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- Now let's talk about the victims of Gluttony," Kiritaka began with difficulty. He wasn't sure how to bite the topic.
When the fighting had ceased and the town had calmed down, it was found that people were found unconscious in various parts of Priestella, whom no one knew. By their attire and where they were found, one could only tell that someone was a resident or belonged to the guard. That was the only thing.
- All because of our ignorance. If we had more information, maybe this wouldn't have happened," Subaru muttered.
First of all, we thought there was only one Gluttony! Shit!
One of the casualties from the skirmish with the Archbishop of Gluttony was sitting in a Turkish chair right next to Anastasia. Subaru looked at Ricardo.
- Hey, what's that waving? - said the animal, noticing his sullen look. - I got hit, but I'm alive. I must say it's a miracle, for it ended only in one gutter! - he waved the stump of his arm that ended on the elbow. The wound was still fresh. Unfortunately, it was not possible to find what had been cut off by Gluttony. In such a situation, healing magic couldn't help.
That's Ricardo. He was injured defending a comrade and what's more, he can't even remember who he protected.
Subaru looked at the knight beside him and his heart squeezed.
- I would like to talk about something important," he said loudly. - Does anyone know the name of the man sitting next to me?
Silence answered him. Everyone understood why the question was being asked and tried to recall something about the young man. Unfortunately, their efforts were futile.
- No one? Really? - Subaru wouldn't let it go. - Someone must remember something...
- That's enough. That's enough.
The handsome knight smiled sadly and shook his head.
I knew he would, especially after what happened before the evacuation point when Emilia and Beatrice didn't recognize him. Still, I thought he should come here anyway, to show himself to everyone... I hoped that maybe someone remembered him after all... After all, there's no denying that Julius' case is special.
The heavy, painful silence left no illusions.
- He is different from the other victims of the Gluttony," Subaru said, pointing at the knight. He clenched his teeth and looked around at those gathered. - This is Julius. Julius Juukulius. I think everyone has already guessed that Gluttony has devoured his Name. Only that he was the only one who did not lose consciousness.
So far they had dealt with two cases. Crusch didn't remember who she was, and Rem fell asleep and was forgotten. The victims in Priestella belonged to the latter type. Except for Julius.
- Is this young man an exception? Everyone has forgotten who he is, but he himself remembers... - said Ferris in surprise. He stared at the enchanter. - Is he somehow connected to us?
- Probably - said Reinhard. - It seems that he... that Julius is a knight and a very talented one at that. Surely we both knew him well. Or maybe he was even our friend?
- I certainly thought so of you," he replied honestly.
Ferris and Reinhard grinned.
It would be bad to expect them to be happy... It's hard for them. Julius certainly understands that... Although it must be hard for him anyway. I don't know how they met, how they became friends, but I know that they once had an extremely close relationship. Now there's not the slightest trace of it left.
- Damn it! - Subaru cried out.
When he realized that Rem had been forgotten by everyone, he experienced it tremendously. He was convinced that it was impossible to suffer more. Julius, however, found himself in an even worse situation. Everyone had forgotten about him, abandoned him, and he was aware of that.
We won't compare who suffers more... We can't. It's impossible. Although, there's no doubt that this kid is screwed.
- It seems he was more than just your friend," Anastasia said. The Kararagi candidate looked at all three of them with gentle eyes. Stroking her white fox fur, she glanced at Ricardo. - After all, it was Mr. Julius who brought the badly injured Ricardo to us, and then immediately disappeared. Now we know why.
The sovereign to whom he vowed his sword looked at him as if he were a stranger. The knight could not bear it.
- Lady Anastasia... - he choked out in a trembling, affectionate voice.
Anastasia sighed.
- I have a proposition. May I? - she said aloud, clearly intending to get back to the point of the conversation.
- A proposal? - Kiritaka repeated. - What is it you want to propose to us?
- Victims of Lust and Gluttony... This serious problem affects us all, doesn't it? We don't know where the perpetrators are and we don't know how we could find out anything about them. We are in a quandary.
- Come on... - Ferris made a bitter face.
- Does that mean you have an idea? - Emilia interjected.
Anastasia shrugged her shoulders.
- As it happens, I do. Well... The Archbishops won't tell us anything, but maybe someone else does.
- That someone would have to be very well informed.
- Yes. The best in the whole kingdom.
- Impossible... - whispered someone present in a hoarse voice.
Only Subaru knew what Anastasia might have in mind.
Who else would know how to deal with Authority? Who else but...
- Hey, we don't understand! Speak more clearly. - Felt pressed her lips together and looked threateningly at Anastasia.
- Sorry, sorry. - Hoshin smiled bitterly. - Sage Shaula.
- What? - Felt crooked her head, curtly.
Subaru had the exact same reaction. He furrowed his brows.
- "Once upon a time," Julius spoke up, "in the Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica, there lived Three Great Heroes. The Sword Saint, the Divine Dragon and the Sage.
- Three Great Heroes?
- Yes. One of them is the Sage Shaula, "the one who sees and knows everything" - Julius finished.
Anastasia smiled softly.
- The Sage resides in the Pleiades Tower among the Dunes of Augria, at the very edge of the kingdom," Anastasia added, looking around at those present. - There she has taken refuge from the world. Perhaps she knows the answers to our questions?
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