VIII.

"Okay," Audrey sighed. "Who knew those guys were, like, insane detectives? Not me, that's for sure. They caught on pretty quickly and even collected evidence at an astonishing speed. Who does that?"

Madoka shrugged and dug into a second Cel Row meat bone that they bought. Her copper bag was lighter now but they had a fortune worth of coins within the princess's portal. She had other foods like "greens" and "balanced dietary" food options but the maid only preferred to devour meat.

The copper commission paid them enough coins to stay for several nights but Madoka knew it was not enough to sustain living. They would have to go and do another commission soon in order to buy more of this delicious food. She was too hungry to process the information Luxgor gave them anyways. Audrey continued her rambling while the maid tore into her meals.

"Now that the ramifications are done," Audrey went on. Madoka offered her one of the few Cel Row chunks to her and was glad the girl took one. Thinking must take a lot of energy so the maid supposed the princess must be hungry all the time since she thinks a lot. Madoka did not even scold her while she talked between bites. "We'll have to resupply at the weapon shop since our low rank sucks then regroup at the inn. What do you say, Madoka? Madoka?"

"Sure," Madoka tore more of the tender meat with her teeth. Three bones rested at her feet already. The princess sighed at the sight of her maid's ravenous behavior.

"That merchant must be hella rich now," Audrey muttered. She tossed the bones into the portal and Madoka put away the leftovers as well. "Anyways, we can't check our weapon inventory right now but I'm sure we're down to our last scraps again. So weapon shop it is!"

Madoka tried to remember what magic the portal was called. Those beautiful and pure white beams of light always arranged in a hexagon. They mesmerized the maid but she dismissed the thought since they were on the march again to what she presumed was the weapon shop. The two poked their heads in through the shop's door and entered timidly.

The shop contained what Madoka expected: Crude weaponry. The shopkeeper eyed them with condescension but did not greet the hooded women. The maid was getting used to people's rude behaviors towards them but still felt the sting of irritation. The shop was quite spacious to her surprise. The wood beneath her boots barely creaked as she walked.

"Pick anything," Audrey examined the weaponry. "I doubt any of this garbage is even Uncommon rarity..."

"They kind of remind me of the shoddy weapons in the dragon's realm," Madoka decided it would best to speak in English to keep their secret. She let the golden strands guide her towards a row of axes. Could any match the quality of Lord Leopride's axe?

"Yeah," Audrey mused. "These weapons were scavenged off battlefields for sure. Efficient, I guess. Though they're probably the reason why their original owners died in the first place."

"What about this one?" Madoka grabbed one of them. The weapon was as large as her own chest but felt quite light. A gasp was heard from the decrepit shopkeeper but looked away when Madoka glared at him.

"Hmm, it should hold up against several of the goblins," Audrey inspected the axe. Madoka handed it to her. They have played this trick on many onlookers and the shopkeeper's reaction amused the maid. Audrey was a lot more stronger than she looked. "The handle is quite weak. The eye is quite worn and not fitting the axe properly so the head will probably fling off in battle."

"That does not sound good," Madoka mused. Audrey placed the axe back and something jingled off of its handle. A copper tag glinted candle light off of it. "Each of these weapons have tags on them."

"I guess we can't buy ones with iron tags," Audrey did not bother asking the rude shopkeeper.

She let the golden strands wrap around certain weapons. Their presence seemed to make the weapons glow yellow just like those ancient weapons she used to kill the dragon. Madoka realized that her magic was picking the most effective weapons from the weakest ones that did not glow at all. Perhaps this was because of the crystal inside her heart, she thought as she took up a glowing axe. Small bursts of electricity crackled from her fist as she held the weapon an admired it.

A copper tag jolted from the energy but Madoka did not mind. The axe was like what the maid percieved herself: Quiet and simple. Audrey looked as if she wanted to say something about Madoka's glowing hand but she did not and allowed the strands to zigzag across her wrist to the axe's handle.

"I'll be taking this one," Madoka declared. It fit her hands quite nicely. Her magic faded as soon as she decided. Audrey grunted in agreement and took a copper wand without much thought. Madoka was about to suggest she should take more than one but remembered the princess's dangerous magic and stopped. "How much?"

Madoka rose to her full height and the shopkeeper nearly tipped over when she placed the axe on his desk. The wooden plate groaned under the weight of both her fist's pressure and the axe itself. Audrey carefully placed her wand next to it.

