XVI.

The city of Gladeban was seemingly peaceful, with copses of clay orange tiled rooftops and towering wooden buildings against the forest surrounding the gushing river and sprawling grasslands. Madoka could see fields of Commoner food growing around the city's northern border, with meager strands of Knotting weaving towards small rocky walls serving as fences. The river spread out to a field further beyond, where a massive city looked over seemingly everything. Madoka's interest waned in sightseeing. That was another place for Audrey to cause trouble in later. The weather was fair to her skin, despite the setting sun getting blocked out by the Leyline's floating debris.

"Adventure awaits, huh," Audrey muttered. She blushed when Madoka glanced at her.

Eraziror hummed along, seemingly in his own world and not listening. The horses remained excited, but the maid knew better to break the silence. Slowly, the gates drew into view. What must have been an enormous beast's jawbones covered its studded walls, and like a true animal the gate swallowed wagons whole. Madoka felt her new iron tag. She hoped the identification would pass.

The guards at the gate ignored them when Eraziror waved, their faces impassive. Their spears might as well been straws of wheat to the maid. Their silence was fine by Madoka, since she hated talking. A gasp of awe sounded from Audrey as she took in the sights. Rows of buildings similar in style to Livertorjan's own lined up, but to her right the river flowed through freely. Thoughts of birds lined up on their orange rooftops, laced with gossip she has yet to discover. She was glad her magic and abilities were improving, otherwise the cacophony in this town would drive her mad.

The wagon was headed to the Adventurer's Guild, according to the Sovos. They moved expertly, but that was to be expected. Soon, they approached what appeared to be a large courtyard, with enough open space for all the wagons here. A large warehouse structure was situated next an even more imposing building, lined with more monster bones and holding the Adventurer's Guild symbol. That is what Madoka assumed, but she could not read it anyways. That warehouse must be what Koj told her, the area where they sell monster parts to. She shifted her attention elsewhere, feeling something off about the atmosphere. Right, the princess was unusually quiet! She turned to the girl, but her attention was on a strange caravan ahead.

"That insignia... That hawk with swords on its feet and beak..." she muttered.

"A Warring Company. Company A, that is. They've been crowding the markets here for some time," Eraziror sighed. "I was hoping they'd get out of here but looks like they're still mucking around here. Have you bad memories of them, Milady?"

"No, I just recognized them from my books," Audrey mused. As the caravans parked before the Adventurer Guild's yard, a man hopped out of the front one. Madoka got a bad feeling from him. That aura and blonde hair, the way he pompously held his stance and his dress meant that he was a Noble. She felt her sword's hilt, but the princess peered back at her and made her uneasiness disappear with a reassuring look. She adjusted her hood, then yanked Audrey's hood completely over her head with a scoff.

"I feel the same way," Eraziror scoffed, but Kanys stretched and Armor was already moving to the back. "No offense, to you Nobles, heh."

Audrey hopped off the wagon, evidently trying to copy that noble's stance, earning a glare from Madoka. You don't look cool doing that, she mouthed to her protests. The princess tried doing his pose again, but looked foolish instead.

"What are you doing?" Arudite yawned. She curled her hair back, and looked sleepily at Audrey as Ilalune straightened her robes out. It appeared that both her and Madoka had a commonality through their confusion with the princess's antics.

"You think I look like a good Noble like this?" Audrey asked the purple haired scholar. "Or nah?"

"Yea—" Arudite chirped.

"Nah!" Madoka cut the other Noble off, straightening Audrey's posture. "Now stop troubling others."

"Awe," Audrey slumped again, but was unable to because of her. Madoka tensed up. Her commotion was acquiring unwanted attention. A crowd was parting, as a few banners raised.

"Gods, look at what you've brought," Kanys sighed. Madoka agreed with the Sovos, as those foreign banners matched neither Rustaze's or the Adventurer Guild's insignias. The sword hawk, a Warring banner, floating and waving in the air now closed the way towards her princess.

