When the group returned to the city, they were not alone this time: two new figures accompanied them, Queen Olga and Chloe.
The guards, already tense from the news of the imminent attack, immediately noticed Alicia's group approaching. With a hint of relief, they stepped forward, ready to welcome them.
However, that gesture froze in midair.
Their expressions changed instantly upon noticing the presence of the two dark elves.
Suddenly, the guards reacted and drew their weapons.
They stepped forward in unison and unsheathed their heavy swords, adopting defensive stances, ready to attack at any moment. The atmosphere tightened like a rope on the verge of snapping, filled with distrust and restrained fear.
Chloe also drew her sword without hesitation, positioning herself slightly in front of Olga, ready to protect her or fight if necessary. Her gaze was cold and alert, following every movement of the humans.
Only Olga remained still.
Her expression did not change in the slightest. Her breathing was calm, controlled, as if the hostility surrounding her did not exist at all. That unnatural calm only made the tension rise even more.
Noticing that the situation was about to spiral out of control, Reik stepped forward. He cleared his throat and spoke in a firm but calm voice:
"Calm down. She is an ally."
Even so, the guards did not lower their weapons.
"Alicia-sama, be careful," they warned with distrust, tightening their grips.
It wasn't simple paranoia. Those guards were rigid and cautious by nature, and for good reason: Olga was, to humanity, a known enemy. A living symbol of danger, war, and destruction.
Alicia, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward. Her gaze swept across the guards, then paused briefly on Olga, and she said:
"...Lower your weapons."
One of the guards hesitated.
"But, Alicia-sama—"
"It's an order," Alicia said firmly, leaving no room for objection.
The guards immediately straightened, obeying.
"Yes, Alicia-sama."
Although the weapons were lowered, the tension did not dissipate. The guards still protested in their minds:
'What does this mean? We are humans… how can we ally with the Dark Elves?'
Reik knew he had to explain before everything exploded. It was more an explanation for the guards, to calm them.
"I was in the lands of the Dark Elves before you," he began. "I arrived in the middle of an attack by the Kuroinu Mercenary Brigade."
He paused briefly, as if the memories of chaos and blood still weighed on him.
"During that attack, I managed to save the Queen of the Dark Elves… and her right hand."
He lifted his gaze, filled with seriousness and determination.
"But that attack is not the end… it is only the beginning. They want to wipe everyone out and create a kingdom of sex, where all women serve only as slaves."
When they heard this, a murmur broke out among the guards. Even Alicia, Primm, and Luu Luu—who already knew the situation—could not help but tense up and clench their fists tightly.
"That's why I'm here," Reik continued. "I came to warn you. So you won't suffer the same fate… and so you can prepare for the betrayal."
His voice hardened at the end.
His gaze swept across everyone before he continued:
"As you've already seen… that betrayal has already begun."
Olga and Chloe nodded silently, confirming his words without needing to add anything else.
Alicia closed her eyes for a moment. She already knew all this thanks to Celestine's warning, and she understood that Reik was speaking more for her guards than for her. Even so, a wave of anger washed over her upon hearing the situation again… but she quickly calmed down and let out a long sigh, as if the weight of reality had finally settled on her shoulders.
"He is not lying. Celestine-sama already contacted me and informed me of all this," she said while looking at her warriors.
A new murmur spread among them.
"Many of you may not like it, but from now on… the Queen of the Dark Elves is our ally. Our true enemy is Vault."
Many tensed. Several wanted to protest, but in the end, they nodded.
"At your orders, Alicia-sama," they said in unison.
Their gazes still showed caution toward Olga… but now it was more restrained, more disciplined.
Alicia smiled in relief upon seeing this.
However, her smile quickly turned bitter. She knew that convincing them had been relatively easy… but only because reality was already impossible to deny.
They didn't need more proof.
The betrayal had already been carried out.
And the army advancing toward the city was the final confirmation.
Reik also let out a sigh upon seeing that the internal conflict had calmed down… but then he smiled, a smile filled with excitement.
'Now then… the real fun begins.'
They didn't need more proof.
The war had already begun.