The Former Demon Queen Makes New Friends

"Huh? I really slept through the entire thing? Darn."

"Chanchan was so scared. Chanchan swears she thought the orcs were going to break down the door and come inside."

"You were scared, Chanchan? You should have seen us. We were right in the thick of it."

It was late evening at the Adventurer's Guild. All of the customers had already packed up and gone home, but Mary and the girls were still cleaning up the place and closing up.

"Well, I'm just glad you both are safe. That's the important part," Miss Eleanor said to both Mary and Lydia. Despite being the oldest, she was one of the very few people on their feet. She stood in her outfit while almost everyone else was seated.

"It's a shame about the market, though," Leafy spoke out from beside Miss Eleanor, also standing. "I was outside calculating the cost in damages around town, and although it is not as much as last time, it's still quite significant."

"Who were those orcs anyway?" Miss Hilda, the head chef, asked, pausing on her way to the breakroom. "Where did they come from?"

"They're a splinter group from the demon war," Leafy explained. "A bunch of orcs that broke off from the main army and have been causing trouble ever since. They set up camp somewhere close by and occasionally come to raid the town."

"Damn it! Those stupid orcs better not have destroyed my favorite bakery down the street," Maria, the redhead kitchen assistant, growled, shaking her fist in the air.

"Do you always think about food?" Snowpoppy, the white-skinned seamstress bunny girl who had been sleeping earlier, spoke up.

"Hey, I just really like that bakery, alright?" Maria responded, crossing her arms and seated at one of the nearby tables with Minimo, who had remained quiet so far.

"I really hope not too many people are hurt," Minimo finally said, speaking up.

"Nah," Maria responded. "I heard that the town's guard, despite being outnumbered, beat them back somehow. Heard it was a close call, though."

"Yeah, Elizabeth and her crew were really in trouble at first," Lydia said, shaking her head. "They were literally fighting three to like five hundred."

"Chanchan wonders how Miss Elizabeth was able to turn the tide in her favor despite being outnumbered so badly," Chanchan said. The bat-girl was hanging upside down from the center ceiling as she spoke.

"Not sure," Lydia answered. "Because the strangest thing is, one moment the knights were losing, and the next, all of the orcs were just unconscious on the ground. I swear, it was almost like some unseen force was helping the knights, knocking the bandits out one by one."

"Maybe mixing all of those oils in the break room has started to go to your head," Maria commented, throwing a little jab at Lydia.

"I'm serious," Lydia shot back. "I'm telling you, those orcs were everywhere. Every single one of them was found unconscious. I don't know how. Even the knights themselves and the commander looked confused about everything that was happening. Right, Mary? Tell them."

Everybody finally turned their attention to the one person who had remained quiet the entire discussion. Mary was standing in the corner, wiping down a tabletop with a rag, her hand clutching the cloth a little too tightly in her nervousness. She was outwardly trying to portray a calm demeanor, but inside, she was freaking out.

People had seen me use my powers!

People had seen me use my powers!

People had seen me use my powers!

Nobody is saying anything right now, but it is only a matter of time before somebody pieces everything together.

They will find out I'm actually a demon and try to chop my head off.

I am done for. My social life has ended. I will soon be exposed and everything will...

"Ah, yes, the town's guards were having trouble at first, but they were able to pull through at the very last minute," Mary blurted out through her teeth, sweating buckets down her forehead.

She hadn't meant to indirectly expose herself in such a way, but entire families were in trouble. She couldn't just stand idly by while those bandits caused chaos all around the place. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if someone got hurt badly—or worse, if someone had died. Luckily, her intervention had ensured that didn't happen.

The table, though, that was the kicker. She honestly thought she would have never been able to explain her way out of the situation. But somehow, all thanks to Lydia, she had gotten out of that mess with the regiment commander, safely. Although she was pretty sure she now had a target on her back. She would just have to be careful around the local militia if they ever showed up.

It took a second for Mary to realize the entire hall had suddenly gone quiet, with the group of girls staring at her, dumbfounded. It was almost as if they were looking upon a stranger for the first time.

Oh no. Had she said something wrong? Were her horns out without her knowing? Had her wings slip out by mistake?

She wanted to check, but she was too frozen in fear. The girls just continued to stare at her with astonished faces, mouths hanging open.

"Umm... is something the matter?" Mary asked.

"What do you mean, 'is something the matter'?" Maria shot back, standing and leaning forward, placing a hand on the table. "Mary, you obliterated that thing with a single hit! How freaking cool was that?"

Mary blinked in confusion.

Wait... what...?

"Yeah," Snowpoppy answered. "That was Mr. Jalimas' top-grade oak. It was part of his dinner set collection. He won't be happy that one of his months-long projects has been destroyed, but like Maria said, that must have taken some incredible power to break something of that quality."

"Right?" Lydia chimed in, jumping to her feet and coming to stand beside Mary. "Our girl here has some pretty tough muscles," she said, smiling. "I'm sure in due time she will tell us how she was able to do that, but for now, let's take good care of her, okay?"

