Chapter 126 – The Play

There’s a chance Ophelia was lying.

Or my guess could be wrong from the very beginning and everything could be going in a completely different direction.

But I’m not about to throw out my entire theory over that small possibility. I’ll just keep in mind that it could be wrong.

Either way, I’ve reached a conclusion.

The Puppet Emperor is an enemy.

Then what about the other Pillars?

First, two of them: Leona and the Flame Empress.

Leona wants to kill the Demon King.

That bloodlust and hatred she showed were real.

So, what about the Flame Empress? I’m not sure about her… She doesn’t seem like an enemy, but she’s not exactly an ally either.

I’m not sure about the Puppet Emperor, either, but it’s almost certain she’ll become an enemy eventually.

As for the remaining three: Shadow Emperor, Demon Chant Emperor, and Sword Emperor. I know nothing about them. No information at all. But I do know they’ve interacted a lot with the Puppet Emperor.

If I just go by simple speculation, does that mean four of the Six Pillars have sided with the demons?

“What a mess this country is. Well, it wasn’t any different four hundred years ago.”

I gave a bitter laugh and hugged my knees.

In the bathtub, the water had turned green from the bath salts. I wiggled my toes, enjoying the sound of gentle ripples in the quiet.

After that, I exchanged a few more words with Ophelia before kicking her out. I didn’t send her away empty-handed.

I gave her a new job.

This time, information on the Holy Kingdom.

Anything is fine, I just asked her to neatly summarize everything about the Holy Kingdom’s movements from four hundred years ago up to now.

She said it would take at least four months because there’s so much. I told her I’d twist her arm, so she brought it down to three.

If I really twisted it, maybe it’d be even less. But three months isn’t so bad.

By then, it’ll be just about summer break, so I should be able to get the info and visit the Holy Kingdom.

And then maybe I’ll take Pina north during winter break.

The North, bordering the Demon Realm. The Blue Ice Palace is there.

Grand Duke Beneker apparently gets along with my father, so I should get a decent welcome if I go.

And if I’m lucky, maybe I can get Beneker’s help to get closer to Gevihenum…

Gevihenum?

“Oh. The club.”

Speaking of which, Stella, that brat.

Did she find a faculty advisor for the club?

So much has been going on lately, I’d completely forgotten.

When was the deadline, again?

Isn’t it past already?

“…Hmm. Maybe she didn’t get one?”

I shook the water from my hands and called Stella with my terminal.

Brr, brr,  After the third ring,

[…Eliaernes?]

Stella’s puzzled voice came through.

“Hey.”

[W-what? Why are you calling so late at night?]

And then, crash! There was a commotion behind Stella.

“Did you find a faculty advisor for the club?”

The noise stopped.

Then Stella answered in a dispirited voice.

[…You called just for that?]

“Yeah.”

[I thought, ugh.]

“Don’t ‘ugh’ me. So? Did you get one?”

Rustle, there was the sound of her getting back in bed, and then a little sigh.

[Nng… Hhh, yeah. I did. Um… but, uh…]

Stella hesitated, lips smacking. Then she sighed and spoke.

[Never mind. Anyway, I got one. The club starts next Thursday. I’ll remind you again before then, but just so you know.]

“Alright, got it.”

[So, why does your voice echo so much? What are you doing?]

“Half-bath after my period ended.”

A half-bath. In my previous life, I hardly ever got to enjoy such a luxury.

Did I rarely do it? No, I could count on one hand the times I tried it.

Maybe I only like it now because I have this new body.

Anyway, I hadn’t taken a half-bath for almost a week, even though I used to do it every other day.

I could have done it after the fourth day, but figured I’d better wait until it was really over, just in case.

So today, I’m taking my time and enjoying it.

[…Wait.]

Stella let out a surprised gasp, then paused.

[So you’re bathing right now? You called me while you were bathing?]

“What, did you think I was peeing while calling?”

[Ugh… Don’t say gross stuff like that.]

Rustle, Stella shifted on her bed, and her voice dropped to a whisper.

[…I took a bath too.]

“What, you want a medal? People are supposed to bathe every day.”

[I, it’s not bragging! I’m just saying! And I… I wash every day now! These days…]

“Good. Now you’re almost human. If you stop peeing your pants, you’ll be perfect.”

I giggled, teasing Stella. At the same time, she shrieked, and, 

Ding-dong, there was the sound of a bell.

[W-what? Who? Someone’s at my room?]

“That’s my room, you airhead.”

