Not having metal in my shoulder is amazing. Just saying. :)

Chapter 54

I'd considered all kinds of ways to maybe add a super secret twist to the mission. But on the chance (big chance, since the JSDF did run a pretty secure base) we got caught, we'd just end up looking silly. I thought of everything from hanging from the bottom of our wagons, hiding in boxes, using our (untested) invisibility shrouds we'd gotten from Fels forever ago, or just running SUPER FAST out of the base.

But all those plans were... kinda poor really. The JSDF would check the wagons, boxes of goods would eventually get opened, the magic in the shrouds might not work, and there were few things less conspicuous than a sonic boom.

So, 'in plain sight' it was. Aside from Ryuu and maybe Maki, we were all new faces. We'd follow the caravan to Italica, the most central place for trade, and basically vanish from sight as our merchants got set up.

Of course, Royman had gone just as 'all out' as the JSDF had. We had many wagons loaded with all kinds of stuff ranging from foods, spices, simple medicines (that required no magic stone to use AND used plants local to their side of the Gate), books (the print press was probably on fire back in the Guild print hall by now, with how many copies of 'Kione for dummies' were made), tons of paintings and tapestries, animals (including a heap of fertilized 'chicken' eggs), cloth fresh from the looms, dyes (again not magical but quite colourful)...

The list was huge, and would attract almost anyone's attention. It was also non-magical and common stuff, just in case some apostle other than Rory or Giselle got it in their head to 'purge the science'. But we also had a barrel of quicklime dust, just in case we had to stuff an apostle in it. You know, add water, upstart Apostle, then toss down mine shaft.

The guild employees who were tagging along for book keeping knew exactly who we were when we were spotted. But instead of calling our names, or doing anything else to draw attention to us, they simply pointed to random wagons and said 'guard that one'. Now spread out, we looked like just 'one more curious adventurer' on our way to 'adventure' in another world. I'd have to do something nice for Royman. Even without being directly included in our mission, he was already helping. Maybe ask if he'd made that ring for Eina yet... and if not, if he'd like a lesson on how to make one.

As the line of wagons made their way down the road towards the Gate on 'our side', I could practically feel the rising sense of curiosity bubbling up from around me. There were about fifty adventurers in this caravan, as well as at least that many 'citizens', merchants mostly, but also animal handlers and guild book keepers. Some were nervous, others curious, but that spirit of adventure was starting to gain momentum as we got closer.

Now, aside from a couple of us, all the adventurers were level one or two. The JSDF didn't want (understandably) a force capable of ripping their nice secure base up by the roots just wandering in. We were strong enough to guard the caravans, but not enough to overpower the local law enforcement. It sounded silly, limiting, but it was a show of trust from Royman. They played Guest properly, so it was our turn.

When our line of wagons got to the Gate, the JSDF guards met with the Guild rep on that wagon, did a little paperwork, then waved them along. There were a few extra guards, who did a cursory inspection of the wagons (yes, looking under them as well) and did a little 'yes this is textiles' 'yes this is produce' checking against the provided paperwork, but otherwise let us pass in swift fashion.

I could tell they were looking for us though... Maybe to give us a wave, or a thumbs up, or just to show my team they were keeping their eyes on us. But, aside from Ryuu (the only Elf who had almost no curves) and Mikoto (the previously agreed upon 'public face' of our squad) I was pretty sure they didn't figure out who was coming in on the mission.

The driver of the wagon I was on was waved through, and I could almost hear his heartbeat pick up as he nudged the horses towards the dim blue/black hallway that led to another world.

Fort Alnus had... changed a little. It was obvious why, I mean, they had irreplaceable equipment and 'stuff they didn't want the primitives to have'. So everything that wasn't on the main path to their front gate was barricaded, closed or otherwise inaccessible to anything other than brute force. The JSDF, as well as their 'local asset' militia force were there as well, escorting us along in a friendly 'hand on pommel' kind of way.

