The bishop’s unhurried tone made it seem like he hadn’t taken her request seriously at all.

The nuns’ eyes betrayed a trace of fear they tried hard to hide, as if guarding against some unspeakable evil.

When Alquett overheard the guards discussing new Demonkind resistance fighters appearing at the front lines—how the vanguard kept retreating, forcing the city to divert reinforcements—she’d had enough.

*Waiting for notice? Waiting for notice? Three damn days I’ve waited!*

*Screw waiting for their damn notice!*

Defenses are thin in the city? Then I’m breaking out and heading straight for the front. Nobody’s stopping me!

Even knowing hope was slim, she was determined to try.

She wanted to be the legendary hero who’d save little Viola from despair.

…

Now it seemed she’d arrived too late.

Maybe far too late.

Not only had Viola already become a slave toyed with by Demonkind… but Alquett herself was now trapped, teetering on the edge of ruin.

She could only watch helplessly as the pure, moon-bright girl in her heart was defiled and broken, twisted beyond recognition by filthy demons.

And here she was, locked in a Demonkind dungeon… How was this any different from the Church’s infirmary?

The same lonely moon. The same pitch-black night.

…At least here, she could enjoy a steamy soak.

*If only I’d made up my mind sooner…*

*Would things have turned out differently?*

If she’d mustered the courage to defy the Church from day one—if she’d broken free immediately to rescue Viola—would they now be lying together on a soft tavern bed, savoring life?

Even… if she’d surrendered right away last night, maybe Viola wouldn’t have been—

Alquett shook her head hard.

*No! What am I thinking…*

Reality offered no second chances.

As the revered Hero under the public eye, she couldn’t cause trouble freely. She couldn’t openly defy the Church—let alone side with Demonkind.

She’d cared too much about her reputation.

So she’d awakened too late. Arrived even later.

…

The first rays of dawn slipped through the iron bars.

Alquett’s pale skin flushed back to healthy warmth. Her waist-length silver braid shrank into a neat bob. Her crimson eyes dimmed. Even her little fangs vanished.

A wave of weakness and hunger crashed over her.

*So hungry…*

*Where’s that Dragonmaid’s promised breakfast…*

*Why isn’t she here yet…*

*She’s supposed to control my body to break me out—*

…

Unfamiliar footsteps echoed from the corridor—complex, layered.

Heavy. Steady. Like a mature man’s—no, for monsters, a male’s—stride.

“…Boss, is this really necessary?”

“Absolutely!”

Two wolfmen—one tall and burly, the other short and lean, both with shaggy gray fur and twitching tails—strode down the dungeon alley.

“That brat made me lose face in front of the Great Demon King himself at the Darklord Citadel… This grudge must be settled!”

“But haven’t you already demoted her to boiler-room duty down here? From one of the Four High Officers to a cook for prisoners—that young dragon should’ve learned her lesson, right?”

The burly wolfman snarled at his companion’s doubt:

“What do you know?! She shows zero remorse! Worse—she’s cheerful every damn day! Last time I saw her, she waved and *thanked* me!”

“Uh… so that’s why you…”

“This time she captured the Hero—a huge merit. If the Demonlord hears of it, he might restore her rank… or worse, promote her above me to Mid Officer!

“She’s Dragonkin by birth—naturally superior to us wolves. Imagine her taking revenge! How could our clan survive?”

“So here’s the plan: while she’s late for her shift, we sneak in, free the Hero, and frame her. Then we report to the Demonlord—accuse her of arrogance, dereliction of duty, abandoning her post… letting the Hero escape. Heh heh heh…”

“Brilliant, boss! Your foresight is unmatched! But… where *is* that dragon pup anyway?”

“Who cares? She’s absent without leave—that’s proof enough! Once the Hero’s escape is confirmed, even the Demonlord can’t ignore it.”

…

*Creak—*

The cell door swung open.

Two hooded figures in black robes stood silhouetted in the doorway.

“Hero Alquett. You’re free to go.”

“…”

Alquett’s gaze swept over the suspicious pair—they’d indeed used a spare key.

…*It’s not too late after all.*

“Go! This place isn’t safe. We can only help this far.”

She stared at the free world beyond the door, then glanced back at the surprisingly cozy cell. A strange reluctance tugged at her as she took a deep breath.

She’d made peace with it.

As long as Viola lived… everything could be mended. Everything could be accepted. She could embrace all of her.

Beneath holy magic, no wound was beyond healing.

“What are you waiting for? *Move!*”

“Has the Hero gone mad from imprisonment—”

Alquett shot them a disdainful look and stepped out.

The old her—before yesterday—would’ve fought these shady figures despite her weakened state.

Not now.

She had far more urgent matters than tangling with two hooded strangers.

Her sharp eyes scanned the demon patrols on the street outside the dungeon. She turned back, lips pressed tight, eyes demanding answers from the robed pair.

“Hey. You expect me to stroll out like this and get caught by guards? Sent right back?”

“…Human, what do you mean?”

“Those cloaks you’re wearing… look awfully convenient—”

The two exchanged uneasy glances.

“I heard everything. You want me to escape? Then help properly.”

Alquett crooked a finger. Her slender waist swayed gracefully beneath the silver dress, drawing attention.

“…You want a cloak to hide yourself?”

“I need two.”

She held up two fingers. The burly wolfman choked on his words.

“…Fine! Two cloaks! Just go! The exit to Demon City is—”

“I know where I’m going.”

…

Viola walked back from the clothing store toward Lilith’s apartment, two bulging shopping bags in hand.

…After Deputy Doros carved an “initiate-exclusive” heart-shaped mark onto her lower abdomen, she’d taken Viola shopping—all expenses covered.

“No choice,” the deputy had explained. “It’s to prevent fake defectors who’ll flee at the first chance, or spies stealing Demon City intel. Standard procedure for new recruits. I trust you, Viola. Just work hard, avoid trouble, and it’ll fade soon~”

Though unclear on details, Viola guessed the magical mark served as a tracker.

Besides… the spot where it was carved kept throbbing faintly.

*Normal*, the deputy had insisted.

She hadn’t gone on a proper shopping spree in ages—not with constant missions and commissions in the city. Glancing at her bags—plus the two custom gowns being tailored for tomorrow—Viola hummed a cheerful tune.

“Hehe~ So many goodies! I’ll redecorate my bedroom tonight. Tomorrow starts my new life~”

“Viola—”

A familiar voice cut through the air. Viola froze mid-step.

“Who…? Who called me—Guh—”

A shadow lunged from an alley, yanking her into a dark crevice between walls.

Bedroom trinkets, mood lamps, potato chips, soda, and Bursting Heart cherry-flavored soft candies scattered across the ground.

“Shh—”

A black-robed figure clamped a hand over Viola’s mouth, then pulled back their hood.

“Al… Alquett?!”

Beneath the robe was the same crisp, heroic silver-haired girl—bobbed hair framing her determined face.

“Viola! I’ve come to save you! Forgive me for being so late…”

“…”

Alquett searched Viola’s dull, beautiful eyes, panic rising.

“What’s wrong?! Quick—put on this cloak. Escape with me!”