3. After the Goblin King's Fall

"I uh," Audrey twiddled her fingers. She was scolded thoroughly for using the teleportation spell again by Madoka, but her cheeks and ears were red. She figured Her Highness was embarrassed and only then did she stopped. Drezgor, who was resting on a stool conjured by Madoka, still looked over himself with sheer awe as he shook his legs and arms. "Ahhh… I was um…"

When a group of gold Adventurers pulled him out of the tree he was embedded in, he looked like a twisted pile of limbs, barely breathing. She was quite disturbed by the sight initially, unable to reconcile the Diamond tag hanging around his neck with what was left of him in that tree. She made a mental note to avoid getting hit by a giant club from now on. Her Fidgetness came over like a whirlwind and healed all of the injured adventurers, including Drezgor. He also seemed like he was in shock, which Madoka could understand considering he was a shattered mess moments before Audrey arrived.

Now, she was busy trying to explain how she annihilated the goblin horde with ease.

"I just used my Wind magic technique," she said, as if she was caught in a lie. Madoka would have scolded her for being dishonest, but she was secretly terrified of what the actual answer could be.

"What technique?" Drezgor clasped his forehead in exasperation. "No Domineering mage in Gladeban's history has come close to the power you used."

"I ahh, um, I, okay! Okay! Don't look at me like that, I'm just having trouble actually explaining it," Audrey focused her eyes. Seeing this, Madoka instinctively took a step back. Drezgor only looked at Her Highness with increased suspicion in his eyes. Instead of using magic, a concrete explanation seemed to resolve in her eyes when she opened them. "I tested on the goblins a concept I was thinking about awhile ago. It's simple and also complicated. Simple, as in a localized big boom. Complicated, as in I made an isolated atmosphere system in an arbitrary center point and accelerated the molecules within it to simulate some sort of coloumb explosion… Aaand I lost you again. Both of you this time."

Drezgor at least showed a better composure than Madoka's own confused state, before it registered that Audrey was testing her magic on the goblin.

"You were… testing on the goblins?"

"Yes," Audrey confirmed, raising her hand. "It was kind of hard to visualize the magic previously, but now since I'm Godtouched…"

Drezgor looked at Audrey's Golden Hand, then at Madoka. He burst out with a slightly bewildered laugh, as if he himself was unsure how to fit the princess's very presence into reality. She could only offer a sympathetic shrug. She also realized that the accelerated whatever-she-called-it Audrey mentioned was the technique she had talked about back in their duel in the Leyline. The same Wind magic concept that she said Madoka would not survive if she used it on her. The maid glanced at the wreckage of severed goblin limbs and broken branches left by her magic. Yeah, that's probably true, she thought. She barely survived the water tornadoes.

"Testing, as if they're target dummies, not breathing vile creatures able to stop us in our tracks!" His breath caught in a maddened state before he pulled himself together like the Substance magic cocoon did.

"At least she didn't test any of her Water magic," Madoka sighed. The mention of it nearly unraveled him again.

"What?"

Drezgor pulled Audrey away to tend to other fallen adventurers, while Madoka was left alone. She leaned on her metal walking stick, showing little interest in the dead goblins or the other adventurers. She often wondered about Domineering magic after witnessing Audrey's destructive miracles. She understood the various Elemental Schools and could vaguely compare the Tiers of spells to her own weapons in terms of their potency. That was simple enough for her simple mind. The more red strands and emotions added to a spell, the more likely the spell's power meant the higher Tier.

That was what the Researcher spoke about, right? Madoka could only sigh. There was a kind God of Domineering responsible for the languages every being spoke in the world. Though the connection between words and spells was quite apparent and reasonable, she was baffled by the existence of Audrey's Wind element. To her, the princess seemed to not use Strands nor did her words make a difference to her own spells at all. It was as if she simply changed the world according to her whim in an instantaneous manner. The matter of Ilalune and even any other Princess in this world potentially having the same ability as Audrey made this revelation worse. What if they were also like Her Highness, being from another world and using their old knowledge to shape and break this world? The metal rod began to crumple under Madoka's grip as she grew more and more darker in her thoughts.

No, Lady Arudite also did not seem to know that her servant also possessed a Core right underneath her nose. Or was that just crafty acting on her part to not raise Audrey's suspicion? In the end, the walking staff was crunched to the point of being unusable. She left it behind after noticing someone familiar. Eraziror was sitting on a fallen tree branch, looking rather lonely with his weapon out. He nodded at Madoka as she approached.

