As the convoy passed through the border, the entire opera house underwent an inspection. Fortunately, it seemed that the Nightingale Opera House members were only checked for their physical condition to prevent any epidemics or diseases from entering the Northern Border’s western region.
The whole inspection process was quite swift and smooth, with no one inside Greya facing any difficulties. Even the guards of the opera house didn’t have their weapons confiscated, but there were still some people secretly cursing the governor, claiming this infringed upon their freedom.
Many were anxious about this trip to the Northern Border’s west, and some even advised Greya to give up, since such a poor place probably wouldn’t raise much in charitable donations.
However, as they say, since they had come this far, the other members just gritted their teeth and continued on.
However, the situation along the way was somewhat different than what the Nightingale Opera House had anticipated. Even without the escort of the noble soldiers, merely relying on the opera house’s own guards, they still hadn’t encountered a single bandit on the road.
On the contrary, there were merchants along the way holding various flags, and Greya even saw merchants from Fang Ge Territory bustling along the main road.
Some merchants recognized the Nightingale Opera House and persistently requested Greya’s autograph. Although the person in charge initially intended to refuse, Greya generously got off the carriage to sign for them, and these merchants were quite generous, immediately donating a large sum to Greya.
As Greya encountered the situation upon entering the Northern Border, they were mostly walking intermittently, progressing slowly. Although the causes could be said to differ significantly or even be completely opposite, Greya was already close to matching the total amount raised that had been collected at Fang Ge’s place before they’d even reached Graywhite Territory.
After meeting a particularly enthusiastic fan, Greya couldn’t help but ask, “Are there any difficulties in the nearby towns? Why aren’t there people begging along the main road?”
The merchant, seeing his idol inquire, didn’t dare to neglect, carefully recalling, “I’m not very familiar with the nearby towns, but there’s a new alchemist couple in Graywhite Territory who are very concerned about Lars’ son; I’ve heard they haven’t been in contact for a long time.”
“As for begging on the streets, those doing so have been taken away. Let alone the main road, you can hardly see beggars in the entire western region.”
“Taken away? Taken away for what?”
Greya’s heart immediately sank because the reputation of the Royal Capital in the Northern Border was certainly not good.
“For all sorts of things. The roads were almost finished before the winter, and now they are all probably working in the factories.”
The merchant stroked his beard and said enviously, “It’s true. I heard they even receive subsidies in winter and have days off, unlike us who have to run around in this bitter cold.”
Of course, this statement was definitely made in a joking manner; it was more about envying the other’s benefits.
“Can you elaborate on that?”
Greya held the merchant’s hand, her tone earnest, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
The merchant and the guards behind him immediately fell captive, nodding eagerly like little chicks pecking rice: “Whatever Miss Greya wants to know, I will definitely tell all.”
Thus, the merchant shared everything he knew in detail.
Afterward, he donated a large sum of money, so generously that even the person in charge of the Nightingale Opera House personally escorted the merchant away.
“He’s too wealthy…”
The person in charge sighed as he watched the merchant caravan depart. Are the merchants here all this wealthy?
But Greya had already laid back in the carriage and began to ponder.
Although she had anticipated there would be no one to receive her along the way, Greya never imagined it would be for this kind of reason.
The governor here had set standards for all officials managing the territory, and any officials who did not meet the standards would face heavy scrutiny.
Now it was winter, approaching the coldest time in the Northern Border, and it was said that the governor’s brother-in-law Colin was randomly inspecting various places in the Northern Border’s west to check whether officials were loyal. In such circumstances, no one would care about a commonly passing songstress.
But what was most unbelievable was that the Northern Border’s west still had a large amount of work to be done, and that governor was indeed paying for it—not in the form of Doug coins, but in genuine legal tender.
Even in the Royal Capital, the Outer District hardly worked during winter, with everyone suffering through waiting for the cold season to pass. Only professionals and nobles would start their activities in winter.
To confirm the true situation in the Northern Border’s west, Greya took a detour and spent a day in the towns. During this day, her biggest impression was that the magical heating scrolls were genuinely cheap; the entire convoy had already equipped themselves with this heating scroll called “Warm Baby.”
No wonder that merchant said nearly everyone in Graywhite Territory could afford magical artifacts; that statement was still conservative. At this price, practically anyone with a legitimate job in the entire Northern Border’s west could afford them.
In the towns, Greya waited until the factories closed and the schools let out before stopping a few ragged-looking commoners, wanting to visit their homes. To her surprise, she found that they had indeed prepared a feast for her.
Although the person in charge insisted on trying the food for poison, Greya still happily finished the entire meal and left behind some silver leaf coins as she left amidst their puzzled stares.
These ordinary people not only had enough to eat but even had surplus food to entertain guests; it was hard to imagine this was still the Northern Border. Greya even suspected she had returned to the wealthiest times of the Royal Capital.
Although Caudic’s ideological imprint still existed in most people’s minds, Greya preferred to believe in the facts she had seen.
After returning to the carriage, the Nightingale Opera House’s convoy set off again. Inside the carriage, Greya took out paper and pen and crossed out several planned performances.
When the Nightingale Opera House’s convoy entered Graywhite Territory, it was already nighttime.
Due to the stops and starts along the way, they were several days later than the scheduled time. In the end, to make up for lost time, they could only enter the city after the sun had set.
Fortunately, there was no curfew in nighttime Graywhite Territory, and it was still brightly lit. Some people in the Nightingale Opera House caravan even craned their necks, curiously watching the scenery around them.
Even though the Nightingale Opera House is located in the Inner City of the Royal Capital, where the lights were even more dazzling and splendid, when comparing the Inner City of the Royal Capital to this place just entering the city, it had already lost.
Especially the large obelisk in the distance, emanating a soft glow, with various magic circles shining beneath it, particularly striking in the night.
As the caravan entered the city, it still attracted quite a crowd to watch, but everyone was polite; not only was there no one begging in the middle of the road, but they even maintained a respectful distance. Of course, there were also those who excitedly ran to spread the news, all of which Greya observed keenly.
Until a bard in costume stopped the caravan’s path.
“Welcome to Graywhite Territory, members of the Nightingale Opera House.”