"T-Tags?" The shopkeeper blubbered in Reverent Noble. Madoka revealed her tag. "Tier 1 weapons are free! F-Free! Take it, take it!"

"The tag says three for each weapon," Audrey whispered. The maid grunted and slammed six pieces of copper on the desk and the girls took their leave. "Perhaps we can craft you a good axe."

Madoka did not consider that idea. Given the girl's extensive and intimidating amount of knowledge in weapons perhaps she could easily learn how to make an axe. It seemed simple enough, she thought. Just put a heavy blade on the end of a stick for swinging. That concept alone did not stir the maid's thoughts too hard.

"Mm," Madoka felt better with an axe at her side. "Where to next?"

"Well," Audrey glanced down the streets. They were filling with people as night began to settle. "We'll sleep and prepare ourselves for tomorrow."

"Hai," Madoka did not try to hide her lack of enthusiasm.

"It's not going to be that bad," Audrey led her maid by the hand. "We're the back up this time, so no crazy stuff. Hopefully. Maybe. What's shakin', bacon? You got a confused look on your face."

"It's these strands of mana," Madoka sighed. She used to not see the golden strands at all. Now they played at the corner of her vision like mirages or phantasms. "I used to not see them at all."

"Now you know how I feel," Audrey chirped. Madoka scoffed. It was one of the quirks of her princess that she did not want to feel. "Now, you probably won't like me saying anything like 'you'll get used to it,' like I'm some kind of unsympathetic loser but I think quite highly of your magic. I'm here to help you practice getting used to it if you want. I got the experience, trust me!"

"Hai," Madoka repeated blankly. At least Audrey was more considerate of her. Was it because of what she said in the grotto? "Thanks, Audrey."

At the sound of her name, Audrey turned and looked at Madoka for a moment. Her majestic eyes held the sky in them like clear sapphires on silky white cloth. She said nothing, however, and approached the Inn's door. Madoka was left with a feeling of sudden loneliness like the sun hiding behind dark grey clouds and turning in for the night.

As the door opened, warm lamp light greeted the two and that feeling vanished as Madoka stepped inside. She scanned the room quickly for a certain rogue and was satisfied when she did not see him. The innkeeper, Ichna, nearly shrunk in fear at the sight of them. Georgia was nowhere to be seen. Could she be at Faragor's shop? Instead, another younger woman was attending to several guests.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"W-Welcome back," Ichna greeted the two in Reverent Noble. "I have dinner for you two soon, sit, sit!"

The old woman gestured to a lone table. Madoka looked to Audrey but the girl just shrugged. Dinner sounded like a good thing to Madoka so the maid sat. Audrey scooted a chair closer and the two awkwardly sat.

"Didn't you already eat?" Audrey muttered but acquiesced at the sight of Madoka's pouting face. "Now you're making me feel like some kind of cruel employer..."

"I'm still hungry," Madoka felt her tummy. Before they could speak she sensed movement from the table behind her. She turned on her seat with a hand on her new axe.

"I know you two!" the stranger behind him pointed. A fellow adventurer? She sensed no killing intent from them so she relaxed. A dragon man, or a Sovos as they called themselves, looked excited as he grabbed another's shoulder with a scaly hand. "See? I told you! It's them!"

"But I don't know y-" Madoka felt Audrey's foot press on her boot. A stern look warning her to behave caused her to calm her hostile tone. The adventurer party before them seemed weak enough, so she spoke to their expectant faces. "So?"

"O-Oh, where are my manners?" The male Sovos waved a hand on his forehead. He had a mostly plain face — free of scales and curly brown hair that twisted behind his pointed ears. His shoddy armor looked like it was a single strike away from caving in. It seemed like it was tinted with some kind of blue coating. The other Sovos, a female with green scales and hair, jabbed his shoulder plate. A crude bow sat upon her lap. "Ach! Name's Eraziror, Pallas Eraziror. We saw you two speaking with the Guild Master!"

Madoka did not respond but eyed the woman and noticed a silent third figure with them. She sprang into an enthusiastic nod.

