How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 204

Giving Meaning (7)

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“This is what happened at Baron Planzel.”

The expression of Jenika Failover, who was sitting across from the campfire, was not very happy. She didn’t know what to say, so she just looked at Bell’s face with a teary face.

Seeing that, Bell wondered if he had talked about it for nothing.

Although he himself said it was nothing, Bell’s personal life was bleak to anyone’s eyes.

If it had not been for Belle, who had a strong heart, it would not have been strange if she had lost the will to live.

Although he is an illegitimate child, Baron Planzel sacrificed himself to save his daughter, who was born through his bloodline.

In the end, he was able to avoid handing over his daughter to the hands of a greedy nobleman… but he had to give up his life in return.

It was such a tragic and unfortunate story that Yenika couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

“I’m sorry, Bell. I didn’t know it was such a story… I begged you to hear it…”

“You don’t have to be so sorry. In fact, it’s embarrassing for the other party to hear such a story, so I usually don’t do it well. And… it doesn’t really leave a scar on me.”

“Really? But… if I was in Bell’s position, I think it would have been a big wound…”

“Well, I was shocked at the time. But… As I said, there are still some parts of this story that I haven’t told Mr. Ed. It’s a part that I intentionally left out.”

Belle shoved some more wood into the campfire and channeled her magic to make the fire stronger. It was still in the middle of the night, so he had to keep the fire burning longer.

“You said you intentionally left it out…? Why? Was there something you didn’t want to tell Ed about?”

“Because the message of the story changes.”

To Jenika who tilted her head, Bell did not bother to add an additional explanation.

The reason Bell dared to tell Ed about her past was because she wanted to tell him never to make an extreme choice like suicide again.

As long as you live, the day will surely come.

So stay alive. Even if there is no joy in the world, and it seems full of hardships in front of you.

Hold on to your legs, grit your teeth, and somehow stand firm and survive.

“It is important to survive and continue life. However, it is not a common word for everyone in the world.”

“Bell… what do you want to say?”

“It’s not a very grandiose story. Baron Planzel had already suffered from a long illness. Even if he hadn’t taken his own life, he would have passed away shortly after.”

At those words, Yenika was speechless and stumped.

That’s what Belle didn’t tell Ed about.

After all, Baron Planzel was a man sentenced to life.

It means that at the end of life, he was a person who looked back on life and was ready to accept death.

“When a person faces death, whoever he is, he reflects on the life he has walked.”

“bell…”

“Baron Planzel probably wanted to give some meaning to his life.”

Just by changing the premise of Baron Planzel’s lifespan, the impression of the story of his death is completely changed.

It was only then that Yenika realized why Bell hadn’t told Ed about this.

And I also understood why Belle was able to talk about such a tragedy in a normal state without being sad.

For Belle, the story of Baron Planzel’s death was not a story of a sad, pitiful tragedy.

It was a heroic story of a noble man who decided on his own place, fulfilled his will and left.

Bell Maia’s room is still decorated with a dagger with a wildcat pattern.

It was the Planzel family dagger that her father, Valmid Planzel, gave as a keepsake to Belle with a benevolent smile on the day he was about to leave.

After the story, I looked up and saw that the sky was full of stars like salt.

*

“Austen Abbey… suicide…?”

no ears to hear

Still, someone might hear it by chance. If so, it is dangerous.

Impatience welled up in Persica’s heart. But Ed Rosteyler didn’t seem to care at all.

“How did you know that Abbot Austin was hiding a child from an Ain tribe?”

Ed Rosteylor, who was praying, immediately put in a fastball. Princess Persica and Tune had no choice but to hold their breath.

“What did you mean by that?”

But the handling is smooth. He didn’t stutter or show any signs of bewilderment.

“Do you have any contact with Zelan the Severer? Other than him, no one will know the secrets that Cledric Monastery has hidden.”

“You’re talking about something I don’t know.”

“Honestly, you can talk openly. I have already confirmed that there is no one in the chapel.”

I’ve heard a lot of rumors about Ed Rosteyler.

