“Hmm, I can try Purification on her.”

“Then, by all means.” Said Elara.

Siola shrugs and cast a sign aiming at Lyra, “Purification.”

Light shines across her. And then sparks from the upper right of her chest. Dark as it looks like it’s about to explode before Siola lower her arm.

“Hnngh!”

“Ohh, that’s bad.”

“A high tier curses no doubt, as expected from the intricate markings.” Said Elara.

“Well, that is unfortunate.”

“You could change and lift her curse the other way.”

“Can we stop with this farce?”

“…”

Siola looks at Ragna, “A Mad Dead worshipper, a dark elf, being recruited by a noble to join its military rank. Do you know just how stupid this whole premise is?”

“You all just wanted to see the other me, plain and simple.”

Elara sways, “After hearing about it, you can’t help but wanting to see it for yourself, no?”

“There is a limit to curiosity, and that is knowing and considering what lies beyond it, the answer might even lead to your death.”

“Are you threatening me?”

Sharp daggers were exchanged, until Ragna laid a key on the table. Siola’s attention shifted as she looks at it, raising her brow as she glances at Ragna with interest.

“You know about this key, Siola?”

“I know it’s unordinary, ma’am.”

“This key holds a gate to summon countless monsters from another realm. You simply turn it in the air and a portal will appear alongside the monstrosities.”

“A summoning crystal in the shape of a key.”

“That’s right. Elara and by extension, the Windsong family tries to find the source of this unique crystal, and they found it to be related to something… troublesome.”

Siola shifted her attention at Elara.

“Heroes.”

Eyes narrowed down to a slit.

“Summoned Travelers from another world. Different from our realm, different from everything we ever know about. They have unique knowledge and blessing from the outer gods.”

“Travelers, huh.”

“We thought you were one of em,” says Ragna, “It’s easy to mistake nobles and travelers with their name. So, we gotta ask, are you a Traveler?’

“…”

“I…”

All eyes on her. Vanya and Lyra waiting in anticipation.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t… know?” asked Elara.

“Only memory I had was a prison. It was dark… cold. Water splashing me downstream.”

“Wait.”

Ragna voiced her to stop. Heart beating as sweat started to form, “Did you come from a portal?”

“Yes.”

Shudder, her eyes widened.

“What’s wrong, Ragna.”

“She’s no Traveler if she came from that place.”

Stolen novel; please report.

“What place?”

“Prison Realm.”

Shocked. Lyra eyes the woman she’s been following while Vanya looks at Siola with pity.

“And that’s not all of it either. The longer I look at it, that mark on her forehead is not even a warpaint. That’s Armalia’s sigil. You’re a Divine Order’s dog.”

Vein pops on her forehead, “Huh?!”

“What did you just say… you brutish uncultured boar?!!”

“I am her Lady’s proud and loyal servant. The brilliant lady of—.”

“S-Siola, calm down.”

“Well, there you have it.”

“She could still be useful. Let’s take her with us.”

“Alright.”

And so, they went on carriage together. With Vanya and Elara on one carriage and Siola sandwiched in between two dark skinned muscular.

“Since when did I agree to this?”

“Don’t you want to restore your nobility and stop owing that merchant lady? I tell you this, Elara is the best chance you got.”

Sighing, “What’s her story anyway? Obsessing over Travelers.”

“It wasn’t always.”

“Windsong family used to be one of the most prestigious nobles there is. It was only a barony a few short years ago, now it’s a viscount. A family of merchant that steadily grows and become wealthier every year until they become involved with Travelers.”

“Missing shipments, extortion, the girl’s own pops got involved in a scandal.”

“Doesn’t sound all too reliable, how can she help me if she can’t help herself?”

“She will. There’s nobody I’ve seen be so determined as her.”

Glancing at her confidently looking at Siola with expectation. Siola glances at Lyra, wondering why she’s so quiet only to find her already fast asleep.

“Wuh, you’ve got to be kidding me!”

Siola storm at her, “We’re in the middle of talking something very important here.”

“Haha, calm down. Let the old hag get her beauty sleep, I got something to ask.”

“Hm?”

