-Arc 2-

  Chapter 1

  “Wishes for the Future”

  *?*?*?*

  Gripping the edge of the barrel, Eris’s hands squeezed the damp wood until her knuckles were white.

  A vile taste rushed into her mouth as vomit splattered to the bottom. Leaning over the barrel’s side, she heaved and gagged once more, but the only acid that came out now was in the form of liquid that dripped from her lips.

  The hot sun was beating down at her. Spring was over and summer was in full swing. Her stomach growled in furious hunger, yet burned with nausea. Her muscles were weak with not only sickness, heat, and hunger, but in exhaustion.

  Pulling her chin off the edge of the barrel, Eris glanced behind her at the camp, making sure nobody was witnessing her sloth.

  The refugee camp, set up by the city of Capella and Count Schwartzhardt’s sponsors, including the maids themselves, was bustling. Not only were there the many villagers trying to piece together a sense of normalcy after the destruction of their livelihoods, but there were also healers, clerics, cooks, guards, builders, and countless other workers to keep it running. It was situated within the city walls, placed on an empty hill apparently reserved for the construction of a new governmental building that had been postponed.

  Among those trying to piece their lives back together were the injured and sick. Many suffered wounds during the Battle of Velna. The village’s militia suffered many losses, but the majority of the casualties were civilians. Of course, that fact alone made Eris’s heart ache.

  Refocusing her mind on such people, Eris spit out sour saliva into the barrel, and stole herself to return to the camp. The sun glared into her eyes, and the grating sound of cicadas made her want to cover her ears. But then, how would she hear the requests of the villagers?

  Old Woman: “Eris, dear… Would you mind fetching me today’s herbs?”

  Eris: “Of course, Missus Tinei.”

  Bowing politely and giving a warm smile to the old lady who was well respected amongst the villagers, Eris rushed off to the apothecary tent to acquire her daily medicinal herbs.

  Wrapping them up and helping Missus Tinei in adding them to tea, Eris was immediately requested by another.

  Soldier: “Miss Eris, may I steal you for some heavy lifting?”

  Eris was the go-to person for handling anything heavier than a normal person could bear. It was expected, since Eris’s strength far exceeded what a normal human could achieve, even if they devoted their entire life to exercise. It was shameful for Eris, or perhaps even horrible of her, to brandish such power that she had not worked for, nor necessarily desired, when there were those who worked their entire life to have a fraction of it.

  Eris: “Of course. What is it?”

  It was a shipment of meager supplies from the city. The government somewhat supplied the camp with the bare minimum, but it was often still insufficient for the needs of everyone. The food was low on nutrition in the first place, usually dry bread and rice, and rarely meat.

  Despite their lackluster contents, the crates themselves still were heavier than one could lift by themselves.

  Soldier: “Let me help you.”

  Soldier 2: “I got it, too.”

  Eris: “I can do it!”

  Brushing off the soldiers with a smile, Eris took the work on by herself. Why would she make the others exhaust themselves if she could do it?

  It did not cause much strain to Eris. To her, the crates were as heavy as maybe a book to a normal human. Of course, that much raw strength did arouse some suspicion. But even when asked about it, Eris did not know what the source was. She figured it had something to do with her rune, but for some reason, she felt it would be best to keep such a dangerous thing secret for now.

  Soldier: “These were sent by Duchess Auriette from what I heard.”

  Soldier 2: “Aah? I heard she was visiting the city, but I’d never expect any kinda aid from her.”

  Overhearing the guards who were watching, she lifted the crates off the wagon and placed them in the logistics tent one by one.

  Soldier: “I wonder if she sent us anything better than bread and rice? Hah!”

  She did not know of this Duchess Auriette, nor did she really care. Maybe she was a wonderful person, but her mind was occupied with those in need.

  Soldier 2: “You’re always a huge help, Eris!”

  Eris wiped the sweat off of her forehead with her sleeve before bowing at them.

  Eris: “Any time.”

  ????

  Eris: “Sorry for the delay, Miss Dumont.”

