148: Noblesse and the Candy Trip

"The culprit is right here in this room!"

Adjusting her glasses with a sharp click, Cecil slowly stood up and scanned our faces with a piercing gaze.

Duke lay collapsed on the floor.

Outside, a typhoon was making a direct hit, making it impossible to send out a Messenger Bird for help.

"T-that’s... bananas..." Allen muttered under his breath.

What are you even talking about, man?

But before I could even process that nonsensical reply, Tura let out a shriek.

"I-I’m no good with horror stuff! I’m going to bed! Alone! I’m sleeping by myself, okay?!"

With that, she bolted back to her room.

I suddenly remembered something. Noblesse was famous for having an absolute mountain of side stories. Among them were some truly bizarre spin-offs that felt like they belonged in a different genre entirely.

Ah, I see. This was definitely it.

"Now then, let the deduction begin!"

It’s the Great Detective Cecil event.

◇　◆　◇　◆

The Large-scale Invasion of the Kingdom of Carlos by the Demon Race had become the talk of the world.

Princess Sophia, whose life had been at stake, was currently being guarded by the elites of the Ostrava Royal Capital—a fellow friendly nation. However, the Demon Race had explicitly stated that they would no longer target her.

According to the game’s lore, members of the Demon Race were incapable of lying. If that held true, she should be safe, but I couldn't afford to be careless.

Even so, I had successfully altered the timeline and changed the future once again.

Originally, her death would have served as a trigger, causing trust between nations to crumble. Deception would have led to war, and the resulting accumulation of malice would have seen an increase in both villains and Pseudo-Demons.

But now, the opposite was happening. Ostrava and Carlos were expanding their circle of allies, and they intended to keep a close eye on the movements of the Demon Race from here on out. The progression of the main story had undoubtedly slowed to a crawl.

Still, the real work was just beginning.

My power had been effective, sure, but it wasn't overwhelming yet. Plus, there was the emergence of new Demon Race threats like Nell and King. Furthermore, two of the Seven Calamity Sins were still out there. I needed to keep devotions to my training; that much hadn't changed.

I suppose I had finally survived the "stick" of this ordeal.

The "candy"—the reward—was currently underway.

"Weiss, you look quite dashing today as well."

"Ah, thanks."

"I’m so excited! To think Princess Sophia would be generous enough to lend us a mansion on an Uninhabited Island!"

We were currently on a ship, feeling the sea breeze against our skin.

It had all started with a single letter.

[Dear Weiss Fancent,

Thank you so much for everything you’ve done. I have enclosed a small token of my gratitude. Unfortunately, I cannot join you myself, but please take your friends and enjoy yourselves to the fullest.

P.S. I am looking forward to our date.]

"Weiss, what is the meaning of this?" Shari had asked.

"I have no idea," I had replied.

The "token of gratitude" was the use of an entire massive, vacant mansion, reserved exclusively for me and my classmates. Apparently, it had recently been used for a Ball, so it was fully stocked with food and high-end beds.

There had been an offer to provide a full staff of servants as well, but after some discussion, we ended up declining. The reason being...

"Duke, you’re gonna fall! You’re gonna fall!"

"I’m fine, I tell you! Look, look! There are fish down there!"

"You two are being way too noisy. Seriously, try not to fall overboard."

Allen, Duke, and Shari.

"Man, I want to go swimming already!"

"I’ve got a new swimsuit, so I’m looking forward to it too."

"I wonder what the view looks like from the sky!"

Tura, Olynn, and Carta.

And then...

"Fancent-kun, you actually brought it... Is this really okay?"

"Yeah. Right, Cynthia? Lilith?"

"Exactly, Cecil-san! I’m going to win today!"

"Yes, I am looking forward to it as well."

Cecil was fidgeting, her cheeks flushed a bright pink.

To my surprise, ten of us Intermediate-year Students had ended up coming along. We had reached the conclusion that since we were usually pampered as nobles, it would be more fun to do things like cooking for ourselves for a change. We had even managed to get a special vacation from Noblesse Academy.

"Cecil, I’m not losing to you today."

"Ufufu, I’ll be looking forward to that. ~♪ ~♪"

Cecil was in an incredibly good mood. She probably didn't even realize she was humming.

The reason for the competitive tension? We were planning to hold a Battle Universe tournament tonight.

"Weiss, I’m sure you’ll like this swimsuit," Cynthia said.

"Fufufu, Cynthia-san, yours is quite bold, isn't it?" Lilith added.

"Oh? Yours was quite something too, Lilith."

By the way, there was a private beach right in front of the mansion. Everyone was in a festive, vacation-ready mood.

Good grief, they’re still such children.

"Come to think of it, Weiss, those black glasses suit you. What’s the occasion?"

"The sunlight is just a bit bright."

"And those Melo-Melon patterned shorts suit you too!"

"It’s just hot out."

"And those things called sandals look nice and casual on you."

"I just didn't want sand getting in my boots."

Seriously, I hope this trip ends quickly.

—You’re thinking that, aren’t you, Weiss?

◇

Far behind the ship, a tiny rowboat was trailing in our wake.

"Belk, row properly!"

"I am rowing! Don't you start slacking off!"

"I’m not slacking! I’m using magic to move the oars, aren't I?!"

"That’s cheating..."