"I-I'm Kanys, from the Mountain Ustelan. Ustelan Kanys, Iron Rank," she uttered earnestly and pulled out her tag. The ugly bow that rested on her chair clattered to the floor. The girl blushed and awkwardly picked it up. Embarrassing, Madoka judged her silently. Kanys elbowed a snickering Eraziror, who took out his own iron tag. The quiet third member lowered his hood and nodded. The glint of a rough iron tag dangled under the man's silver hair but he seemed like a Narm. Madoka wondered if she was a Narm, but decided she must be one since everyone called her one.

"Shadow," the old man's voice was rough like the scraping of wheel over gravel. "Night Operator."

Night Operator? Madoka guessed Shadow was not his real name but she did not care. He had on what appeared to be a priest's robe that was adorned by many various talismans. They clinked unevenly and seemed like they have been used quite a lot over their long journeys.

"We apologize for the intrusion," Eraziror looked down apologetically. Why was a higher ranked adventurer apologizing to them? "We have a fourth member, but he's uh... not a social one. We were up top discussing our commission when Guild Master Luxgor and Artisan Master Koj walked by with you."

Madoka suddenly remembered the adventurer party that they walked by during their follow up interview. She relaxed while Audrey still remained quiet. Did that girl really expect Madoka to do the talking? She gave her a quick exasperated grimace and recieved another kick to her boot in response. The maid rolled her eyes and turned back to the party.

"So, what brings you to us?" Madoka tried to curb her hostility towards the strange party. She did not know if they had knowledge of the battle in the forest but imagined it would be quite detrimental if they did possess any clue of their involvement. Kanys spoke up next.

"Forgive this idiot!" She punched Eraziror. Her green hair was exotic to Madoka along with the scales that complimented her slender cheeks and lips. "You two are just an inspiration to us low rankers! Ever since you showed those silver ranked bastards a mean lesson!"

Shadow grunted in what Madoka presumed was an agreement. Eraziror recovered from Kanys's punch.

"Well, at least you've inspired us to take part in that monster subjugation commission with other adventurer parties," he continued. Madoka found a plate slide in front of her. A quiet bar maid brought in dinner for the girls as Ichna said and quickly vanished back into the crowded hall.

"Monster subjugation commission?" Audrey finally asked. The trio nodded enthusiastically while Madoka observed her princess's eating habits. She sat up straight while Madoka slouched. She ate carefully, licking her fingers and did not spill. Madoka tried to copied her but eventually devoured everything since the Inn's meals were too delicious to resist. It was odd to her now to remember she was the one who taught the former princess her manners.

"Goblins," Kanys spoke with a hint of nervousness. Madoka placed her food down and listened intently as Audrey inquired for more details. "They're nasty creatures. Quite adept at ambushes and stinking up settlements that aren't lucky."

"Aye," Eraziror looked saddened for a moment. "Those pale green, cut-up eared bastards swallowed up our hometown."

"Are their population centers that problematic?" Audrey mused. "Guerilla tactics means they have to fight and scavenge from nearby civilization..."

She stopped when the adventurers gawked at her rambling. Madoka chuckled at their confusion for that was how she felt most of the time when Audrey mused.

"His Majesty can't spare the troops to stop the spread of goblins," Eraziror continued. He leaned in on the back of his chair and spoke quietly. Madoka took noticed the adventurer party's shabby armor and was worried for a moment but he spoke up again. "Kind Gods silence me, but this problem makes me angry! The army's quite weak and has a lot of their hands tied to Esmeralda's bidding."

He sighed heavily as the quiet bar maid brought his party drinks. She even brought the girls drinks but Madoka had no intentions on sipping such a vile substance. She has seen the horrible things the nobles committed at the Palace when they drank so she refused. Audrey took a sip but had a disgusted look flash upon her face when she swallowed the bile. The party did not seem to notice their little moment and continued.

"So they send us low lifes to clean up their messes," Eraziror placed a hand on his sword's hilt. The weapon has been through a lot, Madoka noticed each dent on the blade through the holes in its scabbard. No strands of her Knotting magic drew even close to it. "Of course, of course."

The two finished their meal and parted ways with the party but they were too drunk. They did not notice the girls slipped away swiftly. Madoka decided against informing them that they were going to shadow an adventurer party into that same commission while Audrey muttered about how bad it was to go to work with a hangover. The two trudged up to the room they stayed in and the view of a warm bed awaited them.

"Ah, my beloved," Audrey called to it like a long lost lover. Was this an inside joke of hers? Audrey tore her clothes off and dove onto the bed. The sight of her beauty startled Madoka and she had to avert her gaze.

