Chapter 34: The Maid’s Justification

“Ah?!” Setia was momentarily stunned, then quickly exclaimed, “How can this be?!”

‘Is this for real? Did I just… become the Golden Dragon Queen’s master?’

‘No, no, no, no! This absolutely won’t do! If Lady Faltis finds out, she’ll definitely kill me!’

Eileen spread her hands helplessly. “It’s too hot.”

While enduring it for a brief period was manageable, being continuously confined within this iron contraption made Eileen feel as though she would truly perish from the heat.

Eileen could use magic to cool herself down, but that would leave a faint layer of frost on the surface of her armor.

Moreover, such precise control over magic was certainly beyond the capabilities of a C-rank Dragon Slaying Squad; it would appear far too suspicious.

It would undoubtedly arouse the suspicion of others.

Given the unique nature of her identity and location, maintaining a low profile was paramount. Eileen had no desire to invite any unnecessary trouble.

“No, no, no! Eileen, you are Lady Faltis’s exclusive maid. For me to do this would be overstepping, and I would surely die!” Setia shook her head repeatedly, like a clapper drum. This was no laughing matter.

After all, Eileen was Faltis’s cherished companion. For her to now serve as Setia’s maid?

Setia truly wondered if she had enough lives to survive the fallout.

“It’s fine, as long as she doesn’t find out,” Eileen said.

“How could Lady Faltis not know?!” Setia retorted. While Faltis might overlook things in more remote territories, this was the Golden Dragon Hall itself.

This was akin to doing such a thing right under Faltis’s nose; how could she possibly remain ignorant?

“It’s alright. Lady Faltis… she has some matters to attend to and has already left,” Eileen said, after a moment’s thought, adding the last two words.

After all, in front of others, she had to maintain absolute loyalty!

“Lady Faltis has left?” That explained why Eileen had been in her room last night.

“Yes, I heard she had to handle some affairs. It should take about a week? I didn’t inquire too much into the specifics,” Eileen explained.

“Even then… it’s still not acceptable!” Setia understood perfectly well that if Faltis ever learned of this, the consequences would be dire.

“It’s fine, don’t worry. Lady Faltis won’t find out. Even if she does, I’ll explain everything clearly,” Eileen assured her.

“Listen to me, Eileen…” Setia pressed on Eileen’s shoulders. “Why… do you insist on being a maid? Do you genuinely enjoy being a maid?”

This was like Garen building armor penetration—silent, yet utterly breaking defenses.

The air suddenly fell silent.

‘What? I enjoy being a maid? That’s laughable, how could that be possible?!’

For a moment, various excuses flashed through Eileen’s mind.

“It’s like this: if I were just an ordinary swordsman, we would be equals. Generally, dragon slaying emphasizes cooperation, with the warrior providing a casting environment for the mage, who then delivers the fatal blow to the dragon, right?” Eileen began her explanation (or rather, her sophistry).

“Hmm, what about it?” Setia nodded.

“But you also said, Setia, that your strength isn’t great. If we were equals, it would be quite unreasonable for you to stand by and watch, wouldn’t it?”

Setia considered this. What Eileen said seemed to make a lot of sense. In most situations, she was indeed just a passive accessory.

“But if I were a servant, then we would be in a superior-subordinate relationship, right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“This way, you’ll have plenty of reason to stand by and watch while I handle all the trouble, wouldn’t you agree?”

‘Exactly! This is what Eileen had intended from the start. How could she possibly enjoy being a maid?’

Setia fell into contemplation. Eileen’s reasoning seemed flawless.

After all, only such an absolute superior-subordinate dynamic would allow one to simply observe from the sidelines.

Setia bit her lip. She desperately wanted Eileen to become her maid, to enjoy Eileen’s full range of services.

However! The crucial prerequisite was that Faltis must not find out. If she did, it would be the end!

“No… I can’t,” Setia still refused. Faltis’s deterrent presence was simply too strong.

“Is that so?” Eileen observed Setia’s conflicted expression, understanding precisely what she feared.

“What if Lady Faltis agreed?” Eileen asked. “If Lady Faltis agreed, would you still be unwilling?”

“If Lady Faltis agreed… then it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question.”

“Good, then there’s no problem. Just do as I say,” Eileen stated.

“Wait? Where’s Lady Faltis? I didn’t see her agree!” Setia looked around, unable to spot any trace of Faltis.

“I already told you, Lady Faltis has matters to attend to and has already left. Therefore, this entire matter is in my hands,” Eileen said, pressing on Setia’s shoulders. “Just complete the mission perfectly!”

“Then… then alright,” Setia gritted her teeth and agreed.

“In that case, I look forward to working with you, Miss Setia,” Eileen chuckled.

“You really have grown fond of being a maid,” Setia shot Eileen a glance.

‘I hope nothing unexpected happens,’ Setia prayed inwardly.

Eileen returned to her room and changed into a maid’s outfit. This time, however, the maid uniform was different from her previous one.

The back lacked the openings designed for a tail and wings.

Eileen looked at herself in the mirror. She was perfect, but her heart was pounding rapidly, filled with a certain excitement.

Grant Town was a human settlement.

It had been five years since she last visited a human dwelling, and five years since she had engaged in normal interaction with humans.

She took a deep breath, striving to maintain her composure.

She put on the golden bracelet and organized her essential items.

“Miss Setia.”

“Eileen! You don’t have to call me that when we’re alone!” Setia felt a little embarrassed by the address.

“It’s best to get used to it now, otherwise, it won’t be good if we slip up later,” Eileen explained.

“Alright then.” Since they had come this far, there was no point in agonizing over it.

“Are you still dressed like that?” Eileen asked, observing Setia still cloaked in her gray robes, appearing to conceal herself.

“This way… it feels good, quite secure,” Setia replied.

“Alright.” After all, a necromancer’s servant was still a servant!

It wasn’t as if she needed to be a noble’s servant, and furthermore, the deterrent power of a necromancer was far more effective than that of any noble.

“Shall we go then, Miss Setia?”

They boarded the carriage, heading towards Grant Town.

However, atop the Golden Dragon Hall, a golden figure watched the two depart.

She sighed, saying with a touch of helplessness, “That rebellious little maid. If I don’t keep an eye on her, who knows who might snatch her away.”