Audrey immediately tensed up, while Madoka silently assumed her position behind the girl. Whoever was in charge of that Warring Caravan must be a Noble as well. She hated those kinds. The crowd dispersed and revealed amidst the banners a man wearing nice clothes. That aura and arrogance. Goddamn Nobles, Madoka sighed. Arudite dove behind Ilalune, but the maid knew exactly who he was going to speak to first.

"Ah, a Noble Lady," was the first thing he uttered. Madoka sensed Eraziror's nervousness rise behind her. It was evident that most of the crowd did not know Noble, but she kept her guard up just in case. Audrey seemed preoccupied with something else. Was she thinking of a way to escape? He piped up again. "Finally, some decor, in this miserable place. Come to roll in the pen with the pigs, or are you having them guard your business in here? Can't imagine you and your lovely... servant hanging with these types."

Silence rolled over the crowd like a fog, while Madoka felt like she was about to burst from a certain pressure coming from the hooded girl in front of her. She could imagine a dark look flash upon Audrey's face. She felt the intent lower and a small laugh came from the girl. A proper one, like those making small talk in the Palace.

"Isn't she lovely?" Audrey simply agreed. "I am really glad you said that. Really."

"What brings an esteemed Lady such as yourself here?" The Noble furrowed his brow and his face had something that resembled sympathy on it. "Times are hard. As my House hails from Warring, I sympathize with you."

"Ah, I have heard the rumors," Audrey sighed dramatically. She still seemed worried about something, but she played this Noble like a puppet. She will pull the strings along his lips and make him share information about the mysterious Warring Nation. It was terrifying to Madoka how well she knew Audrey's intentions. "Glad to see your Caravan has survived."

"It was a terrible ordeal," he uttered, with an exaggerated wave. "The Princess exiled, the Fiara nation falling has been bad for business. Now we Nobles have stooped this low with these creatures. Ugh! It's such a shame."

An exiled Princess, Madoka thought. She has sat through many conversations like these, so it was natural for the quiet and respectful routine to come back to her. The Heart of Gold, Emmalion, she recalled Shadow saying that night after the Goblin hunt. Something interrupted her idle mode. It was the Warring Noble's annoying voice.

"Which is why you and I should stick together!" He cheered.

"Eheh, I think I'll be with my associates here for awhile in this town, Sir Rhev," Audrey laughed it off. By now, Madoka noticed that the crowd lost interest and business was continuing as usual. "Thank you for your offer though."

"Hmph! Very well," the Noble Rhev scoffed, but grinned when he noticed Madoka glance at him. "You would do well to sell anything to me and my Company. Anyone, too. I would love to hire such a lovely body for our work here."

That was a big mistake, Rhev, Madoka did not even try to hide her sigh. Before the Noble could get angry with her, the atmosphere changed when Audrey spoke. He froze up after seeing whatever horrifying look scarred her face.

"She is mine," Audrey coldly declared. "And she is not for sale."

Murmurs spread across the onlookers, who were also affected by Audrey's killing intent. The Noble regained his composure and turned back to his caravan. Was this a good thing? Madoka suddenly felt warmth pool inside her chest. She did not know, but this feeling was blooming for Audrey. After the banners walked away, she fell into deep thought again. Madoka was about to ask what she was thinking about but someone poked her shoulder. She turned and saw the Sovos party leader standing there.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Yo," Eraziror greeted her. "We're busy wrapping things up here. You ladies want a tour of Gladeban?"

Audrey snapped out of her thoughts and turned. Her sapphire eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Yeah!"

"Enough of all that Noble talk, huh?" Eraziror looked wearily at Audrey and then at Madoka. She shrugged. "Come on, come on!"

The streets of this city were a lot more cleaner and were made of stone bricks. Madoka idled by with Eraziror as he yammered on about various buildings. She assumed Audrey would have her book out, however upon glancing over at the girl, she noticed she was not paying attention either!

As they stood in front of a certain district that looked different from the other orange roofed buildings, a flock of birds landed near her. The river divided the city along the path they were on, and a breeze pushed her hair to the side. People were traveling, carefree and watching the boats pass through gently underneath ancient stone bridges where the song of wagons played over their roads. It was hard to believe a city like this was placed in between the Circle of the Labyrinth.

