Martha returned to Olivia barely an hour after Keleanos’ findings.

  The squadron of maids that followed her had all returned from their duties, lining up in neat formation as they waited for Martha to make her report.

  Within the brightly lit room, silence reigned as their Master sat on a comfortable sofa, her legs crossed with practiced ease.

  The only one standing by her side was Alice, her expression showing a rare tension.

  Most of them noticed Martha fidgeting, her eyes struggling to focus on any one thing. Her only anchor was Olivia.

  Entwining her fingers and stretching her arms, Olivia finally readied herself. She let out a meek sound of pleasure before her expression turned serious.

  “With the way you are, I believe Keleanos found something important. I would wager as much, given that you returned so quickly—only a few hours after I sent you his way.”

  Her voice broke the silence. Martha, standing at the center of the group, took a step forward, breaching the perfect line the maids had formed.

  “Yes. This is of the utmost importance,” Martha said, the muscles of her face tightening. “I have returned with more information than we could have hoped for.”

  The squad looked at her in surprise. They knew Martha well. She was shy, soft-spoken, and calm. The way she spoke and carried herself now stood in stark contrast to her usual demeanor.

  “Go on. Explain what he’s found. But before that, take a deep breath.” Olivia herself was tense, yet she offered Martha a reassuring smile to ease her nerves.

  “Master…” Her eyes drifted toward the ceiling as she took a moment to gather her thoughts. The air around her gradually relaxed, and the tightness in her heart eased—though not completely.

  The room fell so quiet that even the sound of breathing seemed to vanish.

  At last, Martha lowered her gaze and opened her mouth, revealing the most important information.

  “Before explaining everything, I will relay Keleanos’ message.”

  Olivia nodded, her hands resting atop her knee.

  “As you suspected, I’ve found traces of a Remnant in the drug sample. This means leaving this city won’t be happening today.”

  Martha took a shallow breath before continuing.

  “As for the rest, I leave it to your maid. I trust her with all the details, as I will not be coming personally. I have… a personal matter to resolve.”

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  A personal matter? Could it be... Olivia's hunch once again picked up on something.

  Closing her eyes and lowering her head, Martha ended the message.

  “That was all Keleanos told me before leaving. Eden made sure to accompany him in case something happened. She and the other maids will keep an eye on him.”

  Her Master fell into deep thought as Martha concluded. One finger tapped lightly against the back of her other hand, her gaze fixed on Martha yet distant.

  “This confirms my hunch,” Olivia said at last. “There was a Devourer in this city.”

  The entire squadron felt the tension settle deep within their hearts.

  A Devourer…

  The kind that leaves cities hollowed out, with nothing left to bury.

  Alice thought, recalling the many tales the Remnants spoke of.

  Will we be alright?

  We’ve never fought anything stronger than Master Orion.

  Can we even damage a Devourer?

  The maids were thinking the same thing—doubting their power against a being far beyond anything they truly understood.

  “Silence your thoughts.”

  Olivia’s stern, commanding tone cut through the room, forcing the maids—who were spiraling into doubt—to still themselves.

  Her voice carried a rare authority, one she seldom had to display.

  “…”

  Olivia narrowed her eyes as a dark aura spilled over her form. Her face vanished behind a veil of shadow, leaving only her crimson, glowing eyes visible from the abyss.

  “What will doubting yourselves accomplish now?” she demanded. “What will it bring you?”

  The lamps flickered once as her aura surged, shadows stretching unnaturally along the walls.

  “After coming this far, you would hesitate? After being trained by Orion—after all the work you’ve put into mastering those newly acquired elements—you would show weakness in front of me?”

  Beads of sweat rolled down their faces as they instinctively tried to look away from their irritated Master.

  They were not permitted to.

  Only staring into the abyss that was Olivia’s gaze was allowed.

  “Girls. Who are we?”

  The silence dragged on—heavy, expectant.

  A shudder ran up their spines as the darkness slowly receded.

  “I’m waiting,” Olivia said calmly. “Answer me.”

  Her face returned to normal. So did her tone. The fear she imposed drowned out the one they carried—and it served its purpose.

  Alice stepped forward, lowering her gaze with a faint smile.

  “Nobodies. We all came from barren streets, prisons, or were simply thrown away.”

  Bending at the waist, she added softly,

  “Master is the same as us.”

  “Exactly. That’s what I wanted to hear.” Olivia tilted her head slightly as she continued.

  “We’ve been in the same boat from the very beginning. We grew together, endured the worst this world had to offer, and still made our way here.”

  “Stop downplaying your strength. We’ll do what we’ve always done.”

  A smile crossed her lips at their surprised expressions.

  “Haven’t we always done the same thing?” she asked lightly. “Win—and go back home?”

  The maids’ shoulders dropped as their tension finally eased. Smiles spread among them as they exchanged glances, memories of their unbreakable bond rising to the surface.

  Alice, still standing beside her Master, turned with a sly grin.

  “You were quite the dashing figure just now, Master,” she said. “You reminded me of Master Orion.”

  Olivia’s eyes drifted away, her lips trembling.

  “I–I don’t know what you mean,” she replied, playing dumb as she avoided Alice’s gaze.

  “I’m pretty sure that’s exactly something Master Orion would have done. You’ve learned his tactics well.”

  “…”

  Hearing Alice embarrass their Master, the maids couldn’t help but smile with genuine delight.

  But the mood soon shifted back to seriousness. Even Olivia and Alice refocused without further comment.

  The warmth faded—but the resolve remained.

  “Martha,” Olivia said evenly, “tell us what Keleanos discovered about the drug.”

  "Yes, Master." Martha bowed her head, ready to take over.