Fernanda glared at him, the authority in her voice making it clear that she wasn't there for arguments:

"Let me pass!"

"If he tries anything funny, we'll open fire!" another guard warned, the tension evident in her tone.

"He won't." Fernanda walked between them, her posture unyielding, and entered the circle formed by the soldiers around Kay.

Kay remained seated in the center, like an unshakable rock, ignoring the chaos around him. Fernanda stopped in front of him and pulled the collar of his suit. When she saw inside, she looked at him with a look full of disapproval.

"You idiot... look at the damage you did to the castle! And the suit? It's a disaster!" she said, approaching and inspecting the overheated plates of the equipment.

Kay looked up at her lazily, as if completely ignoring the weight of the situation.

"We're hungry." He stood up slowly, unhurriedly.

The movement was enough to make the guards tense up even more. They aimed straight at his head, their fingers ready to pull the triggers.

Fernanda stood up quickly, placing herself between Kay and the pointed guns.

"Calm down!" she ordered, her voice loud enough to silence the surrounding chatter. "He's not running away!"

The guards hesitated, but kept their weapons raised. The air seemed heavier with the growing tension. Fernanda gave Kay a stern look, who remained motionless.

Kay sighed deeply, as if the tension around her was a minor inconvenience, and began to remove her suit right there.

Fernanda watched every move, still alert, but showing no hesitation. When Kay handed her the suit, sword, and SCAR, she kept only the baton firmly in her hand.

"See? He's not wearing the suit anymore. He's not planning on running away!" Fernanda declared, turning to the guards. "Lower your weapons!"

A senior guard stepped forward, his face set like stone.

“Take the suit and weapons away from him, and we’ll keep our weapons down!” he ordered.

Fernanda glanced briefly at Kay, as if questioning his intentions, but quickly left with the equipment. Carrying Kay’s suit, sword, and SCAR, she walked quickly to the helicopter parked in the yard, carefully placing everything inside the aircraft. When she returned, her hands were empty and her expression resolute.

“Ready.” Her voice was firm, but exuded a slight weariness.

The guards reluctantly began to lower their weapons, but they kept the siege around Kay. The atmosphere remained heavy, full of distrust.

Fernanda approached Kay again, staring at him with a look that mixed frustration and curiosity.

“You invaded the castle, killed a guard, and caused destruction to property. Why did you do that?” she exclaimed, her raised voice reflecting her indignation.

Kay looked at her indifferently.

— He hurt Emília.

Fernanda stood still for a moment, the princess's name seeming to echo in her mind.

— Where is the princess? — she asked, now more distressed.

— She's in the room, with a maid. — Kay's answer was direct, but filled with an intensity that Fernanda couldn't ignore.

— Can you explain better? — Fernanda asked, crossing her arms, her voice filled with impatience and expectation.

Kay approached slowly, leaning in to whisper something in her ear.

Fernanda stepped back abruptly, her face pale with pure terror.

— No! — she exclaimed, her voice almost failing.

Kay sighed, as if carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

— I'm sorry, but I followed everything... until the call ended. I heard everything, Fernanda. I couldn't take it. But honestly, I didn't expect him to die with just one blow. — His voice was serious, but there was a hint of resignation, as if he had already accepted the consequences of his actions.

Fernanda stared at him, incredulous, and raised her voice:

— Are you sorry?

Kay looked up, straight and firm.

— He died without feeling pain. So, yes, I am sorry... but now he can't hurt Emília anymore. And, because of that, I don't care.

The guards around him clenched their fists, clearly irritated, their hard expressions reflecting their contempt.

— That's not what he meant! — Fernanda tried to intervene, gesturing to try to calm the situation.

Kay opened his mouth, ready to respond, but was interrupted by a thunderous sound.

The unmistakable noise of propellers cutting through the air filled the room.

— They're here! — Fernanda said, relief and tension mixed in her voice.

Who? Kay exclaimed.

The helicopter flew over the city and landed at the castle.

Joana and Mira were the first to get off the helicopter, followed by the recruits, their firm and determined steps echoing through the area. The tension in the air was palpable. The guards made way for the two, recognizing the authority they emanated.

"Where is he?" Mira exclaimed, with an expression that mixed disdain and anger.

Fernanda looked around, somewhat disconcerted.

"He's here!" she said, pointing to the side.

But Kay was no longer where he should be. He had disappeared. The guards exchanged confused looks, clearly not understanding what had happened. Mira, irritated, stepped deeper into the circle formed by the soldiers. Her eyes soon located Kay, crouched and trying not to attract attention.

"Found him!" Kay said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, visibly nervous.

