"Don't forget, kid—right now, I'm already half-dead. But even if I were still in perfect shape, why should I play the supporting role for you?"
"You really think you're the protagonist? No! You're just an unlucky brat whom I, a scheming high-Sequence old fox, happened to pick up. You're the nourishment I need to stay alive!"
"If you keep standing still, sooner or later I'll drain all your life force dry—and you'll die long before your time!"
As Pallez spoke, Leonard's face grew paler and paler. His pupils unfocused, his knees wobbled, and he nearly stumbled to the ground.
"Do you know why Daly intentionally guided you here today? Do you know what truth she wanted you to discover?"
Pallez's tone softened slightly. "Not long ago, the mastermind behind the Tingen Incident made another move on Dunn. If Daly hadn't arrived in time—prepared to fight to the death—Dunn would have truly died this time."
"And with Feysac officially at war with Loen, the situation has become even more chaotic and dangerous. So Daly wants to confess everything to you—to confess to the Church—to seek protection."
"Now tell me…"
Pallez spoke with a cool indifference. "If no one in the Church of Evernight speaks on their behalf, do you think the Church will tolerate Dunn's fake death and deception…or punish him?"
"…"
Leonard's heart trembled. He hurriedly said, "I—I'll help."
"You? You think you're worthy?"
Pallez's tone carried no attempt to hide his mockery. "You're just a mere Sequence 6, the captain of a Red Gloves team. What makes you think the Church will listen to you?"
Leonard lowered his head in defeat.
Right…what qualifications did he have?
A Sequence 6—what a joke…
'Ah, it's been a long time since I got to insult someone this thoroughly. Did I overdo it? Did I make the kid shut down emotionally?' Pallez grumbled inwardly, then said aloud, "Ultimately, it's because you're too weak."
"If you were strong enough—if you had a status like that so-called Goddess' Sword—this wouldn't even be a problem. You could simply declare that Dunn and Klein's fake deaths were part of a covert mission you orchestrated. Whatever the truth actually is wouldn't matter at all, because your version would become truth."
"…"
Leonard murmured blankly, "But someone can't reach that level in a short time…And Captain and the others are in danger right now. I can't do anything."
"Since we've gotten along decently, I suppose this old man can help you protect Dunn a bit until you grow stronger. And besides, I have a suggestion."
"What suggestion?"
Pallez chuckled. "Remember that mysterious organisation you investigated some time ago—the one marked by Tarot cards?"
Leonard nodded repeatedly. "Of course I remember!"
"I've obtained the method to join them. Joining might help you grow stronger more quickly."
Leonard's eyes lit up. "What?!"
"Repeat these three lines: 'The Fool that doesn't belong to this era; The Mysterious Ruler above the Gray Fog; The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck'."
Leonard repeated in a whisper, "The Fool that doesn't belong to this era…The Mysterious Ruler above the Gray Fog…"
His eyes suddenly widened. "Isn't this a three-segment prayer formula used only for deities?! Old man, you want me to worship an evil god?!"
"For strength—what's wrong with worshipping an evil god?"
"But—"
"Klein and Edward are both members of that organisation."
Leonard's eyes flashed sharply. "I'm doing it!"
———
Backlund, inside an Aurora Order stronghold.
Priscilla lay on the windowsill with her chin in her hands, staring outside with a worried expression. "Are we really not sending the Aurora Order to help?"
"…"
Medici's eye twitched fiercely. "You idiot. This is the Aurora Order—continent-wide recognised heretics and terrorists. Did you really think it was some righteous organisation?"
"If you dare send people to help, the authorities and the Church will be here to arrest you before your agents even return!"
Priscilla frowned tightly. "But I'm righteous!"
"Oh? I didn't notice."
She turned around to walk out. "Then I don't want to be Miss D of the Aurora Order anymore."
Medici inhaled sharply and pressed a hand to his forehead. "Do you think this is playing house? You can't just quit because you feel like it!"
"Why not?"
His fists clenched. Very hard.
"Ah, Medici, parenting again, are we?"
A crisp, bell-like voice suddenly rang out. Without anyone noticing, a little girl—seemingly only six or seven years old—had appeared in the room. Exquisitely adorable, she radiated an unusual, enchanting charm.
"!!!"
Medici's pupils rippled in clear shock as he stared at the girl. "Lilith…"
"Ahh-ha, look at that face, that tone—like we haven't seen each other in ages. Didn't we just meet not long ago?"
Priscilla jumped with delight. "Wow! Lilith?! Are you really Lilith?!"
Although she had seen Lilith a few times in the Tarot Club, this was Priscilla's first time seeing Lilith's human form in reality. If she hadn't already confirmed it with Audrey, she would never have believed that the adorable little kitten from before had turned into a little girl the same size as herself!
"It's me, little Priscilla~"
"Miss Empress?!"