It was probably my fault... Sure, not every adventurer could beat an Apostle, but well, I'd overmatched Rory so badly that people were sure to be a little nervous when a few dozen adventurers walked through... But at least we were being taken seriously.

Then something weird happened.

There was a bit of commotion near the rear of our wagon line. Enough of one that the JSDF relayed a 'HALT YOUR WAGONS!' order down the caravan. Prompted to stop, I peeked out of the window of the wagon I was in (textiles and dyes if you were curious), and tried to see what was going on.

I couldn't see much aside from a little gathering of people, but Mikoto's voice mumbled through the crystal of my necklace, "I do not know what I am looking at, but I see it." A pause, "It looks as if someone simply vanished, leaving behind their clothing."

My eyes went wide, and I tapped the crystal, "Do you know who it was? Anyone?"

There were a bunch of 'no's. Then I saw someone I'd met before, "Oh... that explains that..."

It was the man I'd followed a couple years ago, the last of the Dolos Familia, who I'd lost track of someplace in the Daedalus Maze. "You know what happened?" It was Shinkage.

"The Gods cannot exist in physical form here in this world it seems." I said, "I think one of our Gods just found that out for us." I watched the last of the Dolos Familia crouch down over the empty clothing, gather it up, then just walk back towards the Gate. There were some shouts, some JSDF wondering what the hell just happened, but the Guild Rep closest to the scene simply shook their head and waved the JSDF off, letting the man pass and return to Orario.

"I did not see a beacon to the sky." Mikoto said, "Another effect of this world?"

"The rules vary from world to world." Shinkage said, "From what Lelei said, the Gods can only possess a person temporarily, or make someone an Apostle."

"I wonder where he'll end up." Maki mumbled. "Oh, we're moving again."

"Hopefully someone from the Guild tells Lord Ouranos. That's important information. Anyhow, silence until we're out of town. Keep careful watch." I said.

The wagons had a little trouble with the long ramp leading down to the town, but that was mostly mitigated by our sturdy breed of horses and adventurer strength keeping the wagons from rolling away on us. The ramp wasn't really meant for wagons, but for vehicles with mechanical breaks and rubber tires. But we managed without a single incident.

Our trip through the little town around Alnus was met with cheers, a few people running up to us and asking what we were selling, and (even though we weren't supposed to) a few small sales. There may have been some people I recognized from the market in Orario, but there were so many people that I wasn't really sure.

As we did one last 'rally' on the killing field outside of town, just to do a headcount, we picked up our official escort. No surprise really, it was Third Recon. Itami however was absent, but I was almost positive he and his girls were working on the Spirit Radio project.

When the Guild employees were satisfied, we lined up again and started towards Italica.

Since I was technically 'working', I busied myself with little tasks in the wagon. Mostly just fidgety stuff, like making sure the bottles of dye were just so on the shelf, or the bolts of cloth were lint free. Since I was playing as a maid, well, I'd act like one.

Then my necklace spoke up, "Hey boss." It was Maki, "Seems we're getting even more of an escort."

Mikoto spoke next, "I see a dozen horses, ah, those would be the 'rose knights'?"

I went to the front of the wagon, and opened the little door that led to the driver's platform. "Ara? Horses?" I peeked over the drivers head.

The driver, a nice old man who's hands and clothes were brightly coloured with dye, looked sideways and up at me and replied, "Seems like them folk here are trying to give us a proper escort." He said, shading his eyes and looking at the oncoming riders, "Hmm, shame none o those ladies visited the dungeon the other day. Proper armour for it at least."

I nodded, then retreated back into the wagon compartment and closed the door. While I doubted Pina (who was indeed in the lead) or Bozes (to her right) would know who I was, I still didn't want to risk exposure just yet. I gave my necklace a tap, "Rose Knights for sure. Nice that they're going all out to escort us."

"A favour returned." Ryuu mumbled over the crystal, "From what I learned, this area has been all but pacified by JSDF and patrols from Italica and Alnus, but there are still the occasional bandit attacks."

