Linda led the three of them to the counter to pay.

"One thousand and forty-five gold coins, that's so expensive?"

Linda looked surprised when she heard the price.

It's not that he can't afford it, but that he's looking for the best value for money.

Linda ate the World Tree Fruit, worth a thousand gold pieces, without a second thought.

But these few yukatas, which have no magical power, are so expensive.

"Sir, our yukatas are made of the finest ice silk, blah blah blah..."

"Master, please let me pay the bill."

Tasia took out a silver-colored savings card with the World Tree on it and handed it to the counter lady.

"I can't accept this."

Linda's eyelids twitched. In Tasia's hand was a universally accepted savings card issued by the World Tree Divine Court, also known as the Tree Savings Card.

You need to have savings of over 5 million to get the Silver-level Tree Bank Savings Card.

I never imagined that this maid was a hidden millionaire, even richer than me!

Linda felt inexplicably envious; the captain of the adventure team was actually less wealthy than a maid.

Tasia gave him a strange look: "Master, do you need to manage my savings cards?"

"Control... me??" Linda asked, somewhat surprised.

The conversation between the two attracted the attention of many passersby in line behind them.

Whispers reached Linda's ears:

"Isn't that Captain Linda, who was featured in the Adventurers' Weekly and hailed as the rising star of White Dove City? Why is he spending a maid's money?"

"Impossible, would Linda be short of money?"

"Given Captain Linda's style, she would only pay the maids more, not spend the maids' money."

The murmurs and whispers pushed Linda to his limits, causing his outstretched hand to freeze in his pocket as he reached for the gold card.

Linda blushed and said, "No need, you should keep it. As your host, I have to pay you."

Tasia bowed slightly: "I will obey my master's orders."

Of course, if Luanweihua's financial situation ever becomes dire, Linda will still lend a hand.

Let's keep it with Tasia for now.

...

A group of people came out of the shop carrying bags containing yukatas.

It was late at night, but the commercial street was still brightly lit.

This is the most bustling street in White Dove City, where major merchants, brand-name shops, and elven dens of iniquity are all located.

The streets were bustling with people—elves, orcs, humans with hair of all colors, and carriages passing by—creating a lively scene.

There are three days left until the annual Winter Solstice Festival.

Even before it officially started, the festive atmosphere was already palpable on the streets.

In front of each shop was a 'harvest tree', adorned with colorful lights. It was a miniature ornamental piece based on the World Tree.

The harvest tree is laden with candies and dried meats, and children under 10 years old can freely consume the food on it, but must eat it on the spot.

Seasonal specialties are also available for sale, such as buttered bear jerky, cheese rice cakes, and candied apples...

People put on new clothes and lavishly spent the gold coins they had saved up over the past year.

The turnover of shops in the week before and after the Winter Solstice can be equivalent to that of two months in normal times.

Many adventurers who hadn't been seen for a year returned from the wilderness or other cities, chatting animatedly in taverns, showing off the novel magical items they had brought back, and all sorts of stories from the outside world that were hard to verify.

A magic that can turn cats into beautiful girls, a forest full of golden trees, a tamed purebred succubus, and the chance to get something for free because he's too handsome...

This aroused envy and jealousy among the patrons.

Only a smart person would notice that those who boast often wear ripped sweaters and boots that are merely rare blue magical equipment.

Everyone is welcoming the upcoming Winter Solstice in their own way.

Before we knew it, it was the night before the festival.

"Eeya!"

In her dream, Monica covered her bottom, crying, and collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted.

However, Monica's figure is so good that her stomach doesn't touch the ground at all.

Monica's buttocks were almost swollen from being spanked because she couldn't complete the 1000 push-ups required by the Dark Shadow.

"You think you can become an excellent adventurer without putting in the effort?"

"Keep doing it!"

"Move your waist! Don't stop your hands! Move them with all your might!"

Linda suppressed her reluctance, conjured a whip of pain in her hand, and lashed it across Monica's little bottom with a sharp crack.

"Waaah!" Monica cried out in pain, her little face streaked with tears. Under Linda's tyranny, she fearfully propped herself up with her hands, her bottom trembling like a sieve.

"998...999...1, 1000!"

Finally, Monica finished her last push-up.

"Thanks for your hard work."

"As expected of my captain's outstanding team member."

Linda crouched down and gave Monica a gentle head pat.

Monica appeared quite reserved in front of Linda in her shadowy form, and timidly said, "Th-thank you, Captain."

"The captain is really looking forward to Monica's yukata at tomorrow's fireworks festival."

"Huh? Does the captain in my dream also know what's happening in reality?"

"Ahem, because this captain is omnipotent."

Linda realized she had let something slip and quickly ended the dream instruction.

After 1000 push-ups, all 300,000 experience points went into Monica's body.

A golden light fell upon Monica.

"Wow..."

The girl gasped in surprise, and before she could ask Linda what was going on, Linda sent her out of the dream.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!