The Goddess's Resolve and the Devil's Guard
The emerald eyes of the fifth princess Kimelia Shane Bernies narrowed as she scanned the report one final time.
Bright golden hair inherited from her father and the emerald gaze of her mother. Her appearance was so similar to her sister Emilia that it was almost uncanny, yet her temperament was the exact opposite.
To prove her frustration, she crumpled the document in her fist and hurled it against the wall with a sharp crack.
"Your Highness, this violates the proper etiquette. Please remain calm," her aide said softly.
"Calm? Look at me right now! Damn it... ugh—"
Kimelia had almost shouted the curse but managed to take a deep breath instead, forcing her emotions under control.
The crumpled report detailed that Orle Crucio had been arrested.
It was no ordinary theft. He had stolen a sacred relic from the Ketel Order and, far worse, framed an academy student for the crime.
Even if Ketel Order did not investigate, the stain on Orle Crucio's reputation in the Empire would be unbearable. A thief, a desecrator of the divine, and one who trampled on a soldier's honor—such a man was the lowest of the low.
Whether he lived or died was irrelevant to Kimelia. The real issue was that his father was one of the pillars of her faction.
Unable to contain her anger, she gritted her teeth and delivered the order in a low, clipped voice.
"Count Crucio is to be removed from social and official circles. He is to remain in seclusion at his residence for one year."
"If the count resigns..."
"Then Prince Endo will keep pressing him relentlessly. Better for his influence to be torn apart than for the count to cling on."
"... Understood."
Kimelia's words were coarse from the heat of her rage, yet her judgment was ice-cold. She listed the useful members of the Crucio faction on a separate sheet.
"Arrest every single one of these men. If you cannot manage it with your current ability, report directly to me. I will handle it myself."
"We will accomplish Your Highness's command by any means necessary."
The aide bowed and left with the list tucked away.
Kimelia's heart still churned with unease. She punched the cushion beside the sofa until her knuckles ached.
"Haa... haa... You idiot. Throwing your life away over one woman? Sesloff."
The moment she called his name, the shadow at the edge of the room stirred. Sesloff stepped out, dropped to one knee.
"Investigate the academy."
"As you command."
Sesloff bowed deeply and rose, but Kimelia added one more order.
"And investigate my cunning little sister as well. She is the kind of person who would never insert herself into something so delicious."
"Yes. I will also investigate the sixth princess."
Once he vanished into the shadows, Kimelia finally relaxed. She lifted her teacup, took a slow sip, and allowed a sly smile to curl at her lips.
"Even Serios and others are the same, huh, Emilia. You keep harvesting other people's children without ever growing your own. In the end, the one who suffers will be you."
* * *
"How impressive. You pulled it off so flamboyantly."
Rai, who had been away tending to his forces, returned and immediately fixed Rai with a glare.
"Hm? What is it?"
"You thought you wouldn't get caught, didn't you?"
Rai tried to wave it off, but Rai spoke as if he already knew everything.
"Even if no trace is left behind, people remain. Why drag in so many academy students? Did you think the secret would stay hidden? A young kid, drunk on his own courage, might brag about it. If he was properly questioned, he might even spill information."
"I thought you were going to break into Ketel Order and teach them a lesson, but it turns out you were already teaching them a lesson."
Rai shrugged, amused.
"Everyone wanted to be saved, so..."
"So you chose the most dangerous way possible?"
"When it comes to getting caught, we become shields for each other. And all their parents are outstanding—dukes, counts, ministers. Would they not protect their children with everything they have?"
Rai laughed playfully. Rai's expression tightened.
If he had actually thought that far, the problem would have been smoothed over when it arose.
The academy students had acted to protect a comrade who could not stand injustice.
The method was flawed, but the cause was noble. And they had left the results behind as well.
Ketel Order could not protest loudly; in fact, they might even beg for forgiveness.
"And..."
Rai leaned in close, flashing a charming smile.
"A top-tier detective was away from her faction, so she assumed she would not get caught."
"... ..."
At the words "your faction," Rai stared at him for a long moment before looking away.
'He really is weak to praise.'
Rai chuckled again. The moment Rai looked back, he returned to his usual expression.
"Do not do it like that again. If you are going to act, report it to me first."
"Yes! Understood!"
Rai wanted to punch him for the attitude, but he held back and turned away.
"I am going to visit Zeroa, who just came out of his cell after an experience in the punishment ward. Will you come with me?"
