> Kira PoV

We each take a seat in the living room. I’m on the sofa, Ellie is to my right and Kelly is to my left. I’ve asked the kids to stay out of here for a while. Seeing how Ariel is bowing on one knee while looking at the floor, I have a feeling something very stupid is about to take place.

“Now then, Ariel-” (Kira)

“Yes, Mistress!?” (Ariel)

“Please don’t interrupt me like that.” (Kira)

“My deepest apologies, Mistress! This one will engrave your words onto her heart!” (Ariel)

I massage my temples in exasperation.

“What in blazes have ya gone and done this time, Red?” (Kelly)

“She said something about a life debt and pledging herself to my service…” (Kira)

“Well, you’ve gone and done it now. You know these guys are all prideful and honor-bound, right? They’re way worse than someone like Brand. She’s going to follow after you whether you like it or not.” (Kelly)

“Yes, I got that impression. For now let’s just focus on getting this over with.” (Kira)

Kelly rolls her eyes and leans back in the sofa. Well, that sort of attitude is why I normally exclude her from these interviews, but she’s much more familiar with Ariel’s people than I am. She seemed rather prejudiced against them, now that I think about it… I’ll deal with that later if need be.

I turn back to Ariel and clear my throat.

“Alright, for starters, show me your Adventurer’s Card.” (Kira)

“Yes, Mistress!” (Ariel)

She reaches into her clothes and hands me her card. Hey. That’s a Rank A card, isn’t it? That golden border around the edges of the card means it’s a Rank A card, doesn’t it!? I nervously take it from her.

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Name: Ariel Noko

Titles: Beacon of Enuri, Yellow Sage

Team: None

Position: Support

Rank: A

Perk: Free Pass

Status: Active

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Yep! Rank A! What’s going on!? Is this real? It’s turning red in my hands, so it's definitely real!

Okay, calm down Kiressara! You can’t show weakness here! Break down the problem into smaller problems and deal with those! First, that unknown title!

“What is the meaning of this [Beacon of Enuri] title?” (Kira)

“This one is a sister in the Church of Enuri in addition to being an adventurer. The Church and the Guild have both recognized this one as a missionary of Enuri.” (Ariel)

She’s from the church, huh? Ellie did say she healed herself with magic, right?! This… isn’t this a good chance? If we had her around then we wouldn’t need to rely on Nano’s limited reserves of medicine or those awful-tasting potions! Also if she made it to Rank A, then she should have considerable skill!

“Okay, what about you being the [Yellow Sage]? I didn’t hear about you until rather recently.” (Kira)

Rumors and gossip about famous adventurers spread quickly, so it’s odd that we didn’t catch wind of her sooner.

“This one has been the [Yellow Sage] for several years, but this one was active within the City State Alliance until recently.” (Ariel)

I see. If she’s from outside the country, then that makes sense. The Adventurer’s Guild may be an organization without borders, but that doesn’t mean information flows freely.

“So then, why did you choose a Free Pass?” (Kira)

This Perk of hers is pretty unusual though, isn’t it? I mean, it’s a special privilege awarded to Rank A adventurers by the guild. There’s about a dozen of these to choose from and the guild will do its best to accommodate. It’s one of the main incentives to break through the wall of Rank B.

“It may be called the City States Allience, but each of the 15 cities thinks itself independent. This one wished to travel and spread the Light of Enuri, therefore a Free Pass was most convenient.” (Ariel)

I see. If you think of each city as a nation, then you would have to go through many border checks. Having a Free Pass means they just wave you through checkpoints and the guild will bear full responsibility for any consequences. Although, this only applies to places that actually recognize the Adventurer’s Guild as a trustworthy organization

“Are you really not part of a team?” (Kira)

“This one’s former team, [The Quartet] was disbanded on order of the Court Wizard.” (Ariel)

“H-how long ago did that happenl?” (Kira)

“Just under six months, Mistress.” (Ariel)

As I thought. That’s around the time we retrieved that Band of Domination from the Monster Hole. If I knew what it was, then that whole mess with the Court Wizard and the Elder Dragon could’ve been avoided! Either way, I don't need this fact coming back to bite me later, so let’s get this one out of the way!

