[Null POV] Year 0, Day 53

  The door opened.

  A tiger beastwoman stepped inside. Alone. Closed the door behind her as instructed.

  Null recognized her immediately. From the first auction. The confident warrior who'd led her party with casual authority. Who'd celebrated buying back their wolf companion. Who'd radiated strength and competence.

  This was the same person. But changed.

  She looked like she'd aged decades in the weeks since the auction. Not physically older—her face was the same. But something in her bearing, her posture, her eyes. The weight of trauma showing through.

  Scared. That was the word. She looked scared. Like a mouse instead of the brave warrior Null remembered.

  And the wounds. Partially healed. Badly healed. Scars covering her arms, visible even through her clothing. Injuries that should have been treated properly but had been left to close however they could. Evidence of something that had gone very, very wrong.

  She bowed respectfully. "Young master. Thank you for seeing me. My name is Kira Razorclaw."

  Void gestured to a chair. "Please, sit. We've received some basic information from the Guild, but I'd like to hear your story directly. In your own words," Void said.

  Kira sat carefully, like her body still hurt despite the healing. "Of course, young master. Where would you like me to start?" she asked.

  "Your background. Education. How you ended up here," Void said.

  Kira took a breath and began.

  "I come from a prominent merchant family. Traders, specifically. Well-established in the Merchant Guild networks. Wealthy. Connected. Every child in our family receives a battlemaid as a coming-of-age gift. Mine was a bunny beastgirl. She was with me for over a century," she explained.

  "I attended the Merchant Guild Central Academy for four years. Studied commerce, trade law, contract negotiation, logistics. Everything needed to eventually take a position in the family business. That was the expectation. Graduate, join the family operations, work my way up through merit and connection," she continued.

  "But after graduation, I... didn't want that. I'd made friends during my travels to and from the academy. Adventurers. Free spirits. People who lived for excitement rather than profit margins. So I left. Told my family I needed time to 'gain life experience' before settling into business. They weren't happy, but they accepted it," Kira said.

  "I was gone for over twenty years. Adventuring. Exploring. Living freely. It was..." She paused, something wistful crossing her features. "It was the happiest time of my life."

  "What brought you back?" Void asked.

  "News that my father was preparing to step down. Generation change. If I wanted any position in the family at all, I needed to return and establish myself before succession was finalized. So I came home. Rushed back. Thinking maybe I could leverage my adventuring experience into something valuable," Kira replied.

  Her expression darkened. "But I had no achievements to show. No business connections I'd developed. No trade routes I'd established. No contracts I'd negotiated. Just stories about dungeons and monsters. My family was... unimpressed," she said bitterly.

  "They gave me a low-level position. Clerical work. Starting from zero. Told me to prove myself worthy of the family name before they'd consider anything more substantial. It was humiliating, but fair. I'd rejected them first. This was my chance to earn my way back," Kira continued.

  "The problem was the pay. Low-level positions pay accordingly. After years of adventurer income, suddenly I was living on barely enough to cover basic expenses. My savings from adventuring ran out within months. And my relationship with my brother—who was being groomed to take over the family business—had always been poor. He made sure I got no special treatment. No family assistance beyond the bare minimum required by tradition," she explained.

  Void listened carefully. "So you returned to adventuring," he said.

  "Yes. Easy money. Easy life. I knew how to do it. I was good at it. And honestly? I preferred it to pushing papers in some family office while my brother smirked at my failures," Kira replied.

  "You were strong," Void observed. "The Guild information mentioned you were B-rank. But I suspect that's not your actual capability."

  Kira's expression shifted. Embarrassment mixed with defiance. "You're perceptive, young master. No. B-rank is not my true strength. I'm probably S-rank. Maybe have been for decades. But I kept my official rank low," she admitted.

  "Why?" Void asked.

  "Higher ranks come with obligations. Forced requests in emergencies. Guild can require S-rank adventurers to handle crises, respond to threats, participate in dangerous operations they can't refuse. I didn't want that. Didn't want the responsibility. So I dodged rank upgrades. Declined them whenever offered," Kira explained.

