Freyna did not bring any guards with her before setting off. First, it was to show her sincerity and demonstrate her absolute trust in the demon race. Second, it stemmed from her absolute confidence in her own strength.
However, right before departure, the hero—whom one could call a “deserter” after being taken back by the Great Sage—insisted on traveling with her. And so, the current situation arose.
The hero rode in the same carriage with her to Tilves.
Unlike the deathly stagnant city she remembered from before, Tilves now seemed no different from before it was occupied. Children played in the snow everywhere, and the bustling streets still presented the scene of a prosperous commercial hub. Though there were far fewer adventurers and human soldiers, on the surface, it was still a city trending toward peace and tranquility.
That demons and humans could coexist peacefully—this was a theory long discarded.
It was said that in ancient times millions of years ago, a meteor fell from the moon, bringing demons and all manner of ghouls and monsters. Their descendants gradually mimicked human appearances, becoming the demons of today.
These beings from the moon were innately bloodthirsty and aggressive by instinct.
This was, more or less, the impression all humans had of demons.
As she grew older, Freyna gradually realized the differences between humans and demons, becoming more pragmatic and rational. Her worldview diversified, yet she still could not ignore these existences that fell outside the realm of normal creatures.
“…”
The hero did not respond.
Contrary to Freyna’s expectations, this so-called hero showed no particular reaction at all. From the start, she had worn a full suit of armor and had not once removed her helmet.
Judging by her build, this person’s body was even somewhat slender. How had such a frail figure become a knight?
In the end, though, Freyna had agreed to the request. Whether this person continued hiding her identity or revealed it made no difference to the upcoming negotiations.
They walked on foot to the appointed meeting spot and rendezvoused with several evil demon soldiers before boarding a carriage.
Along the way, Freyna selectively ignored the tin can beside her, though the person gave her an inexplicably familiar feeling.
After disembarking, the clamor in her ears faded away. The noble district of Tilves had now been occupied by demons. Evidently, these fellows were not noisy—rumors that demons preferred resting during the day did not seem baseless. Of course, perhaps demons were simply a quiet bunch. A dozen or so demons trailed behind them. Only after the gates of the manor swung open did the solemn atmosphere ease slightly.
Then, another evil demon dressed in a maid outfit took the lead.
Freyna initially marveled at how demons really knew how to have fun—they even had maids. But suddenly, she realized the maid in front of her looked extremely familiar!
“Catherine?!”
Freyna was shocked.
Though she had learned through communications that Catherine was approaching Avira and the Demon King under a reliable guise, she had never imagined it would be as a maid!
That once youthful and lithe body was now wrapped in a maid outfit, her waist’s curve slim as a willow leaf, easy to grasp. Her light and graceful movements suggested long hours of training and education. Catherine was no longer the Sword Saint radiating dangerous aura from every pore.
She was a genuine maid!
“This, this is just a prop.”
Catherine avoided Freyna’s gaze. She touched the horns on her head, her face flushing red.
“And that tail is fake too?”
“Yes, it’s realistic.”
“What about the wings?”
“Prop.”
Freyna finally breathed a sigh of relief—Catherine couldn’t possibly have truly become a demon, right?
For instance, if the Demon King had brainwashed her into accepting a demon identity and kept feeding her false information, wouldn’t that turn her into a double agent?
Freyna shook her head, dismissing the series of unrealistic thoughts from her mind.
How could that be possible~?
Catherine was the Sword Saint. It was utterly impossible for her to become a demon puppet so easily without immediately seeking help. Besides, if Catherine had truly turned demon, humanity would already be done for!
“Catherine, tell me the truth. What’s the real situation with the Demon King and the Saintess right now?”
Freyna asked softly as they walked.
By now, the hero had stopped. She currently had no opportunity to meet the Demon King, leaving only the Sword Saint and the Saint Knight in the corridor.
“Just as I told you—many suspect it’s a brainwashing and subservience relationship. That’s not true love, nor a real wedding.”
Catherine gave her the most official response.
“Yeah, you say that all the time, but you’re their maid now…”
Freyna trailed off. She was merely cooperating with Catherine and had no authority to command the Golden Medal holder. After pondering for a while, she changed the subject:
“Do you know where the Great Sage went?”
“Molly? Yeah, I do.”
“Oh?”
Catherine touched her head, thought for a moment, then smiled:
“What’s in it for me if I tell you?”
“I’ll treat you to ice cream and the best egg noodles.”
“Are you an idiot? I can eat that stuff every day in the Demon King Palace.”
Freyna was a bit puzzled. Why did Catherine sound like she had settled down in the Demon King Palace?
“Alright, alright, even if you don’t tell me, I still hope you’ll return to the Holy Church. I know you don’t like it there, and there are plenty of missions, but your friends are all worried about you. Unlike me, you actually have good relationships with people.”
“…”
Catherine’s pace slowed a little: “Are those really my friends?”
“Why do you ask that?” Freyna raised an eyebrow.
“…Nothing. I think continuing to gather intelligence here feels pretty good. The demons’ internal structure is quite lax. They’ve never suspected I’m a spy and have been very caring toward me.”
Freyna felt like she had become a different person.
Though the arrogance in her bones hadn’t vanished, she now seemed either adapted to her role or doing it on purpose—completely like a warm, innocent girl.
As usual, she would have been more aggressive, less concerned with others’ feelings, even if her words hurt many. Of course, that might have been her charm, the kind Freyna didn’t like, the so-called “charm.”
She even feared being “infected” herself and turning into the same kind of fool… What did “feels pretty good” even mean?
It wasn’t that Catherine had become stupid. Rather, she exuded the contentment of someone who had lingered too long in a comfortable environment. She didn’t look like an undercover agent in dire straits; instead, there was even a hint of happiness on her face.
But Catherine’s next words shocked her even more:
“Freyna, you should stay too. I’ll treat you to popcorn.”
This has the same energy of people trying to infiltrate a workers union only to find out having workers rights is great