Anyway, I knew very well that he was a mysterious, oddly sharp human being.

However, since they didn’t know that they would penetrate the lungs from their first meeting like this… Princess Persica swallowed her breath.

“One thing is certain, you are falling into a trap right now. Princess Persica.”

“…”

“Have you fallen into the trap that Abbot Austin has set for you, and are you trying to escape somehow?”

The reason why Lucy Meiril stayed still even when she was accused of being a murderer right away.

That’s because Persica is already in a corner even if she stays still. At first, I couldn’t figure out what was going on inside, but when all my thoughts were sorted out, it became completely clear.

“Isn’t the reason why you attended this prayer meeting in the first place to appease the Abbot of Austin, using the pretext of hiding the demi-humans? In order to formally ask for your support at the soon-scheduled imperial meeting.”

To Abbot Austin, all the nuns of Cledric Abbey are like his own daughters.

It’s… the same for all, even the children of the demi-humans.

“I’ll keep all of this a secret, and I’ll close my eyes even after I seize the imperial power, so if you persuade me to formally support you… even if you are the head of Austin Abbey, who fully supports Princess Penia, your heart can’t help but be shaken. “

“You’re telling an interesting story.”

Princess Persica reacted leisurely, but inside she was greatly perplexed.

First of all, from Ed Rosteyler’s point of view, there is no clue whatsoever to draw any of these things out.

Where did the information leak out?

At least in this monastery, only Tune knew all this information. However, it is hard to imagine that Tune would have betrayed him.

It was because there was no advantage from betrayal, and above all, because she was always beside Persica as an escort.

“It’s definitely a reason to come a long way. If I can get the Abbot of Austin on my side, the voices of those who support Princess Persica will grow even within the Church of Telos.”

However, the situation did not go the way Princess Persica intended.

When the Abbey of Austin, the target of appeasement, was found dead… All plans went to waste.

It happened shortly after Princess Persica visited Cledric Monastery.

“Hasn’t your appeasement plan worked out like you wanted?”

“If you try to blaspheme and scorn me any longer, I will not stand still. Even though this is not the imperial palace… You must know that my authority is not comparable to that of the Duke of Roth Taylor.”

“I’m not trying to disrespect authority. I’m here to negotiate.”

Ed Rosteeler, who had been praying, slowly opened his eyes.

He doesn’t look bewildered, relaxed, or even mocking.

Calmly and calmly, I just talk about the reality.

The reality of the person named Ed Roth Taylor, who had only heard about it through rumors… was very different from what Princess Persica had imagined.

He never panics. Even in the presence of Princess Persica, whose secular authority pierces the sky.

“If you look at all these circumstances, it becomes possible to deduce the circumstances that Abbot Austin committed suicide in response to Princess Persica’s threats.”

“It’s a leap in logic.”

“Well, in the long run, Abbot Austin will have to continue to be swayed by the imperial family even after Princess Persica seizes the imperial power.”

The Ain tribe’s rebellion, which came close to killing the emperor, still scars the hearts of the people of the empire.

As long as it keeps the secret that it is protecting the subhumans, who have now become enemies of the empire, Cledric Monastery must be swayed by Princess Persica’s words until the day she dies.

Accepting Gellan’s request. This happened only because of the abbot’s personal deviation.

It wasn’t the Austin Abbey who was watching it quietly.

That’s why… I chose it.

“It’s not like Princess Persica didn’t think of such a possibility.”

“Tune!”

– Wicked!

Tune drew a knife and placed it around Ed Rosteylor’s neck.

An atmosphere sharper than that sad blade hung over the chapel. Tune’s blade was pointed at Ed Roth Taylor’s neck without flinching, but Ed still didn’t budge.

“Princess Persica. I don’t want the situation to turn into an armed conflict.”

Ed Rosteeler always speaks the truth calmly.

“I am many times stronger than your escort knight.”

Looking up at the icon on the podium in a respectful manner without even making eye contact, Ed Rosteyler spoke calmly.

