"Are you looking for me?" A Red Refining Snake, entirely crimson, climbed upward from No. 0’s military uniform, stopping when it reached her wrist. This red snake was only about the thickness of Xia You’s little finger, and when coiled, it was only as long as two or three jade bracelets strung together.
The strange woman had not left after all; it was as if she had suddenly separated from the air itself, appearing right next to Xia You.
Her stature was a few centimeters shorter than Xia You’s. Although most ancient people were shorter than modern humans, for a place like Babylon with its multitude of mixed ethnicities, a woman of such height was considered petite. Despite her small stature, one would not think to underestimate her. The stunning hue of the Red Refining Snake played a part in this, as did the woman’s own presence, which imposed a far more intense impression.
This intense impression made one disregard her stature, skin color, and even her age or appearance.
No. 0 had never seen such a person, neither in reality nor within "Military Road." It would be inappropriate to describe the weird woman’s face as beautiful or ugly. Her features bore the contours of Primitive People - eyes oversized, chin somewhat short, and a high, prominent nose bridge. Such irregular featuress combined, ironically drew one’s gaze unable to shift away.
Her body, any more would seem too short and plump, any less and she would be excessively slender. To describe her justly, one could only say that this woman, with her honey-colored skin, threatening passersby with a Red Refining Snake, was well-proportioned.
No. 0 did not understand how she could have missed such a person upon their first encounter. A woman like her was much like gold hidden under the mud - sparing a little attention would reveal its sharp edges. The only reason one would not notice her was if she didn’t want to be discovered.
A person who reveals their sharp edges when appropriate and conceals themselves without a trace when necessary deserves much more attention than that Red Refining Snake resting on her, treating itself to ’warm trees.’
"My precious wouldn’t bite an innocent Reconnaissance Soldier on the arm, would it?" The woman with the honey color said smilingly, flashing her pearlescent teeth, which could dazzle many a pair of eyes.
No. 0 looked at her white teeth and her deliberately jewelry-free, polished arms, then flashed a grin of her own. "My noble lady, if you do not wish to expose your identity, it would be best to retract it."
A fleeting hint of annoyance flickered in the woman’s eyes; it was momentary but No. 0 caught it accurately. "Who are you? A spy from the church? No, there is no trace of the Roman Church about you; you’re just a stranger. Though compared to other strangers, you know some sly Reconnaissance Skill."
"It’s exactly the sly Reconnaissance Skill you speak of that made me notice the color-indiscernible clothes on your body are of Eastern silk, unaffordable by an ordinary family’s yearly income, and your teeth, clear and snow-white; I’m certain you have been using tooth powder only accessible to the nobility. As for the scent of high-quality frankincense on you, it further reveals your identity. Are you satisfied with these answers?" No. 0 thought that if NPC Xiao Maiqi knew her reconnaissance skills were scorned by someone thousands of years ago, she’d probably sulk for half a day.
"Very well, stranger, you are much smarter than the other myopic strangers that have passed by this place over the last month. Since you’ve recognized my identity, the task of escorting me home shall be yours," said the woman as she gestured gently with her honey-golden hand, beckoning the Red Refining Snake back onto her arm.
"Sorry," No. 0 had no intention of taking on a noblewoman of high-standing with a distinctly queenly temperament at her side. Right now, her only desire was to travel through the night and make up for lost time.
"If you accept the task of escorting me, I shall grant you a fortune that will last you a lifetime," the woman quickly proposed her terms. In truth, No. 0 was not the first person she had approached; over the past month, the woman had sought the aid of many, from tall, burly men to merchants passing by. Yet none were willing to believe her promises.
The woman, bearing not a single piece of jewelry, was not purposefully understating her status, but had endured misfortune en route; all valuables had been plundered. The money she had to stay here had been provided by the "weird thief" who had saved her but refused to offer her further funds for the journey.