Chapter 43: School Trips, Part 1

“Error… must… eliminate… the errors…”

In the predawn darkness, Lucia muttered to herself, alone in her dorm room. She’d been assigned a single room due to an odd number of students.

The status window, which always appeared at the worst possible times, now flickered ominously, its dark presence obscuring her vision.

[Eliminate the errors. Eliminate the errors. ERROR ERROR]

“Ugh…”

The same message from her encounter with Kayleen in the academy forest, repeating endlessly, blocking out everything else. As if it were the only thing she needed to know.

Error. Error. Error.

Unlike before, when it only obscured her vision, a grating noise now echoed in her mind, a relentless assault on her senses.

She tried covering her ears, but the sound, seemingly originating within her skull, persisted.

Sleep deprived and disoriented, Lucia had endured the torment throughout the night.

“Hngh… ugh…”

Unable to bear the escalating pain, Lucia summoned her holy sword.

The blade, its usual brilliance dimmed, its light subdued, was pointed at her throat.

Just as she was about to commit the unthinkable act, a sweet, soothing voice whispered in her ear.

Lucia. Calm down.

The voice that always appeared during her darkest moments, offering comfort when she wanted to give up.

The voice that had become her anchor.

Relax, Lucia…

“Relax…”

Yes. Relax, Lucia. Relax… and eliminate the errors.

“Eliminate… the errors…”

It was the same pattern, repeated over the past few days.

The system tormented her with flashing images and relentless noise, pushing her to the brink of despair, then offered solace through that gentle voice.

Eliminate the errors, and you’ll find peace. You can finally let go of your heavy burden and rest…

The voice, despite echoing the system’s command, brought a strange sense of comfort.

Once she completed her task, she would find peace.

She would be free from the heavy burden, the constant threats to herself and her loved ones.

She wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.

The voice repeated its promises, its sweet whispers lulling her into a hazy state of obedience. The more she focused on the voice, ignoring the tormenting status window, the more her mind succumbed to its influence.

[Elimination Target: Entity “Kayleen”]

“Kayleen…?”

Yes, Lucia. There’s an imposter… a fake… calling herself Kayleen…

“A fake…”

But Kayleen… the merchant… the owner of this soothing voice…

But how could she be so close…? She was supposed to be far away…

As doubt crept in, Lucia’s mind sank deeper into the abyss, her thoughts muddled, her actions dictated by the voice in her ear.

Now, Lucia… she’s currently in Ravakion, in the Empire…

“Ravakion…”

There are other errors to eliminate… but she’s the most significant… Once she’s gone, Lucia… then you’ll finally… find peace…

And then, Lucia found herself standing before a door in a luxurious room.

Click.

She opened the door and saw a girl with cherry-blossom-colored hair, her face etched with exhaustion, diligently working at a desk.

The girl, Hanaki Haru, didn’t notice Lucia until she stood right before her. She put down her paperwork and spoke, her voice flat, almost mechanical.

“…Lucia…? Um… I don’t know why you’re here, but if you have student council business, it’s best to wait for the president. As the vice-president, I don’t have the authority to—”

Slash.

Haru flinched as a lock of her hair fell to the desk, severed cleanly.

Before her stood Lucia, her eyes blazing, her holy sword raised.

A chill ran down Haru’s spine. If the sword had been any closer, it would have split her forehead open. Trying to maintain her composure, she spoke,

“…Ravakion. Change the destination of the upcoming field trip… to Ravakion.”

“L-Lucia…? I don’t have the authority to do that, so please wait until the president returns…”

Slash.

“…Alright, alright. I’ll approve it. Please put down your sword…”

Seeing the stack of documents on her desk reduced to shredded confetti, Haru gave up and opened a locked drawer, retrieving a stamp.

The student council president’s official seal, granting authority over all academy affairs.

The president, a workaholic who often created more work than she could handle, had entrusted Haru with the seal to handle the paperwork.

It was a violation of protocol, but Haru, who had joined the student council out of admiration for the president’s righteous actions, had readily agreed. Now, she practically ran the entire student council.

With the president currently occupied with the search for the academy intruder, Haru’s workload was immense.

…If only that intruder really was the president… she thought wistfully.

Haru quickly wrote down Lucia’s request on a piece of paper and stamped it with the official seal.

The imprint glowed, the magic within binding the agreement, making it irreversible, unless challenged by a holy relic like Lucia’s sword.

