Chapter 950 – Peace That Must Escape

000

Cleon was sitting in his seat, covering his head, in despair.

He must have succeeded in putting all the girls he identified to sleep, so why hasn’t the ordeal ended?

Could it be that he missed something somewhere?

If that’s really the case, you can admit that everything is your fault, but the reason you don’t feel like it is simply because you don’t have the energy anymore.

She ate and got enough sleep, but for some reason she felt more mentally exhausted than before, and her entire body felt lackluster.

‘Ah. This is not good.’

Helplessness.

The heavy self-blame that came from feeling her own imperfection and failing made Cleon’s body as heavy as a lump of lead.

If you think about it, it was natural.

It’s safe to say she was completely caught off guard.

Did she mistakenly believe that the plan she had come up with was working properly, and did she ‘really confirm’ that all the children were falling asleep right before her eyes?

There is something hiding everywhere.

For example, among the children who are running around the house talking loudly right now, there is a person who has never entered Cleon’s field of vision.

I should have thought that far.

Cleon’s vision slowly moves around the living room.

The children were not paying attention to Cleon’s troubles and were gathering together to read books, some were going into the kitchen to prepare dinner, and some were taking a shower to wash off the sweat from their scythes.

There’s no way I’m in the mood to fall asleep.

In his mind, if he used sleep magic here and now, he could force all the children to sleep, but the bracelet on his arm was still suppressing his magic power and did not allow him to use even the bare minimum of magic power.

If you had to solve this situation with only choices and actions that any human being can do, what you needed would not be such tricks, but the calmness to look at the entire situation and organize the tasks one by one to solve them.

Cleon stood up from the sofa, regretting that he had lost his pace a little due to the provocation of the obnoxious voice that was gently irritating his nerves and the heterogeneity of the situation in front of him.

＂Iona.＂

When Cleon calls her name, Iona, who was reading her book, raises her head and looks at Cleon.

“… What’s here and in the kitchen right now are all the people living in this house?”

“No. There is one more person.”

There were quite many children, but upon hearing that there was one more person, Cleon thought ‘as expected’ and was able to get a sense of the reason why his ordeal was not over.

She thought it was everyone because of what she could see, but when she thought about it, there were quite a few invisible people in the illusion created around the women she had a deep connection with in her memories.

And among them… If it’s someone who doesn’t show up like this, the candidates are narrowed down.

“Okay, thank you.”

After saying that, Cleon stands up and takes her steps.

Leaving the children who didn’t seem to be asleep, Cleon started walking around the house and looking around.

Where should I look?

If it’s her… It’s clear that she’ll be hiding in a place where people can’t see her as much as possible.

Since this house was simply set up as a stage set, it did not have enough room for all the children to sleep in, and it was not large enough for what was needed.

But-

Even in that house, there was still room for a little girl to hide.

For example…

No matter where you look, the room with a large bed appears to be her own room.

Something like under the bed.

＂…＂

Whoosh, Cleon bent down and looked down, but there was just a dark, pitch-black space with no one there.

Isn’t it here? She clears her throat, feeling a little ashamed that her guess was wrong.

So, should I look elsewhere? If you’re thinking like that-

Somewhere, Cleon felt her eyes on him.

＂…＂

It wasn’t under the bed.

The next thing he moved his hand to was the closet next to his clothes.

Jump up! And when he turns his hands and opens the door-

There wasn’t a single set of clothes in it, just an empty closet.

This, too, is probably one piece of evidence that says this house is just a stage set.

‘If not here…’

As Cleon thought so, he kept his mouth shut for a moment, then let out a sigh and cleared his throat –

“… Perdia? “I can’t find it, so will you come out?”

While speaking like that, Cleon calls out the name of the girl who may be hiding in this room – or perhaps even this house.

Then.

“Hehe. Hide and seek is my victory.”

That voice came from behind.

＂!?＂

Cleon turned around, startled by the sudden presence of people and voices behind him.

Ferdia was standing there quietly, looking up at Cleon.

Assassin girl Ferdia.

She was originally a child who ran the family business in Elesia with her teacher and other children in the same situation, but she is now a girl who lives in El Cerdo and works for Cleon and her companions. Br〉

However, she is only welcome here.

Her physique was similar to what Cleon remembered, but the fact that her facial features seemed a little younger meant that she, too, had changed as she had shrunk to a similar age range as the other children.

“Ha, ha… Where were you hiding?”

Perdia speaks in response to Cleon’s question.

“I can’t tell you. Because we have to use it for the next hide and seek game as well.”

＂Ugh.＂

In response to Ferdia’s reply, Cleon felt that he was missing her somehow as he watched her play off her playful smile.

Among the children she knew, she was younger, so even though she looked younger, she didn’t look that different from the way she used to be.

“Why are you doing this, Cleon? … If you’re not feeling well, it might be a good idea to take some rest.”

No, she is not only that.

