A few days passed just like that, while Warden mostly spent it on the labour of cleaning duty and guarding... After the recent attack on the mines, the higher-ups had been quite tight with their security.
So, by the morning, Warden would clean toilets and camp, and after that throughout the day, he'd stand guard around mines. Other than a few cursed creatures, there had been no attack.
Thankfully, the boring task provided him with the serene environment he needed to work on his rune smithing. So, after working every night carving the runes, Warden was almost two-thirds done with the orders. He certainly hadn't thought he would be this free...
"Ahaha, void energy destroys 99.9% germs with just one splash," Warden laughed, pouring a half bucket full of void energy-infused cleanser into the toilet.
As the water was splashed away, what was left was pristine white tiles with no sign of abhorrent crap.
"With this, I might be eligible to unlock the Void Janitor class," he thought out loud. He turned his head to find Pino standing behind him with his ever-present anxious look.
"Um, sir," he called, probably wondering if it was a bad time, "the captain wants to see you."
"Now?" Warden raised an eyebrow.
Pino nodded.
Of course, his dream of being a Void Janitor had to end. Jokes aside, he hoped she had her fun and was ready to relieve him of the duty.
With that, Warden collected his bucket and broomstick and was ready to go to the captain.
"Umm, sir..."
"Don't call me sir," Warden said, mildly annoyed.
"Umm, are you going to go like that?"
"Yeah," he said. "What's wrong with it?"
The wrong was that he had been cleaning toilets since waking up, wearing dirty attire, and moving with broom and bucket in hand.
A menacing smile crept onto his lips as he thought of presenting himself in this look. She certainly would like it...
Lady Agnes clicked her tongue but didn't hold that against him.
"This map looks old and grimy. Should I clean it, Madame Captain?"
"Alright, Warden, this is going out of hand," Luis said, raising his voice.
"But my hand is clean," Warden said, raising both of his hands to show it to the sergeant.
Luis snorted, but the captain raised her hand to stop him from whatever he was about to spout.
"I'd like to see how long he can keep up this façade," she said with a cold smile. "How are you finding your life on the front lines?"
"Dirty, Madame Captain," he answered. "Nobody cares about hygiene in this day and age, they shit all over... Hmm, would you like to see, Madame Captain? Hmm, where I left my broomstick... I just cleaned shit with it..."
Warden got up to show her the broom, but she turned immediately and pushed him back on the chair.
"No need," she said, glaring up at him. "Your Madame Captain knows how dirty humans are. Thankfully, this Janitor Warden seems adequately accomplished in cleaning shits."
"You're praising this Janitor too much, Madame Captain."
"No, not at all. I have reports that the latrines are as clean as polished marbles."
"If so, will the Madame Captain be kind enough to give me permission to clean he own latrine as well?" Warden asked. "Of course, I don't dare imply Madame Captain is dirty like these grimy soldiers... I'm sure her latrine is classy and stunning like herself."
The smile she had already strained away long ago. She was about to curse at him, but that would mean she lost the fight, and in no way in hell she would admit that. She was more competitive than she let on.
"Enough about latrines and shits," she husked. "I called you to inform you... we have been drafted for a mission deeper into the rift, and you're in."
"Truly?" Warden said. "I hope I can assist in cleaning all of Madame Captain's crap throughout the way. I assure you nobody is as accomplished as this Janitor."
______
If anyone wondering what accent Warden was speaking... Imagine him as a brit butler...