"Ohh... oh..." Myrtle’s eyes sparkled as she looked around the elegant interior of the shop. "I’ve heard about this place on the way here. It just opened recently but already monopolized the Firecarp Fish sales across the Dragon King Territory."

The shop truly lived up to its reputation. Every corner gleamed with polished wood, gold-trimmed shelves, and neatly stacked jars filled with glowing spices and glimmering fish scales.

"Ahem," someone coughed softly, but nobody paid attention.

"Hmmm... yeah," Tyla said, running her fingers along the counter, admiring the craftsmanship. "Actually, I decided to franchise this business and make money out of it. All I need is to put someone in charge here, and I’ll just receive the profit—" she suddenly paused mid-sentence, eyes narrowing as realization dawned. "So that’s how it is... it looks like I already own a lot of businesses out there. No wonder my account balance keeps growing."

"Of course," Zuzia said proudly, her tail swaying lazily behind her. "You have no idea how rich you actually are."

"Ahem."

"Are you having throat problems?" Lanny asked innocently, glancing toward the sound.

"No," Yumina said sharply, frowning. "Why is she sitting like that?"

Everyone turned toward Zuzia.

The dragon girl was comfortably perched on Tyla’s lap, rubbing her head affectionately against Tyla’s breasts like a spoiled kitten.

"Hehehe... I always sit like this," Zuzia giggled. "I’m also coloring her with my scent." Then, before anyone could stop her, she licked Tyla’s cheek with a satisfied hum.

Yumina trembled in disbelief, her face twitching as she took a deep breath to calm herself. "You... you really are a Lesb–" she muttered.

The group was gathered inside a private conference room in the back of the store — a large circular chamber with a polished crystal table and several cushioned chairs. The aroma of tea filled the air, and outside the glass walls, the bustling city could be seen glittering beneath the afternoon sun.

Yumina finally broke the silence. "It looks like you’ve found your friends, Tyla. Maybe they can tell you about your past." She took a sip of her tea, her tone soft but curious.

"Tyla’s past?" Zuzia tilted her head thoughtfully, pretending to think deeply. "Let’s see... Tyla is very rich."

"Yeah, I already know that obvious fact," Yumina replied flatly.

"She’s also a rare dual user — both Aura and Prana."

"What?" Yumina’s eyes widened. "That’s... that’s almost unheard of! It is very very very very very rare."

"Oh, so I can use Prana too?" Tyla blinked, genuinely surprised.

Zuzia smirked. "You’ve been using it all along. You probably didn’t notice because your Aura and Prana flow so harmoniously that they blend together."

Myrtle, lounging casually nearby, added, "Even others would only realize it if you used Prana Spells and Aura Arts separately. Otherwise, it feels seamless — almost divine."

Tyla looked at Myrtle, her gaze briefly trailing over the girl’s revealing white dress. "Why are you in that outfit? In this cold weather? Don’t you feel cold?"

Myrtle smirked. "Just like you, the cold doesn’t bother me."

Tyla chuckled lightly. "Fair enough."

Zuzia leaned forward, resting her chin on Tyla’s shoulder. "Hmm... what else... oh, Tyla travels on a luxurious merchant ship. Her goal is to reach Eternity in the North."

Tyla’s eyes widened. "Eternity in the North... that actually makes sense."

She thought back to her copper pot and the unlimited resources. With that artifact and her growing power, traveling north in search of "Eternity" didn’t sound impossible at all.

Zuzia and Myrtle exchanged glances and began recounting a few more details.

"So, my ship and crew are heading toward the Red Dragon Boat," Tyla summarized slowly. "And I came here... to find something." She rubbed her temple. "Then, We fought against a clone of an Overlord... and I lost my memories."

"That’s one heck of an adventure," Yumina murmured.

"Yeah," Lanny said, "Not only that, she also chang—"

Before Lanny could finish, Myrtle quickly covered her mouth.

Yumina narrowed her eyes slightly but decided not to press further.

Tyla exhaled deeply, letting the tension fade. "I think I already found what I came for. So... we can actually go back to the ship."

She turned to Yumina. "Also, my ship’s heading toward the Dragon Boat. If we go there, we can gather information about your friends too."

Yumina looked down, trying to hide the faint warmth spreading across her face. "Then... what about this business? Are you just going to leave it unattended?"

Tyla grinned confidently. "Oh, I already have someone in mind to manage it."

---

Three days later...

