Shadow Madeleine #300 here, reporting for duty! What exactly is my duty? I have no idea anymore. You see, a couple of us Shadow Madeleines were left to our own devices since Physical Madeleine has trouble keeping track of… well, pretty much everything, and I happened to be part of that lucky group. So, of course, I decided I'd walk outside… then I got fucking kidnapped. Apparently, a slave trader I happened to pass by recognised me as Physical Madeleine, who, let me remind you, was a criminal slave back in Hamblin, and thought I was a runaway slave. A couple carriage rides later, and boom! I'm in an underground gladiatorial arena where runaway slaves fight for their freedom.

I've been fighting for the past two weeks and have yet to lose. I haven't killed anyone yet, considering that's a lose condition. Yeah, it's a gladiatorial arena, but for these slave traders, it'd suck if these, in their words, free products got themselves killed because of their secret hobby, so killing is prohibited. Let me tell you, it's tough to win a fight in a non-lethal method against desperate but frail slaves. I feel like I could kill many of them with my pinky or if I accidentally hit them in my sleep in the cell we all share. There are some actual combatants here and there, but far too many of the poor folks here can't fight for shit… although it gives me an idea. Too bad I can't speak.

There is a mage here who can understand me, though. Something about understanding the thoughts of the darkness. She's weird, though… not Physical Madeleine weird, of course, but quite odd by Mendass standards, which is saying something.

"That's incredibly rude, and I won't deny it."

Speaking of her, here she is. Say your name.

"My name is Sherry, and I've assassinated three Bellum nobles whilst posing as a runaway slave."

Likely story. Sherry here loves to lie, and I hate liars. Liar, liar, will you tire? Or will you continue until the lie is dire? 

"Did you come up with that? I like it."

Thank you. Thinking isn't a strong suit of mine, so it took a lot of effort to come up with it. Now shush. Stop interrupting my inner monologue. It's important.

"Understood, master."

No one would call a maid their master.

"Maybe I'm a contrarian."

I have no idea what that is. Anyways, back to you, voices in my head. She's a terrible liar. Apparently, this isn't her first kidnapping. That's believable, but what isn't are the stories she's said so far. The first kidnapping was done by the Demon Lord of Envy who was summoned by her niece, her second kidnapping was done by an assassin sent from The Dome, and her third kidnapping, which was the one before her current one, was done by some things called Norwegians. 

There's no way the first one is real. The Demon Lord of Envy is Leviathan, a cute little sea monster who doesn't seem capable of kidnapping. The second one isn't true either since assassins from The Dome never fail, and the third one is definitely not real. There's no way there's a thing called a Norwegian.

"They are genuine. They just come from another world!"

Another world, as if! Although… I feel like the other clones are yelling at me… eh, whatever. I haven't seen any of them in weeks. It's probably nothing. Oh yeah, before I forget, Sherry here is also a Sacred Power holder! Here is hers:

"It's true. I've won a lot on my journey. I beat my niece and her demon pet in a fight, the assassins from The Dome in a fight, and the Norwegians in a hockey game."

What the fuck is hockey?

"I don't know, but I'm good at it."

How can you be good at something you don't know?!

"Probably through my Sacred Power. No wonder Sacred Power holders are revered in some countries… makes you wonder why the slave traders treat us like livestock."

That is a thing to wonder about. How much is a Sacred Power holder worth?

"That's not what I was trying to point out, but whatever. At least you've forgotten about your slander against Norwegians."

Just shut up. We've got a fight soon. So, who are you going up against?

"Well, I was listening in on the guards. Apparently, they captured some former death row inmates who were in the middle of being escorted to Golmi. The caravan was filled with extremely high-value prisoners whose lives were brought by the Golemancer. They were doubtful, though, since apparently one of the prisoners is claiming to be a Bandit King, and there's an elf that they can't discern the identity of, and it doesn't help she isn't talking."

What does this have to do with your next opponent?

"They're sending the two of them at the two strongest in the arena to see if a near-death experience will make them talk."

So us… I hate having to do the dirty work for these guys.

"Eh, it could be worse. I heard my sister got kidnapped by vampires and ended up becoming their personal baker."

That is the dumbest lie you have said so far.

"Nope, the dumbest lie was what I said was my wish."

What was it again?
"When I go out, I want to go out on a chariot of fire."

How is that a dumb lie?

"Because I'm never going out."

Hmph… how conceited.

"My arrogance is earned." And with a smirk, she entered the arena. Well, guess I'll walk out and face the opponents with her. Let's hope they're not people I know.

Character profile: Sherry Phobos

Sacred power: The Chariot

Hockey game history: 5W-0L (#1 Hockey player in Mendass)

Description: The woman who could beat the Goddess of Victory. Sherry has always been a winner. She'll always come up on top, no matter the contest or the odds. Here's a list of some of her achievements:

• Has beaten three different nation's hockey teams.
• Has wrestled two adult Krakens at the same time.
• Beat a vampire in a bloodsucking contest.
• Win the presidential election in the Democratic Nations of Mendass Alliance despite not being affiliated with any countries.
• Won a music contest using the triangle.
• Won a bet that said she couldn't sneak into the Maid School without being caught, becoming only one of three people to have entered the Maid School illegally and escaped with their life.
• Beat Mad Rox in a fight despite being outnumbered two thousand to one.
• Beat a succubus and an incubus in a sex battle simultaneously.
• Successfully steal an item from the hoard of Scorzar the Eternal Hoarder.
• Successfully quit League of Legends.

Chapter namesake: When I Got Out, I Want To Go Out On A Chariot Of Fire by Escape The Fate