Ch.188Last? – 1

The so-called “Bellium Academy Women’s Dormitory Explosion Incident” was quietly concluded through the joint efforts of the Chairman, the Crown Prince, and the Red Tower Master who had come as a special guest.

Given the situation at the front lines and the previous Bellium Forest incident, they claimed that while attempting to strengthen defensive magic as a precaution, the sequence of the magic formation had become tangled.

Some people questioned how a sequence error could not only cause an entire building to explode but also destroy the adjacent park, but these doubts didn’t last long.

Not only did the Chairman and Crown Prince acknowledge it as fact, but even the notoriously proud Red Tower Master admitted the mistake. The Tower Masters from other magic towers who came to investigate, and even the Holy Maiden, all unanimously testified to the same story.

Even the Emperor himself would have to back down against such a combination of influential figures, let alone a mere noble.

“Everyone seems to be accepting the explanation. As they should.”

Of course, quite obviously, it was all a coordinated deception.

The Chairman, Crown Prince, and Rosaria naturally participated in the plan, while the Red Tower Master and other Tower Masters were roped in with promises of magic swordsmanship techniques and status ailment dispelling magic.

When told that whoever helped would be informed of the truth a month earlier than others, they apparently fought so fiercely at the Magician’s Association building that it turned into a brawl. As the outcome showed, the Red Tower Master emerged victorious.

“Fortunately, there were no casualties. Had there been any deaths, we couldn’t have resolved this so easily.”

The most significant factor was that with zero casualties, all damages could be compensated with money. If even one person had died, there would have been persistent complaints.

This was especially important since Bellium Academy assigned dormitories based on academic performance, meaning Aria’s building housed many top students, and naturally, many nobles.

However, there was one official casualty.

“We remember her intelligence and genius as we express our deepest condolences…”

The sole casualty was the academy’s second-ranked student, Aria April.

The official cause of death was attributed to monsters. It was said that while heading home to help her hometown during the crisis, she was unexpectedly attacked by a lost group of magical beasts.

Considering what she had done to us, it wouldn’t have been strange to attach all sorts of unsavory causes of death to her name, but out of consideration for Leona’s honor, it was agreed that she died from an attack.

It was widely known that Aria was the Hero’s childhood friend, and if strange rumors were attached to her death, Leona might face criticism for having been friends with such a person.

Of course, no one would say this directly to her face—who would dare speak that way to the Hero? But even the circulation of such rumors would be harmful to Leona, who was already deeply shocked.

“The Sword Saint has disappeared?”

Meanwhile, a small commotion occurred at the Imperial Palace, separate from the academy.

“Yes. He left only a note addressed to Master Mira Crate…”

The Sword Saint had vanished.

With only his sword and a note addressed to me.

It was enough to throw the palace into chaos, but surprisingly, no one was punished. Neither the Royal Guards nor the maids could have possibly detected the Sword Saint if he was determined to conceal himself and escape.

Knowing this, the Emperor ordered them not to waste energy searching for him.

“…It can’t be helped. He went through tremendous emotional distress.”

Karna also seemed to understand why the Sword Saint had left.

Still, his expression revealed sadness. After all, the Sword Saint had disappeared without even informing him, his first disciple.

—Thank you.

The note, which I was instructed to read alone, contained only those words. It seemed to be related to what he had said before going to find the Demon God, but I couldn’t be certain of his true meaning.

It was probably meant in a good way. Surely he wouldn’t say “thank you” with ill intent.

It took only half a day for the commotion to die down and for all the academy’s issues to be resolved. This was because all events following the dormitory’s destruction had occurred within stopped time.

“A novel… world, you say? This place…?”

“…I find it difficult to understand. Or perhaps I simply don’t want to understand…”

“…”

Now it was time to address other matters.

“I could have waited outside alone. You said it was necessary business. It’s only natural that a mere maid like myself shouldn’t intrude. Yustera must be attending as a succubus rather than as your maid.”

“I wasn’t comfortable with that.”

While the four possessed individuals were busy explaining the truth, I had returned to my room with Beatrice.

I couldn’t include Beatrice in their discussion since she hadn’t been able to move within the stopped time, and I also needed time to organize my thoughts.

“It seemed like a very important conversation. Everyone looked so serious.”

“Well, something like that.”

“Was it about romance?”

“No.”

“I see. That’s somewhat disappointing.”

Beatrice’s eyes drooped slightly at the corners.

“Disappointing? Why?”

“Given the people gathered there, and considering you used me as an excuse to leave, I thought it might be related. Especially that Yustera girl—it’s obvious she thinks of you as more than just her master.”

“…”

“I was joking. You’re still such a child, Young Master, getting embarrassed over a simple joke like this. Is it because you lack experience?”

“I wasn’t embarrassed. And you lack experience just as much as I do.”

“I am your maid. Rather than wasting time on such frivolous matters, I should devote that time to serving you better. Please understand that’s why I haven’t done such things. It’s always been this way, hasn’t it?”

Yes. Beatrice had always been that way. To the point where I wondered why she wasn’t included among those who could move, given her relationship with me.

In terms of time spent together, Beatrice has been with me longer than even my parents in this world. My parents were inevitably busy as the heads of the merchant guild.

Moreover, until I turned 15, she literally stayed by my side 24 hours a day, claiming she needed to watch over my frail body. In terms of pure relationship, she might be closer to me than anyone else in this world.

Perhaps even more so than the four possessed individuals.

“Do you need something?”

Feeling my gaze, Beatrice straightened her posture even more. I shook my head.

“No, nothing. Just thinking about how long we’ve known each other.”

