My Lord...has been taken.
And by the head of the church, no less.
It was quick, but I was able to identify her the moment she stepped out of her carriage to take My Lord with her.
That blonde hair, that tanned skin and most importantly, that youthful face.
She still has the same appearance she had when I was a child, which is normal for someone that has been blessed by the Goddess and entrusted with such responsibility.
But even then...why would she do that?
She was instructed by the Goddess herself to help us in our mission, but what she did a few moments ago could only be called as counterintuitive. Even more if one wishes to establish a good relationship between the Church and us.
Still, I am not afraid for My Lord's life, even if that sounds badly as her servant. I know her power and I know she is not at risk.
She has not resorted to use said power either.
She probably concluded that if she were to use it, she would not only hurt civilians but also bring unwanted attention to herself and thus, that would compromise our mission.
I am her right hand and as such, I must try and predict her thoughts at times like these, specially these, so that I can be of use.
Moreover, with her relationship with the Goddess it is entirely possible that she also knows who that woman is.
Thus, I believe that they must be establishing a strong and reliable bond that will ensure a productive cooperation at this very moment.
As expected of My Lord, she has already thought of everything in the present and even in the future.
I shall aim to play my part in her plans perfectly and show her that she can trust me with the movements of said plan.
I shall do so continuously, earnestly and with discipline.
That is what I need to do for My Lord Auros.
For the woman that has showed me not only a new path, but also a new perspective on life.
I shall devote these feelings in my heart for that.
_________________________________________
"Once again, we deeply apologize!"
This is the second time the leader of the Paladins has bowed in apology for surrounding us when My Lord was taken.
And while he has not told us his name, we already know it, for as fate would have it, he was someone we knew in our...past life here.
His name is Julian Gardos.
It is a welcome surprise to see how much he climbed up the Paladin ranks in the five years we were exiled.
Back then, we knew him as Kris' Paladin friend and sparring partner.
One that she constantly invited to our headquarters to have her matches and thus, he became a usual guest of ours.
If Kris was here, he might have recognized her just by looking at her sword and how she handled it.
That is how much they fought each other back then.
"Her Holiness wanted to speak with Lady Argento immediately after she arrived. So, when all of you and Lady Argento arrived late, she started to worry and that...haaa...affected her patience. We had our orders and as you might know we cannot go against them. Even if said orders left us in this awkward situation..."
He might try to downplay it after such a sigh with his wry smile and the casual rubbing of his neck but...he looks tired, truly tired.
Much, much different from the energetic man that fought almost daily with Kris.
And even then, those bags under his eyes show me that he is even more devoted to his job than in the past.
"So please, can you tell her to stop bathing us with killing intent? She is starting to scare the newbies..."
"...I-I'm not scared! It's just that...I-I don't want to be near her...that's all!"
"Ye-yeah, what he said..."
Of course, they are referring to Gabrielle...
She always surprises me with her ability to release such a heavy killing intent while maintaining that smile of hers.
"My, did you not know that pointing at someone is considered bad manners?"
And there she goes emitting even more killing intent...
If this continues it might cause a misunderstanding.
"Haa...Gabrielle, stand down. I empathize with you, but Mr. Paladin here just explained the situation. There is no need to take that kind of stance against them, even more since we are going to start working together. Remember, our actions not only affect our Master, but also Her."
"Indeed, I apologize."
With that Gabrielle's killing intent has vanished in an instant and I can hear Julian release a sigh of relief because of it.
"But I think we should be compensated for making us worry and stand out like this. Do you not think so too, Head Maid Eresh?"
"That is certainly true."
Our original plan for the day was to settle down and exchange information with her Holiness, but now that has obviously changed.
If her Holiness is taking her time with My Lord, then we shall put her paladins to good use as compensation.
"...!"
Oh? To think that Julian would get startled by meeting my gaze. I wonder what he thinks it is that I will ask as compensation.
"Then please, help us with the luggage."
But alas, it is something as menial as that. Although, I hope that the smile I am wearing now helps address any other fears.
After all, I am not scary anymore.
____________________________________________
"I see that her Holiness spared no expense in our accommodations."
The suite that has been provided to us is equivalent to an entire floor of this high-class inn.
It has enough private rooms for all of us maids and, of course, a main room for our Master.
It also has a dining hall and a living room.
And as expected, it also had expertly hidden surveillance spells, but Luca and Sophie just took care of them.
Such spells are used to acquire information on the people that make use of the room and then it is sold to an information broker.
Of course, us taking care of them will not inquire any reaction from the inn's staff. After all, if such thing were to happen, they would be admitting that they wronged their clients' rights to privacy and thus, that would sully their names in the industry.
Taking that into consideration, it could be considered as a bet.
