Maria, Leo, and all the girls stared at Roland with murderous intent. They had heard it—every scream, every cry of the souls he had taken with Nocturne. Roland met their gazes with cold indifference until Maria broke the silence.
"So," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "Happy with what you've done?"
"Roland, you've gone too far this time," Leo added firmly, his tone a mix of disappointment and anger.
Roland's expression remained icy. "If you wish to judge me, do it another time. I won't entertain unwarranted criticism now." He turned to head upstairs, but before he could move, Mira stepped in front of him, arms wide and trembling.
"I-I'm sorry, Roland," she stammered, her voice brittle, "but I can't let you go up there. Not unless you hear us out. You'll have to move me by force if you want to rest."
Roland's gaze turned to her, filled with disdain and annoyance. He growled but ultimately relented, stepping back into the meeting room. He dropped into a chair offered by the girls of the brothel, while Maria and Leo seated themselves opposite him.
"We'll keep it short and sweet," Maria began, her stance firm and unyielding. "You are no longer allowed to move alone. No. You're not allowed to move at all."
"And don't think I'll let you off because we're friends," Leo added. "I'll shoot your damn leg if I have to."
Roland's hands clenched into fists. His agitation was palpable. "You two are being absurd. I need to be out there—time is running out."
"We don't care," Maria snapped. "You'll stay here and rest, or we'll make sure you can't leave."
"Are you threatening me, Maria?" Roland's voice dripped with venom, and the air grew heavy with his unleashed bloodlust. While Leo and Maria stood unfazed, the other girls immediately raised their weapons toward Roland.
"Yes, boy. If you have a problem with it," Maria replied coolly. She grabbed Nocturne and thrust its hilt into Roland's hand, pointing the blade at her own chest. "Do it. Kill me. I'd rather die than watch the boy I raised fall so low."
Roland's hand began to tremble. The tension in the room was suffocating. The other girls held their breath, their weapons steady, while Leo, knowing his best friend, waited with calm determination.
Roland's sweat mixed with the rain that clung to him, his breaths audible and ragged. His trembling hand finally dropped the blade, which vanished in a wisp of black smoke. He buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed with shame and exhaustion.
Before he realized it, Maria wrapped him in a warm embrace. The simple act shattered the icy walls around his heart, grounding him as tears silently spilled down his face. Ensis joined the embrace, offering silent comfort.
Though Roland was cursed with a codex of death, the tenere of his soul still had family. Knights are proud, strong, and righteous no matter their origin or vows, but they remain human—capable of hatred, love, and mourning.
Minutes passed before Maria helped Roland to his room, tucking him into bed. His sanity needed healing, and Maria knew how to guide him back from the brink. Before heading upstairs, she nodded at Leo, who nodded back.
Once Maria was gone, Leo adjusted his white suit with golden adornments, pulling his hat low. His left arm, still injured, rested in a cast. He stepped out into the storm, which had eased slightly, and hailed a cab to Brandenburg Gate. The ride took thirty minutes, though it felt much longer.
When Leo arrived, a woman stood waiting at the gates, dressed entirely in pearl white. Her long fur coat shimmered in the dim light, and an umbrella shielded her from the rain along with a fancy hat of the same color. She smiled as Leo approached.
"Oh? Who do we have here? Is that the White Sharpshooter himself?" she purred, her voice laced with teasing amusement.
"I've come to cash in the favor you owe me, Lady of the Light," Leo said flatly, his tone revealing his deep distrust.
"Ah, for your little friend, I assume? The one who bewitched my sister?" Her teasing smile widened.
"I don't care about your sister. I need my friend healed. We're in a war," Leo replied coldly.
A beam of light grazed past his ear. "Careful how you speak of my family, brat. You're lucky I owe you a favor. And… because you're a bit cute."
Leo gritted his teeth. "I'll never understand you women. Roland, where are you when I need a negotiator?"
"Hey! Show some respect!" she shot back.
"I'll show respect when you heal my friend."
"Alright, alright. Sheesh, such a stubborn puppy," she said with a chuckle.
"What did you call me? You know what—forget it. I'm a puppy. Now, heal my friend."
"Wow, you'd throw away your pride for your friend? Such a loyal puppy," she teased, trailing a finger under his chin.
Leo sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Just follow me."
"Of course, lead the way," she said with a playful grin.
Leo grumbled under his breath as they returned to the brothel. Maria intercepted them at the door, and the three engaged in a tense discussion for an hour, waiting until Roland entered a deep, dreamless sleep where even his darkest thoughts couldn't wake him.
After an hour had passed, Leo and the Lady in White entered Roland's room. His tenere floated anxiously around him, visibly distressed. Ensis flew to them with haste, his worry palpable.
"Please tell me you can help him in some way!" Ensis pleaded softly, his small form trembling as the Lady in White gently petted his head.
"Fear not, little one. I can heal the broken mind of your master," she assured him with a warm smile as she sat beside Roland. Placing her hands over his heart and forehead, a radiant white light began to emanate from her palms. "His soul is strong, his heart is pure, but his mind is shattered. I can feel the torment he endures, even in what should be restful sleep. It's as though he battles a demon within himself."
Ensis grew more agitated at her words, his wings fluttering with unease. Hibou, sensing his distress, moved in to calm him and guided him gently out of the room.
"How long will it take for him to heal?" Leo asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and hope.
"If he rests and all of you care for him diligently, combined with the foundation I'll lay, he should be back to full strength within two months," she replied confidently.
"That's sooner than I expected. I didn't know your powers were so… extraordinary," Leo said, exhaling a sigh of relief.
The Lady in White chuckled softly. "You're quite adorable. But don't worry. For the favor you did for me back in France, I'll do everything in my power to help your friend." She smiled at him before closing her eyes in concentration. Her expression turned serious as an ethereal glow began to fill her gaze.
< Skill in Use! >
S - Judgment's Touch:The Lady in White's touch can heal wounds, cleanse curses, and purify corrupted souls and minds. When used offensively, it delivers devastating holy damage, particularly to those harboring darkness or evil.
The entire room was bathed in radiant light, brighter than most could bear. Yet Leo didn't flinch, his unwavering focus on his friend's well-being. He needed to see this through. Despite being known as the White Sharpshooter and often dismissed as a joke among assassins, Leo knew when to let heartfelt actions speak louder than words.
The process took ten minutes. As the light finally dimmed, the Lady in White swayed, her strength drained. Leo quickly moved to catch her before she fell. Her hat tumbled to the floor, revealing a cascade of snow-white hair and striking golden eyes.
She met his gaze with a tired smile. "How thoughtful of you… to help a lady," she teased, her voice soft and laced with exhaustion.
"Are you alright?" Leo asked, his concern shifting from his friend to the woman who had just saved him.
"Yes… I'll be fine," she murmured. "I just need… rest." Her words trailed off as she drifted into sleep.
As Leo laid her carefully on his bed and covered her snugly, a soft glow emanated from a ring on her finger. From it emerged her tenere—a white dove with golden eyes.
"H-Hello, Mr. Leo," the dove stammered nervously. "I-I am the Lady's tenere. M-May I kindly request housing for… u-us?"
Leo chuckled gently and stroked the dove's head, his smile reassuring. "Of course."
Meanwhile, Roland's condition had finally stabilized. His sweat had dried, his trembling ceased, and for the first time in weeks, he was truly at peace.
Leo sighed deeply, his relief almost overwhelming. With the Lady resting safely, he stepped out of the room to allow Roland the quiet he needed. Exhaustion was beginning to take its toll on Leo as well.
Returning to his own quarters, he placed the Lady in White on his bed, tucking her in carefully. Sitting in a chair beside her, he crossed his legs and allowed himself to drift into a much-needed sleep, knowing that, for now, things were finally under control.
I