“No,” says Elara, “I believe there is more to gain and enough of it if you were to be sponsored by us instead of being employed. I know Ragna for quite some time, and I believe she will become much more in the future. Same as Lyra.”

“…”

Sweats slightly formed, “But I do have a request if you would like to hear it.”

“Well, there you go. What is it?” Siola asked.

“A Traveler has been spotted in Hikanda town and has recently registered as an adventurer. I do not wish for another repeat of what happened to my father, so if you would be so kind to keep a watch for me. If possible, establish a friendly relation and have them work for us instead.”

“I’ll see to it, but after I dealt with another matter I have to attend to.”

“Right, Lyra mentioned that you were heading to Hikanda Town.”

“The dungeon by the coast to be exact.”

“Ahh, that one. We have yet established an encampment there because the threat of monsters surrounding it. But I’m sure the three of you would be able to clear it.”

“I’m going there alone. It’s what I have to do.”

“Wait, what about me?” asked Lyra.

“Stay here? You were fine despite the distance I went from the dungeon. Clearly, the curse does not have the effect you actually think it has.”

Ragna’s brows raised, “How far did you went? The eight floor? There are those two giant skeletons blocking the entry to the next floor if I remember.”

“Yeah, they’re not much. I found a few items when I reach the bottom.”

Elara tilts her head, “Eh, the bottom?”

Siola suddenly summons a mini portal that consumed her arm which startled everyone. And she takes out an ominous necklace from within it, “This is one of them.”

Lyra choked on her crab, Vanya and Elara shocked to their core and Ragna was taken aback.

“You’re saying you’ve conquered the dungeon?”

“What’re you saying, the creatures inside will forever show up no matter how many I’ve killed…”

*Cough *Cough

“Stop being so disgusting, elf!” Vanya helps her regardless, “Good lord!”

Elara then says, “W-Wait, please. Was that… dimensional storage? You have a dimensional storage?”

“Yes.”

“H-How. That’s extremely rare. I’ve only known few mages in the capital who have it. Not counting those magic bags that the Travelers make.”

“Well, I guess I have to thank the other me for it. I was on expedition where I had to relinquish control over my body. And that’s when I got it.”

Still shocked, Elara sits down in understanding, “I… I see. I um, I apologize for bringing that up.”

“No, you couldn’t have known.”

Lyra drank all the water in her glass, “Gahaaa… huff.. huff… That’s… a profane item that my people have sought out for years. One that can conjure a dragon priest.”

“Heresy. It’s an undead!”

Summoning the portal again and the throw the item to it, “And it must be destroyed.”

“Hah?! What do you mean destroyed?! Do you know how precious that item is?!”

“So what?! I will not allow anyone to use such a malign object. Especially you, heretic!”

“S-Siola, calm down. Isn’t that a legendary item? You won’t find it all that often, we could even sell and that way, you—.”

Crossing her arms, “No!”

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“Hnnngh, you stubborn kid!”

“Shout all you want but I won’t change my mind!”

Pouting with her cheeks puffed.

“Guh!” smashing the table although gently, Vanya stuff Lyra’s mouth with the seafood once more, “What a waste!”

“U-Um, what about the other items you’ve gotten, miss Siola?”

“A book to create undead and the weapon to wield them.”

Lyra turns to Siola but only for her to say, “No.”

“B-But, Siola. Simply destroying them would really be a waste to your effort, wouldn’t it? How about extracting the essence? Although it is still a waste, it would be more useful to you than just simply destroying them if it’s even possible.”

“Hmm… it’s been a while since I’ve got my hands on an enchanting table. Do you have one, Elara?”

“Not at the moment, but we can certainly procure one”

“Good.”

“Um, does that mean, you accept our sponsorship?”

Siola raised her brows and smiles, “Of course.”

She can feel it washing over her, the weight she has been carrying, “Thank you.”

They all continue and finish their meal. Each leaving to their own room right after, except for the dark elf who is sneaking into Siola’s room. Although she is already on her bed when Lyra came to her, Siola’s eyes shine brightly in the dark.

And her smile is simply… beautiful.

When the moon sets, dawn came. Bringing with the glorious light of the sun, shining through the windows of Siola who is fast asleep. Though, it takes time for her to wake up.

“Mmmph.”

Her eyes opened. She turns to grasp empty air from the other side of her bed.

“Mmph… tiddy…”

“Tiddy…”

Her eyes widened, “Where’s my tiddies?!”