The birds' thoughts were quite jagged, jumping into Madoka's own, as if they were fleeing from something. Right, Madoka remembered the birds she spoke to before departing Livertorjan. She looked towards the adventurers who ignored her and noticed the flock members were squabbling among themselves, so she approached the first pudgy pigeon.

"E-Excuse me," she spoke to him, trying to get over the ridiculousness of speaking with a bird. "Commander Steel sent me here."

"T-The C-Commander?" The bird squawked in surprise. "A-A Two-Legs C-Conscript? F-For u-us?"

"Speak straight, Private!" An apparently more important bird hopped forward. "Commander Steel must have his feathers on the line if he's sending personnel BACK to the front lines. A two legged, no less! Listen up, Soldier!"

"Hai!" Madoka played along.

"The Orange Demon has taken territory along there, there, and there!" He outstretched a wing along the rooftops of several buildings past Eraziror and Armor. Madoka noticed the one the bird stopped on the Adventurer Guild Hall itself. "It lives within that compound, where more of your kind wander in and out. I envy their ignorance, Soldier! You're the only one who can get in and out of there. I want eyes on the Demon's position, you got that? Pacify it if you must, but do NOT engage! I repeat: Do NOT engage! The Tropious Zone will be lost if we lose you. I don't envy you, but may the God of Tomorrows bless you!"

Madoka was beginning to become skeptical of this Orange Demon's legendary status. The mention of the God of Tomorrows was no longer confusing to her. She hypothesized that the kind God was the ruler of all animals. Since it paid attention to her and rescued her from that... She shook her head. Madoka would rather remember anything other than that dreaded encounter with the Fiara soldier underground.

Still, she sent a small thanks to the kind gods and tried to copy the birds' salutations. The pigeon simply hopped along, chirping furiously to the others. Its head bobbed as it acknowledged Madoka for one last time and flew away with the rest of his squadron. They had such little lives, Madoka watched them. They were quietly taking place beneath the passing people, and looked peaceful from afar despite the chaos that was taking over them.

"Madoka?"

"Hai!" Madoka sprang back to attention, but realized it was Audrey calling for her.

"Wha-" Audrey was temporarily stunned by the maid, but shook out of it. "The inn's up ahead. We're finally going to be done with people, man! I'm so tired of all the talking."

"You said it," Madoka muttered. Audrey pushed her cut up bangs out of her eyes, and she saw the sapphires gleam once more. Before the girl's beauty stole all of her attention, Madoka extended a hand. "Let's get to the inn, then."

Audrey took it and pointed to a building across the bridge with her other hand. The others were already headed to their own places but Madoka did not care. She was softly and silently being dragged to the place she could finally rest in, despite the sun just barely beginning to leave for the night.

The inn they supposedly were directed to was in a lot better shape than the one in Livertorjan. Madoka tried to open the door for Audrey, but she was surprised when the princess immediately opened it for herself. Is this some type of game for her? Madoka sighed. It made sense for the bodyguard to go first anyways.

Eyes watched her as she strode in, with Audrey shadowing her. This place was lively as well. Did Eraziror stay here? Madoka guessed he was off drinking elsewhere. The innkeeper was an old Sovos, who looked at them nervously. She matched his height, scanning the other people before approaching him.

"We're here to stay a few nights," she told him, revealing her iron adventurer tag. Surely this will help, right? She thought. The innkeeper nodded from behind the bar as the soft stringed instuments played over hushed tones murmuring about the pair, and she felt the faint intent of some individuals in the room.

"Three copper a night," he said. Madoka slammed the coins on the table, and the princess sighed as she scooted her own coins next to hers. The intent was getting closer, but she did not feel threatened.

Instead, she turned and felt a lecherous hand wrap around her shoulder. She suppressed a sigh and quickly tucked in her adventurer's tag. Audrey was surprisingly left alone, but her eyes were observing her. This was not good, Madoka thought, gripping her sword's hilt beneath her cloak.

"Little lady, you're not from around here, are you?" Madoka sensed three people, and the man who had his ugly hand on her wore tough leather armor with bone plates on his shoulders. Adventurers, huh? They had to forge their own gear or get someone to do it for them. And she was going to be the one to disassemble their equipment tonight if they did not behave.

