“─So I’m thinking of going to subdue the Witch of Lust to obtain the Sacred Relic.”

The day after I devised a plan to subdue the Witch of Lust and seize the Sacred Relic she possesses, I shared my thoughts with Sylvia and gathered opinions from others about my strategy.

“Subduing, subduing, huh…”

Ms. Martina, who can be seen as the representative of the heroes currently in the city, heard the word “subdue” and mumbled it a few times in her mouth before letting out a deep sigh and opening her mouth.

“Originally, the matter of subduing a witch shouldn’t be taken lightly, but… it’s true that right now, the only way that comes to mind to counter the Resurrected Witch of Gluttony is what you said—gathering the Sacred Relics.”

After mumbling like that, Ms. Martina looked at Sylvia and me with serious eyes and asked,

“Anyway, since you’re mentioning subjugation, do you think you have a chance?”

“Yes. During the last battle, I realized that Sylvia and I could counter the Witch of Lust’s abilities. Now that I’m in peak condition, I’m confident we won’t lose.”

I confidently nodded and answered Ms. Martina’s question. My and Sylvia’s abilities had an advantageous match-up against the Witch of Lust.

Moreover, during the last fight, we had been exhausted from battling the Witch of Gluttony, but unlike then, we were now brimming with strength after ample rest, so I felt we had no chance of losing.

Hearing my confident response, Ms. Martina also nodded as if understanding and muttered,

“Right. That’s true.”

However, right after she mumbled that, Ms. Martina stared at me with a somewhat doubtful expression and asked,

“That’s fine and all, but why do you keep saying that you two are the only ones going for the subjugation? You’re not actually planning to go alone, are you?”

“Well… you see, since the Witch of Lust is our opponent, having too many people wouldn’t be beneficial…”

When I nervously answered that we were planning to go just the two of us, Ms. Martina let out a deep sigh and said,

“Rejected.”

“Wha… why?”

“Why? What do you mean why? You’re just going to send the two of you to subdue a witch, not knowing what could happen? If you had intended to go alone, there’s no way I’d let you go.”

It was a sharp rejection.

Ms. Martina’s declaration that she would absolutely not permit Sylvia and me to go alone left me feeling a bit intimidated.

Was I that untrustworthy, for her to speak so decisively?

Feeling slightly downhearted from such thoughts, Ms. Martina looked at me and gave a small smile while adding an explanation.

“Why are you looking so gloomy? It’s not that I don’t trust you. I know better than anyone that you two are impressive from battling together, but since we’re attacking the witches’ stronghold, we don’t know what inevitable situations may arise. What if there’s an emergency? Or if something happens that you can’t easily handle by just the two of you?”

“That’s…”

“And as you know, the subjugation of the Witch of Lust is essentially a mission aimed at finding a way to counter the Witch of Gluttony; it can be said that humanity’s fate rests on it. We need every bit of strength we can gather for it. Sending just you two would be nonsensical.”

Without any way to effectively counter the Witch of Gluttony at the moment, obtaining the Sacred Relic through this subjugation was the only method we could hope for.

Under such circumstances, Ms. Martina’s words were completely valid.

However,

“But, other than me and Sylvia, the others have no way to counter the Witch of Lust’s abilities, so it could be dangerous for them…”

Having vivid memories of those who fell under the Witch of Lust’s influence and moved at her will, I couldn’t help but worry about others joining in.

Given that something like that could happen again.

The reason I couldn’t easily agree to Ms. Martina’s words was precisely because of that.

As I hesitated in thought, Ms. Martina gestured toward Sylvia, who was beside me and said,

“Well, I can understand your feelings. Still, it’s said that the young lady from Aegis Academy will accompany you on this subjugation. So, as long as she’s present, it should be unlikely for others to fall victim to the witch’s abilities. She is after all the one who managed to protect the entire city against the Witch of Lust. Do you really think you can’t have enough support from the people accompanying you? Right, young lady?”

“……Yes, that’s true. I don’t know how large the subjugation team will be, but as long as I can see, I will make sure that no one falls prey to the Witch of Lust. Ah, but it seems like it’s ended up this way. I was expecting to set off on an exciting adventure with just Scarlet, but…”

As Ms. Martina asked if that wasn’t the case, Sylvia responded with a playful look, acting almost disappointed.

It seemed she had assumed from the start that going just the two of us was utterly unrealistic, as if she had known it would turn out this way.

“……Well then, let’s organize a subjugation team and get going.”

