#025
Magi lingered in the hotel lobby long after those words, but her expression showed no hint of unfinished business. So Catherine sent her off first.
"Go on in, Magi."
"……Yeah. See you soon."
Sadly, it didn't seem like they'd have the chance to meet again.
After parting with Magi, Catherine headed straight back to the mansion. Time slipped away endlessly as she stared at her mother's portrait tucked between the books. It looked like reuniting with her mother would be impossible after all.
If I were Mother, what would I be doing right now?
She couldn't be certain, but she could make a reasonable guess.
"……If you lack the courage to die, there's nothing you can do."
Unveiling the true nature of the underground magic circle.
Catherine left her bedroom. She unlocked the tightly sealed door to the basement and descended the stairs beneath it. The familiar chill hung in the air. But unlike before, a faint tension laced her careful steps down the stone staircase.
Crunch, crunch.
The sound of that blood-soaked floor from yesterday echoed relentlessly in her mind.
Catherine deliberately stared once more at the warehouse door she'd left wide open before heading further down.
Creeeak.
Pushing open the old wooden door revealed the familiar red glow of the magic circle, reciting its usual line.
"Those who possess me shall dominate the world."
"Hm."
The tension that had sharpened at that corny line eased a bit.
"Alright, let's get started."
Catherine set down the wooden bucket of soapy water and the lantern in the corner. Then she soaked the brand-new, stiff mop in the suds.
After that, it was simple: scrub until something happened to the magic circle.
She channeled all her built-up strength, pushing the mop with everything she had. Surprisingly, the red lines that seemed impossible to erase began to fade.
"I really can wipe it away?"
Damn. Regret washed over her. If she was just going to die without finding any trace of her mother anyway, she should've cleaned it up properly and enjoyed a peaceful life!
"Huh?"
That was a highly agitated shout.
Catherine blinked blankly before slowly backing away from the magic circle.
It was definitely a voice from the magic circle. She'd known it could speak—through that clichéd line—but she hadn't expected actual conversation.
Red pen! It has to be redrawn with a red pen. You lunatic, go get a red pen right now!
"What the hell are you?"
Of course, Catherine had zero intention of indulging the magic circle's demand. Instead of going upstairs for a red pen, she gripped the mop, ready to keep scrubbing if needed, using it to threaten the circle.
"What kind of magic circle attracts all these shady things to my house?"
No response came.
Its sneaky behavior felt almost human, which was oddly disconcerting.
"Aha. So you're clamming up now?"
Even people crack under torture—would a magic circle be any different? With a mindset of seeing how far this could go, she resumed mopping.
If she wasn't imagining it, the voice sounded even more desperate.
Help! Master, this crazy woman's erasing me! Help!
"Think yelling will make him come?"
Half in disbelief, she put more force into her mop-wielding arm.
Creeeak.
But as the saying goes, "never say never." A presence stirred from the half-closed wooden door.
"I could've sworn I gave you the key……."
The voice that followed was one she'd grown all too familiar with.
"What kind of protest is this? If you have grievances, come find me directly."
Chezare stood over the magic circle, his expression leisurely. Catherine felt her heartbeat thundering louder.
In the past, she might've snapped, "You again?" But now, she felt like prey facing a predator.
"I know, so shut it."
Chezare strode forward with his long legs. He bent down, scrutinizing the spot Catherine had been vigorously mopping.
"As expected. I wondered why it wouldn't erase no matter what I tried before. A powerful Magic Nullification constitution that wipes out magic circles too? That's new."
"I wasn't specifically trying to erase it."
Well, just now she had been, to mess with it.
Chezare glanced up at her face and straightened.
"So, what's your grievance this time?"
"No grievances."
After a brief hesitation, Catherine added more. Once again, it was the mindset of "if I'm dying anyway, might as well say my piece."
"I was just observing out of curiosity about what this magic circle does."
"Observing? Anyone can see that's cleaning."
"If it didn't want to be erased, it would've answered my questions. I asked what it was."
Chezare shook his head slowly, his face saying, Of course.
Looking up at him, Catherine felt a strange calm settle deep in her chest. His attitude toward her didn't feel outright cold.
In fact, his face seemed much gentler than yesterday.
Maybe now he'll answer kindly.
Catherine decided to ask the question burning in her mind.
"Chezare."
