Chapter 204: Interlude – Undercut Story (2)

It was to placate Exia that Sion had once restored Beryl’s memories—memories she had previously destroyed.

She had wanted to respect Exia’s belief as much as possible:

“Innocent people must not suffer.”

At the time, Sion had honestly thought it wouldn’t matter too much.

She’d layered all sorts of safety measures using the Eye of the Overlord, so she figured restoring some memories would be fine.

But Sion hadn’t known.

About the seven years she had abandoned her family. About what had happened in the outside world during that time.

About the butterfly effects that had unfolded. About the kind of monster her neglect and apathy had given rise to.

And so now, Pandora’s box—once sealed shut—was on the verge of being forced open once again.

“First question,”

Sylvia slowly began, drawing a dagger from her sleeve.

The torchlight reflected off the deep blue blade, gleaming sharply.

“You must’ve entered Anatolia under a false identity arranged by Gilphy, right? That wasn’t even long ago—barely three months.

So why did you leave the school so soon? It’s not even vacation time yet.”

“……..”

Beryl swallowed hard.

She had to answer carefully. Even if she got hurt, she couldn’t let any harm come to the Hero.

A sloppy excuse would be instantly seen through—she could feel it from the woman in front of her. Sylvia had the air of someone not easily fooled.

Honestly, if she really was the Hero’s sister, maybe it would’ve been fine to tell the truth—

[No. If anyone ever asks why I left Anatolia, I must lie.]

She didn’t know why, but she felt absolutely certain of it. She had to.

“Well, the truth is…”

Beryl took a deep breath and began to speak.

No need to panic—she had prepared for this.

All she had to do was recite the story she’d already made up.

“After entering Anatolia, with the Hero’s help, I met the headmaster and learned about my past.

Apparently, the one who erased my memory was none other than Lady Mana, and according to the story, the family I originally belonged to was caught up in a rebellion and—kyaaa?!”

Whip!

Before Beryl could finish, Sylvia’s dagger flew through the air— and pierced straight through Beryl’s palm.

“Gaaaaaah…!!!”

The girl screamed and curled up, her left hand skewered by the blade.

“Lying to me right from the start? You’ve got guts.”

Sylvia muttered coldly as she stood up.

She walked over to Beryl, who was writhing in pain, clutching her bleeding hand, and looked down at her with icy eyes.

“You thought I brought you here without knowing anything, didn’t you? Huh? Miss Beryl—the spy from Espera.”

“?!”

Beryl gasped.

Shock surged through her, overwhelming even the pain.

She… knows my real name? My identity?

How?!

Sylvia grabbed a handful of Beryl’s hair and yanked her head up, forcing their eyes to meet.

“Such a confused look. A spy who never even considered the possibility of being exposed.

Why? Curious how I found out? Sorry, but this place—Undercut—is where the filth of the world gathers.
Think of it as the lowest cesspool of the slums.

If we want, investigating a single person’s identity is nothing. Don’t underestimate our information network.”

“Grrk…!”

Beryl’s pupils spun in panic.

Her lie had been exposed. What now? How could she survive this?

Should she go berserk and attack? No—she’d lose. She could tell without even trying.

Then… should she confess and beg for mercy?

[No. Absolutely not.]

[Loyalty to the Hero—protect it!]

But if not that, then what…

“W-Wait, ma’am! Please, calm down! Yeah?!”

At that moment, Gilphy—the smuggler who had brought Beryl here and arranged her false identity—interrupted with a shout. He dropped to his knees dramatically and bowed his head.

“Like I told you before, Miss Beryl saved my life! If it weren’t for her, I’d have been goblin chow back then!
Please, just this once—let her go for my sake, yeah? I’m begging you!”

“………”

Sylvia narrowed her eyes, looking down at him for a moment, then finally released Beryl’s hair with a flick.

Beryl collapsed to the cold marble floor with a short scream.

Sylvia silently watched her writhe in pain for a few moments, then turned on her heel and returned to her throne.

“…Very well. Since one of my men owes her a life debt, I’ll let it go this once. But there won’t be a next time.

So I’ll ask again. Why did you leave the school so soon after entering? What happened in there?”

“Ugh… nghh…”

Beryl trembled and whimpered.

She wanted to speak.

To tell the truth and beg for her life.

Wouldn’t anyone? Who wouldn’t treasure their own life?

But—

[I can’t say it.]

[I mustn’t say it.]

[That’s what I was ordered to do.]

When? By whom? She didn’t know. She couldn’t remember.

Only the unshakable command echoed endlessly in her head—

What should I do… what… what…

“W-Wait, ma’am! Something’s wrong with Miss Beryl! Her eyes—they’re getting cloudy! Is this… could it be… mind control?!”

“…Hm?”

Sylvia’s eyes narrowed. She leaned forward, scrutinizing Beryl.

“You’re right. Someone placed a mental lock on her. A geas to keep her from speaking the truth?”

“Seems that way. And judging by the symptoms, it’s a powerful spell. If we push her too hard, she might go completely catatonic. I think it’s best to stabilize her first before continuing.”

“Hmm…”

Sylvia hesitated, then nodded.

“Fine. No point wasting such a valuable lead. Gilphy. Cast a calming spell on her. And stop the bleeding from her hand while you’re at it.”