Before he could react, Mira stepped forward and delivered a powerful slap to his face, sending him flying like a rag doll. Kay fell to the ground hard, a ringing in his ears.

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“You idiot! What have you done?!” Mira shouted, her eyes flashing with irritation.

One of the guards muttered with contempt:

“That’s how he killed our comrade…”

From afar, Thais shouted:

“Hey, Kay, are you dead?”

Still lying down, Kay replied in a slurred voice:

— I died...

Joana approached, crossing her arms.

— Do we know what happened here? — she asked firmly, looking at Fernanda.

Fernanda sighed reluctantly before answering:

— Yes. Kay told me. According to him, the guard... well, he dishonored the princess. And Kay heard everything while he was on the phone with her. He came to save her, but... he ended up killing the bastard. I haven't heard the princess's side yet, so I can't confirm anything.

— Kay wouldn't lie about that! Not even as a joke! — Mira exclaimed, still indignant. — What are we going to do?

Joana was direct:

— He injured and killed an officer. The case will be taken to the Council, which will decide the punishment. Until then, Kay will be detained by the army.

Thais, worried, protested:

— By the Council? Is that serious?

— Emilia can reduce his sentence, right? — Mira asked, with hope in her voice.

Fernanda shook her head.

— Her testimony will be important, but... so far, she hasn't shown up.

Kay, still on the ground, intervened in her carefree voice:

— She's scared. They'll find her. I promise I'll stay quiet here.

Mira watched him with a mix of concern and guilt. "Did he get hurt again?" she thought. She approached, kneeling beside him.

— It's just a little swollen and has a mark from your hand. I'm not hurt. Go on," Kay said, noticing her gaze.

Mira looked away, embarrassed.

— I'm sorry... You helped Emilia and I hit you.

Kay gave her an ironic smile.

— It's okay, but if you want to make up for it, there's something I want to investigate later.

Mira arched an eyebrow.

— I don't know if you'll be free after all this. What do you want to investigate?

Kay replied with a defiant glint in her eyes:

“It’s not really an investigation. I want to kill some ghouls. But now, take care of Emilia. If I go to her, the guards will follow. She better not see me today.”

Mira hesitated, but finally nodded.

“Okay. I’ll be back soon. Don’t move.”

“Okay,” he replied, lying down as if he were relaxing on a normal day.

Mira walked away, but before leaving, she asked one of the guards:

“Can I see the princess?”

The high-ranking officer answered without hesitation:

“Only with permission from the royal family.”

Kay interrupted, looking at her cell phone and ending a call:

“You don’t need to worry. Emilia allowed it. Take Fernanda, Joana and Alpha 1 with you. It seems she wants to meet them.”

The officer narrowed his eyes suspiciously:

“Did you call the princess?”

Kay pointed lazily upwards.

— Look at her bedroom window.

Everyone looked up and saw the maid waving from the broken window. The scene was silent for a moment, until the officer gave a soft sigh and ordered:

— Very well. Proceed with caution.

— Right! — Mira said, saluting with a determined glint in her eyes.

She walked away, leaving the surrounding soldiers and guards watching Kay with curious and suspicious looks. He, however, seemed oblivious to the tension in the air. He picked up the communicator and made another call.

“Hi, Rem!” he called, in a casual tone.

“Kay? Should I call you son-in-law now?” Rem exclaimed on the other end of the line, in a slightly amused voice.

“Keep calling me normal, please.” Kay sighed, rubbing the back of her neck.

“I get hurt like this! You have my number, but you never call me. Only my daughter to catch up!” Rem complained, pretending to cry exaggeratedly.

“Okay, okay... have you had an attack?” Kay asked, ignoring the drama.

“Yes! Two just this month, but nothing that really makes me hot.” Rem’s voice became more serious, but it still had a defiant tone.

“Let’s go in through the other side. Some things happened here, so it might take a while. I don't even know if they'll let us go. — Kay seemed hesitant, observing the surroundings.

— Did you call me to inform me of something that you don't even know will happen? — Rem snorted, clearly impatient.

— I think that's it... — Kay admitted, laughing softly.

— Tell the truth! You missed me and called just to cover it up with another subject, right? — Rem accused, letting out an excited laugh. — But it's no use, Kay! I have a husband and even a daughter. It won't work!

— Your name is Maria? — Kay teased, with a mocking smile.

— Maria? Why? — Rem asked, confused.

— Because you're full of grace! — he replied, laughing out loud.

— Wow... — Rem replied disdainfully. — Are you really going to come here or was it just to chat?

— I don't know. I'm in trouble now. I'll try to get permission from the vice-captain. — Kay looked at Mira in the distance, who was talking to other recruits.

