Fiona Elizabeth, the Archdemon of Calamity, had fought and slain countless knights in her time. She had reduced holy cities to rubble, shattered armies, and left trails of destruction in her wake.
And yet—none of those experiences had prepared her for this.
"…Jeannie?"
Lily's voice was soft, uncertain. She was still clinging to Fiona, looking up at her expectantly.
Fiona stared back, unblinking.
She needed to say something.
This wasn't a battlefield. She couldn't just glare her opponent into submission or unleash an infernal spell like she did before.
This was… different.
She cleared her throat, forcing her lips into what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "…Yes. It's me."
Lily gasped, then smiled—a radiant, relieved smile. "You're really okay!" She squeezed Fiona tighter before pulling away, her eyes shining with happy tears. "I was so scared…"
Fiona hesitated.
She had spent years basking in the fear of her enemies, reveling in their terror and despair. She knew how to break people, how to bring them to their knees.
But comforting someone? That was… new.
Still, she had to keep up the act.
She reached out stiffly, placing an awkward hand on Lily's head. "I… I'm alright," she said, her voice lower than Jeannie's usual warm tone. "You don't have to worry anymore."
Lily sniffled, nodding vigorously.
Fiona sighed inwardly. That had been far too close.
'This is going to be a problem,' she thought grimly.
She had taken this body to destroy Vernetia from within. That had been the plan. But now, she had to play the role of Jeannie Leonhartt, the kingdom's noble knight—someone who was beloved, respected, and above all, trusted.
If she acted too different, people would notice.
And if they noticed, they would become suspicious.
She couldn't afford that. Not yet.
The door creaked open again, and Fiona turned, bracing herself.
A knight stood at the doorway, a woman clad in polished silver armor with a stern expression. Her sharp, dark eyes scanned the room, immediately locking onto Fiona.
Marianne Devereaux.
One of Jeannie's closest comrades and a veteran knight of Solmaria. A strict, no-nonsense woman who had fought alongside Jeannie for years. And one of the worst possible people to fool.
Marianne's expression softened only slightly when she saw Fiona sitting up. "…You're awake."
It wasn't a question.
Fiona nodded slowly. "Yes."
Marianne took a step forward, arms crossed over her chest. "How do you feel?"
'Like I'm trapped in a human's fragile body and forced to play a ridiculous role.',
"I feel… sore," Fiona said instead, letting out a breath. "But I'll be fine."
Marianne gave a curt nod. "You collapsed on the battlefield. We had to bring you back while the others secured the area." Her gaze flickered, scrutinizing Fiona closely. "You've been unconscious for four days."
Four days?
Fiona kept her expression neutral, but internally, she was reeling. Her soul takeover had knocked her out for that long? That was dangerous—if she had been too weak to resist, Jeannie's soul could have fought back, and she would fail.
Marianne continued watching her.
"Do you remember what happened?"
Fiona hesitated. She needed to be careful with her response. Too much detail might raise questions. Too little might make it seem like she had something to hide.
"I… remember fighting," she said slowly, feigning a slight frown. "The Archdemon. She was strong."
Marianne's jaw tensed. "Yes."
"I thought I had the upper hand, but…" Fiona trailed off, shaking her head. "She overpowered me in the end."
Lily was surprised. Marianne, however, narrowed her eyes. "You were found alive, despite going one-on-one with the Archdemon. No one would expected that."
Fiona clenched her fists under the blanket, forcing herself to remain calm. "I don't know why I survived," she lied smoothly. "Maybe she was kinder than we thought. I don't know."
Marianne's expression didn't change.
Fiona hated that.
It meant the knight wasn't fully convinced.
A knock at the door interrupted them. A young knight poked his head in. "Miss Marianne. The Captain is requesting her presence."
Marianne exhaled. "Understood." She turned back to Fiona. "Rest. You'll be called for debriefing soon."
Then she was gone.
Fiona waited several seconds before sighing in relief.
That woman was going to be a problem.
By the next morning, Fiona was able to walk again.
Her body ached, but compared to the pain she had endured as a demon, it was nothing.What bothered her was how many people were watching her.
Everywhere she went—whether it was the barracks, the training fields, or even the mess hall—there were eyes on her. Knights whispered, some with admiration, others with doubt.
" Jeannie is a monster for surviving that…"
"She doesn't seem like herself, though."
"She must've seen something terrible."
Fiona kept her expression neutral, walking as confidently as Jeannie would.
But every second, every gaze, made her itch. She was used to fear, to hatred. This suffocating concern and reverence? It was foreign.
She needed time to think. To decide her next move.
That night, Fiona found herself stuck with Lily again.
The girl had insisted on eating dinner together, just like old times.
Fiona had barely taken two bites before Lily began talking excitedly about Jeannie's past—her training, her childhood, her dreams of protecting the innocent.
Fiona listened in silence, an uncomfortable knot forming in her stomach.
She had taken many lives. Innocent ones, guilty ones—it never mattered to her before.
But now?
Sitting across from someone who genuinely loved this person she had stolen…It felt unsual.
"…Jeannie?" Lily's voice was soft.
Fiona blinked, realizing she had gone silent for too long. "What?"
Lily hesitated. "…You're really okay, right?"
Fiona swallowed. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Lily fidgeted. "You just seem… different from before."
Fiona froze.
'Damn it.'
She forced a smile, reaching out to pat Lily's head—something she had seen siblings do before. "I'm just tired. That's all."
Lily giggled, nodding. "Then sleep early! I'll see you tomorrow!"
Fiona gave a stiff nod as Lily ran off.
As soon as she was alone, she exhaled sharply.
This was getting dangerous.
She had planned to destroy Vernetia from the inside.
But the longer she stayed, the harder it became to ignore the weight of this life.
And worst of all?
She wasn't sure if she still wanted revenge.