I immediately looked at everyone else because I really had no idea what was going on. Yes, I know I just dreamt about Grace being my maid, but this and that are two different things. Not to mention I really did not wish for my friends to be my servants! “Can someone tell me what is going on!?”
“We don’t know either. You have been asleep only for a few hours, but… An hour after you fell asleep, Grace suddenly sat up, and out of thin air, both the horns and halo appeared on her head. She has been sitting in front of you ever since. This is actually the first time she has spoken since she woke up. She only sat there by your side, ignoring everyone else.” Adel explained. I could tell she was worried. Everyone was. This was to be expected with how Grace was acting.
I held my head and looked at Grace. “Grace, do you remember anything before you woke up?”
“Hmmmm? Of course.” Grace answered with no hesitation.
“Then why are you calling me Master all of a sudden? You never called me this before.” I asked. I just hope she won’t give me the same answer again.
“Hmmm…. I think it is because my blood is linked to yours?” Grace answered. I could tell she herself was also not sure.
“Faith, if I may, and this is just a hypothesis, but I think the reason for her bodily changes is because your blood was more dominant. I think her bloodline has something to do with the ancient Angelic race. From what I read, they were a race of servants who served an ancient unknown race. But this race also had horns.
“This is all just a thought, but I believe that your blood has traces of this race, and that is why she has become subservient. Your blood dominated over her blood during the awakening, and this is why things have come down to this. This would also explain Grace’s ability to use high heal and has such powerful light magic. The Angelic race was a race of people who were all master light element users.” Sei explained, causing me to frown. If this was the case wouldn’t that mean Grace was forced to become my servant due to my blood?
“Is there a way to break such a bond?” I asked. But as soon as those words left my mouth, I regretted it.
“Master! You do not want me anymore!?” Grace’s eyes became filled with tears as she once more pressed her head against the ground. “If Master thinks I am of no use, then this servant will extinguish this useless life.”
“Grace, wait!” Not only did I yell out, but so did many of the others. Grace was already wielding a dagger she pulled out of god knows where and was ready to gut herself. Luckily she stopped at my command.
“Ma-Master?” Grace looked up at me with tears rolling down her cheeks, causing me to let out a long sigh.
I forced a smile as I said: “Who said you were useless? I was just asking a question. I do not want to throw you away or anything close to it.”
“Master!” Grace cried out as she lunged at me, hugging me. I could only pat her back. I was feeling exhausted. For now, I will just leave things as they are. When we leave this dungeon, I will go to the library first thing and try to research how to break this stupid servant thing. But if that dream was actually real, then…. I sighed once more, just thinking about it.
“Faith…” Adel walked over, tears were brimming in her eyes. I watched as she knelt down next to me and lowered her head. “I’m sorry…. If I knew any of this, I would not have suggested the ….”
I reached out and placed my hand on her head. “It’s not your fault. I was the one who wanted a contract to keep my secrets safe. Everyone here is a comrade, and we fought many battles together, living through life and death situations, but I still….”
“Boss….” Steve suddenly spoke up. “I may not be able to speak for everyone, but I can say this for sure, whether you are a dragon, a human, or even a monster, I, for one, do not regret signing the blood seal contract as it means we are now connected even more than before. It means that I have become part of a larger family of people. With the way you have protected us and helped us during this time so far, risking it all to allow us to escape this place, I have no issues with signing the blood contract even if I were to end up like Grace.”
“I agree!” Leo shouted after. “You have helped us so much that even our own prowess that was once rather weak has jumped leaps and bonds. You also used your own body to shield us. If you are not someone who is worthy of following, then I do not know who is.”
Hailey also stepped forward as she said: “Faith, you have allowed me, who was useless altogether with no actual ability to join the academy, to have an actual chance to do so. The way I see it is as if you have given me a new lease on life.”
This was followed by everyone else. Although it was not the best way to cheer me up, it did help a bit. “Well, if anyone feels like they are growing horns and halos, let me know….”
?(O)??? “Hehe….” I heard laughter coming from my stomach and shook my head. Was this girl not just crying before? I shook my head and looked at everyone. “While things took a strange turn, how has it been? Did any monsters show up while I was asleep?”
“No, we kept watch, and not a single monster has appeared here,” Adel answered.
“Alright, then let’s get the drops situated. Front line tanks and healers will get the first pick, excluding me. I do not need any armor.” I wanted the front line to be properly equipped before we continued. As well as anything that might help Grace in boosting her healing.
“That is what we thought as well, but we do not know what is what….”