"Brave and hopeless." Maki said, "What's wrong with working a field?"

"Greed drives many away from common sense." Mikoto said.

"With them here I'm going to have a bit of trouble slipping away." Kaede said, "Plan B then?"

"Yes, wait until nightfall." I said, "You have the map?"

"Yup. There's a little mining town that I'm going to aim for. Not exactly remote, quiet, but close to the road."

"Perfectly unassuming. A good place to hide." Ryuu said.

"How long is the walk to Italica?" Shinkage asked.

"We'll get there in three hours or so I think." I said, "Four on the outside so long as we don't lose a wheel someplace."

"I wonder if they set up their town square for us already?" Maki asked.

"Lady Miyu is a thoughtful young lady." Ryuu said, "I am sure she has planned ahead properly."

"Settle in then." I said, "Have a nap Kaede, you might need it."

"I'd love to, but they put me in an animal wagon..."

"You'll at least smell like a native then." Maki laughed quietly, "I think our soap wagon is going to be really popular."

The trip was... long and boring. I mean, I tried to look interested in everything, since I was supposed to be new to this side of the Gate, but the act was hard to keep up for hours on end. I'd also run out of things to clean. But, we made it to Italica all the same. We still had enough time to set up the shops too, so long as nothing went wrong and Lady Miyu had indeed set things up for us ahead of time.

It was actually good that none of our party had slipped away before entering the city. The JSDF and Guild did yet another headcount, just for good measure, and if Kaede had slipped away before hand, it might have ruined our cover. Or what ever illusion of cover we had. The JSDF weren't stupid, and Ryuu was already known to them, no matter how 'low level' her equipment was. But for all most of them knew, she was going to be our 'face' while the rest of us worked behind the scenes.

After passing through the gates of Italica, the people of the city had all turned out to greet us. Apparently they were just as excited as we were to see something new. It wasn't like a parade or anything, with streamers and confetti, but there were ribbon lines and cheering people. Miyu, as predicted, had indeed set up the market square for us, and much like Orario, we basically took the entire place over.

Our horses were led away, with a couple of our animal handlers and Guild employees following them towards what I assumed were the Knights stables. And with that, we, adventurers and citizens of Orario alike, started converting our wagons into shop stalls. It was getting a little late in the day, so we probably wouldn't be opening the market until the morning, but we still had a lot of little things to do before nightfall so that the only thing left to do in the morning would be to hang the 'open for business' signs.

Since we hadn't started 'the mission' yet, not officially at least, I was moving things out of the wagon for the morning just like every other adventurer in the caravan. But then I heard a familiar voice behind me as I was backing out of the wagon with a barrel full of stuffed Chime plushies.

"Ah, this would be the... dye and textile wagon." It was Kaine, the head maid herself, but she was speaking in the local language, so I only listened in. At least until she switched to her one-word-at-a-time Japanese, "Do you have the price list?"

The merchant, in Kione, put the crate he was going to use as part of a counter top and spoke to me, "Ah, you understand what they be sayin?"

I turned to him, "Do you have the price list?" I finished the turn and did my very best maid bow, "Oh! It seems this world has maids as well."

I seemed to surprise the elderly head-maid, but her weathered face turned up in a little smile, "So it seems. You speak 'eastern' too?"

Behind and to her left, was one of the 'retired knights' of the Rose, his armour worn but well maintained. To her right was Mamina, the orange haired Warrior Bunny of the Formal Clan Maids.

"I worked in a popular tavern, and learned other languages to make dealing with customers easier." I replied, glancing sideways at the shop keeper, then accepting a bit of paper from him. I opened it with one hand, while the fingers of my other hand took a bit of paper from the long sleeve of my dress. "Yes, this should be what you need." I put the papers together, and folded it up again, handing it to Kaine.

