The dragon let out happy chirps as Layla petted it. It also leaned more into her touch, but its body was vigilant against any incoming threat that could harm her.

It made Layla feel glad she had such a dragon keeping her company. But she also knew that she needed to ask questions.

"So, how did I end up here? Did these people manage to kidnap me from my home? Somehow, I doubt that. Mary would not have allowed that to happen-"

Layla tried to think over what could have happened.

She was 100% certain that this was someone's plan (most likely Mary's since she was the only one bold enough to pull this off). But the person who was supposed to pick her up was nowhere to be seen.

"Shall we make our way back now? We will see if we run into anyone else on the way."

Layla asked the dragon in her arms that she was fostering.

The dragon chirped, showing it was ready to head out with Layla. And the pair was off to get back home.

Halfway through, Layla remembered that she could message Mary and have the maid pick her up.

Layla could tell from her physical appearance alone that the world had changed greatly from what she remembered. It was no longer a place she was familiar with, so Layla did not want to risk heading around all alone.

She needed someone who knew about the current political landscape of the world and could help her.

But nothing she found until she reached the town. Even Mary's letter to her was late, and Layla felt that she had been on her own for some time.

'Well, at least I have magic and a dragon. These things would have to be enough for now.'

...

While Layla was living her best life without any worry, it was chaotic in the place she had left behind.

People were running around like headless chickens, and a rumor had spread that their grandmaster's body had been stolen from the place it had been stored inside.

It was made even more evident that Lady Rosette had gathered all the servants and was grilling them about the body and what happened.

Mary watched this happening from the sidelines, not getting involved but not pitying the maids.

Raziel was sitting opposite her, and he looked at his master with a suspicious expression.

"Master, is this a part of your plan? Did you allow someone to take our lady's body away so that you could drive out the traitors from our ranks? You need to stop using our lady as a tool you can exploit."

Raziel spoke in a low voice, and he sounded angry.

Despite his anger and disappointment, he kept himself in check and decided not to engage his master more than he already did.

The former maid blinked at her apprentice with an almost shocked but happy expression.

"Oh my! Such accusations are not good to make without proof, my dear apprentice. I did not allow anyone to take our lady's body; I just let them borrow it. That dragon must have gone out to retrieve the body by now.

Lady Layla would be back any second now, and we will know about it…speaking of that, it has been a while since we heard the news of our lady. I wonder what is happening to her?"

Mary asked in a non-worried voice. She was not bothered that her lady was not found. She seemed to be having a blast now that her lady was not here.

Seeing her like this made Raziel feel worried.

This was not the first time Mary had used their lady as bait, but it was taking too long this time. A day had already passed, and it was almost time for him to head out and get their lady back.

A delay like this had never happened before.

*Sigh*

"Perhaps I will head out and bring my lady back now. I will also take Lady Rosette and Lord Adam with me. The three of us should be more than enough to care for anything coming our way."

Raziel promised before he stood up and gathered his weapons. He was determined to carry out his mission.

"Yes, do what you can for our lady and bring her back home. I am sure this will be an informative journey for you."

Mary smiled at Raziel as she watched him leave.

Once he was gone, Mary took out the note from her pocket and held it out.

It was a note written by 'her lady' who was finally awake. It felt like a scam, but Mary's instincts told her it was true.

Her lady was finally awake and needed some time to adjust to this world.

The demoness would give her lady time to look around and adjust to this world before she had to pick her up and bring her here.

Everything was ready for her Lady's arrival, and it was only a matter of time before the world found out their lady was back.

"Yes, it's just a matter of time. All the power in the world has been slowly gathered at our Lady's tips. Whatever goal she has in her mind… will come to fruition now. I cannot wait to see the expression on her face once she realizes what we did for her."

Mary smiled at the thought of her lady being happy, but she quickly squashed that expression from her face.

There was no need for a maid to look this happy. Not when her miss was missing.

'Ah, it's time to torment the guards for failing to protect our lady and keep her safe. It will be fun toying with the guards once their guardian is gone. When will I get the chance to do this again?'

Mary asked, and all the guards felt a shiver go down their spines. They were certain that something horrible was going to happen to them soon.