Chapter 225: Let’s Go Back

Ｒｅａｄ ｏｎ​ ＫａｔＲｅ​ａｄｉｎｇＣａｆｅ

The great cavern of the White Forest.

If one falls down here, they’ll be scattered randomly within the twisted dimensions.

But is the exit the same for everyone? A group of people had suddenly appeared near the forest entrance.

A crow, left behind by Claude for reconnaissance, swiftly took flight upon seeing them.

“How…! How could you do this?”

At that moment, a high, delicate voice resonated through the air—the voice of Her Holiness.

The crow quickly assessed the situation.

Surrounding them was Her Holiness, the owner of the Grimoire, that damned Louveci, and the old mage. Facing them was Object No. B-13.

All of them bore wounds—scratches and burns from magic—clearly having fought fiercely.

“…It was a temporary alliance. We agreed it would dissolve once we got out.”

“But I thought we’d grown close!”

“Then you were mistaken, Your Holiness.”

B-13 answered in a low, subdued voice.

From this scene alone, it looked like “a situation where they cooperated until escape, grew somewhat close, only to turn their backs at the last moment.”

The crow, excited, flew into their midst.

[What a gathering of familiar faces.]

“Wow, Claude!”

[Shut up, Louveci.]

“I haven’t even said anything yet?”

[The only words I have for you are ‘die.’ I’ll send you to join those who blindly followed you.]

Louveci brightened, but Claude spoke mercilessly.

During the time Claude had stepped away to deal with Louveci’s followers—who kept interfering with the Cult of Unity—Louveci had kidnapped B-13.

Realizing what must have happened to them, Louveci’s expression turned bitter.

“I’ll return those words to you. You’ve truly become beyond saving, Claude. I’ll have to appease them with your blood.”

[Shut up. I don’t even want to hear your voice.]

“Tsk… How childish.”

Louveci shook her head.

[Hm? …Wait. Your Holiness. Did you cause trouble again?]

At that moment, Claude, who had been focusing his consciousness elsewhere, turned his gaze to Sugar. Had he sensed something from the cult’s side?

Sugar wiped the blood from her lips and smiled faintly.

“What trouble? I’ve only ever responded to the trouble you caused.”

[…Enough of this. Hand over Louveci, Your Holiness. We’re both busy—let’s make this quick.]

“And if I refuse?”

[B-13.]

The moment he called her name like a command, Vivi staggered perfectly. To anyone watching, she looked utterly exhausted, gasping for breath as she slumped to the ground.

‘Her acting is killer.’

‘Is she actually that tired? You’ve been working her too hard.’

‘Pfft. People will think I’m some tyrannical boss.’

‘…’

Sugar and Riley exchanged a glance before diving back into their act.

“Hmph… Hah! What’s that weakling gonna do? We’re tired too, but we still outnumber you.”

[Numbers? You’re seriously bringing up numbers now?]

“You don’t have all those crows right now, do you? Did you forget the ones you left inside? How many did you even send in there? Did you just abandon all your spare bodies? You really think finding the exit is impossible?”

[…]

“And… I’ve received a blessing this time.”

As she finished speaking, a dark energy began rising from Sugar’s body. Sweat dripped from her face.

[Clearly, you’re pushing yourself.]

“Not at all. Wanna see me really use it?”

[…]

“…”

Just as the tension between them reached its peak—

—Neigh!

A horse’s cry echoed from afar. A carriage was approaching.

Huh? Sugar’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected intrusion. The carriage stopped nearby, and the middle-aged driver glanced at them.

At first, Sugar thought to shoo him away as a civilian, but she quickly reconsidered.

Perhaps her senses had sharpened after receiving the blessing—because she could feel a familiar yet ominous energy from him.

“…Apostle!”

“Hey! You recognized me this time!”

The driver, who had been wearing a serious expression, suddenly brightened with a grin.

“Did Louveci tip you off? By the way, Your Holiness, you’ve practically become one of us, huh? Just look at that energy you’re radiating. Is that how you knew?”

“You are…”

“Don’t remember me? Hmm. Oh dear, sweetie. It’s me. We were together in the city of romance, weren’t we?”

“Olivier!”

“I discarded that body. Now, I’m just Uncle Peter—a carriage driver taking tourists to the White Forest.”

Memories flashed through her mind.

Their meeting in the port city of Zenrock. The noblewoman in a vibrant green dress. The love story with the perfume workshop owner.

She had known Olivier was a heretic—but not that she was an Apostle.

“Ethel. Long time no see.”

“Ah! My big sister recognized me right away too! Ah, but don’t say my real name.”

When Louveci greeted her from behind, Ethel responded warmly.

“The body you’ve taken looks more distorted than others.”

“I know. That’s why I was so shocked when I saw Her Holiness walking around with my sister’s eyes…”

The figure—neither clearly man nor woman—trailed off with a giggle.

Ethel.

