Chapter 172
"～～～～♪"
"............"
Clael and Reina walked arm in arm through the academy building.
Reina was humming cheerfully, while Clael wore a sour expression of discomfort.
The building was nearly deserted.
Except for the vigilante group formed by Eric and the others, most students had gone home or were studying from home by noon.
Even so, it wasn't completely devoid of people.
Occasionally, a student would pass by and stare in shock at Clael and Reina walking arm in arm.
"Hey, is that..."
"Yeah, that's Mr. Byrne and the Saint, right?"
"So the rumors were true after all..."
"Tch..."
Female students in particular were whispering among themselves.
Meanwhile, the male students clicked their tongues as if to say, "Just explode already."
"Reina..."
"No."
Apparently, it was a no.
The right arm Reina had taken held fast and wouldn't budge.
Enveloped in soft curves, a blissful sensation traveled from his elbow to his brain.
Clael was a healthy man, still in his twenties.
Feeling a shameful desire toward his own daughter, Reina, he was overwhelmed with guilt.
(Ugh... Why is this happening... Is this really necessary?)
Reina's steps were noticeably slower. Time seemed to stretch out.
Not even allowed to suggest letting go of her arm, Clael was dragged along like a calf to the slaughter.
Eventually, the two stepped outside the building and arrived at the schoolyard.
"This is..."
"The place, Sir Clael."
Led by the arm, they arrived at a corner of the schoolyard where cherry trees were planted.
The ground was gouged out from battle, and the landscaping was in ruins.
At the center of the destruction lay a withered cherry tree, toppled over.
"'This is where the Death-Summoning Cherry Tree used to be. Looks like quite the battle took place here.'"
"Yes, it seems Prince Eric defeated the ghost that was here... But it looks like our work isn't done yet. Take a look."
"That... is it the ghost's remains?"
Reina pointed to the base of the cherry tree.
When Clael squinted, he spotted a faint black mist coalescing on the ground.
It appeared to be a remnant of the vengeful spirit that Eric hadn't fully exorcised.
It was now so weak it was barely visible unless one paid attention. It was understandable that Eric and the others, not being priests, had overlooked it.
Though harmless now, given time, it would likely regain strength and become active again.
"To start, let's clean up what His Highness left behind. I'll purify it using Holy Arts..."
"Reina, please step back."
"Huh?"
"I'll handle the purification. Leave it to me."
Clael stepped in front of Reina.
Reina looked surprised, but without giving her a chance to object, he gathered the magic within him and activated Holy Arts.
"'Purification'"
'～～～～～～'
Enveloped in white light, the lingering malice vanished.
A faint sound, like a sob, was heard... but it quickly dissolved into the air.
"...May your soul rest in peace."
Clael narrowed his eyes sadly and offered a prayer.
The vanished spirit... was small and so fragile—it had taken the form of a human fetus.
Most likely, it was the soul of the baby carried by the female student once buried beneath the cherry tree.
Even if it had become undead, Clael hadn't wanted Reina to strike down such a pitiful soul.
"Come, let's go. This should be enough here."
"............"
When Clael, having finished his task, called out, Reina silently stepped closer.
"Hup."
"Reina?"
She bumped her forehead lightly against Clael's chest.
Then... wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.
"...That's exactly it."
"Reina? Is something wrong?"
"No, it's nothing. Let's go."
Reina immediately let go and looked up at him with a gentle smile.
"Next is the library. Now, right this way..."
Reina once again linked her arm with Clael's.
Turning their backs to the withered cherry tree, she pulled him toward the school building.