Eden woke up from her slumber in her small but comfortable room located in the Pocket Castle. While the seraph didn't need to sleep as much as the average human or even as much as most monsters, she still needed to rest and to eat to recover her energy, and she also had come to appreciate those moments of tranquility when they were available. On that matter, she decided to go make a detour by the dining room. Since it was still early in the morning, she was unlikely to cross path with most monsters, as most of them were late sleepers because of their nightly activities.

Indeed, when she reached the place, there were only one or two sleepy monsters present, as well as several angels. However, the members of the latter group looked particularly sullen. Eden frowned, as her imagination already came to the most logical conclusion.

"What is it? Did monsters cause you trouble again?"

"No… But the kitchen is out of cake and ice cream…"

Eden shrugged. "Ask them to do more for us. They have no reason to refuse!"

"They told that they didn't have the ingredients to do it, and even then, they said they had higher priorities for their use…"

The seraph started fuming. "What?! What does it even mean?! Don't they know sweets is what helps angels go through their working days in this hopeless world?"

The angels recoiled in front of the seraph's anger.

"They said they were more selective on their purchases and on the resources uses because of financial restrictions..." One of the angel soldier managed to word out the truth to their leader.

"Financial restrictions! What a poor excuse do they use to oppress us once again! I will personally see what is the real reason behind this farce!"

Eden left the place, ready to fight those that made her kin suffer needlessly.

Mephisto was in the conference room, accompanied by Radio, Promestein, and a pair of angel soldiers. The large table they were working on was covered with heaps of papers that somehow remained perfectly organized in the chaos of people moving stacks around, even as they apparently kept randomly grabbing and placing away sheets with a method invisible to the untrained eye. With the hero on the road, someone had to manage the castle's accounting, and, as the unofficial regent, Mephisto was the one unfortunate enough to end up responsible for the task. Fortunately, she also had managed to gather steadfast support from several angels who had worked in libraries. And they were indeed making her work much easier and faster.

Of course, just like anytime she was involved in a long, deep task that required focus, someone came to interrupt her train of thoughts for petty reasons. This time, it took the shape of a nude, indignant seraph glaring at the workers as she entered the room. Both angel soldiers bowed, while Promestein cared as much as the yoma and the machine, and didn't even interrupt herself in her current work.

"What's this?! I learned that you removed several of the more heavenly plates of the menu?! Is it an attempt to weaken our sweet-loving kin to exterminate us later?!"

Mephisto sighed, and took a second to cross her hands in front of her mouth as she leaned forward. "This is not specifically aimed at you, or at angels in general. Everyone is affected. We're currently starting to take a few measures to cut the most excessively expensive leisure before we're forced into bankruptcy. The chests we filled during our adventures are emptying fast, as not everybody is always on the road to fight bandits and help the orphan and the widow. -Not that it is a possibility in the first place, there are only so many people that need such an help anyway-. And unfortunately for every gourmet in the castle, upgrading equipment and more basic consumables are considered a higher priority than marriage cakes as it currently stands." She glanced at Eden. "So I apologize, but unless you intend to chip in, there will be fewer sweet items on the menu."

Eden's eyes narrowed. "We already helped the world a great deals by relentlessly fighting monsters. What more can we do for its inhabitants?"

"Actually, a lot of monsters, humans and even several angels have taken jobs in the society." Upon noticing the seraph's inquisitive gaze, Mephisto realized her interlocutor might have never felt the need to learn more about human work. "They accomplish tasks in a given domain where they have pertinent skills in exchange for money."

"Really? What kind of jobs are we talking about? Because I will not stoop myself on the level of those harlots that prostitute themselves."

"Well, for example, Kitsu does some carpentry work at the Navy's shipyard."

The seraph sneered. "I'm not a lowly monster, who toils like a slave! I am on par with royalty!"

"Alrauna is involved in pharmaceutical research and regularly sells some of her own flowers for a whole range of application."

"Disgusting. Those monsters always offer themselves. The only difference here is the part of her body she sells."

