The special effects of the Divine Tree's club leaves made Ron uneasy.
From what he could tell, the change in faith wasn't instantaneous.
From the time he had brought the leaves to now—when the issue was discovered—about ten to fifteen days had passed.
During that time, the three test subjects had been using the leaves daily.
For a normal person, using them once or twice wouldn't have much impact on their beliefs.
Unless someone was injured every single day for over ten days—like those test subjects—it wouldn't escalate to constantly "praising the Goddess."
Even if ordinary people had access to such leaves, they would only use them occasionally.
At that rate, a complete shift in faith would likely take several months—or even half a year.
Even so, it was terrifying.
If the Divine Tree could be mass-produced in the cultivation space, this would be a devastating tool for spreading faith.
Even without mass production, the natural daily shedding of its leaves was already enough to be put to use.
Competing for believers had always been a major effort among the Empire's three great churches.
The Church of the Goddess of Harvest — Hervesta had the largest number of followers, but its influence among the upper nobility had always been limited.
If Ron wanted to, he could use these leaves to infiltrate the upper class.
Sitting in the carriage, Ron shook his head and dismissed the thought.
From now on, these leaves would only be used by followers of the Goddess of Harvest.
…
When the carriage arrived at Moonview Street, Ron got off and entered the shop, which was currently under reconstruction.
After finding Nora, he took a look around.
The foundation and framework were already complete—a six-story structure, though still just a skeleton.
After a brief inspection, Ron took Nora's hand and strolled along Moonview Street.
Half an hour later—
Nora stepped out of a fitting room in a clothing shop, her face slightly flushed as she held the hem of a pink dress.
The frilled dress, paired with a matching headband, made her look even more like the "cat-eared maid" Ron had imagined.
Would black-and-white look even better?
Ron bought her several spring outfits, along with a few cute sleepwear sets that he thought would be comfortable to cuddle.
They browsed for small trinkets, then had dinner at the hotpot restaurant.
At night, they walked hand in hand along the shore of Lake Impash.
When Nora got tired, Ron carried her to sit on the grass—
And before long, they were lying down together.
Nora lay on the grass, breathing softly, her cheeks flushed like a sunset.
Ron lay beside her, gently brushing her cheek—and mischievously touching her cat ears.
"Mm—!"
Nora trembled, her ears standing upright.
"B-Boss… please don't touch my ears…"
Ron did it again, eliciting another soft reaction.
Curious, he leaned closer and gently blew near her ear.
Nora clung to him, quietly pleading until he finally stopped.
Looking down, Ron saw her eyes glistening, her expression dazed.
So, beastfolk ears are this sensitive?
He wondered briefly—
and then leaned down again.
…
Night, City of Chaos.
Jorina, an employee from Ron's Wonderful Flower Shop, parted ways with a coworker and headed home in the eastern district.
She looked far better than she had months ago.
Ever since getting the job—with a weekly wage of 20 silver coins—her life had completely changed.
Her mother had passed away, and her father had fallen into despair, drinking daily.
She had been forced to find work.
Fortunately, she found the flower shop.
With her income, their lives stabilized—and her father eventually recovered enough to find work again.
Things were improving.
Though there had been a setback—
Her father had fallen and broken both legs.
Desperate, she had asked Nora to advance her salary.
But instead, Nora gave her a few miraculous leaves.
Within three days, her father had fully recovered.
No side effects.
Far better than healing magic.
Grateful, Jorina later asked to have her salary halved.
Nora agreed—but only for three months.
"Miss Nora is truly kind…" Jorina murmured as she walked home.
"She's beautiful, capable… and with His Highness Ron… she's perfect."
"I want to be like her."
She clenched her fist quietly.
Once basic survival was secured, people naturally began to dream bigger.
She turned into a narrow alley near her home—
and suddenly froze.
Two figures were blocking the exit.
They were kicking someone on the ground.
After taking his money, the victim fled.
Jorina instinctively turned to leave—
But her movement gave her away.
"Who's there!?"
Startled, she tripped and fell.
"Well, look what we have…"
One of them rushed toward her.
She scrambled up—
But her ankle twisted.
She couldn't run.
Her heart sank.
Her father was at work. No one could help her.
Just as she was about to shout—
She noticed another figure approaching from the other end.
Tall. Massive. Cloaked.
Her first thought—
An accomplice?
But then she saw the two thugs hesitate.
"Who are you?"
"Don't interfere!"
They blustered—
then fled.
Jorina blinked in shock.
They ran… just like that?
Relieved, she turned to thank the stranger—
but suddenly—
The figure coughed up blood and nearly collapsed.
"You—are you okay!?"
No response.
Only heavy breathing.
She hesitated… then stepped closer.
A light touch—
And the figure collapsed.
The hood fell back.
Under the moonlight—
Gray fur.
A wolf-like face.
A werewolf.
Jorina staggered back, covering her mouth.
A beastfolk… here?
How?
That didn't matter.
What mattered was—
Save him?
Or not?
If she left, he would die.
But if she helped…
She hesitated.
Then clenched her teeth—
and stepped forward.