"Audrey," she chastised her naked princess.

"Huh?" Audrey mumbled into her pillow. Madoka sighed. To her, being naked in front of the maid was a normal occurrence. She had stuffed her princess into countless dresses after all. So why now did her curves and pristine skin cause the maid to blush?

"Clothes," Madoka scoffed and kept her eyes off of Audrey.

"O-Oh, right, sorry."

Madoka heard her princess scurrying around and the portal opening. She wondered why Audrey was considerate of her and yet forward. Did her love matter that much when she was a servant to her? She would be no different than that fat noble if she simply ordered Madoka to do her bidding, the maid remembered those words while they talked inside the grotto.

"Madoka?" Audrey's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "Need a, uh, hand."

Madoka turned to see the princess tangled up in her own nightwear. How did she manage to do such a thing? She groaned while Audrey chuckled sheepishly.

"H-Help me, step-sis," she pleaded. The joke went over Madoka's head but she decided to attend to her.

"You're hopeless," she sat Audrey up. Her hair was growing but at the length it was just enough to be disheveled. She pulled a brush out of the portal and got to work. "This portal of yours is quite impressive."

"I know right?" Audrey squirmed as the brush untangled her hair. "It's —ack— so broken and imbalanced... It's a shame other Devs don't include a bottomless storage systems in their... nevermind."

"It's a shame that your magic is so dangerous," Madoka retorted and pat Audrey's sleeves down. That was a signal that she was satisfied with her work and Audrey wriggled herself out of her grasp. The girl retreated back to her precious bed and rolled over to face the maid.

"Not all my magic is dangerous," she sighed. The twin moons harmonized their shining light in the princess's eyes. "You gotta start small since your magic muscle is puny but that doesn't mean you can't go back to the basics. A simple sword strike can be the most easiest route to end a fight. Though in magic, sometimes some unexpected things can happen."

"They happen all the time, Audrey!" Madoka snapped but felt soft nightwear hit her face. Audrey conjured up a bubble from her hands.

"Remember these?" Audrey popped the bubble with her finger. She jumped at the sight of Madoka stripping her clothes but snapped out of it and produced more tiny bubbles. "I started my support mage job with these little guys. They were worthless against that bear. Perhaps there's something you can start with, too. Though you don't strike me as one who prefers a 'spellsword' job. You're more like a tank, maybe."

Madoka ignored the strange words and stood before Audrey.

"Fine," she nodded and closed her eyes. The crystal inside of her nagged at her to do something.

"Ooo!" The princess got excited and pulled her notebook out. "That's the cool as hell thing you do!"

Her chest felt a jolt of energy from within. It seemed to yearn for an exit so Madoka reached for it and allowed it to escape. The princess's eyes widened but she had to avert her view because of the divine light cascading forth.

"D-Don't explode the inn," Audrey begged. "My beloved bed won't survive that!"

If it was not for the energy in Madoka's chest she would have lost concentration from hearing Audrey's dismissive comment. Instead, her pulsating heart finally steadied and she breached the shining crystal within. Her eyes were closed yet in her mind she could see everything within her soul despite her best wishes. Her hand grasped the rock and her mind envisioned the solution.

"Of course," Audrey muttered and the maid heard scribbling. "You would make that into... that."

Madoka opened her eyes and beheld the crystal's new form in her hand: A shining and perfect broom. The golden strands wrapped around her legs would not stop her from using it. She retrieved a dust pan from Audrey's portal and proceeded to begin her night's duties while her Highness studied her.

"Still, that crystal thingy is quite an upgrade," She peered from her notebook. "What other abilities do you have?"

Madoka shrugged and swept until her energy wore out but she was able to sweep the room to an acceptable measure. The broom shattered into light particles before reforming into a crystal. This was the part she disliked the most, she flinched as it launched back into her heart.

"Does that... hurt?" Audrey wondered aloud but Madoka felt faint. Dammit, she was careless. The golden strands shortened themselves and the predetermined paths they glided along faded abruptly as if they were snipped like a cut ribbon. Her vision blurred. This must be how it feels when one uses too much of their magic. She adamantly shook her head but the tiredness soon took over her body. Her night ended with words of comfort as she felt sheets fold over her:

"Goodnight, woman of my dreams."