Volume 2, Chapter 21 – Peaceful Days

The lively atmosphere came to an abrupt halt as they entered the outer district, as if stepping into another world. While the inner district bustled with activity, the outer district was eerily quiet, with doors and windows tightly shut and not a soul walking the streets.

They must be afraid of the guards.

Along the way, Yisi had already spotted several squads of soldiers patrolling the city for the Fallen, their presence foreboding like an approaching storm.

“The Fallen seem… a little pitiful…”

Recalling the woman taken away by soldiers in front of the tavern, Yisi couldn’t help but sigh. Even though she had never used her abilities, simply being a Fallen was enough to land her in prison. According to the whispers of passersby, those captured would be publicly executed in a few days. The punishment was far too harsh.

“If those low-grade potions in the warehouse can remove the Fallen’s mark, maybe I should distribute them to some innocent people under the name of the Count’s eldest daughter. If the outer district remains locked down like this, the tavern won’t be able to operate.”

That is, if the potions worked.

The Fallen’s mark on Mary had already been erased using [Undine’s Whisper], so she couldn’t be used as a test subject. Considering the potential backlash, the only viable test subjects would have to be those who could never reveal the secret.

The image of a slave flashed through her mind. By giving them an absolute order of secrecy, the slave contract would enforce their silence. But with the entire city hunting the Fallen, purchasing one would invite unnecessary trouble—if they could even be bought from slave traders in the first place.

“Open the door! We’re inspecting for the Fallen!”

The violent knocking of nearby soldiers interrupted Yisi’s thoughts.

“I’ll think about it later.”

Remembering that Camilla and Mary were still waiting for her at the tavern, Yisi quickened her steps home.

Unlike when she left, the tavern’s door was now closed.

But Yisi wasn’t too worried. The Omniscient Map showed that both Camilla and Mary were inside—likely, Camilla had shut it to avoid attracting the guards. The tavern had been abandoned for half a year, and with only a day’s passing, the exterior walls and roof hadn’t been cleaned yet. Closed up like this, it looked completely uninhabited.

“In that case, I shouldn’t enter through the front.”

Yisi glanced around the street. With everyone hiding from the guards, not even slaves were visible. The nearby residents had all shut their doors and windows, not daring to peek outside.

“『Flight』.”

Freed from gravity, Yisi’s feet left the ground as if pulled by an invisible thread, effortlessly landing on the second-floor wooden balcony.

The balcony was covered in footprints of various sizes—likely left by the homeless who had previously used the tavern as shelter.

“Feels like thieves might break in through here someday… I should set up a magic trap when I have time.”

Thinking this, she pushed open the weathered wooden door. Compared to yesterday, the musty smell and dust in the hallway had lessened. There, she saw Mary, holding a wooden bucket and carefully wiping the walls and floor with a cloth. Her focused expression, paired with her chestnut hair that shimmered even in the dim light, created an oddly harmonious sight.

Reαԁ οn КаtReαԁіnɡСafе

Except for the clothes, which were… concerning.

“Mary?”

Hearing Yisi’s voice, Mary looked up from her scrubbing. Upon recognizing her, the fear in her expression eased, and she hastily wiped her hands before clasping them at her waist, nervously pressing her feet together.

“M-Master? I thought you had left…”

“We’ll talk about that later. I don’t remember giving you these clothes.”

The clothes Yisi had given Mary were simple commoner’s attire, but at least they fit properly. What Mary wore now looked like the ragged garments of a street slave—dirty, torn, and barely more than a sack draped over her body.

Worst of all, her bare feet on the cold floor in the dead of winter made Yisi’s chest tighten.

At Yisi’s words, Mary clenched her hands together and lowered her head.

“I… found these while cleaning.”

“Where are the clothes I gave you?”

“Under here…”

Mary hesitantly pulled aside the sack-like rags, revealing the proper clothes Yisi had given her underneath.

At least she’s still wearing them.

Yisi sighed, her silver twin-tails with faint blue streaks drooping slightly.

“Why would you deliberately wear clothes left by vagrants?” She stepped closer to Mary, who stood half a head shorter, and placed her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “Don’t move. Take off the outer layer. That’s an order.”

“But… it’ll dirty the clothes you gave me. This is the first time I’ve ever worn something so clean…”

Though she protested, since Yisi had framed it as a command, Mary didn’t resist.

“There will be plenty of chances to wear even better clothes—like dresses. As my servant, I demand that Mary always wears presentable attire. If outsiders see my maid dressed like a beggar, they’ll mock me for being poor. Understand?”

Rephrasing it as a matter of her own pride, Yisi met Mary’s uncovered purple right eye.

“So take it off. Now.”

“If Master says so…”

Rеaⅾ οո ΚatReaԁiոɡСαfе

Reluctantly, Mary slowly removed the tattered sack and handed it to Yisi, who promptly summoned flames in her palm and reduced it to ashes.

