Chapter 39: Elective Class (2)
"I should have come by more often, but I feel ashamed, Lian."
On Sister Roberta’s face as she spoke, exhaustion was clearly written.
It seemed she, too, had suffered quite a bit from handling the aftermath of the incident.
"No, Sister. Rather, I can only be grateful that you’ve come by several times despite how busy you must be."
"Hehe, hearing you say that saves my pride."
When Sister Roberta set the basket she was holding on the table, there came the clinking sound of glass bottles knocking together.
It seemed she had once again brought several potions, just like last time.
Sure enough, as soon as she sat down, she took a bottle from the basket.
"I heard you’ve nearly recovered now. In such cases… potions that restore the body’s vitality are always the best."
Smiling, she handed the bottle to me.
But I couldn’t easily extend my hand.
It was because of what had just happened moments ago.
"……."
Just earlier, my hand had passed through the chair as if it were made of smoke.
Startled, I had reached out again, and since there was no problem that time, I would normally have brushed it off as a mistake…
But this time, I couldn’t.
That was because I had seen the exact same phenomenon with my own eyes just a few days ago.
Rahma.
I clearly remembered that he had used such a power.
‘This doesn’t seem like something ordinary….’
Forcing an awkward smile, I said to her,
"Thank you for being so thoughtful, Sister. It’s almost time for me to take my medicine, so I’ll drink it along with that."
"Of course. Do as you feel comfortable, Lian."
Sister Roberta nodded and put the bottle back into the basket.
In the meantime, a quiet clattering sound was heard.
It was Cecilia, who had been preparing tea.
Watching her back as she worked, Sister Roberta asked me in a low voice.
"Does Miss Everglenn still keep coming by?"
"Yes."
When I nodded as I answered, Sister Roberta spoke with a complicated look in her eyes.
"As Lian has probably already heard, they say Miss Everglenn may appear fine outwardly, but inwardly her aura and energy are in great disorder."
"Yes, I heard that. She was told she needs to rest for several more days, just like me…."
I nodded slightly at her words.
In truth, it wasn’t strange at all.
No matter if she was Cecilia, the fact that she had manifested that many high-ranked spirits right from the start made it more unnatural for her to be fine afterward.
But what Sister Roberta was concerned about was Cecilia’s mental state.
In fact, right after being rescued, she had shown great anxiety.
They said she kept being wary of her surroundings and reacted with extreme sensitivity.
But for some reason, after meeting and speaking with me, she had shown a noticeable degree of calm.
Strictly speaking, the only reason she was even allowed to visit me every day instead of resting in another infirmary room was because of that circumstance.
‘Since we went through that together, she must feel a sense of kinship.’
Having experienced similar things several times in my previous life, I could easily understand her.
Besides, although it was somewhat calculated, Cecilia’s goodwill was only a benefit to me—there was nothing bad about it.
"Haa…"
At that moment, I heard a small sigh.
When I turned my head, Sister Roberta was wearing an utterly downcast expression.
"…If only I had been a little wiser, none of this would have happened. Neither Miss Everglenn nor you, Lian, would have been hurt like this."
"That’s not true, Sister."
I spoke in comfort.
"Rather, because you trusted me to the end, we were able to end it like this. If I were in your place, if it were me, I never would have taken such a gamble."
"But still…"
"Thanks to you, I’m alive now."
So please don’t blame yourself too much.
When I finished speaking, she showed a faint smile.
"…I came here to comfort you, yet I’m the one being comforted."
With that, Sister Roberta fell silent.
A little later, there was the sound of clinking, and teacups were placed down.
Bringing three cups of tea, Cecilia handed one first to Sister Roberta.
"Here."
"Oh my, how kind of you… Thank you, Miss Everglenn. I’ll gratefully drink it."
Receiving her cup, Sister Roberta beamed brightly and expressed her thanks.
Cecilia slightly nodded, glanced between me and Sister Roberta, then asked,
"Would it be better if I stepped out for a while?"
At that, Sister Roberta shook her head.
"No, it’s fine. Rather, if Miss Everglenn doesn’t mind, I’d like you to stay and listen with us."
"……."
