"Has she already entered this territory?" Richard was both shocked and excited by Sister Lisa's words.

After all, Lilith's arrival meant he would obtain the 1000 Aether he desired.

"I don't know. Honestly, I'm confused why she didn't choose to come directly to this village," Sister Lisa replied.

Richard wasn't sure either, but wherever it was, it didn't matter to him.

He quickly prepared himself—taking a bath, eating, and putting on new clothes.

By evening, he set off toward Apple Town, alone.

He chose not to bring Sister Lisa because he felt freer when by himself.

Athena ran swiftly while carrying him, though she didn't reveal her form as a Primordial Beast with Royal Bloodline.

Thanks to her speed, the sun hadn't yet set when they arrived in Apple Town.

Richard was no longer impressed by this small town after spending several days in Night Valley City.

Still, he had to admit that the town had at least one remarkable figure like Olivia, who had truly grown up in Apple Town.

The woman wasn't as famous as Gray or Wren; her name was known only within this small Apple Town.

To outsiders, she might not seem that strong.

But Richard, who had witnessed her power firsthand, knew she could look down on Gray and Wren, since she was clearly their peer in age.

Even so, she was likely already in the Life Aether Realm when Richard first saw her, otherwise she wouldn't have dared stand unafraid before the town's ruler.

Richard entered the town inconspicuously, like any other village boy.

It wasn't yet night, and he didn't know where he was supposed to meet Lilith, so he decided to wander around the small town first.

His destination was the area of the Magic Shops.

The last time he had been there, he had been lucky. How could he not return, hoping for another stroke of fortune?

However, this time he wore the Phantom Cloak, anticipating potential trouble since he didn't know what had happened after his deception.

And the moment he arrived, he immediately found out what had happened.

He actually saw several people holding paintings—paintings of his own face—talking about the boy who bought Cymora Land for 5 Nature Spirits.

When Richard asked one of them, he finally learned what had transpired after he had left.

This made him hesitate.

'Why hasn't the town ruler come after me, knowing I bought Cymora Land? If he wanted to, he could have found me. Unless… he's afraid?'

Richard wore a strange expression as he speculated.

He truly believed the town ruler was afraid.

The man should have realized he was Richard. If he hadn't chased him, fear was the only explanation—otherwise, the only alternative was laziness.

But even then, Richard didn't dwell on it too much.

He began browsing the shops one by one, searching for anything that might stir his instincts.

Unfortunately, such luck seemed rarer than diamonds among stones.

Even after going back and forth through several shops, he found nothing.

The sky began to darken, and most of Apple Town's residents shifted into a more leisurely pace.

Richard continued strolling, intending to stop at a restaurant—only to be startled by the sight of two figures sitting in the corner, causing him to take a step back.

Gray and Laura.

He could hardly believe they had appeared in Apple Town.

They weren't even from the Eight Star Province, and even if they were, it was still shocking for figures like them to come to Apple Town—especially since they hailed from another province entirely.

It seemed impossible that they would have business in such a remote place.

Richard observed them for a moment before deciding to enter the restaurant. He ordered food and sat at a table next to them.

The two of them were, of course, busy talking while eating, even appearing to be in a serious discussion.

But Richard couldn't hear their words.

Gray was using his power to block their voices. Even Sixth Sense was barred from penetrating.

In this situation, Richard could do nothing, but he felt as if they were waiting for someone, so he remained seated, beginning to eat when his food arrived.

Whether Gray or Laura, neither of them seemed to care in the slightest about the cloaked figure beside them.

"Mm!"

Before long, Richard noticed another person wearing a Phantom Cloak entering the restaurant.

He narrowed his eyes, feeling a sense of familiarity with this person.

The Phantom Cloak might conceal nearly every detail—even making gender unguessable—but not all Phantom Cloaks could alter height.

'Could it be that woman?' Richard wondered, thinking of Olivia.

He suspected it was her from the figure's height.

Moreover, the Phantom Cloak that person wore looked exactly like the one Olivia had once lent him.

As he expected, the figure he suspected to be Olivia approached Gray and Laura.