[Oh, really? Don’t call me an airhead! Anyone could get confused! So who’s at your door?]

“I don’t know. I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

As I said that, I got out of the tub.

Water droplets trickled down my slender curves.

My soft, wet feet slapped against the bathroom tiles.

[…You got up?]

“Yeah.”

Next, I wrapped a towel around my head.

My hair was too long and heavy to go out with it dripping.

And I didn’t like the water dripping on the floor, either.

[Why…?]

“Why do you think? I have to see who it is.”

[W-well, make sure you’re dressed before you answer…!]

“I know what I’m doing. Hang up now.”

[Hang up? No way. I want to know who it is.]

“What are you going to do with that information?”

I tossed out those words, set the device down, and threw on a bathrobe.

Normally, I’d dry off places where my skin folds, like under my arms or between my legs, before putting anything on, but since someone was waiting, I just put it on as is.

Then I picked the device back up.

Stella was still chattering away.

Whatever. I stepped out of the bathroom.

Maybe she heard the noise.

Someone outside the door called for me.

Miss!

A bright, cheerful, clear voice came through the intercom.

“What? Yurasia?”

[Uh, huh?! Big sis Yurasia?!]

Why did Yurasia suddenly come by?

Did she have something important to say?

[Why is Big sis Yurasia there…? Hah, no… Wait! Eliaernes! I-I’m coming too, ]

“Oh, shut up.”

I hung up on Stella and opened the door.

“What’s up?”

“Hehe. Good evening!”

Yurasia, holding a pile of late-night snacks, beamed brightly.

—

“Ugh… what if I get fat eating this much?”

“Why regret it after you already ate? And this is nothing. Considering how much we exercise, we could eat three times this and still not gain weight.”

I laughed, picking my teeth and patting my belly.

“Wow, Miss, you totally look like an old man right now.”

“There’s nothing you won’t say to me now, huh.”

Not that I mind.

Actually, I feel comfortable like this.

“Hehe.”

Yurasia knows how I feel, which is why she can grin like that.

“So, you didn’t just come for late-night snacks, did you? Is something up?”

“Nope! Nothing special?”

“Then why’d you come?”

Yurasia blinked.

“We’re supposed to sleep together tonight!”

[Ugh… I knew it…]

Right on cue, Stella’s voice came from the device.

[I should’ve moved faster…!]

Stella didn’t make it to my room.

She’d tried to sneak out, but the moment she left her room, she got caught by Maid Master Mikel for breaking curfew.

Of course, she got thoroughly scolded. She’s too scared to sneak out again now, with the threat of another punishment hanging over her.

So, like this, 

She just watched us eat snacks through a video call.

“Even if you got here, it’s not like I’d let you in.”

[What?! Hey! If I came… you wouldn’t let me in?!]

“Who knows?”

I stuck my tongue out at Stella’s scrunched-up face and turned to Yurasia.

“So, Yurasia, you brought your toothbrush to sleep over with me?”

“Yes! I can’t use your toothbrush, Miss!”

Yurasia answered with a big, bright smile.

Stella was appalled.

[Oh my god… T-toothbrush?]

“See? Yurasia is better than you. You showed up with nothing but an ugly pillow, not even a toothbrush.”

[…My mom gave me that pillow when I was a kid.]

“It does have a cute side, if you look closely. And it’s fluffy.”

I added, a little hastily.

Then Yurasia, who’d been listening, tilted her head.

“But Miss, there’s no extra pillow in your room?”

“Nope? Don’t you only get one pillow per person?”

“Well, yeah. But I brought my favorite pillow from home, just like Stella.”

“What’s with the favorite pillow thing? I don’t have one.”

I do have a doll. But that’s the Ellie doll Dad made me. It’s still by my pillow.

“Hmm… I thought you’d have an extra, so I didn’t bring mine. What should I do?”

Yurasia fiddled with her lips, looking troubled.

But, it’s not like not having a pillow is a big deal.

“Just share mine with me.”

[…What?]

“Is that okay? Won’t it bother you?”

“What’s there to be bothered about? The pillow’s big enough.”

[Uh? Uh…?]

“Hehe… Then I’ll do that!”

Yurasia nodded and stood up with a bright smile.

“Then I’ll go wash up!”

“Okay. Take your time.”

[Ugh… I should’ve done that too…]

Stella grumbled, but I didn’t reply and stood up.

[Hey, where are you going?]

“To brush my teeth. You should sleep now too. You’re exercising with Pina first thing tomorrow morning.”

[Ah… right. Exercise…]

“Hanging up.”

