Spinoza and Fam both froze instantly in their tracks.
They, I, and the rest of the onlookers all turned around at the same time, speechless. We had heard that voice before.
Who we saw when we looked behind us was a familiar woman wearing bikini armor. Her hair came down to her waist, and her features were brimming with elegance. She was the lone calming presence among the rowdy members of the Guard Corps.
The princess of Sorcera and a member of our very own Fifth Squadron—Seira—had raised her voice in an effort to stop Spinoza and Fam. Alma, commander of her Royal Guard, was there next to her as well.
“Long time no see, everybody!” Seira flashed us a smile like a blooming flower.
“Seira?!” Spinoza sputtered.
“What are you doing here...?” Fam asked.
The two of them had been ready to get into the thick of things at that very moment, but Seira showing up had made their rivalry evaporate into thin air.
The guards were taken aback as well, their rowdy cheers replaced with expressions of shock. With the appearance of Seira, the rough-and-tumble atmosphere of the room had been painted over with ease—as if through mere exposure to the kindness within her.
“We’ve finished the first stage of Sorcera’s reconstruction, so I came back. I was thinking I could go back to working for the Guard Corps.”
“Huh?” we all blurted out upon hearing Seira’s declaration, and Spinoza, Fam, and I stared at each other for a moment before another shout escaped. “WHAAAT?!”
“Wait, hold on a minute!” one bewildered guard said. “Seira, you’re a princess of Sorcera, right?! Wouldn’t you be able to just stay at home and live life in luxury as royalty?”
“I wanted to work with all of you again instead!” Seira replied with a smile. “I’ve even secured permission from the King of Astaroth. After the recent battle, relations between Silvesta and Sorcera have become quite friendly.”
“But what does Sorcera think about this?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Since they’ve lost King Sodom, I figured they’d need you now more than ever. I thought you might even end up taking the throne as queen.”
“My older brother is taking care of all that for me,” she explained.
“Oh, you have a brother?” I blinked.
“I do. He had been studying abroad at a military academy up until recently. Our father placed more importance on melee combat, so they didn’t exactly see eye to eye, but my brother is a man of character and a brilliant person. I know very little about politics, but with him at the helm, I’m certain Sorcera has a bright future.
“As for me,” she continued, “I’ll do what’s within my power—which means protecting the royal capital as a guard. By doing that, I’m also protecting Sorcera by extension!”
If the Orb of Light ended up being taken from us and the Demon King was resurrected, the entire world would be in danger. By working as a guard to safeguard the orb, Seira was also ensuring continued peace for her own homeland.
Upon hearing her decision, Spinoza let out a huge belly laugh. “Hah, that’s great stuff! Most royals and nobles disgust me—I hate ’em so much I just wanna puke. But you, Seira, I like!”
Seira giggled. “I like you too, Spinoza!”
“Well I’m happier than a clam to hear ya say it—that means we feel the same way about each other! Now lemme get in a li’l boob grope to celebrate our reunion!”
“I certainly don’t like it when you do that!”
As Spinoza reached for Seira’s chest, Alma’s warning voice rang out. “How dare you! You think you can just casually put your hands on Lady Aria?”
“Aw, you don’t gotta be like that, Alma. We’re pals, aren’t we? Nothin’ wrong with a little bit o’ physical bonding, is there?”
“There’s no ‘bonding’ involved—it’s just plain old sexual harassment.”
“Now you’re just bein’ mean. Guess you forgot how much I took care of ya back when you had amnesia, huh? I even changed your diapers and everything...”
“I’m not an infant! Stop making things up!”
“So you came back to us too, Alma,” I interrupted.
“Of course. I’m Lady Aria’s personal bodyguard, after all.” Alma puffed her chest out proudly, a smug look on her face. There was no mistaking the sheer amount of pride she took in her job as Commander of the Royal Guard in charge of protecting Seira.
Fam then broke in with a question. “Speaking of which... Do you mind if we keep calling you Seira, like we always have? Or would you prefer to be called Lady Aria?”
“Seira is perfectly fine with me. Right now I’m just a guard like the rest of you.” She turned to Alma. “Please go ahead and call me what they do, Alma.”
“Understood, Lady Aria!”
“Doesn’t sound like she understood a damn thing,” Spinoza quipped.
“I owe my life to my lady. It’s not that easy to just erase the respect I hold for her,” Alma explained.
“Now she’s making excuses,” Fam added.
“Lady Aria—sorry, Lady Seira—as your bodyguard, I promise I’ll protect you with my life. Even if my own body falls to pieces, I’ll make sure you live on!”
“Thank you for that, Alma, but you’re not allowed to lose your life either,” Seira insisted. “Let’s make sure every one of us stays alive!”
“Oh, I’m not worthy of such words! I swear to serve by your side for my whole life—and devote myself entirely to you!” Alma’s display of loyalty had her looking like she was about to burst into tears of joy at any moment.
Back when Alma was suffering from memory loss, she had treated Seira just like any other colleague, but after her memories came back, she began conducting herself like an obedient servant.
“Lady Seira, I will be both your sword and your shield!”