"Hey, save those thoughts for home! The Matra are still here—do you have a death wish?!"
The surrounding onlookers, who had initially been criticizing March 7th's actions, now shifted their attention to pointing and gossiping about the "foolish girl."
"Arrest them all!" Hearing the malicious comments about March 7th, Sneer sneered coldly and ordered the Matra to arrest everyone.
Harassing women is a crime; exploiting the vulnerable carries double the penalty!
Whether you're just spouting vulgarities or whatever, spend three days in jail for proper re-education!
After the Matra escorted the prisoners away, Sneer's gaze settled on March 7th. Beneath his icy indifference, a flicker of warmth gradually surfaced.
"My apologies. I misunderstood your intentions."
"My name is Sneer, General Mahamatra of Sumeru City. As compensation, if you ever need help—no matter how small the issue—come to me. I'll resolve it for you."
As a General Mahamatra, Sneer refused to exploit his position for personal gain, instead adhering strictly to the principle of right and wrong.
If Sneer caught someone in the wrong, he would punish them with the utmost severity.
But if he made a mistake, he would set aside his authority and offer a humble apology.
This was precisely why Sneer had become the General Mahamatra of Sumeru City at such a young age.
Of course, Sneer's own formidable abilities couldn't be overlooked either...
"Ah, no worries, no worries," March 7th waved her hand dismissively, indicating she didn't mind at all.
"Hmm," Sneer nodded, then abruptly shifted his tone, his expression hardening once more.
"Then explain the second question. Why did you venture into the mountains behind Sumeru City at night?"
"Were you engaged in some clandestine activities, or were you planning something against Irminsul?"
Irminsul was the core, the heart of all Sumeru. Sneer had to treat this matter with utmost seriousness.
Even with an elder accompanying them, the reasons for their actions had to be thoroughly investigated.
"Well, you see..."
"Let me explain," Nahida interjected. "You'll take too long."
March 7th had just begun to speak when Nahida cut her off.
With a few concise sentences, Nahida clarified the entire situation, laying out the cause and effect in perfect order.
"So that's how it is." Understanding that Lumina had sent them here, Sneer smirked coldly and said no more.
"Come to me if you have any issues. I still have prisoners to interrogate."
With that, Sneer turned and left without another word.
"Is that the General Mahamatra of Sumeru City? The pressure he exudes is terrifying... Even a law-abiding citizen like me was on the verge of a panic attack..."
"There's no such thing as a simple General Mahamatra in the Sumeru Star System. Let alone the General Mahamatra of the capital, Sumeru City..."
"Thank goodness I haven't done anything wrong, or I'd probably piss myself right here..."
"You know what? To be fair, anyone who can face the General Mahamatra's overwhelming aura and still maintain their composure—this silly pink-haired girl doesn't seem like an ordinary person at all..."
As Sneer departed, the once-quiet atmosphere quickly buzzed with renewed chatter.
"This place isn't suitable for a conversation. Let's move somewhere else," Nahida suggested, glancing at the bustling crowd around them.
"Okay," March 7th agreed immediately, nodding.
Stelle, however, wore a slightly dissatisfied expression.
It seemed our Galactic Baseballer was rather enjoying the attention.