After a brief moment of shock, Zero quickly regained her composure.
“I agree with this suggestion.”
Although she didn’t know why Celes had changed her mind overnight, it was a good thing—no need to dwell on good things.
“Count me in, count me in,” Vina raised her small hand high.
“But I think Ella could handle even more roles… let’s talk about that later. For now, I’m in too.”
The three girls then turned in unison to look at the only dissenting voice.
“Miss Leah, have you considered my explanation?”
Celes asked.
“Is there anything else you want to ask?”
Now it was three against one, with no chance of an even match.
“…I have no objections.”
And so, from that moment on, Ella became the fifth official member of the Hero Squad, temporarily serving as the Substitute, with her specific duties yet to be determined.
Zero was overjoyed and wanted to share the good news with Ella immediately, but Celes stopped her.
“Check on her first. If she’s still… if she hasn’t rested enough, let her sleep. We’re not leaving until tomorrow, so there’s no rush.”
“Oh, okay.”
Zero didn’t think much of it at first, but as she went upstairs, she realized something felt off.
How did Celes know whether Ella had rested or not?
She observed outside the door, and sure enough, Ella was sleeping.
***
After venting her stress, with a calm mind, she saw through the surface problem to the key issue hidden beneath.
By taking the initiative and switching teams, she had recalibrated the balance and persuaded the easiest person to convince, successfully resolving the Hero Squad’s first Team Conflict.
This was Celes’ legendary experience for the day.
But Ella didn’t know that.
All she knew was that the Sword Saint Maiden had hugged her to sleep all night, and then changed her mind the next morning.
Didn’t that mean she had only managed to stay because of… that?
So, when Zero brought her the good news, Ella forced a smile:
“That’s wonderful, thank you all… Since we’re leaving tomorrow, I’d like to rest a little longer.”
Then she lay back on the bed, her mind going blank.
If the citizens of the Demon Race found out about this, what would they think of their Demon King?
That was Ella’s last thought before she drifted off.
Zzzz
City of Lilith, the largest city of the Demon Race.
On this cloudless, sunny day, several demons were tightly bound and escorted to the Execution Platform.
“This is unjust!”
cried one of the condemned demon troublemakers.
“All I did was chat in a tavern about how the Demon King once snuck into the Hero Squad by selling hooks, and now I’m sentenced to death? What crime did I commit to deserve execution?”
“Silence!”
The pink-haired, thunderous beauty of a Demon King slammed her hand on the table in fury.
“How dare you reveal a State Secret in public!!”
“Ah!”
Ella jolted awake from her Nightmare.
She rubbed her eyes and glanced out the window.
It was already bright outside, but not for long—the sun hadn’t climbed too high yet, probably just past seven.
Her miraculous internal clock was back.
After sleeping nearly a whole day and night, Ella had no desire to doze off again.
She lay on the bed, staring at the now-familiar ceiling.
No matter what, she’d managed to stay.
Soon, they’d depart for Rebel Suppression, a bright future, no matter how you looked at it.
As for how she managed to stay, not a third soul must ever know!
“Ella~ are you awake yet~”
Zero knocked on the door, and after hearing a response, came in and placed a box on the table.
“I brought you breakfast, since we’re leaving soon. I was worried you wouldn’t have time to eat.”
“Thank you.”
Ella sat at the table to eat breakfast, while Zero sat opposite her, propping her chin up with both hands and watching.
“W-what is it?”
Being watched like this, she couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.
“Nothing, I’m just curious.”
Zero tilted her head.
“Why did Celes suddenly change her mind yesterday, and how did she know you hadn’t rested well?”
Suspicious, just as she thought!
Ella struggled to calm her racing heart, then put on a sweet smile.
“Well, the night before, Celes came to talk to me about joining the team.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Mm. During that conversation, I expressed my longing for the team, my appreciation for everything I’ve seen, looked back at how hard the past was, and realized the future was worth chasing. I deepened my understanding of the industry’s prospects, aligned my personal goals with the team’s interests, and modernized my sense of identity.”
Zero suddenly understood.
“I don’t really get all of that, but I think I get it. You talked her into it, right?”
“That’s right.”
Exactly right, that’s how it was.
After finishing breakfast, Ella watched as the assassin girl helped clean up and take away the trash, and let out a quiet sigh.
Thank goodness, Zero was so easy to fool.
Time was almost up.
After tidying herself up, she went out, ready to set off with everyone.
When she left her room, Ella saw Celes coming her way, but as soon as Celes caught sight of her, she instantly changed direction and went downstairs from the other side.
“……”
What was that supposed to mean?
The carriages were waiting at the camp gate, one for each person just like last time.
As soon as Ella climbed in, Vina hopped in after her.
“I’m here to congratulate you on officially joining our little team,” the little witch said with a mischievous grin.
“It was really tough, you know. Celes told me the day before that she’d decided not to let you come along, but then changed her mind yesterday. Talk about a close call~”
She’d said that the day before?
“I’m really glad to join,” Ella replied obediently.
“Thank you, everyone.”
“Why thank me? Thank Celes—she’s the real miracle worker.”
Vina twirled her hair with her finger, her words pointed.
“I wonder what made her change her mind overnight.”
“…Maybe we just understood each other better.”
“Really? But I think there’s something fishy here. You really don’t know?”
Vina leaned in, her little head almost resting on Ella’s chest, her magic-filled red eyes sparkling with mischief.
Ella didn’t bother with her earlier excuse.
Zero was easy to fool, but the little witch was not, saying more would only expose her.
“I really don’t know. Actually, I’d like to find out too. Why don’t you go ask Celes for me?”
“Forget it. If the Ice Queen doesn’t want to talk, no one can make her.”
Vina bounced out of the carriage and returned to her own.
Soon after, with a neigh from the horses, the convoy officially set off.
Last time, it had taken three days and nights to return from the forest.
This time, it would only take two, with a chance to rest in towns along the way at night.
By evening, the convoy stopped.
Celes was the first to get out, calling everyone else down to give instructions:
“We’ll rest in this town tonight. Zero, book the inn rooms. Leah, prepare our food and horse feed. Vina, check the route map…”
She hesitated a moment, then finally called out the girl’s name.
“Ella, stay here and watch the carriages.”
“Alright.”
No one objected to the arrangements, and everyone quickly scattered to their tasks.
Ella was left with the easiest job, and of course had no complaints.
She took a stool down from the carriage and sat.
But not long after, Celes came back, quietly walking up to her.
This was the first time they’d been alone together since yesterday.
Ella felt a bit nervous and asked tentatively, “Did you forget something?”
Celes shook her head, hesitated for a moment, and spoke slowly:
“About the night before last…”