The following morning, it was time. They arrived at the Red Light District.
Licht said, "Let's do this."
Liebe replied, "We will. Even now, I'm not sure we'll make it out… but it's something we have to do."
Liebe headed to his hotel, while Licht went to "sell" Alysa and Elizabeth.
As they walked, Elizabeth muttered, "We are now officially below prostitutes. My dignity just died."
She turned to Alysa. "How does it feel to live without your dignity?"
Alysa smiled slightly. "Not so bad."
Elizabeth stared. "How the hell are you so happy about this disgrace?"
Alysa blushed and looked away. "No reason."
Licht raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess… Liebe said, 'Alysa, I like you. We can't do this mission without you.' And you agreed?"
Alysa blinked. "How did you know?"
Soon after, Alysa was sold to the House Oria, and Elizabeth to the House Ginu.
Licht returned to the hotel.
Liebe looked up. "I assume they're in position?"
Licht nodded. "Yeah."
Then the communicator rang.
Alysa's voice came through: "Checkpoint 1."
A moment later, Elizabeth's voice followed: "Checkpoint 1."
Liebe sighed in relief. "Good to see they're okay."
Licht said, "One down. Only 335 left to go."
Liebe said, "I'll take the first shift. You take the second, okay?"
Licht replied, "Got it. I'm going to sleep."
Liebe nodded. "I'm heading out to scout the area. If the demon's nearby, I might be able to sense its magic."
Meanwhile, at House Oria—
A girl said, "Oh, you're the new girl. The new prostitute, right?"
Alysa quickly shook her head.
The girls blinked. "Then who are you?"
Alysa took out her notebook and wrote:
"I'm the new servant."
They glanced at each other. "What's wrong with you? Why aren't you talking?"
She wrote again:
"I'm mute."
The girls shrugged. "Alright, then. For your first job, clean our clothes. They're filthy from last night."
Alysa nodded silently. Once they left, she sighed and thought, I almost became a permanent resident here… Then she stared at the pile of clothes.
This is disgusting. If I find the demon, I swear I'll kill it myself.
At House Ginu—
Elizabeth bowed. "I'm the new servant."
A woman looked her up and down. "Girl, you're pretty. Why did your brother sell you as a servant and not a prostitute? He could've made more than 15 silver."
Elizabeth shrugged. "He just wants money to drink."
The woman narrowed her eyes. "Watch yourself. If you mess up, I won't be merciful."
Elizabeth bowed again. "Understood."
Back at the hotel, the second and third checkpoints came in. Everything was on schedule.
Liebe tapped the communicator. "Alysa, Elizabeth—meet me on the street. I'll give you an errand."
Soon, the girls met him in disguise. They pretended to drop something on the road, and Liebe bent down to help.
He whispered, "How are things? Anything suspicious?"
Alysa replied quietly, "No. Everyone keeps saying I'd make a good prostitute, though…"
Elizabeth added, "Demons are weird. Why do they wear bodysuits too? And they all look down on humans. One even asked why Licht sold me cheap—as a servant instead of a prostitute."
Liebe sighed. "I don't know. Just stay alert. Get ready for checkpoints 3 and 4... and then 5. I'll switch with Licht after checkpoint 24."
Hours passed.
Liebe's shift ended, and Licht woke up.
Liebe yawned. "You take over patrol. I'm going to nap."
Licht stretched. "Got it. But this suit really is stiff."
Liebe smirked. "Told you."
Licht said, "I'll watch over them. I'll make sure no funny business happens."
Liebe added, "Keep an eye on your surroundings too."
"I will," Licht said. "I'll do a perimeter sweep and see if anything's interesting."
Liebe nodded. "And make sure to use protection."
Licht punched him in the arm. "You dumbass."
Some time later—
Licht shook Liebe awake. "Liebe. Wake up."
Liebe groaned. "What's wrong?"
Licht frowned. "Alysa's been reporting checkpoints normally. She just called in checkpoint 36."
Liebe sat up. "And?"
Licht said, "It's been five minutes… and Elizabeth is late for checkpoint 36."
Liebe's eyes widened. "What?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"