Chapter 38: I Love Humans

For the sake of the negotiation the next day, Ella deliberately slept a little longer, waking up in the morning only to close her eyes again for a bit more rest.

What a healthy lifestyle.

From outside the door came the clattering sound of armor, followed by a knock:

“Ella, are you up?”

A few minutes later, the pink-haired Great Thunder Beauty opened the door with a yawn.

“What is it?”

“There’s something.”

Celes looked rather anxious.

“Someone from the Royal Palace just sent a letter. They said today’s negotiation venue…”

“It’s been changed to the Royal Palace, right?”

Ella cut her off.

Celes was stunned.

“How did you know?”

“Because another day has passed, time is moving forward, bullets are flying, and the situation is fermenting.”

Every word Ella said made sense to Celes, but put together, she couldn’t make heads or tails of it.

She was simply very worried.

“They suddenly changed the venue and want us to go to the Royal Palace. Isn’t that dangerous?”

“It’s not. In fact, it’s exactly what I wanted.”

Ella didn’t explain further.

The Royal Palace wasn’t exactly far or near, but if they wanted to set out, it was time to get up and get ready.

The outfit she prepared yesterday—a very cute, light pleated mini skirt, and the top was originally a white T-shirt, but she had DIY-ed it with paintbrushes.

Celes stood to the side watching her busy herself, looking puzzled.

“You’re wearing that today?”

“Yeah.”

Ella answered matter-of-factly, then looked back, equally puzzled.

“Why are you wearing your armor?”

The white Silver Armor, which had accompanied the girl through countless battles, was already on her body, and she even had her Knight Sword at her waist.

“I…”

Celes was momentarily at a loss for words.

Because they changed the negotiation venue and asked us to go to the Royal Palace, a dragon’s lair and a tiger’s den—shouldn’t we be fully armed?

“Take it off, and don’t bring the sword either.”

Ella gave her an OK gesture.

“Trust me. If something really happens, even if you bring it… emmmm, anyway, trust me~”

Know your priorities. Our greatest trump card is the List on Sheepskin Scroll; any extra equipment is just a burden.

Celes understood, but going without any gear at all—wasn’t that too passive?

She was about to say something more, but when she looked up, she saw Ella changing clothes.

Her pajama top was lifted, revealing a slender, fair waist with a gentle curve, and she quickly turned away.

“I… I’ll wait for you outside!”

Her flustered footsteps made the already heavy armor clatter even louder, drawing the attention of the Little Witch, who had just woken up.

“Good morning, Celes. Why are you coming out of Ella’s room… huh, your face is so red.”

“The weather’s a bit hot, that’s not important. What’s important is that someone from the Royal Palace just brought a letter…”

So calm and straight to business.

Before long, the other girls also came out. Upon learning that the negotiation venue had been changed, their reactions were just like Celes at first—everyone became alert.

“How can they just change the venue suddenly?”

“Making us go to the Royal Palace, what do they mean by that, luring us into a trap?”

“I don’t think we should go. Let them come here instead.”

At this moment, Ella came out, and the girls all quieted down, turning to look at her as if their gazes were glued to her.

“Don’t overthink it, this is a good thing.” she said.

“Let’s head out now.”

Although she felt like she’d forgotten something, it didn’t matter.

Preparations were complete, the situation was as expected, and the stage was set.

She couldn’t wait to make her entrance.

Ella took the lead, and the others hurried after her.

But the glimpse they’d caught of her earlier left such a strong impression that they deliberately lagged a few steps behind to whisper among themselves.

“Did you see what Ella was wearing…”

“She told me yesterday, even specifically asked for paintbrushes. I didn’t expect it to turn out like that.”

“Ella’s painting is really good.”

“Come on, Zero, it’s just a design—can you really judge her art skills from that? You might as well say her handwriting is good.”

“Alright then, Ella’s calligraphy is excellent.”

“…Where’s the calligraphy?”

Vina suddenly felt she might be the most normal one in the group.

Ella’s steps didn’t hesitate at all. She led them out of the Bonfire Camp, heading straight for the Royal Palace.

The scenery of Royal Avenue sped by, wind whistling through the alleys, sunlight spilling over the Royal Garden…

Celes stopped Zero, who was just reaching out her hand.

The Assassin Girl looked a bit awkward. “I just wanted to pick a flower for…”

“I know.” The Sword Saint Maiden gently advised her, “But now isn’t the right time.”

“Oh…”

The white roses blooming in midsummer created a fragrant path for the girls.

After passing through the Royal Garden, the gates of the Royal Palace were right before them.

The letter said the new location was the Royal Plaza, just behind these gates.

“Ella!”

Just as they were about to go in, Celes couldn’t hold back any longer and rushed forward to grab the girl’s small hand.

“Hmm?”

“I just want to say, if things really go bad, we can still… there’s still time!”

Celes stumbled over her words, but her gaze was unwavering.

Ella’s eyelid twitched.

Come on, girl, we’re already here and now you’re saying we still have time to break out?

Sure, we do, but Demon King-sama has endured so much alongside you all, not for a life of running and hiding.

And besides, you’re making it look like we’re eloping—how is that okay?

Fine, time to give the youth a lesson.

She raised her other hand and gently patted the back of the girl’s hand.

“Celes, do you know why Maken wants to negotiate with us?”

“Why are you asking this…”

“Because he wants to resolve this as quickly as possible, at the lowest possible cost.”

Ella gently pushed her hand away.

“Celes, the secret to winning this negotiation is not to treat it as a negotiation.”

With that, she stepped through the Royal Palace gates, heading for the Royal Plaza.

And at that moment, she finally remembered what she’d forgotten today—

She forgot to wear a bra after getting up and chatting with everyone!

***

The number of Palace Guards at the Royal Plaza was only slightly higher than usual; there was no extra deployment.

Instead, there were more officials and ministers waiting for the negotiation, some who belonged here, and some who had come from outside.

Maken sat behind the negotiation table, waiting calmly.

The Prince was seated in the observation area above, but he didn’t notice that, even higher up, old King Hermann III was being wheeled out, accompanied by an elderly man with a white beard.

“Rolls,” Hermann III said, “do you think they’ll win again today?”

Rolls hesitated, unable to make a judgment. Just then, a commotion broke out in the plaza, and he looked over—only to widen his eyes in surprise.

The pink-haired Great Thunder Beauty walked in, her pleated mini skirt swaying with each light step, full of youthful energy.

But at that moment, everyone’s gaze was fixed on her chest.

Because on the fabric of her white T-shirt, painted with a brush, were four big characters—

[I ❤️ Humanity]

Where “love” wasn’t written as a word, but drawn as a big heart, placed right where it stood out the most.