"Laura is a regular performer at the Grandeur theater…"

"I do not live to entertain the population like a clown. A seraph shouldn't make a spectacle of herself."

But it's mostly because you have the singing voice of a drunken banshee.

"…Even Morrigan sells her service as a bodyguard. An actual bodyguard I mean, and she does that on the principle that nobody would mess with one of the infamous Lilith Sisters, which is entirely right." Mephisto continued writing down several numbers. "And she's actually quite in high demand even with her prohibitive cost and her agressive reputation. Yes, I have difficulties believing it either, but it doesn't change my initial point: Our food charges alone keep several agricultural villages afloat at the expense of our own treasury, and we cannot rely on adventuring alone to pay for every one of our items."

Eden was left dumbfounded. As despicable as the yoma was, the latter had a point. When they fell on this world, her fellow angels had to work hard to get the resources required to build the village of Snow Heaven up, and they had to trade products with the outside world to get what they needed. Luckily for them, the concentration of magic on the Snow Continent allowed them to craft quality magic drugs that allowed their consumers to recover mana fast, and the demand had always been so strong they never really missed money since then. Besides, she always let Ranael deal with most of the issues.

"May I suggest travelling a little through the world to see how you could put your skills to good use in peace time? It is a pretty vast place, and my only suggestions are that you cover yourself first and then take a look at Grandeur. Between the theater and the smith's guild, you may find something up your alley."

Eden nodded and left the room, indifferent to the yoma's cold gaze. Once the door closed, Promestein got close to Mephisto.

"What have you unleashed on the world…"

"Even Spider Princess got a job as an expert seamstress. Do you really think a seraph like that will be that bad just because she's utterly devoted to Ilias?"

"She's even less versed into the ways of the world than me, lacks any sort of critical thinking, and has an ego the size of the inner sea. I wouldn't be surprised if she accidentally ends up helping the mafia, thinking she's following the orders of the Goddess."

"Oh come on, what's the worst that could happen?"

Everybody looked silently at Mephisto, who instantly regretted her outburst.

"I jinxed it didn't I?"

A few minutes later, Eden was standing in front of the city of Grandeur, dressed in a green toga that wasn't unlike her Angel World counterpart. None of the local inhabitants blinked twice in front of the arrival of the seraph, surprising her ever so slightly. Those people should have felt honored to be in her presence before starting to bow respectfully, and yet… She was treated just like another traveler.

While her ego was slightly wounded by the lack of acknowledgement, a more rational part of her came to appreciate being incognito and not asked on a regular basis for guidance. She took a moment to consider the options available in front of her. Going to look for a job at the theater was out of the question. Not wanting to expose herself to the public's judgmental eye was only a part of the problem. In reality, her artistic skills were completely non-existent compared to her sisters, something that only reminded her of how inferior and inadequate she had been compared to them.

Eventually, she made her way to the smith's guild. Maybe she could find something more fitting for her there…

When she entered the place, the man at the counter seemed slightly impressed, but mostly uncomfortable.

"Can I help you for anything?"

"I am looking for an occasion to share my endless knowledge in the domains of metal crafting!"

"Okay. Do you have references?"

"Only the Goddess Ilias herself."

"…Are you looking into an apprenticeship then?"

"I have no need to learn!"

The man awkwardly nodded, not knowing what to do with this.

"Oookay, so I will see if the current master is available."

The man left behind the counter left to enter a room from which metallic noises echoed. Eden could not hear what was discussed, but a minute later, a familiar face emerged, surprising the seraph.

"Victoria?!"

The valkyrie reflexively kneeled. She was out of her armor, and was instead wearing a thick leather apron over her leotard. Her long white hairs were attached in a braid, and she was covered in a mix of ashes and soot.

"What are you doing here? Don't we already have a smith back on the Snow Continent?"

"A warrior should learn to care for her own weapons. I only wanted to train myself in the craft, and was even given the opportunity to do it while earning additional funds."

"I see. I considered practicing myself to help those in need of equipment and to help fund the hero in his support of Ilias."

