The dress was...not terrible.
That's all Olivia can honestly say! It wasn't the classy dresses she preferred with the long sleeves and ruffled skirt, and it wasn't blue and white.
This looks more like those Victorian ballgowns, but. Well.
Beggars can't be choosers. She's the one kidnapped. She can't exactly complain. At least she's not naked anymore.
This was fancier than she expected, too.
The dress was pink and white, had long sleeves with a puffy shoulder and frills for elegance. Olivia was currently wearing a corset, too, which was...way more comfortable than what she was expecting.
"There!", the woman smiled once Olivia stepped out with her new clothes. "You look like a perfect esteemed daughter of a Duke! Perfect!"
...Olivia doesn't feel like anything but a kidnapped girl playing dress-up, but whatever.
The room was the only creepy part of the manor she's been kidnapped to, surprisingly. When she agreed to this insane plan--because she had to agree, she can't afford to die before graduation!!--that dark room opened to a warmly lit hallway with wooden walls engraved with fancy designs.
This family is insanely rich, Olivia had to note, as she was led throughout this house that feels more like a manor than anything. No wonder they can afford to kidnap a random girl for their lunatic daughter.
There were banners hanging on the walls within a wide circular room, bearing scenes of heroes fighting villains that honestly reminded Olivia of those Greek tapestries. And in that room, there were two stairs on opposite ends. One led to an upper floor, another led to a lower floor.
Everything looked like it's been made and maintained through generations of wealth, frankly.
...it was disturbing.
All this wealth, and they can't keep a woman with alarming delusions under control? Ah, but. Then again, this is probably how violence and murders happen in the first place.
It wasn't like the woman was alone, too. The room this person led her to had maids in modest black and white dresses complete with frilly aprons. These maids didn't even question it when their mistress ordered them to dress Olivia up...then again, it's probably within their paycheck to do things without question.
So then Olivia was put into these clothes. The dress was the only thing in this mess she didn't completely hate, honestly.
Her gracious captor seemed pleased by how she looked, too. Aside from the proclamations of being a daughter of a Duke or whatever, the woman then adds. "Now I'll introduce you. Follow me to the carriage."
The woman starts walking away, shoes clicking in each step. Olivia follows without any other choice.
When they got to the front doors, there were two butlers that were already standing there--hands at the doors' handles. With a simple wave of the woman's hand, they pulled the door open.
Olivia looked out, and.
There was a giant eye.
Why the hell was there a giant eye. And scales. And a giant alligator head. And.
She might need a second. "Is that. Is that a dragon."
"Why, yes. Dragons are faster transport these days."
"Oh. Huh."
.
..
...
...Olivia is going to hit her head on a wall. Be right back.
"Oh, dear", the woman blinked. "Did you need explaining first?"
==
Apparently, Heroes that were summoned before didn't need any explanation. They immediately assumed that they were in another world.
And?? Now people around here just assume things???
Forgive Olivia for being uninformed about this whole situation. She didn't know being delusional was a requirement!
"I didn't ask for this", Olivia pointed out.
"I know, dear", the woman said, checking her own nails unrepentantly.
"I'm supposed to be in my dorm. Passing my second year!"
"But you're here now."
"I have a family! I have a mother!! A father!! A little brother and two sisters!! They rely on me!!"
"Ogygios needs you more."
Olivia put her head in her hands. If she jumps off this stupid dragon, can she land back home? Or maybe this is a dream and she'll wake up any second now.
That's only saying if the doors aren't bolted shut while they ride in this dragon carriage thing. Or that she won't die from falling like an idiot.
But hey. This does feel like Cinderella and Santa Claus combined. A silver carriage shaped like a pumpkin, with big wheels threaded in gold and intricate designs that look vaguely like waves of the sea. The interior of this carriage had cozy velvet seats, neutral dark interior, and a window leading directly to the coach of this ride.
The dragon is taking them out much like Santa's reindeers on Christmas, too, so.
Olivia sighs. "What even is Ogygios. Why does this place I don't even know need me more than my family do?
Because what can she even do here?
Sure, she can bake and cook if she figures out how the ovens here work--or if the ovens are similar to modern ovens. Additionally, she can also learn about more stuff here. She'd probably be fine.
But only if the matters involve only her. What would she even do that have strangers need her so much? Of course, assuming that this is legit.
Which it probably is, because. You know. The dragon.
It's just a shame she won't be able to put what she learned in her chosen college course to use into whatever mess she's stuck with. After all, judging by the dress she's now wearing --and what the madwoman is wearing, too, now that she's looking properly--the Industrial Revolution hasn't happened yet here.
Meaning no trains, no mechanical inventions to boost production, no technology.
Do they even have systems for product manufacture here? Probably, but it's likely they won't be that efficient...
Olivia sighs. At least she got this dress. And a shady family willing to take her in. This nice ride. Money, too.
...she'll have money, right? Right?
"--hello? It's rude not to listen when someone is talking to you."
Olivia jolted in her seat. "Right. Sorry. What were you saying?"
The woman fixed her with a dirty look. That's kind of not fair for her to do that, since Olivia didn't even want to be here in the first place.
"As I was saying", the woman tapped her finger on the cushion next to her pointedly. "Ogygios is the land of diversity. This country is where all kinds of people in different species--whether demon, elf, dwarf, troll, or people--live and prosper."
Like a hotpot. Olivia nods.
"This country is ruled by a mighty king. Heinrich Weiss. He's the one who made this harmonious place possible, and only his second son, Henri Weiss, could continue his father's work."
Something clicked in Olivia's head. "That's why you want me to kill the first and third princes?"
A nod. "Emmerich and Tederich. They're all stuck-up, spoiled royalty that will destroy this country if they are put in power. You, savior, will stop them."
Uh. Hm.
Hmmm.
Fate of an entire country on the shoulders of a girl in her twenties. Sure. No big deal.
Olivia might strangle someone first, though. Preferably this lunatic in front of her.
--tap, tap, tap.
The two women turned to the window, where the coachman inclined his head, his tophat pulled low in respect. "Damas. We've arrived."
==
This new house was as big as a mansion. One of those luxurious places with an unreasonably giant pool and a game room that cost three average houses combined. Made out of stone and wood, with a tasteful garden of roses and greenery...and a fountain, too, can't forget about that.
Can fountains even function without electricity? They can, right?
The madwoman stepped off first, looking like she owned the place with how confident her strides are.
Olivia followed. She got a glimpse at her own reflection in the fountain's water--
She can't stop herself from screaming. "WHO THE HELL IS THAT!?"
The woman didn't even blink. "It's you, dear."
"I DO NOT LOOK LIKE THAT. WHY AM I WHITE. WHY ARE MY EYES GREEN--"
The sun was cheerfully shining down on them all, uncaring of the plight of a kidnapped girl currently going insane.