Chapter 29: Returnees Do Not Return (1)
Dawn, the capital Naflansee.
The balcony of the Orléans family villa.
“……That's enough.”
Iris waved her hand. A question flickered in the eyes of the servant holding the teapot. The elegant teacup placed beside Abel. She withdrew the spout of the teapot that had been tilting towards it.
“This guest dislikes tea. Because he is a man who knows no refinement.”
Iris said, putting a Parejo cigar to her lips.
“So you may be dismissed. I'm sorry for this early in the morning.”
“Not at all, Your Highness.”
I will prepare breakfast shortly, and.
The servant withdrew after whispering in a demure tone. The sound of receding footsteps. Iris stirred the inside of the teacup with a teaspoon. The black tea rippled, shining warmly.
“The real Felix Christian is somewhere else, and an imposter is employed as a professor……”
Iris picked up the teacup.
“It's interesting, but it's not crucial information.”
“Were you hoping for a stroke of luck?”
Abel asked with an indifferent expression.
“There are limits to intelligence gathering. Haven't you always experienced it.”
“I've experienced it countless times, and I became a duke because I hated it. I'm tired of praying in the face of disaster.”
Was there no information on the cursed artifact?
At such a question from Iris,
“……There was none.”
Abel replied, his expression clouding over.
See. You're the same.
Whispering so, Iris smiled.
“We have witnessed too many deaths, and that is why we come to hope for a stroke of luck. I will thoroughly investigate the appointment process of Felix Christian. Although CIAR is a very eventful place, an adult's deviation is no match for a child's mischief.”
“You must have been involved in the operation of CIAR as a chairperson.”
Abel let out a faint sigh.
“Is it always like that. The institutions that nurture children.”
“What are you trying to ask?”
“……I wonder.”
Abel's touch reached the empty teacup. He stroked the rim of the teacup with his index finger and continued.
“I think the location of CIAR itself is wrong. Because it's using a whole floating island. It seemed to be obsessed with symbolism rather than safety.”
Cia-Harphe Academy is the best educational institution in the Holy Numeros Empire. The reason it is located in the skies of the capital must be to show off its fame. When the most dangerous area in Naflansee is none other than the sky. While the city streets are protected by countless soldiers, and even the slums are within the sphere of influence of a defensive spell, only the floating island was an exception.
“Children are the tools of adults.”
Iris said, with a teacup held to her lips.
“The students of CIAR are also like that. The achievements of those children make the chairpersons' names shine. They sponsor them solely for that purpose.”
The chessboard of adults who hold young ones and confront each other.
That was Cia-Harphe Academy.
“And what about the professors. They stay by the students' side, feigning to be reliable adults, but in the end, they just end up treating the young ones as tools.”
Weighing the gravity of their talent and classifying their lineage,
and presenting trials that are difficult to solve. If they endure it, they are given a high grade, and if they cannot endure it, they are given a low grade.
As if picking out ripe fruit.
Like that……, endlessly……, and.
Iris's words trailed off.
“The White Night Ball has decided to help me. With this, the safety on the ground is self-evident. What's left is CIAR……”
A piece of paper scattered on the table.
Iris picked it up.
The information Abel had viewed through the magic device was scribbled on it. Abel had focused on organizing the public order of the capital in a large circle. The traffic information of Naflansee, the search status of the apostates, and the heinous criminals who had been arrested. The conclusion that could be drawn from this was clear.
“The sky is……, being misunderstood as a place that is too harmless.”
“I agree.”
It would be a good day for a thunderbolt to strike.
Muttering so, Abel looked up at the sky. Amidst the disgustingly cloudy sky, the floating island gliding under the dark clouds was faint. A place where transportation was limited, the search for apostates was insufficient, and the arrest of heinous criminals was particularly lazy. CIAR was being misinterpreted as a place that was too safe.
As with all educational institutions.
“It won't be different from our expectations, Abel.”
Ting, and.
The sound of a teaspoon hitting a teacup.
“The remnants of the 2nd Prince, or the group made up of apostates, are surely……”
“Planning to invade the capital through CIAR.”
Abel stood up from his seat.
