The camp is in an upheaval when I return with three strangers and a guard, rather than the kids I took out in the morning. Or that's what it looks like, but things take an unexpected turn.

While I was out hunting for iron ore, Omerta regained her consciousness.

It's as if she was too scared to wake up while I was around. I'm worried about what she might have said to the Orcs.

But before any questions, I take the Princess to Gitaut's hut to take her place.

If she poisoned the mind of our shaman, he doesn't show.

If anything, he's annoyed that we use his place as a clinic.

"Another victim?" He raises an eyebrow that's already covered by his hair.

Yeah, that's still within expectations. He knows that I'm not Alexandra, and always acts like this.

"I'll have you know, I saved her life. But she wouldn't stop throwing up until she passed out."

"It's food poisoning." The Goblin notes, but that's all he can say before Charlotte shows up, with Omerta in tow. And her alleged older brother. Sister? Hana, the Standard Bearer.

"What are these doing here?" It's hard to say if the chieftain looks upset, amused, or scared.

It has to be a weird mix of all three.

[Notice: The Princess is an enemy of the Thirteenth Banner. Since the Demon Lord excommunicated the Goddess, his underlings are also hostile.]

Yes. I know, but these guys won't do anything in this shape.

And we still haven't confirmed if they're with that weirdo.

"Charlotte, take them into custody until we find that out." Here, I gave another order, are you happy? I'm domineering here like a boss.

"C-captain?!" And this is Omerta, ruining my train of thought.

She addresses the Goblin as if he were her superior, the same as the wolf-man did.

Okay, that is suspicious.

"Witch! Where the hell you've been?" The little green guy regains his vitality in a split second.

So it's another reunion, but not a happy one.

"You sent me into a battle. That's where I've been."

"Battle? I sent you scouting. I needed the reinforcements but you all disappeared. All I found was a dead wyvern near the Old Capital. Report at once." The Goblin finds his voice.

[Notice: This is a good example of how to assert dominance.]

No kidding. A complete one-eighty. I better intervene after clearing my throat.

"Okay, you both will provide us with an explanation. Chieftain, all three go into custody, separated until I interrogate them." This is as commandeering as I can sound.

Seeing Hana open their mouth to protest doesn't help. Shit, of course.

Omerta is their little sister. But also serves the Demon Lord? Things are getting complicated.

At least I don't have to deal with that human girl as long as she's passed out. With all the hunters acting as enforcers, and them seeing me using Auto Battle, they don't resist.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Still, it will be a long evening, and I didn't sleep in a while.

"Your Grace, have mercy on my sister." The huge Orc throws themselves on the ground as usual.

What mercy? I said interrogation, not execution.

System? Is Alexandra so feared or bloodthirsty that they already assume the worst?

[Reminder: I told you not to act out of character.]

Gee, thanks. How can I act in character, if I know so little about my host? Well, no backing down here, or they will think I'm weak, and suspect me of being an imposter again.

When the interrogation begins, I start with Omerta.

She is the most dangerous if she talks about how I used her during our duel with the First Bride.

I don't know what came over me when I grabbed her boobs and used her as a proxy in the fight.

And I don't want the rest of the tribe to know, so the questioning happens in privacy.

"So did Omega send you three to kill me, or something?" Using the Demon Lord's name should suggest I don't fear him. I'm so ready for these mind games.

I'll be the good cop and the bad cop at once.

[Notice: As usual, you are overthinking it.]

Better safe than sorry. But this time the System might be right.

The Orc witch looks scared and answers every question without me even asking them.

"Your Grace, the Demon Lord didn't know you returned." That's a good start.

"He excommunicated you for the crimes you committed against him in your absence. But only because he couldn't confirm your involvement with the First Bride."

"My involvement? Haven't you seen me fight that hag?"

I'm not that upset but desperate for information.

This can be the perfect opportunity to fill in the blanks from Alex's backstory.

"You are right, Your Highness. If you let me go, I will report on it, and I'm sure the Demon Lord will be happy to reconcile with you."

"Haha, no. You were also happy to attack me while I was on the ground. You're not going anywhere before you tell me what you've been doing near the capitol."

[Notice: You are getting better at this.]

I would have taken the compliment if the System didn't sound sarcastic.

But I'm not sure how to feel about reconciling with that asshole.

I know too little about him and their relationship with the Thirteenth Bride. It would be so much easier if Alexandra were here. And I'm an idiot for not telling her about that fight.

But she had her priorities elsewhere, and I went with the flow. Now I'll have to sort this out myself. And the safest option is to keep these guys here until she shows up again.

"We were looking for the Nordhaben Princess." She avoids my gaze, but it doesn't sound like a lie.

And the other two did have Elizabeth with them.

"Why?" What did they want from that kid? And how did they get her?

"B-because His Majesty, the Demon Lord needs her blood."

Okay. That does it. No being friendly with that lunatic.