"It really fits you," commented a certain young man.

"It's cute," commented a certain older sister.

"..."

They've been staring at me for well over a minute from every angle, commenting about how it was cute, or fitting or anything really. It was embarrassing, having them stare at me so intensely and then being praised. That didn't mean that I wasn't happy about it. In fact, it made me quite happy. Happy, but I was also burning up from the embarrassment. And then... there was a certain problem I realised after putting on the armour.

It's wide. It fits perfectly. But, it's too wide down there.

It was a dress. And the bottom part was modelled like a long skirt. The skirt went down to the ground so that technically wasn't a problem. Or rather, it shouldn't have been one.

Curse you, past me. I know you avoided it all the time, but curse you nonetheless! Why? Why couldn't you just wear them?

My underwear. It was about my underwear. The skirt was just wide enough that it barely touched my legs when standing still. And as such, it felt like I wasn't wearing anything below. The feeling of being completely naked in my bottom half bothered me a lot. It was impossible to calm down like this. And being stared at from close up made it all the worse.

Past me, why did you not feel bothered about wearing those simple pants without underwear? Couldn't you have foreseen this? Why were you so foolish?

Alas, there was no way in hell my past me could give me an answer.

"Yumi? You're really red, is everything okay?" asked Karen in a worried tone.

"... It's fine. Probably. Nn, it's fine."

"That doesn't look like it's fine."

"No, it really is."

Once I get my panties, that is.

Wanda gave me two pairs of simple panties back then. One was probably with the one-piece dress. And the other one... probably in our wagon. I should fetch it as soon as I could. Lest I started getting used to this.

"Well then, it seems everything is fine with Yumi's and Miss Karen's armours. Then, if you have no other issues I'll return to my work. And... I already got half a dozen idiots who can't maintain their armours... Please, don't become like them, okay? I'll even teach you how to at a later time."

"N—, Nn..."

"... We'll take care."

"Awesome! Then, if you'll excuse me."

He raised his hand and quickly entered his wagon, disappearing from our sight.

"... He's busy, I guess."

"Nn... So, uh... Next was Wormaz? Where is his wagon..."

"Ah, Lily told me before, so I'll lead the way."

"Oh? Okay."

That was convenient. With confident steps, Karen led the way.

Except. There wasn't much to lead us towards. It only took us around two minutes. Probably even less. I was a little thankful for that, though. This armour dress... It really was quite heavy... And now, we were standing in front of a very... unique wagon. Easily twice the size, mostly in the length department, compared to the regular ones. The entire thing was also fitted out with metal plates. It made me think that maybe the entire wagon was made of metal. It even had a small chimney on one end, puffing out smoke. It was an impressive vehicle.

And this impressive vehicle had an impressive escort. Well, not really. Around ten mercenaries, all fully armoured were forming two rows right in front of the vehicle. Opposite of them stood Greyward, also dressed in armour, although in a lighter kind.

"Did you get all of that?"

"Yes, Captain!"

"Good, then get to it!"

The mercenaries saluted and marched away. He probably just finished instructing them on their orders, or so.

"Mr Greyward."

"Mh? Ohh, Miss Yumi, Miss Karen. You're already back?"

"Nn. What was that, just now?"

"This? Sending the clean-up service."

"... Clean-up service?"

He didn't send them to... get rid of someone. Right? Right... Please...

"Mh? Oh, right. This is a first for you two, huh? Well, the clean-up service is just a nickname, really. They are just going to get the idiots who are still not back."

"Haa..."

That didn't sound all too bad. Although, there was one thing bothering me.

Why ten people? And why are they marching? And why that odd nickname?

"Uhm, why do you call it clean-up service?" asked Karen.

"Why, huh... Most of the time we have to be... a little forceful, you see. Those idiots tend to get themselves into trouble. Really quickly, sometimes even I'm astonished at how they managed to do that overnight. Or even within two hours."

He sighed and shook his head in exasperation.

"So, we usually send some people to deal with... whatever comes into the way. And at some point, some people started calling it a clean-up service."

"Clean-up service, huh..."

"And I decided to adopt it as the official nickname before the name 'Execution Squad' spread."

