CH 69

When everyone in Desinian Territory was still wondering when the third book of “Story of the Gods” will be sold, a shop called “Rose Clothing Store” quietly opened in Wissas.

The signboard of the store is engraved with the same emblem as that of the Thorns Chamber of Commerce. It can be seen that it is a shop under it, specializing in selling clothes and so on.

But this shop was empty after it opened, without any piece of clothing or fabric hanging inside.

Until someone pulled a huge boulder at the front of the door and the craftsmen also came over and beat it, shattering crushed stone powder on the ground.

People can’t help being attracted by this strange phenomenon when passing by. They irresistibly stopped and watched.

Someone asked the shopkeeper what they’re doing.

The manager said that they will know when they’re finished.

The strange behavior of the shopkeeper successfully attracted the masses’ attention. Therefore, their curiosity was aroused in this way and they came to watch every day.

Six days later, the tall boulder was finally done being chiseled. After the excess stone powder was swept away, they revealed a carefully carved appearance—a female statue.

She wears a crown woven by the sacred flower belanka. Her one hand hanging down on her side and the other slightly raised and placed not far from her chest. Her face is beautiful, her eyebrows smoothed, and smiling.

There is no clothing on the carved stone body. It is naked but it’s holy and elegant, which makes it impossible for the onlookers to feel the slightest sense of blasphemy.

The craftsmen wiped the sweat from their foreheads. They finally carved out the goddess statue requested by the lord. It was really not easy.

These people are skilled craftsmen whom Xia Zuoyi especially sought.

The person at the helm is Beck1, who was originally an ordinary craftsman in the engineering team led by Conrad. He was highly valued for his skill in carving clay sculptures.

Xia Zuoyi saw by chance that Beck could carve a painting on a rough wall with tools only after others saw it.2

He skillfully uses the concave and convex undulation of the wall to sculpt delicate lines, which were formed almost instantly.

Xia Zuoyi couldn’t help but marvel.

Later, after inquiry, he learned that Beck had not designed the painting pattern in advance, but immediately carved it according to the idea in his mind. However, it came out perfect and exquisite, which was applauded by the people.

After that, it also coincides with the time of employment.

Xia Zuoyi asked Beck and the others to come over from Conrad for the time being. Whether it’s the mural sculpture outside the church or today’s goddess statue, he did a very good job, so rewards are certain.

Xia Zuoyi decided to raise the wages or titles of Beck and the others in the craftsmen’ guild.

However, the masses didn’t know that the craftsmen who carved the statue of the goddess were going to be promoted and have a salary increase. Now, they formed a circle and talked about the goddess statue without clothes.

They recognized this statue as the Goddess of Wisdom, Meivis, whose characteristics were too obvious—the crown woven by belanka was a gift from the God of Creation to Meivis.

But why didn’t the goddess wear clothes?

Where’s her moonlight dress?

It didn’t take long for the people’s questions to be answered.

Because a long skirt woven by moonlight was made.

Under the audiences’ watchful gazes, the shopkeeper walked out of the store with a classical and elegant moon-white dress in hand and put it on for the goddess with the help of several folks…

The moment the long skirt fell to the ground, everyone couldn’t resist gasping and marveling.

What a beauty it is.

The goddess’s moonlight dress shows a gradual change in color from the collar to the skirt, from pure white to a little blue, and the bottom of the skirt is filled with dreamy dark blue stars.

The collar is a lace style, the overlapping folds are like petals, setting off the white skin on the chest. The waist is tightened, showing a beautiful curve. The position from the shoulder to the wrist is alternated with hollow fabric and tulle, without looking bloated at all. The hem of the big skirt flickered on the ground, very much like a blooming belanka.

The crowd gathered more and more around, and when their voices became more disorderly, the shopkeeper rang an iron gong and drum. The clear and powerful sound calmed down the surroundings.

