> Lara PoV <

“-------- [Purify Curse]” (Unknown)

“AAAAH!” (Lara)

I awake with a scream. I’m awake? I’m awake! YEAAAH! I’m finally awake! Who’s awake? This girl!

I sit up on the stone I was laying on and look arou-

“Are you alright, my child?” (Old Man)

Geh! There’s an old man with a stick! And a heavy robe!? Wait, where am I? This isn’t that damp cave…

“Where am I? What’s going on?” (Lara)

“You're inside the Church of Khamis in Lutespit, my child. You were afflicted with a curse.” (Old Man)

Ah, so he’s a priest! A curse? Guess that's why I couldn't wake up… But this old man helped me right?

“Thank you for curing me! But… the fee...” (Lara)

That’s right. There’s a charge for hiring a priest. I need to repay everything that I owe. But I have no money, so let’s go with the usual and offer to clean something!

“It’s all right, my child. It’s been taken care of by the adventurer brought you here.” (Priest)

Adventurer? Wait, where’s Sophia!?

“My sister? Is she alright!?” (Lara)

“Don’t fret, my child. She’s outside this room, waiting for you.” (Priest)

I leap off the altar-looking thing and immediately get dizzy. Waah! I got up too fast! But! Sophie must be worried! I need to get to her!

The old priest is going off to a corner of the room, probably has things to do. That’s fine, he has his job and I have mine!

Huh? I just noticed it, but why am I wearing this dress? Also my hands aren’t as filthy as always. Someone dressed and washed me? That's... Not sure how to feel about that.

I open the door and boldly trip on the frame.

“Oof!” (Lara)

I fall face-first onto the carpeted floor. I’m still a bit dizzy, but I need to find-

“Big sis!” (Sophie)

“Sophie!” (Lara)

She’s tottering towards me! I get off the ground and hug her! I’m so glad she’s safe! Hmm? She’s wearing a cute dress too! Also her face is looking much healthier.

Why?! I look around the stone corridor and see someone standing there, looking at us.

It’s a woman with fiery red hair. She’s wearing gray leather armor that looks worn-out and there’s a shiny black stick strapped to her back. Also a dangerous-looking gauntlet on her right hand.

“Good day Lara.” (Red-haired lady)

“How do you kno-” (Lara)

“It’s Kira! She’s Kira! She saved us! Big sis, she’s an adventurer! And a mage! She’s really amazing!” (Sophia)

Woah, sis is way too excited. What’s going on? She rarely even speaks in front of others. An adventurer? So this is the one who I have to pay back, huh? 

“Miss Kira, I am in your debt, but I cannot repay it immediately.” (Lara)

Adventurers, priests, it doesn’t matter. All the grownups want money for goods and services. They need money to live. So someone without money like me has no right to complain.

“Not good enough.” (Kira)

She takes a few steps closer. She leans forward with a dissatisfied face. I guess she’s going to make some absurd demand. But I’ll bear it for Sophie’s sake!

“Someone just saved your life. What sort of attitude is that?” (Kira)

What? Do you want me to sing your praises!? The only thing you care about is money so don’t pretend like you did anything for my sake!

Even if I have to work myself to the bone, I won’t allow myself to be in your debt! I’m leaving the instant it’s-

“Big sis, big sis, she wants you to thank her properly.” (Sophia)

Sophia whispers some nonsense. Thank her? She probably bought us from those bandits! They were super scary you know, there’s no way this one lady could do anything to them!

“Uhm. That is… thank you.” (Lara)

However, it’s my sister’s naive request. It is the correct thing to do. I will follow it, but-

“There we go! Now then, let’s get some food in you! You’re hungry right?” (Kira)

She reaches over and grabs my arm!?

“What are you doing?” (Lara)

“Come on, sis! It’s really tasty you know!” (Sophie)

Huh? Wait, let go of me! Sis why are you helping her and not meeeee!?

* * *

She ended up dragging me into an inn! And why is there piping hot, delicious, mouth-watering, good-looking, tasty food here? I see how it is!

*Munch munch*

I won’t be swayed you know!? She wants to put me in her debt so she can own me!

*Munch munch*

It doesn’t matter how much you pile on, I won’t submit! I’ll repay it all and break free from you!