  Miss Dumont was in the sick tent, separate from the larger wounded tent where her husband, Mister Dupont, was resting. The nature of her illness was rather ambiguous, and even the best healers could not conclude what the cause was. Apparently, she had been mysteriously sick for around a year, but the commotion in Velna kicked it into a higher gear. Her body had drained of color and lost its weight. Her muscles trembled and lost all strength, and her hairs began to gray despite her age. It was very clear to everyone but her children that, whatever her illness was, it was killing her. Eris constantly brainstormed ways to help Miss Dumont, but she was not a healer, and came up short on the search for a miracle cure.

  Unable to cure her, Eris instead took the duty of caring for her every day. Since the young woman’s body trembled at every movement, she had to be fed by someone else.

  Miss Dupont: “Oh, th-thank-k you, E-Eris-s.”

  Not only did her muscles tremble, but her voice did as well.

  Eris: “It’s hot, so please test it before eating.”

  The bowl of soup was the same that was given to everyone in the sick tent. Some kind of rice thing that Eris had never tasted because supplies were already meager enough as it was.

  Tentatively leaning forwards and placing her quartering lips to the warm bowl, Miss Dupont tested the heat before taking a sip. As always, her pale, shallow face turned bitter at the taste. Eris could only imagine the poor quality, but even so, her stomach growled for it.

  Sitting on her knees beside the sickly woman’s bedroll, gently tipping the bowl when she wanted her next sip, no further words were exchanged between Eris and Miss Dupont.

  The woman shook her head as Eris tried to tip the bowl again, so reluctantly, she set it aside.

  Eris: “Miss Dupont, you’ve barely eaten anything.”

  Miss Dupont: “N-Neither-r h-have y-you, E-Eris-s…”

  Eris: “——”

  Miss Dupont: “H-How is-s m-my h-husb-band-d?”

  Eris blinked at the frail woman, processing her question. To be honest, she rarely visited the injured tent other than for supply runs and food delivery. She had no business there. She did not have any medical knowledge, nor healing magic, so she would just be taking up space. That being said, she did at least keep tabs on Mister Dupont, since Miss Dupont often asked about him, and his children often visited him.

  Eris: “He’s getting better… however…”

  The woman lowered her eyes as Eris added the interjection to the end of her sentence.

  Eris: “The healers say he probably isn't going to walk again…”

  Again, Eris, was not acquainted with the workings of the blue rune and healing magic. However, she had been on the receiving end of it three times. In comparison to her second time, the first and third healings were insignificant. However, Eris had her leg severed off, and Aqua reattached it almost immediately. Eris was walking, running, jumping and kicking like normal only a day after. Why weren't those injured in the battle the same?

  Miss Dupont: “I… s-see…”

  Miss Dupont knew she did not have much time left, so seeing her reaction, Eris felt a sense of admiration. She cared deeply about her children and husband, even when she would be leaving them soon. It seemed obvious, but still, it made Eris happy to see.

  Sera died in her arms. When she sees Miss Dupont like this, Eris wonders what Sera was thinking when she was dying. Did she even know she was dying? Of course, she must have, right? Even so, she did not want Eris to leave her behind and save her life. Did she perhaps want to die? Either way, could Eris really say she hadn't left her behind? She left her body on the bed, and she had not returned to the manor since. Did Sera miss her? Would she be angry for leaving her there on her bed? Did she have a funeral? If she did, how would she feel that Eris was not there?

  Miss Dupont: “E-Eris-s, a-are y-you o-ok-kay?”

  She had been zoning out, staring directly through Miss Dupont’s thin shoulder.

  Eris: “Ah, uh… sorry, Miss Dupont. I was…”

  ??? & ???: “Momma!”

  Suddenly, two small figures shattered into Eris’s vision. Even when their tiny arms wrapped around her, Miss Dupont continued to smile. Hugging them back, she seemed the happiest woman alive, despite her condition.

  Eris: “Lui and Nellie?”

  Miss Dupont was the mother of Lui and Nellie Dupont, wife of Mister Dupont.

