Chapter 177: What More Need Be Said Between Good Sisters

In the face of absolute power, the Wolf Pack chose to submit, and the Snowfield changed hands.

After four days of war, the Northern Expedition Coalition achieved a great victory.

The objectives of the first phase could be considered accomplished.

A meeting would be held in Bright Cross Star City the day after tomorrow, with representatives from all sides attending.

Ella would officially name the alliance, go through the process of electing the spokesperson, set various regulations, and so on.

Walking on the road to the city, Vina asked curiously:

“Little Ai, after you’re elected the day after tomorrow, what should we call you, Alliance King?”

Ella almost tripped over her own feet, stopped, and smiled:

“The election requires everyone’s opinions to be considered; it’s not predetermined. Who will finally be chosen is still uncertain… Besides, at most, it’s called the Alliance Leader as a common term. At that time, a more formal title will be created.”

We’re a democratic vote here.

Don’t even mention a title with ‘King’ in it—too feudal!

Celes, walking beside her, nodded.

“It is indeed a vote. All three sides must choose together.”

“Then tell me who you plan to vote for.”

Vina asked her.

“If you have the guts, don’t vote for Little Ai.”

“I’m naturally voting for the most suitable candidate,”

the Sword Saint Maiden said matter-of-factly.

“I can’t just… because of… familial ties…”

“Recommend the worthy without avoiding relatives,”

Ella said.

“Yes, that’s exactly what it means,”

Celes nodded firmly.

Although she didn’t know who originally said this phrase, it made a lot of sense.

The three of them chatted in front, while Zero quietly fell a few steps behind, coming up next to a gloomy Leah.

“Is there something bothering you?”

“No, it’s fine,”

the Saintess forced a smile, then showed a compassionate expression.

“I’m just lamenting the harm war brings to people.”

These were the words a Saintess of Light ought to say, an official statement.

In reality, the reason for her unhappiness was also because of the war, but it was because the war was so troublesome.

For so many days, Lala had been busy with serious matters, out and about, with no time or opportunity to practice her faith.

So annoying.

It felt like life lacked the burning passion of youth.

Zero seemed to hear these inner thoughts and took the initiative to ask: “Has the war these past days kept you from doing certain things?”

Leah didn’t wonder why she knew; she just felt that as a good sister in the team, they were truly in sync.

“Actually, it’s… not a big deal, just, well, you know,”

she whispered.

“I need to do a Purification Therapy for Ella, but because of the war, I haven’t done it for many days.”

Zero nodded.

“I see. That makes sense.”

It really did.

“Right,”

Leah became more energetic as she spoke.

“Also, since you all fought so hard over there, she must’ve used quite a bit of Evil Power. If it isn’t purified in time, there could be all sorts of negative effects.”

Zero seemed startled by her words.

“Is it that serious?”

Leah was completely drawn in, speaking more and more reasonably.

“For example, do you think she’s had some minor personality changes these days, like killing without blinking…”

She always killed without blinking, and after killing, she’d even drag the corpses up to fight for her.

Zero thought so in her heart, but said: “Yes, I found it strange too. Ella is so gentle and kind, how could she be so wicked these past two days?”

“See? That proves it. But I just can’t find a chance,”

Leah sighed.

“Besides, Vina and the others are always around, making it impossible for me to concentrate.”

At that moment, the assassin maiden’s faint voice came from beside them.

“It’s fine. After the meeting in Bright Cross Star City in a few days, when things calm down, I’ll help distract them so you can Purify her.”

Leah’s eyes lit up.

“Really?”

“Really,”

Zero replied indifferently, as if it were a trivial matter.

Good, good, what a true sister.

Leah wished she could grab her hand right there and swear eternal friendship.

***

The largest city of the Demon Race, a place called Dark Star City, had been the most prosperous area of the Demon Race for centuries.

Here lived big figures from many tribes and high nobles of various prestigious bloodlines.

Back then, after the coup, Demon King Aio, in order to be less influenced by these great nobles politically, moved to a Castle beside the Forest a few years after taking the throne.

Usually, if anything needed to be dealt with, he would summon officers and generals directly, giving orders on the spot.

In this way, the regime maintained high autonomy for decades, and various decrees could be quickly issued and implemented—at least, outside of Dark Star City.

The only problem was that compared to the heartland’s Dark Star City, the Demon King’s Castle’s location was a bit too aggressive.

On the other side of the Forest was a wild wasteland, and beyond that barren land, it bordered some territories of the Human Race.

Although there were border armies and Barracks watching most of the time, if the Human Race were to launch a large-scale attack, the Demon King could still retreat in time.

Unless the Human Race could send a very small squad of super elites—say, four people—sneaking in undetected to carry out an assassination ambush.

“Thinking himself clever, Aio probably never imagined that he’d fall into an ambush of four people and just happen to lose.”

A great noble in Dark Star City swirled the wine in his glass and spoke leisurely.

“Like weaving a cocoon and trapping himself.”

Laughter filled the banquet hall.

Even though more than half a year had passed, they still relished this story, often bringing it up at parties, as if it were a side dish with their drinks.

At this moment, a woman’s voice said:

“Don’t forget, he’s only missing—not truly dead.”

This sentence sounded particularly harsh amid the laughter, and others gradually quieted.

The noble who had spoken first asked:

“Lady of Thorns, why bring this up now? After so long, there’s been no news of him…”

“He may have no news, but that doesn’t mean his subordinates are equally silent.”

The Noblewoman of Thorns walked to the center of the banquet, set down her cup, and the crisp clink drew everyone’s attention.

“I have an unpromising distant relative. Some time ago, I sent him to Black Cross Star City… You may not know him, but to put it simply, he was the city lord of the only southern city. But now he’s running back, and letters have already arrived, stating—he saw Duo Luo and others.”

Hearing this name, many present changed their expressions.

The Four-Armed General Duo Luo, one of the Demon King’s Confidants.

On the second day after the incident, he vanished with a highly elite army.

The same happened with three other Generals—all direct subordinates of the Demon King.

“Even more interesting, not only did they appear, but they also brought that army and formed a coalition with outsiders, capturing Black Cross Star City together.”

“What?”

“Such a thing happened?!”

The atmosphere at the banquet finally changed.

The nobles no longer talked or drank merrily, silently setting down their wine glasses.

A sense of unease spread among them.

That Demon King—renowned in the Demon Race’s history for cunning, manipulative, ruthless cruelty.

If he truly returned…

“Hmph, what is there to be proud of for a defeated general?”

The man who first spoke said heavily.

“He doesn’t even dare show his face now, isn’t it because he lost face in the Forest Battle? Now he only dares to do petty things like this, raiding border cities—nothing more!”

His words somewhat reassured the uneasy crowd.

“Right, he’s not so scary now.”

“What’s so great about capturing a countryside city? If he’s got the guts, let him come to Dark Star City.”

“Doesn’t he know whose territory this is? Even at his peak, he never dared to act arrogant here and ended up moving out with his tail between his legs.”

“Exactly.”

With the mood restored, everyone raised their glasses again, drinking together.

Meanwhile, the man quietly approached the table where cups were placed and spoke to the woman seated there.

“Lady of Thorns, please find out about the situation in Black Cross Star City as soon as possible.”

“I’m already working on it.”

On the other side, the Hero Squad arrived at their loyal Bright Cross Star City.