Tune is also a renowned strongman among the Imperial Knights. Since he was a child, he is a master swordsman who has walked the path of a gifted child.

However, there is conviction in Ed Rosteyler’s allusive words. It is not an expression of confidence or an expression of pride. It’s just stating the facts as they are.

“Otherwise, why are you so obsessed with arresting Lucy Mayrill?”

The tips of Princess Persica’s eyes trembled slightly.

“Other nuns may not know, but at least Princess Persica, who saw Lucy in the Rose Palace, doesn’t know? He’s a magician who can do it.”

Nevertheless, Princess Persica proudly ordered the arrest of Lucy Mayrill.

Even though I know how useless that instruction is.

“Didn’t you know beforehand that Lucy Meiril wouldn’t resist?”

The appearance of Lucy who does not defend herself to the extent of being bizarre.

Even from Persica’s point of view, Lucy’s response could have been expected to some extent… She didn’t even feel the slightest hesitation in her actions.

“If Lucy pleads innocence and reveals the truth, the abbot’s plans will all be ruined.”

The abbot’s plan was simple.

By taking her own life, she thwarts Persica’s plan to seize the children of the Ain tribe and wield the monastery.

If she disappears, Persica’s purpose will also disappear.

It doesn’t end there.

Austin, a saint of the Church of Telos, took his own life to avoid succumbing to political pressure from Princess Persica.

This fact brings unbelievable political pressure to Persica.

If it is revealed on the surface that the cause of the death of the elderly man who is respected by everyone is Persica… I can’t even imagine the political aftermath that will return from it.

First of all, the Church of Telos will definitely become an enemy. All the Telosists within the imperial family also turned around. Among the noble families, all the families baptized by the Church of Telos are the same.

No matter how much Austin is just a nun, he can’t touch it carelessly. These were the words spoken by Princess Persica herself.

The words wrap around your body like a gourd.

Austin Abbey is already dead. The old man no longer remains in the world.

However, the wrinkly and powerless old man’s hand wrapped around Princess Persica’s shoulder.

A feeling of being hugged from behind. When she turns around with goosebumps, she sees a skeleton in her habit pressing down on her back.

“Abbot Austin wants all of this to not be revealed to the world. If all the truth is revealed, the truth about the subhumans that the monastery is protecting will inevitably be revealed.”

We don’t know what kind of conversation Lucy had with Abbot Austin before she was alive.

However, Lucy knew the whole truth. That’s why I’m going to keep my mouth shut.

Austin Abbey wanted only one thing after all.

“Maintain the status quo.”

Bind Persica politically so that the children of the Ain tribe can live in the monastery as before.

The stake is your life. And, he landed a solid and clean hit.

The truth about Abbot Austin’s death must never be revealed to the world.

It was good for Persica and for the dead Abbot of Austin. Persica didn’t want to, but when she came to her senses, she was on the same boat as Austin, and was tied up.

By the time you notice that you have fallen into the swamp spread by the dead, it is after your body has already been sucked up to your waist.

Princess Persica was just struggling to get out of this situation.

Princess Persica… was silent.

“All of this, I will pretend not to know. Only God who hears this prayer will know. If there is a God.”

From the beginning I said I came here to negotiate.

“You’re in control of the Imperial Knights. If I ever ask for it, please send more than a certain number of Imperial Knights to Aken Island. It only takes once. This is my requirement.”

The Imperial Knight Commander is attached to Persica.

Therefore, it was safe to say that Persica held the authority to operate the Knights indirectly.

On the day the Holy Changryong, Velbroke, descended, it was only necessary for the Knights to be stationed on Aken Island.

“Also, it will be difficult right now, but please guarantee Lucy Meiril’s innocence. I only need those two. If only those two are guaranteed, only that icon knows all the possibilities I’ve come up with today. …Return to the icon If it depends.”

It is an opponent that cannot be suppressed by force.

Ed Rosteylor is a man who can handle high-ranking spirits and conditionally summon the power of the highest-ranking spirits.