The war angel gasped in surprise. "I would advise you against it. This work is hard and ungrateful. Only the greatest of masters get any recognition, and this physical, repetitive labor is below the seraph who had led us during so long."

Eden pondered the words of her subordinate for a long moment. The valkyrie decided to delicately push the seraph in another direction.

"May I suggest consulting the scholars in San Ilia? Someone who lived with Ilias for so long could answer a lot of questions about the Goddess and help them better orient the faith after all."

"I see. Ilias has enlightened you so that you could guide me. In that case, I shall see them by myself to see what help can I bring."

Victoria sighed once Eden had left. She felt so bad for manipulating her leader like that… She came back and saw Izuna and Love & Lamb waiting for her. All three of them were wearing the same attire as her, and were carrying different tools.

"Please not a word."

Izuna leaned on the side. "Do you really think she would not have made for a good smith?"

"I do not doubt her skills. Only the idea that she would be fine with learning with and from monsters."

"In that case, we thank you for handling her. Anyway, we were just waiting for you to return to continue. Papi wants to be sure everyone follows her lessons."

The small, purplish dragonkin clapped in her hands twice. "Everyone! Gather around!"

They regrouped around her like students around a demonstration.

"So a metallic whip is first and foremost a chain made of assembled alternated links with a handle…"

Barely a few minutes later, Eden was standing in front of San Ilia thanks to the use of a harpy feather. She snarled, as she hated the idea to rely upon monsters, even if it was only a small, non-living part of one of them. She felt a kinship with the inhabitants of this city, as they were the ones the most aware of the dangers of monsters and didn't welcome them with open arms. If only the other fools would follow accordingly…It was no time for questionning or crusading.

She made her way through the place, while the guards not so discreetly checked her out. As a companion of the hero Luka, she was let in the castle without question. Once she reached the library's large bookshelves, a scholar instantly asked her if she needed anything.

"I should be the one asking you this question." Upon noticing her interlocutor's surprised expression, she added more. "I was told that you could use some help in making your work about the life of the goddess as precise and as praiseworthy as they should be."

The scholar enthusiastically responded. "Ah yes! You're one of the angels from the Snow Continent that joined the hero Luka! We always wanted to interview you, but we always thought you never had the time since the hero was always busy saving the world! Naturally, I wouldn't mind hearing out more from someone who lived under the goddess!"

Eden gave a small smile. She enjoyed being acknowledged, but, once again, she was known as someone who had supported the hero in his adventures, not as the first servant of Ilias as she should have been.

"What do you want to know about the Light of Lights?"

The man repositioned his glasses, vaguely reminding her of Promestein.

"Well first, I'd like to know more about the goddess herself. Are the representations of her true enough?"

"They're passable. Representing the goddess is fine, but they do not match her grace."

The scholar blinked twice upon hearing the stiff answer. Maybe she was just tense. "So let us get started on her history, then…"

(…)

"As I said, Ilias had only brought down her judgment to the king named Marius because he was repeatedly consorting with all sort of monsters! They would have brought ruins to the kingdom of Noah!"

The scholar desperately nodded. A few hours after the beginning of the interview, he was starting to get worried about his future survival and his career. It was clear that the seraph's knowledge of Ilias was only exceeded by her fanaticism to her word. The information he had gathered were interesting at first, but upon realizing the extreme bias the seraph had for anything the goddess had been doing through history, he was taking every one of the words he transcribed with a grain of salt.

"Do you really think she had done so for anything less than the good of humanity?"

And unfortunately, the smallest slip of the tongue, the smallest remark that put her into a questionable light started the seraph on an absolutely devastating rant, which, with time, threatened to go physical.

Fortunately, an escape presented itself, passing by innocently and not yet aware of the responsibility that would be pushed upon him. He turned toward the seraph again.

"You're right. And you are so passionate in your arguments! Maybe you should preach her word instead!"

Eden slightly calmed down. She considered the offer laid in front of her. "Maybe. But don't you have more questions about the one true goddess?"

"Oh, don't worry! You already answered most of them! I'll see to set a payment for your services!" He gestured toward the priest. "Maximilian! We have been blessed with an angel of Ilias who want to spread her word!"

