The conference went on for a few more minutes, tackling the recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the local government in the following days. After that, the police chief concluded the session by thanking Marice's group for their heroism.

As everyone around them gave their applause and cheers, Marice could feel pride welling up within her despite knowing that they were just buttering them up. She thought that what they did wasn't a big deal, but it still felt good all the same.

Once that was finished, they were escorted back to the adjacent AV room where the rest of their friends were waiting. Chief Cuizon and two other high-ranking officers followed suit, prompting the other personnel to leave the room. "I suppose this will be it for now," the police chief said. "Again, thank you for giving us your time."

Feeling a bit light headed, Marice pulled out a chair from the long table and sat down. "Cut the crap. It's not like we could just leave earlier."

"You didn't try threatening to blow up this building," Suzy said, drawing everyone's eyes towards her. "What? It worked for that pink-haired chick."

He blinked, crouching down. "Are you alright? You look pale."

"Do you want something to drink, Marice?" Katherine asked, glancing at the vending machine in the corner of the room.

"Yeah, gimme something sweet."

She ran in front of the machine, scanning its selection. "Oh, they have grape soda!"

"Get me that."

Mariella kneeled next to her daughter. "You looked really uncomfortable throughout the conference. You shouldn't have forced yourself to attend if you still don't feel okay..."

"No, I'm fine."

"You always say that."

She looked at the police chief, receiving her grape soda from Katherine. "What's the plan now?"

He exchanged looks with the lieutenant general standing to his right. "We've decided to defer to Captain Belmonte's judgment for the time being. But as an added precaution, we'll also be monitoring your residence and surrounding area for security."

"So you're just really gonna let us have our way, huh?"

He stood up. "That's all we can do right now, if I'm being honest."

"Liar. What about the other guilds you usually commission?"

"I believe that's out of the question now."

"What do you mean by that? Are you honestly expecting us to do all the heavy-lifting here?"

"Those guilds will never share a single commission out of pride. And believe me, we've tried many times in the past."

"Heh," Liza chimed in, "they just don't want to get overshadowed by you and your mother."

"Or maybe you guys just don't feel like shelling out the cash to pay them," Marice said.

Cuizon blinked. "So you're aware just how much money these clans are asking from us."

"It's basically highway robbery on their part," the lieutenant general said, leaning against the wall. "Their so-called regular rates for high-profile cases can already buy us one of those assault aircraft you folks flew on!"

"Th-That expensive?" Katherine uttered. "But each of those costs around thirty million dollars in its basic configuration!"

"And you can only imagine how much more they'll be able to squeeze out of us for this particular incident. I won't be even surprised if they suddenly ask for a colony on the moon one day!"

The other officer, a brigadier general, scoffed and shook his head. "And it's ironically cheaper to commission them rather than do the job ourselves. As long as we keep depending on them, morale and public trust won't get any better for us."

Marice tipped the soda can at the police general. "But you guys are awfully convinced we can see this through to the end."

Cuizon nodded. "I definitely have high hopes for you and your group."

She took a swig of the grape soda, savoring the fizzy drink. "Where are you even getting that confidence from? You're basically entrusting the reputation of your organization to a bunch of amateurs."

"I don't exactly see what's wrong with that. Passion is what drives people to do better after all."

"No, that's not what I—"

"But we don't venerate heroes just because they command powers beyond the ordinary, do we? A hero commits to the selfless choice of helping those who are in need, and that's exactly what you ladies have demonstrated earlier."

"Heroes? Don't make me laugh."

He nodded to himself, taking a few steps to his left. "And more than that, power without conviction is fickle... unreliable. You are exactly the kind of person that the force needs more than anything else right now."

"Cut it out. Flattery will take you nowhere."

"You really are as stubborn as the rumors go, huh?" He spun on his heels, extending his hand towards her. "Then how about this: didn't you study magic abroad so that you could protect the people you cherish the most?"

"And that somehow counts as being heroic? Everyone has their own family and friends they care about."

"Well, why wouldn't it? Your mother can manipulate time and space, and yet you still weren't satisfied. You chose to part with her just so you could hone your craft and get stronger for her sake. Isn't that selfless enough?"

