"Why is no one here, meow?"
"If everyone is skipping work together, then who's going to do the morning shift, meow?"
Just as Anya gradually realized that there really was no one in the tavern...
And wondered if she should also sneak away...
*Thump.*
*Thump.*
*Thump.*
A series of heavy footsteps approached.
Anya's tail instantly tucked between her legs, her whole body froze, and she stiffly turned her neck toward the kitchen curtain.
She saw.
A large hand had already pulled back the curtain.
Then.
—The [little giant]!
Mia Grand!
That figure, as tall as an iron tower and filled with an overwhelming sense of pressure, walked out from the kitchen.
Mia was wearing her signature apron and holding a dripping wet rag.
"Anya."
Seeing the tavern empty of everyone except Anya, Mia's voice was very low.
Like the muffled thunder before a storm.
"G-Good morning, meow! Mama Mia!"
Anya was so scared she quickly stood at attention and gave a non-standard salute, her voice trembling.
"Where are the others?"
Mia scanned the empty kitchen.
Her gaze swept over the uncut potatoes, the unwashed plates, and the dough that hadn't finished rising.
"I won't even mention Syr and Ryu."
"But those two, Chloe and Lunoire."
"Did they actually skip work collectively today?"
After saying that.
Mia's face was instantly covered in dark clouds.
Those murderous eyes fell upon Anya.
She suddenly wrung out the wet rag in her hand.
"Th-They..."
Hearing the sturdy rag make a 'creak' in Mama Mia's hands, as if it were someone's neck.
Anya felt like she was about to cry from fear.
How was she supposed to know!
She had just woken up and come for the morning shift; how did the world change so much?
The entire tavern was suddenly left with just her, one cat.
This was too much of a cat-trap!
"Meow, meow doesn't know, meow!"
Anya clutched her head and let out a wail.
"Could it be that Chloe and Lunoire ran away, meow?!"
"Ran away?"
"If they dare."
"If I find them, they'll have a bitter price to pay."
After saying that.
Mia slammed her fist directly onto the nearby cutting board.
A fist-print appeared directly on that thick oak board.
Anya stood there trembling in fear.
Then.
Mia lowered her head and looked at Anya, who was still standing there.
"Speaking of which."
"What are you still standing here for?"
"Since they aren't here."
"Then this morning's work."
"You're doing all of it alone!"
"Eh?"
"Eeehhh—?!!!!!!!"
As soon as those words came out, Anya's scream instantly pierced through the thick oak door, startling several stray cats rummaging through trash cans in the alley outside.
...
Meanwhile.
Shifting perspective back.
North Street, high-end residential area.
Compared to Anya's tragic situation at the tavern, the atmosphere inside the Heimdall mansion was much more harmonious and subtle.
Sunlight spilled through the central courtyard into the hall.
Heimdall was in a quite good mood.
After all.
Following Ryu.
His mansion had once again gained two new pieces of free labor.
Although he wasn't sure how long these fellows could last.
Having them was better than nothing.
"Alright."
"Since everything has been handled."
"Then next..."
"It is time for us to attend to serious business."
Heimdall clapped his hands, drawing the attention of all the girls watching from the second-floor railing.
There was no need for much eye contact.
Rin, Kikakujuo Mary, Hanasaka Warabi, and Tamaba Satori, who were peeking over the second-floor railing, realized what the'serious business' was after hearing Heimdall's words, and their eyes instantly lit up.
After all.
After the high-intensity baptism of the Dungeon yesterday.
What they looked forward to most upon waking up today.
Was undoubtedly—
—Updating their Falna!
...
Thus.
Second floor, master bedroom.
The door was gently closed.
The heavy curtains were half-drawn, leaving only a soft beam of light hitting the floor diagonally, where tiny dust motes could be seen dancing in the light.
Heimdall sat in a chair.
Inaba Tsukuyo slowly walked to the couch in front of Heimdall, turned around, and faced away from him.
With those slender hands that looked like they might break with a little force.
She placed her fingertips on the sash at her waist.
Her clothes slid down.
Revealing a back so white it was almost transparent.
One could even clearly see the pale blue veins under the skin and her overly thin shoulder blades.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"