Flapping

,Don’t feel too pressured. The purpose of spreading rumors about the truth of the triathlon in the academy isn’t solely about you.”

Bella said that and continued as if it were nothing.

,Thanks to the title of the youngest Transcendental, Roel has become the most famous person on the continent. Powerful people, influential figures, and even some shadowy figures are all watching Roel’s every move. Rumors about you could negatively affect Roel, so I’m helping out to see who’s trying to interfere with me, killing two birds with one stone.”

As Bella finished speaking, Roel, who had been staring at me, slightly raised the corner of his mouth and said,

,She’s just saying that. Bella is shy and can’t be honest. Actually, she’s working hard because she wants to be loved by me. And she wants to be nice to you without any ulterior motives.”

I noticed Bella flinching at Roel’s words, but I pretended not to see it and nodded.

Roel, looking satisfied, clapped his hands as if he had just remembered something.

,Ah, and I sent your parents to a resort in the south. They’ll spend the rest of their lives there comfortably. They won’t be coming to the academy anymore either.”

I tilted my head at Roel’s sudden words. Like a good protagonist, Roel is naturally a devoted son to his parents. He even built them a big house in their old village and often sends them good medicine as gifts. But suddenly a southern resort, and spending the rest of their lives there…?

Of course, that’s also a form of filial piety. For a commoner to spend the rest of their life comfortably at a resort without working is a dream for some. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t Roel’s usual way. Something unsettling was pressing on my chest.

It was Bella, with slightly flushed cheeks, who resolved my doubts. Bella, fanning herself as if she were hot, cleared her throat for a moment and explained in a gentle voice.

,It’s for the same reason as before. Unlike you, Roel’s parents will definitely be a big weakness. Their actions at the triathlon almost became a big scandal. Considering their personalities and behavior… I thought it would be best for them to spend the rest of their lives quietly at a resort. Roel also agreed that it was better for his parents’ safety.”

As Bella finished speaking, Roel suddenly reached out and grabbed my hand. It was a firm and warm hand. Surprised by the sudden action, I looked at him, and Roel gave me a gloomy smile that only suited him.

,I’ve been deliberately trying to connect you with my parents. Because they’re still family. I thought that if you met face to face, something might change, even a little. I was too naive… Did I make things harder for you with my meddling? I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

Roel, holding my hand, looked at me with eyes that seemed about to shed tears. At Roel’s sincere apology, I silently turned my head and looked at the painting on the wall. A goat wearing a cloak was approaching a table where other goats were sitting, trying hard to sit with them, but slipping, falling, and unable to climb onto the chair. The sight felt poignant.

I pulled my hand away from Roel.

,It’s okay.”

It’s not that I’m trying to put on a brave face in front of Roel. It’s just that I never had any expectations for Ross’s parents from the beginning, so I wasn’t hurt or disappointed. If you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed.

Having finished speaking, I got up from my seat.

I found out why the rumors were spread, and I also learned that I wouldn’t be meeting my parents anymore. It’s a grateful situation where things worked out well thanks to Roel and Bella, even without my efforts.

The rumors about me won’t harm the club members anymore. I smiled for the first time and was able to leave Bella’s lab.

***

Estelle, having received a call from Amber, rushed to Destin Village after school. Lloyd, who hadn’t found the cave but continued his investigation without giving up, had finally discovered something.

As always, Estelle, wearing a black cat mask, opened the door to the inn, and Amber, who was drinking beer with Lloyd, waved happily.

,Guild Leader-nim!”

Estelle approached the table with small steps and sat next to Amber. Lloyd tried to get up from his seat to greet her, but Estelle’s words were faster than his actions.

,That’s okay, skip the greetings. What did you find?”

,Please look at the map.”

Pushing the beer glasses aside, Lloyd took out a map from his pocket and unfolded it. Lloyd pointed to a circle he had drawn in red on the map, which recorded the surrounding environment of Destin Village.

,I found it by chance while continuing to investigate the land, just in case. This red part looks the same on the surface, but alchemical analysis revealed that its soil properties are different from the surrounding soil. That means someone brought soil from somewhere else and filled this place. Someone did it on purpose!”

As the excited Lloyd finished his explanation, Amber continued.

,I investigated the village just in case, but there was no construction done there. So I thought the soil might have been changed a long time ago, but according to Lloyd-ssi, the soil hasn’t been changed that long ago.”

Estelle silently turned her head, and Lloyd, receiving her gaze, nodded and explained.

