Book Four – Chapter Three – Part Three – The Joy of Assisting Others

“Well, it seems I have nothing to worry about.” Claire smiled and handed the quests to Momo. She received them with a thanks and stuffed them into her bag. Servi’s red eyes aimlessly blinked a few times.

Ah, now I remember. The Old Onyx is where Servy killed that woman who was beating that boy… I think he was a Koena, and Servy saved him. She did kill the woman, though… It was the same with the Rude Crystal. There was that drinking contest she told me about, and then she killed some people there because they attacked her… I wonder if this is just a coincidence…? Or is the world giving Servy a chance to make up for her sins? I want to think it’s the second one, but that just seems like naïve thinking on my part.

But just helping the parent or child of the victims isn’t going to bring anyone back. It won’t erase the sadness they had to endure at the hands of Servy. It’s a first step, though… Grampy said even the longest journeys began with getting out of bed…

And just because they’re related to people who either hurt enslaved children or tried to kill Servy doesn’t mean that the clients are bad people. Grampy said parents are there to teach their children, but that’s all they can do. He said it was immoral to force a child down a path they didn’t want to go… And a child can’t pick their parents, either. I think grampy said it was called ‘association, not causation?’ I dunno... Maybe it was something else. Regardless, this is a good thing, and I shouldn’t question it.

“Claire, I think I’m really happy we came across these quests. It might just be a coincidence, but I can’t think of a better way for us to help," Momo said with determination.

“Help!!!” cheered Servi.

“Servy’s happy. I’m happy.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll complete the trifecta of happiness. Now, you’ve done this part before, so I think I’m about to go pass out for the rest of the day. I—”

“Errgh… H…help…” Suddenly, a small cry escaped from Servi’s lips. She crouched down, holding her head, taking Momo along for the ride.  Claire found herself crouching before long, and she played a hand on Servi’s head. It was a brief scene, lasting almost two seconds. But those seconds felt like an eternity of suffering to those who cared for Servi. Itarr and Momo found themselves wanting to take whatever pain the girl they loved was suffering from so she could be free of it.

As quickly as the suffering came, it faded away like leaves in a breeze. Servi jerked up until she stood tall and proud with a sly expression on her face. It didn’t look like she ever knew she was in pain.

“Is everything okay?” Claire asked. She looked around but found no meddling onlookers. Everyone was just too busy to look at the group of three over in the festival section. Was it foolish pride preventing the more experienced adventurers from looking at them? What if it was nervousness because the three, Servi, Momo, and Claire, were pretty? The answer could be different things, and it could be none of those things. But the cold shoulder-like feeling rubbed Momo the wrong way. It was really the only downside of her adventuring career thus far. That is if one could ignore that week where she was a prisoner.

Beyond that, Momo yearned for a fairytale-like career of adventure, filled with friends and allies who bonded together over tales of heroic deeds. If she had it her way, she’d be able to walk into the guildhall and greet her adventuring pals with a smile and a high-five. After that, she’d walk over, pick out a quest, meet up with her best friend, and go on an adventure that could truly be called her own. Once it was over and the night was fresh, it would then be time to report the quest and head on over to the local tavern for a bit of rest and relaxation. Fun would flow as freely as the food, wine, and liquor, songs would be sung that celebrated the heroes of old, and friendships would be forged from the fires of companionship.

And the next day, it would all happen again. Friendships, companionship, happy passings, sad passings, good-byes, and hellos… A life about venturing to the unknown to explore the world, collecting treasures, priceless memories, and invaluable experiences. Helping those who can’t fight, saving those who can’t defend, it was all out there in the bright blue yonder.

But that kind of life was too much of a fairy tale. If she did live in such a world, Momo didn’t expect everything to go always go perfectly. In the first place, it was that imperfect system that allowed her to meet Servi. But the experience the Singi received from Canary’s Warden office was nearly cold. She never spoke to any other adventurer. The one time she did it of her own violation ended in Nimea's death.

There was another positive thing that Momo couldn’t deny, and that was the ever-helpful Elf, Claire. Other than Servi, who was the perfect teammate, Claire was like the guild receptionist of Momo’s dream. There was a firm bond between the three of them, and she truly cared about the pair’s well-being.

The other things? The camaraderie Momo wanted, the atmosphere she desired, and the after-adventure celebration with food and drink? That could wait, for Momo had found something that eclipsed all of that. Besides, if she and Servi couldn’t experience it together, then what was the point of living her perfect adventurer dream without the hopeful love of her life by her side?

“Yeah, Servy’s alright. These kinds of things happen here and there, but look at her,” Momo said. She waited an uncomfortably amount of time before replying because she was trapped in a daydream.