Cecilia nodded and silently sat down.
Sister Roberta looked between the two of us, wearing a complicated expression.
"Well then, yes… where should I begin?"
Murmuring like that, she slowly began to gather her words.
Seeing her cast a soundproofing spell around us before starting, I could roughly guess what kind of story she was about to tell.
"First of all, the investigation into the incident is now nearly complete. Especially Archbishop Rah… no."
She shook her head slightly and swallowed back the words.
"Rahma, that man, as you said, Lian, has been concluded as the one who plotted everything that happened. And in addition, the accusation that he was a cultist of the Evil God has also been confirmed."
I just barely managed to suppress the flood of questions I almost let out.
For now, this was the time to listen.
"And the number of people who know this truth is extremely small. Among the students, it’s only you, Lian, and Miss Everglenn who were directly involved, and even if you add Professor Shagas and all the other faculty, it’s barely ten people in total."
That meant they intended to quietly bury this matter.
She nodded slowly, as if she had read my mind.
"Yes, Lian. With how sharp you are, you must have realized already. Just as you thought, this matter will likely never surface. And I believe you know the reason why as well."
"…The Holy Sun Church must have taken a hard stance."
In the end, I had no choice but to break the silence and speak.
It was so obvious there was hardly any need to think about it.
A man who had been Archbishop for decades, a figure of great prestige, turned out to be the one behind a catastrophic disaster, and on top of that, a cultist of the Evil God—there was no way they would allow such fatal news to spread.
"And from the looks of it, the Imperial Family doesn’t wish to dredge up this incident either."
Sister Roberta gave a bitter smile instead of an answer.
She only nodded in acknowledgment.
"Am I to understand that the reason you came here today, Sister, is also because of that?"
"Half right and half wrong."
While I straightened my posture, she let out a small breath.
"First of all, I’ve been assigned the role of your liaison, Lian. Considerations like our usual relationship and the fact that we are both members of the Holy Sun Church must have been taken into account. …Yes, that’s right. The reason I came here is to make you promise silence."
"A gag order, then."
"Yes, a gag order. And they also said that people like you, Lian, and Miss Everglenn, among a few others, would be given proper compensation. Based on that, I was ordered to come here and persuade you."
I nodded.
"I will not speak of this matter."
"Yes, I’ll report it that way. That Lian fully understood and swore to keep silent."
Sister Roberta let out a small sigh.
Then, glancing around as if checking our surroundings, she whispered.
"…Everything I just said was what I had to convey as ‘Roberta, a battle sister of the Holy Sun Church belonging to the Academy.’ And what I say from here is as Roberta, the teacher of Lian Gwendil."
She looked at me with a complicated gaze.
Then, with a softer voice, she said to me.
"For a while, be cautious of everyone who approaches you, Lian."
"Everyone, you mean?"
"Yes, whoever they may be. Of course, that includes me as well."
Sister Roberta slightly turned her head toward Cecilia.
"I think it would be best if Miss Everglenn also stayed alert for a while, just like Lian."
After finishing her words, she pressed her forehead hard as though suffering a headache.
"It’s shameful to say this with my own lips… but Lian, instead of feeling ashamed or grateful for what you did, there are those who harbor resentment and discontent. And as things stand, the Holy Sun Church is in a state where factional strife is growing ever more intense."
I let out a small sigh.
Honestly, it was something I had already expected.
"You mean there could be people trying to use me to build their political standing or to pull some trick. Everglenn…"
While speaking, I noticed Cecilia staring straight at me.
And realizing why, I coughed and corrected myself.
"Ahem, hem. I mean, in Cecilia’s case, the family name itself would put considerable pressure on anyone who approached her."
"…Yes, that’s correct."
Sister Roberta nodded.
"As a side note, the one appointed as Rahma’s successor this time is Archbishop Onnime. He’s someone who has spent a long time working in the field."
‘Archbishop Onnime?’
It was a name I had never heard before.
Above all, in my previous life, Rahma’s successor hadn’t arrived until nearly two months after the incident.
It seemed the future was flowing slightly differently from back then.