"I thought I was a goner the night the Sky opened. Never seen something like that so close before," Eraziror sighed. He sat back on the log, wiping goblin blood off his sword. "But I kept my training up for so long over the last couple of weeks and never broke down once. Never faltered, even kept up in fights against Juujee a lot of times. When the voices struck my mind, I, Eraziror, somehow blocked them out. I was a way out on the road, certain my feet were headed towards the Shadow Forest and to my death when I regained my senses. I broke free! Even when I protected her just now, I resisted that Witch's magic! Did you see me? I was strong, for once! So why do I feel like this now?"

"I did. You survived," Madoka breathed a sigh of relief. He survived the volley of arrows and darts while keeping Lady Eena safe enough to be healed. "Isn't that a testament on how your training worked?"

"Wishful thinking, I thought I did too. I puffed out my chest and rattled my scales, when I approached Lady Eena like a fool. But then I remembered what the voices said to me. Its Eyes had found someone else in my thoughts," Eraziror chuckled bitterly. "I could try my luck and be strong like you. Be honest with my feelings. So I told her. I told her of all my dreams, the person I wanted to be for her, to be there by her side. She rejected me without hesitation. And, now I was healed twice by House Dalion. Heh, that's how pathetic I am, right?"

"No," Madoka shook her head. "It takes strength to be open with yourself and share your dreams with others."

"That's easy for someone as monstrous as you," Eraziror scoffed. The hurt and heartache in his eyes told the story of a brokenness she could never live through. Madoka said nothing, lowering her head. She secretly also found it too easy to say. She really was not able to comfort anyone besides the princess. Then the Sovos adventurer spoke up again. "Sorry, Madoka. I should not have taken it out on you."

"I-It's no problem," Madoka lied. She did not know whether it was because of what he said or the way he looked at her as someone high above his station, invincible and untouchable. Perhaps she was stronger than him, but she was a slave and the burden of having that kind of attention on her was too much for her consciousness. "I'm not very good at comforting people."

"Nonsense," Eraziror waved her off. Madoka swatted his hand away from picking at the newly healed wound around his leg, causing him to chuckle. "You're a great listener, and very attentive to details. What was it, I overheard your Master call you? A workaholic?"

He laughed and for some reason, that made Madoka feel easier about the situation. She felt an underlying guilt that she was the reason why Lady Eena rejected him. Or perhaps, one of the reasons why. She had attached herself to the maid, like some of the clingy Nobles she took care of back in her Palace days as if she was a confident or consort. In her mind, the Noble Lady simply needed more healing inside. Something the scars on the outside on her body could not simply harden and become hidden below in Eena's heart. Madoka figured that was why she rejected him. Perhaps, she should distance herself from the Noble woman like Audrey wants in order to not make things so complicated. Eraziror suddenly stiffened, looking at someone approaching them from behind her.

Drezgor saved her from the awkward moment and from her spiraling thoughts. There was more work to do, so she stood at attention, ready for his next order.

"Ceghinort's blood," he sighed. "You two are right monsters. Luxgor, Lady Fate— they all lied. You're much more worse than the reports."

"H-Hai," Madoka shuffled nervously. He was right, but there was simply way too much to explain so she stood there quietly. The Acting Guild Master did not seem so sure of himself, carrying himself as if his limbs were snapped.

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"I did not have the chance to properly thank you, too," Drezgor bowed suddenly. Immediately, Madoka rushed to stop him.

"D-Don't bow to me," she nearly shrieked. "That's heresy!"

"You saved my life and the others around us are lucky you two were around this time," he shrugged. "How could I not?"

"Work!" Madoka was quite flustered. She loathed people acting like that around her. "T-There's work to do."

"Aye," Drezgor straightened himself up. Eraziror seemed too dejected to even greet the man, getting up. Nothing was said between them, but they eyed each other after glancing at Madoka who stood there speechless. What are they looking at now?

"Behind again. I'll be regrouping with Juujee, sir and Madoka," he waved. What did he mean by that? "Be seeing you."

Drezgor nodded, silently watching Eraziror's retreating figure. There was something that sparked between the two men, like a rivalry of sorts, however Madoka dismissed it as quickly as he walked away. The Acting Guild Master cleared his throat and pointed outward towards the plains.

"Do you see that heap?" He asked. Madoka followed his extended claw and saw rows of shacks and poorly constructed defenses out in the middle of the field. She nodded. "As soon as Lady Dalion gets back to you, head out there and clear it out. Or go alone. Go wild, yes?"

