When Lisha woke up, she realized she was sitting down. The sight of the clothes Yuusuke had bought for her and the rugged black handcuffs on her hands greeted her.
(Where am I...?)
Her memories and the current situation didn't connect well, leaving Lisha disoriented. It seemed to be a room of some sort, and the soft chair she sat on resembled a sofa. The room was dimly lit, with a lantern hanging from the ceiling, suggesting a lack of electricity.
Upon closer inspection, she noticed the floor and walls were in disarray, resembling some kind of ruins. However, the interior itself seemed well-maintained, giving off a strangely mismatched impression.
Unconsciously, she tried to move her hands, but the handcuffs hindered her freedom. On the other hand, her legs were not restrained, and she could move them without any problem.
(Why do I have these... Oh, right, I remember coming back from the training camp, and then...)
She thought about it and remembered. The sudden attack and being captured.
"What about Kanami-san!"
She couldn't remember anything from the middle of the battle. The last thing she remembered was Kanami, who was preparing to help her.
But she couldn't see her anywhere.
A bad premonition swelled up in her head, and fear and impatience tore at her chest. She tried to stand up in a hurry, but her legs lacked strength, causing her to lose her balance and lean against the chair.
At that moment, there was a silent figure approaching her.
"Oh, you're awake. How do you feel?"
It was a black woman who appeared. Lisha didn't know her, but her attire was similar to the uniforms worn by Asteris' attendants, like a maid outfit in Earth's modern cafes, but it was a more formal and composed version.
Her skin was pale, and her jet-black hair was tied up neatly. Her slanted and cold eyes looked down at Lisha.
"Who are you..."
She looked like a beautiful woman, but she wasn't a human. Although she didn't emit much magic power, Lisha, as a Saint, immediately recognized her as a demon.
The man who captured Lisha was a black warrior. And now, there was a third demon. Lisha understood that it was abnormal.
"I am Roze Cression. Please call me Roze."
The demon who introduced herself bowed politely. The demons Lisha had seen so far, like Luiid and Tarim, were all terrifying warriors.
Although she faintly felt the presence of magic power, Roze, who looked far from being a fighter, appeared unusual. Even if she was a demon, Lisha, who was well-mannered, couldn't ignore her introduction.
"...I am Lisha. I have been honored with the title of Saint at the Holy Goddess Church. Where is Kanami-san?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't answer that."
Roze answered succinctly.
"Why not!"
"I don't know. I know she was defeated in battle, but I haven't seen what happened afterwards. I believe she is still alive."
Lisha widened her eyes at Roze's calm words.
Being here meant that Kanami couldn't be saved.
Lisha had expected that much, but she never thought that Kanami would be defeated. Kanami was strong. Lisha, who had seen her up close, knew that well.
And yet, Kanami lost. Moreover, Roze said, "I believe she is still alive." Lisha, who was naive about the consequences of defeat for a warrior, knew.
"..."
She wanted to leave this room immediately and go look for Kanami. She had heard that other Saints could perform miracles of recovery, but she didn't have such power. Even if she went to Kanami, there was nothing she could do.
Still, she wanted to go to her. However, there was no way Roze in front of her would allow that. With just a movement of her gaze, Lisha was stopped.
No matter how non-hostile her attitude may be, her essence is that of a demon.
"What do you intend to do by bringing me to a place like this?"
Having determined that there was no point in asking about Kanami anymore, Lisha changed her question. The answer to that was an entirely unexpected voice.
'That's obvious, isn't it? To use you and kill you.'
"Wha-?!"
The words filled with sharp hostility were spat out by Roze right in front of Lisha.
But it wasn't Roze who responded. It was the black hair tied up in a bun, which opened its mouth with a snap and spoke.
"I never thought you'd believe you wouldn't be killed."
It was immediately clear that it was a magic by Roze. The problem was that Lisha recognized that voice.
"You're... from back then."
'Huh? I introduced myself once, so at least remember my name, Key... well, I'm not Amon anymore. Just Fifi.'
The bun-like black slime spoke freely, disregarding Roze.
'You're a hostage, bait to lure someone. Once you're no longer useful, of course, you'll be killed.'
"By bait, do you mean luring someone?"
'Huh?'
Fifi, who had been saying whatever it wanted, choked on its words.
Roze also looked down at Lisha without changing her expression. Her eyes were clear, fixed straight on Roze. There was not a trace of fear of death. Even though she was currently alone, completely in the enemy's hands.
"Please tell me. Who are you trying to call?"
"That would be... a Hero."
Everyone's gaze converged on one point
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