After the busy morning, the number of people sitting around the table increased.
My eyes wandered between the two 'sisters' for a while, and it was Fremia who spoke first.
"Meow, talk about it."
The air-conditioned girl lay on the table and looked at the dark fairy who picked up the tea cup.
"Sister Yuuki, when did you meet my sister?"
The little guy tilted his head and said.
She actually wanted to ask this question yesterday.
Maybe others don't feel that deeply, but for Fremia, who lives with Frenda, every move of this 'sister's friend' gives her a strong sense of déjà vu.
Just like in the kitchen just now, even though they didn't hear a few words spoken by the two of them, the steps were quite consistent, and they knew what the other person wanted almost in the next moment.
This 'tacit understanding' doesn't look like they just met each other at all.
But the strange thing is here.
If my sister has such a ‘good’ friend, why has she never seen her?
Fremia thought a little glumly.
"This."
Yuuki rubbed the side of the cup with a slightly strange expression.
"Probably, it was a long time ago."
The dark elf explained vaguely.
Of course, this answer was obviously a bit perfunctory, so before Fremia pressed the question, Yuuki, who knew her well, had no choice but to add something.
"Actually, I have met you several times, but at that time you had not been exposed to the 'world here', so I didn't show up."
Moistening her throat, Yuuki explained why she had been prepared.
At least now, her secret is not yet revealed.
"Meow like this..."
He nodded his little head as if understanding, this is considered to be closer to Fremia's hypothesis.
What followed was more curiosity for knowledge.
Whether it's people or things, everything on the magic side, beginners who have just entered this field always have a steady stream of questions.
Fortunately, Fremia's home time was not very long.
Someone promptly controlled the topic that was becoming more and more distant.
"Let's stop talking about our affairs here. If you want to hear stories, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
After stopping his sister who was about to make a move, the head of the family redirected the argument back to the right track.
About a certain banned book catalogue.
The most important issues have not yet been resolved.
Realizing this, the three of them turned their attention to the pure white nun who was eating cookies.
"What are you going to do next?"
Flanda asked bluntly.
Although she did stop the church's pursuers, it did not mean that the incident was resolved.
The essential.
It still depends on Index's thoughts and the choices of the two magicians.
"Well……"
Realizing that everyone was looking at her, the nun's movements slowed down involuntarily.
The relaxed expression that was originally used to quietly listen to the interaction began to change.
To be honest, the current situation has changed beyond what she can handle through consideration.
It’s not like she doesn’t understand anything about the other ‘self’ that occasionally appears.
But now that she has accepted the magical name of "Dedicatus 545 (The Knowledge of the Devoted Lamb Guarding the Strong)" and her destiny as a "Catalogue of Forbidden Books", where else can she go except the church.
The young nun was full of confusion.
But nevertheless.
She still made a decision.
"Sure enough, I still want to go back to the church first."
Index lowered her head and maintained a faint smile.
Gentle and lonely.
"I know... this is probably not the best choice, but I don't want more people to fall into misfortune because of me."
"..."
No one spoke.
The audience present were silently waiting for a girl to talk.
"Yuki, and those two people, as they said, maybe I... really 'forgot' a lot of things."
She folded her hands uneasily.
When she thought that there might be many people who had sacrificed for her but were not remembered, this feeling of guilt always lingered in her heart, making her breathless.
"so."
She doesn't want others to worry about her anymore.
She doesn't want others to be in danger for her anymore.
She has only one wish.
"As long as I don't appear next to those people, no one will be hurt anymore."
Index was probably smiling when she said this.
She won't be 'running away' anymore.
Rather than making others suffer, it is better to bear this loneliness yourself.
If the future ahead is full of hell, then just let her walk through it alone.
This is the kindest and cruelest choice.
It is also the strongest awareness a protected person can make.
So.
"...You all heard what she said, right?"
I don't know why.
Although Flanda didn't look back when she spoke, she seemed to be facing behind her.
"Now, it's your turn."
She said calmly.
The sound echoed.
There was a 'click' sound.
The door to the room opened quietly.
…
…
The time to meet again was much sooner than several people expected.
The magicians with opposite stances looked at each other. The distance between them was only one aisle, but it was like the deep sea.
The atmosphere is very heavy, and this is a message that anyone can see.
However, there are also people who don't care about this situation.
"Meow! Are there any new guests?"
The girl with a sweet tooth stuck her head out and asked subconsciously.
Realizing that it was a bit stupid to continue like this, the blond sister had no choice but to straighten her clothes and stand up.
"Well... not yet."
After temporarily setting a position for the relationship between the two parties, one of the parties in control looked at the two people who came uninvited.
"If there's a reason, I shouldn't need to tell you."
Flanda made it clear.
"Since you will appear here now, it means that the investigation of "complete memory ability" is almost over, right?"
"..."
Neither man answered immediately.
Really need to count.
Research materials of that level are like knowledge placed in a library. They are not encrypted at all and can be retrieved at any time.
Even if Kanzaki and Steele still don't believe in science, they will no longer resist and turn a blind eye.
But if you admit it like this, it will obviously be difficult for the subsequent dialogue to continue on an equal footing.
At least they still have an advantage as they both belong to the "Church of Necessary Evil".
This is how it should be.
only--
After hearing the child's heartfelt words, the last wavering in Kanzaki's heart disappeared.
The tasks that should be completed and the things that should be protected have never been clearer at this moment.
Enough nights of crying.
The female saint slowly moved her lips in depression.
"...let's check the child's body."
There was even a semi-compromising tone in her voice.
If everything is false, then Index's pain must be caused by the church's upper echelons tampering with her body somewhere.
This is a no-brainer.
And there is only less than a week left before the final deadline arrives.
But this time.
You still have time.
Kanzaki emphasized it over and over in his mind like a conclusion.