  "The Guild documented this?" Void asked.

  "Seven times. They really don't like rank dodgers. But they can't force upgrades—everyone has to accept their new rank voluntarily. So they just noted my refusals and left me at B-rank despite obviously being stronger," she said.

  Void glanced at the Guild information sheet. Saw the notation. Multiple declined promotions. Confirmed.

  "Your party," Void said carefully. "What happened?"

  Kira's composure cracked slightly. Pain showing through. "Dungeon raid. We thought we were prepared. Thought we could handle it. We were wrong," she said quietly.

  "Everyone died. My entire party. Friends I'd adventured with for decades. And my battlemaid—the bunny girl who'd been with me since I was young. All of them. Gone," Kira continued, her voice strained.

  "I barely survived. Badly wounded. Lost all my equipment. Had to use..." She struggled for words. "Beastpeople have what we call inner animal. Life force reserve. Emergency power. I burned through mine keeping myself alive long enough to escape. Forced my wounds to heal enough that I wouldn't bleed out. Made it back to the city somehow."

  "And then?" Void asked gently.

  "Then I discovered how bad things actually were." Kira's voice was hollow. "I'm past my natural lifespan. Have been for years. I was maintaining myself with elixirs, with magic, with the standard methods people use to extend their lives. It's expensive, but I'd been earning well as an adventurer. Could afford it."

  "But when I burned through my inner animal to survive, I didn't just use emergency reserves. I used the accumulated life extension I'd been building up. Decades of elixirs. Gone. Consumed in hours to keep me breathing," she explained.

  "Now I'm depleted. Spiritually exhausted. You can see it—I look older. Not physically aged, but... hollowed out. And if I can't get topped back up fast, I'll start declining rapidly. Age catching up all at once. I have maybe months before serious deterioration begins. Maybe less," Kira said grimly.

  ?This entire world runs on life-extension addiction. People past their natural lifespan, desperately maintaining themselves with increasingly expensive drugs and magic. No wonder they'd agree to near-slavery contracts just to keep the elixirs flowing,? Null observed.

  ?It's brutal,? Spy agreed. ?But effective control mechanism. Make people dependent on something only the wealthy can provide consistently, and you own them.?

  Void absorbed this. "The Guild offered to help?" he asked.

  "Yes. They offered to fix me up properly. Heal the wounds, restore my reserves, get me back to functional condition. Then auction me off to recoup the costs. Standard practice for adventurers who can't pay their own medical bills," Kira replied.

  "You weren't confident about selling?" Void asked.

  "Fifty-fifty chance, maybe. I'm educated. Experienced. Strong despite the current condition. But I'm also a rank dodger with no friends and a history of avoiding responsibility. Not the most appealing purchase. And if I don't sell at Guild auction..." She swallowed hard. "Open slave market. Where the protections disappear and the buyers are... less particular about how they use their purchases."

  "Even if I did sell well, the likely buyers would be all-male adventurer parties. The kind I spent years antagonizing with my attitude. They'd remember. They'd make sure the contract included... provisions. Bed warming service. Personal use. All technically legal under Guild contracts even if not explicitly required," she said bitterly.

  "You mentioned trying family," Void said.

  "I did. I still have the family name—that means they're required to offer me a position if I request it. Family obligation. Appearances matter in merchant circles. They can't just refuse a blood relative without scandal," Kira explained.

  "But the position they'd offer would be worthless. Some servant role with a for-life contract. No real duties. No real authority. Just existing to show they 'care' about family members who fall on hard times. They'd provide minimal elixirs initially—enough to keep me alive, barely. But my brother runs the family business now. We've never gotten along. Over time, he'd find ways to reduce my allowance. Claim budget issues. Suggest I'm not pulling my weight. Eventually stop providing elixirs entirely or manufacture some scandal to justify expelling me," she continued.

  "Slow death disguised as family employment," Void summarized.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  "Exactly, young master," Kira agreed.

  Void looked at the contract terms he'd prepared. Simple document. Basic provisions. "You've explored other options?" he asked.

