Chapter Seven
Lisbeth watched Staros standing helplessly before the cabinet, feeling a mix of frustration and urgency. Yet, she could do nothing. She was currently assisting Olivia with heavy items, and if she were to suddenly leave, Olivia would surely notice her unusual behavior.
With this thought, Lisbeth quickly shot Staros a meaningful glance, urging her to come over. Though Staros had made a mistake earlier due to her height, she was far from foolish. Upon seeing Lisbeth’s signal, she instantly grasped its meaning and called out to Olivia, who was still rummaging through items.
“Olivia, let me help too. You look like you’re struggling to manage everything on your own.”
“Oh? It’s rare for you to offer help so readily. But alright. Could you please help me find the eye chart we use to measure strength? I can’t remember where I put it; I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find it.”
Seeing Olivia so easily believe her words, Staros nodded towards Lisbeth. Meanwhile, Lisbeth, who had been holding the items, slowly retreated, step by step, inching closer to the cabinet.
Once she reached it, she realized the cabinet was indeed much taller than anticipated; Staros’s height truly wouldn’t have allowed her to reach anything on top. After a silent nod, Lisbeth’s gaze rapidly swept across the potions on the shelves. Soon, she found the very concoction both she and Staros desired.
“This is it. Success is ours once we get our hands on this.”
Though Lisbeth yearned to reach out, she instinctively glanced back at Olivia, who was still searching for her item. Only after confirming Olivia wouldn’t turn around did Lisbeth swiftly extend her hand, reaching for the potion.
Swish!
Huh!?
Yet, the instant her hand made contact, it passed right through the vials, failing to grasp anything tangible. Lisbeth’s expression immediately shifted to one of profound shock. Simultaneously, Olivia, who had been searching moments before, let out a burst of laughter.
“Heh heh, did you really think my potions would be so easy to take? While this is indeed my laboratory, that doesn’t mean I haven’t taken any precautions.”
Hearing the triumphant tone in Olivia’s voice, Lisbeth and Staros both glared at her, their faces contorted with anger. They pointed at her furiously.
“What kind of joke is this?! Setting up traps in your own lab, what exactly are you trying to do?!”
“Exactly! Exactly!!”
“Hmph, you two persistent fools have no right to lecture me. Whether it’s the Growth Potion or the Stability Potion, I wouldn’t give them to you for free. If you can’t even grasp that much, you might as well go home.”
Huh?
As Olivia’s words fell, Lisbeth and Staros exchanged bewildered glances. Then, in a hesitant tone, Lisbeth timidly asked,
“Olivia? Are you saying that if we do something for you, you’ll give us those two potions?”
“Precisely. That’s also why I called you both here today for a physical examination. Though I call it an examination, it’s merely a few basic tests. Once those are complete, I’ll explain the specific details.”
“Alright, we understand.”
Despite a sense of unease stirring within them regarding Olivia’s words, Lisbeth and Staros nodded in agreement, deciding to undergo the tests first.
****
“Alright, that should about do it. It’s just a formality anyway, so I won’t bother measuring your bust sizes or anything.”
After conducting a few simple tests, Olivia waved her hand dismissively, as if swatting away a chore, signaling Lisbeth to step off the scale. Upon hearing her, Lisbeth promptly nodded and asked,
“Well, now that the tests are over, isn’t it time you told us what you need help with?”
“Indeed. But you don’t need to worry too much; what I’m asking of you won’t be overly difficult.”
“Just tell us what it is, already.”
Based on Lisbeth’s past experiences, the more someone claimed something was a small matter, the more severe the actual request turned out to be. Seeing Lisbeth’s genuine impatience, Olivia took a deep breath and slowly began.
“I’m sure you’re aware that the Demon Lord’s Castle will soon host a celebratory banquet. As personal maids, we are direct servants of the Demon Lord, and we’ll be organizing this banquet. However, that day is also an opportunity to showcase our capabilities as personal maids.”
“As you can see, I haven’t slept well in days preparing for it. At this point, it’s unrealistic to expect me to continue with my daily maid duties. So, I must ask, could you two take over my regular work for me? If you agree, I’ll give you the potions you desire.”
Huh? That simple?
To be honest, both Lisbeth and Staros had expected Olivia to make some outrageous demand. But after hearing her words, they were momentarily stunned, wondering if they had misheard. As if to confirm they hadn’t, Olivia nodded.
“You didn’t mishear. It’s that simple. However, you must understand that you already have a lot on your plates. Taking on my duties as well means the pressure won’t be light. So, don’t think this condition is easy.”
Upon hearing Olivia’s explanation, Lisbeth and Staros both broke into smiles. They slowly responded to her.
“No problem at all! In fact, it’s far *too* easy. If there’s a way to get the potions we want, a little extra heavy work is nothing!”
“Is that so? Then I’ll leave it to you. Once everything is done, I’ll give you the promised potions. Now, is there anything else you wish to ask?”
“No!”
As if eager to agree before Olivia could retract her offer, Lisbeth and Staros vigorously nodded their heads, seemingly having fully accepted Olivia’s request. After they both nodded, Olivia smiled.
“Excellent. Then I’ll tell you about the work I’m supposed to do next.”
“As you know, besides the daily duties required of a personal maid, I also have my own independent work. And that independent work is what I’ll need you to do for me next.”
Huh!?
What did you say!?
As Olivia’s words finished, Lisbeth and Staros instantly displayed shocked expressions, pointing at her in outrage.
“Wait! Don’t you mean you want us to take over your *daily* supervisory duties?!”
“Exactly! Exactly! Plus, you’re a mage who develops magic tools! How could two of us possibly take over your work?!”
Gazing at their furious faces, Olivia merely smiled calmly. She then addressed them.
“It’s fine, I won’t force you to accept this condition. If you refuse, I will immediately destroy all the Growth Potions and Stability Potions. So, it’s entirely up to you.”
“You! You’re threatening us!!!”
Sure enough, Lisbeth and Staros’s premonitions were correct. They had known this wasn’t going to be good, which was why Olivia was willing to part with her precious potions just to avoid doing that particular task herself. However, at this point, they had no choice. With a helpless shake of their heads, Lisbeth and Staros conceded.
“Alright, alright, just tell us what it is. But let’s be clear: we’re not doing anything that puts lives at risk!”
“Well… it probably won’t be life-threatening…”
Huh!?
Watching Olivia suddenly become evasive, Lisbeth and Staros gaped, their eyes wide with indignation. They pressed her further.
“What kind of joke is this?! You’re asking us to do something where you can’t even guarantee our lives?! Do you want us to fight the Demon Lord?!”
“Yes, that’s right. You guessed correctly.”
Huh?
If Olivia’s previous words had shocked Lisbeth and Staros, her latest revelation left them utterly frozen. For a moment, they couldn’t process what to say or do. Seeing their reactions, Olivia quickly waved a hand.
“Calm down, both of you. While it’s absolutely true you’ll be ‘fighting’ the Demon Lord, I merely want you to act as her sparring partners during her magic training. So please, calm yourselves.”
“Sparring partners for magic training?! Don’t you know the Demon Lord is Level 100?! If she blasts us with her magic, are you sure we’ll even survive?”
“Oh? The current strongest mages in the world are afraid of magic combat? That’s not good, is it~”
Upon hearing Staros’s words, Olivia immediately tried to provoke her. However, Staros was not swayed in the slightest. Instead, she glared back, her anger flaring anew.
“Don’t think your taunts will work! My current magical power isn’t even a tenth of what it used to be. I wouldn’t have enough lives to fight the Demon Lord!!”