"You want me to take care of this business, Lady Boss?" Marco asked, pointing at himself with his mechanical arm. The metallic joints clicked faintly as he gestured — his arms didn’t grow instead Vines grew from his shoulder.

"Yeah," Tyla replied casually, her tone carrying that usual mix of authority and warmth. "If you’re not willing, I can ask Kurt—"

Before she could even finish, Marco straightened immediately. "No, no! I’m willing! I’ll do it — right away!"

Tyla smiled slightly. "That’s good. You were a Firecarp seller before, weren’t you? I guess you already know how handle the market."

Marco nodded. "Yes, Lady Boss. I know the trade inside and out."

"Then it’s settled," Tyla said, clapping her hands softly. "From today onward, you’re Manager Marco."

She paused for a moment, tapping her chin. "Hmm... that name sounds oddly familiar," she murmured, as if an echo of a distant memory brushed past her. But she shook her head and continued, "Anyway, Manager Marco, take care of the business. I’ll allocate one percent of the shares to you as compensation."

Marco froze, eyes wide. "O-One percent?!"

That amount was beyond generous. The Firecarp business had already become a monopoly throughout the Dragon King Territory. Its valuation had surpassed a billion Lydia and continued to grow every day. Even a fraction of a percent would make anyone rich for life. One percent meant financial freedom.

"Don’t look so shocked," Tyla chuckled softly. "You’ve earned it. I trust you to keep things running smoothly while I’m away."

Marco bowed deeply, his mechanical arm clinking against his chest. "You can count on me, Lady Boss! I’ll make sure this buisness thrives!"

Tyla nodded approvingly. Then her expression turned more serious. "Oh, and if possible... try to move the main office deeper into the Dragon King Territory — say, within the next seventy-five years."

Marco blinked. "Seventy-five years? That’s... oddly specific."

"I know it sounds strange," Tyla said, gazing out the window, the commotion of intruders still didn’t get settled yet, "But do it anyway. It’ll matter someday."

He didn’t understand, but he nodded. "Alright, Lady Boss. If that’s what you wish."

Tyla gave a faint smile, though her thoughts were running.

After absorbing the World Tree’s seed, she could feel its life fading faster than expected. The tree that once purified the industrial wastes and controlled the pollution wouldn’t last a century more. When it withered completely, the pollution would spread — slowly choking the skies and land.

Without the World Tree, the factories in the industrial cites would have to depend on artificial purification methods — which is very expensive.

But Tyla already had an idea.

If she could already manufacture Purifying Arrays and machines , she could sell them to the factories — turning disaster into opportunity.

She smiled faintly. "Maybe pollution control could be my next business..."

But that was a story for another time. Atleast 100 years later.

The mood in the room suddenly shifted. Marco’s cheerful demeanor faded, replaced by a grave seriousness.

"There’s... something else I wanted to say," he began, his voice trembling slightly.

Tyla tilted her head, curious. "What is it?"

He took a deep breath. "Miss Tyla, I know I’m not worthy... but I just need to say what’s in my heart. I—I still admire you. I—I love—"

"Ehhh... stop right there."

The voice came from behind Tyla. Both turned to see Zuzia stepping out from the shadows, arms crossed and an amused grin on her face.

"Miss Zuzia? You were here all along?" Marco stammered.

"Yeah," Tyla said, sighing. "She’s been hiding there since the meeting started."

Zuzia smirked. "I can understand what you’re trying to say, Marco. But sorry — you and Tyla are never happening."

Marco clenched his fists, frustration flashing in his eyes. "I know that... I just wanted her to know how I feel—"

"No, no," Zuzia interrupted, shaking her head. "You really don’t understand." She turned to Tyla. "Tyla, close your eyes. Imagine you’re in a ghost state."

Tyla blinked but complied. "Like... this?"

"Yeah. Now try to release it. What was it called again? Mode: Ghost?" Zuzia muttered.

In an instant, Tyla’s body shimmered with radiant light. Then, a second figure fell from her form — a girl with bright eyes and flowing hair.

"Finally... Mana is free!" the girl shouted.

Marco froze, eyes wide. "W-What...?"

Zuzia grinned. "As you can see... Tyla is actually Tyler."

The words sank in slowly. Marco’s jaw dropped, his face drained of color, and his eyes rolled back.

Thud!

"Ahh... Marco fainted in shock," Zuzia said casually, shaking her head. "Can’t really blame him."