  "Everyone I could think of. Every contact. Every possibility. Other offers existed, yes. But all of them were for-life contracts with terrible clauses attached. Most included bed warming requirements explicitly. I'm..." She gestured at herself with bitter self-awareness. "I'm considered beautiful by most standards. That's valuable. That's exploitable. Every offer reflected that," Kira said.

  "This contract you're offering is the best I've seen. Life extension elixirs provided. Care and maintenance. No explicit bed warming requirement. Just service work as a maid," she continued.

  She met Void's eyes. "I see potential in this maid café concept. If it succeeds—and I think it could, with proper management—you'll attract wealthy clientele. Perhaps someone wealthy enough to buy out my contract. Take me as wife or lover. That's a possible exit path. Better than dying in a dungeon or wasting away in my brother's spare servant quarters."

  "You're already planning your escape from this contract?" Void asked.

  "I'm planning for possibilities, young master. Long-term thinking. That's what my education taught me. This position is better than my alternatives. Much better. But I'd be lying if I said I wanted to be a maid forever. If an opportunity for better circumstances appears, I'd take it. Within the contract's terms, of course," Kira replied pragmatically.

  Void appreciated the honesty. "You know who Master Ealdred is," he said.

  "By reputation, yes. One of the most renowned maid trainers alive. Even Popes have used his services," Kira replied.

  Ealdred made a strange face at that comment. Something between annoyance and dark amusement. But said nothing. Just kept watching.

  "His training is reportedly exceptional," Kira continued. "Rigorous. Sometimes brutal. But the maids he produces are considered the finest in the world. If I'm going to be a maid, being trained by him at least gives me value. Marketability. A wealthy buyer would pay premium for an Ealdred-trained maid."

  "Still planning that exit," Void observed.

  "Still being practical, young master," Kira replied.

  Kira set down the contract and leaned forward slightly. "But I need to understand the operational realities. This is a maid café and hotel, yes? With many beautiful maids serving wealthy clientele?" she asked.

  "That's the concept," Void confirmed.

  "Then customers will have expectations. Requests. The Republic's law regarding female workers in establishments offering lodging—every woman must have a price set for bed warming services. Even with Guild exceptions, that law exists. It's legal framework," Kira said.

  "Some maids may want to participate. To earn extra income beyond their salaries. The law says they can set their own prices. And unless something in this loyalty bonding you mentioned actually forbids such activities..." She looked uncertain. "You're going to face complications. Legal ones. Operational ones. Girls wanting to offer services. Customers expecting availability. The law requiring pricing structures. That's messy to navigate."

  Void opened his mouth. Closed it. He genuinely didn't know how to answer.

  They'd never planned that aspect thoroughly. The price-setting law had been mentioned, but they'd pushed it aside. Assumed they'd figure it out later. And now "later" was here and he had no clear answer.

  ?Mistress,? he projected through the bond. ?Any thoughts? Because I'm lost here.?

  To everyone's surprise, Null raised her hand.

  Not just raising it. Raising it properly. Formally. The way the twins had taught her. Polite request for permission to speak rather than just blurting out or projecting without warning.

  Void blinked. "You... want to say something?" he asked.

  Null nodded.

  "You may speak," Void said.

  But instead of using her limited verbal language, Null used the twins' method. Emotion projection. Broadcasting to everyone in the room.

  Not clumsy this time. More controlled. More refined than her earlier attempt.

  The thoughts flowed outward. Complex. Layered. More detailed than she'd managed before.

  Volunteer only. Only those who genuinely want to participate. Never required. Never pressured.

  Very limited. Quality over quantity. Exclusive. "Night with maids"—booking weeks in advance. Price astronomical. Changes with demand—more requests, price goes up. Less requests, price goes down. Always small slots. Limited.

  If more slots requested than available, prices increase until demand drops. Natural regulation. Economic pressure instead of arbitrary limits.

  Maids control everything. Decide what offered to which clients. Can refuse anyone. Set boundaries. Stop participating anytime. Their choice. Their power.

  Quality costs. Exclusivity has value. Problem becomes premium service. Controlled. Managed.