"Really?"

Eden suddenly felt uncomfortable in front of the priest's shining eyes. There was a light that she recognized all too well, even after so many years of isolation…

"A-actually, I'm her most trusted advisor…"

"It's even better! Come with me and let us talk about the goddess…" He slowly brought the seraph out of the library.

As soon as the duo left, the scholar sighed. One of his fellows called out to him.

"Are you sure it's a good idea? We already have enough problems with that guy." He took a sarcastic tone and made a ridiculously outraged expression. "You shall follow the old commandments! You shall not have intercourse with monsters! Monsters are the source of all evil in this world! And then in reality, he… I mean did you see how he looked at her?"

The scholar shrugged. "Not my problem."

"Damn it, it doesn't match again…"

Mephisto grimaced as she looked at the final balance sheet. Promestein looked over her shoulder.

"And not by a little. There should be five hundred forty eight thousand, two hundred and seventy-six more gold coins in our treasury than what we have. That's enough to equip three parties in rainbow gear and feed them for a month long adventure."

The yoma slowly exhaled while wallowing on her chair. "This is ridiculous. I managed a university, the Monster Lord's castle for a time, and even after several decades, I never had an annual discrepancy reaching more than a few hundred golds. And we get that… abomination on one month." She brought a hand to her chin. "Did we miss something?"

Promestein shook her head negatively. "We all rechecked several times. We all came to the same result down to the last number."

"No erROr detectED. SuggesTIOn: DevIAtion of funds by a rEsidenT of thE PockEt CastLE."

Mephisto pinched the bridge of her nose. As much as it displeased her to hear that, Radio was more than likely right. "Great. We only have about three hundred possible suspects to interrogate. And I'm sure the thief will tell us as soon as we ask if they're the one responsible."

"That might not be necessary." Promestein repositioned her glasses, making them eerily shine in the process. "Remind me. Who does have a direct access to the treasury?"

"Luka, me, Sonya, almost every queen class monster within a given limit, same for the human lords… Even then, that makes for quite a number of people and I don't feel like offending them. Besides, they're all conscious of what's at stake and certainly wouldn't steal from our coffers. I even remember that some of them did inject some funds to help us -with conditions, of course, but easily fulfillable ones at that."

"Is that all?"

Mephisto's eyes narrowed as she started growing weary of the angel scientist's game, as well as of her growing smug smile. "Some people are given special authorizations when they manage important operations. That includes the four bandits since Papi import smiting material and Vanilla manages a shop as well as our food stocks, but they're overseen by Salamander who's honest to a fault. There's also Saki since she gives shows, Lazarus since he's part of the mafia and a keystone in our information network, but he ironically never took a single coin, and of course the one who manages our informant network itself…"

Mephisto stopped herself and slowly deflated, her shoulders slumping. Of course, it was so natural for her to invest in a good spy network that she never considered that the current responsible could do anything else with the funds allocated to her operations… Until she remembered what she was also known for. "Amiraaaaaa..."

"And who's Amira working with?"

The yoma turned pathetically toward Promestein. It reminded her of the too frequent times where she castigated a student in public by forcing them to make obvious connections to answer an easy question. She definitively deserved that for not taking care of the issue earlier. "Evaaaaa."

"So where's the money?"

"All burned into a harebrained scheeeeeeeme. Agaaaaaain." Mephisto cleared her throat noisily as she reassumed a more dignified posture. "Or into a vanity project, not that it matters anyway. I wish they were as responsible as the Four Bandits, but instead, they're pretty much forcing everyone to work more to compensate." She shivered. "And we unwillingly supported them. We pushed everyone to work to help keep the castle afloat. This last information better not escape the room or we're toast. And now… How can we deal with that sham of a duo without compromising ourselves?"

She pulled her wand and perambulated through the room, fiddling with it. After a moment, she stopped and looked at the quartet that had just helped her.

"I have an idea."

The angels hid themselves in front of the devious light present in the yoma's eyes.