“She’s one of the original Apostles. The Apostle who sacrificed her sense of touch.”

“Anyway, glad you’re safe. Do you know how badly Claude wanted to kill you? Ugh, so heartless… Well then. I’ve got my own work to do.”

With a grunt, the woman disguised as a middle-aged man lifted Vivi from the carriage. Sugar and the others raised their staves in caution, but Ethel simply showed her open palms, signaling she meant no harm.

[Ethel. Why act recklessly?]

“Why? I don’t have a body fit for fighting right now, and you’ve lost most of your crows, brother. Even the dragon’s barely standing on two legs. You really wanna fight like this?”

She answered Claude matter-of-factly while loading Vivi into the carriage, subtly brushing the tail hidden under Vivi’s clothes.

“Take the broader view. Broader. We found her—that’s what matters. Let’s call it a day and head back.”

[…]

“Same goes for you. You don’t really want to fight us, do you? We could fight if we had to, but… you all look exhausted.”

“…And if we refuse to let B-13 go?”

“That’s a no. We let Louveci go, so we’re taking something too. This is the compromise.”

Ethel climbed into the driver’s seat, waving as the carriage rolled away. Claude, seemingly accepting the logic, perched silently atop it.

“See you around, Your Holiness. Sister.”

She left, grinning like she’d won the lottery.

Time passed. The Apostles’ presence faded into the distance.

“Phew…”

Sugar’s posture slumped, tension dissolving. The others collapsed where they stood.

Everything had gone according to plan.

“Are you sure it was okay to let B-13 go?” Louveci whispered.

Sugar nodded. “Yes. Even if she returns, they won’t be able to proceed with the Descent. They’ll be too busy cleaning up their own mess. Claude’s reaction confirmed it.”

‘Hm? …Wait, Your Holiness. Did you cause trouble again?’

His reaction suggested something had happened elsewhere—likely relayed through the crows left within the cult.

If the Evil God had planted seeds in Sugar, she’d planted her own in return. This was the fallout.

“Besides… sending Vivi was the only way we’d get back safely.”

Louveci had theorized the exit would always lead to the White Forest’s entrance. They’d expected Claude or the cult to be lying in wait—and they’d been right.

Fighting them in their exhausted state was impossible. Sugar and Riley were at their limits, Sugar herself already pushed past hers.

So survival became the priority. But keeping Vivi would’ve guaranteed conflict—the cult’s top priority was reclaiming her.

Thus, the solution: Let her go.

Stage a fake rift, sell the act.

Safety secured. A spy planted within the cult. A flawless two-for-one. Vivi, understanding this, had played her part perfectly.

“But what if… they’d had enough forces to overwhelm us?”

“Then we’d all be dead. Or begging the White Forest for help.”

Sugar leaned weakly against Riley, licking a shallow wound on his arm—a staged injury. No bloody battle with Vivi had occurred.

Louveci’s past betrayal had set a precedent; this theater was to preempt similar suspicions toward Vivi.

“The White Forest? You mean the creatures inside?”

“We’ve got a bit of a connection. They might help.”

Turning, she spotted a familiar figure on the sky-bridge—a unicorn, its face sullen as it mumbled, “My horn hurts so much…”

Louveci, with her sharp hearing, flushed and looked away.

“Anyway, Professor. Louveci. What’s your plan now?”

“I’m returning to the academy,” Trace said, glancing at Louveci. “Or… home.”

Sugar pressed further. “Louveci, do you even have a place to hide? The Holy City would jail you for life.”

“I’ll manage. I’ve got to see this through with Sugar.”

“Just rest, grandma.”

“My heart’s still young!”

“That’s exactly what old people say.”

As they bickered, Trace raised a hand.

“…I’ll take her.”

“What?”

“Perfect. It’s settled,” Sugar said.

“Wait, Sugar!” Louveci panicked.

Sugar shrugged. “You two clearly have history. Talk it out. He’s chased you for years.”

Her tone was uncharacteristically solemn. This wasn’t mere vengeance.

Trace nodded. “Indeed… I have much to say to you.”

Louveci bowed her head, guilt-ridden but not unwilling.

‘Later,’ Sugar thought. ‘I’ll hear their story too.’

“Sigh…”

Sugar slumped against Riley. It was over.

For now.

“Let’s go back. Ian must be worried sick.”

The Steele group had vanished abruptly, only to return battered. They’d be scolded—maybe severely.

But for the first time in ages, she wanted to hear it: Ian’s nagging, Leon’s sarcasm. They were precious friends.

A flicker of worry remained. Sugar was no longer fully human. Visions of the Holy City’s cruelty haunted her.

Yet she clung to hope. Her friends were there. Her childhood friend was beside her. She wasn’t alone.

So—

“For now… let’s go back,” she murmured.

Riley nodded.

“Let’s go back… and rest.”

In silence, they exchanged gratitude—through glances, through shared warmth.

As long as you’re safe, that’s enough.