  The projection ended. Null lowered her hand and returned to her blank expression.

  The room was completely silent.

  Through the bond, Void's thoughts raced. ?That was... comprehensive. Where did that come from?? he asked.

  ?Had time to think. Been bothering me since we heard about the law. Figured out solution,? Null replied.

  ?That's sophisticated economic planning. Supply-demand curves. Premium pricing strategy. When did you—? Void started.

  ?Mind works differently now. Can process things better. Don't ask me to explain it. Just works,? Null cut in.

  The twins were bouncing excitedly. "Big sister used our language! So good! So clear! We understood everything!"

  Ealdred's expression had shifted. Actual emotion showing through the flat mask. Something between surprise and... approval? Satisfaction?

  "A monster," Ealdred said slowly, "just proposed a sophisticated business model for managing a sensitive legal requirement. With economic theory. Market dynamics. Quality control integration."

  He was quiet for a moment. Then: "I like it. Maids in control. They decide what's offered to whom. Quality over quantity. Exclusivity. Premium pricing based on demand curves. It's elegant. Practical. Turns potential exploitation into empowerment."

  "Though—" his tone shifted to lecturing "—you just discussed business secrets and operational plans in front of a stranger. Kira hasn't signed yet. She could theoretically leave. Share this information. Use it against you," Ealdred pointed out.

  He looked at Void. "We'll need to address this tendency. Operational security. Information management. Controlling who knows what when. I'll fix this issue with you. And with any other staff who need similar education about discretion," he said firmly.

  Then he turned back to the discussion, seemingly satisfied enough to let it continue despite his security concerns.

  Kira looked between Null and Ealdred, clearly processing that a battlemaid had just solved a legal problem the educated merchant's daughter hadn't addressed, and the legendary trainer approved.

  "That's... actually brilliant," she admitted. "Turns the law from liability into controlled premium service. Makes it empowering rather than exploitative. I wouldn't have thought of that approach."

  "The contract terms," Void said, refocusing. "You understand what you're agreeing to now? With this additional context about how we'll actually operate?"

  "I do. And honestly, that solution makes this more appealing. If I choose to participate in such services, I have complete control. If I don't, I'm not pressured. That's better than most establishments offer. Much better," Kira replied.

  She read through the contract one final time. "I accept. These are the best terms I'll find. Better than I deserve, probably, given my circumstances," she said.

  Void studied her for a long moment. Educated. Experienced. Desperate but not broken. Strong despite current circumstances. Honest about her situation and motivations.

  He looked at Ealdred. The oni gave a single nod. She's acceptable. Your call.

  "Before we proceed," Void said carefully, "there's one additional element you should understand. A bonding process. It ensures absolute loyalty. Makes betrayal impossible. Provides significant power enhancement and life extension far beyond normal elixirs. But it's permanent. Irreversible. You'd be bound to me—to this establishment—for as long as you live."

  Kira was quiet for a moment. "What kind of bonding? Magical contract? Soul oath?" she asked.

  "Something similar. The effects are: complete loyalty, substantial power increase, life span measured in thousands of years potentially, and unified aesthetic features—your appearance would change slightly to match other bonded servants," Void explained.

  "Thousands of years?" Kira repeated in disbelief.

  "At minimum. Possibly more. We don't know the upper limit," Void confirmed.

  Kira stared. "That's... that's worth more than my family's entire fortune. Life extension of that magnitude costs kingdoms. Literally. Only the highest nobility and wealthiest individuals can afford the elixirs needed for even a few extra centuries," she said in shock.

  "We're offering it as standard employment benefit," Void stated.

  "Why? What's the catch? There has to be—" Kira started.

  "The loyalty is absolute," Void said bluntly. "You won't be able to betray us. Won't be able to act against our interests. Won't be able to leave. It's not slavery in the legal sense, but functionally it's permanent binding. That's the price for the power and life extension."

  Kira absorbed this. Thought carefully. "And this bonding—does it affect my mind? My personality? My ability to think independently?" she asked cautiously.

