Mr. Side-Swept Bangs smiled bitterly, but he didn’t get angry again. He felt that although it had only been a while since they last met, he had suddenly become much more mature than before.
How should I put it, it’s like that feeling of transforming from a naive young man into a seasoned old man...
“She was still dressed the same as before, but for some reason, when I saw her for the first time, I felt a bit unfamiliar. Eileen’s gaze made me feel like I had never truly known her.”
“Bryce stood beside her, confronting us with the strong members of the Ghost Thief Group. I questioned Eileen, wanting to hear a denial, but she told me that everything the 【Reaper’s Scythe】 said was true.”
“As for what happened afterward... there’s not much else to say. Eileen had already escaped, using a spatial scroll. It’s probably difficult to catch up with her for the time being.”
“Well, that’s okay.”
Although there were some details left, such as how Mr. Side-Swept Bangs was injured, why he insisted on fighting to the death with Bryce, and how the former members of the Ghost Thief Group suddenly betrayed the latter, these were all their private matters and not particularly important.
After hesitating for a moment, Mr. Side-Swept Bangs unprecedentedly lowered his head and sincerely apologized to the pensive black-haired girl.
“I’m sorry, it’s all because of my relationship with you that your identities were exposed, letting Eileen notice the anomaly in advance. I... I was too foolish and too trusting of her.”
“Ah, it’s nothing, really. I understand...”
Though she said so, a few drops of cold sweat trickled down Violet’s heart.
Luckily, this guy wasn’t too bright, and with his emotions a bit chaotic, how could he not realize the identity of Eileen, the leader of the Ghost Thief Group, especially since the 【Reaper’s Scythe】 had already revealed it? It would be ridiculous to still be clueless while foolishly self-destructing.
Thankfully, thankfully. If her counterfeit identity was exposed, it would be too embarrassing.
But that bratty Lilya, sending people to investigate the Demon Suppression City without informing her. If she had known earlier, why bother wasting time like this...
“All right, Cyril, since you’re okay, hurry and take these two girls and leave. Don’t forget, they are... those who previously attacked the shop. They’ll probably come out soon.”
The kind-hearted elder priest came over and gave a discreet signal, but the man with slanted bangs, who knew the “true identities” of Violet and the Little Dragon Girl, didn’t act immediately. Instead, they directed their somewhat questioning gaze toward the black-haired girl, probably seeking her opinion.
“So, are you leaving now?”
“Um... So who’s inside?”
“A few members of the 【Reaper’s Scythe】, along with the envoy, and the real owner behind this Universal Emporium is actually the Ghost Thief Group. They control it indirectly. They had already rushed in and cleared out the enemies, rescued those slaves, before we arrived. It’s been some time.”
“I see...”
Lilya’s envoy... well, since it had come to this, might as well meet them. It would be a good opportunity to ask about their plans for resettling the thousands of exotic slaves in this black market, as well as their future plans.
You know, if this matter were to be thoroughly investigated, it wouldn’t just involve a few poaching gangs, it’s not that simple.
However, before Violet could speak further, the anxious elder priest said something, and suddenly, the previously closed doors of the Universal Emporium were forcefully pushed open. A large group of people, armed and clad in tight black suits with black masks, swiftly poured out from within.
These people definitely weren’t adventurers, but seeing their organized figures, Violet couldn’t help but smile after a brief moment of surprise.
Brings back memories.
The Shadow Guards, now remembered as the Shadow Guards.
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Lilya was truly remarkable, she had secretly transported so many royal experts to the Demon Suppression City without anyone knowing. It seemed like she was truly busy with this matter every day, not just wasting her time.
The Shadow Guards consisted of about a hundred people, not many, but their movements and aura clearly showed exceptional skills, surpassing even the former Shadow Guards. They were probably brought over from the Courage City along with that envoy.
The Shadow Guards seemed to have just gone through a big battle, many still had fresh blood on their weapons, yet few seemed injured. Clearly, there was a significant gap in strength between the two sides.
Soon, they split up on both sides of the road, hands on their blades. Leading them was a young girl, elegant in a fitted long dress, with a noble air despite her petite stature and seemingly young age. Behind her were two men and two women, each dressed differently, stepping forward.
Following them were a large number of protected magical beast slaves, some looking confused and frightened, along with a few bound shopkeepers and guards who seemed unsure and fearful. Upon closer inspection, it seemed that the succubus maids were among them, but they were categorized with the former.
“Huh, this is really...”
As Violet saw the face of the girl leading them, or rather, the young girl’s face, she was somewhat surprised, then smiled with emotion.
Unexpectedly, I would meet her again here in the northern border of the kingdom. This is truly... the Queen’s envoy.
She stood out from the crowd and walked forward to greet her.
“Hi, long time no see, Little Menna.”
The Shadow Guards seemed about to intercept, but the girl addressed by name showed surprise and elegantly gestured for them to stop, allowing the priestess to approach.
“Miss Violet? What are you doing here? No wonder... Wait! Could it be that the reliable assistant my sister mentioned in the previous communication, the one who might appear, is actually you?!”
“Yeah, fate sure has a way of bringing us together~”
Menna Melchior, the younger sister of the current Queen of the Human United Kingdom, Lilya Melchior, was only thirteen or fourteen years old. Violet never expected that the envoy sent to investigate the events in the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains would be her.
Though it had only been a few months since they last met, Menna was at the age where girls develop rapidly, and she had begun to lose her childish figure, gradually resembling her sister Lilya. Especially in the chest area, which had visibly grown larger, causing quite a stir with the fabric stretching to accommodate it.
The Melchior family bloodline was indeed pure.
However, Menna’s surprised reaction still caught Violet slightly off guard.
“Um... even though it’s not exactly a glorious matter, I’ve been wanted by the Demon Suppression City for some time now, right? Even if you were busy with your plans and missed the wanted notices, didn’t any of these Shadow Guards recognize me? And besides, don’t you have...”
After a brief surprise, Menna, being of royal bearing and impeccable demeanor, quickly composed herself, smiling wryly as she explained.
“The earliest batch of Shadow Guards are now holding important positions or protecting the queen. These are newly trained recruits, with decent skills but lacking in experience. So, I decided to bring them out for some practical experience and broaden their horizons.”
As she spoke, Menna approached a few steps without any guard or pretense. Under the curious gazes of the four people behind her and the surrounding Shadow Guards, she discreetly leaned towards the black-haired girl and whispered.
“In fact, I haven’t been in the Demon Suppression City for long, only about a week. Previously, the 【Reaper’s Scythe】 was handling the investigation on my behalf. The Tulls family’s influence is deeply rooted in this city, with their spies everywhere. To avoid premature exposure, those of us who came from the capital rarely ventured out.”
With a gentle smile, the little princess with blue hair retreated gracefully just before a certain displeased dragon girl was about to explode.
“And about that, Miss Violet, did you forget? It’s hard for me to see anything related to you clearly. And for some reasons, I’ve rarely used that ability lately. Otherwise, how could I enjoy this unexpected surprise now~”
This little girl, she’s becoming more and more like Lilya...
In both character and appearance.
Just for a moment, Violet actually thought the person leaning against her was the familiar queen who took on the responsibilities of a nation at such a young age.
But where did she learn this inexplicable charm from?
Feeling the lingering fragrance, the priestess couldn’t help but feel a strange curiosity stirring in her heart.