The Elven Evolution: Starting With 1 Million SSSR Skills-Chapter 131: [] Dress Shopping

Yennefer and Artie were taking a leisurely stroll through the streets of Kingsbridge, quietly observing everything of note.

They were in a calm neighbourhood, one that stunk of affluence.

The buildings here were far more sophisticated, the architecture clearly had more time put into it.

Unlike regular carriages that were usually left bare, here, nearly each one that passed them was painted in black and gold, even streets were generally cleaner.

As they walked, eyes followed them wherever they went, some of the more bolder individuals walking up to them to ask them out.

But Artie politely declined all offers on behalf of herself and Yen, who was walking by her side.

’I thought humans would be more disrespectful in their manner of approach...’ Artie thought.

Whenever humans had been involved in their lives, it was often in relation to death, kidnapping and slavery...

Because of this, Artie had been very protective of Yennefer at the start of their mission. She knew that if anything happened to her, Eliron would never forgive her.

And strangely, that was not something she wished would happen.

Artie had expected a more hostile reception from them, but so far, they had acted rather... normal.

’I guess there are bad people in every race.’ It was just unfortunate that their image of humans had been painted by thieves and murderers.

On the other hand, if this had been a high elf city, then Artie was sure she would have been hanged by now...

After walking for sometime, they finally stopped in front of a rather opulent looking store.

Yennefer sighed as she stared at the building, reading that sigh hanging above the place.

"So while Eliron and Ash drink like fishes, we are here shopping for dresses like a bunch of noble girls? Why did we pull the short end of the straw?"

Artie chuckled. "Most girls would actually prefer this. Besides, our mission is something only we can do..."

To get the baron’s attention, they needed to meet him one way or the other. Because of this, Eliron had sent them to infiltrate the noble women’s circles.

As uninvolved as they may look, most noble women had more information than any broker could ever hope to offer.

But to do that, they needed to play the part of a noble woman, which meant dressing in human clothes, covering their ears, and infiltrating their cycle.

"Pffft! Eliron just wanted to have all the drinks to himself, I’m sure he is out there gambling Ua into debt right about now."

"Well, that is indeed a possibility. Alright, let’s get going." Artie held her hand and pulled the reluctant girl into the dress shop.

Once they stepped in, they saw a woman with messy brown hair, dark circles underneath her eyes and a pale complexion.

She was like a walking ghost...

"G-good evening! I what can I get you—oh my, wood elves?"

The saleswoman’s eyes sparkled as she watched them.

"Ahhhh!" She squealed. "I never thought I would see wood elves in my shop!" She beamed.

Artie and Yennefer shared a look just as the woman rushed towards them. And began inspecting their clothing...

"I’ve seen you elves just a handful of times when you visited Kingsbridge." She said, staring intently at the seams of Artie’s dress.

Then she suddenly grabbed the sleeve of Yen’s, surprising the silver haired elf as she observed it intently.

"Umm, calm down—" Yen tried to say, only to be cut off by the woman’s ramblings.

"Your dressing always fascinates me, the way you guys sew is just much too different—"

She suddenly froze when she realized Artie’s gaze had turned icy, her eyes locked on the hand holding Yen’s sleeve.

It almost looked like she was seconds away from slicing it right off.

The woman immediately took several steps back and bowed slightly. "Ehe— I got a little too excited, I apologize for taking it too far..."

Artie stared at her for a few seconds, then deciding that she was harmless, she sighed.

"It’s fine..."

"So why are you so interested in us, or is it our clothing?" Yen asked, raising her sleeve to stare at it.

Their dressing was indeed very different from what humans wore, but she didn’t think anyone would be interested in it...

"Exactly! You see, I’ve been trying to create a new clothing line for these ravenous noble ladies..." she sighed and leaned on the wall.

Artie could practically sense the exhaustion from her voice.

"But I have long run out of ideas, I am experiencing an artistic block."

Yen tilted her head slightly. "Artistic block?"

"Precisely... because of this I’ve been looking for inspiration."

"So that is why you are so obsessed with our clothes? Don’t you have any self contro—"

Artie stopped when she felt Yen jab her lightly by her side.

’She’s just desperate, you’re going to make her feel bad...’ Yen whispered.

"Hmmph~" Artie huffed.

"Please!" The woman went on her knees. "If you will just let me observe your clothes for a bit, it might be the inspiration I need!"

"If I don’t get these dresses ready on time..." her eyes turned teary. "These noble women will kill me..." she sobbed.

Yen glanced at Artie, it was clear that she wanted to help the woman, but she could not act alone.

Artie walked towards the saleswoman and stared down at her. "Do you own this place?"

"Yesh..."

"Then you must be a noble, am I right?" Artie asked. Owning a shop in a district like this was nothing a regular person could do.

Even if she was not a noble, she would at least be a high ranking merchant, which will also serve the purpose of their visit.

The woman nodded. "Indeed I am."

Artie smiled. "In that case, we’ll let you observe our clothes, but on two conditions. The first, is that you will give us each three dresses from your finest collection."

Yen blinked as she glanced at Artie.

A dress in this shop could cost as much as twenty silver coins... asking her for three each would be considered a rip off by most.

Eliron had even given them more than enough money to make the purchases...

"Of course, that isn’t an issue!" The saleswoman smiled, shocking Yen.

’Don’t just agree because you are desperate...’ Yennefer sighed internally.

"Secondly..." Artie raised her other finger. "You will tell me everything there is to know about the baron of this town, including every single detail that might seem unimportant..."

This was a dress shop, meaning it was a gossip center, a place where noble women would gather to discuss different matters involving not only the baron, but the entire kingdom at lashed.

There was no way the shop keeper was oblivious to it...

"The baron?" She looked a little hesitant. "Why would you want to know about him?"

’So she has some loyalty to her lord.’ Artie mused.

Lying would only make them seem suspicious, and it was not like their plan was something that needed to be kept secret. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"We are trying to arrange a meeting with him... you know, business related stuff." She pointed at her ears for emphasis, reminding the woman that they were not human.

"Oh, in that case there is no problem!"

’How gullible...’ Artie thought. ’That could have as well been a lie.

Just as Artie was about to conclude the deal, she felt Yennefer nudge her with her elbow. When she glanced at her, Yen gave her a certain look..

Artie sighed. "Also... Do you have any snacks?"