The smell of rain steeped in the autumn wind was unusual. It was time to return to CIAR. And so, just as he was about to stand up straight on the iron fence,
“You really like jumping off, don't you. Do you have a desire for suicide by throwing yourself off?”
Iris shrugged her shoulders.
“Please don't land in the flower garden. It's a place the gardener has diligently tended to.”
And also……, and.
Iris added, brushing back her purple hair.
“I have to concentrate on defending the capital. It's a situation where it's awkward to leave my post. You'll have to take care of CIAR by yourself. Please capture the commander alive if possible. There are many things to interrogate him about. Will you be alright?”
“Are you worried about me.”
“That can't be.”
Iris took a deep drag on her cigar.
She shook her head, puffing out a thick smoke.
“You would survive even if the entire floating island exploded. But others are an exception. I'm worried about everyone except you.”
“You don't have to.”
Kill those who deserve to be killed, and save those who deserve to be saved.
It was what he had always done.
How many to kill, and how many to save. He didn't know enough to measure that. In the first place, the specific invasion method was also unclear, and it was an uncertain situation as to how much military force would be mobilized.
That was also familiar. All disasters only become clear after they have been calmed.
If there was one thing he could assert……,
“I won't survive alone.”
After whispering curtly, Abel stood on his toes.
Kkyaaaak! The sharp scream of the gardener echoed. Iris let out a sigh. It seems he landed in a bad spot. Muttering so, she looked down into her teacup. A face rippling in the fragrant black tea. She met the sparkling light pink eyes.
‘I should go see Stanzi.’
Because that child will be in a lot of pain.
Iris thought, with acrid smoke in her mouth.
The burning cigar was plunged into the teacup. As if crushing the face that had been in it.
* * *
Noon, Cia-Harphe Academy.
The janitor's break room near the training ground.
‘What is……, this?’
Monika tilted her head.
Green strands, wrapping around the surface of her prosthetic arm. It looked like a fresh vine stalk. When she had released her Aura during her morning training, something like this had come out.
‘It's sharp.’
Tuk, and.
When she touched the stalk of grass with her index finger, a drop of blood formed.
If so, it must be Aura for sure……,
‘Where did Teacher Abel go?’
Monika had no teacher to ask for an explanation.
She hadn't seen Abel since last night. According to Fabien, he would be away until Monday morning. He said it was due to urgent business. Monika took off the towel on her head and dispersed her Aura. She looked down at her feet, with a breath soaked in sweat.
──Woof!
A small dog was wagging its tail.
Was its name Marx, or was it Kant.
It seemed an agreement on the name had not been reached.
“Shall we have lunch together, animal friend?”
Monika whispered, holding out her index finger to the dog.
Keueung, and. The small dog, twisting its body as if pleased.
- No, Monika. Kant needs to lose weight. Look at that belly. Anyone would think she's a pregnant female.
- Marx is just too smart. That's why he's like that. It's because he went around acting cute and getting snacks.
- Trisha, I think I've said this about six hundred million times, but that dog's name is Kant.
- Well, Melisha. A racist name like that seems more fitting for your runaway dad.
- Watch your mouth! The only people who can curse that bastard are me and my mom.
- G, guys……. You shouldn't fight…….
- Oh dear, Sasha is acting all nice again.
- We're not fighting though.
- Was I mistaken? I'm sorry…….
Monika smiled faintly. The janitors of her age, Trisha, Melisha, and Sasha, were busy preparing lunch. During her time as a janitor, she had never had a conversation with them, but after entering CIAR, she had gotten along well with them.
And so, it was comfortable. The conversations among the students of CIAR were unfamiliar. The place was also the same. Though there were neat rest facilities everywhere, to Monika, the desolate janitor's break room felt cozy.
“Guys, Mr. Fabien packed me a lunch……”
Monika placed a thick basket on the table.
Inside the basket was a diligently prepared formal meal. From appetizer to dessert. A note with instructions on how to eat was attached to each sealed container.
“I don't think I can eat all of this by myself. Do you want to eat together?”
At the moment Monika asked with a careful expression,
“This place is truly shabby.”
A clear voice was heard.
The janitors of her age held their breath. A girl standing with her back to the entrance of the break room. It was none other than Fleur de Saint-Pierre. Fleur wore a gentle smile and adjusted her flower crown.
