“Just what kind of situation has this evolved into, Your Highness?” Mola said with crossed arms, her forehead creased. Her bitter, twitching smile expressed both irritation and confusion. “First you were kidnapped and now this? What sort of conspiracy is this?”

“Mola, the purpose of this meeting is to explain the current situation. Whether you like it or not, you just have to accept the reality for now and listen very carefully.” Amelia was unperturbed by Mola’s expression. At the least, she expected Mola to walk out of the meeting given the situation. “I know I came here without advanced notice, but everything will fall into place so keep silent for now.”

“Make sure you tell me everything. Down to the last detail, you get me, Your Highness?”

Amelia chuckled. “It’s been a while, but you are still the same as before, Mola. I’m quite thankful.”

“The word came from yourself that it’s useless to butter things up.”

“Yes, it’d be better if you were frank, especially for matters like this.”

“In any case,” Mola sighed and took a sit on a stool. “What exactly happened?”

Amelia explained to Mola what happened when she was captured. She narrated how she came up with the idea of messing things up for Libet by being captured. However, with how the events flowed, the plan was summarily torn into pieces. The rest of the events were simply her deciding on the go.

“Basically, you struck a deal with that Evelyn?”

“Yes. For now, I’d like to keep her under my watch. I’ll let her do as she please, but with limits, of course. I’d rather have her on our side or on the neutral side if push comes to shove.”

“You really are considering the Heroes as potential enemies huh. Isn’t that a very pessimistic view?”

“It’s the reality, Mola. You can’t just trust anyone, especially people suddenly given with tremendous abilities. If they aren’t suitable to wield those abilities, they will become a vineyard of thorns rather than a fragrant flowerbed.”

“You have a point.” Mola nodded. “Considering our situation, we have two Heroes under our wing. One we work along with and one unstable element.”

Mola stood from her seat and roamed around the small bedroom where Amelia and Mola held their meeting.

“Aside from that, it’s quite unlike you to hold a meeting in a place like this.”

“Sorry, Mola. I don’t have much to spare right now. I came here only with Evelyn. Kanna and Erina will arrive in a few days. Nevertheless, I skipped the Duchy and went straight here so… I basically don’t have anything with me but a few silvers to spare.”

“What? Just what went through your mind to come here without preparation?! Sure, we have a few guards and servants around in the land you own here but why did you come here so suddenly?!”

“You see, the situation I told you earlier isn’t exactly fully resolved. I’m pretty sure Father is raging about now for me suddenly disappearing. Maybe Mark too since his Mother was involved in my case.”

Mola knitted her brows. “So you became a fugitive?”

Amelia shook her head. “Close, but not exactly. The event will resolve itself with time. I had Brother’s and Mother’s help to boot.”

“Then why exactly are you in a hurry?”

“I can’t exactly say… It’s more of curiosity right now, to be honest.” Amelia recalled Lara’s parting words. She also recalled Mola’s report regarding the secret passage they found with Meiko. “If I remember, you reported that Her Royal Highness Lara hinted the time and place, correct?”

“Yeah. It was really weird how Her Royal Highness knew about the passage. Back then, I simply thought she had some sort of access to secret information among the True Scholars of Academia.” Mola’s heel clacked against the floor on her sudden turn. “It’s not a farfetched idea that she has access to them if we are to assume she has connections inside.”

Amelia knitted her brows. “I’m not sure about that…”

It’s a structure beyond what Academia thinks it is.

“By that you mean?”

Amelia shook her head. “In any case, has Meiko said anything about what you guys saw? And how were Liscia and Halbert?”

“About Meiko… It’d be better to see her personally…”

“Mia!” As soon as Liscia recognized Amelia’s figure, she ran up to her and gave her an embrace. “It’s been long! Really long! I thought you are going to be married to a Noble and can’t return to Academia anymore!”

Amelia chuckled. “I’m not that easy to hold down, Liscia. Though there were some problems along the way, I’m back.”

“Welcome back, Mia,” Halbert greeted from behind Liscia. “Now our small group will be complete if Max is around.”

“Unfortunately, Max can no longer attend.”

Liscia frowned. “Yes. We understand. Brent is all about preparing for war and aiding the refugees now. He can’t exactly goof off. Still, it’s sad that our group has a slim chance of returning to its formal state.”

Amelia expressed a dry laugh as she Liscia released her. “This is bound to happen, Liscia. Max is a Royal, after all. We are far below him.”

Liscia knocked on Amelia’s forehead. “What’s with that head of yours? It’s obvious Max was head over heels for you. Halbert and I were even expecting him to propose to you and offer the seat of a Queen.”

“Can’t agree more,” Halbert chimed.

“We’re not in that kind of relationship, Liscia. I do miss his presence though.” A wry smiled shot across Amelia’s face. “Enough talk about Max, I heard you guys found something.”

Liscia and Halbert turned to their rear. “Yeah, along with Mei here, we found something interesting.”

“I-It’s been a while.” Meiko shyly raised her hand and wave at Amelia.

Once Amelia and Mola met with Liscia, Halbert, and Meiko, they moved to an inn where Evelyn was residing.

“Well, hello there.” Evelyn greeted, her lips curved into a wide smile as soon as her eyes spotted Meiko’s figure.

Astonished, Meiko was struck frozen on her feet as soon as she saw Evelyn.

“It’s okay Mei.” Mola nudged Meiko from behind as she whispered. “She won’t reveal anything. For now, just keep your composure.”

“O-okay…”

Once everyone was seated on at their own seats within a large bedroom for two, Amelia began.

