Testing us advanced demons with something this easy?
Back then, I stood at the top floor of the Castle listening to you all fight your way up from the first floor.
Now I’m just in the Garden listening to the second floor. Isn’t that a piece of cake?
Vina glanced at the proud Ella, especially at her prominent assets, her peach blossom eyes narrowing.
“If you’re so capable, say that in front of Celes and the others.”
“…Let’s not. Shh, they’re talking!”
Ella wasn’t just changing the subject; there really were voices coming from the crime scene on the second floor—
“The aura of death, that’s right, Taidin was killed here… There are no traces, not even a drop of blood, not in the Carriage either. The killer must have sealed the blood at the moment of the attack.”
Ella thought, this description is so professional, it must be an expert speaking.
Sealing Blood isn’t easy. It’s said to be a miraculous Assassination Technique.
Of course, her own White Bone Sword could do it too.
“I couldn’t do it. Not even at my peak. How can someone sneak in and out so quietly, from start to finish without anyone noticing, let alone pull off that final move?”
“Me neither.”
“Why are you looking at me? My skills aren’t even as good as yours.”
“There’s more. According to the Butler, the Carriage was only slightly heavier than usual. If the killer was inside at the time, it means they must be extremely light.”
“That’s odd. None of us could do it. Who else in the Royal City could pull off something like this?”
Clearly, these professionals were skilled, but even their abilities had limits. Still, they seemed confident in themselves, though no one knew exactly who they were.
“Everyone,” another person nearby spoke up, “please mind the occasion. Don’t discuss unnecessary things here.”
After that, there was nothing more.
Footsteps faded into the distance, people coming and going in a hurry, just like the passersby on the street.
Vina watched them leave, her gaze sharp, as if she wanted to memorize every face.
“They’re gone,” Ella whispered, moving closer.
“Where should we go next?”
Because she leaned in so close, her impressive chest hovered right over Vina’s little head, so the little witch nudged her back.
“Ow…”
“Don’t make a fuss, save it for later.”
“Four retired personnel. Their wives were all arranged for them, ensuring they have no motive. The analysis is in—at their peak, they still couldn’t manage something like this.”
Listening to that odd man Wesley, the other members of the Investigation Group wore strange expressions, doubts churning in their minds.
Who exactly are these four Retired Assassins?
From the sound of it, both their retirement and families were arranged from above, their families even serving as surveillance.
Maken clearly wasn’t going to explain. He simply continued questioning Wesley: “Is there anyone in the Royal City who’s more skilled than them—someone from that place?”
Wesley, his hair a tangled mess, hesitated, his face twitching.
“There… shouldn’t be… but maybe…”
“What do you mean ‘shouldn’t’…”
Just then, a few knocks came at the door.
As it opened, a voice rang out: “His Highness the Prince has arrived!”
Everyone in the side hall of the Investigation Group stood and bowed.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
The tall, handsome Prince ignored the others and strode straight to the square-faced man.
“Mr. Maken, what’s the progress on Taidin’s assassination case?”
“We’ve made progress, identified the suspects, but further discussion is needed.”
“Good, very good. Remember, the Royal Family will fully support your investigation. Report to me the moment you find the culprit. I’ll personally lead the army to arrest them.”
Celes was stunned to hear this.
So determined?
“You probably don’t know,” a fellow Investigation Group member whispered nearby, just as marginal as she was, “according to the family tree, Taidin is actually His Highness’s uncle.”
“…”
After saying just a few words, the Prince turned and left, taking his retinue of Palace Guards with him in grand fashion.
Though he’d only spoken two sentences, the weight of his words lingered, leaving everyone in the side hall stunned.
Wesley watched the Prince’s men come and go, recalling what had just been said.
He gritted his teeth.
“Mr. Maken, actually, there is one more person in the Royal City who fits the analysis perfectly. This person was at that place before, but not long ago… an esteemed elder took them away.”
At those words, the square-faced man shot to his feet.
Celes’s heart pounded wildly.
He’s obviously talking about Zero.
“Wesley, come with me. I’ll take you to see His Highness. The rest of you are dismissed.”
“So strange, really strange, just so odd.”
Back at the camp, Vina brewed herself a cup of coffee, set out some sweets, and stirred her spoon as she spoke.
“Those people leaving Taidin’s house—the leader I know, that’s ‘Square-face’ Maken’s assistant. But the others? I didn’t recognize a single one.”
To be allowed into a place like that for that kind of work, they had to be either top criminal investigators or professional assassins.
But if they were so impressive and local to the Royal City, how had the little witch never heard of them?
Ella opened her cherry lips, wanting to say something, but realized she didn’t really have anything to add, so she stayed quiet.
Just then, the door latch clicked, and an ice-blue figure returned from outside.
“Hey, Celes~”
Vina waved cheerfully, as if there hadn’t been a fight yesterday.
“Finished your meeting?”
Celes paused but didn’t answer. Her pretty face clouded as she retreated to her own room.
“See that? Sigh, what a pity.”
Vina propped her chin on her hands.
“She spent all day with the Investigation Group. She must’ve heard some inside info. If only we had clues to those people’s identities.”
Ella withdrew her gaze, pondering for a moment.
“Maybe, I have an idea.”
She noticed Celes seemed under a lot of pressure when she came back, like she was holding something in.
“Oh~?”
“Sleep now. The Light will bless you, and you’ll be fine when you wake up tomorrow.”
With her gentle voice, Leah coaxed the little girl to sleep.
She breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the fragrant sweat from her brow.
According to the Sisters, the girl’s Achilles tendons had been cut, and she’d crawled to the Church entrance using her hands.
She was only discovered the next morning. Her physical wounds had barely been healed with the Blessing of Light, but her mind was in terrible shape, her consciousness unclear.
The Sisters lacked the power to heal such trauma.
Thankfully, Leah had returned. After a full day of spiritual comfort, all the girl needed was a good night’s sleep to regain her senses.
As Leah left the room, the Sisters gathered at the door, overjoyed, showering her with praise.
“Saintess, your beauty and kindness are unmatched. May you live forever!”
“Thank goodness for you, Saintess. You are her blessing in misfortune.”
“And the Church’s blessing as well.”
“All right, all right.”
Leah rolled her eyes.
“This is what I’m supposed to do. It’s just my duty. No need for all that.”
They made it sound like she was usually up to no good, and today she’d finally done something right.
“By the way, Saintess,” one Sister asked, “aren’t you going back to your companions tonight?”
At this, Leah curled her lip.
“Don’t mention it. My companions are about to break up.”
“Ah? Aren’t they—”
“Yes, they’re all geniuses. Which means they all have tempers, and each one is quirkier than the last.”
Now that she was home, Leah couldn’t help but complain.
“One’s clueless, one’s stubborn, and one’s just weird. The new one’s a bit better, but… forget it, not worth mentioning.”
In her heart, Ella really did have a good personality and was quite pretty.
The problem was—the vibe was all wrong.
Through the Saintess’s holy senses, the busty girl actually gave off a hint of succubus-like, wicked energy.
Maybe it was from living too long in the Demon King’s Castle.
A pure Saintess just couldn’t handle that.
“Enough, enough, I’m going to bed. Make my bed for me.”
Night fell.
Ella lay on her bed, eyes closed, breath steady and even, but she wasn’t asleep.
Her senses were sharp, her judgment perfect, her silent counting—1, 2, 3… Now!
Ella felt she’d caught the best timing of her life—just as Celes tried to sneak into bed and hug her from behind, she spun around to face her head-on.
Smoosh!
Two soft pairs pressed together.
“…”
The timing was perfect, but she’d forgotten about this part.
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