In this now closed Cleric Monastery, no one could subdue him.

However, Ed Rosteiler is not the kind of person who solves every situation with only strength.

Power is only one of the means, not the end. The reason why Persica is able to negotiate with Persica on an equal footing despite the vast difference in status is because the balance of power is in the end.

After all, the negotiation table is the exclusive property of the powerful.

Ed Rosteyler is someone who understands that fact deeply and lives it.

“Ed… Ross Taylor…”

The man never said anything more than was necessary. He just sat in his prayer seat and looked up at the stained glass on the podium.

The inside of the man, without even the slightest movement of emotion, is as deep and dark as the deep sea.

Princess Persica gently closed and opened her eyes, and slowly expressed her intention to surrender. Inevitably, the sound of grinding teeth came along with it.

“Yes… this time you won.”

Princess Persica had a hunch at this point.

In the upcoming battle for the imperial power, this man is the one to be especially wary of.

*I received a call that an investigation team was on the shore. It was later than planned and it was completely dark.

The low tide time is also delayed more than expected, and the moon is already floating in the middle of the sky, but the sea water is still high. It seems that it will take more time for the investigation team to enter. If you have a chance to meet Lucy, this is the last time.

Anyway, as long as Princess Persica personally guaranteed Lucy Meiril’s innocence, she would be released after a little investigation. The voice of Princess Persica would reach her deeply if it was her imperial research team.

As time passes, it fades away, and eventually the death of Abbot Austin is best left as an unsolved case.

I climbed and climbed the steeple of the monastery that stretched high into the sky. Even after passing Saint Clarisse’s room, I had to go up a long way.

The width of the stairs got narrower and narrower, and as I got closer to the attic, it turned into a space that only I could pass through.

Then I opened the wooden door at the end and entered the dusty attic.

“…”

Lucy Meiril was not there. Only a hole in the wall, seemingly magical, remained.

– Whiiing

Only the sound of the wind coming in was hollow. Looking slowly towards the hole, it leads directly to the roof of the monastery. He used this to escape.

To be honest, I wouldn’t really have any intention of escaping, so I might have to consider it more like just going out for a walk.

I climbed off the roof and deftly rode down the contorted roof of the monastery. His clothes were stained with dust, but he didn’t care.

As I slipped and stepped on the outside of the roof, it was a truly dizzying sight. Beyond the coastline, you can even see the beginning of the road leading to the mansion of Marquis Jahul.

If you look on the other side, you can see the stretched out night sea. Most of them were only dark and eerie, but campfires were burning here and there because the investigation team was stationed along the coastline.

When the tide goes low, those investigators will slowly come into the monastery.

“…”

the sky is full of stars

Caught in the chilly sea breeze, I threw myself onto the extended roof.

– Percussion!

And, after landing, look back… An unexpected scene unfolded. He didn’t show any signs of embarrassment, but he didn’t immediately open up his words.

“…here.”

Lucy Meiril is gazing at the stars while hugging her knees in the gentle sea breeze.

Under the roof of the steeple that extended behind her like an eaves, several light sword hilts were stuck like bars.

High-level light magic, the hilt of a luminous sword. It is a magic used to seal a specific space or block access.

And in the space under the extended roof, blocked by the sword of light and trapped… there was a girl crying while holding her knee.

His battered habit and hands were covered in blood. Its sharp claws match exactly the characteristics of the demi-humans, which rise on the day of the full moon.

The ears of the beast that flowed from the side of the head. He was crying as if he was heartbroken.

——It was Eileen, the escaped demi-human girl that Auxiliary Bishop Melinir had talked about. She could tell just by looking at her quilt-like blonde hair and her thin, white wrists.

“You were protecting it.”

“He doesn’t say anything. He must have been hurt. And every once in a while he turned into a beast and tried to attack us, so we had to lock him up.”

With a tear-stained face, bloodstains on the hands.

What that means… I didn’t bother talking about it.

If you look at the space inside the sword hilt, you can see that there are things like food. Lucy stole it from the restaurant on the first floor of the main building and brought it to Eileen. Probably moved late at night. This also clarified the identity of the rumor about the ghost.