*Munch munch*

“WHY IS THIS FOOD SO GOOOOOOOD!?!” (Lara)

I ended up screaming, unable to bear it. There’s something hot on my cheeks. My tears are flowing without end…

*Munch munch*

“It’s so good! It’s too delicious! *Sniff* Thank you! *Sniff* Thank you!” (Lara)

I can’t help it, it’s been so long since I’ve had a proper meal!

“Wow, you really are sisters! Sophie made the exact same reaction, too!” (Kira)

She’s smiling widely at me. Now that I look around, Sophie is also eagerly stuffing herself with both hands.

I see, she managed to get both of us. Now we have to serve her for who knows how long…

What a dreadful person.

“Hey Red! Oh, if it isn’t the foul-mouthed big sister!” (Dwarf)

A dwarf aunty walked up and sat next to me with a stupid smile. 

“Who you callin foul-mouthed, you piss-drinker!” (Lara)

Wait… what did I just...

“HAH! Hahahaha! Listen to her go, Red! Hahahaha!” (Dwarf)

Ah, my face is heating up! I can’t believe I blurted out something so embarrassing!

“It’s okay Lara. You’re just suffering the after-effects of the Devil Spider’s curse. You’ll go back to normal in a week or so.” (Kira)

Devil Spider? Come to think of it, a purple, hairy, many-legged thing did bite me and then run away. I guess it was a monster? Regardless, my debt keeps piling up.

Well, I’ve eaten their food, worn their clothes and undergone healing at their expense. Time to start working it off!

“What is it you want from me, exactly?” (Lara)

“First of all, let us formally introduce ourselves. My name is Kiressara mil Quasse. You can call me Kira. I’m an adventurer and a mage.” (Kira)

“You already know this, but I’m Lara.” (Lara)

Now that I get a close look at her, she’s actually very pretty. I’m a bit envious. Also I just noticed, her eyes are different colors. The left one is pale blue, the right one a bright red. That’s rather weird.

“This is Kelly Darkhand, an engineer and mercenary. She’s helping me out.” (Kira)

She points at the dwarf. Mercenary, huh? I heard they don’t trust anything but money, selling their loyalty and honor to the highest bidder.

What a respectable profession! To make money out of something you can't even touch, truly reliable! I always wanted to be a mercenary!

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Hey. Don't worry about earlier, just a bit of fun." (Kelly)

“Pleased to meet you Kelly. I’m Lara.” (Lara)

“And the girl standing right behind you is Ellie.” (Kira)

Hmm? Right behind? But I didn’t hear any-

“WAAAAAAAAH!” (Lara)

I turned around and saw a face! It was so close our noses almost touched! I didn’t notice her at all!

“I’m Ellie.” (Ellie)

She backed up slightly! Huh, that’s… a cat-person right? I’ve never seen one, but I’ve seen cats! Eyes, tail and ears, clearly a cat-person. The eyes… are the opposite of Kira’s? Red on the left, pale blue on the right. That's even weirder. They didn't trade eyes or something, right?

Her lower face is covered by a black mask, and she’s wearing weird-looking all-black armor. And she’s clearly got a lot of knives…

It’s one of those, right? An assassin, right? Another person hired with the power of money, right?

“Wrong.” (Ellie)

Huh? What’s wrong?

“You are.” (Ellie)

I am? What is she saying!?

“I’m not hired. I’m the wife.” (Ellie)

Ah I see, she saw through me! Such skill! Wait, what wife?

“Kira’s wife.” (Ellie)

I see, I see, there’s a guy with the same name, huh? Must be pretty anno-

“That’s right ~♡! Ellie is my sweet wifey ~♡! Please don’t be rude to her okay ~♡?” (Kira)

Huh? Why is she so happy when she says those things? And why can I almost see floating ♡s?

“Mhm. Kira’s wife!” (Ellie)

Eh? What’s with that proud-looking pose?

“Aaah, now you’ve done it, they’ve started flirting again... “ (Kelly)

WHAT?

* * *

They let us borrow a room at the inn. Kuh, why do they keep forcing these debts on me! Still, a nice soft bed where me and Sophie could sleep soundly isn’t so bad.

Yesterday they said they wanted to take us to their town. I guess we’ll be working there.

“Big sis big sis! Look!” (Sophie)

“Yes, Sophie, it’s very… nice.” (Lara)

My sister is pointing at our carriage… if you can call it that.

