The Young Demon Lord and her Maid-Knight

The castle town bustled with life, its cobbled streets teeming with activity. Humans, beastkin, and dwarves mingled in a vibrant tapestry of cultures. Merchants loudly hawked their wares from colorful stalls, their voices blending into a cheerful cacophony. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat wafted through the air, intermingling with the earthy tang of smithy smoke and the faint aroma of flowers sold by street vendors. Children darted between legs, laughing as they played, while armored mercenaries and adventurers passed by with purpose, their weapons gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Maia confidently led Lilith through the throng, her steps sure and steady, her hand gesturing occasionally to point out landmarks. Lilith, meanwhile, soaked in the sights, her violet eyes shimmering with curiosity as she took in the energy and diversity of the town.

"This town is more lively than I expected," Lilith admitted, her lips curving into a smile. "But calling it a 'town' feels off—it seems more like a city to me."

Maia chuckled, her amber eyes glinting with amusement. "Back in the day, it was just a town," she said with a smirk. "Then they built the castle after the dungeon appeared nearby. Everything grew from there."

"Oh?" Lilith tilted her head slightly, her interest piqued. "So the dungeon is inside the castle?"

"Exactly," Maia replied, her voice carrying a note of pride. She pointed ahead, her arm sweeping toward the skyline. "See that spire over there? That's the tallest point of the castle. The dungeon's entrance lies directly beneath it. The castle was constructed around the dungeon as a means to control access. Later, when the town prospered, they built the walls we passed through earlier to protect it all."

Lilith followed Maia's gaze to the spire. It pierced the sky like a sentinel, its stone surface catching the light, giving it an almost ethereal glow. Below, the sprawling castle loomed, its towering walls blending seamlessly into the town's backdrop. The architecture was both imposing and elegant, a testament to the wealth and skill of its builders.

"So the dungeon is the heart of the town," Lilith mused, her eyes lingering on the spire. "Everything revolves around it."

"Pretty much," Maia agreed. "The dungeon attracts adventurers and treasure hunters, which brings money and trade. But it also brings danger, so the castle keeps everything in balance."

Lilith nodded thoughtfully, her mind racing with possibilities as they continued toward the mercenary guild. She found herself wondering about the mysteries hidden within the dungeon and how it had shaped the town into the bustling place it was today.

"Here we are," Maia announced, stopping in front of a large, bustling building. The wooden sign above the entrance bore the emblem of crossed swords and a shield—a universal symbol of the mercenary guild. "I'll guide you to the counter so we can get you registered," she added, taking hold of Lilith's hand and pulling her inside without waiting for a reply.

Lilith blinked as they stepped into the guildhall. The air was filled with chatter and the clinking of mugs, the lively hum of mercenaries swapping stories, and the occasional bark of laughter. It was strikingly similar to the adventurers' guilds she remembered from Eldoria. The main hall was spacious, with wooden beams stretching across the ceiling and sturdy furniture scattered throughout. A tavern was nestled in one corner, its tables occupied by a mix of humans, beastkin, and dwarves. Notices and job postings covered a large board on the far wall, drawing the attention of mercenary's planning their next venture.

"Let's get you registered," Maia said, pulling Lilith toward one of the open counters. She nudged Lilith forward with a grin. "My friend here would like to register," Maia said to the guild employee behind the counter. "She's pretty strong, and she helped me out with a guard request for a merchant. So, you know, she's already proven herself!"

The man behind the counter, a middle-aged dwarf with a neatly trimmed beard and piercing eyes, gave a warm chuckle. His nameplate read Bhal. "Good day to you both," he greeted them, his gravelly voice carrying a friendly tone. "Welcome to the Xahorb Mercenary Guild. I'm Bhal. What can we do for you today?"

Lilith stepped forward, offering a polite smile. "Greetings," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "As Maia mentioned, I'd like to register as a mercenary."

"Excellent," Bhal said, pulling out a large ledger from beneath the counter. He flipped it open to a blank page and grabbed a quill. "Let's get started. Name?"

"Lilith," she replied.

"Alright, Lilith." He scribbled her name into the ledger with practiced ease. "Any prior experience with mercenary or adventuring work?"

"She's already helped me with a guard request," Maia chimed in proudly. "She handled it like a pro!"

"Is that so?" Bhal raised a bushy eyebrow, his eyes flicking to Lilith. "What kind of work have you done before, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I've scouted mines and killed monsters," Lilith replied, her tone steady but uncertain. She glanced briefly at Maia before continuing. "Though, I'm not sure what kind of monsters you have around here compared to those in my homeland. Oh, and I've also worked as a guard for traveling merchants."

"On the way here, we ran into a big group of forest goblins that ambushed us," Maia interjected with a wide grin. "Lilith came to help us out. Took care of the problem like it was nothing!"

Bhal raised an eyebrow, his quill hovering above the ledger. "Is that so?" he said, jotting down a note. "So, you just happened to be passing by and stepped in to help them out? I see. Then you weren't originally hired by this group?"