She accepted it, but didn't open it. Instead she put it into one of the hidden pockets behind her apron. "The city is quite excited for your caravan." She said, "It's all we can do to keep the people away until morning." She bowed to us, as did Mamina.

"We'll be sure to put in that extra effort to impress then, in return for your help." I replied, mirroring the bow and holding it until they'd turned and made their way to the next wagon in line.

"Weird if ya ask me." The shop keeper said, "But, s'pose that kind of class would come about in any civilized world." He laughed, "Can'ya give me a hand with the next crate?"

"Of course."

Like any good (cliche?) stealth mission, now that we were 'on the ground' in 'enemy territory' 'at night', it was time for some of our party to move. Some of it was really really simple. Mikoto, our 'samurai pirate', was indeed given a small room at one of the few inns in Italica. However, she was one of the few who got a single room, while the rest of the caravan merchants and adventurers (who weren't pulling night time guard duty) got larger common rooms. Since I wasn't there to see it, I had only her description of 'a small closet with a cot and wash basin' to go by.

Ryuu, while not our 'public' face for the mission, simply vanished sometime between first and second watch. If she was going to be our 'hammer' then she'd need to keep to the shadows. Anyone thinking they could catch Shinkage (our victim) alone would have a nasty shock indeed.

Arguably our most vulnerable member, Kaede, simply used her level two status, skill, and a few easily spotted gaps in the wall guard's patrols, to go back over the wall towards a village near the Romeria mountains (that I'd flow over on the way to Rondel). It had been a bit of a hot spot for 'weird trouble' that the JSDF and nobility were having with the mines near there. Incidentally, the metal deposits that Arpeggio, Cato and Lelei had found were closer to Italica, but still within reach of the mining town should some sort of real effort be made.

Maki, who just happened to be the second shift for Ryuu, vanished into the city towards the Capital of the Empire between the second and third watch. With her genjitsu to turn invisible and her experience from her life on the run, she'd have no problem vanishing into the streets of the Empire's largest city to look for clues.

Shinkage, she was a Civilian, and housed with the merchants. Now, that was the 'official' story. And technically true! Shinkage was not an adventurer. But her part in things would happen tomorrow afternoon when people were given a tour. She'd 'get lost' at some point, and simply stay lost until she either got a 'bite' from the local thugs, or got bored.

And me? Well it took a tiny bit longer than I thought it would, but at the end of my watch, as I was making my way towards the nearest inn where I had been assigned, Persia stepped out of an alleyway. She had a large bag of groceries in her arms, just to make sure she looked like she belonged there, and ran into me.

"Nyaa! I'm sorry." She said as we both knelt to recover the fallen fruits and vegetables.

"Ara? That's quite alright." I replied, handing her a head of (I think) lettuce/onion. "Oh, you must be from the same house as the one who asked for the price list this evening."

She nodded, accepting the last of her cargo and putting it back in the stiff cloth sack she had been using, "That's right. Ma'am Kaine mentioned you as well."

"Oh?" I looked at her maid outfit, then my own.

She nodded, "Yes, she was wondering if you were any good at telling stories? It seems Lady Miyu is having trouble sleeping tonight, and she was thinking a new story from another world might calm her down."

"I suppose if it's tonight, then she can't wait until the caravan opens tomorrow morning. The book seller has quite a heavy wagon." I smiled, "Since I'm not tired yet, I'd gladly tell her a story. I'll even carry your groceries for you."

She gave me the sack, and I hugged it close. The warmth coming from it made me wonder how long she'd been waiting for me to walk past that exact corner. "This way please." She said with a smile, her tail doing a lazy swish back and forth.

As the 'lesser' or 'rookie' maid in this situation, I walked behind and to the left. However I was close enough that Persia was able to give me more than a couple of sideways looks, and it was clear that she was trying to take my measure. It was that, or I was totally misreading her, and she was just curious about the difference between our two races? Breeds?