“Yes. I’ve been watching over you since you were very young. Suddenly checking on our relationship—do you perhaps want to be spoiled in my arms like when you were little? That would be wonderful. My arms are always open to you.”

Beatrice spread her arms wide. Her face remained expressionless.

“…You were the one who forcibly hugged me. I’ve told you countless times that I’m not sick and perfectly fine.”

“I was following the orders of the Master and Mistress.”

Her shameless reply made me chuckle.

“I’m not sure what you’re trying to say, Young Master, but please know that I, Beatrice, will always be on your side. Even if you were to plot treason against the Empire—”

“You’ve said that before. I still remember.”

That was her answer when I asked if she trusted me while bringing Nika in disguised as a maid. When I told her she was the only person I could confide in, her shoulders rose significantly with pride.

“Hmm. Then how about this?”

After pondering for a moment, Beatrice spoke as if she’d had a good idea.

“Even if the world were to end, I would still be on your side.”

“…Don’t say such unsettling things.”

Especially when we nearly faced exactly that less than a day ago.

“How are they doing?”

“How do you think? They’re all suffering. Our Hero has locked herself in her room and won’t come out, the Chairman has shut herself in her office, and that succubus has returned to her territory.”

I had to postpone taking over the explanation role. Nika, the Chairman, and Leona were all in shock after learning the truth about this world and why Aria had done what she did.

Leona in particular, already confused by recent events and then suffering what amounted to a confirmation kill, had completely collapsed. She wasn’t running a fever, but she remained under her blankets with no intention of coming out.

“It must have been quite a shock.”

“We’re shocked too. Do you know how surprised I was to learn that I wore those clothes because of Aria?”

Indeed.

The reason Rosaria’s “Holy Maiden outfit” had an inappropriately high level of exposure for a light novel, and why Laura vehemently denied ever designing such an outfit, was all because of Aria.

It was part of her preparation to make me more fond of this world.

“She really wasn’t a pitiable woman after all.”

The reason Rosaria alone became the sacrifice was simple: she hadn’t experienced many regressions, so she maintained her sanity. Aria was curious about a genuine human reaction.

Laura had her memories sealed and became essentially no different from a fictional character, Priscilla was on the verge of breaking, and Elisier was already wearing that kind of outfit, so naturally only one candidate remained.

“Still, it’s fortunate, isn’t it? Thanks to one person’s sacrifice, we realized that changing the common sense of an entire world is an extremely troublesome task. We were able to remain safe thanks to you. I express my gratitude.”

“I can’t even hit her for this, seriously…”

The reason only Rosaria’s clothes were changed also had an explanation. With the power Aria possessed at the time, it was difficult to expand her efforts further.

For example, even changing the design of a school uniform would require manipulating the memories of every person in the world while simultaneously implanting new common sense—an incredibly complex process.

Otherwise, it would create a sense of dissonance, and if that dissonance grew beyond a certain point, the manipulated memories would revert.

Rosaria, being a unique existence throughout the Empire and belonging to a closed religious order, was relatively easy to influence. If it was that difficult with her, the rest was obvious.

“That was a sincere compliment. Who would have thought our memories could be tampered with so naturally? If not for your sacrifice, we wouldn’t have known what memories were implanted in us.”

“Ah, that’s true… No, wait. I shouldn’t accept this. You’re still making fun of me! Hey!”

After experimenting with the Holy Maiden outfit, Aria abandoned her plan in frustration, but remnants remained. The ambiguous expression “initially a yuri story” that all four people mentioned when explaining the work was one such remnant.

She deliberately created strong dissonance in that area to divert attention from the memories that were actually being changed.

When she abandoned the plan, it became useless, but there was no reason to expend time and energy to restore it, so she left it as it was.

“Then why include the setting that stronger demons wear less clothing?”

“…”

Laura avoided answering. That was apparently the one thing she couldn’t defend.

While Rosaria and Elisier joined forces to glare at Laura, who squirmed uncomfortably pretending not to notice, Priscilla approached me.

“Why that expression, Mira?”

“Something’s bothering me. I’m wondering if my thinking is wrong.”

“What’s bothering you?”

“The Goddess and Demon God are still quiet.”

Even though she said bringing me to the sealed memories was her last remaining strength, based on what was said then, there was a high probability that with Aria’s death, they would have regained their positions.

Yet both remained silent. I wasn’t even sure if my thinking was correct, let alone being able to contact them. Surely they hadn’t truly vanished.

“Can’t we go find them ourselves?”

“I’d like to, but I don’t know their location.”

We both tried to find coordinates somehow, but it was completely futile. The Goddess had taken me to the celestial realm herself, and for the Demon God’s domain, Aria had given me a tool while disguised as his avatar.

“I feel like we should be hearing from them by now—”

—Knock knock.

“Mira, are you there? Can I come in?”

Leona’s voice came from outside with a knock. Rosaria and Elisier relaxed their expressions, while Laura picked up her teacup with trembling hands and took a sip.

“Come in.”

I unlocked the door with magic. The door opened silently, and Leona peeked her head in. Her face had become quite gaunt in the time I hadn’t seen her.

She was still wearing my uniform coat. I wondered when she would return it.

“Are you feeling better?”

“I was fine from the beginning. It wasn’t my body that was hurting, but my heart.”

“I’m glad to hear that. What brings you here?”

“This.”

Leona held out the holy sword.

“I keep hearing a voice in my head calling for you. I think it’s the Goddess.”

I brightened at the mention of the Goddess and reached for the holy sword, when an unnecessary word was added.

“…Probably.”