Bonfire Camp.
The golden-haired Saintess poured herself a cup of red tea, sitting gracefully in the sunlit courtyard.
She took a gentle sip, the very picture of a refined lady.
Ella lingered at the entrance to the courtyard, sneaking glances at her, wondering how best to start a conversation.
Celes, Zero, and Vina had gone to the Royal Palace, bringing along the spoils of their journey—Feng Lie’s severed head.
For political reasons, Leah hadn’t joined them, and Ella, being an unofficial member, had no need to go.
With just the two of them left, the good girl’s mind grew lively.
She thought it was the perfect chance to bond, to get a little closer.
A Healer was essential to any team—not just for vital support in battle, but even in daily life.
With her around, you never had to worry about someone poisoning your food.
“Light, grant your blessing to the dew in my hand.”
Just listen, what a reassuring prayer.
Ella made up her mind.
She walked over quietly, pulled up a small chair, and sat down beside her.
“Miss Leah, could you teach me some of those Holy Prayers? I really admire the Light.”
Surely the Saintess would be eager to guide a promising believer, she thought.
But then she saw Leah’s troubled expression, and Leah asked a tiny question: “Do you have a Royal City household registration?”
Eh?
Ella blinked in surprise, then gave a wry smile.
“I’m just a kid from a mountain village. I was taken by the Demon King when I was little. You all know about that…”
“That can’t be helped then. Without a Royal City registration, if you wish to join the faith, please seek out a Secondary Bishop.”
Leah’s holy face wore an apologetic smile.
“This is also Divine Guidance, letting me not overexert myself.”
“……”
Ella held back for a long while, cursing inwardly.
Since when had the Demon King ever suffered such indignity?
So, you’re the Saintess, huh?
Just wait—one day you’ll beg me to join your church!
With the friendship door firmly shut, all she could do was return to her room and wait for news from the others.
In the afternoon, those who had gone to the Royal Palace returned.
From afar, Ella heard voices and hurried to the entrance to greet them.
“Welcome back, you all… hmm?”
Something was off.
Celes wore a cold expression.
Zero looked downcast.
Only Vina seemed unchanged.
“Let’s talk inside,” the Sword Saint Maiden rubbed her temples.
“I’m a bit tired.”
“Oh, okay.”
It was clear they were in a bad mood.
After speaking, they all headed inside without another word.
Ella was about to follow when Vina grabbed her hand.
“Let me tell you, back at the Royal Palace, when we presented Feng Lie’s head, everyone’s faces changed. Not all at once, but one after another—some quickly, some slowly.”
“Why?”
“They realized something. Realized that the force our team commands can easily accomplish certain things.”
Ella grew even more puzzled at Vina’s explanation.
“Didn’t they realize that last time?”
What’s going on?
Is the Demon King’s reputation not even worth as much as Feng Lie’s wolf head?
“Last time, we only drove off the Demon King, not killed him on the spot.”
Vina shrugged her tiny shoulders.
“But a bloody head, there’s no mistaking the impact when you see it with your own eyes.”
The Hero Squad’s strength was surely something the Kingdom had anticipated, but as the Little Witch said, no matter how much you expect something, seeing it for yourself is a different matter.
A group of girls go out for a few days and come back with the head of a Demon Race leader.
Put yourself in their shoes—it’s honestly terrifying.
“At first, they wanted to find an excuse to disband the squad, but quickly realized how ridiculous that was. We could easily form our own group without the Kingdom’s support.”
Vina recounted what happened at the Royal Palace.
“So instead, they tried to tighten their control over us. Of course, we firmly refused.”
Ella nodded.
So that’s how it is.
How wicked…
No, how wonderful!
That’s exactly how the Human High Command should be treated—let them be disappointed, and I can swoop in when the time is right.
The Great Generals truly are gathered in the Council Hall of the Human Kingdom.
“And then?” Ella pressed, growing excited. “Did they give up?”
“You sure talk funny, but of course not. They came up with all sorts of reasons: we’re too young, we lack management experience, and then all that nonsense about the greater good.”
“What lousy excuses.”
“Exactly… Oh, right, there was something else. Do you remember Taidin?”
Of course she did. That old lecher—a parasite among the Human High Command, a friend of the Demon Race.
Ella’s face showed a hint of fear as she whispered, “Is it that same guy, the one who wanted me to…”
“Yep, the one who wanted you.”
“….” What Ella meant was “wanted me to leave you all.”
Though, to be fair, that was the truth.
“He brought it up again this time, mentioning how we let you join us without permission. Clearly, you’re still on his mind. Then he said letting a group like ours manage itself without higher oversight is extremely dangerous—especially since our team includes… Well, he didn’t finish, but you can guess who he means. He said the same thing last time.”
Ella paused.
“Last time?”
Vina hummed.
“Besides you, there’s only one other in our group with an unknown background.”
The assassin girl, Zero.
Now that Vina mentioned it, Ella remembered. Last time Taidin tried to threaten them, he’d told Zero, “Don’t forget you carry…” but left the rest unsaid.
“Hey, Ella, aren’t you curious?”
Vina leaned against her, “How about we investigate Zero’s origins together?”
Ella nodded reflexively, then quickly shook her head. No, no way. The Little Witch was full of mischief—who knew what she had planned?
“That’s not right. We’re comrades who trust each other. If Zero doesn’t want us to know, we shouldn’t go digging into her past.”
A true good girl’s answer.
Vina narrowed her peach blossom eyes. “Then I’ll figure it out myself~”
Since most members were feeling down, no one ate dinner together that night.
Everyone took their meals in their own rooms and went to rest early.
Ella slept better than anyone that night, mulling over what Vina had told her and growing more delighted the more she thought about it.
What had the Demon King said back then?
Ah, yes, during that confrontation in the forest.
“You’ve done such a great deed, but when you go back, you’ll face not flowers and applause, but something else entirely.”
See? You didn’t listen to me, and now you see for yourselves.
Young people really are too naive!
Zzzz
The next morning arrived, as usual, with perfect punctuality.
The pink-haired, thunderous beauty stretched comfortably and slowly climbed out of bed.
Another hopeful day. Time to see what the Great Generals of the Human High Command had prepared—would they keep up the pressure?
Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. Someone was knocking at the camp gate.
Leah, who always woke early to watch the sunrise, opened the gate.
Outside stood a squad of Palace Guards.
The leader stepped forward and asked:
“Excuse me, is Miss Ella here?”
The pink-haired, thunderous beauty poked her head out from behind.
Eh?
They’re here for me?