“Help...” whispered Servi. Her curled lips weakly wavered for a second, but there was nothing else strange about it. She seemed to be alright.

“That’s good. Well, I’ll leave you two to it. Be safe, alright?” Claire went to turn around, her shoes’ heels clacking the hardwood floors. She stopped when something brushed against her hair.

“Claire…nap…good…” It was a struggle to say those words, but Servi did it as she reached her hand out. Momo stood off, looking proud. The quick progress her best friend was making had to mean she was fighting just as hard. The healing process was something not just anyone could explain. The girl suffering through it and the Goddess who knew about it couldn’t possibly describe it in complete detail.

Claire turned on her heels and ruffled Servi’s black hair one last time. She didn’t say anything, though. She only communicated what she wanted to with her expressive, purple eyes. Then with another turn, Servi and Momo watched as their friend squeezed and pushed through a growing number of bodies to reach the door. When it closed behind Momo, she turned to her friend and squeezed her hand.

“Come on, Servy. If we stay here, the line’s gonna get too long.” After an energetic two-word reply, the pair of hopeful lovers squirmed themselves through the maze that was Warden’s lobby. The growing number of conversations here and there about supplies, weapons, and gear all melded together into an incoherent mess. But as Momo passed each person, she imagined introducing herself as a newbie—just to get to know her fellow contractors. Maybe they could spare a few tips? One could say how it’s always vital to bring a source of fire and fuel. Perhaps that busty skill user with the staff could impart the knowledge of always having a waterproof cloth wrapped around a pack of matches.

“That’s going to be us one day, Servy,” Momo whispered after walking to the back of the shortest lone, which was nearly 17 people long. She sure was glad that only the party leaders were waiting. And that got her thinking.

17 groups of adventurers were leaving to complete some sort of quest. With southeastern Lando as it was, the fiercest foe would probably require a group of Rank 5s at best to take down. And that meant all 17 groups had come to an agreement on what quest they wanted to complete. And all 17 groups had elected a party leader, who barked orders, gave commands, and decided the best course of action. Even then, it meant those individuals consciously made the choices to trust a single person with their life.

Trust and life, huh? Momo thought while shuffling her feet forward. The line was moving somewhat fast, but it would still be about fifteen more minutes. Momo undoubtedly trusted the girl whose hand she held with her life. Based on what had happened in the past few months, how could she not? It always seemed, to her, that she was constantly being saved. Whether it was from a rat in the sewers, a rat in the forest, or a deadly organization with an army that could rival smaller countries, Servi was just always there.

Ever since we met, my life’s always been in her hands and at her whim. Servy, you’re definitely the leader of our little party, and I swear I’ll follow you anywhere. And you know what? I don’t need to ask questions that I already know the answer to. Hehe! Maybe this means I’m doing some growing of my own?

“Servy, do you think that play might be something you’re interested in?” Momo asked. She didn’t bother to whisper because the collective volume was loud enough to drown out her normal speaking voice. She also knew Servi wouldn’t respond in sentences longer than two words. “I really think it might be good for you. Grampy said that plays were all about becoming someone different for a short period of time. Instead of being yourself, you become your character. That means you have your character’s background, history, likes, dislikes, and own emotional baggage. The former might not be important, but I think the latter is. Leaning into different emotions via the play might accelerate your healing.”

Momo shrugged, then she started to state the downsides of such an idea. “But because I don’t really know it all works, adding something unknown and untested might be a bad idea. It’d be bad if this threw off your healing and erased all the wonderful progress you’ve made. Even with that said, it might be worth consideration. Ah, but that’s a discussion for tonight or tomorrow. There’s just one person ahead of us, so let’s get our helping face on!” Momo gave the hand she held a firm squeeze, and Servi returned it back twofold.

“Help!!! Help!!!”

It might’ve been her imagination, but Momo swore there was something different—something inspiring and full of dedication-- behind the way Servi spoke those two little words.

“Okay! It’s time to help!” The sun was out and about, shining an orange glow on a pink Singi’s declaration to no one in particular. She, and the owner of the hand she held, had just walked out of Warden.

The pair of ready-to-work friends immediately made their way towards the Old Onyx, crossing across streets and making their way down alleys. More than once did they have to ask for directions because the only person who had been there wasn’t able to speak, but the people of Canary were willing to help. Momo first tried to ask a guard, but he began to act weird when he saw what Momo’s hand held. Itarr had to act fast, freezing the man in place before he could do anything. Momo gave her thanks and skedaddled away with a giggling Servi. Once they were far enough away, she thanked the ever-watching Goddess for her assistance, but Momo didn’t let it ruin her day. She just shook the discomfort away and continued on her way.