For example, her tail was long and thin, but 'poofed' out a little near the end like a mountain lion. Her ears were also larger, and her eyes were like mine (slit pupil not round like Orario cat-folk). I could also tell, though her maid uniform hid it well, that she had actual fur on her arms. I kinda wondered if she had some kind of pattern. Like a leopard or something. With her dark purple hair it would be quite eye catching I was sure.

"We are almost there." Persia said while I mused about what was under the dress. Maybe looking like a cat made me more curious? Nah...

"This is quite a nice city." I replied, "I was wondering what it would be like in another world, where people like me, but not quite like me, lived."

She smiled, showing another difference with her discernible fangs, "Many of the merchants who visited were saying the same thing." She replied, "That it was just different enough to know you were in another world." We started up the last little hill towards the Manor/mini-castle of Italica's ruler, "I'm more surprised at your uniform."

"I'm not a maid like you. It was a uniform for a place I worked. Quite glad to be away from being a serving girl, but the uniform was quite comfortable."

The guards, all four of them, took a half step forward as we got near the top of the ramp, "Miss Persia." One said, "No trouble?"

"Nyaa, not at all." She smiled and did one of her maid bows, pulling up the edges of her dress a little, "I got a little help bringing in things for tomorrow's stew."

They were speaking in the Local language, so I only reacted when she did a 'here's your prize' motion at me, waving a hand carefully to avoid dropping my cargo. And only when they moved aside, one of the inner set of guards opening one half of the big double door, did I start moving forward again. I tried to act natural as a couple of the guards did a creepy 'lean over and sniff' thing at me, but that only reinforced my opinion that the soap wagon would be a best seller tomorrow. Thankfully, none of them tried to grab my rear. That would have dropped a tactical nuke on my cover for sure.

"Don't mind them." Persia said as the big double door was closed behind us and we walked towards the main building, "They know better than to touch."

"Ara... Good. Back at my old job, we had ways of dealing with those kinds of patrons."

"Nyaa? What did you do?"

"Threw them across the street." I smiled around my bag of vegetables.

She laughed, turning away from the main entrance (a nice grand double door) towards a smaller side door. Like the 'main gate' and 'main door' of the place, it was heavy wood with thick metal banding around it. I'd almost forgotten that this was still a castle meant to stand up to a siege. But this single door that was just barely hidden from sight of the main door would be the kitchen entrance for sure.

She tapped on it a few times, prompting a little sliding eye slit to open, then close again before a few heavy latches were slid out of place on the other side. The door was opened, and Persia gave me a little wave to follow her in.

Now, if I were some scrub who wasn't already thinking about every spy movie I'd ever seen from the words 'Your mission, if you choose to accept it', I might not have actually expected the ambush waiting for me. On the surface, it was just a kitchen. Made of solid stone where stone could be used, and well polished and cleaned wood where it could not. Herbs, spices, and smoked meat, hung neatly from hooks all around the outer perimeter of the room, preserved and ready to be used in the next big meal.

But then there were the people in the kitchen itself. A half dozen maids, all but one of them demi-human, all working on tomorrow's breakfast. Cutting meat. Vegetables. Cheese. Potatoes for stew...

So yes. Six armed maids, and one standing next to me with a smile and sharpened fingernails, directing me to put do the bag of vegetables near the human maid with the cleaver who was shaving meat off a dried leg of some large animal.

It was here that Kaine, the elderly head maid walked into the kitchen. She was looking rather unhappy, but that just seemed to be the expression her narrow jaw and age had given her. "Persia, it's about time you found her."

My hands now free, I did my best bow, "Has Lady Miyu fallen asleep then? I was hoping to tell a story or two."

To the side, in the local language, I heard "This is why they don't send her out solo..."

"It's long past M'lady's bed time."

Kaine's grumpy face was directed to the ones speaking out, and they 'eep'ed and went silent, "I am assuming you are one of the ones here to help our friends clean up the streets here?" She asked.

"I am." I nodded, "It was my hope I could get along with the Lady of the City's bodyguards." I smiled, "The information I received about the Formal Clan was how diverse it was, as well as the talent of its maids."