"No, I come from Livertorjan," she told them. "And I would appreciate you taking your hand off of me."

Despite her polite request, the hand remained. The innkeeper simply shyed away, keeping his head down. Coward, Madoka scoffed in her mind.

"Missy, you know how dangerous things can be for ladies such as yourself," the adventurer said to the amusement of his companions. He flicked a gold tag out to her. "That's why we are here to protect you! We're the real heroes here, right boys?"

"He's right," one wearing a thick coat repeated his leader and smiled a toothy grin. "You could have a few nights with us without paying money, you know! You can pay us in other ways!"

"I'll take this one!" The last one made a move on Audrey, but immediately Madoka became furious. She easily wrested herself from the gold adventurer's grasp, and seized the offender reaching for her princess by the neck. The rune burned her shoulder, giving her an urge to squeeze even tighter.

"You touch her, and all of you will die," she warned the gold Adventurer leader. Everyone in the room froze up, though it seemed that they were eager to see what would happen next. Audrey sighed.

The Gold Adventurer did not seem concerned that his companion's life was in her hand, and applauded with approval. It was a threat, however, since Madoka could see his true intentions when he revealed his blade with each clap. She was unconcerned about it.

"My, oh my," he clapped again, while the second Adventurer got into a ready stance. "You think you're a strong woman, eh? You should've warned me! I'm so afraid!"

He gestured to the crowd. They clapped as well. Madoka rolled her eyes. Audrey was about to speak, but the rune and her own impatience took over her. The Gold adventurer goaded the crowds, while the second one was approaching her to get her to drop his squirming friend. Something was bothering her, beyond the present situation but she had to act. A blade flashed, but to her it was in slow motion.

"Sorry, Audrey, I'm going to cause some trouble," she muttered before she let out a roar. Immediately an arm skidded across and her boot connected with the squirming one's ribs. A gruesome scream hurled itself into her ears as she realized she was still holding the victim's arm like a branch of bloody flesh. "Good grief, I barely put any effort and they fall apart. It's giving me... Da... Dee..."

Madoka placed the severed arm on the writhing man, before turning her attention to the charging Gold Adventurer. Does he know what danger he is in? Madoka felt offended. Did any of these fools in this inn have an understanding of how little she cared? The rune was burning brightly on her shoulder, through her clothes, threatening to fill the place with its baleful light. She began to roar, but a soft voice commanded her.

"Enough," Audrey sighed. Madoka shook her head out of it and realized she was breathing heavily. The two arms and screaming men made her suddenly feel sick with guilt. Her axe was bloody. "Go to sleep."

To her surprise, the Gold Adventurer collapsed on the ground. The room was dead silent, with the cowardly innkeeper ducking under the bar. The rune instantly vanished as soon as his face hit the deck. Madoka bowed to Audrey.

"M-My apologies," she stuttered.

"It's déjà vu, dear," Audrey announced. She was cheerful, not caring about the men near dead underneath Madoka's boots spilling blood everywhere. "Now, for these guys..."

She used her wind magic on them, much to the crowd's gasping and awe, before pulling a talisman out. The room became enveloped in green webs and as the Substance magic faded the unconscious men were fully healed. Madoka felt queasy, for her sick curiosity was fulfilled. Despite them having their limbs restored fully, the old fleshy branches she tore off of them still littered the floor in brown slop and bone shards.

Audrey took her hood off and faced the Cowardly Innkeeper. To Madoka's horror, she bowed to him. Blasphemy!

"Forgive my servant," she kindly apologized to him. "She was merely protecting me. We can leave and find somewhere else to stay."

"M-Merely," the Cowardly Innkeeper gasped, but then he scooted an engraved key towards the maid to take. "You two c-can s-stay here if you'd like too and—"

The doors to the inn suddenly slammed open as lightning flashed outside. An ominous, red-eyed Sovos man stood at the entrance, surveying the chaos before settling right on the maid. Madoka choked. There was no intent from this man, yet he was going to be much less fragile to break if he decided to fight.

Another lightning bolt flashed, as his eyes began to narrow upon them.