One where they would accept the result quietly, be it winning or losing.
"Phew...we finally finished. There's the traveler's saying 'one's home is in the luggage', but you girls and your Master took it to another level..."
He and his men are clearly tired after doing such, but they did a good job, considering the speed in which they finished.
"It cannot be helped; it was a long journey from Master's homeland. As her team of maids, we need to make sure to cover all her necessities. Even those that cannot be predicted."
Julian seemed surprised when I said so, but for us it is common sense.
Indeed, I do remember My Lord being surprised by the woodfire oven we had at hand.
But that is just one of the things we had prepared to make her journey as comfortable as it could be.
That is one of our duties.
"I-I see. You girls do seem to be that devoted not only to your work, but also to your Master."
"My, of course, she saved us and put us on a new path. So, offering our devotion is but a natural thing to do. Now, please join us in the dining hall and take a seat, for the tea is ready to be served."
Indeed, it's refreshing scent has reached us already.
And we certainly cannot forget about offering some hospitality to those who we are going to be working with.
"What she said! Master is great!"
Of course, Gabrielle is not the only one doing so, as Bertia is helping her serve such beverage.
"I have tasted the best food ingredients with her, that is enough reason for me."
Meanwhile, Jules has already taken a seat and is having a taste of the snacks made by Erica.
Still, it is nostalgic hearing that, since that was also her reason to join us when we were a Knight's Order.
"Serving a fun, cool and beautiful woman is the best! I've had so much fun that I cannot think of leaving her. Right, Mika?"
"Would you please not lump those motives unto me, Lucy? But yes. It has been quite the interesting experience."
Alas, with Jules appetite those snacks are not fated to last long, but Lucy and Mika are already serving a second and third plate of them before that happens.
"Serving Master has been the best research opportunity that I have had in quite some time. It is also helping my friend with her problems so, yes, I would do my best for Master. She would too."
"Mhm..."
As always, Allegra is correct when it comes to expressing what Luca thinks.
"We might not have been lost, but she gave us a new purpose. One that can fill our hearts and brings good to others."
I am glad to see that my comrades agree with my words.
"You could say we are the same then. Some of us Paladins come from the orphanages that the Church manages after being taken in by her Holiness and her circle. I do not mean to say that we had unfortunate lives, or that we needed to be saved, since the orphanages follow the tenets of the church and so, we grew up loved by the people that took care of us. But she offered me, and many of us, a path where our actions could bring change and help others."
"Then yes, we are the same. But Mr. Paladin, would you not introduce yourself?"
"...?!"
""""Hahahaha!""""
I did not mean to surprise him as much with my words, but I could not resist to point out such thing.
Meanwhile, his men are laughing at him because of it.
Still, it seems that they have a good relationship with him for them to do so, as Julian has only reacted in an embarrassed manner and not in a reproachful one.
"Ahaha...right! My manners! It may seem that I left them in the cathedral, but that is surely not the case. My name is Julian Gardos."
We know, but it is something I had to do.
And now, it is the turn for his men to introduce themselves before we can start discussing important matters.
__________________________________________
"And that is all that we uncovered while we were investigating Illumbee village."
"Lying about a curse being made by the Goddess, a hidden faction within the Kingdom, misuse of the blessed cloth, forced conscription of villagers and their subsequent forced labor under threats leading to their death and to finish all...cooperation with not one, but two named dragon lords..."
Julian looks at me, searching for confirmation or maybe he hopes that I dismiss it as a joke.
I can already imagine his reaction if I were to tell him about the Evil God's blood, but My Lord asked us to keep that a secret since that could cause undesired situations to happen.
I concur with such judgement.
"That is the truth."
"..."
He is taking it better that I expected, shaking his head and massaging one of his temples with his hand.
"And that second Dragon Lord is the Violet Death."
This time he is not even looking at me, but at his own reflection in the tea.
"Indeed."
""""...!!!""""
That simple word made all his men tense up, just like it happened with us back in the castle.
"Her Holiness had told us to investigate about a fake curse and a hidden faction, but...this is way worse than I imagined..."
"That is indeed true, but that is why we are here. For our mission is to punish those responsible. Now, has your investigation rendered any results? Do you have any suspects?"
I hope these questions can help him regain his focus and it seems to have worked, as his gaze is back on me again.
"...of course. Maurice."
"Yes!"
With that, Julian's subordinate takes out five scrolls from his satchel.
Scrolls that have an enchanted seal on them, but Julian utters a certain word in the old language of the Church and such seal disappears.
"These are the people that are suspects of being part of 'New Glory'. Plus, one we can now add thanks to your information. But I would prefer to wait for her Holiness and your Master to be here or for us to move to the cathedral before sharing that information."