Soon, they arrived at a mansion. It’s large and spacious with gate separating the road to the house, two guards and another patrolling. Siola looks at them with weary eyes.

“Missed your life as a guard?”

“…”

“She really told you everything, huh.” Shifting her attention to Ragna, “So, why did she call you Scrounger?”

Chuckles, “Back when I was just a kid, I got nothing. No clothes, no food, nothing. But I was never one to beg. Whether its rotten veg people toss aside, clothes full of excrement, I’ll take anything I can get my hands on. Clean, wash, use, eat.”

“She showed up on my tent. Thought I was done for sure. Least until she passed out on me. Hungry, haven’t got a single bread in her for days I bet.”

Siola snickered.

“Fed her, gave her shelter. Though, she was fed up eating bugs and mushrooms, so whenever she left, she always brought back some meat with her.”

“Scrounger, do away with that disgusting pot and start eating this, she said.”

“How old were you then?”

“Never counted my years. Was about your height though.”

“…”

“?”

“Hah?! You’re saying I’m a kid?!”

“Haha, it’s just that you’re too skinny and small for your age.”

“What do you mean my age! Look at Elara! She’s a bit taller, but I’m sure she’s in her twenties too.”

“She’s 19.”

“…”

Elara then guides all of them inside. Maids and a butler welcome them.

“My lady, you have returned.”

“Sorry that I left so suddenly, Faseth.”

“Please, do not apologize, my lady. Your letter has told us enough. We understand.”

Shifting her attention to the others, “Feel free to pick a room, and rest. You can stay as long as you need. We’ll discuss how to proceed over dinner.”

Siola looks at the mansion, and after looking closely, ‘Although it’s clean, it doesn’t look to be all that grandiose. An old mansion like this, heh. Kind of reminds of back in the day.’

They separated and look for their own room as Siola simply pick the closest one from the main hall. Staring at a golem statue gushing water to the stone bathtub. She has the view of the moon rise, but then, the door is opened and Elara walked in alongside two maids.

“Would you mind if I join you, miss Siola?”

“…”

“Can’t you wait after dinner?”

“Unfortunately.”

Siola rolled her eyes and shakes her head in disbelief. The maid assisted them and Elara glance at Siola like a mirror. So used to being helped by the maid, in her eyes, she sees the aura of a nobility coming from Siola. Even after they dipped in the bath.

“Hnn, haa… one does need a warm bath like this to keep going.”

“I’m glad it’s to your liking.”

She’s too disinterested in seeing Elara’s small breasts that she doesn’t notice that Elara also has something that shouldn’t be there in between her legs.

“Ahh… it’s just so nice,” Siola crossing her legs, “It would be even better if your maid can get me some milk too.”

The maid looks at her lady and she eye her to leave.

Looking back to Siola who is admiring the view of the moon rise.

“From a guard to an adventurer, may I ask why you would go to such length to stay here in Lorkhan instead of proving your nobility, miss Siola.”

Flashes of her fighting wolves on a trunk of a dead tree.

“I came so close to dying.”

“It doesn’t matter whether I live everyday bathing under the moon or live unkempt without it for days. As long as I can live without ever feeling so… threatened.”

Turning her head to Elara.

“It’s enough for me.”

“…” Elara hugging her legs, “What was it like? Before you were in prison realm.”

“It was beautiful.” Nodding as her eyes become teary, “I had two friends. Commoners, unlike us. At that point, I might as well be one too but regardless, they were the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. They brought life to me. Only for that life to be robbed by this… fool.”

Sighing, “My past caught up to me.”

Elara looks up to her.

“Mithra family. I was born and become their jewel. Their future.”

“…”

“What happened?”

Chuckles, “My friends said I got cold feet. Maybe they’re right.”

“I had it all. A mansion by the sea, a loving family, I have this maid called Sadrin who might as well be my mother at that point. She’s so… she was everything to me.”

“And then I got engaged to this fool and it all went spiraling down from there.”

Elara clenches her fists, “I’m sorry.”

Tilting her face down as she looks at her in the eye, “I’ve heard of your circumstances, miss Elara. Your goal, your ambition. I expect to hear your plan after dinner, but if you’re expecting me to relinquish control to the other me, you should give up on that.”