"I see. She's small and cute, that's why everyone thought she was a child." — Rem reflected, observing Emilia.

— Stop touching the princess! — Mira said, annoyed.

— It's okay, she's not hurting me! — Emilia replied, with a serene smile.

"Will she be able to handle it?" — Rem thought, her gaze now serious and fixed on Emilia, evaluating her cautiously.

— Okay, that's enough! — Mira cut her off, pulling her mother by the sleeve and pulling her away from the princess.

— Her skin is soft and fragrant! — Rem commented, while gently caressing Emilia's hand, which made her visibly embarrassed.

— I'm sorry she's like that! — Mira said, letting out a sigh and rolling her eyes.

— It's okay. — Emilia replied, trying to hide her embarrassment with a shy smile.

Taking advantage of the moment of calm, the princess looked directly at Mira.

“Since it’s just me and your squad... Is he okay?” Emilia asked, with a tone of concern in her voice.

“Yes! Kay is still acting normal,” Mira replied, reassuring her.

“That’s my brother... I mean, Kay!” Emilia quickly corrected herself, letting out a nervous laugh.

Mira raised an eyebrow, but decided to change the subject of the conversation.

“And how’s your training going?” she asked, crossing her arms as she watched the princess carefully.

“I trained again today! Now I’ve managed to perform more sequences.” Emilia said excitedly, her eyes shining with a mixture of pride and enthusiasm.

“That’s good. Keep it up!” Mira encouraged, leaning over to pat Emilia’s head.

Suddenly, Mira pulled her hand away and looked at her with an expression of surprise and confusion.

“What was I doing?” — Mira muttered, clearly disconcerted by her own attitude.

Rem let out a low laugh, shaking her head.

— Even though I know she’s the same age as us, that doesn’t change the fact that she’s small, cute, and makes you want to squeeze her!

Emilia lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, but she couldn’t help but smile.

— I guess that’s my fault. Because I’m so immature, Kay also thought I was a child. But... I was so happy to have made a friend that I ended up not denying it.

— Don’t worry. He now knows that you’re almost our age, but I doubt he’ll treat you any differently. — Mira said, crossing her arms.

— What? — Emilia exclaimed, with a sad expression.

— I mean, he won’t treat you badly because you’re not a child anymore. He’ll still act normal! — Mira corrected quickly, trying to ease the situation.

Emilia lowered her eyes, looking embarrassed.

— That was it... I ask you to forgive me for having created these kinds of feelings for him. I swear I had no ulterior motives when we started being friends! — she said, with an almost innocent sincerity in her voice.

“Let’s not talk about it here!” — Mira cut in, discreetly glancing at the nearby soldiers.

Emilia noticed and, unintentionally, became even more embarrassed.

“I’m sorry!” — she muttered, looking away.

The platform finally descended, and the group began walking through the vast underground cavern. Scientists and workers passed by carrying wheelbarrows full of Noxium. Emilia’s eyes shone with admiration as she observed the place.

“It’s beautiful, but you should have seen how it was before, with so many ghouls around here!” — Rem commented casually.

“Don’t scare her!” — Mira scolded, irritated.

“That’s right, there were a lot of them,” Raven added with a mischievous smile.

“You too?!” — Mira huffed in exasperation.

At that moment, one of the scientists approached the group.

— The cave is empty now. We blocked the water inlet. There will be a rise in the river level, but this should not cause problems for the waterfall where it flows into. Please follow me. I want to show you something important. — said the scientist.

The group followed him to a deeper area, where the water had receded, revealing an impressive Noxium mine.

— The hole here is huge, both at the entrance and at the exit where the water passed through. — explained the scientist, gesturing to the surrounding area.

— We believe that some ghouls arrived by the current and ended up being carried here. Over time, they reproduced and multiplied. Although they have no reproductive organs, this is our best hypothesis.

— Why are you showing us this? — asked Raven, suspicious.

— Now, the only way for ghouls to enter here would be through the upper entrance. — he said.

— So, are you suggesting that our presence is unnecessary now? — Rem asked, arching an eyebrow.

— That's not it! I'm just saying that your work will be considerably reduced. — the scientist explained.

— Great, so we can focus on Mineford! — Mira said, already turning to leave.

— But I didn't mean... — the scientist began.

— Now all you have to do is keep the entrance secure. Without water bringing ghouls, there's no more threat here, right? — Mira continued, cutting him off.

— Technically, yes, but... — the scientist tried to insist.

— We're going to Mineford then. Excuse me! — Mira declared, leaving the area with firm steps.

Rem held Emilia's hand with a smile, following Mira.

— Be careful! — Raven shouted, as she also left the place with the soldiers.