"…He is particularly known for his zeal among the Inquisitors. His record is so outstanding that even other Inquisitors acknowledge him."
"Huh."
That sounded like he wasn’t just eccentric, but a complete fanatic.
At my reaction, Roberta murmured calmly.
"Yes, as you suspect, there is a high chance he may approach you, Lian. Of course, nothing has been finalized yet, but the fact that word of it has reached even me means his appointment is nearly certain."
"I can see now why you told me to be wary of everyone approaching me."
"There will be procedures, so it will take some time before he arrives. Still, it never hurts to be on guard ahead of time."
At her words, I slowly nodded.
It was something I had already half expected, but hearing such a direct warning from an insider made the situation feel all the more real.
‘Even so….’
…To be honest, although I was keeping my guard up, I didn’t really feel that much of a sense of crisis.
If Sister Roberta had known my true feelings, she would have frowned as hard as she could.
‘Frankly speaking, it’s not like the Holy Sun Church or the Imperial Family are trying to take my head or have put a bounty on me.’
Perhaps it was thanks to the experience of surviving in situations that couldn’t possibly get any worse for years.
Instead, I could actually stay calm and organize my thoughts.
Above all, the fact that if they tried anything now, it would more likely be to use me rather than to harm me, also helped me remain composed.
"I understand for now."
Still, I deliberately spoke with a serious expression.
And then, looking at her who had gone out of her way to come warn me in person, I slowly nodded to reassure her.
"I will be careful and stay alert, just as you said."
"Yes, please do. Of course, I may just be jumping the gun… but it’s always better than regretting things after the fact."
With those words, Sister Roberta slowly rose from her seat.
She stopped me when I tried to rise with her and said,
"Then I’ll take my leave. …I do hope I didn’t burden you with worries when you should be resting."
Sister Roberta gave a smile toward Cecilia, who had been quietly sitting.
"I hope you also take good care of yourself, Miss Everglenn. Thank you for the tea."
"Thank you for your concern."
And with a final reminder to rest well, Sister Roberta left.
No doubt she had forced some time out of the mountain of tasks waiting for her in order to come all the way here.
"She’s a good person."
"Yes."
As if sensing my thoughts, Cecilia quietly murmured.
I nodded in agreement with her words.
"She really is."
"Yes, truly…"
With those words, Cecilia tilted her head slightly in thought.
It was her habit whenever she began thinking deeply.
And I already knew from experience that once she was like that, no matter what I said, she wouldn’t budge.
"……."
In the meantime, I carefully reached into the basket and picked up one of the potions.
Clink.
Contrary to my worries, this time I was able to hold the glass bottle without any problem.
I stroked the smooth surface of the glass bottle with my fingers, replaying what had happened earlier.
‘…Just what in the world is going on?’
What had just happened was not something I could simply brush aside.
It was a phenomenon as if my body had turned into smoke.
It wasn’t difficult to figure out that it must be related to Rahma, and the brand he carried.
The problem was why something like that had just happened to me.
"……."
And what I needed to investigate and uncover wasn’t only what had just happened.
What had occurred between Cecilia and Rahma.
Any clues or traces about the brand that could be gleaned from it.
And furthermore, the countless changes and differences that might arise because events were now diverging from my past life…
I had to think about all of it.
‘Surely….’
If my memory was correct, there wouldn’t be any major incidents like the Dungeon Field Class for a while.
So for now, I had to calmly prepare myself for what was to come.
Also, since Sister Roberta had personally come to warn me, I would need to pay particular attention, starting with that man called Archbishop Onnime.
"Hoo."
My head was already starting to ache.
This wasn’t really my specialty, I thought to myself at that moment.
"…Mm."
Then Cecilia, who had been sitting next to me, finally seemed to have reached a conclusion, and she gave a firm nod.
She slowly turned her head to look at me.
"Lian."
She spoke to me.
"I have a request."
"A request?"
"Yes. Will you grant it?"
A request, she said.
I nodded.
"Yes. What is it you want me to do?"
Whatever it was, it couldn’t be anything too difficult.
Or so I thought.
"Please take me as your disciple."
"…What?"
From her lips came words that I couldn’t dismiss as a joke.