Chapter 153: Old Places, Old Faces

Yanpo still couldn’t get a word out because Ayla was walking too fast, descending the stairs in just a few seconds.

Her heart was pounding with excitement.

After lamenting for half a year about the kingdom’s peril and its need for capable generals, her very own excellent generals were now just downstairs.

How could she not be thrilled?

When she reached the first floor, the familiar figures immediately came into view—

The Skeletal General, gaunt and appearing malnourished but actually shaped by his bloodline; the One-Eyed General, physically very strong but bald with only one eye; and the Four-Armed General, bearing two pairs of hands.

They had heard about the situation from Yanpo, but seeing this pink-haired, bold human girl in front of them still made them hesitate a little.

Ayla didn’t waste any time. She directly drew the Necromantic Sword and, under the tense gazes of the three, softly said, “For the Greatest Good!”

This was what she had told the brothers who had joined her rebellion after their second successful tavern uprising.

In an instant, tears welled up in the three of their eyes.

“Could it be…”

“Is it really you?”

“Demon King Aio!”

Ayla smiled and nodded.

“Yes, it’s me. Children, I’m back.”

***

At the tea table on the second floor, Vina mulled over the teacup in her hand before suddenly setting it down and asking, “General, do you really respect Ayla that much? She is, after all, a human girl.”

The other girls simultaneously looked over.

Although they didn’t agree with the little witch’s theory about the “Secret Emperor,” they were equally curious about this question.

What exactly had Ayla done during those years imprisoned in the Demon King Castle that made these demon generals so convinced?

Yanpo silently wiped a bead of cold sweat and quickly thought on his feet.

“Lady Ayla’s wisdom commands our respect. She always makes the right decisions. More importantly, the Demon King himself is rather cruel and ruthless, but Lady Ayla is compassionate towards us, so everyone is willing to listen to her.”

The last time the girl instructed them that if asked about past events, blame all the bad things on the Demon King and take credit for the good things themselves.

“Oh, is that so?”

Vina’s peach blossom eyes flicked, observing the reactions of her companions.

Celes remained calm and suspicious of nothing, wearing a look that said, “Ayla really does have that capability.”

Leah looked a bit proud, her beautiful and lively face seeming to say, “Our Liraleah is just that amazing.”

Only Zero was different from them.

She was equally calm, but while Celes’ calm was natural, Zero’s seemed like a kind of clear understanding of the truth.

Then she heard this clear-sighted one say,

“Yes, Ayla always makes people willing to believe in her. We’re the same way.”

Because of her wisdom and kindness, even the Hero Squad listens to her.

Isn’t that completely consistent?

“Ahaha.”

Yanpo breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s really great.”

Just then, the people from downstairs came up.

Ayla led them over to everyone.

“These three generals are old friends of mine. Like General Yanpo, they used to frequently come and go in the Demon King Castle.”

Although the three looked somewhat intimidating, they all wore kind smiles on their faces and appeared friendly.

Ayla introduced them in turn—the Skeletal General was named Bouer, the One-Eyed General was Gumu, and the Four-Armed General was Duo Luo.

Together with General Yanpo, these four were the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings.

Of course, in front of the Hero Squad, she didn’t introduce them this way.

She simply said,

“They’re all very, very good people.”

Celes nodded slightly.

She wasn’t superficial enough to judge by appearances.

Since Ayla said so, she would believe it for now.

“I trust Ayla’s words.”

She looked at the group.

“However, Four Generals, Harbor City is a human city, and life here is quite different from what you’re used to. We need to discuss future plans regarding your activities.”

The three generals instinctively looked at Ayla, especially Gumu, whose single large eye nearly rolled back.

“That’s right. You must discuss carefully.”

The pink-haired, loud girl clapped her hands.

“This is our Human Kingdom city, and you must follow the rules.”

“Understood!”

The so-called “activity plans” referred to the boundaries, rights and obligations, and responsibilities of the five thousand demon troops under the four generals while in Harbor City.

“Since it’s a political matter, you can talk it over yourselves.”

Leah stood and grabbed Ayla’s arm.

“We’re going to inspect the city’s Church branch.”

Vina raised her small hand.

“She’s coming with you?”

“Originally, Miss Leah was preaching in Harbor City. Ayla provided all the ideas and was involved throughout. She’s essentially a founder of the Harbor City Branch, so it’s only natural for her to inspect the progress together.”

A very reasonable explanation.

More importantly, it was Zero who said it.

Vina looked at her in surprise, confusion filling her peach blossom eyes.

Why was there suddenly a united front?

What had happened between them?

With some support, Leah became even more confident.

“That’s right. Besides, I’ve said it before—Ayla is the Honorary Director of this Church Branch. I’m not joking.”

To prove the last point, she pulled out a small white-and-pink booklet from her luggage—

[Church of Light, Harbor City Branch, Honorary Director — Ayla]

“See? Isn’t it true!”

Leah slammed the certificate down on the table and put her hands on her hips, beaming with pride.

Those who knew would recognize it as a clerical certificate; those who didn’t might think it was some kind of ID.

The four generals were standing farther away and couldn’t see what was written on the certificate or the identity of the blonde girl.

They only heard her words and saw her confident demeanor, exchanging glances with one another, trying to read answers from their comrades’ faces.

‘Why look at me? Look at the Demon King!’

They wouldn’t dare look at something like that.

Just then, Ayla walked over and lightly tapped the table three times with her fair fingers.

The four generals immediately straightened their backs, having received the signal.

“Let’s go~”

Returning to Harbor City after several months, the city looked completely different from before.

The streets and alleys were no longer the same.

The most obvious change was the absence of Fishmen, replaced by purely Human Race residents, with only the occasional unusually tall “human” passing by.

The fish market had completely vanished.

The old, simple buildings were all torn down and replaced by a large plaza.

At the very center stood a prominent pointed-roof church.

It wasn’t very big—slightly smaller than the original workshop—but compared to the Capital’s headquarters, it couldn’t compete.

Still, it was one of the best buildings in Harbor City.

The only problem was—

“Ayla, look, look!”

Leah pointed at the church’s main door.

“That’s your statue. Pretty accurate, right?”

“Accurate means… the chest?”

“A statue has to replicate the most distinctive features, and I think it looks quite nice…”

At that moment, several people came out of the church entrance.

Seeing the two girls, they were instantly overjoyed.

“Her Highness the Saintess!”

“Miss Ayla!”

The first was said by the church clergy, and the second was a familiar face—Ami, a former workshop apprentice.