You accept

Despite this nagging feeling that it was strange, you decided to accept. Having a companion would be useful.

"Why not." You replied, shaking her hand. "I'm looking forward to working with you."

She smiled. "Likewise. Should we meet at the main gate tomorrow morning? I still have some things I need to take care of before leaving."

"Me too. Let's do that, then." You simply said before parting ways.

You quickly accepted a fairly mundane goblin extermination quest to complete during your journey and then went to the city market. It wouldn't hurt to buy more supplies for your journey, so you wandered from stall to stall to buy some dried meat and other types of food that would last for a long time. Considering that you were technically two beings, you might need to eat slightly more from now on, even if your worm half didn't need too much food.

You stopped by a small fountain and drank, feeling thirsty. You glanced at your hands. The conversation with Trisha made you wonder how you should refer to yourself. You were Eirene, but you also weren't only Eirene anymore. Should you adopt another name? Eirene still felt right to use, it was the name of your human body, and the worm-you didn't have a name anyway.

I am Eirene. Just a different, better version of her. You thought, giggling happily.

You were so glad and relieved that you were now permanently one being in soul. You felt incredibly good ever since it happened. You thanked Sekmet one more time for this gift, holding your hands together and sending a quick prayer.

As you prayed, you heard a somewhat familiar voice calling your name. "Lady Eirene?"

You opened your eyes only to see Dahlia, the maid who used to serve the old Eirene at the mansion before she decided to become an adventurer. Dahlia was a shy but very loyal girl, a bit older than you. She often spoke about her mother, who was an adventurer as well, and it was one of the main things that made Eirene want to become an adventurer as well.

You smiled at her. "Oh, Dahlia, how are you?"

She approached you shyly, bowing her head. "I'm... I'm alright, my lady..."

"Come on, you don't have to be so formal. I am no longer Lady Eirene, I'm simply Eirene the Paladin, now."

She fidgeted with her fingers, visibly nervous. "I-I wouldn't dare... You're... still my lady..."

You chuckled. "Fine, fine. How is it at the manor since I left?"

She looked away, she seemed saddened. "I... I no longer work there..."

Your eyes widened. "Huh? Why?"

"Your parents... fired me after you left... They said... that it was my fault if you became like this..."

You could see some tears rolling down her cheeks even if she was trying to hide it. You got up and pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry, Dahlia. All because of me..."

The old Eirene did throw a tantrum to become an adventurer. She wasn't a bad person, but she had a hard time realising the consequences of her actions...

She appeared shocked by your gesture. "M-my... My lady... It's... It's not your fault!"

"It is, had I not decided to become an adventurer, you would still be working. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Dahlia didn't have any relative here, it wouldn't be easy for her to recover on her own.

"I... I don't know..." She weakly said.

After pondering about it for a bit, you got an idea. "Would you... want to accompany me for the time being?"

"Huh?"

"I am going to the east, and I remember you saying that your sister lived in a city near the eastern borders. I could lead you there, maybe?"

"My... My lady, I don't want to be a bother..." She timidly said.

You held her hand and gave her a warm smile. "You're not a bother, Dahlia. We're friends, it's normal for me to want to help you."

She blushed slightly and shyly smiled. "T-thank you, my lady..."

She led you to her small house and you helped her fill a big backpack and a satchel. They contained all of her important belongings. She didn't have a lot of things, so it made things easier.

You weren't sure why, but you were finding Dahlia more attractive than the old Eirene did. Maybe it was due to the worm part of you. Dahlia did seem attracted to Eirene as well, judging from her reactions. She often blushed whenever the two of you got closer or accidently touched each other.

She's really cute. You thought.

She offered for you to stay the night in her home instead of the inn, and you accepted. As you laid on the less comfy bed, you wondered what you should do next.

Having Dahlia sleeping next to you could allow to test what you theorised before: you could see if your worm part would allow you to control a second body.

But you also felt another desire as you observed Dahlia's sleeping figure. You wanted to make her happy. You really liked her even as the old Eirene, but now, these feelings seemed more sexual and romantic than platonic. Dahlia probably wouldn't refuse if you wanted to get more intimate with her.