Chapter 33: The Dragon Slayer’s New Armor and a Troublesome Secret

Setia’s mind raced. “My eyes are my ruler! I often help people customize these things, so I can tell just by looking.”

Eileen Calibot rubbed her chin, gazing at Setia with a hint of skepticism.

“Wh-what is it?” Setia’s gaze wavered, a touch of guilt creeping in.

“Nothing, just impressive.” Eileen didn’t dwell on it. After all, Setia was her senior, and it was perfectly normal for her to possess abilities Eileen knew nothing about.

Seeing Eileen believe her, Setia breathed a sigh of relief. She then inwardly apologized, for she knew not only Eileen’s measurements but also the precise details of her hands…

“Durandal.”

Eileen called forth Durandal, clutching it in her hand. Adorned in black armor, she exuded a certain aura from her past.

This new armor, however, boasted a far more refined silhouette than before, and Durandal itself had undergone a monumental transformation.

“How do I look?” Eileen stood before Setia.

“So… so cool!”

Once Eileen donned the armor, her innate aura as a Dragon Slayer immediately manifested.

Had it not been for her close relationship with Setia, Eileen would have already cleaved any other dragon in two.

“Eileen! You are exactly like the Dragon Slayers I’ve seen before!” Setia exclaimed in praise. “It’s as if you were born to wear this…”

“No, no! What am I saying!” Setia suddenly realized the gravity of her words.

She quickly glanced around, relieved that no one—or rather, no dragons—were nearby. Otherwise, she would surely be arrested and thrown into a dungeon.

Setia’s inadvertent words, however, sharply pierced Eileen’s heart.

Indeed, her true self was meant to wear this armor, not a maid’s uniform.

Yet now, Eileen merely offered a helpless smile. She shook her head and looked at Setia. “Won’t you try it on?”

“Me? Oh, I don’t wear armor like that,” Setia replied.

“Huh? Didn’t you say you were coming with me?” Eileen inquired.

“Silly Eileen! A Dragon Slayer squad isn’t just made up of swordsmen!” Setia produced a staff and then donned a cape.

Eileen observed Setia’s attire, momentarily at a loss for words.

“What is it?”

“I just feel… your outfit makes you look very much like a Necromancer… about ninety percent similar.”

Setia was already self-conscious, always speaking with a slight hunch. Coupled with the large gray cape that shrouded her, and bangs that obscured her face beneath the hood, she indeed appeared rather sinister, much like an undead sorcerer.

“Oh? Really?”

“There, that’s much better.” Eileen gently removed Setia’s hood and brushed her hair away from her face.

She looked so much cuter now.

However, Setia quickly hid herself again. “No, no! I’m fine like this!”

“Is that so? Whatever makes you comfortable, then,” Eileen said gently, not pressing the matter.

“But there’s one thing I’ve always been curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Setia, you don’t seem to like showing your tail or wings, do you?” Eileen couldn’t recall—no, Eileen had never once seen Setia with her wings or tail revealed.

“Well…” Setia hesitated.

“If it’s inconvenient to talk about, then don’t.”

“It’s not really inconvenient! It’s just that, if I say it, it might be a little embarrassing.” Setia looked a bit awkward.

“Embarrassing?”

“It’s just that! A dragon’s tail usually represents their age and strength. The thicker and larger a dragon’s tail, the greater their strength and seniority…”

“I’m a bit special. I have the seniority, but as for strength… that’s why I don’t like to show my tail.”

“I’m sorry…” Eileen had been unaware of this.

“No, no, it’s nothing major.” Setia composed herself. While she had already accepted this fact internally, speaking it aloud still required a bit of mental preparation.

“Let’s not talk about that anymore, we…” Setia turned, about to say something.

She found herself enveloped in a cold embrace.

‘Damn this armor! I should have confessed yesterday; then I could have experienced the original, genuine face wash.’

Still, this wasn’t so bad. Although the armor was chilling, it was good for Setia… right?

“Thank you, Eileen. I’m fine, I’ve grown used to this. But this is the first time anyone has truly listened to me, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.” Setia pulled away from Eileen’s embrace.

“Let’s move on from this.” Two bronze badges appeared in Setia’s hand.

With just armor and weapons, no one would truly consider them Dragon Slayers. They still lacked the most crucial item.

That was the badge symbolizing a Dragon Slayer’s identity.

In Setia’s hand were these very items. “You might have to endure being a C-rank Dragon Slayer.”

C, B, A, and S-rank badges corresponded to bronze, silver, gold, and crystal, respectively.

Eileen looked at the badge in her hand. Her previous one had been a crystal S-rank badge.

“It’s nothing.” Eileen wasn’t particularly concerned about such matters.

“Eileen, do you want to disguise yourself a bit, or just go as you are?” Setia looked at Eileen. “After all, none of the Dragon Slayers who have seen your true face have ever left the premises.”

Eileen considered this, then put on her helmet, revealing only her eyes. “This should be enough, shouldn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s quite a difference from me,” Setia affirmed.

Setia had no need to disguise herself, as very few among the dragon race had ever seen her or even knew of her existence.

“Then, let’s…” Eileen took a couple of steps, then stopped, feeling a slight discomfort.

“What’s wrong?” Setia asked.

“It’s so hot…” Wearing the armor, with the sun beating down, Eileen felt as if she were trapped in a steaming furnace, on the verge of overheating.

Silver dragons had lower body temperatures, making them more sensitive to heat, and Eileen particularly feared fire.

However, Eileen believed her intense fear of fire was simply because she had died by fire before.

Eileen shed her armor, feeling a significant relief as sweat slowly trickled down her skin.

She gazed at the sky, realizing that locking herself inside armor under such a blazing sun was indeed a torment.

“Setia, I have an idea,” Eileen suddenly announced.

“Wh-what idea?” Setia suddenly felt an ominous premonition.

“Miss Setia, may I temporarily become your maid?” Eileen asked.