  Lui: “Miss Eris, you’re here later than usual.”

  Nellie: “Are you having a long talk?”

  Eris glanced down at the still steaming bowl that Miss Dupont refused to eat. Biting her inner lip, Eris hesitated.

  Miss Dupont: “We w-were.”

  Nellie: “You were?!”

  Lui: “About what?”

  Both of the sisters tilting their head in unison, Eris also turned her head with confusion at what the woman said.

  Miss Dupont: “Lui, Nellie, w-what-t are your w-wishes-s f-for t-the f-fut-ture?”

  Nellie placed a finger on her chin, while Lui pursed her lips and looked up at the sky— or, the ceiling of the tent they were under.

  There was a moment of silence between them as they pondered their answer. Eventually, Nellie answered first.

  Nellie: “I want to become a healer, so I can make you feel better, momma!”

  Miss Dupont: “D-don’t-t worry a-ab-bout me, Nellie… B-But, I’m v-very p-proud-d of you f-for th-that…”

  Eris: “——”

  Lui: “I think I wanna be… a nurse, then.”

  Nellie: “Hm? A nurse…?”

  Miss Dupont: “A n-nurse? T-this is-s n-new f-from y-you, Lui.”

  Lui: “W-Well… it's not because Nellie is going to be a healer, okay?!”

  Nellie: “Ehhh?”

  Miss Dupont: “E-Either w-way, I b-believe in y-you b-both.”

  Suddenly, all three gazes turned towards Eris. Still sitting on her knees, she had to lean back a bit.

  Nellie: “What about you, Miss Eris?”

  Eris’s eyes widened. This was the question that Eris had simultaneously been avoiding and asking herself the entirety of the past few weeks since the Battle of Velna. Since Eitz asked a similar question.

  What was it that she wanted to do? What was it that she wanted to be?

  Eris: “I still haven't… figured it out, I don't think…”

  Lui: “I thought you wanted to be a hero, Eris?”

  Eris: “——”

  Nellie: “You already are!”

  Helpless against the children, she looked to Miss Dupont, who only responded with a trembling smile.

  Eris: “I haven't decided on that yet.”

  Giving her best smile to the twins, Eris felt her heart racing in her chest. What was it about this particular question that gave her so much unease?

  Eris: “Ah… I’m sorry, but I have to get going now. Miss Dupont, please eat a bit more, okay?”

  The mother of two simply nodded, watching Eris quickly stand up and take a few steps back.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Nellie: “You're always so busy, Miss Eris!”

  Lui: “I’ve never seen you resting.”

  Nellie and Lui both giggled, and Eris gave them a short bow, which made them giggle even more.

  Eris: “There's plenty of things I have to do!”

  ????

  ???: “You need to think about your whole body, not just your blade, Eris.”

  Her wooden sword connected with her opponent’s, successfully knocking away the attack. However, with her weapon and hands occupied above her, a swift kick connected to her abdomen, sending her stumbling back without air in her lungs.

  Eris: “Guh!”

  The wooden blade was pointed to her neck as she tried to recover, and she lost another match.

  ???: “Don't take it too seriously. It's always different in a real situation anyway. Besides, you’re improving.”

  It’s not enough. If she lost in a real fight and died, then what fate would that bring those she was forced to protect?

  As she looked up at the swordsman, Jessup, whom she had first met during the Battle of Velna while fighting the demon-beast, she received a wide grin from him. His fiery, wild hair gently rustled in the warm wind, while his dark eyes beamed with light.

  Eris: “Again. Let’s go again.”

  Even though it was cutting into the time she could be helping around the camp, she felt training herself with the sword was of equal importance, since all of their efforts would go to waste if everyone died because Eris could not protect them.

  Jessup: “Again? You look beat…”

  Eris: “Let’s do one more.”

  Eris didn't wait for Jessup to help her up, instead using her draining strength to do so herself.

  Jessup: “Fine, one more.”

  Their swords connected again, filling the air with the crack of wood against wood. Her arms ached. Her stomach growled. Her muscles felt weak. She wanted to eat, vomit, and gulp down water all at the same time.

