Chapter 161: Unexpected Developments
I hurriedly hid behind a small flower bed, cradling Captain Gray in my arms like a baby, squatting down and curling my body into a tiny ball, buried in the shadows.
“…You saw it during the day, right?”
“Saw what?”
“My practice! I was really going for it, that scarecrow was about to get obliterated! Hehe, impressive, right? Now my arms and legs are sore…”
“Keep it down! If the Dean hears you, we’re done for.”
“No one’s here anyway.”
The voices drifted from the staircase. A boy and a girl, probably younger kids from the orphanage… The third floor must be the office, right? At this hour, what could those kids be up to?
They must be just passing by… but their footsteps grew nearer, and for some uncanny reason, they headed straight for the terrace.
“Let’s go check out those flowers. It rained so hard during the day; we don’t want them to get ruined.”
“Who cares about flowers? A finely crafted sword is way prettier.”
“Such a barbarian.”
“Tsk, that’s why I say girls just don’t get it.”
Their chatter was now practically at my ear, and I could hear their breaths clearly.
“I just don’t understand. What’s so great about swords? I like pretty clothes… look at my new dress, isn’t it nice?”
“Eh, it’s okay.”
“What’s wrong with saying it’s pretty?”
“Cheesy… Did you get that yesterday?”
“Yep, I got several, all super pretty. And look, it’s so new… right? And there’s honey too… Hehe, Dean Teresa is so good to us.”
“But I want a sword…”
“Then wait until you become a real knight.”
Huh? Clothes…
Does that mean that shipment went back to Cataloma and has already been handed out to the kids?
Sister Teresa… what a speedy delivery.
You’re not actually a bad person, right? At least… you would never hurt these kids.
Right?
…I need to figure this out quickly.
Lost in thought, the grass above me suddenly shook, startling me out of my reverie. I hugged my knees tightly, holding my breath and sitting absolutely still.
A moment later, I heard the innocent voice of the girl.
“Look, look, the sweet-scented rice flower is about to bloom!”
“You told me to be quiet… should we go? Grandpa Pier can see us from here.”
“He’s already asleep.”
“How do you know?”
“Grandpa Pier sleeps early every day; he doesn’t need to open doors at night. Plus, I saw him with a drink in the afternoon… he can’t handle his drink, so he must have passed out!”
“Oh… so we…”
“What are you doing…”
“Don’t, don’t do that here… Mmm!”
Rustle rustle… rustle rustle…
Moments later.
Sizzle… tweet tweet…
?????
What… what are you doing…?
My cheeks began to heat up.
Out of sheer curiosity, I peeked out from behind the flower bed, half-closing my eyes, gazing quietly in the direction of the sounds.
Just a quick glance.
I spotted a pair of young-looking boys and girls leaning against the terrace railing, hugging each other tightly, their eyes gently fluttering shut, their hot lips pressed together, cheeks glowing in the darkness.
Kissing!
I immediately covered my eyes and quickly shrank back.
What I can’t see, won’t hurt me… wait, no! How old are you two? Fifteen, maybe? Nope!!
Young love?!
You’re just kids!
I’m calling the cops… why is my face on fire—?!
“Mmm~”
“Mm~”
The soft, sticky sounds somehow scratched an itch in my heart, a strange feeling I couldn’t quite place.
Hey hey~ there are people right beside you…
“Too much pressure…”
“I like you.”
What on earth was I here for… Can I leave… or could you two just hurry up and go away…
But this little couple just stood there, immersed in their world for what felt like forever. Long enough that I actually considered knocking them out; honestly, that thought grew stronger by the minute.
Slowly, my legs began to tingle, but I didn’t dare shift positions, terrified of interrupting them. I was really about to burst.
They aren’t going any further, right…
Thankfully, they didn’t.
After their kiss, the typical sweet nothings ensued.
“You know, even if you become a knight in the future, you have to marry me.”
“Of course!”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“Mm.”
“…So, shall we go back?”
“Okay.”
Phew—
I could finally let out a long sigh of relief in my heart.
As their departing footsteps faded, so did their conversation.
“…When will you become a Church Knight?”
“I’ll work hard at it.”
“Lucas and Aili have all gone to study at the parish… so nice.”
Huh?
They’re friends of Aili’s…? Wait, went to study at the parish?
I suddenly froze.
Aili and the others are no longer in Cataloma?!
What on earth, I saw her just a few days ago! When did she go there… there were no signs at all; she had even promised to come back and see me!
“I don’t know how this happened, so many people left all at once.”
“They’re probably all not in the Royal City anymore.”
“Seems like it…”
“Sigh—, everyone seems down lately… it feels kind of lonely.”
“I’m still here…”
“I heard lots of clergy went to Silgaya, so they sent them to help out, right? It’s like advanced training? Sigh—, I wish I could join too.”
“Do you want to go?”
“I want to go with you…”
By the time they wandered off, I could no longer hear their voices and didn’t snap out of my shock.
Abe’s disappearance, the connection between the Heretics and Cataloma, the odd behavior of certain kids, the Lotus Seed Grass, Aili’s sudden departure…
A wave of deep unease washed over me as my heart sank.
…No, I need to find out where Aili went tonight, I have to confirm she’s safe.
Tomorrow… I doubt I’ll be able to focus on classes.
I quickly stood up, shaking my numb legs, securing Captain Gray in front of me, and left the terrace. I hugged the wall, stepping on the narrow stone ledge outside, pressing my back firmly against the building, and began to inch toward Teresa’s office window.
This process went more smoothly than I expected. In no time, I found myself in front of the office window, turning my head to peek inside.
It was pitch black, devoid of any figures.
I reached out and gently pushed against the window — not a budge; it was locked.
But that didn’t stump me.
On my way here, Rect gave me a flat iron hook the size of a palm. It could slip through the window crack and slowly pry open the latch inside.
…Click.
See? Easy peasy.
I slipped inside soundlessly. As I landed, I pivoted my foot and used Moon Step to slide forward a bit, so even with Captain Gray’s weight, I wouldn’t make too much noise.
Once I steadied myself, I immediately scanned the surroundings.
Old wooden tables and chairs, no sofas… this place was still simple and plain, nothing much changed since the last time I was here, except…
I raised my head.
The once-hanging pitch-black double-bladed axe was nowhere to be seen.