"Speak."
"When do you plan to kill me?"
"……Kill?"
Chezare furrowed his brow as he repeated the word. Surprised by the reaction, Catherine rephrased.
"If not kill me, then feed me to that demon yesterday?"
The man's agonized screams as he was dragged underground lingered too vividly for her to consider it painless.
"Whichever, just make it hurt less. We did live together for a bit."
Catherine looked up at him with what she hoped was an earnest expression. If death was inevitable, at least spare her the pain.
Chezare gazed at her with somewhat dissatisfied eyes.
"What nonsense is this……."
Tsk. A short tongue-click escaped him.
"Isn't sparing you from death an option?"
"Didn't you threaten to kill me?"
"What are you talking about? I've never declared I'd kill Miss Panya."
Absurd. Never declared? Catherine racked her brain, replaying yesterday's conversation.
'Are you going to kill me?'
'Probably.'
It was ambiguous, but clearly implied he might kill her.
……But if, even faintly, he harbored any intent to let her live.
It wasn't even worth agonizing over.
"Spare me."
She tossed the mop aside and knelt before Chezare. If begging could buy her time, she'd beg a thousand times.
And she had good reason: so much left undone.
She hadn't even properly enjoyed her freedom outside Orleans. Cleaning the mansion and dealing with weirdos had been endless toil.
And if possible, she wanted to see her mother's face once more. Catherine was convinced her mother was alive. Dying like this would leave her regretting it for a century, even in hell.
Chezare let out an inscrutable chuckle.
"Quick to switch tactics. Weren't you just begging not to die painfully?"
Since he was right, Catherine could only look sheepish.
"How about standing first? My neck hurts."
She sprang up without hesitation. Kneeling on the filthy, wet floor had been gross enough.
"This place is too gloomy. Let's go somewhere brighter."
Brighter? For bargaining her life with a demon, wasn't a dark, damp basement more fitting?
"Endure it. I've cleaned up the area yesterday and today, so it'll be quiet for a while."
Chezare's eyes glowed purple.
⟨ Remor ⟩
Catherine ducked her head, pretending not to notice his gaze. His words about "cleaning up the area" felt like they included her, sending chills down her spine.
"Miss Catherine."
But she had to look up at his call.
Somehow, the dim surroundings had filled with light. The drab walls and floor were now endlessly lined with luxurious paintings and carpets.
"Welcome. Allow me to show you to the drawing room."
The man greeting her so suddenly was Chezare's butler, Glenn. It seemed they'd teleported to Chezare's mansion in the blink of an eye. No longer surprised, she casually followed Glenn.
"Where's Chezare?"
"He stopped by his study and will join shortly."
Busy guy. It was touching that he'd made time amid his schedule to deliberate her fate.
"Oh dear, you should've called ahead!"
"Good thing we always have herbal tea ready just in case. Peppermint today."
The maids bustled in with bright smiles, set a lavish tea service before her, and vanished.
Chirp chirp. Birdsong from the open window sounded like music.
"Hm."
The atmosphere was too peacefully mismatched. But she couldn't very well grab the oblivious Glenn and beg him to persuade his master.
How do I convince him?
He was a demon, not human—and a mighty one who commanded other demons. Could she really get the answer she wanted from such a being?
Soon, Chezare entered the drawing room.
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes."
"Figures. You'd eat even if the sky fell."
True, but it still stung.
"Is eating properly a problem?"
"Never said it was."
"Your tone implies it is."
Chezare shrugged and settled on the opposite sofa.
"Fine. If it bothers you, I'll watch it."
She was the desperate one—had she pushed too hard? Regretting it, Catherine brightened her furrowed expression.
"No, I like it. Keep going."
Chezare breezily ignored her earnestness.
"Enough. To business, Miss Panya."
Finally, the topic of her life or death.
"Fulfill my one demand, and I won't harm you."
"What demand?"
"Keep silent about the magic circle and my existence."
Absurdly easy, right? But before Catherine could agree, Chezare continued in a subdued tone.
"For reference, I don't trust human oaths that weaken under time or pressure."
"……Then what do you want?"
"That's up to you."
He meant no mere words or paid promises. She had to earn his trust without those crutches.
How? Within her knowledge, only one option remained.
"……Don't tell me you want a contract with me?"
She laughed in disbelief even as she said it.