Elenora seemed like she wanted to object, but she bit her tongue. It seemed like Nacht’s assent had been a weight off her shoulders. Her simple favor must have been a matter of some importance. In that case, Nacht thought that perhaps she should set some conditions of her own.
Nacht rested her hand on Aisha’s head and softly petted her hair. Aisha seemed to be fast asleep. “On one condition,” Nacht said. A shiver of fear ran through Elenora’s body. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing like what I had you do before...”
~ ‡ ~
A-rank adventurer Krista Niese Branrichter stood in a room in the Adventurers’ Guild, illuminated by moonlight. Her hair was a nigh-translucent blue and her eyes shone with a cold light. Hers was an elegant, domineering presence. She was a powerful combatant who struck fear into the hearts of men.
“Thank you for your efforts, Irena,” she said in a monotone. “You’ve been a tremendous help.”
Irena, for her part, knew better than to be afraid. Despite her formidable appearance, Krista was a bottomless font of kindness. The truth was that deep down, her personality was more childlike than anything.
“This is a special case, you know,” Irena replied. “I’m letting you have this information because it concerns Aisha’s family. Ordinarily, we have a policy of strict confidentiality regarding our adventurers.”
“I understand. Thank the guildmaster for me as well.”
Krista had been an upperclassman to Irena at the Royal Magic Academy. She had been one of the few nobles to take Irena’s—a commoner’s—side. On top of that, the better half of Irena’s experience and wisdom as an adventurer had come from her.
“I know it’s unusual for you to make exceptions like this,” Krista continued. She knew that Irena wanted to help, but Irena wasn’t the type to let personal feelings interfere with her work. If she had been, she would never have been picked for the job of vice guildmaster.
“I’m happy to make exceptions if there’s adequate reason. Besides, Aisha is Miss Nacht’s servant. We owe her at least this much for her help.”
Nacht’s assistance had been invaluable in the Battle of the Dragon. She’d driven off an ancient demon and a rampaging dragon, and healed the adventurers who’d been injured in the fighting. Some among their number had even started to worship her as a god. Moreover, thanks to her charming personality, her popularity among the residents of the city had skyrocketed. Even Elenora, who until recently had seemed determined to make an enemy of Nacht, had relented and begun waiting on her hand and foot. The guild had a duty to see to her desires, even if it took a little bit of extra effort.
“Serious-minded as ever, I see. Although it seems you’ve become at least a bit more flexible,” said Krista. But she was wrong. Irena was simply loyal to the guild. Other than that, she wasn’t a particularly stubborn or over-serious person.
Irena thought about arguing, but Krista was someone she found it hard to speak back to. Instead, she simply nodded. “Incidentally, Krista,” she began, hoping to phrase her question as delicately as she could, “I hear you’re planning on taking your leave of Free Market City. I suppose you’ll be joining the war effort?”
“Quick on the uptake as always, I see,” Krista responded in her usual monotone. “I suppose that’s the Adventurers’ Guild for you. You have the right of it. I’m joining the fray—albeit as a noble. If that goes against guild regulations, I don’t want to hear it.” A hint of menace crept into her voice, but Irena recognized it as a joke.
“Nobility seems like it’s more trouble than it’s worth,” Irena opined.
“I quite agree. But as long as I’m fighting to protect the people, I will go where I’m needed.”
“Ever the do-gooder, aren’t you?” Krista merely raised an eyebrow at Irena’s quip. “Well, come back soon. We’ll have lots of difficult jobs waiting for you!”
~ ‡ ~
“Gargore eggs for cheap! Three copper apiece!”
“Today’s special is honey rabbit flank! How ’bout it, miss? Care for some stewed honey rabbit for tonight’s dinner?”
“Eggs Castella from the Royal Capital! They bear the princess’s seal! Get ’em while you still can!”
The voices of merchants hawking their wares filled the city’s marketplace. The place was never short on people, but today, it was even more crowded than usual.
“This place is always so busy...” Aisha said.
“Seems like the kingdom’s princess is coming to pay a visit tomorrow,” answered Nacht. “I guess they’re counting on a lively welcome being good for business.”