""...""

Whatever they were doing, if it was in danger of being called 'Execution Squad', I sure as hell didn't want to get involved. Ever.

"Korwen's predecessor failed that and now they are stuck with 'Doom Squad' at the Dragon Knights."

""...""

That was a bit of trivia I didn't want to know, to be honest.

"Well, enough of that. You guys here for Wormaz?"

"Nn. Lily told us to come here."

"I see..."

"Nn?"

At the mention of Lily's name, his expression turned serious, lost in thought even.

"Lily was quite down this morning... Do you know if something happened?"

"Down? No."

"Yumi, is it maybe the thing with Rina she wanted to tell us about?"

"Ah, right... That might be it."

She did seem troubled about whatever had happened yesterday evening. Greyward raised his eyebrows and then turned to Karen.

"Rina, that's your little sister right?" he asked her.

"Yes. Apparently, something happened yesterday evening, but she didn't want to tell us yet..."

"I see..."

At that moment, the door of the large wagon slammed open and a small, sturdy man appeared from inside. He really was quite small, probably about as tall as I was. Even through the thick leather apron, you could make out the thick muscles adorning his body.

"Captain! Fucking hell, didn't I say we need a new god fucking furnace? And I need a godsdamn apprentice! To hell with this shit! Don't come to me to fucking sharpen your weapon, do it yourself!"

"Wormaz, language."

"I don't care about shitty language! They could've just come yesterday when I got barely anything to do! Oh, we're in a hurry? Better let busy Wormaz take a look and fix those dents! Gaaah!"

With all his might, he threw the pliers in his hand to the ground, where they got stuck quite splendidly.

"Wormaz, I get your feelings, really. But there isn't anything I can do. I told you dozens of times we can't afford a new furnace. And didn't that kid yesterday come by for apprenticeship?"

"That brat? With those thin arms and an attitude like a king? Can go fuck his arse by himself. Maybe if he runs fast enough in circles he can do it. Not like he'd ever find a use for that pecker below otherwise with such an attitude. Pah! Hell, at least that'll spare him from a girl searching for it."

"... Wormaz. Calm down."

"I won't, not until— Mh?"

He finally spotted us next to Greyward. The tiny man stared at us for a few seconds, then dashed in our direction with surprising nimbleness. Stopping right in front of Karen, he stared at her, really intensely.

"Girl, are you a manakin?"

"Eh, yes..."

"... Silver Moon?"

"Yes..."

"..."

He continued staring, or rather glaring, at Karen. Then he turned around, back towards Greyward, while pointing at Karen.

"Captain, I'll take this girl as an apprentice."

Silence.

Complete and utter silence.

Until half a minute later, Greyward broke it.

"... Wormaz, could you repeat that?"

"I said, I'll take this girl as an apprentice."

"Could you explain why?"

"Silver Moon manakin are rare as fuck, Captain. They tend to have some really good arm strength even with those thin arms and they can make the Silver Moon metal! It'll be a lot cheaper to make it than just purchasing it all the time!"

"Haa... I get it. But shouldn't you talk to the person in question first?"

Wormaz clicked his tongue and turned around.

"Become my apprentice!"

"No."

"Gah?! Why?!"

"I don't really have an interest in smithing..."

"It's awesome! Seriously!"

"Still no."

Crestfallen, he fell to his knees.

"Wormaz, stop with your skit. There are other things to do. Like, handing over that banner."

"... I won't give up yet!"

"Wormaz! That's an order!"

"Guh!"

He was halfway back on his feet but those words sent him back to the ground. Then, still on the ground, he crawled back into the wagon. What the heck was going on with this guy? His crawling speed was scary.

"Haa... Sorry about him... He's a good guy, usually, but when he's excited... I feel like losing my mind."

"Ahaha..."

"Anyway... Miss Karen, have you ever thought about what kind of weapon you'd like to use?"

"What kind of weapon to use? No, not really."

"Mh... That so."

Greyward walked to the wagon and knocked on the wall.

"Wormaz, bring some of the practice weapons along."

There was no response. A few seconds later, the small man named wormaz reappeared, holding a bunch of weapons under one arm and... something very long in his other.