[W-wait!]

“What now.”

[…G-good night.]

I replied halfheartedly to Stella’s mumbled wish.

“Yeah. You too. Sweet dreams.”

And before she could say anything else, I ended the video call.

A short while later, splash!, came a sound from the bathroom.

Splash? That’s the sound of getting into the tub.

Did she already fill the water? That can’t be.

Then why the splash?

I hurried to the bathroom door.

“…Yurasia?”

“Hm… Yes?”

Yurasia’s voice sounded blissfully relaxed.

“Um, the bathwater… you got in with the same water I used?”

“Yes!”

“…Why?”

“It was still warm.”

“No, but still. Isn’t that dirty?”

Yurasia’s laughter echoed in the bathroom.

“Of course not. Not dirty at all. The bath salt smells nice, and it’s cooled off to just the right temperature. I actually like it better this way.”

“Better, huh…? Well, do what you want.”

“Yes.”

—

“No matter who called you, it’s dangerous to walk around with no caution at all, Ophelia.”

Somewhere in a silent back alley late at night, a gentle-looking man stopped Ophelia in her tracks.

“You don’t have to worry. This is just a puppet, after all.”

Even at the sudden voice, Ophelia didn’t flinch. She just smiled brightly as she answered.

“Even so, your puppets are different from ordinary puppets, aren’t they? Since your puppets perfectly replicate your real body, I can’t help but worry as your master.”

Embarrassed by the concern, Ophelia laughed softly.

“Even if something did happen, wouldn’t Master protect me?”

“That’s not wrong.”

At that, Ophelia’s master, the Puppet Emperor, smiled quietly and nodded.

“So, Ophelia. How is life at the academy?”

“As I always say, it’s very fun. All thanks to you, Master. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. You got into the academy purely thanks to your own outstanding abilities. In any case, I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

After saying that, the Puppet Emperor took a step closer and spoke more seriously.

“So, are there any difficulties or inconveniences with running the information guild?”

“Ah…”

At that question, Ophelia hesitated for a moment.

There were plenty of issues running the guild.

But lately, one thing in particular had been bothering her.

Eliaernes Eustetia.

Showing up out of nowhere, smashing up the guild office, dumping requests with no warning, her presence was… bothersome.

But it wasn’t a problem for running the guild. If anything, she was a help.

She was foul-mouthed, violent, rude, arrogant, and scary, but… thinking about it, as long as she didn’t lie and always paid well for completed jobs, she was the best kind of customer. The request fees she offered were enormous.

Just like today.

At this rate, Ophelia felt like she’d get beaten to death, so she told the truth.

The request fee was way more than half of what she’d normally get.

But Eliaernes insisted she take it all, saying you should get paid what you’re given.

It almost felt like a threat, but… it was way too much to refuse.

So, was Eliaernes a problem?

She was. And she was scary. But somehow, Ophelia didn’t think she was a bad person.

So Ophelia shook her head.

“No problems. Thank you as always for your concern, Master.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Once again, the Puppet Emperor nodded and pulled a small magic stone from his coat.

“It’s late. Let’s save the chatter for next time. Ophelia, here’s your monthly stone.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Ophelia carefully took it, as if it were more precious than anything, and hid it in her clothes.

“Will you handle it yourself this time, too?”

“Aha… Yes. I’ll do it myself again.”

“When you were little, you always asked for help, but now you handle it all by yourself. I suppose this is what a parent feels like?”

“N-no, it’s just… It goes right into the center of my real body’s chest, so… It’s embarrassing.”

“Teenage years, I see. I understand. Haha.”

The Puppet Emperor gave a bitter smile and waved Ophelia away, leaving her flustered and awkward.

“You can go now. Our next meeting will be… yes, about two weeks from now. In two weeks, I hope you’ll tell me how you did on your assignment, and other stories as well.”

“Yes, yes.”

“And as always, never forget your real body. Keep that in mind.”

“Yes. I’ll never forget…!”

Ophelia bowed her head and started walking back toward the academy, where her real body was.

Watching her go, the Puppet Emperor murmured softly after she disappeared from sight.

“You must never forget your real body. That body and soul are nothing more than tools for my transcendence.”

Chuckling, the Puppet Emperor turned and walked away.

“I wonder what expression you’ll wear at the end of this eighteen-year play, Ophelia.”

When the muttering ended, the puppet wearing the Puppet Emperor’s appearance vanished without a trace.

At the same time, a crow watching everything from atop a run-down building spread its wings.