It was early in the evening when the silver-haired witch was seated on a bench at Hargeon square. Most would likely think it was insane for a wanted criminal to sit there in a public space like that, but it was necessary. Esperia had her reasons for doing this, and she could only hope that her letter would be read and taken into consideration.

How long had it been since she last saw her? Almost a year? The question idly lingered in Esperia's mind as the vampire girl swung her legs back and forth underneath the bench, looking more like a carefree teenager rather than the Disaster the government had made her out to be.

She needed to make sure, to find out if Alisa was still the same, the same noble soul she had always admired. She had heard rumors, and the lack of action from Blue Pegasus was concerning, but in the end it might had all been a misunderstanding. Perhaps she would be able to understand it all after they talked.

"Valerie... Hasani, I hope once all of this is over I will be able to keep my promise and bring you both a peaceful and happy future as a family."

But for now all she could do was wait.

Esperia's eyes slowly gazed upwards as she saw the sculptress arrive, the sight briefly earning a smile from the silver-haired lass who waved a hand lightly at her. "Psst~ Over here Ali~"

Esperia chimed softly, making sure she had gotten noticed by Alisa after which she patted the spot on the bench beside her. "Don't worry, I picked this time of the night so that there won't be anyone to worry about. After all it would be troubling for you if you were seen conversing with me."

She smiled kindly, her legs still swaying lightly back and forth as she hummed softly. "Guilty of tax evasion by keeping pirate treasury to myself, well I actually invested it in an orphanage in Rush Valley rather than giving it back to the government... Assaulting troublemakers with a frying pan, which I only did to scare them away after they were harassing merchants. And finally guilty of public indecency by handholding with a pretty werewolf lady in a public park in Hosenka."

She paused for a bit and soon smiled sheepishly at her mentor. "I'm afraid I'm guilty of the last crime." She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "The government sure must have a lot of money to waste if they put such a high bounty on a little lewdling like me."

She turned toward Alisa, inquiring with curiosity in her voice. "No need to remain alert, I don't plan to resist, but will you at least hear me out first?"

Esperia couldn't help but smile weakly at the remark spoken by Alisa. It was true that her appearance had changed remarkably ever since the incident. "Mhmm, I'm not sure how I look anymore. In all honesty: I did try to look in a mirror to ensure I'm presentable, but I don't have any reflection. But I swear I only been feeding on my girlfriend and donated blood bags! And even then I try to keep it to a minimal."

As if to explain her words she pulled out a small carton box that had a straw attached to it. A small magic seal could be seen on the lid of the box, seemingly to keep it sealed. "Uguu... to hear you say that doesn't make me happy."

It was fortunate that Alisa at least was willing to hear her out, the words that followed earning a playful giggle from Esperia. "Indeed! I bet they are simply jealous of the fact Priscilla only awoohs for me!"

Still, Esperia's smile wavered slightly as Alisa started to express her opinion on her former pupil's choices. She thought carefully on the matter, nodding her head lightly.

"I agree, slavery shouldn't be condoned, nor the tolerance for evil." It was true, despite the fact that the Sentinel Syndicate was the closest in terms of accomplishing what she desired, it went about it the wrong way.

"But at the very least they tried to contain that evil, keep it to a minimum. Just take a look at the situation within Fiore Ali: The Rune Knights, the very people who are supposed to protect the peace within the kingdom are suffering from corruption within. People abusing their power and authority and there is none who is trying to stop them."

She paused for a bit, her smile fading away entirely as she continued. "What about the light guilds? Where was Blue Pegasus when Penumbral Guard got annihilated, or Fairy Tail got massacred. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming you for I experienced first-hand that we can't protect or save everyone. You're the Guild Master of Blue Pegasus, the people of Hargeon rely on you, but what about the people beyond the city? What about those that are outside your circle of loved ones?"