"Practice weapons and the banner. Here you go, Captain."

Wormaz put down the practice weapons on the nearby table. The banner, though, he held upright and slammed it into the ground.

"This fine?"

"Mh, yes. Miss Yumi, come here?"

"Nn?"

He called me over. It couldn't be... could it?

"An armour making an impression also needs a weapon making an impression, right?"

"..."

What should I say to this? I stared at the banner. It was easily twice my height, probably even more, with a flag showing a black shield on a black background. At the tip was something like a spearhead and a small axe blade on the side. Like a small halberd.

"That's... not for me, is it?"

"It is. For who else should it be?"

"..."

Really, what should I say to this? Frankly, I was perplexed. The banner looked pretty nice, yes, but... I expected many things. Carrying a banner wasn't one of them.

"Mh, how about you try holding it for now?"

"Nn..."

A little reluctant, I grabbed the banner. There was a cloth grip at my height, which was quite comfortable. But then the first problem appeared.

"... I can't get it out."

The banner was stuck in the ground. It probably wasn't that deep, but... I couldn't get it out. With a wry smile, Greyward helped me pull it out. It didn't even take him any effort... All the while, not saying a word, only that wry smile and a hint of pity in his eyes.

"Uhh..."

Now holding the banner in my hands, I attempted to balance it.

The banner... was heavy. Not remotely as heavy as the armour, but it was still heavy. In a slightly different sense.

"Ah, try to hold it steady, please. That's dangerous."

"That's... easier said than done..."

There was no choice but to use the ground as support... It was so top-heavy that I couldn't balance it. At this rate, I actually might fall over.

"Mh, if you hold it like that, it really fits, though."

"Nn?"

Greyward took a few steps away and scrutinised me from top to bottom.

"Wormaz, what do you say?"

"Mh, I think it should work fine. Those dumbasses will surely get some motivation out of a cute girl like her."

"Then, that's good."

Greyward nodded to himself, seemingly satisfied. I wanted a mirror.

"Yumi, it suits you," added Karen.

"Does it?"

"It does... It's cute."

Not sure how wearing armour and holding up a war banner was cute... But if Karen thought it was cute, that was fine with me. No need to question her taste. Still, the lack of mirrors was really annoying. Actually... thinking about it, maybe there was one somewhere? I had a vague feeling I had seen one before... But where?

Either way, if they existed, it just meant I had to ask.

"Nn, Mr Greyward, are there any mirrors around?"

"Mirrors? Mirror, huh... Wormaz, do you have a mirror?"

Greyward turned to the dwarf-like man.

"A mirror, huh... Maybe in storage somewhere, but no idea where."

Wormaz stroked his chin, lost in thought.

"Finding it would take forever if it's in storage. Sorry, Miss Yumi, doesn't seem like we have one around."

"Nn, no. It's fine."

At least they had one... Somewhere... Might be worth looking for it at some point.

"Yumi."

"Nn? What is it, Sis?"

"Wasn't there a mirror with the bathing tent and those things?"

"Nn? Oh... I was wondering where I had seen one... So that's where."

"Why not go and use that one?"

Did we have enough time left to look for that one, though? And...

"They didn't set up the tents, did they? So, that mirror is probably stowed away too, ri— Is something the matter?"

For some reason, Greyward held his head and sighed while Karen only smiled wryly. Wormaz had taken the banner away in the meantime and was messing around with the tip, mumbling something along the lines of 'The balance is off.' If he could fix that, it'd be much appreciated.

"Yumi... I guess you didn't notice but they already started yesterday putting up tents and everything..."

"Eh? Really?"

Even though it was unclear how long we'd stay? Actually, wasn't the plan to leave again soon?

"Let me explain that one, Miss Karen. As you know, the Black Guards don't belong to the Dragon Knights, originally. We mostly decided to join up and get under Korwen's wing because of Lily. Well, even if I say that there are a few other reasons, Lily was mostly just the trigger..."

"Nn, how does that relate to the tents?"

"Now, just let me explain, okay?"

For some reason, he started talking about something completely different. I didn't mind listening, I was used to it, but I'd prefer it if it wasn't something completely unrelated...