“There's mold everywhere, and the dust on the furniture is thick. You'll get sick if you eat in a place like this.”
“──You!”
Monika kicked her chair and stood up.
Why did that damned bitch come here? Before she could even reconsider such a question, her voice came out.
“Hello, Monika. It's a good holiday.”
Fleur bent her knees and greeted.
She walked on, unconcerned by Monika's mood.
- Ah, hello! Young lady Saint-Pierre…….
- What are you doing, Trisha! Put that duster away!
- I know, so lower your voice!
The janitors of her age, bowing to Fleur. Fleur waved her hand with a gentle expression.
“You don't have to be polite, you all. We're all the same age, and we've met before. The difference in status doesn't matter. You are my friends. Trisha, Melisha, Sasha.”
Fleur pointed to each of the janitors.
“See. I even remember your names.”
You're full of shit.
Monika thought, sitting back down in her chair. She turned her head away and ignored Fleur. That child is the young lady of the marquis's family that destroyed her hometown. Even if Fleur had no involvement in what had happened in Sarrifis, there was nothing she could do about the resentment that stirred and the rage that made her tremble.
“Monika is also my friend.”
Fleur sat down facing the table.
“We're classmates, right?”
“I suppose so.”
Has the flower crown on her head taken root in her brain?
That's why her mind must be a flower garden.
Monika couldn't predict Fleur's inner thoughts. A friend. Don't make me laugh. The reason she had brazenly revealed her family's misdeeds was probably to find out if she knew, and at the same time, to prevent her from reporting it…….
‘I definitely agreed back then…….’
That I have no intention of getting revenge,
and so, I asked her not to approach me.
‘Did I have to grovel desperately.’
A hollow feeling was tinged in Monika's breath.
Maybe it didn't seem sincere. The authority to judge that was with Fleur. The difference in status doesn't matter? What nonsense. While it's just hypocrisy bestowed based on the superiority of class.
‘I know everything.’
Monika understood it to the bone. The power that Fleur possessed as a noble. If she misspoke even once, her head would fly. Even though she knew, she couldn't stand it. The welling displeasure. No, she was desperately holding it in.
Her desire for revenge.
Because that is a delusion.
Something that is of no help in living.
“I came to see you, Monika.”
Fleur said, her blue eyes shining.
“I was worried you might be skipping your meals. You're practicing swordsmanship whenever you have free time. Your practice method is too self-destructive. So I prepared some sandwiches. To eat with you all.”
A small basket was placed on the table.
“They might not taste good. I'm not used to cooking. But I used the best ingredients, and put my heart into it.”
“W, well thank you. But what to do about this.”
Monika gestured with her chin at the food Fabien had prepared.
“I'm eating my meals well. Because I have a golem. So please put away your sandwiches. How about you eat them alone in a sunny place?”
“No.”
Fleur said in a soft tone.
“I want to eat with you. What I made will be more delicious than what the golem made.”
“You said you weren't confident in the taste earlier.”
“I was just being polite. Are you a little tempted now?”
“Not at all. Why don't you try stuffing it into my mouth by force.”
Monika snorted and opened a sealed container. She ate a spoonful of apple soup for all to see. Fleur just watched Monika with her lips pursed.
- Um……, thank you, Lady Fleur. For preparing the food yourself…….
- Is Monika crazy and wants to die? Can she talk to a noble like that?
- See, Sasha. A real fight is like that. Trisha and I have a different atmosphere.
The janitors of her age, whispering from a distance.
Monika pretended not to hear and continued her meal. But all her nerves were on edge towards Fleur. Without even knowing what she was putting into her mouth, she suspected the intentions of Fleur, who was sitting demurely across from her.
‘What on earth is that bitch…….’
For what purpose did she come here.
She couldn't have come just to have a meal together.
“Monika.”
Fleur said, opening the basket containing the sandwiches.
“We need to become a little closer.”
The sandwich held in Fleur's hand.
The ingredients were fresh, but the shape was clumsy.
“I'm saying this for your sake. It's hard to adjust to CIAR alone with a commoner status. And above all, it's lonely. I have a loud voice within the Department of Theology, and my academic grades are also at the top. If you're by my side, you won't be lonely, and you'll be able to prevent troublesome squabbles. And also……”
Fleur looked down at her feet.