It looks completely bizarre and a giant moving stone horse pulling it. That’s fine, after finding out that two women married each other, this much is nothing.

* * *

“Okay, I’ll bring it back up.” (Kira)

We’re here to pick up something, that’s what they said. But I don’t see anything around here.

“---- [Fissure]” (Kira)

The ground split open a huge metal box jumped out! It’s like the ones in the bandit hideout. I wonder how they even open them?

Wait, why is Ellie smearing her blood on it?

*Bzzt* *Ping*

Ah, it opened. It’s full of metal people. Wait, those are like the horse, right? Golems, right?

* * *

And now we’re under attack. A carriage full of nothing but women and children, of course those filthy bandits would target us. Still, Ellie’s here so she can probably get rid of-

“--[Firebolt] --[Firebolt] --[Firebolt] --[Firebolt]” (Kira)

Okay, Sophie did say Kira’s an amazing mage, but sis is a bit naive so I didn’t believe her. But to single-handedly fight off 10 bandits before they even get close, I’ll admit she’s good.

I wonder why she didn’t use her staff though? I thought mages always use staves.

* * *

"How can you possibly trust a person you haven't even seen?!" (Lara)

“Ah, but Nano isn’t a person.” (Kelly + Kira)

How do these people even function!? No, one of them isn’t a person in the first place, this is clearly abnormal, right?

* * *

Woah! That’s so cool! The mace appeared out of nowhere! Mercenaries are way cooler than I ever imagined!

“Derryaa!” (Kelly)

One swing sent an Orc flying! Scrappy is the best! I want one!

* * *

*Snap*

“GYAAAAA!” (Unfortunate bandit)

Wow, Ellie really snapped that arm like a twig huh? I wonder if she’ll teach me? Self-defense is important. Also that knife-throwing skill is pretty incredible…

But I also want to be a pretty and confident mage like Kira. I know I can’t do both. Or can I?

* * *

It’s been a week since I woke up from my curse. I was wrong. I admit that.

These people really do care.

Kira isn’t just some rich adventurer who solves everything with money. Turns out she’s really stingy. She even blackmailed a noble just to get extra coin! It’s a bit criminal, but that drive to save up money is something I can really get behind. She’s more mercenary than the mercenary! 

Ellie apparently fell from the sky! She met Kira! And they got engaged instantly! That must be fate, right? It’s so romantic! I thought she was scary at first, but she’s just a bit shy and serious. She’s also really kind. They all are, but Ellie is especially kind.

Also that [Star Magic] she showed me wasn’t very showy, but it was definitely strong. She gave me and Sophie plenty of rides in the air! It felt like an invisible hand was keeping me from falling, it was pretty fun!

And finally there’s Nano. The mysterious voice-that-isn’t-a-person. He said ‘Hello’ using a floating ball-like thing. It was a bit cute. But I want to meet Nano face-to-face. It’s hard to be friends with someone you can’t see or hear.

Ellie says we can get cuffs like theirs so we can all hear Nano. But she said they hurt a bit and you can’t take them off easily. I think I’ll pass on that. There was also something said about mind-reading but I think that’s just her playing around.

“I’m not playing around.” (Ellie)

Yeah, well, try and guess the number I’m thinking of!

“31,500. 

12. 

953 and a third. 

11. 

12 again.” (Ellie)

“Okay okay, I believe you! Just… don’t do that, it’s a bit creepy okay?” (Lara)

“Sorry, bad habit.” (Ellie)

Kira believes in family. It’s something her dad taught her. All my dad ever taught me was that me and Sophie were unneeded. But this place with Kira, Ellie and Kelly is warm, it’s safe. It’s the first time me and sis haven’t had to worry about food, clothes or a place to sleep in years.

Tomorrow we’ll arrive at their hometown of Runetap. It sounds like a fun place! 

Kira wants to adopt us. She and Ellie promised to give us two sisters a home full of love and smiles. What’s up with that? Even I think that’s childish! Although, I wouldn’t mind such a home.

I wouldn’t mind it at all.

End of Act Four - Promises to keep

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Finally! It was a long-ass act, but I'm satisfied with it. I hope you guys enjoyed it. There's a bit more coming from Lara's PoV as they settle in, then we move onto the next random idea! I hope you're looking forward to it! I know I am!