— What a rude guy! — Raven commented, irritated as she walked.

— They're just like that. All they have to do is eliminate the threat and they want to take control of everything! These people never change. — Rem replied, shaking her head.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“I see... So that’s the difference between you guys.” — Emilia murmured thoughtfully.

“It’s not just between guards and soldiers. We protect people, but these organizations treat us like we’re disposable.” — Raven seemed genuinely bothered.

Sarah, who was right behind, chuckled softly.

— She's really mad! — Sarah commented, amused.

— She'll listen to you... — Kratos warned.

— Are you worried about me? Thank you! — Sarah said, winking at him.

— Raven has a temper. She'll easily take her anger out on you. — Kratos commented, dryly.

— Hey, you bastard, I can hear you! — Raven shouted, turning around with a furious expression.

Emilia took the opportunity to change the subject.

— What's in those other passages?

— Nothing special. They're just areas like this one, full of mushrooms and walls. — Sarah replied, still laughing.

— If you dig any further, you'll probably find more Noxium. — Rem commented.

— I'm sure you will. — Mira said, in a nonchalant tone.

— Are you really going to Mineford? — Emilia asked, hesitantly.

— I only said that so we could get out of there. We're clearly not welcome. — Mira replied, bluntly.

Emilia hesitated for a moment before asking:

— So... could you train me? My mother said that Kay thinks I would be better with firearms, but there are none in the castle for me to train with.

— I guess there aren't any. — Raven murmured, almost laughing.

— Please! — Emilia begged, looking at the princess with bright eyes and an irresistibly cute expression.

Raven blushed as she looked at the princess.

— What's that expression? You look like a begging puppy! — she thought, looking away.

— Are you doing this on purpose? — Rem asked, suspicious.

— Doing what? — Emilia replied, confused.

The entire group was at a loss for words, all thinking the same thing: "She really didn't notice?"

Mira laughed and shrugged.

— Okay, right? Letting her train a little won't hurt.

Raven sighed, frustrated.

— She fell for that look? — she thought, in disbelief.

The scene changes.

— You don't have a home anymore?! — the queen exclaimed during the video call, her expression of disapproval evident on the screen.

— I'm sorry! I stayed here at the base training with the soldiers and I didn't even notice the time... — Emilia replied, fixing her hair and trying to look innocent.

— Come back soon before your father has a fit! — the queen said, in a stern tone, but with a hint of concern.

— I'm coming back! — Emilia confirmed, a little embarrassed.

She turned off her cell phone and looked around, noticing that the soldiers and guards present were looking at her with expressions of surprise and admiration.

— I think he was right... I'm better with weapons, but this one is too small. — Emilia commented, returning the pistol to one of the soldiers while inspecting the weapon curiously.

Rem watched from afar, still processing what she had just seen.

— Even the most distant targets, she managed to hit. It only took a few tries for her to get used to it... What kind of training did Kay give her?! — Rem thought, surprised by the princess's unexpected ability.

Emilia smiled at the group, wiping the dust off her hands.

— My mother asked me to come back. I had a lot of fun today, thank you! — she said with a sparkle in her eyes, her voice full of gratitude.

— I see. We really were here too long. — Mira replied, crossing her arms and giving Emilia a light look.

— Let's train again another day! — Emilia suggested, full of enthusiasm.

— Do you want our team to accompany you? — Mira asked, raising an eyebrow.

— No need, you can rest. — Emilia replied, with a gentle nod.

— Okay, then go back carefully. — Mira said, waving goodbye with a firm wave.

The soldiers began to collect their equipment, while Emilia left with the guards.

— She handled it well, even now that she's surrounded by guards... — Mira said, observing the scene with a careful eye.

Kratos, at her side, also observed the princess, but with a more critical eye.

— That's true. And do you see the one to her right? — he pointed discreetly to one of the guards accompanying Emilia. — He is a well-known guard, one of the most loyal to the royal family. One of those who has acted most in favor of royalty in recent times.

Rem, who was listening attentively, couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

— But you can't deny it, she is an interesting person! — Rem said, with an amused smile.

The scene changed.

— You don't have a home anymore, do you? — the queen exclaimed during the call.

— I'm sorry! I stayed here at the base training with the soldiers and didn't even notice the time — Emilia replied, hurriedly, holding her cell phone.

— Come back soon before your father has a fit! — said the queen, in a serious tone.

— I'm coming back! — Emilia assured before hanging up the cell phone.

The soldiers and guards around watched the princess with surprised expressions. An awkward silence settled in, but it was soon broken by Emilia herself.

— I think he was right... I'm better with weapons, but this one is too small! — she commented, returning the pistol to one of the soldiers.

