Chapter 182: Top-Tier Transfer

What had just happened in front of Vina, the scene she thought she had “peeked” at, was actually an act put on by Leah and Zero on purpose.

This was the Assassin Girl’s plan.

Half an hour earlier, when the Little Witch was still asleep, Zero and Leah had shared their idea—a simple one.

After Vina woke up, the two of them would say some ambiguous things within her line of sight to create a mysterious atmosphere.

The content of the conversation didn’t matter; anything would do.

That being said, when Leah recalled the things her good friend had just said, she couldn’t help but feel that something was off, as if there was a hidden meaning within.

Impossible. How could a good friend set me up?

The Saintess shook her head, shaking off the strange thoughts.

She stood up, tidied herself, and happily went to look for Lala.

***

In the city’s alleys and streets, two girls walked one after another—one ahead, one following behind.

Vina had no suspicion at all that she had fallen into a trap, because Zero’s behavior was indeed suspicious, not only with a clear destination but also with strong execution.

First, she went to a roadside general store selling all sorts of things and bought an entire bag of white, powdery stuff.

The store was so small that Vina couldn’t possibly go inside; otherwise, she’d be spotted as soon as Zero turned around.

So she had no idea what that big bag actually contained.

After that, Zero entered another shop, this one mainly selling all kinds of furniture.

A few minutes later, Vina watched as she came out hugging a basin, with that bag of white powdery stuff inside, heading toward some unknown destination.

The weight was manageable; the girls of the Hero Squad were all quite strong.

Even the relatively delicate Saintess could carry a barrel by hand with no problem.

Finally, Zero entered an inn, rented a small room, and placed the items inside.

Suspicious.

There’s a secret!

***

Ella was still lying in bed at this time.

She’d gotten up early yesterday, so she slept in today.

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

She recognized the footsteps, so it didn’t matter that she was only wearing pajamas.

“Ayla, I’m here~”

Leah walked in, closed the door behind her, and said happily, “I’ve sent Celes and Vina out. No one can bother us today. How’s that for a surprise?”

“Oh, that is… quite a surprise.”

Of course, a Saintess with nothing but thoughts of joining the Church of Light in her head had no other business.

How silly of me to have had expectations the past few days.

Ella lifted the blanket, brushed aside her pink long hair, and leaned back on the bed in her light pajamas.

The twin buns on her chest wobbled like dough.

Fine, fine, let’s treat this as my reward time.

Don’t ask why the reward level is lower—it’s just too much trouble to move.

“Gulp.”

Leah had been about to say something else, but seeing the scene before her, she gave up, tied up her golden hair, and charged forward.

Too evil. I must purify it harshly in the name of Light!

In broad daylight, when Light’s power was at its peak, evil couldn’t resist and was pinned down and kneaded fiercely.

This wasn’t Ella’s first time as a pillow princess—nor her second, third, or fourth.

By now, she’d probably done it more than ten times, so she was quite skilled.

She lay there and waited to be undressed.

Pajamas were easy to remove.

Then, during the soft kneading session, she gathered strength—don’t ask what kind of strength, just know it’s Light Force.

The water stains on the floor reflected light, increasing the Light in the room.

How was that not Light Force?

“Mm, mm, mm… mmya~”

With a formulaic little hum, another round was completed.

Ella closed her eyes, panting softly.

Theoretically, it was time to rest, but since she’d slept all night and just woke up, falling asleep again seemed a bit much.

Leah, on the other hand, was full of energy, excitedly sharing with Lala how the surprise came about.

“At first, Celes and Vina were both here, so I thought I had no chance. But a few days ago, I complained to Zero, and she said she had a way to help me.”

This sentence yanked Ella’s soul back from the clouds.

“What did you say? Zero helped you?”

“That’s right. She came up with a great plan.”

Leah hugged tighter, making the kneading even more powerful.

“First, about Celes—Zero predicted she’d go shopping with her family, so she definitely wouldn’t be here for a while.”

Ella couldn’t pay attention to the fluffy things being squished; her heart thudded loudly.

“What about Vina?”

A Celes not in a suppressed state was no threat and could be ignored; the real danger was only the Little Witch.

“That was even more impressive. Zero used her personality, pretended to go out on important business, and lured her away.”

Leah said with admiration.

“I don’t even know what Zero did outside to keep someone hanging around for so long.”

Ella’s heartbeat grew faster at these words.

“Then… where is Zero now?”

“I just said, she’s outside doing something. How should I know where she is?”

Leah pouted.

“Anyway, she’s definitely not here.”

With a heavy heart, Ella spat out two words.

“…Hard to say.”

***

Elsewhere, in a perfectly ordinary inn in Bright Cross Star City, Vina sat downstairs, hiding behind a chair, waiting for Zero to come out of the room.

She heard passersby chatting nearby, saying things like “Great Lady Ayla,” “the most beautiful and best-figured Succubus in history,” and “just one look extends your lifespan”—all kinds of weird things.

After a while, the chatting passersby dispersed, but Zero still hadn’t come out.

Forget it.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Even if I get caught, so what?

The guilty party shouldn’t be me.

Go in!

Vina approached the room, gripped the doorknob, manipulated the elements to pop the lock, and then pushed it open in one go—

“Room check! What are you doing?!”

No one answered.

She entered the room and found a water barrel in the corridor outside the bathroom.

Her companion was floating inside, eyes closed and motionless, like a corpse.

Next to it was the bag, and upon closer inspection, it was salt.

A barrel of salt water, floating inside without moving…

Vina recalled the incident in Harbor City a few months ago and some things Zero had said about Form Transformation.

Did her soul drift away?

Where did it go?

Not good! She deliberately left her body here because, as a companion, I can’t just leave an undefended comrade’s body alone.

Realizing she’d been outplayed, Vina couldn’t help but applaud.

Entering the game with your own body, huh? Zero, you sly fox.

***

High tower.

The bedroom of the first leader of the Bright Society.

On the bed.

“What do you mean, ‘hard to say’?”

The blonde girl grumbled and gave her a playful bite.

“Zero promised she’d keep Vina busy for me. She couldn’t have come back early.”

Trust your friends!

Trust!

“Yes, I promised Miss Leah I’d keep Vina occupied.”

Ella heard a voice from behind her.

Cool and chilly.