Morning.
As usual, Celes was the first to get up.
After last night’s exhausting battle, everyone else was still resting.
At this time, she was the only one awake.
Even Leah had only gotten up to watch the sunrise before going back to sleep for a second round.
People came and went at the inn entrance.
A Royal Guard received a letter from the young girl, treating it as respectfully as if it were an imperial decree.
[Notice to all in Harbor City: After a fierce and arduous battle, the Sirens have been driven out of the city and no longer dare to harass the harbor or docks. Please resume your work and daily life with peace of mind.]
This was written by Celes first thing in the morning.
“In addition, deliver this to the Rhinoceros-horned General.” Celes produced another letter, this one bearing Ella’s personal signature. “Tell him to follow the instructions in the letter for all actions.”
Last night, she had discussed with the Big Thunder Girl.
Although, in theory, the Sirens had lost their upper leadership and purpose, making it unlikely they would continue harassing fishermen, just to be safe, the army would patrol the beaches for a while.
Without organization or high-level combat power, even fighting on their home turf, the Sirens stood no chance against the tall and mighty Demon Army.
Tall and mighty was how the Harbor City commoners described the Demon Army.
They didn’t know this army was from the Demon Race, only wondered where people this big could possibly come from.
Truly, different lands nurture different people.
After finishing all this, Celes finally returned to the first-floor hall to rest.
Days like this, working alone, felt just like three months ago.
But clearly, it wasn’t three months ago anymore, because there was now one more person in the team—someone very important.
After facing the starry sky last night, Celes’s emotions had been in turmoil.
When she replayed everything in her mind after returning, she realized that if she had handled things alone, the Evil God might have succeeded.
Would the world have been destroyed?
She didn’t know, only that the consequences would have been terrifying.
Thankfully, Ella…
Just thinking of the pink-haired girl hugging the Big Thunder Girl, her adorable little face brimming with confidence, made Celes’s breathing uneven.
Huff, huff.
She needed to go for a run!
The second to wake up was Zero.
She had been truly exhausted yesterday—first transforming into her undead form in the afternoon, searching all over Harbor City for shrines, then carrying out a crucial infiltration mission, taking action under the pressure of the Altar’s bewitching force.
After coming back at night, she collapsed and slept.
After a night’s sleep, her spirit was fully restored.
The very first thing the assassin girl did upon waking—was to check the bedroom next door.
Ella was still fast asleep.
Better not disturb her.
After that, Zero found Celes, who was out for a morning run in the inn’s courtyard.
She had no idea how long Celes had been running; her whole pretty face was flushed red.
“Is… huff… there something you need?”
“I have something to discuss, but do you want to rest first?”
“No need.”
Celes didn’t know how to explain that her flushed face wasn’t from the run, but from something else entirely—something she couldn’t explain.
If she said it was because she kept thinking of a certain pink-haired Big Thunder Girl, it would ruin her image as the mature and reliable one in her teammates’ eyes.
“If you have something to say, just say it.”
“Oh, okay.”
Zero nodded and spoke softly, “It’s about Lisa and the others…”
Lisa and her group had inherited their mission from Senior Kagasha, carrying a lifelong conviction to eradicate the Sirens.
Now that the Sirens’ plot to summon the Evil God had been foiled and they’d been driven back into the sea, there was no more need for bloodshed in Harbor City.
Zero hoped Celes could think of a suitable job for them.
“Since they’re skilled at covert operations and have decent strength, let them serve as Secret Guards.”
Celes explained what that meant—disguised as ordinary townsfolk, they’d blend into the streets and alleys, gathering information and watching for suspicious people.
Sometimes, when outsiders appeared, they’d keep a closer eye on them.
Supposedly, the Demon Race called this ‘plainclothes.’
“Alright, I’ll go tell them right away.”
Zero was delighted to have secured a path for her friends. With this, her business in Harbor City was complete.
Next, the third to wake up was Ella.
Sticking to her principle of early to bed and early to rise, she only slept a little longer this morning despite last night’s late hours.
Sitting on the bed and stretching, the pink-haired Big Thunder Girl greeted the air: “Good morning, beautiful world~”
“Good morning to you too~”
A sweet, childish loli voice, sounding innocent and harmless.
Ella pouted, almost smacking herself—why couldn’t she hold back that cherry little mouth?
Talking to the air was practically inviting the Evil God to answer.
Didn’t hear it, didn’t hear it—just pretend she didn’t hear it.
She glanced out the window.
In the courtyard, Celes had just finished her run and was talking with Zero, apparently discussing city affairs.
Speaking of which, she had some things to handle as well.
She got dressed, left a note on the table, and slipped out alone.
The Demon Army’s daily garrison zone was near the beach in Harbor City.
If the Sirens ever returned from the sea, this would serve as a strong military buffer zone.
So, whether it was Celes or the original residents of Harbor City, everyone was willing to let them guard this area.
Ella found the sentries on the perimeter.
The sentry was visibly excited, snapping to attention the instant he saw her.
“Lady Ayla, your orders!”
“…I want to see your General.”
General Yanpo had only led his troops to Harbor City yesterday, but already the whole army was enjoying the good life—no more mosquitoes and miasma from the mountains, only the refreshing sea breeze.
In the morning, they could pick up seafood on the beach, then go to the market after a stroll to buy things for breakfast.
“It’s amazing, Lady Ayla. The brothers and I all say that compared to our old days, it’s like we used to live like savages.”
Although he was expressing his gratitude, Ella felt a little embarrassed.
After all, she was the one who’d made them live in the mountains before.
“You’ve worked hard, but don’t worry, life will only get better.”
“Understood!”
“Keep your voice down, let me tell you, next you need to…”
Ella pulled Yanpo aside and explained the situation.
The Hero Squad would be leaving in a few days, setting out on their journey back to the Royal City.
“That ice-blue-haired girl with the sword may be knowledgeable and clever, but she’s still young. She thinks a few arrangements are enough, but she doesn’t understand what a power vacuum really means.”
Right now in Harbor City, everyone followed the girls’ authority—partly because they were strong, partly because they came from the Royal City and had connections.
Once they left, Harbor City would instantly fall into a power vacuum, and the army would stand to gain the most.
Ella told him to take things slowly and steadily, gradually increasing their influence, and to try contacting other wandering brothers to have them gather at Harbor City.
As always, take it step by step, and make Harbor City their stronghold.
“No problem, you can count on me.”
Yanpo snapped to attention and saluted.
“When you return next time, there’ll be at least several thousand elite soldiers here waiting for your inspection!”