  "Not that we've observed. You retain your intelligence, your skills, your fundamental self. You just... can't betray. The loyalty becomes part of who you are. Not forced. Just... true," Void explained.

  "That's still disturbing," Kira said.

  "It is," Void agreed. "I won't pretend otherwise. But it's also the only way we can guarantee trust. We're building something ambitious. Something valuable. We need staff who are absolutely committed. This ensures that."

  Kira was quiet for a long time. Weighing her options.

  Finally, she spoke. "My alternatives are: Guild auction with fifty-fifty odds of selling, family servitude under my brother's control, or desperate searching for other contracts that will likely be worse than what I've already rejected. Versus: permanent binding with guaranteed life extension, power enhancement, and training from Master Ealdred," she summarized.

  "The permanent aspect bothers me. The loss of autonomy bothers me. But honestly?" She looked at Void with tired eyes. "I'm out of options. Out of time. Out of hope for anything better. If I decline this and nothing else works out, I'm dead within months. So yes. I accept. Whatever this bonding is, whatever it costs, it's better than my alternatives."

  "You're certain?" Void asked.

  "No. But I'm desperate enough that certainty is a luxury I can't afford," Kira replied honestly.

  Void turned to Ealdred one final time. The massive oni had been silent throughout the entire interview. Just watching. Assessing both Void's conduct and Kira's responses.

  Now he spoke. One word.

  "Approved," Ealdred said.

  Simple. Final. No elaboration.

  Void pulled out the prepared contract. "Then we make it official. Blood signature. Standard for Adventure Guild contracts. Review the terms one more time."

  Kira took the document. Read through it completely. Her merchant education showing—she knew how to parse contract language, spot hidden clauses, understand implications.

  "Employment as maid. Life-extending benefits provided. Proper care and maintenance. Training under Master Ealdred. No exit clause. Blood-signed and Adventure Guild recorded for third-party enforcement," she read aloud.

  "The 'proper care and maintenance' wording is vague. That could mean many things," Kira noted.

  "It means we take care of our staff appropriately. Housing, food, medical attention, reasonable working conditions. Not exploitation," Void clarified.

  "I accept these terms," Kira said formally. "They're significantly better than my alternatives."

  Void pulled out the ceremonial knife. "Blood signature binds both parties. You sign, I sign, the contract records itself with the Guild automatically. They act as third-party arbitrator if either side violates terms."

  Kira held out her hand. Steady despite everything.

  Void made a small cut on her palm. Then his own. They pressed their hands together, blood mingling, over the contract document.

  The paper flared with light. Magic activating. Recording the agreement. Binding both parties.

  Then the document vanished. Simply disappeared from the table. Gone to Guild archives instantly. Recorded. Official. Enforced.

  The cut on Kira's hand had already healed. Void's as well. The contract magic sealing the wounds as part of the process.

  "It's done," Void said. "You're officially employed. Welcome to... whatever this becomes."

  Kira managed a weak smile. "Thank you, young master. I won't disappoint you," she said.

  "We'll see," Void replied. He looked at Ealdred. "The bonding? Should we proceed?"

  "Location first," Ealdred said. "This needs to be done away from civilization. The process involves transformation. Better done privately."

  Void understood. Null would need her true form to create the seed. Not something to demonstrate in a hotel room.

  "We have a site," Ealdred continued, standing. "The twins know it. We'll teleport there. Perform the bonding. Return when complete."

  He looked at Kira. "What you're about to witness is confidential. Classified. You'll understand why once you see it. But know this: speaking about it to anyone outside this group would be... extremely unwise."

  "I understand, Master Ealdred," Kira said nervously.

  "Good," Ealdred replied.

  The twins pulled out their teleportation key. Held it ready.

  "Everyone who's coming, gather close. Physical contact. We go together," they instructed.

  Void stood. Null moved to his side. Kira approached hesitantly, clearly nervous about teleportation—something she'd apparently never experienced.

  They placed their hands on the key alongside the twins.

  "Ready?" the twins asked cheerfully.

  Ealdred nodded.

  Magic activated. Space folded. Reality bent.

  And they were gone.