Nadia and Akiko ended up on the outskirts of the town closet to the Duke residence. It was the town that Nadia had escaped to a number of times since she arrived in this world, the town was called Fairos. She used her magic to turn Eva's body into her own before making her way towards that town. It was peaceful nothing had changed since she was last here, realizing this she couldn't help but let out a low laugh. No one in the Duke's residence had even realized that she (Eva) has been missing for 1.5 days, or they realized and didn't care enough to look for her.
'I initially thought that the duke and Eva's adoptive younger sister to be like my relationship with my father and brother… but in actuality, it's worse.' Nadia thought as she closed her eyes.
'My father was unaware of the abuse. My brother though followed what I asked of him, if I was missing for even a day without telling him before had he would make a commotion. I feel kinda bad for Eva she was so desperate to save this place and these people that same came back at the risk of her soul. She desperately wanted to protect and feel apart of a family, but all she received was scorn.
'In the end, she was quite pitiful desperately wanting something she would never get from these people. Dealt a bad hand for her life and had no idea how to deal with it. Made out to be the evil one in this whole scenario.
'Any normal child would likely have things turned out similar to Eva if they were forced into something like she had. The more I realize how Eva ended up in this situation… no just learning more about Eva's life before, seeing it first hand… the more I want to mess with the Duke's family.
'Eva is truly stronger emotionally than I am I must say. I gave up caring for anything really a long time ago and I would have done the same thing if I was in her position too. I despise humanity at this point for many reasons a lot of them being of what has happened to Eva. Hell, I don't even care for my own life at this point.
'But Eva not only dealt with this hell once she came back and did it again to try and save this world. I have no such noble reason for doing this, I'm doing this just to see if I can with what I have at hand… a true distraction to the life I despise.' Nadia let out a sigh shaking her head slightly, something of which didn't go unnoticed by Akiko as they walked to the bar.
"Is everything alright master?"
"I'm fine… just thinking that's all."
"You seem to get lost in your thoughts a lot."
"Yeah, you can say that I have a lot on my mind after all. But it's alright let's just get the money I'm owed." Nadia sighed the two continued to walk to the bar eventually making it and heading over to the counter. "We're here to get payment for the bounty." Nadia Stared in a relaxed monotoned voice.
"I'll need proof of the kill."
As planned Akiko removed the dark beast's head from a bag making it appear to be removed from a magically enhanced bag. "This good enough as proof?"
"O-of course miss. If you have anything else from the beast we'll also take that for a fair price."
"That so… take it out then." Nadia order as Akiko took out the rest of the dark beast's body.
"W-wonderful this will go for a good price as it's in the best condition I've seen so far."
"So that means a higher premium lovely."
The Bartender looked at them with a forced smile realizing in his excitement he said that out loud and would be unable to go with the regular rate. "O-of course only the best for ones as talented as you." The bartender replied.
"How lovely you can expect our continued patronage for the time we are in this town."
Nadia and Akiko managed to leave with a large number of high-grade gold coins after selling the 'monster' corpse alone and adding that to the bounty it was quite the hall. As they made way to an apothecary the duo was stopped by some mercenaries that saw a large amount of money they got. "That's quite the hall you got. It would be a real shame to lose all that."
"It sure would be wouldn't it? Just like how it would be a real shame for you to lose a few teeth for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong." Nadia replied tilting her head slightly.
"Are you threatening me, women!"
"I am and quite well I'd say."
The man was enraged and tried to punch Nadia she made no move to avoid it however the punch never connected as Akiko stepped in from of her and caught his punch. Akiko quickly broke the men's wrist with a resounding snap causing the man to scream out the others ran away at that moment. "As if I'd let such filth hit my lady."
"Let's go we have more important things to deal with than snivelling bugs." Nadia huffed smiling all the while behind her mask.
The two walked off and finished selling what Nadia wanted before it turned night., 'I've already been gone for 1.5 days… let's see how long it will take for them to notice that Eva is missing. Having a note of this beforehand will useful information to know for later.' Nadia thought as she realized the time. As such Nadia immediately made her way to the realtor's office she made note of a few days prior.
Nadia walked into the place with no hesitation. "What can I do for you today?"
"A 2 story house with a large main floor that has a divide."
"What is the idea you have for this place."
"Temporary homestead and storefront."
"Temporary?"
"Yes for at most 5 years may sooner we don't plan to stay in this town longer than that."
"I see. There is a place that comes to mind that will work it's currently vacant and unowned."
"Would it be possible to look at it today?"
"… it wouldn't be an issue."
As they walked to the location she understood the reason that the place had remained vacant. It was closer to the slums than what people would like and the place was a little worse dor ware but for Nadia, it didn't matter to her in the slightest. "How much?"
`"P-pardon?"
"How much for the place?"
"12 gold coins."
Nadia just handed the realtor the coins and he raced off as soon as the gold hit his hand. No signing no nothing. Akiko watched them run off and was going to say something however Nadia already made her way inside.