"I did nothing. I have no right to claim credit like you guys who worked hard."
"That is just a welcome greeting. What gives you the right to talk like that?"
Rai's sarcastic laugh made Rai's steps slow to a halt.
Seeing his back, Rai prepared to chase, expecting rage. But the words that followed were not what he expected.
"You always receive help from me."
"This time it was for Zeroa."
"I am just a temporary instructor. Saving an innocent academy student and eradicating the Empire's plague is cause enough for gratitude."
"Pathetic."
Rai shook his head in disbelief at the words of a temporary instructor offering gratitude.
* * *
Orle Crucio, who had committed a grave sin, was imprisoned in a heavily guarded military barracks.
The only source of light was a thin beam of sunlight filtering through the iron door. His entire body was shackled by heavy chains bolted to the wall, leaving him barely able to move.
Staring blankly, he was muttering Aria's name when the door creaked open and the figure of Aria appeared.
The vividness of the hallucination made it impossible to tell whether it was real or not. Orle stared at her in a daze.
In the darkness, the girl holding a small candle was breathtaking.
"Ah... Aria... my Aria..."
"You are not mine."
Aria spoke firmly, her face unchanged by emotion. She glanced briefly at the waiting Therla behind her, then turned her gaze back to Orle.
"Why did you torment Zeroa's squad?"
"Is it not obvious? My goddess! You who should belong only to me were dirtied by those filthy hands! I must bring divine punishment upon that lowly worm on behalf of Your Compassion!"
Orle thrashed wildly, the chains scraping loudly against the stone walls, but Aria continued to speak in that beautiful, emotionless voice.
"Zeroa is my friend. And... who are you?"
"Your companion, Orle! Orle Crucio! I am the only one in the Empire—or in the world—who could stand beside you! How could you not know that!"
"No. I do not know."
At Aria's words, Orle froze.
"You never spoke to me. You never approached me. I did not know you."
"T-that is impossible. I gave you a return gift, and as the representative of the third-year class, I always watched only you. You looked at me multiple times, did you not? How could I not feel the look of affection in your eyes? How could I not know! Do not lie!"
None of the things Orle had done had ever brought him directly close to Aria.
Aria looked down at the man who now harbored nothing but hatred with pity in her eyes.
"Why do you look at me that way?"
"Because you are my Aria. The night goddess descended. Cold yet containing all the world's beauty in your eyes, your lips that are beyond compare. Everything was born for me, Orle Crucio."
Behind him, Therla clenched her fists until her knuckles whitened at the madman's words.
After listening in silence, Aria let out a tiny sigh.
"Everyone is the same, it seems. I really am nothing but a pretty face."
"Ah, miss, that is not true—"
Therla began desperately listing a hundred of Aria's virtues, but Aria shook her head and continued to watch Orle.
"I am not a goddess. I am not yours."
"... ..."
"I am Aria Shane Briqueville. And you harassed the friend who first approached me."
Orle lowered his head and let out a mocking laugh.
"Kekek, that filthy commoner? If you did not have this beautiful appearance, that filthy thing would never have approached you. He is the same kind of scum. Do not treat him special. Every night he is probably masturbating while thinking of you!"
"You bastard..."
Therla stepped forward, but Aria raised a hand to stop her.
"Indeed. If I had not had this appearance, I would never have received such overwhelming attention. I consider it a curse, yet at the same time a blessing."
Aria took one step closer until the candle flame lit both their faces.
"If my appearance had been ugly, perhaps Zeroa would never have approached me. But he did not see only my looks. He knew my shortcomings and saw me as myself. Have you ever looked at me and seen something other than my appearance?"
"... ..."
"I believe coming to the academy was the greatest fortune. Not only Zeroa, but also Cesset, Instructor Rai, Philia... so many friends. People who see me as me, including my appearance."
Orle stared blankly at the happy smile on Aria's face.
It was the first time he had ever seen such happiness on her usually cold expression.
Soon, however, her eyes filled with sorrow as she looked down at him.
"I am a selfish person. I want happiness. Therefore, I will never forgive anyone who touches my friends. Orle. I will never forgive you."
Aria rose without waiting for an answer. Her beautiful breath extinguished the candle flame. The heavy iron door slammed shut, leaving Orle alone in the darkness.
Perhaps the prison guard was relieved that he had finally fallen silent.
Aria joined the other academy students outside the cell and walked toward the escort unit.
