Chapter 45: Let Me Say Thank You

An Unexpected Sneeze

“Ha… achoo!” Rita sneezed out of nowhere.

The captain, who’d been walking with her, stepped closer with concern. “Lady Rita, you alright?”

Living at the city lord’s mansion, Rita was known to many—mostly because she got caught climbing Cecilia’s window.

Her fame spiked after yesterday’s arena victory. A few soldiers also saw her kick someone flying at the mansion, and after days of gossip, her reputation among them was solid. Cecilia’s influence added respect.

Following the morning’s succubus attack, soldiers realized the city lord and Cecilia’s interests aligned, so those loyal to him naturally sided with Rita.

“Nothing.” Rita rubbed her nose. “What about those guys we caught?”

“They claimed they saw a pretty girl and got bad ideas. We shut down their hideout, but there’s no more evidence,” the captain replied.

“With so much happening lately, the city’s on edge. Most soldiers are on patrol, so we’re short-handed. Cases like this just get a short lockup.”

“Got it.” Rita nodded.

A Tense Relief

On the other side of the wall, the captured thugs overheard, breathing easier.

Calling in a dozen soldiers and being addressed as “Lady Rita” made it clear to even the dimmest thug: Kross’s target was no ordinary person.

During their interrogation, they’d all stuck to the story of acting on lust. Admitting their true intent would pin them with attempted murder of a big shot.

Even if the soldiers let them off, stepping out of jail meant facing the Lady’s wrath.

Rita lowered her voice. “What about this morning’s incident?”

“Lord Solus ordered a curfew and night patrols. Anyone suspicious on the streets gets brought in for questioning. Beyond that, it’s above my pay grade,” the captain said.

“I see.”

Momoka had planned another gathering tonight to discuss hunting the succubus, but Promi and Johnson claimed prior commitments, and the curfew due to the attacks canceled it.

From Rita’s perspective, she desperately wanted to expose the succubus framing her and Cecilia.

She held key clues, but Cecilia warned against sharing them, fearing panic or tipping off the culprit—neither of which she wanted.

Rita agreed. Lacking experience fighting her own kind, a clash’s outcome was uncertain, and her identity would likely be exposed in self-defense.

A Suspicious Figure

As they spoke, a soldier rushed in, saluting the captain. “Sir! There’s a weird person loitering near the prison.”

“Hm? I’ll check it out.” The captain started to move.

Rita, only tagging along, saw her chance to leave. “Perfect timing. I’ll head out too.”

Soon, the three reached the prison gate. Dusk had settled, making the loiterer obvious.

A brown-haired girl, about Rita’s age, wandered near a corner, her green eyes flicking toward the gate.

“That’s her,” the soldier pointed. “Curfew’s near, but she’s not leaving. Been hanging around since earlier.”

Both Rita and the captain recognized her—the girl they’d saved earlier.

Puzzled but curious, they approached to question her. Spotting them, her eyes lit up. Instead of fleeing, she hurried toward them.

Before they could speak, she grabbed Rita’s hand.

“Thank goodness!”

The soldier and captain flinched, but seeing no further aggression, they didn’t draw weapons.

Rita, caught off guard, froze. Since transmigrating, no girl had been this forward with her.

Except Cecilia, but her actions hardly counted as affectionate.

Maybe the bunny girl, but that was her job—different.

This girl vaguely resembled the bunny girl, though.

Rita’s mind raced, but her body stayed still. The girl tightened her grip. “You saved me before—I’m so grateful! Without you, I… I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

The captain sensed something off. “How’d you know Lady Rita was here?”

“I-I didn’t. I thought the bad guys would be locked up here, so I came to thank the soldiers who helped me. I left so fast, I didn’t know anyone, so…” The girl stammered, still clutching Rita’s hand.

She studied the captain’s face, then gasped with joy, releasing Rita to bow repeatedly. “Right! It was you! You led the others to save me! Everyone’s armor looked the same—I didn’t recognize you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Finished bowing, she grabbed Rita’s hand again. “Sorry, I… I thought I wouldn’t see you again. Finding you here, I’m just so happy…”

The trio watched her chatter like a chirping bird. Her words were jumbled, but she seemed no spy—just a naive girl, belatedly returning to give thanks.

“Ahem, no need for thanks.” The captain cleared his throat. “We appreciate it, but it’s late. Curfew’s coming. For your safety, head home.”

“Curfew? Really?” Her eyes widened, then she reluctantly let go of Rita’s hand. “T-then… thank you so much. I-I’m going!”

“Wait.”

Silent until now, Rita glanced at the nearly empty streets before speaking.

Under the girl’s and soldiers’ curious gazes, she stepped forward.

“The city’s dangerous at night. Let me walk you home.”