"J-Just me?" Madoka hesitated. She truly did not need to trouble Audrey with such a shoddy camp. The opportunity to let out her frustration built up from thinking constantly was indeed making her desire to smash things unbearable. She closed her eyes and extended her thoughts outward to capture the camp's situation. The distant thoughts of Ear Grabbers skittering inside were in disarray now that their King was dead as well as the tonsil stone's diminishing influence over them weakened their resolve. Ears and Eyes, she groaned.

"Yes," Drezgor lowered his voice. "There's a matter only House Dalion can take care of inside that rubbish. A mess that only you can take care of, I'm sure. Ceghinort himself told me about what you've done in the mines."

Madoka's heartbeat quickened as she heard his revelation. Ceghinort must speak to powerful adventurers to further his goal of survival and she was his ticket out. Drezgor had already departed, leaving her to her own devices. After some reluctance, she thought to herself and reached a conclusion. Who was she to turn down a kind god's request? It was meaningless work to her, but was she not helping others by clearing this nuisance out? Bolstering Her Highness's reputation and also saving her some trouble was her duty. Before she knew it, she was already marching towards that direction. Madoka had never been so decisive, but the talk with the cat of all things had caused her to look at things differently. She would have to bring up her freedom sooner or later, even though that seemed as daunting as facing the Witch.

The air grew colder and panting was slowly closing in on her from behind her. Audrey had ran to catch up to her.

"Your Hi— Audrey!" Madoka stammered, stopping to steady her.

"He really sent you out here alone?" Audrey questioned. "Is he crazy? Does he know what you're capable of?"

"Apologies," Madoka hung her head. "I-I thought the work would be troublesome for you."

"Heh," Audrey chuckled. Madoka gave her a confused look. "We haven't had the time to catch up after the battle, but it looks like we cleared out most of 'em besides that little town over there."

"Almost done," Madoka clapped her hands, more than eager to get this farce over with and give Audrey a thorough bath. "There's something inside the goblin town. Perhaps you know of it, but… it's something called a tonsil stone. From the Uracksheegal itself."

Audrey's eyes narrowed as she mulled over the information Madoka gave her.

"Sounds gross," she remarked.

Madoka nearly groaned at her simple conclusion. She wanted an explanation over whatever a tonsil stone, but that response had all but told her that the princess did bot care or know any additional information on it. The Crystal in her chest began to hum, indicating that she was indeed close enough to destroy the village and the stone itself. It had been talking to her the whole time, but she simply ignored it. Audrey gave her a puzzled look.

"Here should be good," Madoka muttered to herself.

"What?" Audrey looked at her, but she sensed the humming getting louder from Madoka's chest. Golden light started to shine beneath her cloak, like a lance of sun piercing through the clouds. "Madoka, you're not gonna make it go boom, right?"

"You caused us trouble in the forest just now," Madoka said calmly, allowing more Knotting Strands to siphon into her from the air and static around them. "So allow me this time."

"Madoka?"

It was too late, Madoka had already ripped the Crystal out in the form of an explosive. Audrey screamed as the electricity went wild and shook throughout her body.

"This, Witch, is for making me think so much lately!" She roared and hurled the explosive.

The projectile, which started as a simple and small sphere of golden light, stretched to a javelin under the brute force of her throw. A streak of jagged magic followed the spear as it arced somewhere over the walls of the unsuspecting goblin's village. Even the sky above seemed to glow under the magic's disturbance, highlighted in white and gold flashes like lightning. Then, the fields shook as a violent explosion burst from the detonation.

"What in the fu—" Audrey toppled over as the tremors and explosion persisted for a few minutes, loudly venting all of Madoka's pent up frustration in a brilliant cloud of smoke and flames. It was a fine display, mesmerizing her as its shockwaves fluttered against her clothes and face. After a brief moment, the familiar dust of the Crystal's returning particles soon began to travel back into her chest. After sensing no more thoughts of ears, eyes, and seeing a large crater where the town once was, she felt satisfied. There were no living captives there, so she was certain that she could let loose this time. A black pillar of smoke scraping the sky replaced the hazy purple mist that plagued that area.

"Job done," Madoka clapped her hands again, turning and finding no one standing behind her. "Where did you go, Audrey?"

A hand tapped her boot, making Madoka instantly embarrassed. She overdid it, did she not? She pulled the princess up onto her feet, feeling better about herself anyways.

"W-Well, then," Audrey stuttered. "You didn't hold back, didn't you?"