Greyward motioned us to sit down at the nearby table, so we sat down opposite him. In the meantime, Wormaz disappeared with the banner into the wagon...

With that said, sitting down was quite a relief. The weight of the armour was a lot more bearable like this.

"You see, mercenaries like us or the Dragon Knights, work on pretty large scales. Large Monster subjugations and wars are our main sources of income. But since we are mercenaries there is a definite difference between us and a country's military. Do you know what?"

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Nn... That you aren't bound to a country?"

"Well... Yes, let's just say that's a pass. It's the motivation."

"Motivation?"

"Mercenaries work for money. But to make use of money, you have to be alive, so your life is your top priority, no matter what."

Shouldn't it be important even if you were in the army, though?

"Uhm, Mr Greyward, that's fine and all, but, I have to agree with Yumi, what does that have to do with setting up the tents?" asked Karen.

"I'll come to that soon."

"Haa..."

"To go back to what I was saying, a mercenary works for money and values his life. After that come the lives of comrades and family. Actually, our family probably comes first for most of us."

He looked over to the armoured wagon Wormaz disappeared into.

"To put it in simpler words, a mercenary values his own life and the lives of those around him. Family, friends, and brothers-in-arms. Due to these values, mercenaries become a very tight-knit bunch. The Dragon Knights have a strong sense of camaraderie, as do the Black Guards."

"Haa..."

"That is usually a good thing, but right now it becomes a problem."

"A problem?"

I furrowed my brows. Next to me, Karen was also looking a bit curious.

"Two tight-knit groups are currently staying together. Both don't trust each other. The only reason it currently works out is, that another important thing for both mercenary bands, is authority. But, there is a group that doesn't adhere as strongly to authority."

"The families?"

Greyward nodded.

"I told you about Korwen's plans, right? He's a sly one and he knew already in advance they'd try to cause some incident. And, just as he expected, yesterday evening and this morning, we had some... trouble."

"With the families?"

"Yes. Or rather, a part of them. To be honest, we keep saying that the families are trouble, but that group is also far beyond a few dozen in size. But the problematic people, are far fewer."

"Nn, Helma was pretty nice, overall. And I didn't get that bad of an impression from some. Only..."

The children who bullied Maya, Emily and Sele came to mind, or their parents. There was also that woman who tried picking a fight with the soldiers.

"A few are problematic. At most, the problematic ones are maybe around two dozen, maybe three dozen. It's still a pretty large group, and if you count everyone involved with them that's still quite a lot. It's just that when compared to the total, they aren't as many."

"I understand that so far, but, Mr Greyward, that still has nothing to do with the tents, does it?" interjected Karen once more.

"It does. Who do you think permitted them to set them up?"

"That is..."

Permission to set the tents up... If he asked like this, probably nobody did. And if nobody permitted it...

"Yesterday, around noon, some people started setting up tents. Currently, I'm in charge of the Black Guards, and there is someone from the Dragon Knights who is in charge of them. If push comes to stove, I'm the one who was given the higher authority, although only the person from the Dragon Knights and I know, as well as a few select others."

"Nn? Is it okay to tell us this?"

"Korwen told me it is fine, should you girls decide to stay. He gave permission to involve you in anything important, in fact. I like you girls, but I am still not sure why he values you so much. Regardless, since it's not for me to decide, I'll tell you whatever is important."

Neither did we know, to be honest... It was a little bit of a mystery...

And that bit reminded me, it was quite astonishing how willingly he relinquished his authority to Korwen. Wouldn't someone usually try to cling to it? But he handled it so maturely... He earned a little bit of my respect.

"Anyway, back to the point, the tents. Nobody permitted them to set them up, some people just did. Even though there were a lot more pressing matters for them to do yesterday. The soldiers we brought along from the fort had to be cared for until the army brings them in. The refugee children need a place to stay. There are also the girls from Arkesta's slums, the ones they rescued."

Greywards face contorted into a furious grimace.

