Elza and Alexia

They resumed the extermination, taking out every Shadow Lizard they spotted across the wasteland.

"That should be enough."

Elza called the other two to a stop.

"Already? But I suppose we did get quite a few."

Alexia looked at the pile of Shadow Lizards.

If they didn't drain the blood soon and submerge them in the river, they'd rot from the inside out.

"But how do we carry them all back?"

Azu flicked the blood off her sword and sheathed it.

"If Kazusa were here, she could've hauled a good amount back."

Azu thought of Kazusa, who'd been with her in the Wind Labyrinth.

A dependable girl who'd carried enormous loads on her small frame.

"That really is this party's weak point. Our balance is pretty good otherwise."

Alexia said this while grabbing a Shadow Lizard by the leg and dragging it.

They submerged the bulk of the Shadow Lizards in the river.

The river flowed toward the Demon Den. No amount of blood would cause problems there.

"Looks like they'll handle the transport. We'll need to keep watch for other monsters, though."

Elza sat on a rock and stretched luxuriously.

She was clearly in full rest mode already.

"In that case, should I head back first?"

"Sure. You're the fastest, Azu. We'll keep watch here, so go on ahead."

The plan was settled, and Azu took off toward Spartia.

That left Elza and Alexia behind.

Only the murmur of the river could be heard.

Alexia dipped the head of her battle axe into the river, washing away the caked-on blood.

Then she washed her hands and face, rinsing off the sweat.

"Here. Purification."

River water might look clean, but swallowing it was risky.

So Elza cast a purification miracle on Alexia.

"Thanks. Ahh, that hits the spot."

Setting down her battle axe, Alexia took a seat on a rock as well.

Sitting in the battle dress made for a rather provocative sight, but it was just the two of them here.

No need to worry about a generous view of thigh.

"You've really mellowed out, Alexia-chan."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"At the start, you were all 'I hate this, I don't want to do this,' with zero motivation."

Elza giggled.

"My feelings haven't changed. But I have to do it either way, and doing it grudgingly just puts me in a worse mood."

"That's true enough."

"… What about you, Elza? You were sold off to settle a debt or something, right?"

"Oh, me? I'm fine. The money from selling me took care of the children I was looking after. As far as retirements go, this one's been quite enjoyable."

"Retirement? You're… what, a little older than me?"

Alexia said it with exasperation.

She probably thought Elza was joking.

"I mean it. And honestly, my quality of life is much better now. You'd agree, wouldn't you, Alexia-chan?"

"Well, yes. The bed is soft enough that you wake up refreshed, the blankets are down-filled, light and warm, we can bathe every day, and the food is meat and fruit every single day…"

At that point, she noticed Elza's knowing look and cleared her throat.

"Honestly, the lifestyle alone is on par with a wealthy clan head or high noble. That master of ours is an idiot."

"Ahaha. But I understand where he's coming from. He has this powerful need to make sure the people in his care eat well and live well."

"We're tools for making money, aren't we? Wouldn't he profit more by giving us the bare minimum?"

Elza rested her chin on the top of her mace, which she'd driven into the ground.

"I might have said this before, but that man would've made a fine priest. He can't stand seeing his slaves go without. He believes you can't expect results from people living in squalor. That to make them prosper, you must first let them prosper."

"… Wouldn't that ruin you before anything else? That's not normal."

As a former minor noble, Alexia had seen plenty of people who dragged others down.

Her father had been an excellent warrior, yet the only reason he'd been forced into that reckless charge…

… was because he'd run out of options.

If Master had been there at that time, would anything have changed?

"His employee works hard because Master treats them well, too. There's a teaching of the Creator King: 'Give, and it shall be given unto you.' That you'll never gain anything if all you do is take. But…"

"That stings. I thought I was doing plenty, but…"

Alexia swung her legs idly.

She was reflecting. In her desperation, all she'd ever done was demand.

"Just look at Azu-chan. If he hadn't shown her kindness first, she never would have become who she is now. Her spirit would have broken, or she'd have given up on living entirely."

"Was that girl really just a village girl? Honestly, I still can't quite believe it."

Even Alexia acknowledged Azu's combat instincts, and her recent growth had been unmistakable.

"Hehe, isn't she adorable? It's love. She learned what love is, the love that makes people human, and that's why Azu-chan is strong."

"You're really attached to her. She's a good kid, sure, but…"

"But of course. She's practically the apple of my eye."

"What does that even mean."

As they chatted on, Azu returned with the transport crew.

The haulers piled Shadow Lizard carcasses onto their carts like a mountain, handed over a tally stick, and swiftly departed.

"They're fast."

Azu watched them go, impressed.

"Let's head back too. That many should satisfy Master well enough."

"I want to get back and rest. We've got this Ocelot Colosseum to deal with, after all."

"I'm looking forward to it! I'd love to make it past the preliminaries."

"Same here. Let's do our best!"

"I am not looking forward to it in the slightest…"

Their work done, the three of them headed back to the inn.