“Nemo, I want you to go and check up on the White Titan,” the count said with his back towards Nemo as he gazed out the window. How rude. “In case you are wondering why it is because of a certain agreement I made I cannot enter his dwelling without permission. It is of utmost importance you do so swiftly.”

Nemo did not wonder that.

“If you are wondering why I have my back towards you, it is because an accident happened in my workshop and I did not have time to procure a new mask for the time being. I do not wish to experiment on your sanity so I must apologize for not being able to face you.”

Nemo snorted. The Count said ‘face’ even though he didn’t have one.

“Nemo, I must ask of you that you do realize why my mask was broken, correct?”

Did you trip?

“Well no, I have no recollection of such an incident nor do I believe I am physically capable of such a feat” the Count sighed. “I do remember, however, that you in your eagerness to please Demon Lady you splashed water all over her. Since she is still following my orders, she decided the best way to express her frustration was to give me a punch to the face instead of you.”

So that was what the loud explosion was.

The Count shook his head and his misty body deflated a bit. With a sigh, he gave Nemo the directions to where the White Titan’s room was located and returned to the other room, his workshop.

It was a quest! She raised the piece of paper containing the directions and let it bask in the crimson light outside the window. The first time ever since coming into the mansion, Nemo could go on an adventure that did not involve sneaking or getting caught by Demon Lady.

Nemo tipped the door open and peeked out into the hallway. Good. Demon Lady was nowhere to be seen. She didn’t want to the Count to get into trouble.

With a new sense of purpose, Nemo skipped towards her destination. It was not where the White Titan was, it was someplace else. Everybody knew that in order to go on a quest she would need companions.

Before Nemo began to search for her companions, there were a couple of individuals out of the running. She knew those people would be busy. It was certainly not because the Crimson Duchess would splatter her to the wall, or that the Violet Beast would eat her, or that Green Lady wanted to turn her into a plant. Demon Lady was the most reliable but she was also the busiest. Maybe if she begged, however, the kind and beautiful Demon Lady would definitely agree to help her.

Nope. She slammed the door in Nemo’s face.

Nemo wanted to throw a tantrum and kick the door, but something in the corner of her eye caused her to turn her attention elsewhere. It was Chrome Ronin. Nemo had not interacted with the silent robot ever since she met him at the dinner table months ago but she was always eager to play with him. It was an egg-shaped samurai robot! How could she not? She wanted him to teach her the way of the sword.

Nemo waved at the samurai and received a slight bow. Before she was able to approach him, the robot retracted his legs and rolled away.

That was so cool! Nemo raced towards the samurai but she never managed to catch up. It was not that the robot was too fast, it seemed like rather the distance simply lengthened until the samurai turned the corner and was gone.

Darn. Next time.

Nemo had no luck with Chromed Ronin, but the next companion candidate would surely answer her call.

“Why the hell are you back?” asked the haughty and antagonistic voice of Headless Housemaid as the body waved happily at Nemo. “Just so you know, I only tolerate you now so don’t go thinking we are friends and you can visit me whenever you like!”

Nemo ignored the voice and stepped into the room as the body happily prepared tea for her. She only met the two a few hours ago but she felt like their relationship would blossom into a strong friendship. She refused to treat them as a single entity as it felt disrespectful to the caring and gentle body of Headless Housemaid.

“I suddenly feel extremely annoyed.”

It must’ve been her imagination.

Nemo sipped tea and began explaining her grand plan. She was going on an adventure, a presumably dangerous place as the Count required her to learn those abilities before allowing her. The quest also sounded urgent so Nemo needed all the help she could find. Who better than one of the mentors who taught her all those abilities?

“What the flying — wait! At least let me lock the door”

Nemo ignored the voice’s protest and grabbed her hand. With the latest, and only, additions to her team, she rushed to her destination. The three of them turned corners and walked down hallways, the two of them skipping merrily as the voice grumbled about obscenities Nemo purged from her mind.

They found themselves once again in front of Headless Housemaid’s room.

“I’ll take you to the White Titan,” the voice said as she locked her door.

See? Nemo was such a genius to have asked for such a great guide. She followed Headless Housemaid in silence as the voice continued to complain to her body. On the way, they spotted Rainbow Fluff and the maid dashed behind a pillar. Nemo, however, waved at the little ball of cloud with cheer and was returned with a happy little ball of cotton resting on the top of her head.

“How?” Headless Housemaid stuttered, even the body was a bit timid as she approached. Nemo should be the one dumbfounded, however. How anyone could be afraid of such a precious little ball of coziness was a mystery to her.

Nemo tilted her head forward and prompted the maid to approach the rainbow. The body and the voice was hesitant, but Rainbow Fluff seemed comfortable resting on Nemo’s head and allowed the maid to touch it.

The body of the maid squealed in delight and began patting Rainbow Fluff, who seemed to have accepted the maid, while the voice stayed silent. It was perhaps for the best. Nemo didn’t want the fluff to get scared after all.

Nemo and her odd group of friends continued forward, taking deliberate turns as Headless Housemaid guided them.

“We’re almost there, it is just around the…” the voice began but was soon silent.

Nemo followed the invisible gaze of Headless Housemaid and she felt a surprised and anxious skip from Rainbow Fluff on top of her head.

The group was greeted with not a room or any form of dwelling. There was only a giant-sized hole that broke through walls and into the crimson land outside.

Oh dear.