  She swept away a hit over her head to slash at Jessup from the side, but he recovered his blade earlier than she expected. With a nimble duck, he bent his arm and knocked her arm aside. Her sword arm was sent in the opposite direction, her grip on the hilt loosening. She tried to dodge, but the world came out from under her. The vibrant green grass below rapidly became her mattress, and soon she was gazing up at the tip of the training sword once again pointed at her neck.

  Jessup: “You’re not performing your best because you’re exhausted. You should take a rest and eat something, and we can go again later.”

  Eris: “Please, can we go one more time?”

  These mistakes she was making— they had to be ironed out. If she continued to be so worthless, others would suffer because of it. If she rested, then she was falling behind. Others would go unfed or without their medicine. Others would overwork themselves, and she wouldn’t be able to improve her sword skill. What would Petra think if she saw Eris lazing about while she was working so hard? How would Eitz feel if he saw his hero not trying her best? Rory, Lui, Nellie, they all—

  Petra: “Eris, Jessup, you’re still sparing?”

  Jessup: “Good Afternoon, Miss Petra.”

  Eris: “Don’t worry Petra, I’m not lying here to be slothful.”

  Looking up at Petra’s beautiful, upside-down visage while lying on the grass, she felt a wave of shame crash over her.

  Petra: “Actually, that wasn't really my concern…”

  Sitting up from the grass while leaning on her palms, Eris gathered hot air into her lungs and struggled to her feet.

  She immediately felt the lovely assistance of Petra around her arm, but Eris only shook her head at her.

  Eris: “It’s okay, I’m totally fine.”

  Jessup: “I won't spar anymore today. We both need a rest.”

  To emphasize his statement, Jessup shoved his wooden sword back into the rack and brushed off his callused hands.

  Eris: “But—”

  Jessup: “We both should rest.”

  Firmly restating himself, Jessup patted Eris’s shoulder, nodded at Petra, and departed.

  Petra: “I agree, no more today. It’s nearing dinner time, so—”

  Eris: “It’s already that time? I have to get to the sick tent, then!”

  Trying to wriggle out of Petra’s grasp, the green-rune held her tight.

  Petra: “There are already attendants there, so you mustn’t worry about them!”

  Trying to subdue the struggling Eris, Petra wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Feeling her embrace, Eris finally, reluctantly, stopped trying to rush off.

  Eris: “Then, I should at least handle the kitchens. We’re pretty understaffed, so—”

  Petra: “Eris, please, listen to me!”

  Eris: “Eh—?”

  Still not letting go of Eris, Petra made her appeal.

  Petra: “Please, just… won't you come with me to eat? Just a bit.”

  Eris: “I will, Petra. But I’m not really hungry, so I’ll eat after everyone's—”

  Of course, like many times before, Eris was betrayed by her body. She had been betrayed by her legs and arms and even lungs, but this time it was her stomach. As it expressed its anger and emptiness with a low rumble, Eris bit her lip.

  Petra: “See? I’m also hungry, so we can eat together.”

  Eris: “Together…”

  The last time Eris had eaten together with someone was at the manor, though the last few days she was there were not pleasant. After the Red Room, Eris often skipped meals anyway.

  Petra: “Please?”

  Eris felt her shoulders slump. Petra’s soft voice in her ear, her arms around her shoulders, there was little she could do against such relentless attacks.

  Eris: “I’m not very hungry, so I can only eat a bit, okay?”

  Petra: “...Even if it's only a little…”

  ????

  The supplies sent by the Duchess were mostly potatoes. In fact, they were all potatoes. Even though it was unexpected, they were welcome. After a few weeks of only eating rationed bread and rice, potato stew was gourmet dining.

  Eris did wonder why supplies were so low. Apparently, there was some kind of conflict at the northern border with demons, and that was not only eating up much of the Kingdom’s money and resources, but also men. The Holy Knights, including Themis, had all been deployed to the frontlines or to other cities where Red Right Hand activity was increasing.