“Liscia, Halbert, Mei. This person here is Lady Evelyn. She is one of the Heroes summoned by the Libet.”

Both Liscia and Halbert wore knitted brows.

“Is this some sort of prank, Mia?” Liscia asked.

“Have you changed, Mia?” Halbert followed.

“I’m the real deal, you know?” Evelyn lifted her palm halfway and manifested a dagger on her hand. “See? This is something the magic you guys know could do, right?”

The next moment, the dagger vanished.

“You guys call it a blessing from the Gods if I remember.”

““…””

“What? Trying to process what you just saw?”

“More like, we are processing how Mia got involved with you.” Liscia frowned. “I know you’re entirely not a part of Libet, but I can’t readily trust people who came there. Be them a Hero or not.”

“I feel the same.”

When Meiko heard Liscia’s remark, she could not help but down a mouthful of saliva.

“I know she came from Libet and I know it’s really dubious how we met, but for me, please, Liscia, Halbert, please work her.”

“Mia, just what happened to you? The usual you would have readily rejected almost anyone coming from Libet. Especially those who are tied to the church.”

“This is different, Liscia. I know I have some explaining to do but now is not the time for that.”

“Now is the time, Mia.”

“For now, this is simply an introduction, Liscia. There’s no need to raise your wall right now.”

“If Max was here, Mia, he would have shooed her away by now.”

“You don’t have to wear Max’s shoes, Liscia. Just leave that shoes for Max when he returns. For now, I just want you to introduce yourselves. Because, sooner or later, we are bound to work together. It’s not exactly easy, nor is it exactly a group with great synergy, but let’s keep our personal problems at bay for now.”

Liscia clicked her tongue. “You have to explain everything to us, Mia.”

Amelia nodded. “Don’t worry, I will.”

The group exchanged their basic greetings. It was a simple exchange of names and a series of questions regarding one’s motives and goals. By the end of it, Evelyn left after passing beside Meiko and giving her a light nudge.

“It’s nice to see you again, Meiko.”

As soon as Evelyn left, Liscia barraged Amelia with questions.

“How did you two meet? Just what is she doing here? Does Libet know she is here? Does she have any contact, say a party member belonging to Libet? And what work do you mean?”

One by one, Amelia answered Liscia’s questions.

“Is she that haphazard?” Liscia asked as they walked down the streets of Academia. “I mean, I get that pursuing what you want to do is an understandable ideology, but for a Hero, she is… a bit too lax?”

“That’s just how she is,” Amelia replied.

“Yeah, that’s just her,” Meiko added.

“You think so too, Mei? Well, for me, she is a weird one. Really weird. She runs around without a shred of attachment for her comrades. Well, for us, that is a plus since we can consider her out of range from Libet’s spies. However, she herself is a problem. I can’t see her working with us in complicated plans.”

“I don’t mean to involve her too deeply with our concerns.”

“Mia is right. She’ll be helpful in a lot of areas. We just have to make sure she isn’t involved in the deeper parts of our plan.”

“That said, Mia was already briefed?” Halbert asked.

“Yeah, I told her already,” Mola said.

“Then what do we do now?” Liscia asked.

“I want to reconfirm everything I heard from Mola. Maybe we can create a new plan of action from there?” Amelia suggested.

“Sounds good,” Halbert said.

“For now, let’s take a rest. We’ll discuss everything again tomorrow,” Mola chimed. “Liscia, Halbert, let’s part ways here. We’ll see you again at the same restaurant tomorrow morning at the usual time.”

“Alright. Good night, Mei, Mia, Mola. See you guys tomorrow.” Liscia waved her hands as Amelia’s group left.

While Amelia, Meiko, and Mola were traveling back to their quarters, Meiko raised her voice. “U-uhmm… Lady Amelia?”

Amelia snickered a laugh. “Meiko, just call me Mia. Without honorifics if possible.”

“Uh, yes, sure.” Meiko knitted her brows as she tightened her hold on her rod. “It’s just that this is the first time we’re speaking to one another other than last time.”

“Yes, it is.” Amelia looked down. “I apologize for last time.”

“No. It’s… okay. Kanna told me everything that happened. You… risked your life too. And you helped me so… I can’t really blame you for last time. Speaking of… where is Kanna?”

“Kanna will be joining us soon. It’s just that I left first so I can get a better view of the situation.”

“I see…” Meiko lagged behind Mola and Amelia. She halted and kept staring at her hands holding her rod.

“Meiko?” Mola called as she realized Meiko stopped. “Is something the matter?”

As soon as Amelia approached, Meiko said, “Lady Ame—no, Mia, can I trust you?”

Amelia looked to the side. She gripped the hilt of the dagger hanging on her waist and said. “You should never give your complete trust to people like me.”

Mola’s eye’s widened in surprise. “You… What are you saying now?”

“Why?” Meiko asked, her forehead creased.

Amelia looked to the sides. Her eyes scanned the surroundings for any possible eavesdroppers.

“You can trust me, Meiko. You can trust me that I will help you with whatever I can help you with. However, complete trust? That I cannot give you. I can never give that to you.”

“But can I trust you that you will help me find a way back home?”

“I… consulted with a person I can trust regarding that. I won’t coat it, but the chance is slim at best… Maybe I can work it out with enough time and knowledge. However, if we are to speak of time, I… cannot give you an accurate response.”

“Then tell me. Is there anything I can help you to achieve that option?” Meiko stared straight at Amelia. The weight if her stare bore her will to return home.

“I… can’t really say. But what I am sure of is that... your life will be at risk.”