"She managed to hit even the most distant targets... It only took a few tries for her to get used to it. What kind of training did Kay give her?" — Rem thought, impressed.

— My mother asked me to come back. I had a lot of fun. Thank you! — Emilia said, smiling kindly.

— I understand. We stayed here for a long time — Mira said, looking at the sky. — Shall we train again another day?

— Of course! — Emilia confirmed, still excited.

— Do you want our team to accompany you? — Mira asked.

— No need, you can rest. Thank you anyway! — Emilia replied, gratefully.

— Okay. Go back carefully! — Mira said.

As the princess left with the soldiers.

— She handled that well... Even now, she's walking with guards — Mira commented, watching from a distance.

— That's true. And do you see that one over there, on the right? He's one of the most loyal guards to the royal family. He's acted countless times in favor of royalty — Kratos said, pointing discreetly.

“But you can't deny that she's an interesting person!” Rem added, with a slight smile.

Later, on top of the Mineford wall, the group is keeping watch so that the soldiers can have lunch.

“It's pretty high up here, isn't it?” Kratos commented, looking down.

“True!” Sarah replied, admiring the view. “By the way, have you noticed that we're always falling into the same team?”

“Yes, that's been happening often,” Kratos replied thoughtfully.

— Maybe it's destiny! — Sarah joked, laughing.

— Destiny? — Kratos frowned, thinking.

"Is he serious? I just wanted to make a joke!" — Sarah thought, embarrassed.

— Don't think so much! I was just joking... — she began, but was interrupted.

— I accept. But I didn't think nuns could date — Kratos said, seriously.

— I'm not a nun! — Sarah replied, slightly irritated. — Besides, I'm here in the army killing monsters. Getting married would be the least of my problems!

— But what you're doing is a good thing. Even if the methods are a little brutal, you're saving people. And isn't that what a church does? — Kratos said, sincerely.

Sarah was surprised, but soon laughed.

— "Saving people", huh? I think you're right. But that's not exactly the kind of salvation we do in the church — she replied.

— I'm sure not — Kratos agreed.

"Wait... I focused on the nun's comment, but he said he accepts. Accepts what?" — Sarah thought, confused.

— Leaving that subject for later, let's focus on the mission — Kratos concluded.

Sarah walked away, without saying anything else.

"Did I say something wrong?" — Kratos thought, even more confused.

In another part of the wall...

— Why? Why do I have to be alone with Mira's mother? And she's smiling? She's going to do something!" — thought Thais, watching from the corner.

— It's really high up here, isn't it? I remember when we had to focus on changing shifts to do surveillance all the time! — commented Rem, nostalgic.

— Wasn't it always with cameras and automatic weapons? — asked Thais.

— At the time, they were starting to implement this, but we spent a long time doing everything manually — replied Rem.

— I understand. It used to be more complicated — said Thais.

— Technology really advances. I hope I can learn how to make the tentacles too — commented Rem.

— I'm sure Kay will teach you. He cares a lot about you — said Thais.

— And now he'll care even more about you! — said Rem, with a suggestive smile.

— Yes, but let's not talk about Kay during the mission! — replied Thais, looking away.

— It's okay. I took care of Kay and now he's practically my son. So I hope you become my daughter too, by marrying him! — Rem declared, in a provocative tone.

Thais blushed and looked away, unable to answer.

— Would you let Mira get pregnant first? — Rem continued, amused.

Thais blushed even more.

— Ma'am, let's not talk about that now, okay? All I did with Kay was get a kiss. We didn't even go on dates, and I'm not wearing a ring. So, please, don't talk about children for now! — Thais begged.

— I understand. When you do, then we'll get back to this subject! — Rem said, naturally.

— I'd rather you didn't talk about it anymore... — Thais murmured, still blushing.

— Okay! — Rem replied, with a mischievous smile.

— Can I ask you something? — Thais exclaimed, hesitantly.

— I already told you, in the future you'll be my daughter too, so don't be shy! — Rem replied, smiling.

— How was it with the captain? — Thais asked, curious.

Rem stood there, silent, while Thais watched her, worried.

"I shouldn't have asked that!" — Thais thought, biting her lip.

"Do you want to know how our first night was?" — Rem asked, with a provocative smile.

"That's not it! I wanted to know how you met the captain and how you started dating!" — Thais said, embarrassed, looking away.

"I know, I'm just kidding!" — Rem replied, laughing softly.

"Mira and the captain are so serious... Why is her mother like that?" — Thais thought, confused.

"I met him in the army. At the time, we were just two recruits who didn't even know each other. I think our love was born from my husband's persistence and rivalry! Let's go back in time..." — Rem said, looking at the horizon with a nostalgic smile.

Flashback: the recruits' first days at the army base.