  Her original impression of the kingdom and even the world was that it was going through a somewhat peaceful time after a period of prolonged combat. That was what she had read in books. However, there seemed to be many new conflicts, internal and external, that had only begun arising in the past month or so. The Red Right Hand increasing their attacks, the newest Demon War, and the mysterious abdication of the King to name a few.

  Petra: “Eris, you’ve barely eaten. Didn't you say you were going to eat with me? It’s kind of awkward if I’m the only one eating.”

  Looking down at her bowl of stew, Eris swallowed hard. Her stomach ached painfully with hunger. However, even with the Duchess’s potatoes, there was a limited supply for a large number of people.

  Eris: “I did eat some. It’s just… like I said, I’m not hungry.”

  She wasn't lying. She made sure to have a few spoons of it to make Petra happy. But it seemed that Petra saw through it.

  Petra raised an eyebrow at her, and Eris was helpless to it. Averting her eyes from Petra's dangerous gaze, she stared down at the pale soup. Hesitating only for a moment, she forced a spoonful into her mouth and quickly gathered the bowl from the table.

  Eris: “I—I’m so full that I can barely keep it down, so please excuse me!”

  She said that to Petra and the rest of her table, which was made up of only a few others. Caelia sat somewhere by herself to eat, and Eris rarely ever saw her at the camp. In fact, they had not spoken at all since arriving here.

  Petra: “Ah— E-Eris?!”

  Eris was already rushing away. The line for soup was getting longer. There seemed to be plenty, but she couldn't be sure.

  Eris: “Just in case——”

  ???: “Eh, for me?”

  She passed her barely eaten bowl of potato soup to a small child who looked very thin.

  Eris: “Of course. Don't worry, I’m not hungry, so you can have mine. Make sure to eat it all and rest plenty, okay?”

  Child: “Oh, okay…”

  Feeling a smile across her face as the child walked away, drinking up the soup eagerly, Eris clutched the edges of her skirt.

  ????

  Petra watched Eris dash about during dinner. While the others were eating, she made sure to attend to every need of everyone she passed. Of course, she spent the majority of her time in the sick tent, but she would occasionally pass by someone who would ask her for help or a favor, and she would immediately jump to fulfill it.

  Though she was smiling at their faces, Petra watched her bright disposition immediately turn blank when unobserved. She of course was reminded of how Eris was in the manor. Was the way Eris was acting now just a continuation of that, or was something else troubling her?

  Either way, it was clear that her advice was not helping Eris. Petra understood now that the advice she had given Eris in the manor was insufficient for whatever she was feeling. But she also knew her a bit better now. Eris would not try to help herself. For whatever reason, in Eris’s long, exhausting, unrealistic set of priorities, Eris herself was at the bottom of it.

  But that was not the case for Petra. To Petra, Eris was near the top. It was only natural that she could not bear to see Eris in her self-destructive state. Petra knew Eris would not give herself a break. She would not break herself out of her own spiral, and she would not prioritize her own well-being. Amongst the many things that ail her, Eris could not find the space or strength to rely on anyone else. That was Petra’s theory, anyway.

  The Maids of

  Count Schwartzhardt's Manor

  Eris bounced between stations, tasks, and chores. There were countless things to do and it seemed like there was so little time in the day. Days that crept by at a snail's pace at the manor raced by in Capella. Not to mention, no matter what got done, there was always more work.

  Eris: “We’re already low on medical supplies again.”

  Even though most of the healers here used magic, that did not mean conventional medicine was not also applied. Especially since healing magic could not cure sicknesses, herbal remedies and medicines flew out of storage.

  Gathering a selection of vials, medicines, and herbs from the shelves into her arms, Eris turned to leave the tent. However—

  Eris: “Ah?!”

  Standing in the open flap of the tent was a beautiful figure with emerald eyes and hair. Seeing her made Eris’s heart race, probably from the surprise.

  Eris: “Petra? When did you… get here?”

  Petra: “A few seconds ago… Hey, Eris, I really want to talk.”