,That’s right. I investigated the roots of plants to find the boundary between the soils with different properties. By checking how much they had grown past the boundary, I could roughly determine when the soil was changed. Judging from the growth of the roots, the soil was changed about half a year ago.”

,Half a year ago…”

Estelle, looking at the map, tapped the red area with her hand.

,Is what’s drawn on the map accurate?”

,It’s accurate. I transferred the distances measured by planting flags onto the map using magic. I can say with certainty that there is no error.”

At Lloyd’s words, Estelle smiled as if she found it interesting. Amber, sensing that she had noticed something, sent Lloyd away and cautiously asked.

,Did you find something?”

At Amber’s question, Estelle chuckled softly.

,Look at the place marked on the map.”

At those words, Amber looked at the map, but nothing particularly stood out.

,…Is the answer on the map?”

Seeing Amber’s puzzled expression, Estelle stroked the red area with her fingertip.

,It’s a perfect circle.”

At Estelle’s explanation, Amber frowned as she checked the map again.

,That’s right. If it had been done by human hands, it couldn’t be such a perfect circle. Then…?”

Estelle gave Amber, who was trailing off, the answer.

,Someone replaced the entire space painted in red with another place.”

Amber’s eyes widened, and she slightly opened her mouth.

,I-Is that possible…? I heard that it’s impossible to teleport even an entire building, let alone such a large terrain…”

Seeing Amber’s face turn pale in an instant, Estelle sighed.

,It’s possible with magic that transfers the entire space using dimensions. If it wasn’t done by Ross, the only space wizard we know… then the person who did this is the Apostle of ‘That One’ that the cult is looking for.”

Estelle ordered Amber, who was swallowing hard.

,Erase all investigation records without the cult knowing. Send the investigation team to the Valley of Death as planned.”

,Y-Yes, I understand.”

As Amber got up from her seat, Estelle stared blankly at the map before finally putting it in her pocket.

***

,The Archbishop is displeased with your failures.”

At the Vice-Archbishop’s words, the surrounding air dropped. It felt as if the density of the air had increased infinitely, making even simple breathing difficult. Parvati, the Saintess of the cult and the 9th Temptation of Confession, lowered her head deeply and ruffled her hair as a sign of apology.

In reality, she was just looking at the pattern on the table, hoping the meeting would end quickly… but everyone wouldn’t know because her face was hidden by her hair.

,…We abandon the Great Forest.”

The Vice-Archbishop said through gritted teeth in an angry voice. How much scolding had he received? Parvati, who had never seen the Archbishop in person, wondered if he had only been scolded verbally by the Archbishop-nim.

The Vice-Archbishop, glaring at the Confession executives with a heavy gaze, sighed.

,Until the Archbishop’s orders are given, each member of Confession will carry out their existing tasks. And by the Archbishop’s order, we will fill the vacant positions of Number 3 and Number 8 in this meeting.”

As the Vice-Archbishop snapped his fingers, the sound of someone approaching was heard. Parvati couldn’t resist her curiosity and slightly raised her gaze, meeting the eyes of a handsome man with gloomy black eyes who was approaching while making footsteps.

The Vice-Archbishop explained in a low voice.

,The new member of Confession is Mesmer of Illusion. He is Number 3.”

Should I clap? I was worried, but the atmosphere was heavy, so Parvati gave Mesmer a demure eye smile. Mesmer turned his head with an arrogant expression.

,That, that son of a bitch…!”

While Parvati was swearing inwardly, someone sat next to her in the empty seat where Nerga of Despair had died. Parvati turned her head and fixed her gaze on the newly appeared person.

It was a man who evoked a strange unpleasantness by laughing to himself. Even without special makeup, it was naturally felt that the person himself was close to a clown.

,…And the new Number 8. Jamie of Madness.”

At the Vice-Archbishop’s words, Jamie laughed and raised his hand high, saying,

,Nice to meet you. You trash who are worse than filth! Huut hueu heut…!!!!”

A moment of silence fell. Parvati, feeling an overwhelming gaze just by being next to him, looked at Jamie with a look of looking at a madman.

,Crazy, is he a psycho…?”

While Parvati was thinking that while looking at Jamie, who was leaving a strong first impression, Jamie, who had burst into laughter even under the murderous gaze, turned his head and looked at Parvati, who was looking at him.

,Haha, is this person with the plump ass in front of me my only junior? Nice to meet you. Then, please make me a strong cup of coffee. Don’t stir the sugar cubes, shake them and put in exactly 10. I always welcome the spit and breast milk you put in as a service. If you want to get a good score from your senior, don’t forget to remember that. Hwahahat!”

The concept of thought disappeared from Parvati’s head.