Momo did notice, as she walked through the city, that the general feeling she felt was like that of the Warden tournament. Many people were already hard at work to get everything ready for the most profitable week of the year so far. Supplies had to be secured, wood and nails had to be gathered, and paint was needed by everyone. That was especially the case for the shops that relied on visual design.

Who would want to visit a tailor that had a dull, gray, lifeless sign that suggested they lacked creativity? A flashy sign was often the first thing potential customers saw, and business owners only had one chance to make a first impression.

The Old Onyx had a respectable history behind it as one of the first clothing stores to open after Parrel became governor. The previous owner used the grant she was given to negotiate a favorable contract with suppliers, then used the tax break Parrel was offering to take advantage of a unique loophole. The end result was a somewhat middle-class, low-high-class store that offered a wide variety of clothing. It had everything from rugged jumpsuits for those sweating away at hard labor to the soft silk loved by arrogant noblewomen. In a way, it didn’t need any flashy signs to advertise because it had already made its mark on the city’s history. Word alone of its re-opening would be enough to gather a proper audience.

“Okay, Servy! Once we’re past here, we’ll be here. I don’t know if you’re nervous or anything, but I’m gonna be right here, okay? I don’t know if I can keep holding your hand like this because I might need two hands to carry stuff, but in my heart, we’re always gonna be connected! Er… Was…was that too cheesy? Hehe!” giggled Momo as she rounded the final corner. The glorious sight of the Old Onyx appeared…and it was a total mess.

The wagon situated out in front of the medium-sized building had so many boxes it had to be at triple capacity. The overwhelming amount of weeds and grass had nearly conquered the cement pathway leading to the store. The big windows were almost darkened by what seemed to be dirt, dust, and grime. The front doors were much of the same, but it did seem the handles were spared from a life of filth. In any case, restoring this once great shop was going to require a lot of work.

It was so bad Momo’s jaw nearly dropped to the unkempt grass. She shook her head and glanced over at a group of people near the store. “Well, we might as well go introduce ourselves and see what we need to do. Let’s start helping!” she said. Servi responded with what was quickly becoming her favorite word, and the pair skipped over.

The group was actually divided into two, though the latter group only had one person—a Human male. It didn’t take long to realize that was the client since the other group was full of Kobolds and Koena. From the conversation going around, it seemed as if Koena and Kobolds were naturally drawn to physically demanding work since they were obviously the best choice. They could work harder than a Human or Elf. A Dwarf could almost work as long as them, but that was only if the job required any digging or smithing.

“Alright, so I want you three to start on the outside windows. There are buckets of cleaning supplies and a well in the back yard,” said the young Human. He wore glasses, which were dirtied with sweat. The white tank top he had on showed off the results of a life full of physical altercations. Even so, he didn’t mind showing off the faint scars on his upper arms and lower wrists.

“Got it,” replied a Koena. He nodded to other others. They walked away into the store, choosing to prop the doors open since there would soon be a lot of traffic. The leftover Demi-Humans were then divided into two groups after the client asked them to. He figured it would be easier to give commands this way since he didn’t have to focus on individual names. He could just say group 1, group 2, or group 3.

As the client turned to the other two groups, which were a mix of Koena and Kobolds, his eyes settled on a petite Singi and her favorite Human. Before he spoke to them, however, he finished giving instructions. “Group 2, start on the inside windows. Group 3, let’s start unloading the boxes.”

“Right. We’re on it.”

“Let’s get to it.”

After watching one temporary party go inside and the other trek on over to the overfilled wagon, the client turned to the only two who hadn’t started working.

“Guess I don’t really need a group 4 because you’re the only Singi here,” he said, opening with a small joke. Momo adorably chuckled because she wanted to be nice. Servi just stared with a smile and blank eyes.

“Boss, where do you need us?” Momo asked. She shuffled on her feet, showing she was ready to get down to business.

“I had some countertops installed a few days ago, but the company I contracted didn’t bother to clean them, so they’re full of sawdust. Then they weren’t that gentle when they delivered them, so there’s dust all over the floor. There are eight of them, and they almost stretch from wall to wall.”

“Cleaning? We can handle that. Are the supplies inside?” asked Momo.

“Yep! I left two buckets near the first two counters. If you need water, there’s a well in the back. Ah, and let me thank you again for taking this quest on. There’s just so much to get done before the festival. When we’re done, I’ll hand you a completion slip as proof you’ve completed your quest.”

“Hehe! You’re very welcome. Come on, Servy, it’s time to work.” Momo left her client with a professional smile, and she and Servi walked into the building. The first group was coming out as they went in, and Momo nodded to them. She heard them get to work as she walked over to the second counter, bypassing the first.