When I think about the children I met today who are no longer with me, I miss them so much that my bones ache a little.

Even though they were different from the ones in her own memories, the girls created based on her own memories really seemed no different from the girls in real life.

I want to meet everyone.

It was inevitable to think that way because Cleon was also human.

＂…＂

Perhaps, if the ordeal here doesn’t end, won’t we be able to spend each day enjoying a little happiness without any incidents or accidents for a while?

After Cleon’s thoughts reach that point, he thinks for a moment.

The flow of time here is one-tenth of the time in the place where they lived.

Even if 10 days or 10 months pass here, in the original world, only 1 day or 1 month passes.

Wouldn’t it be nice to put down some burdens and rest in a peaceful place like this?

… Ah, damn it.

I know.

This is not what Ferdia’s words ‘let’s rest’ mean.

And, the true purpose of this ordeal is to expose all the weak emotions that have been suppressed until now.

In this situation, he cannot be strong against children, and the magic, which is one of Cleon’s basic means of resolving the situation, has been sealed.

How far will you go and show your weakness?

＂Perdia.＂

Cleon called the girl’s name.

The reason I found her was because, of course, she had to sleep.

But at the same time, the key to solving this ordeal lies with her.

When Cleon called her name in a low voice, Perdia changed her expression in an instant.

It was close to her face when she was doing ‘work’.

… I thought that since she had been trained as an assassin since childhood, she would not lose her original appearance even if she became this, and that was correct.

“Yes. Mr. Cleon.”

“… I have something I want to ask you. Probably… It will be a bit difficult for Ferdia as well.”

“If Cleon gives an order, I will follow it. I have received enough grace from Cleon.”

It’s a thankless thing to say that – but when she heard Cleon’s ‘favor’ story, she looked a little surprised and seemed to be worried as she closed her mouth for a moment.

＂… Are you serious?＂

“Huh. I think that’s the only thing that can save me.”

At Cleon’s answer, Ferdia closed her eyes for a moment.

Then, she nodded her head and opened her eyes to look up at Cleon.

“… All right. If it’s for this Ferdia, Cleon. It is also possible to suffer the stigma of being a ‘traitor’.”

＂… Thank you, Ferdia.＂

Ferdia smiled at Cleon’s words.

And to her, Cleon could not help but give her a slightly distressed expression.

001

＂Alright, the meal is ready!＂

As Kuon’s voice rang out, the children gathered in pairs and came to the restaurant.

After all the children sat down at a table long enough to sit around them, food was placed in front of each of them.

＂It somehow seems more luxurious than lunch…＂

Even though she did not help, Cleon said this as she watched the dinner party become more numerous.

“If someone as big as you wander around in the kitchen, it’s bound to get in the way of us moving around.”

＂Ugh…＂

In response to Rubera’s continued criticism, Cleon kept his mouth shut as if he had nothing to say.

Certainly, I remember bumping into it several times while walking among the children.

“Lu, Rubera? Still, with Cleon’s help, it was easier to lift heavy things in many ways? It’s not like it wasn’t helpful!”

Kuon tried to protect Cleon, but saying that only hurt her more because it seemed like she wasn’t helpful in cooking.

“Uh, anyway. Today, after eating this, we decided to play a card game together. Everyone, let’s listen first.”

After Kuon spoke on behalf of the depressed Cleon, Gray nodded.

＂Woohuhu! Are you all prepared to maintain a poker face against a detective!? I will match all the cards!”

“I’m more worried about you saying that…”

Lila says something to the overconfident Gray.

In any case, when everyone started eating the dinner prepared by Kuon and Rubera, moving their utensils one by one, Cleon made sure that each child took a bite of their food without moving the utensils.

After everyone around the table, including Ferdia, finished eating, Cleon quickly stood up.

And, he went behind Sasha, who was the first to take a bite-

＂Ugh… Uh?＂

The goal was to grab her head, which had a sleepy expression due to her sudden drowsiness, and tilt her back so that she would not accidentally fall in front of her and cause a serious accident.

＂Sasha!?＂

＂Suddenly… What…＂

Lila, embarrassed by Sasha’s strange appearance, raised her voice, and Aruru also looked at her Cleon with a wary expression.

Cleon let out her sigh.

＂Sorry.＂

As soon as those words were finished, the dishes were pushed aside on the table so that they wouldn’t get burned if they fell.

It was a pile of black hair with a spear tip at the end.

＂Cleon… Perdia…＂

With those words, after Rubera fell asleep in front of her for the last time, Cleon looked around her.

After confirming that all the children gathered except Ferdia were properly asleep, he would sigh with relief and guilt at the same time.

＂Is this what happened?＂

And then, Perdia carefully asked Cleon a question.

“Ah. Thank you. And I’m sorry. By making me do this.”

Cleon said this and placed her hand on Perdia’s shoulder.

Not only did they suddenly fall asleep, but it was also because Cleon and Ferdia had taken sleeping pills with their dinner to help them do so.