Seeing Sylvia’s reaction, I couldn’t help but agree with Ms. Martina’s suggestion to form a subjugation unit.

Was my initial intention to go alone reckless after all?

As I pondered this, Ms. Martina suddenly asked me,

“……What, is it that you really don’t want to go with anyone else?”

“Oh no, it’s not that…”

“It’s not? Your expression says otherwise. If you truly don’t want to, just say it. I can keep your opinion in mind.”

It seemed my feelings were written all over my face.

It was nothing specific, but I was about to brush it off when Ms. Martina’s genuine insistence made me confess openly.

“It’s not that big of a deal… I just don’t want anyone else to have to go through dangerous situations. It’s probably a bit much to ask, though.”

“…….Ha. Looking at you now, I can see you’re truly greedy.”

It was a bit surprising to hear Ms. Martina say that, which prompted me to give a wry smile.

I was aware that my thoughts were selfish.

But, unlike Yoon Si-woo or Ms. Eve, I didn’t want to witness anyone getting hurt or killed for my sake anymore.

I didn’t want to add to my emotional debt any further.

Noticing my thoughts, Ms. Martina clapped me on the shoulder and said,

“Still, don’t worry too much, greedy young lady. Even if we’re organizing a subjugation team, only a select few who can hold their own will be picked. Although I just said we should gather the team, I can’t put too much burden on the young lady from Aegis Academy.”

Saying this to me, Ms. Martina then sat down and began discussing with the gathered people.

“Well, since it has come to this, I’ll choose the individuals who will accompany us to subdue the Witch of Lust. Honestly, if it were up to me, I would want to go myself—”

“Captain.”

“Oh, right. Yes, I know. I can’t go, right?”

Seeing one of her subordinates point this out, Ms. Martina clicked her tongue in frustration.

While she would have been the best fit for the subjugation team as a select few, the captain, who was often the sole person left in charge, was essentially the city’s pillar.

If she left and left the city unattended, it would only create unease among the people.

Furthermore, since both Sylvia and I would be away, it was crucial for her to remain in the city as a precaution.

Realizing she could not volunteer for the subjugation team, Ms. Martina clicked her tongue once more and looked around the room.

“So, is there anyone here who would like to volunteer? Those who believe they can look after themselves.”

As soon as she finished speaking, someone quietly raised their hand.

Upon seeing the face of the person who raised their hand, everyone else couldn’t help but hold their breath.

“…….Are you saying you wish to volunteer for the subjugation team?”

“Yes, that’s correct, if possible.”

The one raising their hand was none other than the head of the Dolos family.

It was Diakonos Dolos.

“Wait a moment, wait a moment…”

Seeing this, Ms. Martina’s expression scrunched up in annoyance as she muttered.

The reason she was so flustered was not only that Diakonos, who had been in seclusion for a while after being freed from the Witch of Lust, was expressing his opinion for the first time in a long time.

“Firstly, you’re not a hero. What business does someone like you have with the subjugation team…”

The main reason for her agitation was that he was not a hero.

Unlike his father, Telos, who had lived almost his entire life as a hero, Diakonos had lived as the head of the Dolos family.

For someone like him to volunteer for the subjugation team was a surprise to Ms. Martina.

“Though I’m not a hero, I still have the strength to look after myself.”

Creak.

With those words, Diakonos silenced Ms. Martina just with a single action.

He ripped off the metal badges he wore on his chest, clenched them all in his fist, and crushed them.

With a heavy thud, the clump of metal dropped onto the table.

The only reason he could do this was that he was of Dolos blood, a lineage that once dominated the era.

Casting a meaningful glance at the crushed metal, Diakonos muttered,

“Direct descendants of Dolos can handle this much easily. At the very least, in terms of strength, I should not be inferior to others.”

The moment he spoke those words, Diakonos picked up the chunk of metal he had just dropped.

“Whatever you wish me to do, even back-breaking labor—”

Then, he proceeded to tear apart what had once been a symbol of their honor.

But realizing he’d been deceived and that it had now become an object without meaning, he shredded it all with his hands.

“I ask that you give Dolos a chance.”

He bowed his head in plea.

“Please let us contribute even a little to confront our long-standing enmity.”

He sought an opportunity.

“Please, I beg you.”

Tears fell from the eyes of that once-honored criminal, landing atop the pieces of shattered honor on the floor.

And so, a few names from the Dolos family were added at the corner of the roster for the subjugation team that would set out days later.