What an irritating voice.
As the figure gradually came into view, Kallen's expression darkened.
She had never met this girl, much less heard her voice. What annoyed her was simply the words themselves, along with the faintly mocking tone in which they were delivered.
Anyone would be upset at being described as some loose woman on their first meeting.
"Can't you just talk like a normal person?!"
"Was anything I said wrong?"
The girl spread her hands, looking somewhat confused, and said in an innocent tone:
"I heard from my lord that you're his dog, and that you volunteered, too. So shouldn't you stick your butt up and wag your tail like one?"
"Tch!"
The girl's words had hit Kallen where it hurt.
Being his dog was, frankly, a matter of sacrificing herself in exchange for peace in the Island Nation.
But that would at least have to wait until Ask fulfilled his promise.
Kallen couldn't be bothered to argue with the girl any further and simply dropped the pointless subject.
"So, why did he send you here?"
"Hmm? Haven't you already learned about Geass?"
"Huh?"
She had. Not long ago, when Ask told her Zero's true identity, she had learned about Geass, a power that defied all reason.
There had been little excitement, only a wave of lingering fear.
It was hard to imagine that Zero possessed the power to force others to obey him, and that she had once served in his personal guard, practically within arm's reach.
For a while, it had made her doubt herself, wondering whether Zero had controlled her mind.
Or...
Whether Ask had.
But on second thought, if she were being controlled, she probably wouldn't have been able to wonder, Am I being controlled by Geass?
Seeing Kallen's confusion, the girl made no