— Vice-captain? Wow, you guys are doing great! — Rem praised.

— I don't know... I feel like I'm just causing trouble for Mira. — Kay sighed, her voice full of sincerity.

— That's for sure! — Rem laughed. — Anyway, before you come, let me know. — And she ended the call.

Kay put away the communicator, shaking her head.

— I love how sincere you guys are... — she muttered to herself before approaching a guard.

— How long until this meeting with the council? — Kay asked bluntly.

— Back off, kid! The meeting won't happen for days. — The officer crossed his arms, trying to intimidate him.

— I see... — Kay said, turning to the recruits. — We're going to kill ghouls! Get everything ready so we can leave as soon as they get back.

— You can't leave here! — warned the officer, raising his voice.

— I don't mind if the guards want to come too, but just don't get in the way of the mission! — Kay replied, ignoring the order.

— That's not the point! — insisted the officer.

— In fact, whatever you decide to do, the captain will tell me later. My people are going to kill some ghouls. If you want to come, feel free. — Kay shrugged and walked away.

The scene changes

Emilia was curled up on the bed, her gaze lost and sadness evident on her face.

— It's embarrassing to see you after what happened... — she murmured, her voice almost a whisper.

— I'm sorry you had to go through that. As a soldier, I feel ashamed that something like that happened to an innocent person. — Joana lowered her head, the weight of guilt evident.

— I don't blame the soldiers. I know it was that man's doing. To be honest, I'm scared... but I know I can't stay like this forever. — Emilia took a deep breath, trying to gather her courage.

— Even though you're so young, you're strong. I think I understand what Kay saw in you now. — Mira smiled, trying to encourage her.

— I was crying, but I was happy when he came. He came to save a friend, not a princess. That's why he was here without a mask. — Emilia gave a small smile.

— Did you say you wanted to see us? — Raven asked, changing the subject to lighten the mood.

— My brother won't go unpunished for what he did, even for helping me. The other kingdoms won't care that a princess was saved. He won't die, but I'll try to reduce his sentence to something lighter. I can't promise more than that. — Emilia's voice trembled slightly, but there was determination in her words.

— Him not dying is what matters. — Mira nodded.

— He could be stuck there for months... or even his whole life. — Joana seemed more skeptical.

— If he goes a week without coffee there, he'll starve to death. — Mira tried to lighten the mood, laughing.

— He's so lazy, I think he literally is! — Fernanda joked.

— Even though I'm part of the royal family, I don't have much say in my father's kingdom. But I'll talk to them to at least allow daily visits. — Emilia lowered her head, sad.

— Thank you. — Mira smiled at her.

— Before you go... can we take a picture together? — Emilia asked, embarrassed.

— Of course! — they all answered.

Emilia smiled. The scene changed.

— Did they let you put on the costume again? — Fernanda exclaimed, with a surprised expression.

— Yes, we're going to kill ghouls! — Kay said, with a fierce look. — How was she? — she asked, approaching the helicopter.

— She's a persistent girl, she'll be fine! — said Raven, with a confident smile.

“I see... then I judged her wrong!” — said Kay, with an air of regret.

“No... she’s still scared, but she’s trying to stay strong!” — said Mira, with a worried look.

“I see…” — said Kay, waving to Emilia who was at the window.

Emilia waved back, her smile radiating a silent strength.

“Let’s go!” — said Kay, with a tone of urgency.

The recruits entered the helicopter, prepared for battle.

“I’ll ask again, are you two really going with us?” — exclaimed Kay, with a defiant look.

“It was our boss’s order for two of the guards to keep an eye on you!” — said one of the guards, with a rigid expression.

“Be a witness, Fernanda! The fifth squad is going on an investigation and extermination mission!” — said Kay, with a smile of someone who already knew what to do.

“I see.” — Fernanda said, entering the helicopter with a determined look.

— What are you doing? — Joana exclaimed, looking at Kay.

— He never used investigation in the missions... it seems interesting, so I'll go too! — Fernanda said, with a sparkle in her eyes, willing to follow Kay to the end.

— Here you should say something! — Joana said to Mira.

— She'll be fine. I don't know where those ghouls are, but she can stay in the village! — Mira replied.

— I need an extremely long rope, made of iron if possible! — Kay demanded firmly.

— I'll get it out of the bun... I understand, let's stop at the institute. I can get it! — Fernanda said, visibly determined.

— And them? — Kay exclaimed, looking at the other soldiers intensely.

— Return to the base, the captain and the others are already coming back! — Fernanda ordered, with authority.

— Okay! — replied the vice-leader of the second squad, giving a sign of approval.

Kay and the rest got into the helicopter, while the other soldiers headed for the other.