“Urgh, it’s morning already?”

Taking a look at the window, she sees Elara is setting out with two carriages full of crates. After changing into her usual attire, she fastened her belt and left the room. She takes time to explore the mansion, and she found Lyra in the basement, setting up alchemy tables and have already made herself comfortable with marking the place with Mad Dead’s sigil painted on the walls.

“By Armalia’s grace, what are you doing?”

“Huh? What does it look like?”

Sweating in a very much revealing outfit to a point that Siola can’t help but glance at her cleavage before she went to cover it.

“You need something or what?!”

“Heh, why are you still so shy after all the bonding we did.”

“Sh-Shut up, just… what do you want?”

“This. Despite being Mad Dead’s worshipper, agile like an assassin, and also a spellcaster. I just didn’t expect you were the type to brew together plants.”

“Alchemy don’t just exist to make potions, and any assassin can use blades.”

“So, you differentiate yourself by utilizing poisons.”

“Poisons, traps, you can cut someone’s neck all day long but there are chances that they can walk around still. A little wet glands from Mostricus Toad, wheat seeds, and crystalized excrement of Komodo, and you got yourself a potent little helper that can guarantee the kill.”

“Mm, impressive.”

Siola looking at the potion intently made her flush slightly.

She sees Siola going around the table and approaches her. Slightly blushing as she comes closer, her eyes look at her expecting something.

Lyra with gritted teeth opens her arm, revealing her muscular armpit. Siola have her face close to her waist, sniffing as she goes up and up, to her side breasts, and onto her armpit.

*Sniffff*

Hearing her breathing, Lyra continue to blush, but then, her eyes widened after feeling a soft lip on her cheek. Siola had to climb her a bit to reach her, but Siola smiles afterward.

She drops down, “You smell great as always.”

“Uhuh.”

“You sure you’ll be fine on your own? Not going to miss me or anything are you?”

“As if.”

“Alright, well, stay safe then. Lyra.”

“…”

“You too.”

Siola continues exploring and she finds Ragna at the back, exercising. She observes her muscle grows and expand with each push up. Biting her lips but Ragna has noticed it.

“You’re an odd one.”

“Hm?”

“What do you mean?”

Ragna stood, “When someone look at me, they don’t often bite their lips. They usually tremble, scared seeing someone as big as an orc. Not you, huh.”

“Heheh, I just admire the good in people. Especially their hard work.”

“Hard work? Not many can see that.”

“Can I touch it? Your stomach?”

“You ask for permissions now? Sure, go ahead.”

Touching her abs, Siola caressing it as her face comes closer to it.

“I’m a little sweaty there. Don’t get too close.”

Siola unfortunately, ignores her words and proceed to sniff her navel. Even Ragna started blushing a little at the weird act that she is doing, and when she kisses it.

“Okay stop,” lifting her like a doll, “It’s a little early for that, don’t you think? Besides, don’t you already have one lady for each arm? There even a room for me?”

“Why wouldn’t there be?”

“Ooh, it’s never enough for you, huh. We’re more alike than I thought.”

After putting her down, Ragna asks, “You’re heading to the dungeon, right? I won’t stop you for going alone, but you should at least prepare properly.”

“There’s some business I gotta do in Hikanda, how about taking me with you? I can introduce you to someone for the equipment.”

“I don’t have any money, Ragna. Good equipment cost a lot you know. And I will not be selling those heretical items.”

“Heheh, don’t you forget? Elara is sponsoring you now. Here.”

A golden medal with an engraving of wind drawing.

“She’ll foot the bill, don’t worry.”

“Okay, then. Let’s go.”

“Lead the way.”

She also found Vanya at a cabin close to the front gate. She’s writing notes while several guards are moving large number of crates.

“Oh, Siola. You woke up.”

Noticing the formal attire of a noble that Vanya is wearing, “Huh, that suits you.”

Blushing, “R-Really? Elara gave it to me before she left.”

“Oh, right. What’re you doing here? Need any help or are you looking for something?”

Shaking her head as she smiles, “No. I’m actually about to leave. You and the little rabbits will be fine, right?”

Brows raised and a smile formed, gently she pats her head, “Like I said, you have nothing to worry about.”

“I wish we can talk more. About what happened yesterday, what happened to you that day. I want to hear it from you.”

Nodding as she smiles, “Next time. I promise.”

Vanya wave her goodbye as she walks out of the gate in a carriage with Ragna, heading towards Hikanda Town.