As long as her body did not shatter, she was a blade that would never lose its edge.
"As long as you like it."
Haimo shrugged.
He was just about to tease the newly crowned fastest leveler in the world a little more.
Knock, knock, knock.
Three exceptionally rhythmic knocks sounded.
Immediately afterward.
A flat, youthful voice came from outside the door.
"Lord Haimo."
"Someone is here."
"And..."
Tsukuyo Inaba paused, her brows drawing together slightly, as though she were trying to find the words to describe the other two voices.
"Besides the elf lady."
"Miss Shakti is here too, along with three other people."
"Other people?"
Ryu coming to fulfill her agreement was expected.
But this early in the morning.
Besides Ryu.
Who else would come here as a group to make their presence known?
At that moment.
Outside the front gates of the Haimo Familia residence.
The morning air carried a hint of chill.
The street in this upscale residential district of Orario was so quiet that only the calls of early birds could be heard in the distance.
However.
Right in front of those imposing wrought-iron gates.
An exceptionally subtle pantomime was playing out.
Ryu stood before the gates.
She wore the lace-trimmed maid outfit she had brought from the tavern.
Even the accessory on her head was perfectly straight.
Although she was accustomed to wearing this outfit in the tavern.
Standing before these gates with their aristocratic air.
Appearing as a maid working off a debt still made her feel a wave of shame.
Her back was ramrod straight, like a javelin.
Both hands tightly gripped her skirt.
Her expression was solemn.
But.
Compared with Ryu.
The atmosphere beside the bushes on the other side of the gates was somewhat comical.
"Meow..."
A desperately stifled