Two women stood beside a massive king-sized bed, speaking in low but intense voices. A third woman lay asleep on the bed. Even though they weren’t whispering, her sleep was deep enough that she did not stir.

  “Wait. Wait. Wait,” one of them said, running a hand through her hair. “Is this really going to be alright? This won’t injure her or anything?”

  The other woman folded her arms. “No. I’m pretty sure she’ll be fine. She’s tougher than she looks.”

  “But still—”

  “What still?” the second woman cut in, her tone rising. “Do you have any idea what yesterday was like for me? My heart was in my throat the entire auction. Then she climbs on stage and pulls everyone’s attention onto herself. People kept staring at me like I was involved. Like I was just as reckless as she is.”

  She started pacing.

  “I was shaking the whole time. It’s a good thing I was already expecting trouble. She might not care what people think, but I do. I’m a commoner. I lived quietly. When I got my job, I thought that was enough for me. Stable. Peaceful. I don’t want power. I don’t want attention. I don’t want to stand in front of nobles who could end someone like me without consequences.”

  Her voice dropped.

  “I’m not brave. I’m just Laysandra. An employee of Nelson Trade.”

  Rias listened quietly.

  “But when she called me her friend…” Laysandra exhaled sharply. “I couldn’t just step back either. I might be a coward, but I’m not heartless. She has her own problems. If she doesn’t want to tell me, fine. I won’t force her. That’s her choice.”

  She crossed her arms tightly.

  “But she still owes me for yesterday.”

  The woman asleep on the bed was Helena.

  It was already late morning. The previous night, Helena had brought both of them to her newly purchased estate while they were unconscious. When Laysandra and Rias woke up, they found themselves in luxurious guest rooms.

  Rias had been calm.

  Laysandra had not.

  Her first thought was that some noble had kidnapped her. It was not unheard of. The idea alone had nearly brought her to tears. She had imagined her ordinary life ending in a single night.

  By chance, Rias recognized the estate as a former ducal property. She was fairly certain it was Helena who had brought them here.

  Rias had accidentally entered Laysandra’s room and found her trembling under the blankets.

  It had taken half an hour to calm her down.

  Once the fear faded, anger replaced it.

  Together, they went to look for Helena.

  They stopped outside another large door. A tall maid stood there, composed and upright. It was Elowen.

  As soon as she saw them, she bowed politely. “I hope you both slept well, Lady Rias, Lady Laysandra. I am Elowen, head maid of Lady Helena’s estate.”

  The introduction was clearly meant for Laysandra. As the head of the property department in the Merchant Guild, Rias was already familiar with Elowen.

  Laysandra glanced up at the maid and swallowed. Elowen was tall and carried herself with quiet authority. The professional smile did not make her any less intimidating.

  Laysandra leaned slightly toward Rias and whispered, “She could pick me up with one hand and throw me outside. Right?”

  Rias placed a reassuring hand on her back.

  “Is Helena inside?” Rias asked, looking toward the door.

  “Yes,” Elowen replied. “My lady is resting. She appeared quite exhausted yesterday, so I chose not to disturb her. Do you require something from her?”

  Rias and Laysandra looked at each other, then back at Elowen.

  “Yes,” they said at the same time. “We have serious business with her.”

  Rias crossed her arms. “Now that I think about it, where are the other servants? You wouldn’t have left Helena’s guests unattended. Laysandra was desperately in need of someone when she woke up. This estate still has around thirty staff members. But no one was there for us.”

  Elowen remained composed. “I apologize to both of you. There is a reason for that. Since early morning, nearly three hundred people have gathered outside the gates. They claim the Guild Master sent them.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Three hundred?” Rias repeated.

  “Yes. According to the message we received, this is only the beginning. Within weeks, the number of servants is expected to reach four digits. The Merchant Guild plans to open public recruitment for additional staff and guards, as per my lady’s request.”

  Rias frowned. “Public recruitment? Four digits? Why?”

  Elowen continued calmly. “The three hundred outside are professionals with prior experience. However, it is still our responsibility to verify them properly. We cannot allow outsiders to mix in unnoticed. Most of the current staff are occupied screening them.”

  Rias narrowed her eyes. “The Guild Master moves fast. Three hundred trained professionals by morning…”

  Before she could finish, Laysandra spoke softly. “Lady Rias…”

  Rias turned to her immediately. “Laysandra, I don’t care if you’re a commoner or anything else. We’ve known each other for barely a day, but I already consider you a friend. Just call me Rias. I’m more comfortable that way.”

  Laysandra looked relieved, though still uncertain. Formal speech had never come naturally to her. Rias was a high-ranking figure in the Merchant Guild. Laysandra worked for a modest trading company.

  Rias sighed and looked at her directly. “Request.”

  Laysandra blinked. “No! No, no. We’re friends. You don’t have to request to be my friend.”

  Rias smacked her lightly on the back. “Be a little more confident. And fiercer.”

  “Why?” Laysandra asked.