"Prude, you are late."
Rai was lounging carelessly on a stone wall and waved at her.
Countless people waited before the escort unit.
The academy students who had helped infiltrate Ketel Order, students who knew nothing of the infiltration but were close to Zeroa, and everyone Zeroa had built relationships with over the years—all of them were there, anxiously awaiting his return.
The guards at the entrance sensed the atmosphere and smiled faintly, opening the gate as if welcoming a VIP.
The heavy door slowly swung open. The once-athletic Zeroa emerged, thinner and weaker.
At first his expression was listless, but when he saw the crowd waiting, his eyes widened and tears welled up.
Before Aria could step forward, before Kara or his parents could rush over, someone else moved first.
"Senior Zeroa!"
Tears streaming down her face, Mia threw herself into his arms.
"Senior! I'm so glad! I'm so glad..."
"Thank you."
Zeroa was startled when she hugged him, but he soon smiled and stroked her head.
"... ..."
Aria, who had been about to step toward him, stopped dead. She stared at the scene before her in confusion.
The first emotion she had ever felt when seeing Mia embrace him made her freeze.
Only Therla and Rai had witnessed it. Everyone else was simply welcoming Zeroa.
"Oppa, are you hurt anywhere?"
"You look healthier than I expected."
"I suffered so much to get you out. I'll pay you back in a hundred books."
"I worked hard."
Zeroa smiled and chatted with the crowd. Aria stared at his face and at the girl still clinging to him, then turned and walked away on her own.
Her heart raced and her chest felt tight.
She had worried that he was ill, but she could not understand why she was running away.
Rai looked at Aria and Therla chasing after her, then at Zeroa laughing in the middle of the crowd with a look of pity.
"His road is still long."
* * *
"The latest incident has been resolved."
Elin returned to the empty alley after leaving Rai, resting her chin on her hand and striking a dramatic pose.
"Being called 'detective' so often is exhausting."
After nodding and basking in her own ego, Elin turned.
"So, Abigail, what business do you have with me?"
Elin had barely finished speaking when Abigail stepped out from behind a wall.
Seeing Abigail's wary eyes, Elin smiled brightly.
"No need to worry about my fangs. I am, after all, a detective."
Abigail watched her silently, then handed over a piece of paper.
"Do not take the request."
"Hmm, as you know from Rai, I am rather expensive."
Elin read the contents and Abigail tossed a Golem core at her.
"A Golem core excavated from ancient ruins."
"It is an antique that does not even need verification. Its price is between 150 and 200 gold."
Elin juggled the expensive Golem core in her palm as if it were a toy, glancing between the paper and the core before laughing.
"But it is still far below my value."
"... ..."
Though she had said it was expensive, the words left Abigail curious.
"Still, since you are Rai's disciple, I will offer a discount and even owe you a favor. Debts to detectives are important, after all."
"... ... Will you accept the request?"
"Yes. I will investigate it for you."
Elin nodded and tucked the paper into her pocket.
"So, when should I start the investigation?"
"What difference does it make?"
"Investigating old events always creates problems with the client. A truth they do not want to hear may come out, or the ugly side of someone they trusted may be revealed."
Abigail's cute appearance contrasted sharply with the chill Elin's innocent smile now carried.
"Many people receive curses even for thorough investigation. They believe that justice is something that belongs to their side. From a third party's perspective, both sides have arguments, but whose side they take determines whether the truth is distorted or rejected."
Elin continued to toy with the 150-gold Golem core, grinning.
"From whose viewpoint shall I investigate? Among the people listed here?"
"... ... Linda... no, from my own viewpoint."
Abigail chose after deep thought.
Seeing Abigail make the worst possible choice, Elin nodded.
"You will be investigating from an extremely narrow perspective, after all."
"... ..."
"The request is accepted. Monthly progress reports will be sent by post."
With Abigail still silent, Elin left the alley.
* * *
"Zeroa!"
Mia did not even wait for him to speak. She threw herself into his arms, tears still flowing.
"Senior! You are safe!"
Her voice trembled with relief. Zeroa hugged her back, his face softening.
"I am fine... really fine."
Behind them, Aria stopped walking.
She had come to meet him, but seeing Mia in his arms made her feet freeze in place.
Her chest tightened. She turned away without a word and kept walking.
Therla followed, expression unreadable.
Rai watched the entire scene with a knowing smile.
"Still a long way to go."