The proprietor immediately shouted, “Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, I believe you have already guessed that this dress is the moonlight dress of the Goddess of Wisdom Meivis, a gift woven and given by the Moon God Karis.”

“And the reason why this dress is called moonlight dress is that it can reflect its beauty at night.”

“It’s getting dark now. If you don’t have anything to do, you can wait here for a while. Soon, you can see the changes in this long skirt…”

The crowd didn’t plan to leave right away, and when they heard what the proprietor said, they couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of wait-and-see attitude. They waited patiently for the night to come by.

The shopkeeper appointed several buddies to guard the statue of the goddess.

There are also patrolling soldiers around to maintain order and the crowd is forbidden from being too close, lest they damage the long skirt.

A discerning person knows that this must be instructed by the lord. Presumably, the lord must also attach great importance to it.

The crowd dispersed and gathered again until the sunset and the night fell.

As the last bit of light disappeared to the west, the moonlight dress twinkled dreamily with dots of fluorescent light.

They don’t know what kind of material was mixed in this long skirt because the fabric from the waist down can flash a trace of light fluorescence in the dark.

In the unbelieving eyes of everyone, it was really like the moonlight blending into the long skirt, weaving in it bit by bit.

Some people took a few steps unconsciously.

Looking at it from different angles, the gradual change from light white to light blue also seems to change accordingly, dazzling but elegant, with a low-key and gorgeous feeling.

Many people were so amazed by the beauty of the moonlight dress that they became speechless.

They couldn’t find any words in their barren thoughts that could perfectly describe this long skirt, so they could only stare at it intently.

When the masses crowded around the door of the Rose Clothing Store, Xia Zuoyi was also watching secretly in a carriage not far away.

Don’t be fooled by this dress’ beautiful and dreamy appearance; it really looks like the moonlight dress worn by the goddess of wisdom Meivis.

But in fact, it’s just good-looking but not useful. It can’t be worn by anyone.

The cause lies in the hem of the long skirt. The reason why it can emit a glowing light is that the fabric is laced with some special minerals and phosphorus luminescence extracted from the bodies of fireflies.

Xia Zuoyi ordered his men to incorporate these things into the fabric. Although it can cause the effect of flashing and glowing in the dark, the long skirt itself is rough to the touch, stiff, not soft, and is very uncomfortable to wear.

It can only be used as a model for display. It’s attractive enough, but it can never be sold as merchandise.

Xia Zuoyi was very satisfied with the sensational effect caused by the moonlight dress.

Such a scene can be regarded as a smooth opening of the clothing market.

He intends to take two routes: one is high-end customization and the other is affordable and close to the people. Both are women’s clothing.

He doesn’t believe that the ladies in the territory won’t be moved by the moonlight dress after they have experienced its impact. As long as they can’t help their desire to buy, it is only natural for the Thorns Chamber of Commerce to occupy the clothing market.

As expected.

After the goddess statue and the moonlight dress were carried into the shop, they were forbidden to touch them. Then early in the next morning, well-off aristocratic ladies came to inquire.

Their purpose is naturally to buy this goddess dress.

However, the boss of the Rose Clothing Store is a person specially selected by Xia Zuoyi. Under Xia Zuoyi’s instruction, this dress won’t be sold to anyone.

Since the lord himself gave the order, the ladies were angry but did not dare to disobey.

When they were disappointed, the shopkeeper began to talk again.

Although the dress isn’t for sale, they accept tailor-made clothes in their store and can fashion suitable and beautiful long skirts for the ladies.

After fully arousing the interest of these ladies, the shopkeeper immediately took out the already prepared fabric samples, such as gradient color, color set, printed jacquard, and so on…

Looking at the shining eyes of these ladies, the boss thought to himself, “Success! The business has arrived, the lord will definitely reward me!”

A few days later, new clothes began to appear in the store.

—All long skirts for women. Each dress is clearly priced. The usual black, white, and gray tones are changed, bright colors are boldly adopted, newly designed versions are used, etc.

