After Laurence left, about two hours passed.
Aurelia had just finished scrubbing the kitchen until it gleamed and was pondering whether to make braised meat or pan-fried fish for lunch, when the front gate of the base was flung open with a loud “clang,” letting in a waft of dust and sunlight.
“I’m back! Is there any water, my little angel!”
The person’s voice arrived before she did.
A tall and agile figure burst into the hall, immediately searching for the black-haired girl as soon as she entered.
She wore light leather armor, her long purple hair pulled into a high ponytail at the back of her head. There was a flush on her cheeks from exertion, but rather than looking disheveled, she exuded a lively and spirited energy.
Spotting Aurelia, who was wiping the table, Vera’s eyes lit up at once. She strode over and pulled the somewhat dazed Aurelia into a solid hug, giving her hair a playful ruffle as well.
“It’s always best when Lia’s here. I can come home to a clean house and hot water to drink!”
With a cheerful grin, Vera let her go, headed to the kettle, poured herself a glass of water, and gulped it down in big swallows.
【This dashing Vera always greets me like this. It really lifts my spirits! That figure, that charisma—even if I’m a girl now, it doesn’t stop me from appreciating a beauty!】
『…Just a puny ant, easily crushed with a single squeeze…』
『Shut up! What do you know, you old bachelor? Who even knows if you’re male, female, human, or ghost? You’ve got no right to comment on others! One more word out of you and I’ll be seriously annoyed!』
On the surface, Aurelia blushed, shy from the compliment, and quietly said, “Vera, welcome back. Should I… prepare you something to eat?”
“No rush,” Vera put down her cup, her expression turning a bit more serious as she carefully pulled an item from her satchel.
“It’s perfect you’re here. Just wanted to let you know: in that Ancient Relic we cleared out this time, I found something related to the legendary Disaster Source.”
It was a palm-sized, old-fashioned box, its material neither wood nor stone, with mysterious patterns carved all over its surface.
Most eye-catching of all was that the box was sealed by a visible flow of dark magic, swirling like shadows, oppressive to behold.
“This thing’s protected by the power of a Corrupted God’s Artifact. I can’t see through it, and I can’t open it. To be safe, we’d better wait for the Captain to return before we handle it.”
Vera set the box on the table in the center of the hall, deliberately pushing it away from Aurelia and giving a stern warning.
“Lia, remember—don’t ever get curious and touch it. The power of a Corrupted God’s Artifact is similar to Disaster power. Touching it could turn you into a mindless monster.”
【Don’t worry, sis, I value my life! Something that obviously screams ‘main plot item’—touching it would be suicide!】
Her thoughts matched her actions, and she nodded obediently at once. “Mm, I understand, Vera, I won’t touch it.”
“Good girl.” Vera smiled again, pinching her cheek and stretching.
“I’m exhausted. I’ll go take a bath first—can’t stand all this dust. Lunch is on you, Lia~”
With that, she strode off towards the bathroom.
***
Now only Aurelia remained in the hall, along with that ominous box sitting on the table.
Aurelia purposefully looked away, picking up her rag and continuing to wipe the already spotless furniture, muttering in her heart.
【Alright, don’t look, don’t touch. Do my chores, make my lunch—living a quiet life is the way to go. Things that are obviously tied to the main story? No way I’m touching them!】
However, the “tenant” in her mind clearly didn’t think so.
『That aura… it’s the same origin as mine… that box… bring it here!』
What had been a background murmur suddenly became sharp and urgent, tinged with an indescribable hunger… and greed?
『Huh?』Aurelia paused.『What did you say? Same origin?』
『…Precisely. Shards of my power, sealed away by that foolish hero… Take it, unlock it, awaken the power within you!』
The voice of the Disaster Source oozed temptation, like a devil’s whisper.
But Aurelia rolled her eyes and kept wiping the table.
『Yeah, right. You think I’m stupid? Vera just said it’s dangerous, and you want me to go grab it? Open the seal? Do I look that easy to fool?』
『Foolish! Only with power can you seize your own fate! Not by playing some laughable servant!』
『I’m doing just fine as I am—food, shelter, good-looking men and women to look at. Get power? And then you possess me, or I get hunted by the whole world? I’d have to be crazy.』
Aurelia’s will was firm. She even started humming an off-key tune in her mind, trying to drown out the inner voice.
『…Hmph… You won’t have a choice!』
Suddenly, a cold shudder rose from the depths of her soul. Aurelia felt her right hand start to move on its own, reaching toward the box.
Startled, she grabbed her restless right wrist with her left hand, both frightened and furious.
『Hey! What are you trying to do? Forced control? This is against the rules! You said it’d just be mental interference!』
『A mere vessel, and you dare defy my will!』
The pulling force grew stronger, as if an invisible thread was tugging at her arm.
Aurelia gritted her teeth, fighting her own right hand with all her might, sweat beading at her temples.
To any onlooker, she’d look utterly deranged—locked in a slapstick battle with herself, like a marionette with tangled strings.
【No way! Absolutely not! That box just screams death flag! Nothing good will come of touching it! I’ve only just started enjoying a few peaceful days!】
She fought the power inside her while furiously ranting in her mind.
『Listen, can’t we talk this over? That seal’s so strong—even if I grabbed it, I couldn’t open it! Might even get blasted to ashes by backlash! Are you that desperate to swap hosts?!』
『A paltry seal… Hmph… With enough sacrifices, what’s to fear?』
『Sacrifices?! Forget it! I’d rather starve to death or jump off a cliff than touch that box!』
An inner tug-of-war began.