“You do know it was basically my fault the Court Wizard got his hands on that ring and put you in that situation, right?” (Kira)

“Mistress is too kind. Mistress is not at fault for the actions of that lowly piece of trash that would presume itself to be above her!” (Ariel)

“She has a point. That old fart would have still done something bad, regardless of what we did.” (Ellie)

“Really, Ellie? You don’t have any problems with this girl?” (Kira)

“She is sincere in her wish to serve Kira with all her might. It’s not something bad, right?” (Ellie)

“But she creeped you out, didn’t she?” (Kira)

“Her head was full of weird things. Not bad, just strange. But it seemed to calm down when she met you.” (Ellie)

It seems she passed the Ellie Test. That was unexpected! I was counting on Ellie rejecting her so that I wouldn’t have to accept this!

“It is true. This one was searching for Mistress for so long that this one became desperate when she recognized Mistress's chosen one from the rumors. That desperation vanished when this one was able to pledge her life properly to her one and only Mistress!” (Ariel)

“... Shouldn’t you be trying to reconnect with your old comrades instead?” (Kira)

“Those people are scum! They did not even question this one’s abnormal behavior, unlike Mistress who discerned the truth with but a glance! The worthless trash that abandoned me are not worthy of even licking the dirt beneath Mistress’s feet!” (Ariel)

“Ugh!” (Kira)

I recoiled slightly at those venomous words! Seems she’s holding a sizable grudge!

“Okay Red. What did you do?” (Kelly)

“What did I do?” (Kira)

“These bird-folk may be honor bound, but they're way too full of themselves. This one, on the other hand, practically worships you! It’s way too extreme!” (Kelly)

“Um… okay? But it’s a life debt thing, so isn’t this normal?” (Kira)

“Kira, listen to me. A life debt is a sentence to these arrogant bastards! Their honor and pride demand they serve faithfully until they pay it back, but that doesn’t mean they have to like it! Most avians look down on other species, so a life debt to someone from another race is considered a mark of great shame! They will turn on those they serve the instant they feel it’s been repaid!” (Kelly)

“Hoh ho! Is that so?” (Kira)

I instantly become suspicious. Ellie’s mind-reading may be reliable, but it isn’t flawless. She said so herself. Let's probe her with some questions, that way the truth will be revealed. Ariel still won’t look me in the eye and is staring steadfastly at the floor, so I need to put some pressure on her.

I get up from my seat and stand in front of her with arms crossed while staring down at the back of her head. As if sensing my gaze, she seems to tremble slightly. Is she hiding something after all? I have to be firm here!

“Planning to betray me, are you?” (Kira)

“This one would not dare! This one would rather slit her own throat than betray her Mistress!” (Ariel)

“Then tell me this - how do you actually feel about me?” (Kira)

“Mistress is this one’s only reason for being! Mistress’s words are laws that this one will happily and faithfully adhere to no matter the cost!” (Ariel)

“See!? That sort of groveling behavior towards us ‘ground-monkeys’ is unheard of!” (Kelly)

“Really now? And how does Ariel feel about Kelly?” (Kira)

“Is she the one who wears the invincible armament known as Scrappy?” (Ariel)

‘Invincible armament’ huh? I throw a side glance at Kelly, but she averts her eyes. Looks like she’s been bragging a bit too much.

“Yes, that’s her.” (Kira)

“Someone who is able to stand on the same level as Mistress is without question above this one in the pecking order.” (Ariel)

“Pecking order? Really?” (Kira)

“It's a custom of this one’s culture, Mistress.” (Ariel)

“Never mind. Then what about Ellie and my daughters?” (Kira)

“As the Mistress’s chosen one and precious offspring, they are irreplacable existences that this incompetent one must strive to protect at any and all cost!” (Ariel)

I glance back at Ellie, exchanging a few knowing looks. Seems she isn’t lying so far. I still can’t say I trust her though.

“Nano, thoughts?” (Kira)

{She seems sincere enough to me and she sounds like she could be an asset. In short, no objections.}

“Ellie?” (Kira)

“No objections.” (Ellie)

To be honest, at this point other than her behavior I have no real objections either.

“Kelly?” (Kira)

“I don’t know. I don’t like these guys on principle, but her way of thinking is clearly different. Which is a good thing, mind you. The life debt thing sounds like an excuse, though. Did you ask her the real reason why she’s pledging herself like this?” (Kelly)

“Good question! Answer it!” (Kira)

“When Mistress faced this one in battle, Mistress grabbed this unworthy one's head and thoroughly incapacitated this one with a masterful display of magic! That forceful spell resounded right to this one’s very core! It was the first time this one had been so thoroughly and completely shown her rightful place - right at her Mistress’s feet! Hnnnn!” (Ariel)

When I disabled her with a short-range [Shock] spell? It may be painful, but surely not that big a deal, right?

