Chapter 171
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Resembles Someone from the Past
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Resembles someone from the past.
If one saw a man and woman prostrating themselves before an orb, slamming their foreheads against the ground until blood trickled down...
Someone unaware of the circumstances might call it laughable.
But seeing their expressions, no one could brush off this pathetic sight with a chuckle.
-Truly an amusing and intriguing joke. Using such substantial sacrifices and time, yet no data, and not even certain of the reason for the loss?
At the calm male voice emanating from the orb, the two trembled violently.
"Th-that..."
-'Perhaps' the Saintess or the Church's doing? Clumsy black mages spouting such vague nonsense. Nematos's prestige has plummeted to the abyss's depths.
"..."
The ruler who had dominated from high above since before Ismay and Bernstein were even born into the world.
His voice held no rise or fall, yet the atmosphere it created was as razor-sharp as a blade's edge.
The results were pathetic even in their own eyes—what excuse could they possibly offer?
They bit their lips until droplets of blood splattered the floor, merely awaiting the punishment that would end their agony.
-It's been ages since these dullards left this body speechless... Shall I turn you into toads and feed your entrails and muscles to wild dogs to gnaw to bits? Or toss your bodies to the test subjects as whores and toys?
"Whatever punishment you decree, we shall accept it gladly..."
Dr-r-rattle—
As Ismay's plea reached him, the orb shook as if on the verge of shattering.
The overwhelming mana rippled through, strong enough to affect the distant connected artifact—terror in its purest form.
-Trying to wrap it up comfortably with mere punishment without even handling the aftermath? Truly insolent fools. If you crave an easy death, prove your devotion to Nematos by sacrificing your worthless lives.
"This wretched body shall know no mercy! We will surely... uncover the reason and retrieve even fragments of intelligence!"
The orb, bucking wildly side to side amid the mana frenzy, stopped dead—
A voice dripping with utter contempt and disdain issued the verdict.
Brainless idiots devoid of comprehension or intellect... Investigation comes second. Above all, the Mendes Pentagram lunatics must never uncover the nature of the artificial flesh lump. Etch that into your minds first and clean up the mess.
"We shall keep it in mind...!!"
Ziiiing—
As the orb fell silent, Ismay rose, grinding her teeth and summoning mana.
From the bubbling, boiling floor, a blackened hand surged up and clamped around Bernstein's throat.
Crack.
Unable to resist the black hand's brute force, Bernstein flailed in midair.
"Urk—!"
Top-down reprimands were practically the signature culture of the Empire's vast majority of organizations, light or shadow.
Ismay wiped the blood trickling from her lips with her sleeve and glared at Bernstein.
"Did you at least do what you were told properly?"
"Guh... I-I definitely brought skilled escorts along...!"
Of course, she knew from reviewing the roster headed to the capital. She just needed an outlet for her boiling frustration.
She never imagined the Saintess would return to the capital at that precise moment.
The most unforeseeable part was Leo's speed of corruption.
Even the trap's architect found the shift dizzying, her head pounding.
Maybe Leo had been a demon born erroneously human all along.
She'd scrambled countermeasures upon the contract's reaction, but put to words, it was a resounding flop.
Everything was in shambles.
Thud crash—!
"Cough... Hack!"
Hurled from midair, Bernstein rolled across the floor, clutching his neck bruised with deep handprints, coughing incessantly as he crawled.
"Hmph! With the Saintess, Mazella or whatever... that brute bitch."
The Church holy knight Mazella's prowess outstripped the assigned escorts, sure.
But she wasn't so overwhelmingly dominant or lightning-quick as to annihilate them without a single report.
Dragging the Saintess baggage meant inevitably prioritizing her safety over combat, curtailing any speed advantage.
'Did that wench power up that much after one outing? The Saintess getting healthy is impossible... No, this absolutely can't be...'
The record-keeping black mages trained over half a lifetime—even concealment made them veterans.
For them to get wiped out without activating a single emergency artifact?
Unable to envision the incident's start or finish, headaches crashed in waves.
"For now, investigate as ordered. I'll hunt down every noble and merchant linked to the capital without fail, so get ready."
"Hah... Un...derstood... Cough!"
"Tch! Useless."
Ismay clicked her tongue at Bernstein shakily rising from the floor and swiftly departed to prepare.
A stifling heaviness she'd never felt before.
Whatever it was, it'd already gone too far.
Such thoughts flitted through Chloe's mind as she failed to steady her heart, her thoughts in turmoil.
Chloe had always devoted ample time to fantasies and contemplation.
No one entirely avoided it, but Chloe far exceeded the norm.
And now she was set to shatter that record again.
'This is nothing. Just normal worry... worry... worry...'
Even harboring an ill omen that she mustn't squarely face her inner truth.
Yet fully averting her gaze made sweat bead on her palms, her nerves fraying.
'Just worried about big brother... definitely that kind of feeling...'
But acting on emotion terrified her—what might unfold?
This heart brooked no confession or confrontation.
Voicing it might bring relief, but she'd lose it all.
Daily, she unearthed excuses to bury it, nurturing her self-image as spineless within.
Post-academy, without rallying her mind, her feet unwittingly turned toward the Church.
She'd dropped by the Church alone in a daze at odd hours—not lunch, not dinner.
Navigating the corridors, she'd paced in bewilderment.
Yet time chatting with big brother, greeting her with his signature bright smile, was bliss.
Vast knowledge unheard, adventure tales vivid as paintings before her eyes.
Gentle gaze patiently awaiting her stammers.
The room with big brother.
Every element ensnared her.
Struggling only deepened the quagmire's pull.
Happy hours fled like arrows from a hunter's bow, leaving only hollow regret and suffocation upon exit.
She knew she shouldn't—this was madness.
Yet her willful mind detached, somehow plotting the next visit, fit to drive her mad.
"..."
Exiting the Church, the girl's mind glitched once more.
The dessert café untouched by that day's undead fiasco.
'When big brother returns from the Church, could I suggest going there?'
Such notions scarred her mind, refusing to fade.
His gentle gaze sufficed.
No more desires, no further wants... content with their current bond henceforth.
..
..
Early morning at Eclair's mansion.
Since Rike's arrival, the trio stuck together.
Chloe, who daily prepped ingredients and fruits, felt different today.
Practical classes loomed; Church vigils ended, Rike's stay too.
Even the daily lunches.
"Sis..."
"Hm?"
"C-can I try cooking too? Something simple!"
Last-chance regret mingled with words slipping unbidden from Chloe.
Suppressed emotions oozed through cracks, overpowering reason.
"..."
Eclair eyed Chloe oddly, glanced at Rike, then paused.
Purple eyes peeked from behind Eclair.
"Wanna make it together? Just simple stuff left."
"...If it's okay..."
"Of course! Come here beside me."
Hesitant, Chloe sidled to Rike, gripping a knife for the first time.
Unwavering focus in cooking.
Plating finals with elixir-like care.
Lunch complete, Chloe flushed with excitement; Eclair glanced at Rike, eyes meeting simultaneously.
"...I'll take today's lunch. Got things to discuss with Roman too."
"Ah! O-okay..."
Even she, self-proclaimed dense, read Chloe's state plainly.
As Chloe wilted swiftly, Eclair stroked her bowed head.
"I'll tell him Chloe made the sides today and get his verdict for you."
"No, it's f-fine..."
Sisters through and through—different paths, same transparency.
Words claimed nonchalance, face beamed childlike hope.
One phrase revived Chloe; Eclair glimpsed her recent self in the mirror.
"And Rike... mind a chat before you head out?"
"Of course."
Her sister's ready nod complicated Eclair's stance immensely.