"They had clear orders to care for them, to find a place for the refugee children or at least take care of them, and other things too. But instead? Some of those fucking women thought it was more important to set up their tent so their kids had a place to sleep! Entitled bitches, all of them. Those brats won't die from sleeping on the wagon floor with a blanket! No, let the ill children and the wrecked soldiers sit in the cold while their little prince or princess has it comfortable. No, let it get even better and spit and curse them in the process!"

He spat on the ground as if to demonstrate it. With a rage-filled grimace and a clenched fist, he slammed onto the table. It was scary. He was incredibly angry.

Alas, after a few seconds, his eyes went wide, and his expression softened. Holding his temples he stared at the table and sighed.

"I apologise, I lost control for a little..."

He shook his head, and with newfound composure, faced us again.

"I understand that one's own family has priority. But the lack of compassion, no, the lack of any kind of empathy, was just... inhumane. We mercenaries cannot survive on our own, especially if we have to feed a family. Camaraderie is strong, and we all know the feeling of losing our comrades, to war, to monsters, to their own spirit."

He sighed, sounding depressed.

"Over the years, you see incredible things: Mothers taking care of someone else's children, fathers protecting a stranger's family, or children accepting others as their new siblings. Travellers that risk their lives for the happiness of a stranger. Soldiers protecting young women from being raped by their comrades."

Pulling out a cigar from his bag and lighting it up, he started smoking. With a puff, the smoke floated into the air.

"But, just as you see the best in people, you also see the worst, of course. That's why, those incidents, make you respect people like them. Haaa... If only all people were like them, the world would be a much better place. Ha! Although we mercenaries might be out of a job, then."

He took a deep drag from his cigar.

"Haa... Sorry for ranting on my own. Needed that out of my system. I strayed again from what I wanted to tell you."

"No, it's fine. Please don't mind it."

"Nn, it's okay."

Despite being a leader of a band of mercenaries, Greyward was quite the idealist, wasn't he?

"Let's try again, shall we? Let's see, I stopped at them setting up the tents suddenly and ignoring their actual jobs, right? Since luckily enough people helped out we decided to overlook it. Then, in the evening, a young woman came over, telling me that that stupid group of women was arguing with the one in charge of them, the man from the Dragon Knights..."

"... Arguing?"

Had there been some important problem, or so?

"I still don't know what it was about. Something about the Lafrian soldiers, not sure if she meant the patrol that escorted us back here or the ones we brought back. It took a little time to get them under control..."

"Haaa..."

"They can complain all they want, but she demanded some kind of apology or so from the soldiers. Honestly, I don't want to piss off the army. And she couldn't even tell us why..."

"An apology..."

If she couldn't even give a proper reason, that sounded... doubtful? Not like an apology was the most appropriate, at least.

"Then, this morning, the same woman came to me and told us that they picked a fight with the soldiers on their own."

"... Really?"

"Really... Ahhh... I can understand Korwen wanting to get rid of these... nuisances... I'm impressed his hair didn't turn grey yet. And that he still has it. Dealing with those people for years would kill me."

"Oh? Captain, talking about those human monsters?"

A voice chimed in from the side. Wormaz, holding the banner in his hand, came out of the wagon.

"Did you also meet them?" I asked him.

"Some shitty brat with his mother came over yesterday, asking for an apprenticeship. Both of them had attitudes that stank to hell. They were going, telling me that I should feel honoured as a half to be able to take a human as an apprentice. Kicked them right out, after that."

"... Half?"

Demanding an apprenticeship, that'd make me mad too. But... What did they mean by half?

"Girl... Don't tell me you don't know what they mean by that?"

"Nn. I don't."

"Impressive. And here I thought everyone did since that's the first thing people call me out on. You must've been brought up really sheltered. Or are you just that innocent?"

"So, what does it mean?"

I decided not to comment on that and instead focus on my actual question. Guessing from the context, it was probably about him not being human. But half? Was he half-dwarf-slash-half-human or so?

Greyward, with a wry smile, turned to me and explained.

"Half refers to the mixed-bloods. It's not exactly something you usually say if you want to be polite, you say mixed-blood instead. Basically, everyone with parents from differing races," explained Greyward

"Yeah. Father was a human, Mother a dark elf. Loved them both to death, but Mother returned to the fairy forest after Father's death. And little old me stayed here with the mercenaries."

