Stepped into the bustling tavern, the sound of beer glasses clinking together filled my ears. I was immediately greeted by the joyful shouts and energetic dances of adventurers from all around the world. The confident musicians played a lively tune that stirred my soul and made my heart beat faster.

The energetic rabbit wenches scurried around, carrying trays overflowing with mouth-watering delicacies and a dozen frothy beer glasses. The customers, unable to contain their excitement, impatiently shouted for their orders to be fulfilled.

W-Whoa, I never expected this place to be this… lively.

“U-umm, c-can we, like, eat somewhere more… quiet?” I asked Arthur who clapped energically at the dancing musician.

“W-What? I can’t hear you!” he shouted.

“I said, can we—“

Suddenly one of the wenches butt in, “Here’s your honey roasted orc meat, enjoy it!”

“Hiii—!” I jolted in fear, feeling like my heart just jumped out of my rib cage. Even after hundred years had passed, I still couldn’t enjoy the bustling atmosphere of a tavern or a party. Maybe, I was just genetically allergic to commotion?

The bunny girl giggled, “Oh my, aren’t ya a scaredy cat?” she sat casually beside me and continued, “The name is Elysia. Nice to meet ya, Princess!”

“U-Uh, nice to meet you too, I guess? Hey, wait, aren't you-!"

The beautiful girl kissed my cheek and said bewitchingly, "Sssh. Not here, not now."

Elysia grin widely, her smile charmed every adventurer in the tavern, making them looking at me jealously. Now that I looked at her, as a Daemon Usa, Elysia was gorgeous. Her wavy hair was like wave of fiery blue flame, captivating people with its gleam. She also smell kind of sweet, yet addicting, partly because floral perfume in deadly combination with her natural pheromone. Even a girl liked me, if not careful enough, could be enchanted by her gaze.

“Oh by the way, what bring you here, dear Witch? Could it be you are Master Arthur new girlfriend? Ohh, so he finally moved on from Lady Kiara, I’m so happy!” Elysia cheerfully in the front, but she clearly mocking Arthur at the same time,

“But choosing a Daemon Vampyris as your new partner? I didn’t know you got balls, chalenging the forbidden love between human and daemon. Or maybe, you choose this poor little girl to vent your frustration, eh, Master Arthur?”

Uh-oh, I don’t know what happened between the two, but it’s as clear as day they got beef at each other. But really, is Arthur that hopeless? Hmm, it might acutally worse. Because Kiara lived in Arthur home, right? So… living under one roof, but friendzoned… Oh my goddess, I couldn’t imagine how awkward it was for Arthur!

“A-Artie… I’m, just, uhhh… sorry. W-We’ve just met so… sorry,” I awkwardly rejected Arthur. But then Elysia laughed out loud that she squished me so hard while nugging her cheek to mine.

“Awww, you’re so cute! I wish I have a cute little sister like you. That’s right girl, asshole like him doesn’t deserve good girl like you,” she said.

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“N-No touching,” I pushed her away but it didn’t work.

Arthur got annoyed and sighed, “Satisfied? Now, stop the bullshit and listen to me. There is nothing between us. Lady Megistus just sent this newbie under my care, that’s all,” the man drank his grape juice and continued,

“Anyway, I’m here for business, not to chitchat.”

Elysia squinted her eyes and grunted, “Hrrh, what a boring guy. That’s why Kiara never see you more than her friend, you know. Whatever, follow me.”

Oh, it’s only Arthur, right? Then I could enjoy this orc meat for awhile longer, hehe.

Suddenly, Arthur flicked my forehead, “You’re coming too, Princess,” he said.

Elysia looked surprised, but Arthur nodded to her saying, “Don’t worry, she’s with me.”

The two stood up and walked toward the backdoor, while I frantically brought the food with me. We stopped at the staff room, where Elysia locked the door and put sealing magic on it… Wait, seriously? A daemon with magic?

“So, what business you have with me, traitor?” Elysia lean on the wall, crossing her arm annoyedly.

Traitor…? Hidden between the cleavage on her breast, I could see a crystal shone after she used magic. Yet, after the magic subsided, it was hidden beneath the skin. This girl is with the Order!

I readied my blade when Arthur stopped me. He nodded at me as if saying to leave the matter to him.

“Where is Bianca?” Arthur asked while tossing a bag full of gold coin.

Elysia laughed, “Seriously? You want me to sell my comrades? Oh dear, you’re really amusing, Arthur. But, no, I have to decline. After everything you have done to us, I’m not going to trust you anymore.”

The girl looked at me with pity, “You know, you really have a bad luck, girl. To be under care of someone who treated other like pawns… Sooner or later he would sacrifice you for his own gain. Just like me.”

I raised my eyebrow, “What do you mean?”

Elysia chuckled, “You really don’t know, huh? Before joining the Black Company, this young master here is my senior in The Order. We mainly secured provision for the Order and occasionally acquired a relic for Pater,” the girl touch her heart with melancholic expression.

“Yet a month ago, when we were transporting a special relic, he lured us right to the Black Company trap.”

“It was necessary sacrifice,” Arthur argued.

Elysia's eyes narrowed in anger as she shot back, "Necessary sacrifice? You betrayed your comrades, your fellow members of The Order, just for your own gain. You sold us out like we were mere pawns in your game.”

I could feel the tension in the air, the weight of their history heavy between them. Elysia's voice shook with emotion as she continued,

"You have no idea what we went through. Most of us were captured by the Black Company. The one who managed to escape got even worst fate.

Do you know what it's like to have your heart ripped out and replaced with a fake one? We're no longer human, no longer alive, just tools for Pater's bidding. We were turned into Homunculus, The Order sacrifical puppet!”

Elysia grab Arthur’s collar, “While you live blissfully with your lady, even becoming one of The Black Company. You must be truly happy, huh, Master?”

Arthur's face remained stoic, but I could see the guilt flicker in his eyes. “I had no choice,” he said quietly. “I had to do what was necessary to free most of us from The Order.”

“Are you saying being imprisoned in Tartarus is freedom?” Elysia let go Arthur with conflicting feelings. She turned herself to the desk, slamming it once to vent her frustation while saying,

“After becoming a Homunculus myself… part of me understand what you mean. Losing our identity, living day to day according to someone will, this fate might be worst than death. But, after hearing what they did to the prisoners… I don’t think it is any better than me.”

Arthur sighed, “Elysia, you can hate me all you want. But my promise is the same. I will free us from The Order. And for that, I need information about Bianca. Will you help me?”

Elysia took a long silence, she was clearly reluctant. Perhaps helping Arthur would have dire consequences for her, maybe she scared of being betrayed again, or combination of the two. But it took incredible courage for her to finally said,

“Alright. However, I have one condition,” the girl looked at Arthur deeply, “I need blood from one of the prisoner in Hexagon.”