She casually sat right in front of them.

Richard grew more certain it was Olivia when he observed her manner of sitting.

Then, the three began speaking more seriously, clearly discussing a potential cooperation.

'What could they possibly be seeking in such a remote region?'

Richard was fairly sure they wouldn't cooperate unless it was to obtain something extraordinary.

But while he was still watching them, he suddenly heard Lilith's voice inside his head.

[Boy, come meet me!]

Not only did he hear her voice, but Richard could faintly sense her location.

That was more important. Richard immediately left for Lilith's location.

She was in a park, standing alone, wearing a hooded robe that covered her head. But it wasn't a Phantom Cloak, so her face was still visible.

"Sister Lilith." Richard quickly greeted her with a bright smile upon seeing her, removing his Phantom Cloak.

He felt uncomfortable hiding himself from someone who knew him well and had business with him.

"Sister, why didn't you come directly to Purple Rose Village?" Richard asked.

For Lilith, reaching Purple Rose Village would only take a few minutes. Richard didn't think it was mere laziness—there had to be a reason.

Lilith didn't answer right away. Instead, she gave Richard a curious look.

"Tell me, boy, who's hiding around that village? I sensed two very dangerous presences there," she said, narrowing her eyes sharply.

Richard was stunned, his mouth slightly open, his expression freezing. He hadn't expected her to ask this.

Naturally, he was unsure what to say in response.

Pretend ignorance? Lilith might then order him to leave the village, or she would investigate herself.

After thinking it over, Richard answered, "Sister, don't worry about them. They're not dangerous to me."

"Are they the source of your fortune?" Lilith asked.

The question made Richard awkward. The answer could be yes, but not entirely, since he had many sources of fortune—his System, and Mr. Joe.

"Anyway, Sister, where's the item I wanted?" Richard shifted the topic.

He didn't feel awkward discussing this, because that item was his rightful due.

Lilith pouted upon hearing that, still looking quite angry that he had demanded it.

Even so, she took something out—a wheel that appeared to be made of crystal.

The Star Wheel. Richard's eyes widened at the sight.

"This holds over a thousand Tier 3 Aether remnants. I'll release them and seal the park so they won't scatter—you can absorb them," Lilith said.

"Sister, as a Princess, you clearly have the authority to take Star Wheels from the kingdom for your own use. I must've been wrong not to ask for more. Wouldn't it have been better if this Star Wheel still contained 3000 Tier 3 Aether?" Richard remarked.

"Hmph!" Lilith snorted at his words.

"Don't think I got this for free," she snapped angrily, but Richard only chuckled, deliberately teasing her.

"In that case, Sister, please help me release the Aether from the Star Wheel," Richard said.

He sat down, ready to cultivate.

Lilith still pouted, but she set the seal—similar to the one the governor had used—on the Star Wheel.

Buzz!

The remaining Tier 3 Aether inside surged outward.

Richard, seated right in front of the Star Wheel, could feel all of it—and immediately began absorbing it into his body.

Of course, since he was in front of Lilith, he couldn't take out the Aether Bottle. This would have to be full manual absorption.

Patiently, Richard absorbed the Aether from the Star Wheel. Hours passed, and he could feel a clear increase in his power.

After who knows how many hours, he finally stopped, wearing a satisfied smile.

[Aether: 4683/10,000 <Tier 3>] +1003

[Aether Accumulation: 9683 <Tier 3>]

It turned out to be even more than he wanted. There had actually been more, but Richard had only managed to absorb that much.

Even if it was less, he wouldn't have minded much, as long as the amount was close to a thousand.

Lilith quickly stored the Star Wheel, then said, "Quickly, use Mind Attack!"

"Sister Lilith, please be careful," Richard replied, locking eyes with her before sending the Mind Attack as she had requested.

When the Mind Attack entered her mind, Richard was the first to be shocked. Her mental strength was so formidable that his Mind Attack seemed to have no effect on her at all—even though she wasn't resisting it.

He realized this was due to the difference in level, but the result was still difficult for him to accept.

Lilith, however, remained calm, focusing intently on what had entered her head.

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