Oddly enough, things went on more cheerfully. Twenty minutes later, we left the forest on a wide road, where, under a rainbow-colored protective dome, a chic carriage with thoroughbred horses harnessed to it was waiting for us. I saw such beauties only in the picture, but I did not dare to stroke, instead I settled down on the seats upholstered in red velvet.

Eli drove the carriage, and I feverishly clenched and unclenched my fists, literally sticking my nose to the carriage window. The speed with which she rushed did not allow to see the details, but the city, which very soon appeared in the distance, was amazing. Already from here, the spiers of some monumental buildings, more like palaces, and multi-storey mansions, immersed in greenery, were visible.

Even the suburbs looked like a fairy-tale picture - bright, like gingerbread houses with neat front gardens and small vegetable gardens were full of colors to the left and right of the road. And a little further they were golden, blooming with incredible flowers and fragrant with the sweet aromas of fields and meadows.

If I did not know that this beauty was achieved by slave labor, I would probably wish to stay here forever. But I already know that behind the magical picture were corns, sweat and blood of local men, often sold into slavery against their will. And this knowledge made me uncomfortable.

The guards at the gate let us through immediately, as soon as I looked out of the carriage window for a moment. I just shook my head sadly, seeing how, at our approach, passers-by with slave collars or handcuffs, like those that ended up on Eli after my touch, kneel down, choking in clouds of dust, and then completely drew the curtain on the window to not to see this nightmare. My heart trembled with regret, but I knew there was nothing I could do about it, at least for now.

The carriage stopped abruptly at a huge three-story building made of gray stone, and my elf immediately appeared next to me, opening the door and offering me cupped palms instead of a step. I looked doubtfully at my heels and just jumped down beside me, bypassing the help of my slave, who turned pretty pale and hissed barely audible:

- It's not allowed, Mrs. Please try not to stand out too much! I beg you! We discussed it!

"It won't be easy," I breathed dumbfounded, looking at the few women dressed too revealingly and moving around surrounded by whole crowds of men.

At the same time, many of these poor fellows were definitely slaves and, right on the go, carried out the orders of their mistresses, who were not at all embarrassed either by those around them or by their cruelty.

- Let's go, Madam, - Eli called me in a whisper, and I, startled, followed him into the hall of the Ishhartran administrative building.

We discussed this visit even before leaving the forest. Our plan was audacious and incredibly simple - since I was the exact copy of Illa in'Ravien, I simply could not help but try to take advantage of her name and position. And for this I needed to get a new identifier - aisor.

It usually looked like a pendant, which contained all the information about the owner. A kind of multi-card - a passport, a bank card and a VIP pass to a variety of places in one bottle. It could be restored only by passing a test on a special artifact. Of course, there was a risk that the magic item would recognize the change, but Eli assured me that this was too unlikely, after all, Illa in'Ravien was a resident of another world, and only general data was kept about her on Raygon.

As soon as I entered the building, silence reigned in the hall.

The slaves fell on their knees en masse, seeing me off with frightened and hating glances, and a few employees and employees, apparently from the common people, averted their eyes and bowed obligingly, throwing envious sighs in my direction.

Is there something I don't know, Eli? - I asked, practically without opening my lips, realizing that they only look at me like that, and other visitors, despite the chic outfits and many slaves, are paid much less attention.

“You see, Mistress,” the elf whispered and immediately collapsed next to me on his knees, and the walls of some translucent dome shot up around us, cutting off all sounds at once, “all these people and nonhumans consider you one of the most cruel women of our time. They are just afraid of you.

"And when were you going to tell me about it?" I panicked. - Do you even understand that this image needs to be consistent ?! I cant! I do not know how!

- And you have to, Maryana, - Eli cut off the approaching hysteria rather harshly, however, without raising his head. That's why I didn't say. This is your only chance, retreat late. So take advantage of it!

- Okay, but I'll remember it for you!

- As my Lady wishes, - the elf bowed his head even lower, but I managed to notice how satisfaction flashed across his face.

Here's an intriguer! I don't understand this man at all, and it seems to start to scare me. True, no more than the ingratiating and malicious looks of others. Well... Perhaps this really needs to be finished as soon as possible.

I sighed and took a step forward, putting on my most bitchy expression.

- Who is in charge here? I want to record the act of attacking a noble illus. And also - I demand compensation for the fact that you could not provide me with security during the transition! I said loudly, and everyone present gasped.

The employees immediately whispered and fussed, offering me coffee, a relaxing massage, and a room with slaves in turn.

“First restore my aisor,” I demanded to give me the pendant in the most capricious tone that I was capable of. - Without him, I'm like without hands. Hey, you,” I lightly kicked Eli with the toe of my shoes, mentally asking for his forgiveness, “stay here. and just try to run away or open your mouth without my permission, I'll screw you to death.

We also discussed this point. If I fall asleep on the test, Eli will try to get me out of house arrest, the capital punishment for women. And for this, he must have a head start to escape or the opportunity to temporarily hide.

- AND? I raised an annoyed eyebrow at the handsome guy in the administrator's uniform. - Come on, come on. What a terrible service in this hole of yours?!

He nodded and with bows led me into one of the corridors, and I breathed a sigh of relief for a moment, realizing that the first part of the plan was over, and I played my role not so badly, even considering that all this was, for the most part parts, improvisation.

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