Rumors about ghosts circling the main building of the monastery… It was like half Eileen and half Lucy.

Lucy, who had captured and protected Eileen from the middle. She knew the whole truth from the start.

I looked up at the star-filled sky for a while, then went and sat next to Lucy.

The coastal scenery where the survey team was stationed came into view at a glance. In addition to the stars tightly packed in the sky, the light from the campfire also felt like floating stars.

“But you should have told me the whole story.”

“I didn’t have time for that. I should have organized my thoughts a lot.”

“What were you thinking?”

“It’s just… that old lady… she was acquainted with Grandpa Glockt… so her thoughts were complicated.”

An old acquaintance of the great wizard Glockt.

That’s why Lucy sat down with Abbot Austin the other night and talked a lot.

The truth about her death was strangely different from what he had told Princess Persica.

The cause of death of Abbot Austin is manslaughter.

The reason he talked to Princess Persica like that was to stir up misunderstandings and gain a political advantage. It was all just a process for the subjugation of Velbroke.

“So, can you explain what happened now?”

Lucy, holding her own knee, looking strangely melancholy and lethargic.

With her back to the disappointed girl, what she is just staring at is the night sea and the sea of ​​stars.

A cool sea breeze tinged with the moonlight blows in and blows through Lucy’s beautifully arranged hair.

A procession of campfire lights along the coastline. My heart was strangely softened by that peaceful sight…

Only then did Lucy slowly open her mouth.

“I met the old woman here the day before yesterday.”

*It was a night full of stars, just like now, that Lucy Meiril found Abbot Austin lying on the roof of the abbey, bleeding.

“Ohhh… Uninvited guests at this time… Plus, you’re a fun guest.”

Like a stray cat walking through a city at night, Lucy, who fluttered lightly across the roof of the monastery, trembled.

There were already bloodstains around the abbot, who was sitting between the outer wall and the roof.

It is not the amount of blood loss that an elderly person can endure. Now, even belatedly, she tried to gather her magic to stop the bleeding, but instead, Abbot Austin stopped Lucy from healing her.

“It seems that the time for treatment has already passed. It’s not someone else’s, but it’s my body, so I know it well. Kkeuk…”

“…”

“When you live as one body over 100 years old, there are times when you realize that I’m going to be a heck of a fool. So don’t worry too much.”

No matter how much she said that, Lucy couldn’t stay still.

Lucy leaped and landed in front of the fallen Abbot Austin, clutching her hat tightly.

As soon as she checked the wound, Lucy could only frown for a moment.

A small pierced spot on the lower abdomen, something like a beast’s claw. It’s not as big as I thought, but it’s pretty deep.

If he was a strong man, he might not have even suffered a fatal wound, but for an old woman over 100 years old, it would not be strange if such wounds and blood loss would immediately lead to a threat to her life.

In addition, it is even more dangerous if it has been left on the roof for a long time in this state.

No matter how magical he is, he cannot put the blood that has already been shed back into his body.

The face of Abbot Austin, who was becoming pale, was embarrassing to Lucy.

However, the most embarrassing thing was what Austin said next.

“I couldn’t believe it when the old man Glockt said he had recruited students, but I see… he’s just as eccentric as the old man.”

Austin recognized Lucy.

Even if you are a human like a living history book, it will not be easy to recognize a girl named Lucy Meiril at a glance.

Although she has recently become famous in the central part of the Empire and is also famous as the head of Sylvania… Recognizing Lucy in the midst of her hazy consciousness was almost miraculous.

An acquaintance of the great wizard Glockt Elderbane.

That alone made Lucy’s eyes widen.

“That old man… I don’t think he had the talent to teach magic… Child, you must have suffered a lot too.”

It also looked pretty sloppy.

In an attempt to save Austin somehow, Lucy gathered her magic and tried to bandage the wound, but the 109-year-old’s body had already suffered more than enough fatal blows.