"No more gross things," Madoka confirmed. The two approached the crater she created cautiously. After confirming that the tonsil stone was completely gone, along with everything else around it she looked behind her. A crowd of onlookers wearing different expressions on their faces in the distance. Amazement, confusion, and terror seemed to spread across the adventurers, making her feel slightly embarrassed. Worst of all, was Audrey's incredulous look when she turned to her.

"Dude, don't look at me," Audrey protested. "You're the one who nuked this place."

"What's a nuke?" Madoka muttered, then she straightened herself out again. "A-Apologies, I caused much more trouble than you this time."

"Why are you apologizing to me?" Audrey asked, concern crossing her eyes as they flickered with cautiousness. Then, the princess reassured her. "I don't care if you destroy a country either, you know. I am here for you just like you're here for me. I will always support you and your, uh, destructive tendencies."

Madoka managed a small smile, but it was mirthless.

"I feel like," Madoka started, reluctant at first, but moment she gazed at Audrey's eyes the smoldering in her released emotions began to rekindle the doubts again. "I haven't had time to even understand what I am anymore. Everything has been going so fast that I needed— I needed to let it all go for a moment. I feel like we're headed to somewhere really, really bad. But doing that—" she glanced at the massive hole she cleaved into the earth. "I honestly didn't expect my strength to be that devastating."

"Welp," Audrey also looked at the crater. "I used to think I could control a lot of things too, but lately I think I've been feeling the same way. I'm not in a novel, not a main character, everything here is much more real. You might not get me all the time, heh. Uracksheegal, the Witch, whatever happens, I just want you to know: We are in this together, Madoka. And you also have a big ass bomb at your disposal so if we confront that Witch, it makes me feel way better."

Again, so simple, but Madoka realized that it was Audrey's way of comforting her. She should have felt alarmed at the repeated phrases that the princess used, the words and doubtful thoughts sent from all the kind gods she had encountered this far. Yet, somehow, the princess was the only one she felt secure with. Not even Lady Eena could give her that feeling. Her mind was pkagued by relentless things she wanted to share with Audrey, but in the end, what did any of it have to do with them? Fearing the outcomes would only create more of the craters she made, right? The princess's simple answers, even if the relaxed state was a facade of calmness, were enough to remind her that she was a friend to Madoka. Therefore, she decided to tell Her Highness directly about these doubts of hers.

"I have a lot I want to tell you, though those things seem like mountains I cannot cross. I want to hide them as if they're secrets. And they are dangerous burdens I don't want to give you," she admitted. "I keep stopping myself at the moment they're on my tongue, because I am your slave. I keep stopping and asking myself, 'what does any of it have to do with us? With you?' I know it might help, but that's what I keep doing, Audrey. My sins of dishonesty terrify me deeply."

The girl stopped and listened without a word, taking in everything Madoka just said. She felt uncomfortable with the silence, but knew this was the right thing to say.

"So what do you want to do, Madoka?" She asked, narrowing her eyes. She rose a hand before Madoka could utter some excuse or apology to backtrack away from her foolish admission. "I'm not asking you to answer immediately. You keep waiting on me to give you answers, but the truth is, I think you're beginning to get a feel for yourself. That's brave, Madoka. It takes guts to become something to yourself. When I looked at you back then, you'd always back down and hide away. Now, you return my stare with your own, my words with your opinions, and my thoughts with your actions. Yeah, I do dumb stuff, but now you are starting to finally tell me. Really tell me. You tell me how you feel. That's a mountain you crossed on your own, right? Life isn't about fitting into a box someone else set down for you or shrinking and cutting the bits of your own shape that make you who you truly are just to fit their mold. Remember that. Heh."

Audrey paused, playing with a lock of her hair nervously.

"It might be hypocritical of me to say that, though. I was the one who confessed to you first and want to always stand by your side."

"Audrey, you…" Madoka reached out for her Golden Hand.

Audrey suddenly became bashful, but before Madoka could speak again heavy footsteps pounded through the forest where they left. Soldiers were approaching and the cheers of the adventurers seemed to overshadow the commotion Madoka caused. She silently thanked the kind gods for the distraction and simultaneously sent a prayer that it was indeed effective. From her side, Madoka heard Audrey murmuring something as they walked hand and hand to the gathered adventurers.

"I know you have been, like, brainwashed to be a slave and all that. You've been told to follow me without being yourself, but the signs of you becoming wholly yourself are there. Slowly but surely. I'll wait for you, I promise. Keep reminding you to keep going."

Madoka gave a gentle squeeze to her hand in response. Please, Your Highness, wait for me then, she prayed silently to her.

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