Of course it was dangerous, and it meant throwing away the meal prepared by Cuon and Rubera, but as Cleon, he thought this was his last chance to pass this ordeal.

A situation where all the children are gathered together.

After this, the children naturally plan to play without sleeping.

Moreover, in a situation where it is certain that I will not be able to sleep at night because I took a lot of naps, how many more hours do I have to stay?

Considering that, it was necessary to use a sure move, even if it was a little cowardly.

And the person who could help with that was… Ferdia, an assassin who had the knowledge of combining various medicines.

Everyone seemed to have some of the knowledge that they originally had, so I thought that Ferdia would also have some knowledge about medicine in the medicine she studied.

As a result, it was as expected.

“… Finally. All I have to do is fall asleep.”

“Ah, ah… Come to think of it, Ferdia didn’t put her medicine in her own food?”

“No. There was no time for that. The reason I put the medicine was because it was inside that big pot.”

As Ferdia spoke, she took out of her pocket a bottle of sleeping pills that she had improvised at the request of Cleon.

“However, I have a bit of a tolerance to drugs. It’s just that you can’t sleep with that amount.”

＂…＂

Cleon nods his head as if he understands her words, and the two make eye contact.

＂…＂

As time passed in silence, Ferdia opened the bottle and drank the medicine inside, as if it was her turn.

Then, even though he was resistant, little by little, the energy drained from his body and drowsiness came to Perdia.

Then, Cleon, who had supported her staggering Ferdia, picked her up and carried her to the sofa in her living room near her.

＂… Mr. Cleon.＂

When her Ferdia called her own name in a childlike voice just before she fell asleep, her Cleon looked at her, eye level with her.

“… Of course, this must be a dream. I dream because I want to meet Cleon so much…”

＂…＂

“After Cleon went to the East, many people, including me… Are missing Cleon.”

Cleon was silent for a moment at her words.

This was an illusion created from his own memories, Cleon thought.

Perhaps.

In a special environment called Fairy Village where the axis of time is distorted, and the humans who are connected to Cleon through imprints-

At some point, it may be possible to bring only consciousness and place it within the illusion.

Cleon thought so, closed his mouth for a moment, and then nodded.

“… I’ll be back soon. Please wait just a moment. And… Let’s all go back to Elessia.”

＂…＂

After hearing Cleon’s words, she nodded with a slight smile as if she was relieved.

And, once consciousness completely disappears from her body, and she falls asleep-

Cleon let out a small sigh as she watched the background surrounding her disappear as if it was collapsing.

I don’t know if her choice was right or not.

However, I was able to realize again what I needed to do.

“I can’t believe they prepared such an ordeal by going such a long way for that.”

Cleon raised her head as she spoke in a slightly resentful tone.

Beyond the collapsing illusion – inside the landscape that appears real.

A woman wearing blue armor was standing looking towards us.

She has long, blue hair like Vivian.

Wearing a visor-like mask covering her eyes, she faces Cleon with a sword made of ice.

“… You can think of it as your last ordeal, right?”

“… Ah. I was waiting for you to come here.”

She answered in a slightly low voice, holding her sword with both hands and speaking to Cleon.

＂I will give you back the sword and magic power. Otherwise, you will lose your life.”

Then, three swords appeared on Cleon’s waist.

And the magic suppressing sphere that was strapped to her wrist was released.

“Under. It’s good to be fair and square.”

While speaking like that, Cleon also took out his magic sword and holy sword and took a stance.

002

This is the Tromeyer Mansion within the royal capital El Querdo.

＂Haaam…＂

Looking at Aruru who was yawning so loudly, Rubera was paying attention while clearing her throat with a ‘sigh’.

“No matter how much you say there is no one watching, as the daughter of the dukedom, please be a little more careful.”

“Ah… I’m sorry. Yesterday, I had a strange dream… I couldn’t sleep well after that.”

Aruru was rubbing her eyes, as if she couldn’t help the drowsiness that came over her while handling her paperwork.

＂… A strange dream?＂

“Huh. When I and other girls were young, I dreamed of playing with Cleon… No matter how much I wanted to meet Cleon, she had dreams like that. I’m also seriously ill.”

When she shrugged her shoulders with a self-deprecating smile, Rubera kept her mouth shut for a moment and then set down her coffee cup in front of Aruru.

＂… Then, it means that I am also in a serious condition. ＂

＂Huh?＂

“… No. It’s nothing.”

After Rubera said that, she took her steps to leave her room, as if she was going back to her work.

At that time.

Bang! And before Rubera could even touch her door, it opened, and a small child appeared on the other side.

＂Amazing! In my dream, Cleon was exploding his Lolicon power!”

＂…＂

Both Rubera and Aruru were speechless due to Gray’s loud voice.

And at the same time-

‘Now that I think about it, it’s a dream that Cleon would have liked if he were a lolicon…’

That was what I sympathized with.