  Eris: “To talk…? I also really like talking with you Petra, but… there are some things I need to do. So maybe later?”

  Petra: “When you take a break, we can?

  Eris smiled warmly, nodding to Petra’s hopeful question. But Petra did not graciously accept her answer. In fact, her face had a seriousness that Eris rarely saw on Petra’s gentle features as she shook her head.

  Petra: “But you won't, Eris.”

  Eris: “——?”

  Petra: “You keep saying ‘when I take a break,’ but you never do.”

  Eris: “Well, you know… I just forget?”

  Petra: “So I won't let you wait this time. I want to talk to you right now, not later.”

  Eris: “Petra… I do too, but I have—”

  Petra: “Will you come to the market with me?”

  Eris: “——”

  Eris's tight grip adjusted on the pile in her hands as her eyes subtly widened.

  Eris: “To the market?”

  Petra: “Mhm.”

  Eris: “Petra… I’d love to, but… I need to—”

  ???: “I’ll take these for you.”

  A young woman, one of those hired by the city, took the gathered supplies from Eris’s arms. Eris gave them up without a fuss because of her bewilderment.

  Petra: “It’s okay to leave the camp for a little bit. There's plenty of people working to keep it running, you know? You can rely on them.”

  Eris: “But… There are people who rely on me, too.”

  Petra: “——”

  Eris: “Let's go some other time, okay? Soon.”

  Petra took a step forward, shaking her head again.

  Petra: “It’s not like we’d just be going out to have fun. I want to get some supplies that the city doesn't send us.”

  Eris: “Even so…”

  Petra: “You’d actually be helping more…”

  Eris: “I can’t.”

  Petra’s soft emerald eyes seemed to glare at Eris, something she had never received before.

  Petra: “Eris, why—”

  Eris: “Even if there are people here that will keep it running in my absence, I’m still needed here. There are still people who rely on me.”

  Petra: “——”

  Eris: “I’m needed here. I’m needed here, you see?”

  Petra’s glare wavered as Eris started to pour that out. For whatever reason, those words seemed to be what Eris was latching onto like a lifeline.

  Eris: “The truth is, Petra…”

  Gathering her breath as her heart hammered against her chest and ears, Eris clutched her hands together. Petra remained silent, inviting her to speak.

  Eris: “The truth is… I’m worthless. I feel worthless if I’m not here, doing everything I can. I have to do everything. I have to do it because I’m supposed to be a hero, right? What else am I? I’m not anything else.”

  Petra: “——”

  Eris replayed Eitz’s words in her head so many times over the past days.

  Eitz: “Then what do you want to be, Miss Eris?”

  Eris: “If I’m not giving my all, doing everything I possibly can, then I’m nothing! I never decide anything for myself! I don’t have any wishes for the future! I don’t have anything I hope to be! I can't just be ‘a maid!’ That's not being! I’m not a hero, and I’m not ‘Eris,’ so what is Eris?!”

  Petra: “——”

  Eris: “This is all I can do!”

  Surely, her voice which had slowly risen into a shout was audible outside this tent. But Eris was fine with that. She could not confirm that anyone else heard but Petra. She only wanted Petra to hear. She only wanted to say these things when staring at Petra's face.

  Petra: “Is… that so…?”

  Petra herself was still staring into Eris’s eyes, though no longer glaring. Eris nodded slowly.

  Eris: “Y-Yes…”

  Petra: “...Right now, I don't know how to respond… I disagree with you, but I want to make sure all my feelings are in order before I tell you, okay?”

  Eris: “——”

  Petra: “But I do know that I want you to come to the market with me.”

  Eris: “I—”

  Petra: “I was lying to you Eris. All those reasons I told you, I don't care about any of them.

  Eris: “—lying…?”

  Petra: “I only really want to spend time with you. Please?”

  Eris lowered her vision to the ground, biting her lip until the taste of metal teased her tongue. She slammed her eyes shut to block out Petra, but her ears could not help but listen.

  Petra: “I really, really just want to hang out. I miss you, Eris.”