We shared a very tight smile, "I hope you don't mind the interrogation. It's not our style to invite a spy into our house without a little... testing."

"And what would you ask then?" I replied, giving my best Akeno head tilt, "I know you don't work for the one I'm investigating, and we were sure you'd be sympathetic to our cause here."

Then things took a ninety degree turn when she replied, "If you are going to wear that uniform among us, you will prove you are worthy of it. Help with pre-breakfast preparation for tomorrow, and we will talk during morning tea time."

Suddenly not having to do something flashy like disarm the lady standing next to the dried meat, or catch a thrown cleaver or something, I blinked in surprise, "Very well?"

In my old life, I was about as 'undomestic' as one could get. I used a toaster oven and microwave on everything that wasn't peanut butter and jam. Used one plate, one set of cutlery, and washed it all after I'd eaten. The last stove I had in my apartment had spiders living in it! Back then... All I'd needed was a couple of wall sockets a little counter space and a sink.

Of course, my new life had taken a lot of those things away, and replaced them with others. Back then, I'd hardly have cared about it. But now?

This kitchen was primitive. And the sad thing? It was the Lady's home, and likely the pinnacle of modern 'technology' in this world for kitchens. Oh wait, let's use the old name and call it a scullery. Water was taken from a well that the kitchen had been built around. It needed to be boiled before getting near the food. Wood was used for the stoves. The stoves were clay brick (nice clay bricks mind you) and slate topped. Ventilation was... just barely adequate for the six of us in here.

My creative soul was screaming at all the little inefficiencies that I saw yet could do little about without bringing in a work crew and fixing it. About the only thing that I didn't want to have a total table flip over was the food itself. Of course, that was because this was the Lady's Manor, and she'd be rich enough to have proper food, proper spice, and proper pots and pans to cook it all in.

But, I did my very very best not to spend my entire time in the kitchen pouting about how archaic it was. Thankfully, I didn't do any actual cooking myself. Being 'the new girl' I was given the manual tasks of hauling water and moving stuff around.

Finally though, all the 'leave on stove to keep warm' tasks were done, and all but the 'putting on plates' for breakfast chores were ready.

Tasks done, I followed the Maids out of the scullery and into the building proper. Hardly out of the (poor excuse for a) kitchen, three fresh (wide awake with spring in their step) Maids went right back in.

In an effort to be nice and proper, and take my mind off just how terrible that kitchen was, I asked Persia (who was in mid yawn), "Might I ask... now what?"

Like a cat who had been booped in mid yawn, she snapped back to attention, "Nya? Oh, well, we're the night shift, so we usually have a bath, then a nap." She looked down at her uniform, the once pure white fabric a bit soot covered, "Exchange uniforms too."

I looked to my own outfit, and since it was basically for 'cosplay' at the Manor, it didn't have the usual 'dungeon hazard' treatments. "Oh dear... I may need to borrow one. I didn't expect to be working in a kitchen before meeting with anyone important..."

The maids around me all looked up at me. Sigh... yes, I was taller than average here too. If any of them lent me a spare uniform it would range from 'obvious' to 'improper'.

But, through the magic of being the Head Maid, and thus exactly where she needed to be, when she needed to be there, Kaine intercepted us as we got within sight of the Maid's doom room (where I'd made clothes for everyone the last time I was here).

"I will lend you one of mine." She said. She was the tallest of those here, and just a little bit shorter than I was. "You have a candle mark until after breakfast tea."

Italica Noble House 'common' baths? 7/10.

It was a larger room with a wide circular pool in the middle meant for 'the staff' to use. I was only assuming here, but I was sure Miyu would have her own bath some place, that let them heat water in smaller amounts so she could bathe.