“Still, since the disciple of the old man appeared like this at the end of my life, it seems that the Lord Telos, who gave it to me, also answered my prayer.”

“…Don’t talk too much. The blood… keeps coming…”

“Hey, if you look at my old relationship with Old Man Glockt, can you grant this old man’s last two wishes…?”

The possibility of surviving had already been completely ruled out. Even in such a state, a calm and benevolent tone continues. Indeed, it is age.

“The child who hurt me is still roaming around on the roof of the monastery. Rumors of a ‘ghost’ are somehow evasive… but he won’t last long. Before that, can you catch him and get him back? ?”

Lucy, who always had a blank face, narrowed her brows as if anxious. It is rare enough to see Lucy, who is blunt, displaying such feelings, perhaps only once a year.

“…that’s easy.”

“Yes, thank you. And again… I want to sit back in my room chair one last time and close my eyes. Could you move me to a room…?”

“I have to go to the hospital, not to my room.”

“It’s a request. It’s because there’s something I need to do in the room from now on.”

“Tell me and I’ll do it for you.”

“It’s sad, but this old man can only do it himself.”

It was a waste of time to even argue like that. It was because the life in Austin’s eyes was slowly fading away.

Lucy gritted her teeth and manifested her magical energy, expressing spatial magical power to move Abbot Austin’s body into the room.

A shabby and frugal room. The body of Abbot Austin was located in that small room with nothing to be proud of other than the beautiful moonlight.

Lying on the wooden chair she often sat in during prayer, she tried to laugh loudly while curling up.

“Keuk kuk, kuk kak.”

Abbey Austin, who was smiling as if the world was good, took a hard breath before long.

The desk in the room was piled full of letters from Princess Persica. There was a story about the Ain tribe and a request for cooperation from Abbot Austin Abbey in the future imperial conflict.

Lucy skimmed through it, then looked back at Austin.

As if sitting in an armchair, Austin, who was stretched out, talks.

“Now… get out. There’s nothing good about staying here too long.”

“What are you doing in your room…?”

At that, Austin smiled and added.

“I have to protect my daughters.”

Lucy knew all about what Austin was thinking at this point.

The moment a dead body with scars from the claws of a beast is discovered, it is clear what will happen to the monastery. Since there were no wild beasts in this artificially built monastery on a rocky island, it wouldn’t take long for it to be determined to be the work of the subhumans.

Above all, in the basement of this monastery, there is a separate penitentiary room for demi-humans, and if the imperial army decided to search, finding a group of nuns with animal ears would not be a problem.

So, it is most important not to make public opinion itself. If you’re going to come up with an alternative, it’s better if you even restrain Princess Persica from exercising her influence over the monastery.

The way… is clearly decided.

Austin reached out to the desk with difficulty and burned all the letters sent by Princess Persica to a large candlestick next to it.

“Oh, go now. I want to be alone.”

Lucy watched quietly… and then nodded, biting her lower lip. Austin won’t want to show Lucy what will happen after this.

That was the moment Lucy was about to lean out the window.

“You must be having the same worries as the old Glockt tank when you were young.”

It was a story that he spoke slowly in a voice that was getting louder, but Austin’s words accurately stabbed Lucy’s lungs.

“Are you afraid of the emptiness that will eventually come to your life, and the repetition of a life that only continues without meaning?

Lucy looked at Austin with a surprised look.

“That’s why don’t try to artificially create the meaning of life or wander around looking for it. …The meaning of life is not to find it, but to give it to you. Yes, you give it a meaning.”

“…what is that…”

“If you rode in a wagon from Sylvania, you must have followed the duke after all…?”

To what extent did he even notice that he had been hiding in the wagon in the first place? Come to think of it, when he came to the beach to meet him, Austin, in particular, did not stray far from Ed’s wagon.

He was watching the inside of the wagon. However, after evaluating Ed’s personality, he concluded that there would be no problem.

He is truly a surprisingly deep old man.

The blade of wisdom accumulated over many years was sharpened like this.

“For a guy like that, it’s pretty good for the meaning of life.”