There was a dog with only bones left. The female dog that Fleur had resurrected. Fleur smiled brightly and patted the dog's head.
“This child's name is Lisian. I've decided so.”
The flower placed between Lisian's bone fragments swayed.
Lisianthus. A crop with the flower language of unchanging love.
“She wants to run to her husband, but Lisian is being cautious. Isn't it sad? See, by your side too……”
Monika looked under the table.
A small dog met her gaze, letting out a pained sound.
“He's like that because of you.”
What's that male dog's name?
Hearing such a question from Fleur……,
- Kant.
- I said Marx.
- Guys, please, let's just agree on one now…….
The janitors' argument began again.
Monika let out a sigh. As she was, she reached out her hand and patted the small dog's bottom. It's okay to go ahead. In the sense of staying by its partner's side.
“The name of this little animal friend is……”
……Thunder.
From now on, it's Thunderstorm.
At the same moment Monika muttered so,
──Woof?
Thunderstorm tilted its head.
- Crazy. Just call it Marx.
- I'm speechless. Monika must have been struck by lightning in the head.
- Pfft!
Why are they like that? Isn't it cool? It's the name of Inspector Sok's wolfdog…….
Monika pouted her lips.
Keueung, Thunderstorm, who had been making a sound, approached Lisian. Thunderstorm, wagging its tail while licking its partner's bone joints. Lisian's glint of light narrowed as if pleased.
“Monika, you're not good at naming.”
Fleur mumbled on her sandwich.
“But it's okay. I'll teach you from now on. The words that suit a lady.”
“Don't get me wrong. I have no intention of getting close to you at all. I just felt sorry for Thunderstorm.”
“It will probably be unfortunate. The rest of the life of a puppy named Thunderstorm……”
Let her prattle on.
Monika bit her lower lip.
“But guys, for some reason today……, don't you think something amazing is going to happen?”
Fleur rummaged through her basket.
“It's been a while since the weather was this cloudy. From long ago, dark clouds were said to be a symbol of misfortune. They say it's the afterimage of the God of Fate's sigh.”
“What are you trying to say.”
“I don't know either. Do you think every word has to have a theme, Monika? I just want to have a normal conversation.”
With you, that is.
Muttering so, Fleur picked up a glass thermos. She opened the cupboard of the janitor's break room and picked out a porcelain mug. She filled it with coffee and savored the aroma. Monika stared at Fleur with her eyes narrowed.
“Accidents never cease at CIAR.”
Fleur smiled, holding the mug.
“It can't be helped. The best educational institution in the empire, you see. It doesn't simply mean that wealth, honor, and a career path after graduation are guaranteed. You can't overlook the political aspect. That's why CIAR is a more dangerous place than you think.”
An apostate even appeared a while ago.
Professor Argento's predecessor, Vincent Tremblay, I mean.
Whispering so, Fleur swallowed her coffee.
“Come to think of it, that was just a small commotion. Much bigger things have happened, and will happen in the future.”
For example……, and.
Fleur, who had been dragging out her words,
“I really don't know?”
At the moment she shrugged her shoulders with a bright expression,
──Kwaang!
A loud roar, and with it, the shaking earth.
Monika's eyes shot open. She stood up as if leaping from her seat and looked around. The wooden cupboard, fluttering and pouring out plates. The cleaning tools that had been leaning against the wall collapsed. Soon, a sharp cry from outside assaulted her,
- Wh, what was that? That sound just now……
- ……An earthquake?
- You idiot, what earthquake on a floating island!
The janitors of her age, murmuring while hugging each other.
“I was right, wasn't I? I told you CIAR is a dangerous place.”
Fleur lifted Lisian in her arms.
“Take the dog, Monika. We have to go to the shelter.”
“Fleur de Saint-Pierre, you……”
Monika held Thunderstorm in her arms. Then she hardened her expression, glaring at Fleur.
“You came here knowing something like this would happen?”
“What are you talking about?”
Fleur tilted her head.
──Kwaang!
Again, a pouring roar. The janitors of her age crouched down and let out a scream. Monika put strength into her lower body. Maintaining her posture amidst the shaking ground, she looked up at the ceiling that was stirring as if it would collapse.