Aurelia was almost using her whole body—at one point pinning her right hand to the table, then using her leg to hold down a foot eager to step forward. Dignity abandoned, she was a total mess.
Thank goodness the hall was empty—anyone watching would think she’d come down with some bizarre illness.
At last, maybe because Aurelia’s will prevailed, or maybe the Disaster Source realized that forcing an unwilling vessel to touch a powerful seal was truly risky, the force faded like a receding tide, leaving Aurelia sprawled on the ground, drenched in sweat and slightly unfocused.
『Ignorant resistance won’t delay the end. I’ll be waiting for the day you beg me.』
With that villainous exit line, the voice in her head fell silent.
It seemed… that episode of forcibly trying to control her body had sapped a lot of its strength; even its voice sounded weak now.
It felt… more exhausting than acting with Laurence all morning.
“Huff… huff… How am I supposed to live like this…”
She stared at the quiet little box on the table, her eyes filled with resentment.
【No, I need to find a way to get this thing somewhere safer before the Captain returns… Or figure out how to warn Vera and the Captain that this thing is from the Disaster Source?】
She struggled to her feet, dusted herself off, and decided to start preparing lunch for Vera.
In the meantime, she’d think about how to casually warn everyone about the box’s danger—without exposing the secret in her own head.
【No panic. Panicking only leads to mistakes.】she told herself.
【The most important thing now is to act completely normal. Cook. Yes, start with cooking. Food is the foundation of all!】
She tied on her apron and began to handle the ingredients with practiced skill.
From the pantry she took smoked meat and potatoes, dicing them into even cubes.
Water boiled in the pot, bubbling and steaming, warming the kitchen and easing the chill in her heart.
The familiar process gradually restored her rhythm and calmed her nerves.
【Hmm… Vera just got back from a mission, she’ll need something hearty and tasty.】
As she thought, she added the diced ingredients and a sprinkle of herbs to the soup pot.
“I’ll make a big pot of steaming smoked meat and potato stew, and toast some garlic bread.”
***
Just as Aurelia focused on stirring the soup to keep it from sticking, light footsteps and a fresh, steamy scent approached from behind.
“Wow! Smells amazing! Lia, what deliciousness are you making?”
Vera, now fresh and in clean clothes, was toweling her damp purple hair, drops of water trailing from the ends.
She leaned over to the stove, inhaled deeply, her face full of anticipation.
“Is that smoked meat and potato soup? Just the smell is bringing me back to life!”
Startled by the sudden voice, Aurelia’s hand jerked, the spoon clinking against the pot.
She quickly steadied herself, turned, and did her best to smile naturally at Vera.
“Ve-Vera, you’re done washing up? Yeah, it’s smoked meat and potato stew, just about ready. The garlic bread’s toasting.”
Vera noted Aurelia’s quick movements and tense shoulders, blinking.
She didn’t immediately ask about the soup. Instead, she noticed the sweat beading on Aurelia’s forehead and the lingering fatigue in her eyes.
Leaning on the counter, Vera spoke with warm concern.
“What’s wrong, little angel? You look a bit tired—was cleaning up alone too much?”
She spoke while gently wiping a drop of sweat from Aurelia’s brow with her fingertip.
The sudden gesture made Aurelia tense.
【An older-sisterly show of affection! But… now’s not the time to get flustered!】
She instinctively shrank her neck, a faint blush spreading on her cheeks. “N-no, it wasn’t too much… Maybe just… got a bit warm cleaning the kitchen…”
The excuse sounded plausible, but Vera’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
After watching Aurelia keep the base in perfect order for a month, she’d never seen her so… worn out from routine chores, as if she’d just been through a fight.
Vera’s gaze lingered on Aurelia’s hurried explanation and flushed face. A knowing look flickered in her brown eyes, soon replaced by warmth.
She didn’t press about the “heat,” but sighed, her tone filled with tenderness.
“Silly girl, don’t push yourself so hard.” She ruffled Aurelia’s hair again, this time even more gently.
“This month… you’ve worked so hard. From meals to daily life, you’ve taken care of everyone—remembering even those picky eaters’ strange preferences.”
She meant the archer who only ate lean meat and the mage who hated greens but adored mushrooms.
“With the base feeling so much like home, we’re all truly happy. But…”
Vera bent down to look Aurelia in the eye, her voice warm.
“This is your home too. We’re family. You don’t have to shoulder everything yourself. If you’re tired, say so, alright?”
She reached up, gently pinching Aurelia’s cheek. “If it’s ever too much, just tell me. I’ll help.”
Hearing this, seeing Vera’s genuine concern, warmth filled Aurelia’s heart.
The fatigue and frustration from her inner struggle seemed to melt away.
This time, her smile was real, tinged with gratitude. “Mm… Thank you, Vera. I understand. Actually… most of the time, I really do enjoy being here.”
“As long as you’re happy!” Vera instantly perked up, straightening.
“Then it’s settled—call me for any tough jobs! For now… I’ll finish drying my hair, then help set the table! The smell of this soup is making me drool!”
She winked at Aurelia, heading to the living room while drying her hair, leaving thoughts of the suspicious box and Aurelia’s odd behavior behind for now.
Maybe she was just worrying too much; perhaps Lia really had just worn herself out making life comfortable for everyone.
【Sigh…】But in Aurelia’s heart, she let out a sigh. 【How long can days like this last? If only that old monster in my head would disappear…】
But for now, she could only calm her mind and focus on the bubbling stew and the fragrant bread.
“At least… let’s get through this meal peacefully.”
She whispered to herself, continuing her work, though her gaze would occasionally flick toward the hall—still shadowed with a trace of worry.