“Sigh…”

Lucia vanished as quickly as she’d appeared. Haru looked at the mess and sighed.

“I should have never joined the student council…”

After Leviathan was “killed” by Lucia, a sense of gloom settled over the academy.

Not because Leviathan was actually dead. It was just a temporary body, a fraction of her power. Her true essence remained intact, safely hidden within the academy.

And only Carmel, Ciella, and Lucia had witnessed the incident. As long as they remained silent, Leviathan’s “death” would remain a secret.

While Carmel and Ciella knew the truth, Lucia’s silence was unexpected.

The original Lucia would have been surprised to see Leviathan alive and well. But this Lucia… she’d simply ignored Leviathan, her demeanor cold and distant.

As if Leviathan’s survival was… insignificant.

“Lucia… she’s…”

“…become so cold…”

“Th-this isn’t… Lucia…!”

Indeed, the source of the academy’s current gloom was Lucia.

The young noblewomen, delighted by the arrival of Levi, a new “pet” to pamper, had been enjoying themselves.

Bound by social etiquette at home and academic pursuits at the academy, their opportunities to indulge in their fondness for cute things were limited to occasional outings.

And now, they had two such targets within their class.

However, Levi’s unexpected coldness, a stark contrast to their anticipated affectionate nature, had bruised their egos.

And Lucia’s sudden withdrawal, after a period of increased receptiveness, further devastated them.

Some of Lucia’s most ardent admirers had lost their will to live, dramatically declaring that a world without Lucia’s affection wasn’t worth living in.

“…Could it be… that time…?”

“Karma, don’t say such scary things! Lucia wouldn’t… mature… would she…?”

“Well, she’s old enough…”

“Ahem.”

While the rest of the academy speculated about the cause of Lucia’s sudden change, the trio who knew the truth faced their own challenges.

“…Vanity…?”

“Yes. A forgotten Sin, a demon from the past. He whispers sweet lies, leading people to their ruin.”

“But… how do we… deal with him…?”

“…That’s the problem…”

Thanks to Leviathan’s insights, they knew Vanity was responsible for Lucia’s current state.

But how could they restore her?

Eliminating Vanity’s true form was the obvious solution, but the old hut, where they’d hoped to find clues, was empty.

Even Lucia, who’d frequented the shop, hadn’t returned since that day.

Among them, Leviathan was the most knowledgeable about demonic influence and divinity, followed by Ciella, but…

Leviathan’s usual method of dealing with demons was brute force, overwhelming them with her superior power and mana. But with her connection to her true form severed, she could only temporarily contain Vanity, not eliminate his influence completely.

Ciella’s knowledge was limited to Vanity’s existence.

Perhaps the Saint, with her expertise in purification, or Kayleen, with her seemingly endless knowledge, could have helped, but…

The Saint remained secluded within the Imperial Holy See, and Kayleen’s whereabouts were unknown after the contract was terminated.

Frustrated and helpless, the trio could only watch as the situation worsened.

Even Leviathan, who’d joined their group on a whim, was beginning to regret her decision, contemplating abandoning them and returning to Kayleen’s subordinates for a good meal.

Creak.

“Now, now… everyone, attention…”

Professor Lily entered the classroom, interrupting the somber atmosphere.

Leviathan glared at her, remembering the humiliating bathhouse incident, but Lily, seemingly oblivious, continued speaking.

“The destination… for our field trip… has been changed… from the Eastern Alliance… to… Ravakion… in the Empire…”

“…Ravakion? The Labyrinth City…?”

Lily nodded, confirming Carmel’s question.

“…Ah… the city with the legend of the great thief…”

“Great thief…?”

“Yes. Argen… He collected countless treasures and hid them… deep within the Barufus Labyrinth… the legendary Argen…”

“Ah… that thief…”

Leviathan, listening to their conversation with a sullen expression, repeated the name “Ravakion,” trying to place it.

“Ah… that place.”

The location where Greed, through her human agents, had amassed a vast collection of treasures.

Leviathan remembered mocking Greed’s attempt to emulate Avarice’s treasury.

Greed… perhaps she knows something…

Greed, with her insatiable hunger for knowledge and possessions, might know how to deal with a forgotten Sin like Vanity.

Of course, asking Greed directly was beneath Leviathan’s pride, so she’d simply have to find the solution within Greed’s hoard.