"That won't be necessary."
"...!"
"My Lord. Your Holiness."
""""Welcome back, Master.""""
Indeed, My Lord has just appeared before us with her Holiness Ludovica at her side.
The Paladins are quite surprised by it, but, strangely, we are not.
It is as if we could 'feel' that our Master would teleport back here.
One example being Gabrielle, for she started brewing tea for two more people just a few minutes ago.
Or Lucy, who just finished serving two more dishes of appetizers right before our Master made her appearance.
As expected of the very real bond that ties us with our Master.
______________________________________________
"I see..."
After finishing my...ahem...work as a dakimakura for the head of the church...
And telling her about that shopkeeper Lich too...
I managed to convince her to teleport here where my Maid-Knights and her Paladins are.
I mean, I didn't want her to use me as a plushie while we came here via carriage.
In any case, now I am reading these scrolls that are pretty much the equivalent of dossiers in this world, full of information on people that are suspected to be part of 'New Glory'.
Four men and one woman...oh? Said woman is part of the royal court...heh. That was to be expected with the whole 'hidden faction' within the kingdom and the king doing stupid things.
Man, this sounds like it can be quite the long game of cat and mouse. You know, the whole trying to get definitive evidence and proof before capturing them all and making them talk.
...
Yeah, no. Let's go with the OP way.
"Hmph. Luca, Allegra, Jules, Sophie, the paladins have done their job. Now it is our turn. Bring these people here, I shall make them talk."
"...!"
Heh, Sophie got startled because of me saying that I would make them talk.
She is probably thinking that I am going to do to them what I did to her...and she is right.
Hehe...I can't wait to massage the information out of them...
"Wait! Lady Argento, that would be most imprudent! If we just take them this whole operation could fall apart!"
Says the leader looking Paladin all nervous.
"Hoh~~~then do you suggest we take our sweet time with a siege on the horizon?"
"That's..."
"Nothing to say then? Good. This is not the time to go through the proper procedures and such. It is time to bring an end to this festering wound in the Kingdom."
"..."
"Besides, my maids are the ones who are going to do the job. They are unknown to them. As such, even if they were to discover them, it will take time for them to pinpoint who we represent."
I say so putting my alter tone to shine while also letting my instinct guide my words.
"Julian, you should listen to Lady Argento. She is someone sent by the Goddess herself, we can trust her methods."
""""T-the Goddess?!""""
So exclaims every Paladin after hearing Ludovica's words.
Of course, she is using her 'divine onee-san' way of acting...
Such a chance for gap-moe...lost...so sad...
"Indeed, the Goddess has sent me to punish those who would use her name to abuse and hurt their people. Now, my maids you may go."
"We...will not...disappoint...Master..."
Whispers Luca with a smile, even when there's a lot of people here.
It is obvious that it has taken all her effort to do so.
"Of course."
I smile back at her.
"Just as Luca said Master, consider these people already captured."
Allegra is sure showing me a calm smile while saying that. But I can see it in her eyes...she is already planning everything for a successful capture.
So cool.
"Can I get some food on the way back? Of course, I won't forget Master's portion."
"Yes. Bring me something good, Jules."
Jules is really a glutton...but she is nice. I can't wait to see what food she brings.
"I-I will do my best and free myself from that hellish training! Yes!"
"Heh, let us see if those are more than just words then."
"Of course, Master!"
You can do it Sophie!
Show me that you are not just the mascot of the Maid-Knights!
With that they leave the suite.
"That is a nice confident smile you have there, Lady Argento."
So says the gal-looking head of the church who is seating beside me...
"Of course, I have an absolute trust in everyone's capabilities and in them. They will accomplish their task."
"Heeh~~, then I can't wait to see what happens next! The Goddess has sent me a really interesting friend, hehe."
WHO IS YOUR FRIEND, YOU SNIFFER NUN?!!
"No...if the Goddess sent you, then that means we should be super best friends! Teheee~~."
Calm down...calm down...sip the tea...
Repress the urge to karate chop her...resist...resist...
There...
To be continued...(cue announcement of Ludovica's seiyuu, can you guess who?!)
(50 chapters!!! This is really incredible for me. I want to thank all of you who are reading, and hopefully enjoying, this story as much as I do write it. Since this is technically a milestone there should be something extra or a surprise here but, I am sorry, there is not much. I did get my hands on a bit more robust character creator on steam so I will learn its kinks and try to do more complete character "illustrations". Pro illustration funds ended up going to my dog's treatment since he is hurt in one of his paws...but one has to prioritize, right? I leave you all with a question that might turn into a straw poll down the line. As of these 50 chapters who is your favorite and least favorite character? Once again, thank you for reading!!!)