Chapter 48

Rabi Heathfen.

A pitiful girl who has been manipulated by the terrifying creature known as the Holy Maiden and has fought for many years. Her figure is small, cute, and brave, and incredibly delicate---

"Rumors are so heavy!!!"

Rabi shouted.

You should also stop turning your back on people.

***

When Nella collapsed, she was restrained amidst the confusion. Due to the influence of the magic Rabi received from the third Holy Maiden along with a letter, everyone present was somewhat disoriented. In the chaos, the last strong memory that remained was, "I feel like I saw something amazing."

From then on, rumors spread, and Rabi began to stir the public as the tragic young lady. Having only spread negative rumors until then, she now felt a sense of discomfort and a chill down her spine. People approached her from all sides, praising her without understanding why, and some even acted in the opposite way. Incidentally, her engagement to Baldur was dissolved during her house arrest in the Heathfen family, and she is now completely free. Sometimes, Nella does a good job.

--- Speaking of Holy Maidens, they are the absolute symbol of this country.

There are many hardliners who claim that even if the magic is lifted, the existence of the power of subjugation is something they will never believe in. However, for Rabi, such things are of no concern. She has done everything she can. Or so she thinks.

"…Sister, are you coming here again?"

"Oh, Fehr. You came all the way to the high school to pick me up?"

Her brother came to the library with a disappointed look to pick up Rabi, who had become a bookworm. She has gradually been able to rebuild her relationships with her family. However, she still feels awkward with her parents other than Fehr, and they cannot have a proper conversation. They both have various conflicts.

In the original story, they let Rabi die and treated her past as if it never existed. However, they also maintain their positions as the Duke family. Rabi recognizes that they are also victims, but it's not something that can be easily explained. They are currently feeling each other out and cautiously interacting, and it will be a long time before they can have an open and honest conversation. It's an inevitable situation.

"Can't you go to the courtyard anymore?"

"Well, it feels kind of strange to see my hair being pecked by fish."

Incidentally, Rabi's medium, her hair, is about to disappear and has probably lost all its power by now. In any case, she has no affinity with magic. "Besides, I can do strength training in my room." "Strength training…?" Fehr repeated the word curiously. There is no such word in this world. Incidentally, there is no yoga either.

"Well, I have a lot to do. I'm sorry, but can you go back first?"

"That's fine. I'll send the carriage over again."

"Thank you."

Seeing Fehr smile meekly, Rabi felt strangely young. It was as if she was looking at a younger version of him.

The school was bathed in a warm orange light. It was just the right time to finish her research.

Rabi slowly walked down the corridor. The setting sun melted into the windows, and she narrowed her eyes slightly. Then, she saw a boy leaning against the window frame, looking outside. He had bright red hair. He immediately noticed Rabi, relaxed his narrow eyes, and bowed his head.

"…Are you Yuman Lupenon? It's been a while."

"Yes, you remember me. I'm honored."

Rabi did not react to the hand Yuman extended. Yuman slightly raised the corners of his mouth and returned his palm to its original position.

Yuman Lupenon.

He did not appear in the game, but he was probably the boy who pretended to team up with Rabi to bully Nella. He then abandoned Rabi and fled, leaving her behind.

It's unknown how Nella persuaded him, but this time, Yuman pretended to dislike Nella and approached Rabi. He seemed determined to maintain this facade and clapped his hands dramatically, praising Rabi.

"I've heard the rumors. You defeated that detestable woman! Truly, it's wonderful!"

The applause echoed hollowly, and Rabi turned away, uninterested, and replied, "Thank you." After staring out the window for a while, she decided to chat a bit with Yuman.

"Nella is going to be put on trial. The results aren't out yet, but they are currently investigating."

"Indeed, indeed. That wicked woman will surely have a lot of dirt to uncover."

Yuman nodded in agreement. Rabi continued without hesitation.

"Nella was taken in as a legitimate child of the Harry family, but she was actually just an orphan. When I visited the Harry family, there was no one there, and it was completely empty."

It's a strange story. Who impersonated her parents and took Nella away? What is the Harry family? And who taught her that she was a Holy Maiden and how to use magic?

Thinking about it, there are endless questions. Nella was a notorious villain, but someone must have created her.

They might be closer than expected, watching and smirking.

"Nella used to make me drink poison."

Well, Rabi's magic is water, so she could easily detect the poison hidden in the teacup. It was meant to relax the mind. Drinking it would make the mind foggy and muddled. It was a poison that could steal one's thoughts.

"Where did she get that? It's not something a mere girl should have."

Speaking of poison, she remembered something.

Matthew's ending. He went mad over the unattainable Holy Maiden and ultimately made Nella drink poison. Now, he doesn't seem to be so obsessed with the Holy Maiden, but in the game, he was a rare yandere, and fans often shake their heads at his actions.

She asked Matthew where he would get poison if he were in her shoes.

He looked surprised but, when told it was a hypothetical question, he thought for a moment.

--- Well, if I were to do it,

He stroked his chin. "I would seek something with a guaranteed effect, so I wouldn't make it myself. I would pay a lot of money to get it from a reputable and trustworthy merchant." It was a reasonable answer. Speaking of merchants, there's Leon. He knows both the surface and underground rumors, so she asked him if there were specialists in such matters.

"I don't know the details, but I've heard from my father. It's a man. Apparently, a person with the same name from several generations comes to deliver such things from time to time."

Even if his appearance changes, he can prove his identity by giving his name.

"The school library has a register. A register of all the students throughout the years."

She noticed this when she visited the library with Sai. Of course, it was locked, but she checked it with Baldur's permission.

"Yuman Lupenon"

His name appeared in the register many times, with different faces and different years, over a long period, obsessively.

"Who are you, really?"

Yuman smiled. In the orange light, it was a thin, chilling smile.