End of WorkDay

Well, that's done. I guess the last one should be the clothing store, or more importantly the seamstresses and tailors.

I take my time with my walk, I look around as i hear normal morning chatter or laughter and giggles.

Times like this remind me of better times, mostly when mom was still alive.

I close my eyes to remember her ever fading face. I tear up, remembering her countless incomprehensible lessons.

I never really did understand why she wanted me to learn everything, it is unfortunate that she never told me why.

I sigh, it doesn't matter now. I used what she taught me and here I am today, kinda just wished we had more time, she even promised me how to read as well.

I reminisce some more, never noticing I was already at my destination.

I look up to see the noble decor of the three-storey building, the painting making it look like one for nobility.

She enters through the back door and a purples demoness stood there, waiting, "Madelaine! I knew you'd arrive here."

Madelaine smiles as she replies, "It's nice to see you, Cyril."

Cyril smiles, "Its nice to see you too, Now I'm sure you're here for our weekly inspection."

I nod at her as I enter the door, "I've read the report, it seems you guys are making quite the profit."

Cyril smiles, "I know right, those sewing machines of yours are certainly a great help."

I smile as I weave through the men and women sewing, "I'm going to need you to hire another person."

She looks to me in confusion, "Im sure we have more than enough for whatever task."

I raise an eyebrow, "Truly? why is that?"

She giggles, "Cmon now Madelaine, you guys pay fifty silver coins a month, anyone capable of sewing would be more than happy to work for you."

I scratch my cheek, perhaps interacting with so much money involved has made my view of money a bit warped.

"I see, well here." I take out a piece of paper with a sigil on it. "I was told to have you familiarize yourself in sigils like this."

Cyril inspects it, "For what exactly?"

Madelaine watches the seamstress work as she replies, "There's a chance you'll be adding it in any clothing leaving this store."

Cyril nods in understanding, "I'll have someone familiarize themselves with this. I'm sure there's no need for additional manpower."

Madelaine then stopped looking around before she took something out of her clipboard, "Here, we have orders to employ more seamstresses or tailors."

Cyril raises an eyebrow, "Pardon?"

Madelaine points to the paper, "Read it,"

Cyril glances at her before reading the paper. "This, then will we be closing down Rosalia branch?"

Madelaine shakes her head as the people around her tense up, "No, this branch remains open. I'm just trying to find anyone willing to move to Alton."

Cyril then smugly grins, "Of course there are, didn't you hear me earlier."

Madelaine holds her head as she spoke, "Right, so if the payment remains fifty silver coins, then?"

Cyril continues her sentence, "People will flock to it."

Madelaine taps he chin in thought, she then mutters. "The current profit we have is three thousand gold, correct?"

Cyril anxiously nods, her look of anxiety is unfounded since cutting costs in the salary wouldn't increase the profit by a huge margin.

I tap my chin in thought since the business itself hasn't broken even.

'It took approximately a hundred thousand gold to begin this journey, sure the buildings and equipment we have accrued could have more than made up for it but our liquid assets aren't in the best condition.'

I roll my eyes, 'Well, that is if I don't take into account the ridiculous amount of money coming out of Michael's pockets.'

A sudden clap makes me yelp, I look to Cyril who was giggling at me, "You were deep in thought, so I tried to wake you."

I sheepishly smile, a bit embarrassed for dozing around during work, "Sorry about that," I took a look around, "Well I guess this constitutes for the end of our inspection."

Cyril smiles as I leave.

I sigh, a bit tired from all the work. I walk back to my house, one which Michael generously gifted to me, well for me and Mary to be exact.

I enter the door to see the fully furnished house, it took about five gold to get it finished too.

I shake my head as I step back to my bedroom, I rest my head on my pillow as I think to myself, 'My life changed so much didn't it?'

I close my eyes as sleep seemingly engulfs me, before a loud ring echoes through my head.

I open it with a shout, irritated from the interruption "WHAT!"

A loud pained follows, "Ugh, kah, gah." I open the screen in worry to see Mary's tear-stained face.

"ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?" Both of me and Michael shout in worry, as Mary keels over in pain.

"W-why does it hurt so much!?" Michael looks at her pale expression as her lips whiten.

Michae shouts, "Did you use magic!"

Mary nods hesitantly, seeing this Michael shouts, immediately eat.

Mary keels over as she mutters, "I already ate."

"NOT ENOUGH!" Michael shouts as his face filled with desperation fill the screen.

I shouted with equal intensity, "Just eat the damn food MARY!"

Mary nods as she stood up in great pain, but before she could move she keels over.

The screen turns blurry, a sign of her consciousness fading.

Before the call ends, a voice comes "I see, you have the same weakness as your father."

I was filled with dread, Michael spoke consolingly, "I'm sure shell be fine, Right?"

I see his face on the screen, his face filled with dread, the same expression I wore.

I nod to him as I spoke, "She'll be fine, her soldiers came at the right time, after all."

"Yeah," Michael mutters as the two of us remain silent, afraid for our friend's fate.