"Arath.. please, stop being angry. That was not on purpose."

"So you are saying that washing all of my clothes in waste water was an accident? That some spirit possesed you and told you to do that?"

"No, we just didn't know that it was waste water, it was too dark to see."

"Didn't you smell it? This puddle gave off such a terrible odor there was no way you couldn't notice it. And did you really think that water in a place like that was fresh?"

"I'm sorry, really. We didn't mean it, we were just trying to thank you for everything. Whenever I try to help, I just make things worse, I'm sorry." Anga's eyes started to fill with tears.

"Ah, alright, it's not really that bad. Once we wash them properly they should be fine. For now let's get going. I'll show you how to get to your new workplace." Arath started to feel bad for the girl and changed the topic.

While he was in the shop visiting Ruby and making preparations, the two girls decided to thank Arath for accomodating them by washing his clothes in his bathtub. They found some water in the back of the building they were staying in and used it. Only after few minutes did they realise something was wrong. Now not only his clothes but also the bathtub were even more dirty than they were and the stench they were producing could repel anybody in a radius of 5 meters.

"Anyway, what the hell were you thinking? You can't just sign up and go to The Tower. It's suicide"

"I know, I just thought that I owe you too much and I would feel bad if the first genuinely nice guy I have ever met died like that." Clara smiled at him with a smile beaming with malice and sarcasm.

"You would what? Oh, you little ... Just how exactly would your presence change anything?"

"Well, for example you don't even know basics of survival in the wild. You didn't even think of dangers lurking in the caves and slept tightly leaving me no choice but to stand guard the whole night."

"I give up." Arath said raising his hands. "You've won this battle. Still I don't think that's a good idea, I have experience, I can use both bow and sword and I am quite adept at using my powers, while you are completely new to this thing and we don't even know if you have been blessed by any element."

"Still I'm better than you, plus I've already made up my mind."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"You will regret it, trust me."

"And here I was hoping to hear a thank you or something. I guess I overestimated you." Anga smiled even more cruelly.

"Oh, you little witch. Alright, thanks. Satisfied?"

"Better. Even though I had to ask for it and you could have skipped that witch part but it's better than nothing i guess."

The group chatted casually until they arrived at the market. It hasn't changed much from the time of his last visit, the only difference was that quite a crowd has gathered there. All who wanted to enter the dungeon were stocking up supplies and bought the best gear possible. When Arath and the rest entered the shop there were a few customers inside. Ruby turned her head towards the entrance to look ate her new customers and when she recognized them she quickly excused herself from helping one guy searching for a shield and walked towards her guests.

"Welcome back. I see you have brought your new girlfriends."

Hearing the last sentence made both Clara unexpectedly chuckle while leaving Anga's face beet-red.

"Aunt don't embarass them like that. I may understand you jokes but they have yet to get used to your sense of humor."

"No, that wasn't bad. At least Anga won't have to live with a tight-ass that's a relief."

"Aunt this is Clara and this is Anga." The boy introduced the two.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, you look more beatiful than Arath described you." Anga once again felt her cheeks burning.

"That was funny the first time now it feels like I've been eating the same bread for a week."

"I'm always funny no matter what you think young man. So I heard that you would like to work here."

"If you would be so kind I..."

"Ah stop it you make me feel like an important person. Now, now I've already prepared everything for you. You will sleep with my niece if you don't mind."

"I don't mind it, moreover it would be a pleasure and an hon.."

"I told you, cut back on the formalities. From now on call me aunt."

"Yes, aunt. Thank you very much."

"Go meet your new sister. Don't play for too long you have got work tomorrow."

"Yes aunt." Anga smiled brigthly. "Thank you Arath."

"It's nothing really. We will come back here in two days, I need to show Clara how to fight and use her abilites."

"Oh, okay. See you then!" With that the girl hugged the three of them, turned around and run to the back of the building.

"Such a sweet girl, I don't even dare to think what would happen to her if she had remained a slave for few more years."

"We were lucky, those guys only made us do the hard work and occasionally beat us unconcious. I don't know which god kept us safe but they never raped neither me nor Anga. I heard older girls' screams at night but it never happened to us. I used to have nightmares about a night they would take me. It still haunts me sometimes."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that.." Ruby hugged Clara trying to comfort her.

"Don't be. You didn't do anything."

"I wish I could hang all those slavers on their balls. That would suit them nicely."

"Agreed, but now I don't want to think about that, it's not a pleasant memory."

"Yeah, I'm sorry for bringing this up. Just let me know if you need something, especially help with dealing with degenerates."

"It's all great and everything but it seems our little chit-chat has already lost you two customers. We will talk once we get back, I don't want to think that because of me you will go bankrupt."

"What? Customers? Oh shit I forgot I'm still in the shop. See you later!"