I made sure that Astie entered the room with White Mask and Muyun.

I also made certain to securely lock the door, remembering that this world is a dark fantasy.

I suspected that Astie might have some unusual abilities. After all, the game hinted that she would be helpful in clearing it.

As I drifted off to sleep, I wondered how I could become closer to Astie the next day.

However, someone suddenly started waking me up.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Lia sweating profusely as she shook me awake.

“…Lia? What’s….”

Before I could ask her why, considering it was still the middle of the night, I heard the sound of metal clinking.

As I realized the noise was coming from the front door, the door suddenly swung open.

“…Astie?”

I saw Astie, standing with an overly polite posture as she entered the room.

“What the heck are you doing?”

This was the situation now.

Astie looked down at me with an emotionless face, holding a knife in each hand, ready to strike. It was like watching a psychopath devoid of any feelings.

And yet, despite her small frame, where did she get such strength? Even with my body, strengthened by the chef’s food, I was barely able to resist.

What should I do? Should I use my weight to roll to the side?

As I was considering ways to get out of this situation…

Thunk!

I heard a light thudding sound.

It turned out that Lia had thrown herself at Astie, headbutting her square in the face.

To prove it, Lia, now sporting a bump on her head, spread her arms wide, blocking Astie from getting to me.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, I prepared for any additional attacks, but then I noticed something strange.

Astie was staring at Lia with a dazed expression.

The odd thing was the “dazed expression” itself. No matter how cool and strong a person might be, seeing an Outsider should have been shocking. Unless, of course, they were a cold-blooded hunter.

But Astie was looking at Lia as if she was “familiar” with her. No, it was a look that couldn’t even be described by the word “familiar.”

It was closer to “bewilderment,” as if she couldn’t understand Lia’s actions.

The strangeness didn’t end there. I caught a glimpse of Lia looking more intimidated than she had ever been with any Outsider before.

What was going on here? Why were these two acting as if they knew each other?

Just as I was about to reach a conclusion, Astie quickly lowered the knives in her hands and bowed her head.

“My apologies. Have a good night, Master.”

As if nothing had happened.

“Wait a minute!”

I tried to stop her, but Astie simply left the room.

What the…? After trying to kill me, she has the nerve to call me “Master” and just walk out like that?

At least maintain some consistency!

I recalled a line from the strategy guide in the community post as my anger started to boil over again.

"Even if strange things keep happening, don’t doubt her and keep her with you. Without her, you’ll have to do an immense amount of grinding during the boss battle."

Sigh.

Could the strange thing the guide was referring to be Astie directly attacking me like this? Is the premise that I have to survive near-death situations every day?

Why is she attacking in the first place? Is her idea of pleasing her master as a slave some kind of weird S&M play?

…Enough with the complaints.

“…Lia?”

Astie had left, but Lia, still with her head lowered, did not look at all peaceful, so I cautiously called out to her.

Lia flinched as if startled by my call, then turned her head toward me.

She smiled, but it was a strained, uneasy smile.

I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she shook her head and retreated into her pocket dimension.

Maybe it was just my imagination.

It would be strange if they knew each other, considering they were brought from completely different places.

…But still, is it safe to sleep like this?

What if she tries to stab me again while I’m asleep?

But the overwhelming exhaustion was nearly impossible to resist, given that my body is still human.

Maybe Lia will wake me up again if it happens. With that slightly uneasy thought, I fell asleep.

And, unfortunately, Astie’s attacks didn’t stop there.

“Did you sleep well, Master?”

“If you’re going to do this, at least drop the formalities! Why are you speaking through clenched teeth like that?!”

As soon as I woke up in the morning, she attacked me just like she had the night before.

“Master, shall I prepare some tea for you?”

“Stop calling me Master. And don’t make tea either! You’re planning to poison it, aren’t you?!”

“…Tsk.”

“You just clicked your tongue, didn’t you?!”

After breakfast, she attempted to poison me.

“Master. If I may be so bold, could you give me a hug?”

“…In this crowded place?”

“Yes. And if you could rub my cheeks while you’re at it….”

“…Now you’re trying to socially ruin me!”

As we strolled around the village, she tried to get me socially executed.

…She reminded me of a younger cousin I once had, and her doll-like appearance made me want to rub her cheeks, but that’s a secret.

Anyway.