As for this room though... I was starting to wonder about the late Lord Formel. If this was the room for the Maids to bathe in, well, he certainly decorated it well. The stone floor was nice semi-polished stone, the walls were fully polished stone, it was well lit and heated with wide mouthed braziers, there were stylish Roman styles pillars and arches all over the place, an well done waterfall 'spout' for the water to come in... For this world, I would be surprised if anywhere but another noble's house had something better.

But why 7/10 you might ask?

Well, the water wasn't heated. It wasn't cold, but it was just over room temperature. While not a hot spring fanatic like Mikoto, I enjoyed hot baths. The soap was of questionable quality and very hard. The cloth was something close to what you'd use to get baked on food off a pan. It was a lot of little things that just made the experience a little unsatisfying.

At the end though, I suppose I'd give it a 7.5, since the towels were nice and floofy.

Of course, while in the bath with the others, I did a little girl watching. For example, Persia did indeed have spots. Lots of them actually! It was a little odd to think of how a purple haired leopard might have evolved, but there she was. Her fur did indeed cover her arms, most of her legs, but avoided the inner areas like the inner thighs and belly. Oh, like her hands, (hand shaped paws), her feet were also 'foot shaped paws'. They wouldn't fit into a standard shoe, and yes, she had claws on her toes.

Warrior Bunnies? Yup, also more 'feral' than the version we had in Orario. The hands weren't 'paws' like the cat-folk here, but did have thicker nails. Feet as well, and her legs and arms were covered in very short fur almost up to the hips/shoulders. Her ears were also more 'scruffy', but as part of the 'fuzzy ear' club, that was okay. The Orario Hume-Bunny were almost human looking aside from the tail and ears. Kaede did have thicker finger and toe nails, but they weren't nearly as effective looking as the Warrior Bunny here.

Of course, while I was satisfying my curiosity, the others in there with me were giving me the same sideways looks too...

"Nya... are you hurt?" Persia asked as she slipped into the big round tub in the middle to soak for a little while.

One thing I didn't take off were the arm wraps I'd put around my new tattoos. The thin battle cloth wraps were my compromise for not wearing my bracers as usual, but also there to keep my temporary ink protected and clean.

"Not at all." I replied, wishing the water was ten degrees warmer at the very least, "Simple protection for some tattoos I had done recently." I replied.

"Tattoo...?"

Oh dear...

"It's something like... a ritual scar. But done carefully with pins and ink."

The Warrior Bunny in the bath perked up, "Oh! I understand." She nodded, "It was an older custom to mark your skin for every warrior you killed." She held up one arm and brushed a hand against her fur to show the skin underneath a little, "It would pattern our fur, make it look almost like scales."

Persia stretched her nice fuzzy arms out, "I wouldn't do something like that." She laughed.

"You're colourful enough already." The only human in the bath sighed before looking at me, "Is it a difficult thing to do?"

"If done improperly, or not taken care of after, it can cause you to get very sick." I said seriously, "So, I am taking care of it properly." I lifted my own arms out of the water, inwardly grumbling that the air was warmer than the water. "But, I think it's time to get dressed again."

"Are you going to be okay without a nap?" Persia asked, her eyes following me as I stood and went for a super fluffy towel.

"It might disappoint people back home, but I can go days without sleep if I have to." I smiled.

"Hardly like a cat at all then." One of the Warrior Bunnies laughed, "Persia can't seem to stay away without four naps a day."

"Grr I'm just making sure I'm rested!" She pouted, "After waiting all night I'm really sleepy too..."

"That's your fault for using such transparent cover." The same one who'd commented on that before said.

I felt a little bad for her, so I made a token effort to rescue her from all the teasing, "Truth be told, I'm far better at being an enforcer, than a spy." I smiled over my shoulder, "I think the only difference is the planning, not the person."

Of course, the very instant I'd captured my tail and patted it dry, Kaine stepped into the bath, exactly as perfect as she was before our bath, and said, "Clean? Good. Come along."

"Tsk.. It will have to do." Kaine said testily as she did one last orbit around me. "You're tall, and have shoulders like a Warrior Bunny. Sadly only my height is a close match for you."