"That's me too~"
"Waaah!!! Amazing!"
Priscilla rushed over, grabbed Lilith's hands, and bounced up and down excitedly.
"Hmm? Medici, you don't look very happy to see me~"
Lilith turned her head toward him. "Still mad I snatched that Conqueror characteristic half a step before you?"
"Hmph! That only means my skills were inferior."
Medici crossed his arms and snorted. "Besides, aren't you still missing one more Conqueror characteristic and the uniqueness? Who laughs last is still undetermined."
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I've almost finished negotiating with Herabergen. Once the timing is right, I can absorb it."
"Oh? 'The timing is right?'"
Medici remained composed. "I'd really like to see what kind of timing would allow you to withstand a uniqueness polluted by both the River of Eternal Darkness and the City of Calamity."
Priscilla looked left, then right, confusion written all over her face. "Medici, Lilith, what are you talking about?"
"Just chatting about random things. It's fine if you don't understand."
"Oh~"
After a brief silence—
"Hey," Lilith and Medici said at the exact same moment.
"…"
Lilith waved a hand. "You go first."
Medici didn't stand on ceremony. "Was the Northern Continent war triggered by you—so you could complete your ritual?"
"Huh?"
Lilith stared in confusion. "I was about to ask you the same thing! Weren't you the one instigating things from behind the scenes?"
Another stretch of silence.
"So it really wasn't you?" Both of them spoke at once.
"You're serious?" Both of them again.
"Swear it!" Perfect unison.
The two exchanged three sentences with impeccable synchrony.
"Stop copying me!" Again, in perfect unison.
Lilith frowned slightly. "I thought it was you and Adam stirring up trouble."
"Adam? Are you joking? You may not care about him teaming up with Cheek to kill you back then, but I'll never forget what he did to me!"
Medici snorted. "Although someone did come to me recently, claiming to carry God of Combat Badhiel's command and asking to cooperate. I refused."
"Why? That's a great opportunity for you."
"Why? Hah. Don't you know who arranged for that stupid girl to approach me? Amanises predicted all of this long ago and pressed me down a step ahead of time!"
His expression was full of displeasure. "Otherwise, I'd have had no reason to refuse."
"Heehee. If He could ask you to cooperate, He must have had a way to lift your seal, right? What's wrong? Was the price Priscilla's life? Couldn't bear to sacrifice her?"
Medici said coolly, "You think I'd care about that?"
"Then why?"
Lilith didn't believe Medici was simply being 'tsundere.' There had to be a compelling reason for his refusal.
"Hahahaha. Lilith, don't forget—we're competitors now. You think I'd tell you everything?"
"Tch, stingy."
Medici raised an eyebrow. "By the way, where's that kid?"
"Not telling you!"
Priscilla chimed in, "Are you talking about Big Brother Edward? Lilith, where did he go?"
"I already told you in the Tarot Club~ He's in a very, very safe place. I can't tell anyone, or he might stop being safe."
"Alright~"
Priscilla nodded obediently. "But when he comes back, you have to tell me right away!"
Lilith grinned and patted her head. "Of course!"
"Hey! Don't pat my head like an adult, Lilith!"
"I am an adult."
"No, you're not!"
Priscilla muttered, "Before you transformed, you were only two or three years old. Now you look my age, but you can't be more than four! You're clearly younger than me!"
"Aiya, you caught me. Then…should I call you…Big Sister Priscilla~?"
Her eyes lit up instantly, and she lifted her chin proudly. "Wow! I love that! 'Big Sister Priscilla'—hahaha, so good~"
"Big Sister Priscilla~"
"Hahahaha~"
Medici rolled his eyes so hard they nearly fell out. You're a several-thousand-year-old ancient hag and still pretending to be cute—not a sight I needed to see.
After laughing for a while, Lilith suddenly asked, "Right—where's Audrey? Didn't she say she was coming with you?"
"When the explosion just happened, she rushed off to help with the rescue efforts."
As she spoke, Priscilla lowered her voice. "Lilith…is the war really going to break out?"
"Mhm."
"But why? Isn't everyone living just fine? Why must they go to war?"
Lilith thought for a moment, then said, "Some wars are sparked by conflicts of interest between social classes. Some are driven by a small group of people for personal gain. Some wars happen because the big picture forces them into it. And yet, there are also wars fought to overthrow invaders and oppressors, to win freedom and rebirth."
"Although war always brings casualties, no matter the cause, there are wars that are necessary—and worthwhile."
Priscilla scratched her cheek. "I still don't really understand."
Medici raised an eyebrow, somewhat impressed. "Looks like you've really prepared for advancing to Red Priest. This war theory is nothing like what the silly Lilith I know could ever say."
Lilith immediately planted her hands on her hips in protest. "First of all, Miss Lilith is not silly!"
———
[Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.