“Wow, it feels weird to be a store as big as this when it’s empty. And ugh… He wasn’t kidding… There’s dust everywhere.” It was as Momo said, though she soon coughed twice. Brown dust was everywhere except the ceiling. She looked down at her dust-infused footprints and almost gasped in surprise when it simply vanished.

Yes, Itarr was at work, doing whatever she could to make Servi’s life easier. Since Absorption was leveled up quite a few times, its range was a respectable fifteen meters.

“Thanks, Itarr. With your help, we’ll be done in no time!” Momo said while watching the Goddess-turned-janitor at work. In just a few seconds, the floors within her immediate area were so utterly clean it was possible to eat off them. “But I can’t let you do all the work. It wouldn’t be fair to you.” Momo let go of Servi’s hand and picked up the cleaning bucket. “Servy, if you get the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th tables, I’ll get the rest. You got the evens, and I got the odds. Alrighty?”

Servi watched with blank eyes as Momo let go of the bucket full of soap and water. Instead of crashing down, it whimsically flew over to Servi’s hands. She had faith that Itarr wouldn’t let it drop to the ground. “I’m just a table away, so don’t get scared or worried, okay?” The quiet girl didn’t respond, but that was alright.

Momo walked over to her table and got to cleaning, whipping away the pesky dust with the all-powerful wet rag. A few swipes here, maybe a vertical swipe there and there. Her cleaning equipment turned dirty, and she squeezed it out into her bucket. When she turned back, the cleaning war had commenced again. After around seven minutes of working in silence, other than her humming, Momo examined her hands after removing them from the brown water. They were pruned and kinda dirty, but she thought that was acceptable when she saw the effects of her hard work. “Yep, there’s something beautiful underneath all that dust. We just need a bit of work to bring it out. Hey, Servy,” Momo called out. The black-haired girl turned around and replied with two particular words repeated back to back.

“Do you need any more water?” asked Momo. She sat her rag down and carried her bucket over to her friend. “I was about to dump and refill. You need—EH!!!!!!?” Momo dropped her bucket, but an always-watching Goddess caught it. Her surprise came not at seeing her best friend’s table so thoroughly clean but at the remaining seven counters looking as if a professional cleaning crew had gotten ahold of them.

“Help!!! Help!!! Help!!!” Servi chanted. This time, her face was that of a sly fox who knew it did something naughty.

Sighing, Momo rubbed her head and chuckled. “Well, this is helping. And you certainly helped. I know I said we’ll be done in no time, but I didn’t mean it literally. Why—” Before Momo finished her sentence, Servi turned away and walked in a snake-like pattern around the remaining counters. The adorable Singi hurried alone and trailed behind her friend. It was a good thing the other groups of workers had their attention on completing their own work because they wouldn’t believe what they saw. Everything that could even be considered a spec of dust was absorbed from this world and sent to the space even beyond non-existence. It was surreal watching everything that came into a certain range just vanish. It was almost kind of scary, but Momo was so far past feeling fear that she knew she didn’t have to worry about anything.

The Servi-and-Momo train came to a halt in the middle of the first counter, which meant Momo’s work had been done for her. She was sad, of course, because she was a girl who prided herself on a job well done. She wanted to put in the effort required of her to get stronger. It didn’t matter if the quest was to slay monsters or deliver food. If she accepted it, Momo vowed to complete it. That was going to be her adventurer’s motto.

“Well, the counters are spotless, the floors are sparkly clean, and we managed to get this done in record time. Let’s go tell the client. If he asks how we did it so fast, let’s just say we’re really, really, really good cleaners.”

A quick trip outside later, Momo saw their client downing a canteen full of water as he leaned against a stack of heavy boxes. The sweat dripping down his muscled, well-defined body shimmered like crystals when the sun struck him in the right spot. He wiped his lips with the back of his hands and took a few deep breaths. “Do you two need anything? Any trouble?” he asked after the oxygen circulated around his body.

“We’re done with the counters,” reported Momo.

“Really?!” exclaimed the client. He rubbed his eyes and walked into the Old Onyx. His astonishment was loud and abrupt, and it could be heard over the nearby groups’ conversation. They stopped at once and turned to their boss. Servi and Momo walked back over and took shelter inside against the harsh sun. The client went to work, closely examining Servi’s and Momo’s work. Then he pulled one of the drawers opened and gasped at how even the most stubborn of dust particles had been vanquished. Momo kinda froze up because she didn’t even consider the drawers, but it was a good thing their all-seeing Goddess had thought of that.