"My visit so far has been a marvel of revelations on how similar, yet different we are." I said as I tried not to wiggle my shoulders to ease the tightness. It didn't help that this world hadn't figured out much in the way of 'bras'. I'd been given a 'shift', a simple thin tank-top that kept my breasts from the rougher cloth of the uniform itself. Just another thing that this world was a bit behind on it seemed.

Of course, two of the wagons we brought had clothes, so maybe some future generation in this world would have 'the sport bra'.

Kaine was tactful enough to 'not notice' my discomfort, instead commenting on my 'other stuff'. "You'll understand we can't allow your other equipment while in the presence of our Lady."

"So long as no one opens any of the vials, there will be no issue." I said seriously, "And that I know where they are, so I may take them with me when I leave."

"Are they dangerous?"

"Potentially."

"I will keep them in my personal quarters then." She nodded, "After tea, we will discuss what we know of the current problem. Until then, I expect your best behaviour."

"Of course." I nodded, "As a guest, and representative for the adventurers of Orario, I bow to your rules."

She dusted off a little lint from my sleeve, and led the way.

What I expected, was Miyu, a maid or two, maybe a guard at each door, and a nice little table with tea.

What I got, was a tiny (but nice) gazebo meeting in the tiny (but exceptionally well cared for) garden behind the keep. The walls of the keep, and the guards on it, were well within bow range. There were at least a half dozen guards on patrol inside the walls, near enough to run and offer aid if need be to Lady Miyu, and! There was a JSDF Humvee (not the Itami-mobile) parked near the stables that were just within sight of the gazebo.

Still got the maid or two and Miyu though. But the message was quite clear. I was 'doing service' for the JSDF and the Empire, but I was still a Mercenary. Another thing to note, as I sat down at the nice polished marble table, was the tea cart was behind Miyu, and thus watched over by Mamina, the orange haired Warrior Bunny. This put even the butter knife under guard, and the table clear of anything but a very nice pair of teacups and saucers.

Sure, to any experienced adventurer, if they wanted to kill Miyu, who was just an adorable teenager it would hardly be an issue... But again, they were doing the best they could with what they had. I could respect that.

So, I stopped looking for the hidden snipers (there was one, I was sure, on the farthest wall tower in sight of the gazebo, who would have been able to cover about eighty percent of the little field we were in), and sat down once Miyu had put down her teacup and motioned for me to sit.

"Good morning." She greeted, with Mamina repeating it in Japanese, "I'm glad you could- oh?"

To save Mamina, and likely Kaine (since she'd remained behind me to act as 'guard' and 'translator') I decided to show off just a tiny bit, and reveal one of the cards I held, so to speak. I put my hand up just a little to interrupt, then said, "There is no need, Lady Miyu, for a translator." I smiled, politely ignoring the surprise of Miyu and Mamina, "Thank you very much for allowing me this private audience."

Even so young, she was professional, and the surprise from hearing me speak in 'Imperial Basic' or what ever it was called, was off her face in an instant, "When Miss Kaine said that one of the adventurers visiting us wished to tell me a story, I could hardly contain my curiosity." She sipped her tea, (thereby giving me 'permission' to sip my own) (8/10, at least this world could do proper tea).

"Then, I will tell you the first story." I said as I put my teacup down, "Of the monsters, the Gods, and the tower of Babel."

NOTES!

Oddly, writing 'espionage' is like writing combat. Just quieter. Dense text, slow going, not much fun. Anyhow. :) Now that everyone is on the Other Side of the Gate, we can start hunting down baddies. See you all in five days.

Daeore on Ko-fi for art and to support me if you want.

Daeore on Inkitt (for that book I hope people read, Were Too?)

And now on Discord, aKAQg4bnYu (with all kinds of sorted channels and everything!)

And Azur lane, Kodori (Washington server) 268452286 for my guild there. :) Or even if you're in a guild, be my friend. My friend list is very sad...