“And when this one was then forced to assume an eye level unbefitting of this one’s station, she was immediately dragged through the dirt, bound and abandoned! A just and deserving punishment for her crime! Haaah, haah!" (Ariel)

Wait, she means when Kelly knocked her out from mid-flight and I shackled her with Earth magic? That's just natural when subduing a criminal, isn’t it?

“And then, after months of fruitless and desperate searching for her Mistress, this one dared to approach her without permission and was once again- Hnng! - punished!” (Ariel)

“You ran face-first into my spell all on your own!” (Kira)

Her breathing is getting even more ragged. I can't see her face but her skin is tinting ever so slightly red. Is she… getting excited from that? Ack! Ellie is hiding behind the couch now! So this is what she meant by weird thoughts!

“No good. This girl is no good! She’s completely not right in the head!” (Kira)

“Hahnnn! This is so! This one deserves to be punished! Please Mistress! Thoroughly grind this lowly servant under Mistress’s magnificent heel!” (Ariel)

She drops on all fours and starts groveling at my feet again!

“Eugh! No! Stay away from me! Don’t come near me, you perverted freak!” (Kira)

“Hnnnn! Please! Mistress! This one deserves to be punished!” (Ariel)

“Your application is denied! Completely and absolutely DEEEENIED!” (Kira)

“Haauuuu! To show a glimmer of hope before crushing it completely! As expected of this one’s Mistress!” (Ariel)

“GAAH! Ellie! Kelly! Help me out here!” (Kira)

“Kira’s fault.” (Ellie)

“Ellie’s right. Whether you wanted to or not, you’re clearly the one who broke her..” (Kelly)

No, I have a feeling she was already like this when we found her!

{Kira, it would be dangerous to reject her like this. She’s unstable. She’s liable to hurt herself.}

“So you’re saying we should take her in despite how rotten her head is?!” (Kira)

“Guh! Mistreesss!” (Ariel)

“I said don’t touch me!”

*STOMP*

“AAAARGH!” (Ariel)

She grabbed my ankle and I freaked out! I stomped on her hand! This isn’t good! This is definitely not good!

“Yes! Punish this one for she has been disrespectful towards her Mistress!” (Ariel)

Yep! It was definitely not good!

“Be quiet! I order you to sit there and be quiet!” (Kira)

“Hnn! Haah. Y-yes, Mistress…” (Ariel)

She resumes that same kneeling position she had before. I should have just done that from the start! Except that now she’s openly fidgeting and her breathing is getting rougher!

“No way! I cannot accept a deviant like this into this household! What if she has some weird influence on Sophie and Lara?” (Kira)

It was a good thing to have them wait outside. I don’t want them to see something like this!

“Red, sorry to burst your bubble, but when’s the last time you looked around?” (Kelly)

“... What?” (Kira)

“I’m a one armed violent alcoholic. Ellie’s a psychopath from another world. Nano’s an invisible peeper with a penchant for explosions. You’re a woman-shaped walking cataclysm.” (Kelly)

“...” (Kira)

“And while this bird-brain gets excited when you ‘punish’ her, she’s still a missionary of the church! Objectively speaking, she’s probably the most respectable adult around here! Sweet Steelmother I’m defending a perverted canary! I need a drink... I need ALL the drinks!” (Kelly)

She storms off out of the room and towards the kitchen. The silence in the room (apart from the heavy panting next to me) is rather deafening.

“Haah. I knew I was going to regret this. Nano, cuff her and introduce yourself. No explosions this time.” (Kira)

{You got it, boss lady.}

“Kira?” (Ellie)

“All three of you made very good points. So… she’s my responsibility. Once she’s cuffed she won’t bother you that much, right?” (Kira)

Ellie still refuses to turn off her mind-reading, but at least with the ear cuff she won’t have to listen to... that.

“... Thanks, Kira.” (Ellie)

“Mistress! Does that mean that this one is-” (Ariel)

“-is going to stay exactly where she is and keep quiet!” (Kira)

“Haah! As the Mistress, haah, commands! Huuhn!” (Ariel)

Nope! I can’t deal with this after all! I storm off towards the kitchen!

“Hey Kelly! Pour one for me too!” (Kira)

Today’s chapter brought to you by the letter M.