She went quiet for a moment, and if Alisa looked closely she would notice a thin trail of blood leaking down from the corner of Esperia's eyes. "When the Eternal Nightmare conquered Fia's hometown without any resistance I felt something... a sadness that I couldn't ignore. Even as others turn a blind eye toward the festering evil of such people, I couldn't... I wouldn't."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I want to protect those dear to me, to help those that rely on me. But at the same time I can't remain ignorant to those who are too weak to help themselves. Whether it's corrupt Rune Knights harassing people or dark guilds running amock, someone has to remind them that evil has no place here. They should be terrified of getting noticed, rather than being able to run around without anyone trying to oppose them"

Esperia shook her head as she continued. "I believe with my departure from the syndicate it will be dissolving afterwards. But it doesn't change the fact that the threat of the darkness is still there, right?" She opened her eyes and looked right into Alisa's own expression. "After I get judged for my crimes, well as long as they don't try to chop off my head... I want to try to put a stop to this... to this era where the darkness festers and evil is able to act unrestrained. I will hunt them down, but by myself I am not strong enough to stop them all."

And then it came: "Ali, will you please help me put an end to this evil? I know that raiding Eternal Nightmare will put you and the people of Blue Pegasus at risk, just like it would do the same to me but surely you're not willing to let them continue this either, right?"

She raised a finger to her own lips and smiled weakly at her. "At the very least my bounty should be a nice incentive to help you arm your guild for the task. Last I checked the wanted posters got over 3 million, but the portrait didn't do me justice, and the title was lackluster~"

It was difficult for her to hear those words from Alisa. Was she worse than the corrupt knights, merely because of her association with the Sentinel Syndicate? She wasn't sure, but considering her respect for Alisa it were words she took into consideration. However, when Alisa mentioned about the news reaching them too late, the question of whether she would be willing to go on a quest for vengeance, or rather consider protecting her home and loved ones with all her might made Esperia ponder quietly about it.

It made her think about Valerie and Hasani, her desire to protect them, to build a future with her new family was strong, yet was it enough for her to allow evil to continue their actions?

"It's true, because Hargeon is constantly protected evil doesn't dare to come here. But what about those beyond Hargeon? Unless we were to find a means to protect each and every region there will be innocent people suffering.

Esperia raised a hand to her cheek, thinking carefully on the matter. While it was true that she had been blinded by her desire for revenge, she also cared too much about the common people to allow her quest to make them suffer.

"Hmm, to hunt down their leaders... It's true that if I were to do that, the lack of leadership would cause them to become dormant."

Esperia paused for a bit, pondering for a few. "Then again, Fiore is big, and yet at the same time there are a collective of guilds who claim they fight for the greater good. If they were to band together and only hunt the evil within their territory, then wouldn't that make them able to defend their home at the same time? But that requires intensive collaboration between guilds."

Esperia smiled weakly at Alisa's words, the mentioning of judges making her smile weakly. "I hope you can at least lend me a defense attorney, considering that I doubt the syndicate will like the fact that I'm abandoning them."

Esperia blinked in bewilderment as Alisa conjured a pair of crystaline chains, making Esperia sigh softly as she rose onto her feet, presenting both her hands to the sculptress. "I had my suspicions, but I didn't know you were into bondage Ali~" Esperia chimed with a teasing poke of her tongue while at the same time she pulled out a small ball of bandages, wrapping them around her left prostethic as she explained further. "My left arm nullifies magic, but it needs to make contact for that, so by wrapping those bandages your chains should be able to remain."

Having given her explanation as Alisa started to handcuff her, the silver-haired vampire mused softly. "P-Please be gentle Ali~" Esperia spoke in a soft voice filled with faux bashfullness as the chains connected her hands in front of her like handcuffs and soon she was being escorted toward the nearest Rune Knight station.

She could only hope that her plan would work. After all, way too much of it relied on other people, and after she was handed over to the Rune Knights, who seemed genuinely surprised at the fact Alisa had brought in a Disaster who willingly surrendered without signs of a struggle. Despite the concern that lingered in the back of her mind Esperia tried her best to smile playfully, giving Alisa a final choice of words of parting.

"Tell the others I said hi~"

---
Surrendered herself