“I just came to have a meal with you all.”
Fleur's voice, lingering by such a Monika's ear.
“But you don't have to worry.”
Really.
Trust me, Monika.
Whispering so, Fleur turned her back on Monika.
“I will protect you.”
.
.
.
<──This is.>
Heok, heok…….
Monika ran, panting for breath.
The crowd that had poured out from all sides was tangled together. While the faculty members were getting into formation and guiding them to the shelter, the several layers of barriers surrounding the floating island were revealing a translucent form. It was completely cut off from the outside, unlike usual.
<A war for the sake of war. A tribute to all the fallen soldiers who have been concealed in the name of peace.>
Beyond the barrier was a group of airships.
They were different from the route airships. Those were warships. The steel cannon barrels that had poked their muzzles out from the gaps in the sturdy hulls. They were all aimed at the floating island without exception. The reason why the surroundings had shaken must have been because the cannonballs had collided with the barrier. Monika understood so.
<We are not hoping for victory.>
That was all she could understand.
Her mind, expanded with her ragged breath, was full of questions.
<We are also not afraid of defeat, nor do we wish to become heroes. We just wish for the continuation of the war.>
First, a voice amplified through a spell.
This voice, which was giving a speech indifferently, was Felix Christian's. But it was different from usual. Not the voice of a hearty old professor, but the dry voice of a soldier was orating.
And above all, it felt young.
Like the voice of a young man, not an old man.
<Annihilate us.>
And also, the three or four professors visible beyond her shaking vision.
A group of students gathered by their side, armed with swords, spears, and magic staves. While her fellow students who were bleeding were being carried away, Monika discovered the face of a boy she knew well.
Felix Christian's personal disciple, Dante Marchisio.
<Hate us, and remember us.>
This is, what…….
Monika stopped powerlessly.
Her eyelids, wet with a chill, trembled. She extended her prosthetic arm and pressed down on her heaving chest. Her lips, which were trembling from letting out her breath. No, it's different. She was just mumbling, unable to find the words. Finally, she managed to ask a ridiculous question through her throat.
“Dante……, senior?”
Is that really you?
<Take up your weapons. Hold the cast in your mouths, and clasp your hands in prayer. And so, kill us. Cut off our necks, burn our flesh, and then drive a stake into our insolent hearts.>
Dante's two eyes, tilting towards Monika.
His third eye was also the same. A gelatinous body was covering the right half of Dante's body. A giant eyeball, swollen in the center. It focused its pupil, staring at Monika.
What on earth is that? Monika thought, dazed. A spirit? A monster? It seemed to have flowed out from the sword held in Dante's right hand. That sword must be the weapon that Felix had passed down, and the blade, which had just looked worn, was now steeped in a thick blood.
“Moni……, ka?”
Dante's voice fumbled in the empty air.
<We are your adversaries.>
──Everyone, step back! Go to the shelter now!
The professors shouted to the surroundings. While they roughly waved their arms to control the students, they maintained their wariness towards Dante with strength in their stance. But they were also whispering in a bewildered tone.
- What is that? A forbidden spell? It seems that child's body has become one with a monster.
- I don't know. It seems to have calmed down for now, but……, until just a moment ago, he was swinging his sword wildly.
- That child is Dante Marchisio of the Department of Swordsmanship. Felix Christian's personal disciple.
- Professor Christian? That man is definitely…….
- Yes. He is the owner of the voice that is reciting the speech right now.
The professors exchanged glances. Though they didn't know exactly what had happened, they seemed to have confirmed that Dante had been used by Felix. The problem was what came next. Should they capture that boy alive? Based on ethics, they should. But if it was a type of symptom that was not only incurable, but also contagious, then…….
<And so, I declare to the God of War.>
……War, and.
Dante's lips opened listlessly.
“A war……, has broken out……?”
A breath mixed with a hollow question.
While it scattered powerlessly,
<……We are the war.>
Dante's right arm, rising straight up.
The blade at its end. Not a single grain of light could pass through.
“……I'm scared.”
──Seureung!
Dante's body moved sharply.
As if his right arm were caught by a demon.
As if swept away by a dance stained with malice.
“S, save me……”
Please.
I'm scared.
Save me.
……Teacher.