"Ohh... Nn? Dark Elf?"

I took another good look at the man in front of me. Short, sturdy, plastered with muscles. The literal incarnation of a dwarf. Only missing the beard.

"You don't know that either? Girl, what the heck you've been doing, just crawled out of a cave, or what?"

"Well... Something like that?"

More like I crawled in from another world.

"Yumi, dark elves are fairykin, similar to the high elves. They are probably the most sociable among the fairykin, so you see them pretty often. Compared to other fairykin, that is. There was one in the slums in Arkesta, she sometimes helped me out a little," said Karen.

"Ohhh... Do they look vastly different from humanoids?"

"No, not really. Mostly like humans, except for their long ears. Although... they look... quite similar to Emily. Especially height-wise."

"..."

Emily's height. So, basically my height? And the entire race was like that?

I took another glance at Wormaz.

"Girl, I know what you want to say, but my father had pretty normal tastes, okay?"

"Nn... Surely..."

"That face says you don't believe me, heh. Well, you're not quite wrong anyway, many like them for such a reason."

Well, considering they just looked, well, small, but were proper adults, it was fine... Thinking about it, there was no point in judging them for it anyway, since we were talking about adults. Adults...

"Yumi."

"Nn? Sis?"

"If you have a problem with such things... I see... I guess I have to wait until you grow up."

"... Sis. I have no problems with such things. Zero. Absolutely zero. None at all. Not even the tiniest bit."

There was no chance in hell I was going to wait until then. Especially since I was very doubtful that I was ever going to grow. Did she want to torture me for the rest of my life?

"Then, that's good."

A gentle smile bloomed on Karen's face.

Scary. I nearly screwed myself over. I completely forgot, but I was pretty much the same as those dark elves...

I should quickly change the topic.

"Nn, then, what is the difference between the high elves and the dark elves?"

"High elves are said to grow like a normal human. They are also said to be beautiful without exception and they are all masters of magic," said Wormaz.

"Huh..."

So Emily would grow up properly. Good for you, Emily.

Still, elves belong to the fairykin, not the humanoids... It's a little odd, considering they don't look any different. I wonder how such things get decided... Fairykin, huh... Nn? Wait...

"Fairykin and humanoids can have children?"

"They can. Of course, they can, why?"

"..."

Weren't those completely different races? Actually, that the different humanoids could have children with each other was kind of impressive already. They could... Right?

No, they surely could, Lily joked about it before, after all.

"Instead of caring about these human monsters, girly, come here and try holding the banner again. I tried fixing the balance a little."

"... Nn."

I'll ask Sis later. Actually, that made me a little anxious now... Uhhh...

Leaving the table and walking over to Wormaz, I took the banner once more. And just like before... It was heavy. But, it felt a little easier to hold up now. I might actually be able to carry it.

"Mh, as expected, adjusting the weights was a good idea. It's better now, right?"

"Nn, a little..."

It was still heavy, though. Holding up a banner, huh... I felt a little like those flagbearers. Well, it was pretty close to that...

"We're not expecting you to carry that around all the time anyway, so that should be fine for now."

"Not?"

"No. As long as you carry it to your spot you can just let it stand on the ground. You can even slam it into the ground if you could get it back out again too."

"..."

That was... probably not going to happen. Not to mention that I'd be unable to get it out, I was probably unable to get it in in the first place.

"Mr Greyward, are you sure this is a good idea? Letting Yumi do such a dangerous thing..."

"It's dangerous, yeah, but not as dangerous as standing on the frontline. Also, it's quite an important job, you know. Men are simple creatures, just having a flower on the battlefield is enough to motivate them. And an unattainable flower is even better. Honestly, that was probably one of Korwen's best ideas, so far."

"Nn? This was Korwen's idea?"

"The basic idea was from him, yes. He asked if something like that was doable. I heard you motivated some of the mercenaries back in Arkesta, quite successfully. Apparently, that gave him the idea."

"..."

The time I accidentally used a charm... To think it would haunt me and bite me in the back when I least expected it.

"Outside of that, it was mostly Kohno and me who figured out the rest. Ah, and Wormaz, of course."