The way he smiled leisurely while bleeding from the corner of his mouth was a truly Austin-like farewell.

So, the old woman sent the girl away.

I closed the window with trembling hands and opened the bottom drawer, barely closing my blurred vision.

Inside is a ceremonial dagger. I gripped the handle of the dagger with my wrinkled hand.

The target point is the wounded lower abdomen.

Fortunately, the perpetrator’s hand is small, so the area of ​​the wound is also small. It’s just that it’s deep.

By driving a dagger over it, the ‘trace of being attacked by a beast’ disappears, leaving only ‘a wound stabbed by a dagger’.

The category of suspects also expands to all humans who can hold a dagger in their hands.

Suddenly, the starlight outside the window comes into my eyes.

The scene I always saw every time I sat alone in my room and prayed became more special today, so Abbot Austin raised his eyebrows.

Judging by the wrist holding the dagger, it was bony and skinny. There was a time when I was as white as white jade, but I think life is really colorless.

Even so, at the point of reaching the end, if I could open my chest and declare that I have protected my daughters.

It can be said that it was a truly meaningful life.

It’s been a long time since all the acquaintances who were close to the wind of longevity left for heaven first.

I was a little late, but I think I could say that I lived well in their faces with a big smile.

It was a very good feeling.

And Austin put all his strength into the hand holding the dagger.

*

“I didn’t do anything.”

As Lucy hugged her knees and looked down at the night sea, her hair fluttered around her cheeks.

Lucy, who had been blankly with her head still on her lap, opened her mouth again.

“Me. I could blow up this entire monastery if I wanted to.”

“I guess so.”

“If you mobilize all your magic… you can travel a long distance with a wagon, and you can handle dozens of high-ranking magic circles at once.”

“Yeah, that’s amazing.”

“But… I couldn’t do anything.”

Lucy Meiril did nothing. He possessed mighty magic power and enormous strength, but he could do nothing but sit still.

All of Austin’s hardships, efforts, and sacrifices will go to waste if he recklessly steps out and publicizes the matter. If the demi-humans in the monastery were revealed to the world in any way, Austin’s death would be a dog’s death.

That’s why, until the moment she was pointed out as a suspect, Lucy kept her mouth shut.

Because you don’t know how your statement will be interpreted and how it will change the situation. Because everything was unknown territory.

There was nothing he could do but leave the situation as it is now, as Austin intended it to be.

“He was an acquaintance of Grandpa Glockt’s whom I met for the first time… I haven’t even talked to him much.”

“It’s a pity.”

“…I wanted to save him.”

“It’s a pity even if I try, but I can’t help it.”

Continuing to chime in, I sat side by side with Lucy and watched the night sea.

It was ebb time. The soldiers on the shoreline were also preparing to come over to the monastery after arranging campfires one by one.

Seen from afar, the sight of soldiers lifting torches one by one is magnificent. The sight of a group of torches riding along the sandy beach exposed above the water seems like a fire spreading over the sea.

We sat side by side for a while watching the scene.

“Ugh, hehe.”

– Pop, pop.

Before long, tears like chicken droppings flowed from Lucy’s eyes.

The tears that flowed out of the mandule clumped together and flowed down. When I saw that, I didn’t have to look embarrassed.

“There are too many things in the world that cannot be done with strength alone.”

There are too many things that cannot be done with only the power of living in a world where politics are entangled, ideologies and ideas are in conflict, and good and evil are swirling. This is because human beings are complex, and human minds are difficult.

For a girl who has just started outing in the world, the stories of the world involving such things are too difficult.

It is the process of a girl becoming an adult.

It’s a process everyone goes through, but that doesn’t mean it’s not sad.

I pressed and stroked Lucy’s hair, letting the welling tears flow.

Like that, I wrapped my arms around Lucy’s shoulders and looked at the night sea together for a while.

It is like the top of the steeple of a grand monastery. The night scenery was also quite spectacular.

There were quite a few shooting stars in the sky, leaving quite long tails.