“Ha… ah-choo!” Rita sneezed unexpectedly.
The squad leader who had been traveling with Rita stepped forward with concern. “Lady Rita, are you alright?”
Rita had been staying in the Lord Soros’s manor for the past few days, and many people already knew about her close relationship with Cecilia—though most initially met her because Rita had been caught climbing through Cecilia’s window.
Yesterday, Rita made a name for herself at the arena, and a few soldiers had witnessed her kicking someone flying inside the manor.
Over the past few days, word had spread, and among these soldiers, Rita’s reputation was quite good.
They also showed her extra respect due to her connection with Cecilia.
After this morning’s Incubus attack, the soldiers realized that the Lord and Cecilia’s interests were deeply intertwined, so the soldiers loyal to the Lord naturally aligned themselves with Rita.
“It’s nothing.” Rita rubbed her nose. “What did those people we caught say?”
“They said they saw the girl and were tempted by her beauty. We’ve already sealed off their hideout, but there’s no more evidence.” The squad leader replied.
“So many things have happened these days. The townsfolk are uneasy, and most soldiers are busy maintaining order. There isn’t enough manpower, so cases like this can only be detained for a while.”
“I understand.” Rita nodded.
The few men just beyond the wall faintly overheard the conversation between Rita and the squad leader and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
To have over a dozen people arrested at once—and to be called “Lady Rita” by the soldiers—no matter how dumb these thugs were, they knew that Kros’s target was no ordinary person.
During the recent interrogation, they had all tacitly insisted that they acted out of lust.
If they revealed their true intentions, they would be accused of murdering a high-ranking individual.
At that point, even if the soldiers showed them mercy, the lady wouldn’t let them off after they left prison.
Rita lowered her voice slightly. “What about the incident this morning?”
“Lord Soros has already decided to impose a curfew and arranged for patrols at night. Any suspicious people loitering on the streets after dark will be brought in for questioning. As for other matters, they’re above my rank to know.”
“I see.”
Tonight, Momoka had planned for everyone to gather and have a proper discussion about the Incubus hunting, but Promi and Johnson both claimed to have things to do.
With the city under curfew because of the Incubus attack, the meeting was called off.
From her position, Rita still wanted to find the Incubus who had framed her and Cecilia.
She now held some clues, but Cecilia had instructed her not to mention anything to anyone.
Otherwise, it might cause panic or alert the enemy—neither of which Cecilia wanted to see.
Rita agreed.
She had no experience fighting her own kind.
If a conflict truly broke out, even a temporary truce might be broken, and she probably wouldn’t be able to keep her identity hidden for long.
As they talked, a soldier suddenly ran in from outside and hurriedly saluted the squad leader. “Squad leader! There’s a strange person loitering near the prison.”
“Hm? I’ll go check it out.” The squad leader said with a slight “hmm” and prepared to leave.
Rita was already heading that way and figured it was a good moment to take her leave as well. “Perfect timing, I should be going.”
Before long, the three of them arrived at the prison gate.
It was getting late, and anyone skulking near the prison entrance was immediately suspicious.
There was a brown-haired girl, about Rita’s age, lingering near the nearest alley, her emerald eyes glancing toward the prison gate from time to time.
“That’s her.” The soldier pointed. “Curfew is about to start, and she doesn’t seem to be planning on leaving. She’s been wandering around here since the beginning.”
The squad leader and Rita recognized her immediately.
This was the girl they had helped not long ago.
Though puzzled, the two approached to ask what was going on.
The girl saw them coming, her eyes lighting up.
Instead of hiding or dodging, she came straight toward them.
Before any of them could speak, the girl reached Rita and grabbed her hand.
“That’s wonderful!”
The soldiers and squad leader were startled, but seeing the girl didn’t make any further exaggerated moves, their hands instinctively stayed on their weapons.
Rita, caught off guard, didn’t know how to react.
Since her transmigration, no other girl had ever been this affectionate toward her.
Except Cecilia, but that situation was something Rita could hardly associate with affection.
If she had to count, Miss Rabbit might qualify, but that was purely professional—it was different.
Come to think of it, this girl in front of her did bear some resemblance to Miss Rabbit.
Rita’s mind raced, but her body stayed still.
The girl’s grip on her hand tightened. “You helped me before, and I’m really thankful! Without you, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me.”
The squad leader was the first to sense something was off. “How do you know Lady Rita is here?”
“I—I don’t know. I just thought those bad guys taken away would be locked up in prison, so I came to thank the soldiers who helped me. But I left so hastily, I don’t know any of them,” the girl stammered, still not letting go of Rita’s hand.
She studied the squad leader’s face for a long moment, then seemed even more delighted.
She released Rita’s hand and bowed repeatedly to the squad leader. “Oh, it’s you! You were the one who, along with the others, helped me! Everyone was wearing the same armor, so I didn’t recognize you! Thank you! Thank you!”
After bowing, the girl grabbed Rita’s hand again. “Sorry, I’m just… I thought I’d never see you again. I’m so happy to see you here…”
The group watched as the girl chattered on like a little bird.
Though her words were a bit scattered, it was clear she wasn’t some spy trying to gather military intelligence.
No spy would be this clumsy.
She just seemed like a foolish girl who’d escaped and belatedly come back to express thanks.
“Cough, no need to thank us.” The squad leader cleared his throat first. “We appreciate your gratitude, but it’s late now, and the curfew will begin soon. For your safety, please go back.”
“Curfew? Why?” The girl’s eyes widened in confusion, then she finally released her tight grip on Rita’s hand. “Th-thank you all so much. I’ll go now!”
“Wait a moment.”
Rita, who had been silent, glanced at the nearly deserted street before speaking.
Under the puzzled gazes of the girl and the soldiers, Rita stepped forward a few steps.
“The city is quite dangerous at night. Let me escort you home.”