She averted her eyes, taking another swig. "Hmph, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree then."

He smiled again, glancing at his smartwatch. "Looks like I got carried away. I'm sure we'll have plenty more opportunities to chat in the near future, so I wish you all a good night's rest." He faced Liza. "Captain Belmonte, make sure they get back home to their homes safely."

Liza saluted. "Yes, sir!"

"Well then. If you'll excuse us."

When the three men left the room, Liza fist-pumped. "Ready to go? We still have to fetch Richelle's grandma!"

"I've been meaning to ask," Mariella got on her feet and faced Adrian, "are you sure you don't wanna stay over at our place?"

"I can take care of myself," he replied. "Just make sure Richelle's safe."

"Wouldn't it make more sense if we just stick together instead?" Marice asked. "You're the one they're after."

"Wait, I thought you didn't want any trouble near your mother?"

"That ship sailed when I agreed to show up at that conference. And besides, don't we still have plenty of things to talk about?"

"But aren't you guys living in a condo unit? It's going to feel cramped with all seven of us in there."

Mariella placed a hand on her cheek, tilting her head. "Ah, I get it. Perhaps you're just embarrassed at the thought of living with three... no, four beautiful young ladies!"

"That's not it." He paused, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I need some space of my own."

"If you want space that badly," Marice said as Liza's smartwatch started beeping, "you'll have to rent some of the vacant units there."

"Well, that's the problem. I can't."

She shrugged. "You can't afford to be picky right now."

"Um," Richelle uttered, "but it's for a good reason! He has to take care of his curse or it'll get worse!"

"Curse?"

He sighed, looking at the spider familiar. "I'll explain later. Let's just focus on getting the three of them all settled in first."

Marice finished up her soda and turned to Liza, who had her index finger over her earpiece. "What's up?"

She held up a hand as the back and forth continued for a few more seconds. "Okay, I'll let them know. We're just about to head back too." As she finished up the call, she put on a more serious expression. "Well, something came up back at the station."

"Gimme a break," Marice and Suzy uttered in unison, causing them to exchange looks.

"No, no. Nothing serious or anything like that. There's just this one woman who made a ruckus over there."

Marice blinked. "Ah, good. We have our own problems to take care of."

Liza shook her head and turned to Katherine. "She's the boss of the taho vendor you dropped off at the station. She got really pissed at the girl after seeing her wrecked sidecar."

Katherine gasped. "I promised we'll come back for her! What happened then?"

"The woman happens to be a witch too, so she threatened our guys if they stopped her from dragging the poor girl along with her."

"That's horrible. We should check on her, Marice."

"I get it, I get it." Marice disposed of her soda can and faced Liza. "Mind if you let us borrow one of your mates? You know, just for show."

"Oh, okay. Suzy, tag along with them for a bit."

"Wait," Suzy said, looking up from her smartphone, "why me?"

"Well... uh... because I'm the captain?"

"Ugh, you have to give me more of those fancy Belgian bonbons when I get back, okay?"

"What?! No! There's only half of them left!"

"Then I'll settle with the Swiss chocolate biscuits."

"Absolutely not! If you want chocolate, ask Kath and Marice! I got mine from them, you know?"

She leered at her. "So stingy, but whatever."

With all that settled, Katherine took Marice and Suzy to the skies and made their way back to the port district. According to their intel, the witch and taho vendor lived in a residential complex within Baseco Compound, which was home to a large population of supernatural half-breeds. The barangay was considered to be an ugly blemish marring the picturesque cityscape of the area, attributed to the infamous crime syndicate Liberty operating within its borders. It didn't help that the government had no real plans for the place for decades, further inciting incriminating rumors from outsiders.

So despite its troubled history, it seemed like everyone just accepted the place for what it was.

In any case, the trio landed in front of the complex, causing nearby people to flock towards them. Some of them immediately recognized them, mumbling among themselves. Katherine was about to ask them when several young men cut through the small crowd, sizing them up.

"So the runaway princess of the Lorenzo clan graces us with her presence."