“Ah…”

Mary reached out slightly, as if mourning the loss. Yisi pretended not to notice, instead examining Mary in her pink-white dress. True to her words, this was Mary’s first time wearing such clothing—evidenced by the unbuttoned shoulder cape that should have covered her shoulders and upper back.

Even so, the semi-transparent knee-length dress, paired with Mary’s petite frame, pointed half-elf ears, and waist-length chestnut hair, gave her an undeniable charm—both delicate and adorable.

She’ll probably enchant countless men when she grows up.

“See? You look absolutely adorable.”

Yisi circled Mary, praising her without restraint. In just a day, Mary’s sickly complexion had already brightened considerably.

Maybe it’s because of her half-elf constitution.

She didn’t dwell on it.

Being complimented on her appearance for the first time, Mary fidgeted nervously.

“H-How could… someone like me can be called adorable…”

“Just look in the mirror. Also, where are your socks? I left warm tights and slippers under the bed—even if they don’t fit perfectly.”

“You mean… that long white thing?”

“Yes, that.” It seemed Mary had never worn stockings before. Yisi rubbed her temples. “Never mind. Come to my room. I’ll help you put them on.”

Since Mary was just a twelve-year-old girl, Yisi didn’t feel particularly embarrassed. That said, she only intended to show Mary how to wear them, not do it for her.

Fifteen minutes later.

“What? Fifteen?! Mary’s the same age as Camilla?!”

After helping Mary dress, Yisi received a shocking revelation.

Her raised voice made Mary flinch slightly in front of the mirror.

“Y-Yes… I don’t know my exact birthday, but the older workers told me I’m fifteen.”

How could a fifteen-year-old be this small? Yisi compared their heights—Mary only reached up to her nose. Meanwhile, Camilla, the same age, was half a head taller.

Malnutrition must be the reason.

Rеаd οո ΚatReаⅾiոɡCαfе

Sighing again, Yisi guided Mary to face the mirror.

“All done. Take a look. See how cute you are?”

“Such a big mirror… Is Master even wealthier than the nobles?”

Why is she fixating on the mirror?

Yisi poked Mary’s cheek. Lacking much flesh, it felt somewhat firm.

“I’m talking about you, Mary. You.”

Mid-sentence, Yisi noticed Mary had fallen silent, staring wide-eyed at her reflection as if confirming whether the person inside was really her. She made small, amusing gestures, her wonder akin to that of a child.

Despite being fifteen, her reactions matched her youthful appearance.

“I hate to interrupt your self-admiration, but I need to ask—are these clothes warm enough? I did add a sweater under the dress.”

“Very warm, Master. Just like Lord Wells’s fireplace.”

Her eyes practically sparkled, radiating joy.

Unable to resist, Yisi lightly flicked Mary’s forehead.

“Did that noble actually let you near the fireplace?”

“No… Servants were only allowed near it when feeding Lord Wells’s wolf. That wolf was very fierce—it only calmed down by the fireplace in winter.”

“So even the wolf was treated better than you.”

“ahaha…”

Mary responded with an awkward smile, unsure how else to react.

“Onee-sama, is that you?”

Camilla’s voice came from outside the door. Even though she could have entered directly, she still announced herself first.

“Yes, it’s me. Come in, Camilla.”

“Pardon me.” The door opened, and Camilla stepped inside, dressed in a flaxen gown. She bowed to Yisi before glancing at Mary, her ruby eyes softening with relief. “So this is where you were. When I saw only the bucket and cloth left in the hallway, I thought you’d run away.”

“Speaking of which, why is Mary cleaning? Didn’t she just recover?”

Rеаⅾ oո КаtRеаⅾіոɡСαfе

Her tone wasn’t accusatory—just curious.

“I… felt restless doing nothing, so I asked Miss Camilla for cleaning tools. I used to do this often at Lord Wells’s house.”

Mary looked up sheepishly.

This girl might be the type who can’t sit still.

Making a mental note, Yisi waved a hand.

“Well, as long as you don’t leave the tavern, Mary can do whatever she wants. Just don’t overexert yourself—if you collapse from exhaustion, people will call me a demon.”

“Never! Master is kind. You could never be a demon.”

Mary’s immediate denial amused Yisi, who arched an eyebrow.

“Don’t be so sure. If you saw the real me, you might cry in fear.”

“…I wouldn’t.”

Despite her words, Mary’s voice lacked conviction.

She might actually be fun to tease—no, playfully tease.

The earlier gloom from the Fallen plight faded as Yisi patted Mary’s head.

“Heh. If you say so, I’ll show you the real me someday. And when that happens, even if you try to run, I won’t let you escape.”

The “real me” being her vampire form.

“Now then, I should get to my own tasks. Camilla, come assist me. Mary, keep cleaning.”

“Yes, Onee-sama.”

“Understood, Master!”

One voice was serious, the other brimming with enthusiasm.

Looks like things will be livelier from now on.

Yisi couldn’t help but look forward to the future.