Chapter 48: A Shopping Detour and a Maid’s Dilemma

After a brief farewell to Liana, Eileen Calibot and Setia walked along the main street. The small group of Dragon Slayers who had once seen Eileen had mostly departed from Grand Town by now.

Without Izawa’s presence, they were like scattered sand, stripped of their benefactor. Lingering any longer would only invite retaliation from those they had wronged.

Thus, as the two women strolled, no crowds gathered to gawk at them.

Unfortunately, many shops in the town remained closed. Several of the small eateries Eileen frequented were shuttered, their doors firmly locked.

It was uncertain when they might reopen.

“It seems this place has been quite affected,” Setia remarked.

“Indeed.” Calculating from the time of her own defeat five years prior, Izawa had dominated this region for nearly half a decade. Most people had likely already fled.

It would take time for them to receive the news and return.

“There doesn’t seem to be much worth browsing,” Setia observed, glancing at the tightly shut doors around them.

“In that case, it looks like our plans to return might need to be moved up.”

Eileen found that she no longer entirely disliked her days spent by Faltis Calibot’s side. Though Faltis often teased her, only a day had passed, and Eileen already felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.

“Huh?” This wouldn’t do. Once they returned, Eileen would belong to Lady Faltis, and she wouldn’t have the luxury of leisurely shopping with Setia as she did now.

Setia quickly scanned her surroundings, spotting a shop that had just opened its doors, preparing for business.

“Eileen, look! That one’s open, let’s go see what they sell!” Setia exclaimed, pulling Eileen’s hand as they headed toward it.

“That place…” Eileen had a faint impression. If it was still the same as five years ago, it was a clothing store.

“It’s a clothing store?” Setia realized upon closer inspection. “But the shops here are so strange; none of them have signs. You wouldn’t know what they sell until you get close.”

“The town is quite small, after all,” Eileen mused. “There usually aren’t many duplicate shops, and the townspeople know where to find things, so perhaps they don’t bother with signs?” Eileen had harbored the same question as Setia when she first arrived.

“It looks like you and Fa… Falute had a good time shopping last time, Eileen,” Setia nearly let slip.

“Something like that.” Eileen gazed at the shop. “Shall we go in and have a look? It might be nice to get a new outfit.”

Setia had no intention of changing her clothes; she rarely left the Golden Dragon Sanctuary anyway. However, while she might not need new attire, Eileen certainly did.

In less than a month, Eileen would be accompanying Lady Faltis to the Azure Sky Illusion Island. For such a formal occasion, preparing a proper outfit was only natural, wasn’t it?

“Yes, let’s go inside,” Setia agreed.

“I thought you would refuse,” Eileen said, surprised that Setia had agreed to her suggestion.

Eileen looked at the shop. If her memory served, the owner was a blind old woman.

The two walked in. “Hello?” Eileen called out, but received no response.

“Is the owner not here?” Setia looked around but saw no one. Eileen wasn’t sure if it was due to her bangs obscuring her vision.

“Never mind, let’s just pick out some clothes first, shall we?” Eileen said, her eyes dazzled by the variety of garments.

As a qualified maid, she could assist her mistress in selecting suitable attire. Eileen observed Setia; her figure was rather petite, and she preferred to conceal herself.

Bright, cheerful outfits certainly wouldn’t suit her. Perhaps black or purple clothing would be more appropriate?

Seeing Eileen beginning to pick out clothes for her, Setia spoke up, “Don’t bother looking for clothes for me. I hardly ever go anywhere.”

“Then why are you here?” If not to buy clothes, why come to a clothing store?

“Eileen, you’re attending an important event in a month, aren’t you? You can’t possibly wear your maid uniform the whole time, can you?” Setia pointed out.

“But if a maid doesn’t wear a maid uniform, what does she wear?” Eileen countered.

“Oh, come on! It’s a very important occasion! Besides, you don’t *have* to wear it all the time. Keep it as a backup, in case you need it for an emergency, right? Like now, it’s not ideal to always be in your maid uniform, is it?” Setia argued.

Setia’s logic seemed to hold some truth, but not much. Eileen decided not to listen.

“No, thank you. The maid uniform is perfectly fine.”

“You’ve truly fallen in love with being a maid, haven’t you?”

Setia wondered what spell Lady Faltis had cast on Eileen to make her so enamored with being a maid.

“Primarily, there really isn’t any need to wear other clothes. A maid should simply be a maid,” Eileen stated.

Setia was somewhat speechless. Eileen was good in every way, except for her occasional stubbornness.

“Then let me put it another way: what if, and I mean *if*, I hadn’t come out with you this time, and no one else was with you either? Wouldn’t you stand out greatly if you went out alone, dressed in a maid uniform?” Setia tried to persuade Eileen from a different angle.

“Think about it: the first impression people get of maids is that they are delicate and lack combat ability, right? If you’re alone, you’d appear even weaker. That could lead to many inconvenient situations,” Setia explained.

“That…”

“And! If someone asks who your mistress is, it would be awkward to say, wouldn’t it? Many places have strict rules, and servants usually aren’t allowed entry,” Setia continued.

That was true. Eileen had indeed seen many places that prohibited servants. On the continent of Lardona, servants generally held little status, with the exception of special ones like Eileen.

“That actually makes some sense?” Eileen found herself slightly swayed by Setia’s arguments.

“Right? Right? So, let’s buy a few outfits, shall we?” Setia urged. “Eileen, you have such a good figure; you’ll look great in many different clothes.”

“Alright, alright,” Eileen conceded, unable to resist her. “But you have to buy one too. Everything you just said to me applies to you as well.”

Oh no, she had dug a pit for herself! But to see Eileen in something other than her maid uniform, Setia was willing to sacrifice herself!

“Deal!”

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