“Yup!”

Obeying his boss’s command, Gilphy began treating Beryl.

Thanks to him, the girl—who had been on the verge of losing consciousness—was barely brought back to her senses.

Blinking dazedly, Beryl looked around and murmured,

“Uh… ? I felt kind of… hazy just now…How long… was I out?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s only been a short while.”

Gilphy grinned cheerfully as he wrapped Beryl’s hand with a bandage. In contrast, Sylvia frowned from behind, clearly displeased.

“So, Beryl of Espera.”

“…!”

At the sound of her real name, Beryl’s heart dropped once again. After all, in this land of Salem, her true identity was practically a direct ticket to execution.

However, Sylvia didn’t seem to be trying to threaten her. She spoke on indifferently.

“Relax. I’m not planning to torture you just for being a spy.

We don’t exactly have much patriotism for the nation of Salem anyway. If anything, we’re more like enemies. So just being a spy isn’t enough for me to cut your head off.

Of course, things would be different if you had harmed my dear sister. In that case, I’d personally fillet you alive.”

“I—I would never do such a thing! I swear…!”

“I know. A small fry like you wouldn’t be capable of pulling off anything like that. You didn’t even have the time.”

Sylvia declared coldly.

“What I’m actually keeping my eye on isn’t you— It’s your replacement.”

“My… replacement…?”

“Yeah. Her name’s Iris, right? Have you ever met her?”

“Ah…”

Come to think of it, she did vaguely remember seeing her.

Back when she reunited with Hero Sion at the café, the blonde-haired maid sitting beside him—her name had definitely been Iris.

Her expression of sheer shock upon seeing Beryl had left a strong impression.

But why that girl…?

“I’ve met her, but… what about her? Personally, she didn’t seem like someone who’d do anything wrong.
Is there something wrong with her?”

“There is. Something seriously wrong.”

Sylvia clicked her tongue and replied.

“I’ve heard she’s ‘a childhood friend of Hero Sion, who became a maid thanks to that connection.’ Is that true?”

“Uh, yes… I think that rumor did go around the academy. But why is that a problem?”

“Of course it’s a problem. Because I’ve never heard of anyone named ‘Iris’ in my life!”

Sylvia ground her teeth. A vein pulsed on her fair forehead.

“I know enough about his relationships. Sion was always the introverted type as a child—preferred being alone over playing with kids her age. Barely ever left the house.

And now she supposedly had a childhood friend? A bosom buddy? The one and only friend who cared for her when she was bedridden due to illness?

Nonsense! That girl never existed! I can say that with absolute certainty—as her older sister!”

BANG!

She slammed the armrest of the throne she sat on. The skull ornament at the end broke off and clattered to the floor.

The force of her fury made both Beryl and Gilphy flinch.

Sylvia continued, her voice burning with passion.

“This is wrong. No matter how I look at it, something’s seriously off. Who is that girl?

Who dares to claim she’s Sion’s childhood friend and cling to her side like that?

And why doesn’t Sion question it at all? Why does she treat that stranger like a real childhood friend and stick close to her?

There’s only one answer:

[Sion is currently under mind-control.]

Just like what happened to you—her perception’s been altered by someone.

She’s been manipulated to consider a complete stranger closer than the family who was with her for eight years.

And whoever did it—it’s probably the Goddess Cult or the Royal Family. Maybe both.”

Sylvia declared this with complete conviction.

And Beryl, upon hearing it, had to admit it made a lot of sense. The voice that had echoed in her mind earlier had definitely been unnatural and bizarre.

If that was the result of mind-control, it explained a lot. Like why the Hero had erased her memories twice, claiming it was “for your own good.”

She must’ve discovered something she wasn’t supposed to know while sneaking around the palace as a spy.

And somehow, the enemy found out.

Normally, that would’ve meant instant execution. But thanks to Sion’s intervention, she was spared and exiled with her memories erased—not once, but twice.

Even though she herself wasn’t free from the enemy’s clutches.

Such nobility. Such selfless kindness.

“Alright, Beryl. I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

Sylvia leaned forward as she spoke.

“I’ll summon our organization’s special consultant to lift the effects of mind-control on your mind. We’ll help you regain the freedom of your soul that you’ve longed for.

But in exchange, you must fully cooperate with our plans. Backing out partway is not an option.”

“Plans…?”

“The obvious kind.”

Sylvia growled.

“To rescue my sister—Hero Sion—from the clutches of conspiracy. To break the chains currently binding her, and set her free.

That is my one and only goal. I don’t care what I have to sacrifice to achieve it. Even if that means the rest of my life.”

“Ah…”

If that’s what it is, she could help without hesitation. No need to be forced—she’d gladly volunteer.

Beryl replied without a moment’s doubt:

“If that’s what it is, I’m all for it. I want to repay Hero Sion for her kindness, too.

If there’s anything I can do, please give me the order.”

“Good.”

Sylvia gave a twisted grin.

Though she didn’t realize it herself, the expression was eerily similar to one her sister often made.

Blood doesn’t lie, it seems.

She spread her arms wide and declared:

“Welcome to Undercut, rookie.”

At last, Pandora’s Box had been opened.