Part 7
“——And that’s so”
By the time Claire finished telling the whole story, the sun was already setting.
As the fire in the fireplace crackles, Alexia takes a sip of her coffee and takes a breath.
“…… I have a rough idea of the situation.”
“Do you believe me?”
“Yes. It may be a crazy story, but they’re connected.”
“Connected?”
“Yes —— Everything is connected. The Shadow Garden, the Diabolos cult, and the events happening at this school. It’s a little hard to believe in ghosts, though.”
“A-Aurora is really here! She’s still sitting next to me laughing!”
Alexia glanced at the empty sofa.
“Let’s put the ghost aside for now.”
“I told you, she’s really here!”
“But the name sounds familiar. The Witch of Calamity, Aurora. The Diabolos cult leader mentioned her.”
“Is the Diabolos cult related to Aurora?”
“I don’t know. I have looked into it, but there is very little documentation of the Witch of Calamity. The only thing I know is that she once brought great calamity.”
“Aurora, have you brought great calamity?”
Claire talks to the ghost next to her.
She seems to be having a conversation.
“Fuhn Fuhn, that’s what it is. Aurora says she was the one who exterminated the pig orcs. She said she was physiologically unable to do it.”
“……I think that’s probably wrong.”
“Is it wrong? Fuhn Fuhn, I see. Aurora says she was the one who scratched doodles on the holy shield Aegis. She didn’t know it was such a famous shield.”
“Absolutely wrong! In the first place, the holy shield Aegis was lost and has yet to be found……”
“I see, is this wrong too? Well, then——”
“——That’s enough of that story for now! Let’s move on to the next topic.”
“But Aurora says there are more tales to tell.”
“Enough, let’s get back to the main issue!”
Alexia clears her throat.
“First, what we need to clarify is the incident that is happening at the school.”
“You’re right.”
Claire made a serious face.
“The mysterious space that Claire is trapped in, but I’ve had similar experiences myself. In the Sanctuary——”
Alexia explained what she had experienced in the sanctuary.
“——That’s definitely a resemblance.”
“There’s a phenomenon going on at the academy that’s very similar to the “Sanctuary”. And Claire fought against the “Dark Smile” or whatever he is called. Probably someone from the Diabolos cult.”
“It was Viscount Jean, Captain of the Third Knights, Fourth Corps.”
“I had expected it, but the Knights have been infiltrated by people from the Diabolos cult. I can’t trust the Knights now.”
“What about Iris-sama? Isn’t it possible to rely on the Crimson Knights?”
“Nee-sama is…… busy right now. Either way, there’s no doubt that the Diabolos cult plotting something by kidnapping the academy’s students.”
“Plotting what?”
“The phenomenon that is very similar to the “Sanctuary” is happening at Midgar Academy. That means it’s not surprising that Devil Diabolos is sealed here, just like in the Sanctuary.”
“Come to think of it, there was a rumor that Diabolos’ right hand was sealed in Midgar Academy…… It’s just a rumor, right?”
Alexia slowly shook her head.
“I can’t say that for certain.”
“Eh, really?”
“There is no proof yet…… But there is a forbidden book in the library that contains the history of the academy. If Diabolos’ right hand is sealed in Midgar Academy, it must be written in it.”
“Can royalty be granted access to the Forbidden Library?”
“It’s going to take a long time to process.”
“Then what are you going to do about it?”
“We’ll just have to sneak in.”
Alexia grinned.
“If they find out, we’re in big trouble.”
“We just have to not be found. We can’t trust the Knights, we can’t trust the teachers —— which means we have to figure it out ourselves.”
“If they find out, they’re going to rescind the job offer.”
“I’ll hire you. I’m used to throwing gold coins.”
“Do you need to throw it?”
“Hierarchy is important, right?”
“Hmm.”
“Anyway, we have to do it. Even at this very moment, the Diabolos cult is operating in the dark and the Shadow Gardens are assembling. If we don’t do something, the number of victims will only continue to increase.”
Hearing Alexia’s story, Claire thought about something with a downcast look on her face. Then she spoke slowly.
“What about leaving it to Shadow Garden?”
Alexia was surprised and speechless for a moment.
“……Shadow Gardens is a mysterious organization. We don’t know why they are at odds with the cult, and we can’t trust them unconditionally.”
“Is that so? I feel like they saved my life in the lawless city.”
“Still …… They are dangerous. If such a powerful force were to be directed against this country, nee-sama’s concerns are reasonable.”
“I see…… But I might understand her. Because Shadow single-handedly overpowered Elizabeth, the Queen of Blood. If the Queen of Blood’s strength is as legend has it, then Shadow is out of the ordinary.”
“I’d like to believe that she was indeed weakened…… If the legend is true, the Kingdom of Midgar will be at Shadow’s mercy for the rest of its existence.”
“One wrong move and he would be a greater threat than the Diabolos cult.”
“Right. Shadow Garden also has an entourage called the Seven Shades. They’re pretty skilled, too. Each one of them is as good as or better than Iris-neesama…… It’s not just about Shadow, their organization is very strong.”
“Come to think of it, Zeta, the beastman, too…… Aurora was unusually wary. She said she couldn’t see her limit.”
“I hope they are on our side too. But…… Right now, I still can’t believe them. They are too dangerous.”
Alexia bit her lip.
“I guess so…… We can only do what we can do. I will cooperate, Alexia.”
“Claire, thank you.”
Claire held her hand, which was engraved with a magic circle.
“Waiting won’t get anything done. I need to know about Aurora, about this magic circle, and also about Shadow …… I need to know. Thank you, Alexia.”
“Eh?”
Alexia was puzzled by the unexpected words.
“Thank you for listening to me. I was worried I couldn’t do anything on my own. It made me feel better because you believed in me.”
“…… Yes.”
“So I understand how Alexia feels. I know how it must feel to be alone.”
“I am not really……”
Alexia’s voice trembled.
Her big sister swung her sword as if possessed by something and stopped looking at Alexia.
Rose left Alexia behind and went far away by herself.
Natsume is not a problem because she doesn’t trust her from the start.
“Let’s do our best together”
Alexia naturally held the hand that Claire held out to her. She felt warmly wrapped in it.
“Claire, thank you.”
“It’s okay. I can keep an eye on you while I’m at it.”
Claire murmured, and then gripped Alexia’s hand tightly.
“Eh?”
“If it eliminates one evil bug, it’s a small price to pay.”
“I-It hurts, Claire.”
“Ara, I’m sorry. A pleasure to work with you, Alexia.”
“M-Me too, Claire.”
Alexia squeezed back and they both laughed.
‘They are similar’, the ghost thought.
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