  Rias glanced toward Helena’s door, then back at her. “You’ll need it in the future. Just trust me.”

  Elowen had been standing quietly the entire time.

  “Elowen,” Rias said, “could you leave us alone for a moment? We have some business with Helena.”

  Elowen studied her.

  “Not me,” Rias added, gesturing toward Laysandra. “Her.”

  Laysandra’s expression tightened at the mention of Helena’s name.

  “I’m afraid I cannot leave my mistress unattended,” Elowen replied politely.

  “I understand your concern,” Rias said. “You already know me. And Laysandra is Helena’s closest friend.”

  She met Elowen’s eyes directly. She knew Elowen’s background. A former adventurer. Always cautious. Loyal, but practical.

  “We just need a little talk with her,” Rias added.

  Elowen hesitated for a moment, then bowed. “Very well. I will be nearby.”

  She stepped away from the door.

  Rias looked at Laysandra. “Ready?”

  Laysandra nodded.

  They entered the room.

  The main sleeping chamber was larger and more luxurious than any of the guest rooms. Sunlight filtered through heavy curtains. Helena lay sprawled across the bed, completely at ease, breathing steadily.

  Seeing her like that made something snap inside Laysandra.

  “HELEN! WAKE UP!”

  Even Rias stepped back slightly at the volume.

  “HELEN!”

  Helena did not move. She simply turned to the other side and pulled a pillow over her head.

  “I think she’s in deep sleep,” Rias said carefully. “Maybe we should come back later.”

  “No,” Laysandra replied firmly. “I have a way. A guaranteed way to wake her up.”

  A slow grin spread across her face as she looked at the sleeping Helena.

  “I just need a little help from you.”

  Present —

  Laysandra and Rias were kneeling on the bed.

  “Help me lift her,” Laysandra said.

  They grabbed Helena from both sides. Laysandra held her under the shoulders while Rias lifted her legs.

  “Damn, she’s heavy.”

  Helena looked slim, almost delicate, but her body was far from light. Beneath her skin was tightly packed muscle, denser than normal. Even without any Aether enchantment, it gave her abnormal strength.

  On Earth, not everyone awakened a powerful core ability, so Aether Combat Arts were developed instead.

  Body Enchantment strengthened the body. Visionary enhanced sight. Detection sharpened awareness. Weapon Creation formed temporary Aether weapons at high cost.

  Helena knew many of these arts. When her core ability first manifested, it was judged non-combat, so she had no choice but to train in combat arts instead. When she used Body Enchantment, her strength multiplied several times over. She rarely needed it now.

  After the final war on Earth, she had not fought seriously again, other than when she fought Joseph.

  ---

  Rias and Laysandra were already breathing hard as they carried her toward the balcony.

  If this had been the Helena from her apocalypse days, she would have woken at the slightest disturbance. A random insect near her ear would have been enough. But she had not felt real danger in a long time. More importantly, neither Rias nor Laysandra carried any harmful intent. Her guard was completely down.

  “One more push,” Laysandra said as they reached the edge.

  Rias hesitated. “Are you sure about this? She won’t get angry… right?”

  “I’m angry right now,” Laysandra replied. “Lift her higher from your side.”

  Helena was still clutching part of the bedsheet. Laysandra wrapped it around her properly, almost like swaddling a child. A bit of drool had gathered at the corner of Helena’s mouth.

  “When I count to three, we push,” Laysandra said.

  Rias nodded, though she looked unsure.

  They placed Helena carefully on top of the thick balcony railing. It was wide and stable, supporting her weight easily. Sunlight touched her face. She squinted and turned her head away, still half-asleep.

  Laysandra stared at her for a second.

  “One… two… THREE!”

  They pushed.

  For a split second, Helena floated in the air.

  Her eyes snapped open.

  “WHAAAT?! WHY AM I FALLING?!”

  Laysandra waved cheerfully from above.

  “LYASI, YOU TRAITOR!”

  Helena disappeared into the bushes below.

  There was no heavy impact. Just the sound of leaves shifting.

  Earlier that morning, when Laysandra had panicked about being kidnapped, her first instinct had been to escape through the balcony. She had already checked the height. Even a normal person would not be seriously injured by the drop. The bushes below were thick enough to soften the fall.

  Rias leaned over the railing. “Is she alright?”

  “I think so,” Laysandra said.

  A moment later, Helena emerged from the bushes. Her clothes and bedsheet were covered in leaves and dust. She bent her knees and jumped. In a single leap, she landed back on the balcony.

  She looked annoyed.

  If it had been anyone else, the outcome might have been very different.

  But Laysandra was standing there, arms crossed, glaring.

  Rias quietly stepped a little to the side, as if distancing herself from responsibility. Still, there was a faint smile she tried to hide.

  Helena brushed off some leaves and looked at Laysandra carefully. “Can I know the reason?” she asked. Then added, “Please.”

  Laysandra’s smile widened.

  “Of course,” she said. “Let’s go inside. I’ll explain everything.”

  She paused slightly.

  “In full detail.”