"Well, you see..." Lilith began, her voice carrying a touch of hesitation. She quickly recounted the events. "I was hired by a merchant named Johan after his previous guards were killed during the journey. He was desperate for protection, and I agreed to assist him. That's how I ended up traveling with Maia's group."

Bhal's expression shifted slightly, his gaze sharpening as he listened. "Hmm, I see," he said thoughtfully. "That's quite the story. So, you've already proven yourself against an organized goblin ambush and protected a merchant in dire circumstances. That's not a bad start, Lilith."

He finished writing in the ledger, then looked up with a smile. "Alright, let's finalize your registration. You'll be starting at the entry rank, but with your experience, you might climb the ranks quickly if you keep this up."

Maia beamed proudly at Lilith. "Told you she's strong!"

Bhal chuckled. "If she's half as good as you say, Maia, I'm sure we'll be hearing her name often in the guild."

"I guess," Bhal continued, leaning back slightly, "since you've scouted before, I'd like you to take on a task for the guild. We need someone to locate the hideout of those forest goblins. They've been causing trouble for travelers and merchants using that route, and it's become a serious issue."

"Just find their hideout?" Lilith asked, tilting her head.

"That's right," Bhal nodded. "We believe it's near a cave somewhere in the forest. Your task is to locate it and report back. No need to engage them unless absolutely necessary. But be careful, Lilith—goblins are dangerous, especially to women of other races." He fixed her with a stern look. "Do not, under any circumstances, get caught by them. They've been known to take prisoners, and their treatment of captives…" His expression darkened for a moment. "Well, let's just say it's not a fate you'd want."

Lilith considered his words carefully but then shifted the conversation. "When can I enter the dungeon?" she asked, her curiosity about the mysterious castle spire resurfacing.

Bhal chuckled, pulling a hand thoughtfully through his neatly trimmed beard. "Straight to the point, huh? Well, Lilith, as a new recruit, you're ranked Iron—the lowest rank. To enter the dungeon, you need to be at least Silver and part of a group. If you want to go solo, you'll need to be ranked Gold or higher. But even then," he added with a pointed look, "we don't recommend anyone going in alone. Losing a Gold-ranked merc would be a waste, and it's dangerous, even for the best."

Lilith frowned slightly, calculating the effort required. "So, what are the ranks?"

"Ah, good question." Bhal leaned forward slightly, his voice taking on a storytelling cadence. "We've got six standard ranks: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Above that, there's the Master rank, but that's exceedingly rare. To achieve Master rank, you'd have to do something extraordinary—like protecting an entire country or pulling off a world-changing feat. We haven't had a Master-ranked mercenary since I was a kid, and I'm already pushing 200 years." He chuckled, patting his beard proudly.

"Hmm, I see," Lilith said, her tone contemplative. "So, to enter the dungeon, I need to climb two ranks from where I am now."

"That's right," Bhal confirmed. "Prove yourself with missions like this goblin scout, and you'll move up in no time. Just be careful and don't take unnecessary risks. We want to see you around for a long time."

Lilith nodded, her determination clear. "Understood. I'll take the job."

Maia clapped her hands together with a grin. "Now that's the spirit! Let's get going and find those goblins!"

"It would be best if she does this alone," Bhal said, his gaze shifting to Maia.

Maia frowned, crossing her arms. "But I wanted to do jobs with Lilith!"

"Maybe next time," Lilith chimed in, her tone calm and understanding. "Scouting is harder to do in bigger groups, and if you're not familiar with scouting techniques, you could end up being more of a burden than a help."

"Oh, yeah, I guess that makes sense," Maia admitted, her ears drooping slightly in disappointment. But she brightened up quickly, her enthusiasm returning. "But when you hit Silver, we can go to the dungeon together! I'll show you how strong I am, and with my party, you won't even have to look for a group."

Lilith nodded, offering a small smile. "Sounds like a plan."

"Good, good," Bhal said, satisfied. "Now that's settled, you should find a place to stay before taking on the job. Maia, I'm sure you can show her to the mercenary inns."

"Mercenary inns?" Lilith asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.

"Yes, merc inns," Bhal explained. "They're inns specifically for mercenaries in this town. Built and managed by the guild, they're affordable and cater to the needs of mercenaries. They make it easier for folks like you to find a decent place to stay without worrying about being overcharged or running into trouble."

"That sounds convenient," Lilith said thoughtfully.

"Very," Maia said, her earlier excitement returning. "I'll take you to the best one! It's got good food, clean rooms, and a lively atmosphere. You'll love it!"

"Then lead the way," Lilith said with a soft chuckle, letting Maia take the reins again.

Bhal smiled as he watched the two leave the counter. "Good luck with the job, Lilith. Remember—stay sharp and stay safe."

"I will," Lilith promised, giving him a respectful nod before following Maia out of the guildhall.