"I see..."

"Anyway, your job is mainly to stand in the back, use some magic and maybe shout a few encouraging words."

"Huh... But magic, eh..."

I still hadn't learnt anything useful outside of the dolls... Really, I had to ask Wendl for advice again.

"I heard you went to Wendl, is there any problem?"

"Nn, well... I feel like I learnt quite a bit but... I can't really apply any of it... I wanted to go and ask Wendl for advice later..."

"Magic, huh... Unfortunately, none of us can help you with that... Wormaz can see mana but can't cast anything."

"That's the fate of a mixed-blood fairykin for you, Captain. Can't be arsed to learn magic anyway, way too much thinking necessary for that. As long as I can slam my hammer down the anvil, that's fine."

Wormaz laughed heartily.

"What does being a mixed fairykin have to do with magic?" asked Karen.

"Fairykin are natural magicians, but the mixed-bloods rarely inherit that trait."

"I see..."

So, in the end, we still could only go to Wendl and ask him about it... Hopefully, he had some inkling of an idea...

At that moment, a mercenary ran over to us.

"Captain! An army officer just came and wants to see you!"

"Mh? Is it that late already? I'm coming. Did anything else happen?"

"A woman with a young girl came over, but Little Lily is dealing with them right now! Nothing else to report!"

A young girl? That might be Lefa. But, she didn't come with the wreck of a professor, huh? Probably better so.

"Good. I'm coming. Wormaz, find a weapon for Miss Karen that she can use. Find something that fits her. Miss Yumi, try to find Wendl and get some advice. It's also fine if you all stay with him until we reach the fort in the evening. It's worth a shot. That's it, and prepare to leave, we'll set off in half an hour if possible."

"Will do, Captain. Then, Missy, better get it out of the way quickly. Hahaha!"

"Understood."

"Nn, understood."

Greyward hoisted his bag over the shoulder and the mercenary led him away towards the gate. In the meantime, Wormaz had already disappeared into the wagon. The practice weapons were on the table, so why did he go inside?

"Yumi, I'll come to Mr Wendl's wagon once I'm done."

"Nn, good luck."

"Thanks, you too."

Karen followed Wormaz into the wagon and disappeared as well.

Time to get back to studying, huh?

----------------------------------------

After fetching the books I had wanted to read from our wagon, I walked over to Wendl's wagon. I had left the banner at Wormaz's place for now, as it'd be a pain to carry around. His wagon had a small storage for such things anyway.

At said wagon, I actually found a few people I didn't expect here of all places.

"No, brat, you do it like that! Yes, that! Good, now you hold that side up."

"Oh! Ohhh! Maya! It's glowing! Look! It's glowing!"

"Ha! Getting excited over some light, just as expected from brats!"

Wendl was surrounded by three very familiar faces.

"Ohhh, they are all glowing. A genius brat, huh? Still a brat."

"I'm a genius?"

"No, you're not. You can only call yourself a genius once you've accomplished something, clear?"

"I see! Then! I'll do my best!"

"Try your hardest! Ha!"

Emily, Maya and Sele were standing outside the wagon, each holding one of those mana measurement sticks. Emily seemed excited, since she maxed out the scale. A genius. Definitely a genius. I was a little jealous now. Sele was also pretty well off with three spheres glowing. Only Maya barely managed one, which seemed to bother her. Waving the stick up and down in front of her with a cramped-up expression, she was really trying to get another one glowing. I wanted to cheer for her. But I also knew that it was probably futile, no matter how much she swung it...

"Hohoho, still, to think that all three of you have some talent, huh? Count me surprised. I suddenly get a lot of new apprentices, huh? And why are all of you girls anyway?! You're still brats, but you're going to grow into a pain, aren't you?"

Ahh... He had to ruin it, didn't he...

"Wendl, if you have time to shout such remarks, how about you actually try to keep some semblance of order here?"

A fifth person poked their head out of the wagon.

"It's 'Mr Wendl' for you! Show some respect, woman!"

"I have no respect for someone like you, so I'll keep calling you Wendl. That's not even your first name, right? Tell me so I can use that one instead."

"As if I'm going to tell you with such an attitude."

