"We rushed over with the Demon King's entourage in a panic, but you seem perfectly fine."

Joshua maneuvered the mechanical owl, scrutinizing Noah's body up and down before her gaze lingered on the soft, generous curves beneath her chest.

*Haven’t we only been apart a few days? Why do they look even bigger now?* Joshua thought with a flicker of resentment.

"Since nothing’s wrong, let’s leave immediately. The frontlines have many wounded, and the Church is mobilizing. We need you back to take charge."

"Yes, Sister Noah, please return with us quickly. His Holiness the Pontiff and High Priest Sister are deeply worried about you."

Isaac placed a hand over his heart, his clear, bright eyes brimming with concern.

"Mm, you’re right," Noah murmured, her jade finger lightly tapping her pink lips as a serene smile graced her face. "But I can’t go back with you yet."

"! Why!? ...No—what’s happened!?"

Both froze at her reply. Joshua’s eyes blazed with fury as she snapped at this incomprehensible defiance. "Did that Demon King do something to you? Something so grave that you’d abandon your duty as Holy Maiden to stay in this filthy place!?"

Joshua had lost her usual calm—not just because reality defied her expectations, but because she feared for her friend. The Noah she knew would never speak like this.

"Sister Noah... why..."

Compared to Joshua’s outburst, Isaac remained eerily quiet. His mind had gone blank, unable to process further. His large, beautiful eyes turned hollow, his petite frame trembling slightly as if rejecting the truth before him.

He remembered the old Noah: yes, she had ample curves and a playful wit, but she’d always been earnest and dutiful.

The Noah before him now seemed... playful and mischievous. Isaac couldn’t help doubting if this was truly her.

"No, you misunderstand. The Demon King... she hasn’t done anything to me. As for my duties as Holy Maiden—*urgh*—"

A splitting headache tore through Noah’s words. She clutched her forehead, the pain so fierce it felt like her soul was being ripped apart. She gasped sharply, her vision blurring.

"Noah!?"

"Sister Noah!"

Seeing her agony, Isaac and Joshua forgot their anger, rushing forward with genuine worry. But Noah felt their voices fading, a loud ringing filling her ears as fragmented memories surged back with crystalline clarity:

*"I, Noah Auterinde, swear by the name of the Lord’s faithful."*

Beneath the Grand Cathedral’s radiant light, a girl with cherry-blossom hair stood before bishops, knights, Holy Maidens, and the Pontiff. Her voice rang solemn as she faced the holy statue.

*"I shall wear the diadem of the Holy Maiden. In the Lord’s name, I shall spread His love to all. I shall treat the weak as my kin, sow blessings upon the earth, and heal the world with warmth and light."*

*"I shall receive eternal blessings: divine protection, sacred beauty—to proclaim the Lord’s glory, His miracles, His mercy..."*

Each vow seared into Noah’s heart. She instinctively resisted, yet her body accepted them as if they were her very core.

*"...and thereafter, a crown of righteousness shall await me."*

As the vows ended, the girl bowed slightly. The towering Pontiff, backlit and faceless, placed a silver diadem upon her head.

The moment it touched her scalp, Noah’s consciousness snapped back to reality like a film reel restarting.

"Hah… hah…"

A suffocating wave crashed over her. Only then did she realize she’d stopped breathing.

Gasping for air, she clutched her chest, a husky sound escaping her throat.

"Are you alright, Noah?"

That faintly alluring voice made both blush. Joshua leaned closer, her voice cautious.

"No, I’m fine now, Joshua."

Noah shook her head, straightening her slender waist. Her seductive aura shifted subtly—becoming poised, almost gallant. Her perpetually hazy pink eyes cleared, letting Isaac and Joshua glimpse the familiar Noah within.

"Earlier, you mentioned the Holy Maiden’s duty, right?" Noah continued calmly. "I believe staying here is how I can best fulfill it."

"Why?" Joshua asked bluntly. The earlier panic had cooled her temper; her tone was firm but no longer sharp.

"I’m sorry. I can’t say."

Noah lowered her gaze, her refusal immediate—as if she’d long decided not to answer.

"Then… is this your final decision?" Joshua pressed.

"Yes. I’ve made up my mind."

Noah lifted her head. Her bright eyes held a gentle smile laced with pain and resolve.

"I see…" Joshua exhaled slowly, resignation in her voice. "We’d even arranged to cooperate with that woman Avel. Now it seems that plan is ruined."

"Wait—you negotiated with the Demon King’s executor? Tell me everything."

Noah’s surprise was mild; after all, this human-and-owl duo had brazenly infiltrated as maids. Executor Avel was an unexpected yet logical ally.

Joshua recounted the details, with Isaac filling in small gaps. After listening, Noah stroked her chin thoughtfully.

"Isaac, Joshua—will you leave the Demon King’s Castle now, or stay to cooperate with Avel and wait for the right moment?"

The mechanical owl glanced at Isaac. Seeing the little destroyer’s worry and reluctance in his eyes, she turned back to Noah.

"We’ll stay. Leaving you alone here isn’t safe. We can keep negotiating with Avel… remain to protect you."

"And be ready if you need backup," Isaac added.

Noah patted her soft chest in relief. "Good. Big things are coming to the Demon King’s Castle soon. I was hoping you’d stay… to help me keep things under control."