Avira was about to release almost all of the humans.
They had been gathered in an open clearing, and someone would soon arrive to keep their appointment.
The captives were free to move about. Over these past few days, most of them had learned that defying the demon race meant certain death, so they simply stayed put obediently. After all, the demons were feeding them.
“Look, isn’t she Princess?”
“The princess of Tilves? I only know Maryvian. Who is she exactly?”
“She seems to be a princess of Tilves too. Does that mean she was captured as well… How disappointing. I thought we were saved.”
Avira scanned her surroundings and spotted the girl’s figure.
Her red hair was slightly curled, and her height of under 160 cm was wrapped in a long robe, paired with thief’s boots and specialized leather armor.
As Avira approached, the girl seemed especially tense, almost curling up when she saw Avira.
Oka.
“Lady Avira…”
Oka’s voice trembled.
Avira knew her—or rather, in the original plot, the two had known each other.
They had once attended the same noble magic academy, and as one of Princess Maryvian’s followers, Oka naturally knew Avira, who lurked in Maryvian’s shadow. Oka came from nobility and had chosen to stay in Tilves to form a resistance after the battles began.
This girl had lived quite comfortably.
Avira still remembered that before her own death, this “healer” Oka from the Hero Squad had stood behind her. When Avira was on the verge of death, Oka had been pulled away by the Hero and the others, watching wide-eyed as Avira bled out.
Without Avira’s own bloodline, she might have died five times over. Dragging on until the Demon King arrived was a miracle among miracles. During that time, Avira…
She still remembered the panicked look in Oka’s eyes, but Avira’s near-death had nothing to do with her directly.
“I need you to provide me with more magic.”
“Avira, are you hurt?” Oka asked timidly.
“Your magic is all for the Demon King. Don’t worry, I won’t take much.”
“Avira, what exactly did the Demon King do to you?”
“…”
“I know you won’t answer me, but this time, can you come with me?”
Oka looked anxious.
“Why?”
“Avira, I’m apologizing for what happened before. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me? Please?”
Had this girl done anything to me before?
When the demons invaded, she had fled with Maryvian.
Oka reached out and cast a healing spell permitted within the camp. The warm orange glow of the healing magic illuminated her dim eyes:
“The Hero left, protected by the Great Sage and taken to the Holy Church. We’re the only ones left fighting the demons, but now, we can only flee.”
Oka clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.
“Avira, I know you hate us, but can you give us one more chance? Consider it atonement. The Demon King will take everything from you. We don’t want to watch her devour you whole.”
Avira had never feared her identity or purpose being exposed. Those were concerns for the weak.
But…
Avira did care about this group of Hero Squad “aunties.”
These protagonists with their halos could stumble upon opportunities others never saw in a lifetime just by walking down the street.
Especially Oka. There were few in the world who could master healing magic, yet she could heal multiple people in battle, even bring them back from the brink of death. Saving lives was child’s play for her.
So, Avira wanted nothing more than to stay as far away from these people as possible.
“Sorry, I can’t.”
Avira delivered the words coldly.
Good, now hurry up and leave with the crowd. I never want to see you again.
As the magic was gradually absorbed, Avira looked satisfied at the crystal and turned to leave.
Suddenly, a golden light descended from the sky. When the dust settled, it was indeed Catherine.
The crowd lit up at the sight of Catherine, especially her dashing golden hair, as if they had seen their savior.
“Oh my god! It’s Lady Catherine, commander of the Catherine Knight Order! I’ve seen her in the papers!”
“Did she come to save us?”
“Oh, we’re saved!”
This woman had arrived a bit faster than expected.
Many from the resistance stepped forward to greet Catherine or offer praise. A few Tilves noble knights she recognized planned to get familiar, but unexpectedly, Catherine walked straight through the crowd toward Avira.
“Avira, long time no see. I thought you wouldn’t show.”
Avira smiled. “I’ll keep my promise. It’s the baseline for becoming partners.”
Only then did Catherine remember their prior agreement: she had promised to gather intelligence on the Great Sage, the sole condition for Avira saving the resistance.
Catherine understood the ways of the world. What she truly wanted wasn’t the fame or status of the Catherine Knight Order.
She first evacuated all the captives, directing them toward the Catherine Knight Order. They would be protected and withdrawn to Ilvis without interfering in Tilves affairs. Once only a few stragglers remained, Catherine extended her hand to Avira, who had been waiting:
“I’ll stop the Great Sage and retrieve the Hourglass of Mercy for you. But per our agreement, you join my Catherine Knight Order. I won’t hand you over to the Holy Church. I’ll train you myself into a proper knight.”
“Heh.”
Avira found it amusing and asked with interest:
“Miss Catherine, may I ask the reason?”
“I can feel it—in your sword, there’s a belief, pure and beautiful.”
She smiled confidently. “That’s why I want you as my apprentice. The righteous knight order is your home. Miss Avira, I’ll nominate you for the Golden Medal someday. Then you’ll be a hero of humanity too.”
But Catherine didn’t know that even with such generous terms, Avira shook her head.
At the same time, a massive figure descended from the sky and transformed into a girl’s shape.
The suffocating pressure dissipated gradually upon seeing Avira.
The Demon King, Ophitia, the Crystal Dragon King.
Just minutes earlier, Ophitia had finished discussing tactics with Berika. In her spare time, using magical sight, she discovered Avira executing their pre-arranged plan.
But this Catherine wanted to steal my wife?!
Unacceptable!
Out of respect for Avira, however, she stood by with a resentful expression, saying nothing. She’d only intervene if something went wrong!
But the next second…
Upon seeing Ophitia, Avira walked to her side. As miasma emerged, black feathered wings sprouted from the sides of her head, adhering to her silver-white hair, and her beautiful eyes turned into the crimson vertical pupils like the Demon King’s.
Right in front of Catherine, Avira took Ophitia’s wrist in a coquettish move any little wife would make—leaning on her shoulder.
“Catherine, sorry. But now, I’m already the Demon King’s slave.”
