The so-called ‘a person’s name is like the shadow of a tree’—Ayla herself knew it well.
The Demon Race is full of tricks, cunning and sly—the reputation was something she created herself.
Although those adjectives had nothing to do with betrayal, and she had never done such things, the stereotype was still there, making people uneasy.
So she decisively brought out the name of the Elves—a long-established high-ranking race of the Continent, a thousand-year-old brand with guaranteed credibility.
As expected, after hearing that the Elves had also joined the alliance, Glengo’s expression improved considerably.
But after thinking for a moment, it darkened again.
“This matter might draw some criticism from the Human Kingdom. How do you plan to explain it?”
Celes froze for a moment and instinctively looked at Ayla, only to find that the pink-haired troublemaker gave her an encouraging look.
Encouragement—Ayla was encouraging her!
The girl took a deep breath and mustered up her courage.
“Dad, we plan to bypass the Kingdom.”
The words were so unexpected that Glengo didn’t understand them for a moment.
“What did you say? What do you mean by ‘bypass the Kingdom’?”
“It means not negotiating with the Kingdom and completing the plan in our own way.”
Celes said.
“At least keep it secret until the first stage is completed—that is, until we take the southern city of the Demon Race and turn the peace alliance into an actual political clause.”
At these words, not just Glengo—even Selina couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth.
“You…this…ah…I…”
It was clear that General Glengo’s reaction was intense—he almost stood up several times.
But for some reason, in the end, he said nothing and only sighed silently.
“It’s getting late. Night is falling. Let’s rest first.”
He stood up and looked outside the tent.
“The weather here is very cold. If you don’t prepare in advance, sleeping at night is uncomfortable and can even make you sick.”
“Rest?”
Celes wanted to say that such an important matter couldn’t wait and they should talk it through, but Ayla pulled her from the side and shook her head.
If you’re told to rest, then rest. Don’t rush.
Although living conditions on the northern front lines were average, it was a large area, and with surplus supplies from the army, a new guest tent was quickly set up.
However, this ‘guest room’ was for Ayla alone. Celes was taken away by her mother.
“Little Celi, tell me everything properly.”
Selina pulled her daughter to sit outside the tent.
“About your Special Squad, and the friend you brought.”
By now, night had fallen, and the stars were beginning to light up one by one.
If the Ruins of Lier Fort had any advantage, it was that the night sky had no clouds, and the stars shone brightly.
“Special Squad is just the Special Squad. You know, Teacher Rolls brought us together for adventures and to help us grow quickly.”
Celes said.
“We’ve done many things so far, and you’ve heard about them, so…”
“But she joined midway, didn’t she? She’s different from the rest of you, right?”
Selina immediately grasped the key point, not letting her daughter gloss it over.
Celes suddenly felt a bit guilty.
“Ayla…is a good girl. We all trust her very much.”
Alright, that sounded like there was something she couldn’t say.
Since her daughter said so, Selina didn’t press further, just sighed.
“I just feel that you rely on her too much. Just today alone…wait.”
She suddenly recalled something that happened a few months ago.
“The friend you mentioned before—the one who made you restless—could it be her?”
The girl tensed up instantly.
“Yes…but at the time…there was a bit of a misunderstanding.”
Selina looked at her fidgeting daughter—rubbing her hands, pinching her fingers, a mischievous look flashing across her face.
If the night wasn’t so dark, she might have noticed her daughter’s flushed face.
“In any case, I used the method you told me about, Mom, and found that Ayla really is a good girl.”
After saying that, Celes hurried to add,
“Not just me. Everyone in the team thinks so. Miss Leah, Vina, and Zero—they all agree with me.”
To strengthen her statement, she pulled in three companions’ good opinions as witnesses.
Just like how Ayla brought in the Elves this afternoon—this was called learning and applying it immediately.
“Little Celi, this…”
Selina originally wanted to say that not everyone is as straightforward as your mom described last time.
Some people really have different sides, showing a different face to different people.
But some are just putting on an act—you can’t trust everything.
But those words were from last time.
If she contradicted herself now, she’d lose credibility, so she held back.
Instead, she asked another question.
“Miss Ayla joined midway. What changes did she bring to your group?”
“A lot. The most important and obvious thing is that she made us a real team. Even Teacher Rolls emphasized that!”
When talking about what Ayla brought to the team, Celes no longer felt embarrassed—her eyes shone, her voice was clear, her back straightened, and she started listing things fluently.
Incredible ideas, sudden inspirations, decisive and correct judgments—beyond all that, she also cared for her companions with warmth and kindness in daily life…
“Really, I’m not lying. Oh, Mom, do you remember what I said last time? About the incident in the Royal City? None of us knew what to do. I was even ready to fight to the end. But Ayla stepped up and solved everything in a way none of us could have thought of or dared to try.”
Seeing the happiness on her daughter’s face, Selina swallowed her words of caution.
Yes.
No matter how you put it, the Royal Capital Incident was an unavoidable barrier.
That Miss Ayla—maybe, as her daughter said, at least towards her, she really was a good girl.
“All right, all right. I understand. Go back and sleep.”
“Good night, Mom.”
Back in the tent, lying down, closing her eyes, and letting sleepiness take over, Selina suddenly sensed something wrong.
Wait.
Her daughter had said so much just now—praising that Miss Ayla to the skies—but if it were just friends, shouldn’t there be a few casual jokes mixed in?
Why didn’t she say a single word, as if she couldn’t bear for Ayla to be any less perfect in her heart?
Are my daughter and Miss Ayla really just friends?
***
Ayla had no idea about the mother-daughter conversation in the middle of the night.
Anyway, she slept well, all the way till dawn.
Getting up to breathe the fresh morning air, she saw soldiers on early duty doing their exercises, chanting ‘one, two, three, four’—she couldn’t help but join in, feeling like she’d returned to military training from her previous life.
“Miss Ayla.”
“Huh? Uncle, you’re up early.”
Ayla looked behind her and blinked.
“What about Auntie and Celes?”
“I don’t know. They seemed to have gone to bed late.”
Glengo walked over to her.
“Actually, I thought about what was discussed last evening for a long time after returning.”
Ayla instantly felt a bit nervous.
Oh no.
She shouldn’t have gone out alone.
With Celes gone, she couldn’t use the ‘emotional appeal’ card.
“Miss Ayla, I want to ask a question. Was this alliance led by you?”
“Um… it was everyone’s shared wish.”
The pink-haired troublemaker lowered her voice a little.
“All the members of our team agreed…”
“Don’t say any more. I agree.”
“…?”
The sudden turn of events left Ayla stunned.
Glengo walked a little to the side, taking a long, deep breath and exhaling white vapor in the cold air.
“After the Royal Capital Incident, Selina—that is, your Auntie—and I talked many times. Little Celi’s character is too upright. She couldn’t even stand the Tai Dingjue matter.”
“We don’t regret raising her this way, but we do worry about how she’ll get along with others in the Royal City in the future.”
He turned around, his serious gaze falling on Ayla.
“Sometimes, as parents, we must find ways to help our daughters—like planning a reliable escape route.”