For example, wavy lace is used at the neckline, and a bow tie is added at the waist… The fabrics are no longer monotonous and the sleeves, hem, and other places are beginning to have exquisite and small patterns, which are very beautiful.

The women who came and went in Wissas stopped unconsciously after these skirts appeared.

They kept staring outside the shop, then finally couldn’t help their inner desire to enter the store… 

They thought these beautiful long skirts would be very expensive, but when they saw the marked price, they couldn’t believe what they saw.

Some women even repeatedly asked the buddies in the shop, confirming again and again.

Although the new dresses in the store are slightly more expensive than ordinary clothes, they’re still acceptable.

They only need to save some money to buy such a beautiful dress, so why hesitate!

The novel long skirts in the store were sold out a few days later. Fortunately, the owner promised that the second batch would be delivered immediately, which gave him breathing room under the urging of a group of women.

Fierce women are simply terrible.

What’s more, after some women appeared on the street wearing long skirts, the news spread from ten to ten, and soon many people from other cities flocked.

The fresh and natural beauty of patterned long skirts began to set off an upsurge in the whole Desinian Territory.

At this time, Xia Zuoyi was in the castle, holding a yellow printed skirt and putting it on Brown Sugar.

Not only that, Brown Sugar had already been wearing a round hat of the same color, with its edges tilted and tied with a green ribbon.

Brown Sugar doesn’t know what he is like now.

He sits with his round golden eyes open, with his four small fluffy paws together, cleverly, and his tail flicking behind him.

Under Xia Zuoyi’s suppressed laughter, Brown Sugar finally couldn’t help but stretch out a paw to scratch the cloth on his body. The hat on his head tilted a little and was immediately straightened by Xia Zuoyi.

“Ah…” 

Udit held back a smile and coughed dryly, “My lord, this light yellow skirt… is very suitable for Brown Sugar.”

Gibran, the maid Kelly, and the others burst out laughing. Toby covered his mouth and laughed.

Just because Brown Sugar wore a little crimson skirt before and looked like a lady. Now this one is much fresher.

Xia Zuoyi clapped his hands and said to the large beasts lying on the ground in the room, “After Brown Sugar is dressed, it’s your turn. Who will come first?” 

Briquette, Snowball, and Egg Yolk did not move due to the beast’s instincts.

Briquette even shrank back.

The sharp-eyed Xia Zuoyi saw it and waved to the big black tiger, “Come here Briquette. As a big brother, you must set an example. Don’t let me pull your ears.”

“Ao~”

The big tiger with black and white stripes flattened his ears and aggrievedly came over under Xia Zuoyi’s threat. In the end, a white maid headdress was worn on his head, and the rope of the headgear was tied around his chin into a bow.

Briquette’s neck was even tied with a white lotus lace shoulder ornament and a small apron of the same color was hung on his chest.

After Xia Zuoyi finished dressing Briquette’s up, he finally couldn’t help laughing and fell on the table, “Hahaha… I-I’m dying. Muscular women’s clothing boss3, hahaha.” 

The adult black tiger is very domineering, especially the pair of tiger eyes. However, on the top of his head is decorated with a cute headdress and laced apron, resulting in unusually strong contrast.

Xia Zuoyi couldn’t help laughing, and the others in the room laughed so much that their stomachs hurt. Even Udit put his fist against his lips, the corners of his mouth could no longer be pressed down.

Xia Zuoyi tried his best to calm down and began to dress up Snowball and Egg Yolk.

Green Dumpling escaped because he’s a bird and it’s difficult to wear clothes. After only wearing a small bow tie, he began to leisurely jump around the window edge.

Soon after.

Fernandi and Walker came to the castle to report something.

In the spacious corridor, they met the three dressed-up large beasts on a ‘narrow road’. The oncoming shock couldn’t help causing the two knights to stop and froze in place.

After a long time, Walker said with difficulty, “…Sn-snowball, why are you wearing women’s clothes?!”

Translator’s Notes: