In total, there were eight people that Elaris asked to join her from the academy. Of course, Enrico was informed, since he had already become her subordinate earlier, and another one summoned was Thalen, an elf who had lived in the Elf Dimension before getting the chance to leave it and enter Astrong.
"As always, you're impressive for noticing me even with my stealth ability."
"I simply have good instincts."
During his years at Astrong Academy, Thalen had unlocked a unique ability that could hide his presence even from people one circle above him. Currently, he was fifth circle, so he could hide well from sixth circles, unless they had some ability to find him, of course.
"Well, the reason I'm here now is because Lord Cavirieth asked me to bring two of us so he can test us and see our level."
"That idiot wasn't thinking of putting you to fight the castle, was he?"
"…he said he would take some experienced guards to fight against us."
"And I did."
Enrico and the three cult members noticed that beside Cavirieth there were two guards tied up and unconscious, while he had an irritating little smile on his face.
"So he really is an idiot. Tell me at least he picked fifth circles."
"He said he would, so I think it's fine."
Thalen didn't sound very confident saying that, especially since the princess herself had warned that Cavirieth was a bit reckless.
"I think—"
"Relax, boy. I really did pick two fifth circles."
The older elf came up behind the two and placed a hand on their shoulders. While Thalen seemed relieved, Enrico immediately became suspicious.
"From what you said, two came, right? Who's the other one?"
"It's me, best human friend."
Grakka appeared right behind Enrico and gave him a strong hug. In a way, Enrico wasn't surprised, since he was sure those two were summoned for being seen as the weakest in Cavirieth's eyes.
"I see. He's testing the weakest of the group to see our level…"
"Weakest? That's cruel."
"I'm not weak, best human friend."
Both Thalen and Grakka were starting to feel down after those words. They had trained so much, and now they were being called that.
"I know you're not weak. In fact, you're quite strong. But do you remember who's part of our group?"
The discouragement immediately left their minds, because he was right. Compared to the others who had come with them, they really were the weakest.
"You're right."
"Even so, I won't fall behind them, best friend."
With the two calmer now, Enrico turned back toward the three cult members. They were undoubtedly dangerous and certainly wanted to eliminate them, but honestly, he had a special plan for this entire cult.
"So, what did you decide?"
"For now, we decided to go back and inform our leader. We will talk to him about a possible alliance with the other princess. If he allows it, we will return to help."
"So that means our temporary alliance ends here."
The three took a guarded stance for a moment before Enrico simply waved his hand in refusal.
"We escaped together, so there's no reason for us to fight now."
Looking at each other, the three agreed with him, especially because they were undoubtedly at a disadvantage in that place. Sicra, as the leader, said goodbye before leaving with Galahard and Lyria. When the half-vampire was about to leave through the door, she felt something being thrown at her and immediately turned to see a black vial falling toward her.
"Better not let it fall."
With some suspicion, she caught the black vial in midair. Her eyes focused on it, and she didn't feel any danger coming from it.
"What is this?"
"You'll know when you open it. And know that, since you noticed his tricks, I can give you a little help if you accept the vial."
With some surprise, she looked at Enrico. It seemed he had noticed that she was pretending to be fully on the cult's side.
'How did you—'
"Miss Lyria, let's go. We need to hurry to arrive within three days."
"Alright, Lady Sicra."
Before leaving, she gave him one last look. She was still suspicious, but if this was for her survival, then she would see what was inside that vial anyway, even if it might be a trap.
Watching Lyria leave, he opened the system to check her stats once again. That half-vampire still had three unknown unique abilities, so he couldn't let such potential slip away, especially if she was now against the cult.
[What do they call that again? Cold and cruel, using an innocent girl—]
'She's not innocent at all.'
[…Damn, I lost that argument.]
With that, he at least now had a good spy to use inside the cult if she accepted joining him. That way, if his plan for the cult failed, he would at least have someone with great potential on his side.
"So you really are one of the princess's allies?"
Cavirieth smoked his cigar calmly, a relaxed expression on his face. He didn't seem the least bit regretful about having let him fight in such a dangerous place, even now knowing he was possibly a friend of Elaris.
'I knew this would happen… at least the plan worked.'
"Yes. Are you regretting it now?"
"Not even a little, hahahaha."
Now he was seriously starting to get irritated by that damn laughter from that strong idiot. Not wanting to talk anymore, he headed toward where his two companions were.
"Even so, it's good that the princess has such absurd companions like you, Enrico."
Stopping halfway, a small smile appeared on Enrico's face. It seemed he had passed Cavirieth's test to be one of Elaris's subordinates.
"And even though you're an idiot, it's good that Elaris has someone so strong watching over her."
Enrico continued walking as the cigar fell from the elf's mouth, his face turning confused at the words of the boy who was much younger and weaker than him.
"Idiot?"