Zero’s bedroom was at the top of the stairs on the second floor, right next to Ella’s.
It was also the only room in the entire Camp without a window.
There used to be one, but she’d sealed it herself.
Curled up on her little bed, the girl hugged her knees.
She hadn’t tied up her ponytail, so her inky black hair spilled down beside her like a sheet of darkness.
The absence of light didn’t hinder her vision.
If anything, being wrapped in darkness made her feel a little safer.
‘Your squad is extremely dangerous—especially since there’s that…!’
Yesterday, in the Royal Palace, Taidin hadn’t finished his sentence, but Zero knew exactly who he was talking about.
Her companions probably did, too.
She wasn’t really upset, but those words reminded her of an even earlier time, before they went to Lilburg.
‘Don’t forget you’re still carrying…!’
That time, she’d wanted to protect Ella.
But because of those words, she’d lost the right to.
It hurt so much.
Heavy footsteps sounded outside the Camp—metallic and clanging.
Most likely armored soldiers.
She heard them say:
“Excuse me, but where is Miss Ella?”
Zero’s eyes snapped open.
Why are they looking for… Ella?
She dressed in an instant, rolled off the bed, and jumped straight down the stairs to the first floor.
There, she saw Ella already outside, with members of the Royal Palace Guard facing her.
“Please come with us and cooperate with our investigation!”
“M-me? But why…?”
Hearing Ella’s aggrieved, pitiful voice nearly broke Zero’s heart.
“Enough talk! Come with us!”
No!
Just as Zero was about to rush out, a small hand darted from the corner and grabbed her.
“Don’t worry, Celes is here~”
It was Vina.
The little witch had beaten the assassin girl to the punch, having hidden here the whole time to watch.
After speaking, she jerked her chin toward the courtyard.
Just as she said, as the guards moved forward, the Sword Saint Maiden’s cold, angry voice rang out.
“I’d like to see who dares lay a hand on her.”
An icy blue figure stepped through the Camp’s gate, and the temperature seemed to drop several degrees.
The guard captain wore a full helmet, his face and expression hidden, but he clearly stepped back.
With all his subordinates behind him, he couldn’t retreat any further, so he braced himself and said:
“By order of the Parliament of the Palace, upon investigation, Miss Ella has not yet registered her identity. As she has joined the Special Squad on a classified mission without clarification of her status, to prevent leaks of Kingdom secrets, we must take her back for a thorough investigation.”
Secrets, huh?
Celes was already standing protectively in front.
Ella had to cling to her shoulder and blink her beautiful, innocent eyes, as if she truly knew nothing.
If there really were secrets, she’d like to know them herself.
“So, what you mean is—”
The Sword Saint Maiden took a step forward.
Her sword intent sliced the fallen leaves into pieces and carved lines into the ground.
The captain, who had only retreated a step before, now staggered back repeatedly, sweat fogging up the slit in his helmet.
This time, no soldiers stood behind him—everyone else had retreated even faster.
“You want to take someone from my squad right under my nose?”
Her words fell, and the scene grew deathly silent.
After a long moment, the captain seemed to remember his oath on enlistment—or maybe he was thinking of his wife and children at home.
He summoned his courage and said:
“We only wish to question Miss Ella. We can do it here as well.”
In the corner, Vina nudged Zero’s arm.
“See? Didn’t I tell you? With Celes here, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Yeah…”
Zero forced a smile.
Yes, it was all thanks to Celes.
But hearing the Sword Saint Maiden’s last words, Zero felt a mix of relief and sourness in her heart.
She remembered, once again, her failed attempt to protect someone…
Zero wiped her eyes, forcing herself not to dwell on it.
She asked, “Why are they looking for Ella?”
If it was about her identity, why wait until now?
Why not question her the first time they returned to the Capital?
“Hmph, obviously because of..”
Vina’s eyes darted slyly.
“Us.”
“Because of us?”
“That’s right. To be precise, it’s because of what happened yesterday. The higher-ups want to get their hands into our squad, to seize control over it. Since they failed to do so directly yesterday, they’re trying other ways. This is their first attempt.”
For the politically naïve Zero, Vina explained sincerely and shrewdly:
“You remember Taidin, right? Last time, he was after Ella, but didn’t succeed. Now, the others think if they can break through with Ella, it’ll show a problem with our personnel management. Then they’ll have a reason to take over. That’s why they’re supporting him now.”
“How could this happen…” Zero grew even more anxious. “If… if…”
Vina watched her closely, then turned away with a deliberately casual sigh.
“It’s no use. Even without Taidin, others would look for a different breakthrough. They just wouldn’t target Ella—unlike Taidin, not everyone is that lecherous. Even if they were, they wouldn’t dare show it…”
Without Taidin, they wouldn’t go after Ella.
Zero repeated the words silently in her heart.
She thought she’d hidden her feelings well, but the little witch had been watching her all along.
After speaking, Vina turned away, squinting her eyes and stifling a laugh.
Hehehe w.
***
The questioning took place in the Camp’s courtyard, where there was only a stone table and two chairs.
Only the guard captain was allowed to sit; the other soldiers waited outside.
“Name.”
“Ella.”
“Age.”
“…Eighteen.”
Probably eighteen.
This body was youthful and full of energy—maybe it would stay eighteen forever.
Demon Race technology really is impressive, Ella thought, unconsciously puffing out her chest.
The questioning paused for a moment.
The captain stepped out to consult with his colleagues, then returned to ask:
“May I ask why you insisted on joining Celes and the others’ squad?”
Ah, so that’s the question.
“One reason is that they saved me, and I want to repay them. The other reason…”
Ella paused, took a deep breath, and her eyes shone with the resolve of someone ready to save the world—
“I was captured by the Demon King for years and suffered greatly. I know there are many others in this world who have met with misfortune like me. Some are still suffering, some may have already died from their torment. To save those who are still alive, and to prevent others from experiencing what I did, I want to become a Hero!”
The guard captain, busy taking notes, was so stunned that he dropped his pen and didn’t even notice.
After a long moment, he snapped out of it, hastily finished the report, and excused himself.
“Sorry to trouble you, Miss Celes.”
He saluted the girl standing at the gate, then led the Royal Palace Guard out of the Bonfire Camp, leaving exactly the way they had come.
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