"Reflect on your attitude first before calling others out on it, please."

Apparently, this woman had gotten quite comfortable with this man already. She was also the first one to spot me.

"Good morning, Yumi."

"Nn, morning, Helma."

"Eh? Yumi? Yumi! Yumi, look! They are glowing!"

"Good morning, Emily. Yes, I see, they are glowing. But stop waving it around like that, that looks dangerous."

"Ehehe!"

Emily turned around with astonishing speed when Helma called me. Even quicker than Sele. I greeted the two as well before sitting down at the table. Considering Greyward wanted to leave in an earth hour, they felt a little too laid back... Were they going to be fine? The table and chairs were still out...

"Hey, brat. You're not going to greet me?"

"Nn? Oh, right. Good morning, Mr Wendl."

"I'm just an afterthought, heh. As expected, women are always the same."

I felt a little complicated being thrown into his pot of stereotypes. And yet, it made me oddly happy. And a little irritated. Really, it was a complicated feeling.

In the meantime, Helma just stared at me, with wide eyes.

"Helma, is something wrong?"

"Mh? Oh. Oh, nothing. I was just surprised at that outfit."

"This? Ahh..."

My search for a mirror was still fruitless. Actually, I wasted so much time talking with Greyward and Wormaz that I couldn't go to the bathing tent anymore... I really wanted to see how it looked... And just as I feared... The moment Helma pointed it out, a few pairs of eyes turned their attention to me. And a pair of hands.

"Emily..."

"Yumi! That dress looks cute!"

"Does it?"

"It does! Yumi is cute!"

"I... I see."

The blunt praise made me a little happy.

"You really look like one of those maidens..." muttered Helma.

"Nn? Maidens?"

"The War Maidens. You don't know them?"

"No."

Emily patted me all over, being interested in the dress and the underlying armour. Sele and Maya soon joined her. Which made me realise something very important.

I forgot the panties! Ahhhh! Damn you, past me! Don't forget the panties! I got comfortable, after all! Ahhhhh!

Hopefully, nobody would notice. That I was basically naked below that skirt. It was breezy, so how did I even forget to fetch them? I had been at the wagon just now, after all.

"The War Maidens are the companions of the Grand Witch in the Witch's Tale," Helma told me, my inner panic going unnoticed.

"Nn? Sorry, could you repeat that?"

After being forcefully returned to reality, I was sure I heard something not so enjoyable.

"I said, the War Maidens are said to be the companions of the Grand Witch."

"... And I look like one of those?"

"Well, not... quite? I mean, I don't know how they would look. There's only a vague description. Girls inspiring the masses with their charm, heading to war in armour and fighting for their purpose."

"Huh..."

That... wasn't quite how I imagine a companion of that finicky witch, though...

"Still, if I had to imagine them, then I'm sure they'd look like you. Although, maybe a little taller..."

"I see."

"Yumi! Are you like a, uh, War Maiden?"

"Nn, I don't know?"

Emily had stopped patting me all over and stared at me with wide eyes.

Suddenly, a big smile appeared and she jumped into my arms.

"So cool! Yumi is a War Maiden! A War Maiden!"

"Ah, Emily, calm down."

"Ehehe!"

I returned the embrace, or rather, I was trying to keep her in place before I was thrown around in every direction. She seemed to really enjoy the thought of me being a War Maiden. Not that I understood why. Maya and Sele also stared at me with wide eyes, that might as well be sparkling. Or not. Sele's expression felt a little dangerous. In an attempt to protect my sanity, I decided to ignore it.

Please don't be jealous of Emily, Sele. I'll hug you later, okay?

She couldn't hear that, of course, but I'd still do it. I didn't want the three to get into an argument in the future over something like this...

Still, a War Maiden, huh... Sounds dangerous... But a little interesting. But with them being this excited about it... Guess I'll have to try and live up to it, huh...

I'd have to do my best so that these three pure hearts wouldn't be disappointed. I had no idea if I could match up to something from a fairy tale, but trying wasn't going to hurt me, after all. Probably. Hopefully...

Patting Emily's unruly hair, I smiled, looking just a little forward to it.