Maybe it’s because of all this that, as soon as I returned to my room, I threw myself onto the bed, overwhelmed by fatigue.

I was trying to believe in the strategy, but the more I thought about it, the more it felt like I’d been tricked.

No matter how popular a game might be, it doesn’t make sense for the community admins to create an entry barrier on purpose.

I should have just trusted the comments!

What good is it to regret now, when I’ve already made a fool of myself?

If they tell me to live freely or something now…

“I guess I’ve become a useless doll. Alright.”

“Breaking news: A girl left behind by the knight’s order… Found as a cold corpse after being abandoned as an illegal slave.”

“…Gaaaah!”

Overcome with helplessness, I writhed on the bed, clutching my head.

Is this really the right thing? Is this really how things should be?

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

It must be that cute little assassin who has no idea how rotten my mood is right now.

“No! I’m going to enjoy the ‘aesthetic of solitude’ today!”

I shouted at the door, but instead, the door opened.

As soon as I saw who it was, I respectfully knelt down.

“…Master. You’ve come.”

“The aesthetic of solitude isn’t bad. Or is this your way of expressing your desire to take on railroad maintenance for life?”

“…I’ve committed a grave sin.”

“Haha, as long as you know.”

The ever-compassionate White Mask, who had now added kidnapping to her resume, chuckled lightly and forgave me.

“So, what brings you here…?”

“Ah, we need to leave the village tomorrow to deal with the drakes.”

White Mask said this as she glanced toward the door.

I wondered why she was suddenly looking that way, and then I saw it.

Eeeek─.

…There was that weird maid peeking in with one eye exposed.

I can see you!

Look at those eyes—they’re just like a hawk waiting for the right moment to strike!

“I was wondering what to do with that girl.”

“Ah.”

White Mask, unaware of what that look meant, raised a point to consider.

It was an assumption I hadn’t thought of.

I naturally assumed we’d be taking her with us, but after all, dealing with the drakes was dangerous.

There was a real risk of casualties.

But it would be a significant waste of time to go back to London and then return.

The newspaper article I had imagined earlier kept flashing through my mind, making me determined not to leave her behind.

“Or we could leave her here for a while, deal with the drakes, and come back….”

“I’ll go with you.”

White Mask’s sensible suggestion was interrupted by Astie.

Can’t you just stay quiet?

“Hmm?”

“Wherever my Master goes, that’s where I’ll be.”

“But it’s dangerous.”

“It’s alright.”

Astie clasped her hands together at her chest as she spoke.

“If it weren’t for you, Master, both my body and soul would have been ruined. If I could die helping you, it would be an honor.”

“…A maid as loyal as her knight, huh?”

White Mask suddenly lowered her head and rested her hand on her forehead, making a sound like “Krrr….” and then pointed at Astie.

“Fine! We’ll take her with us this time. But you must stay inside the train. It’s dangerous outside.”

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

Wow.

What kind of otherworldly method acting was that?

The same girl who had always been cold toward me was now, though still expressionless, showing a somewhat emotional and serene face.

Is she really the same person?

“Well then, get some rest. We’ll leave early tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

As Astie withdrew at White Mask’s words, White Mask turned to me.

“That girl really likes you. I feel a bit embarrassed now for considering leaving her behind.”

…No, Master!

That’s not it!!

There were so many things I wanted to say in rebuttal, but seeing how White Mask might have even shed a tear if not for her mask, I decided to give up. She would never believe me.

…Damn it!

The next morning, we moved quickly and boarded the noisy train, heading back to where the drakes were.

By now, I had grown accustomed to the train’s terrible ride quality, to the point where I could lean against the window and fall asleep.

…Of course, I kept waking up because of the maid’s needle pricking at my neck.

As I fought off sleep, the train eventually stopped at the station, and we all got off, heading back to where the drakes had been.

“…What the heck.”

Muyun was the first to see the scene and was stunned.

“…That’s not what usually happens.”

White Mask also showed signs of displeasure as if the plan had gone awry.

It was because the Dragon Slayer, who should have retreated by now, was still standing there.

She even seemed to be scanning the area, as if on alert.

Could it be that she’s on guard because we had razed the place once already?

“This wasn’t part of the plan. It might be best to retreat this time….”

White Mask’s words were cut off.

Because—

Boom!

We heard a sound of something exploding from behind us.

Slowly turning around, we saw that the train was on fire.

“…Astie!”