Maken didn’t have the habit of frequently changing Vice Captains.
Even though the Vice Captain had not performed well during the Royal Capital Incident last time, he still regarded him as a confidant.
And now, this slightly clever confidant raised a question:
“Maken-sama, I’m not very familiar with the Elves. After all, we’ve had little contact with them for a hundred years. But… are they really that easy to talk to?”
If they were so easy to talk to, would the Breakup of the Alliance have escalated to such an extent?
But if they’re difficult, then why did they agree to the invitation so readily this time, as if they didn’t hesitate at all?
Maken had the same thought, so with this question in mind, he went to the Sanctuary Hall to consult Rolls.
“By the time I was born, the Alliance had already broken apart, and the Kingdom had severed ties with the Elves. But many people still remembered that era, and the elders at home often spoke of it.”
Rolls poured him a cup of tea—not the precious kind from his personal collection, just the ordinary leaves delivered daily to the palace.
“I heard them say the Elves are extremely proud and regard outsiders as rural races. For them to agree so readily this time, they must have encountered something and needed us, so they accepted the invitation without hesitation.”
Maken was a bit puzzled.
“If they really needed help, would they have just kept waiting if we hadn’t sent a message?”
Rolls burst out laughing.
“That’s why they say the Elves are proud.”
That said, since the others had accepted the invitation, the date was set for three days later.
Whoever was supposed to come would definitely come, and what needed to be done must be done.
The rest could be dealt with later.
Right now, the key issue was the upcoming Award Ceremony.
“Do you know which member of the Royal Family is supporting this ceremony?”
Rolls asked tentatively.
In theory, the Prince, who had always been in the Royal City and held significant influence among the High Officials, was the most suitable.
But the incident two months ago was too much of a blow to their reputation.
It was hard to say whether the other party would be willing to come.
Maken’s expression darkened slightly.
“This is a matter for the Royal Family. It’s not something I can discuss.”
Meaning, he couldn’t say.
After exchanging a few more casual words, he took his leave in a hurry.
While the High Officials of the Kingdom were troubled over the Award Ceremony, the girls at the Bonfire Camp were also worrying about it.
Celes moved the largest mirror in the camp down to the first-floor hall so everyone could use it.
Ella, wearing her favorite white shirt and coffee-colored skirt, spun in front of the mirror.
“How does it look? Does it feel too plain? Should I wear something more special?”
Leah yawned.
“As long as you don’t wear that ‘I Love Humans’ one, it’s fine. It’s too attention-grabbing.”
“Why can’t I wear it?”
Vina objected.
“That one looks great! I want to see you in it.”
Celes shook her head.
“Not wearing it is the right choice. It’s fine on normal days, but on the day of the Award Ceremony, the Kingdom specially invited the Elves to attend. That outfit wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Promoting ethnic pride was fine on ordinary days, but there were diplomatic responsibilities on that day.
Leah yawned again, stood up from her chair, stretched, and said,
“Whatever, I’m not going anyway, so do your best.”
“Since I can’t go, I’ll head back to the Chapel first. See you in a few days.”
Actually, she had just returned today, saying she missed everyone, so she came back to visit.
There were still matters to handle at the Chapel, so she left first.
As soon as the Saintess left, the Little Witch snorted.
“Did you notice? When she stood up, she stretched on purpose to make her chest look bigger. She did it for the three of us to see. So arrogant!”
And saying she missed everyone and came back to see us—who did she really miss, I wonder?
But no one responded to her words, because the three of them truly weren’t as well-endowed as the Saintess.
Vina snorted again.
“Also, coming back just to take a look before running off so quickly—clearly feeling guilty.”
Celes spoke up in Leah’s defense.
“Miss Leah is the Saintess of the Church. The Kingdom practices Separation of Church and State. She returned to avoid suspicion.”
“Yes, but what kind of suspicion is she avoiding—political suspicion?”
Vina’s peach blossom eyes drifted to the side.
“I think she’s clearly avoiding a certain someone’s suspicion.”
Ella didn’t dare say a word.
How could she?
Better to keep looking in the mirror.
Oh my, this outfit isn’t bad.
The white shirt looks so dignified—perfect for the Award Ceremony.
After that, it was just a matter of waiting—waiting for the ceremony three days later.
Celes was worthy of the title of the Kingdom’s perfect knight.
Even on rest days, she dragged Vina into the courtyard to practice new Sword Techniques.
As the saying goes, heaven rewards diligence.
If she hadn’t spent a few days in Harbor City developing [Buzzing], how could she have shone so brightly in the final battle?
As for why Vina patiently accompanied her in practice, of course, it was for a chance to whisper in her ear.
“Really not going to try? What if you discover something? You can’t just play ostrich—pretending not to see doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”
Celes swept away a flurry of ice spikes with a single swing—a newly developed Sword Technique mainly for defending against ranged attacks and protecting the two in the back row, Leah and Ella.
But then again, since Leah had her own defensive abilities, who was this technique truly for?
The answer was obvious.
“You don’t have to say anymore.”
The girl replied solemnly.
“I trust Ella, and I trust Miss Leah. They’re our most important companions.”
Clang, clang, clang.
Endless ice spikes, a web of sword light—just like the two girls’ words, seemingly unyielding and unwilling to give an inch.
But what was really going on inside, who could say?
Ella stood on the balcony, observing for a while.
Judging by the pattern of recent days, once they started, it would last at least an hour, with ice and fire flying everywhere and all sorts of banging and clanging noises—a truly noisy scene.
Which meant, now was the perfect time for tea.
Let’s go! Time to find Zero!
She specially put on the purest white dress she owned, carefully combed her pink-white hair until it was smooth and soft, and stood in the corridor, where the wind could only lift a gentle strand—like the pure school beauty from the neighboring class.
Of course, such things didn’t exist in this world, but feelings between people are the same everywhere.
Ella stood at the end of the corridor, waiting patiently, waiting and waiting, until finally, the door to the next room opened.
“Zero~”
A crisp, sweet, and airy little sister’s voice called out.
“You came out! I was just looking for you~”
The slender figure of the assassin girl clearly froze, looking at her with a puzzled gaze.
Ella walked over slowly, her slender brows tinged with sadness, grievance, and helplessness.
She lightly bit her lower lip, her voice trembling softly:
“Actually, I’ve wanted to talk to you for days, but I couldn’t find a good chance to be alone. There’s something I want to say. First… I want to apologize, about that night.”
She paused, as if struggling in her heart, a trace of determination appearing on her beautiful face.
“Not just that night, but also the night before, when you discovered me using Necromancy. Miss Leah was right—those spells changed my personality, making me feel unlike myself when I used them. I was terrified of becoming that version of me.”