“Th-The princess? Her Highness?” Aisha asked, becoming a bit too excited for a moment. “I-I might like to see her myself, if only a glimpse...”
“The city’s gonna put on a whole big welcome for her,” Nacht said. “I’m sure you’ll have an opportunity to see her.” The city already felt like it was putting on a festival. In fact, the princess was planning on having at least one parade. Anything less would disappoint the people of the city.
As they walked through the market, a horde of old men and ladies began to mob around Nacht, pushing their products onto her.
“Goodness, if it isn’t our darling Nacht! Our oranges are very good today, you know!”
“Oh?” said Nacht. “Then I’ll take a crate!”
“Oh, little Nacht! I have lots of fresh vegetables today! They’re good fried or stewed or even raw!”
“Ah ha ha! All right! Gimme a crate of each!”
In the game, Nacht had always sworn by the principle of keeping her inventory stocked with full stacks of every type of item she could find. The guild had given her an appropriate reward for her activities, and she could think of no better use for it than doing the same thing here as well. At least, that was the story she told to excuse her habit of impulse buying.
Nacht left the last shop, fresh tomato in hand, distantly considering their options for the night’s dinner. Normally, Aisha would have scolded her for buying too many ingredients, but today, she was following along with a vacant expression on her face.
“What’s wrong, Aisha? Something got you stressed out?”
Aisha smiled, hiding the complicated emotions in her heart. “Of course something does,” she said. “I’m just a common townsperson, you know. Talking to nobility always makes my heart feel like it’s going to burst out of my chest...”
That was the complaint Nacht was expecting, though Aisha’s protests lacked their usual heart. She was certainly telling the truth—meeting nobility did make her nervous. But there was something else that was causing her anxiety.
“Is this about your mother?” Nacht asked.
Aisha twitched. Her mistress understood her far too well.
When Nacht had rescued Krista’s party from the bandit cave, she had asked for information on Aisha’s mother as a reward. Recently, Krista had contacted them, saying that she had found someone who knew her. They were currently on their way to visit the house of the noble in question. It seemed to Nacht like as good a use of time as any.
“I don’t know...” Aisha said, her voice quivering softly. “I don’t remember my mother at all. She wasn’t there when I needed her...and she caused my father lots of pain too. What should I do if I ever see her again? I have no idea...” Aisha truly did not think of her as a mother, but she was too anxious to say those words.
Nacht smiled.
“Mistress?” Aisha asked.
“You’re overthinking it,” Nacht said. “How about, I dunno...you punch her in the face and shout, ‘Where were you, you dummy?!’ And after that, you can sit down and talk out all those painful emotions of yours.”
“I guess I could do that,” Aisha replied with a smile.
“You can do anything! You’re my servant, after all!” Nacht’s confidence seemed to get through to Aisha. Her smile grew and regained its usual brightness. “All right, then let’s press on!”
They made their way through Food Alley toward the central district where the nobility lived. Eventually, they reached the house they were looking for. It was a small building for the residence of a noble, with a bright red roof that made it stand out from the surrounding houses. It wasn’t even half the size of Elenora’s mansion, which Nacht had destroyed with lightning.
They arrived to find a beautiful young woman with blue hair waiting for them—the very picture of calm composure. “You’re right on time, Miss Nacht,” the woman said. “Aisha, best of luck to you.”
“Good afternoon, Miss Krista,” said Aisha.
“Hey, Krista. Long time no see,” said Nacht. Krista had been tremendously busy in the aftermath of the Battle of the Dragon and didn’t have much time to spend with the two of them. It had been a week since they had last met.
Krista looked as cool as ever. She wasn’t dressed as an adventurer this time, but instead wearing a long, beautifully made skirt. She looked young and beautiful. It was almost a shame to think that her soft skin spent so much time encased in a heavy metal shell. Nacht couldn’t take her eyes off of her.
“Mistress, what are you looking at?” Aisha asked, her innocent tone belying the dangerous look in her eyes.
“Nothing! Nothing at all!” Nacht said, the very picture of innocence.