Fractured: I became Her【Genderbend LitRPG】

Chapter 135: Red Rose and Bright Tree Flower

Interestingly enough, Fractured’s timing for both closed beta and public launch proved remarkably precise.The closed beta coincided with the Sun Gods suffering major blows, triggering unrest across the lands. The public launch aligned with the full-scale conflict between the declining Sun God churches and secular authorities. Whether coincidence or deliberate arrangement remained unclear.

From Lady Maria’s hybrid NPC-player perspective, the game system clearly favored players, especially when confronting Chaos-related threats.

"I’ll be heading out for a while."

Rising gracefully, Maria smoothed her wrinkle-free silk shirt. Fanatical believers gathering in large numbers alone posed enough danger, but if they acquired the war machines specially crafted by the Church of Steam, Torrent City would be torn apart.

That worst-case scenario would force even neutral churches, those unwilling to participate in the Radiant Church’s rebellion, into the conflict. Maria believed she could skillfully prevent such devastation.

"Stay safe on the road."

Gehrman had always supported his brilliant apprentice’s endeavors wholeheartedly. His excessive indulgence made Maria wonder if he’d even condone murder and arson.

With a slight nod, her slender pale nape glimpsed through swaying silver ponytail, Maria signaled Gehrman not to worry. From any perspective, she remained perfectly safe.

"Heh, really now…"

Watching Maria’s retreating figure, Gehrman grinned. Truthfully, his apprentice needed little guidance beyond combat skills and experience, she even managed their daily life with impeccable care.

Feeling somewhat ashamed of his dependency, the wanderer-turned-live-in mentor ventured outside the city overnight. He returned with armfuls of Red Roses and Bright Tree Flowers, planting them across the courtyard as gratitude from a nomadic old man to his exemplary student.

The gesture touched Lady Maria, though Gehrman’s occasional brain lapses made him flirt with her as if courting a lover. He acted on impulse, unaware of his own behavior.

Still, the courtyard overflowing with Red Roses and Bright Tree Flowers held undeniable charm.

The splendid red-and-white scenery often captivated Lady Maria during leisure moments, immersing her in dreamlike beauty.

"Tsk tsk, ah~ My precious apprentice ran off again. So boring without teasing her. What to do now? Tease the new maid? Or go bird-watching?" Sniffing the roses’ intense fragrance, Gehrman chuckled roguishly while tapping his arm.

………………

Attended by new maids, Maria changed into a black hooded robe.

The maid was somewhat clumsy with her hands and feet, even a bit awkward. This young maid with a plain old-fashioned braid and freckles was named Arcadia, not a local. She seemed to have fled from the east and taken up work as a maid to support her family due to her decent upbringing.

With the financial support from Harvett, Maria casually hired a maid to handle daily chores. As for a butler or other servants, the solitude-preferring Maria declined to employ them.

"Don't let Gehrman drink too much during dinner."

Instructing Arcadia, Maria adjusted her black gauze robe before the mirror. This was no ordinary garment woven by mortal hands but a divine blessing. By sheer chance, it had passed through Harvett's hands and ended up with Maria.

It served two purposes: diminishing presence and obscuring aura.

The first function caused others to subconsciously overlook the wearer. Combined with the right environment, one could stride boldly past others without attracting a glance. The second made it impossible for others to gauge the wearer's depth, another remarkably effective ability in specific situations.

"Yes, miss."

Arcadia nodded vigorously. It was time again for her battle of wits with Mr. Gehrman.

"Don't show him too much respect. That only makes him want to bully you more." Watching the little maid clench her fists with determination, Maria couldn't help but smile.

Quite adorable.

It was likely because of Arcadia's earnest charm that Gehrman enjoyed teasing her in his spare time. His mischief never went beyond verbal provocation or deliberately opposing the maid in small ways. One could only say Gehrman had too much free time, no fights to engage in, nothing to do, leaving him with nothing better than amusing himself by teasing the maid.

"Don't worry, miss! I will definitely keep an eye on Mr. Gehrman!"

"Good luck."

I hope he doesn't bully you too badly...

Though this girl was completely different from Felia in type, Maria sometimes found a small portion of her longing for her younger sister Felia spilling over onto Arcadia. Despite her own distinguished noble demeanor, Maria treated the maid with considerable leniency and offered relatively generous wages.

Pulling up the hood, Maria concealed nearly the entire upper half of her face.

Only her prominent nose downward remained exposed to the air, lending Maria an eerie, bewitching quality reminiscent of reclusive witches.

The black robe's effect was immediate. Arcadia's eyes grew dazed, taking a long moment to focus her pupils on Maria standing before her. But the moment her attention wavered, Lady Maria seemed to vanish from sight with a flicker, much to the little maid's frustration.

"I leave it to you then."

With these words, silver bangs swaying, Maria disappeared from the room before Arcadia could even react.

Her destination:

The Purge Squad headquarters.

Militant orders have always found favor with secular governments, operating much like mercenary companies in nature. Yet due to unspoken reasons, establishing such orders involves rigorous approval procedures. Typically, obtaining municipal approval for a standard order takes three to six months without leveraging connections.

Securing a permanent base proves even more elusive.

Whether leasing territory or acquiring permanent holdings, both can easily become deadly disputes in this era.

This indirectly reveals how far secular authorities would go to recruit Gehrman - a transcendent being who had slain legendary foes. They streamlined procedures hoping he'd contain Archbishop Mark, the Radiant Church's publicly acknowledged gold-rank transcendent, while the Weavebinder's Marshal remained unavailable to assist Torrent City.

Without this counterbalance in high-level combat power, the conflict would be unwinnable.

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