All of the girls nodded in unison.

Mary was just confused. They weren't asking questions or crying for information.

Leafy had a hesitant look on her face as she studied the former Demon Queen for a bit, but ultimately she joined in.

"Yeah, super fast and now super strong? My personal assistant is the best, huh."

"Well, despite everything that happened today, I am extremely proud of you all," Miss Eleanor said. "You girls stepped up and helped the town clean up and organize itself. Tomorrow, we'll continue with the work. We'll draft a schedule for everyone—those helping in town, those working here at the guild, and those assisting with repairs. I'm proud of each of you. Now go home safe, okay?"

The girls nodded, a little tired but smiling nonetheless.

"Yes, Miss Eleanor. Goodnight, Miss Eleanor. See you tomorrow, Miss Eleanor," they said in turn before filing out of the guild hall.

"Bye bye, girls."

***

As they walked out into the cool evening air, Lydia was still carrying Gustav in her arms. Looked like the older girl had grown fond of the little fur ball.

"So, Mary, I know this is not exactly how you imagined your first day on the job going, but how did you like working at the Adventurer's Guild?" Leafy asked.

"Yeah!" the girls replied in unison as they walked down the sunset street, the entire group moving together in a row.

"Did you have fun? You know, other than almost dying?" Lydia teased.

Mary quickly spoke, her eyes wide with excitement. "I had so much fun! I enjoyed working with every single one of you."

Almost all of the girls blushed in unison. Even Maria, who wasn't exactly known for blushing.

Mary jumped in front of the group, striking a pose with her fist in the air. "And I promise—I'll work hard every day so I can earn your trust. So I can become a prominent ally. Just like you guys."

"Aww, shucks. You are just so sweet, Mary," Leafy said.

"Yeah, I agree," Snowpoppy responded.

"Mhm," Minimo and Chanchan also nodded in agreement.

"Hey, wait, look! Those dumb bastards really did destroy my favorite bakery!" Maria pointed toward a partially destroyed building, a fiery look in her eyes. Huffing through her nose, she stomped over to the ruins to inspect the damage.

"Come on," Lydia said with an exasperated sigh. "Let's go make sure she doesn't hurt herself."

Following her statement, the rest of the girls walked off with Lydia to go meet up with Maria. Mary would have joined them, but a single tap on her shoulder caused her to stop and turn around.

It was Leafy. She hadn't followed the group.

"Anyway, Mary," Leafy piped up, clearing her throat and leaning closer. "About that thing I told you in the morning."

"Ahh..." Mary trailed off, trying to recall exactly what the girl was talking about.

"About my dreams and how I initially thought I wouldn't be able to achieve them anymore?"

"Oh, that," Mary nodded, remembering what she had said.

"Yeah, so about that. Let's meet up tomorrow, after my shift. Lydia's covering the front desk, so I'll have more free time. Once we're both done for the day, we'll head out."

"Head out? To where?" Mary asked.

"You'll see."

***

The girls finally reached an intersection by the end of the street, waving goodnight to one another as they headed off in the direction of their respective homes.

"Okay, see you tomorrow, little guy. Remember, stay out of trouble?" Lydia said, gently placing Gustav on the ground.

"You too, Mary," Lydia added with a wave as she straightened up. "Have a good night."

"Yes, Miss Lydia," Mary replied, waving back. "Good night."

Mary waited and watched as the girls dispersed, each heading their separate ways. Then she turned and began walking further down the street alone with Gustav.

"You know, it's surprising how none of them have sensed your dark aura yet," Mary said quietly. "I guess that means the sealing spells are really working."

"I suppose," Gustav replied. "Though I wonder how many of them are put off by my red eyes."

Mary shrugged. "Well, I guess since nobody has said anything, they're all fine with you just the way you are." She flashed the little cat a smile.

"That may very well be the case, my empress."

The two fell into silence as they walked toward the gate and finally stepped outside of town. Mary had waited until everyone else had left before she made her way out. She didn't want any of them to see her heading beyond the walls and start asking questions about where she lived, since most of the houses were inside the city, not outside.

Even though Lydia had given her that opening, that reassurance that she could share her secret when she was ready, Mary still didn't believe she could ever tell them the truth. At least not yet. And especially not starting with the fact that she lived two hours away, on top of a mountain.

As she glanced back, she took in the full destruction left by the orcs. Charred buildings. Damaged shops. Broken stalls. And the few number of people left hospitalized after the failed raid. Despite the fact that she and the girls had helped clean up earlier in the day, and were planning to continue tomorrow, it would take significant resources, both financially and manpower-wise, to get the town fully running again.

"Those bandits," she muttered in frustration, balling her fists in anger.

"Gustav," she called.

"Yes, my lady?" He replied.

"Miss Leafy said, those orcs...their camp... It's nearby, right?"

"They are, my lady," Gustav confirmed. "They've been causing problems for the town ever since they broke off from the war."

At the sound of that, Mary turned her gaze toward the distant east, eyes narrowing.

"Then I suppose we need to pay them a little visit."