225: A Single Match

"It seems they aren't just slave traders; they’ve got their hands in everything," Cecil said, her voice steady as she focused on the board. "Squeaky clean on the surface, but running human trafficking in the shadows. Around these parts, there isn't a soul who doesn't know Neil and his right hand, Priscilla. They’re ruthless to their enemies, but they shower their allies with more rewards than they know what to do with. Apparently, they’re making a killing because of it."

That part hasn’t changed, then...

"I lost," I muttered, leaning back with a sigh.

"Hasn't changed? Does that mean you already knew about this?" She looked up, offering a small, polite smile. "Anyway, thank you for the game. Now, next."

"It's not exactly like I knew for sure, but let’s just say I’ve finally gained some conviction. Two-four."

"He apparently has quite a bit of pull in the political world because he pays several times more in taxes than is actually required," she continued, making her move. "People say he’s incredibly admirable for not resting on his laurels despite being from the House of the Duke. Two-five."

"Hah! That guy, admirable? Give me a break." I looked at her, trying to keep my voice level despite the knot tightening in my stomach. "Cecil, what do you really think? Five-three."

We were at the Ostrava Royal Memorial Park.

It felt like a lifetime since I’d last been to this place. Everything looked so nostalgic, yet I couldn't help but feel like an intruder in my own memories.

Cecil paused, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered her answer.

"...I don’t know. Fansent-kun, you seem desperate to clarify whether things are black or white, but good and evil are two sides of the same coin. They aren't things that can be easily put into words. Usually, you’re the one who understands that better than anyone, aren't you? But this time, you're different. You look like you're in a massive hurry to judge whether he's an ally or an enemy. Five-four."

In a hurry, huh...

She hit the nail on the head, and it honestly stung a little.

But she was right to be suspicious. Neil Albert, the Academy boss from the Original Story, Noblesse Oblige, was a monstrously powerful enemy. If I waited for something to actually happen before I reacted, I’d already be dead in the water. That was exactly why I was so obsessed with grasping every detail of the current situation.

I’d dragged myself all the way here on an Academy holiday specifically to pick Cecil’s brain. I’d asked her to do some detective work for me, but she’d been stuck in the Royal Capital since this morning dealing with family matters. Being the pathetic, impatient guy I was, I’d come straight to her.

"Allen-kun is opposed to the slave system, but I think it’s a much more complicated issue than he realizes," Cecil said, her expression darkening. "If you strip away the only means of survival for children in the impoverished class, they’re left with nothing but a path of thorns. That said... I can never condone the Slave Crest. Once it’s etched into you, it’s the end. You can never erase it. To do that to someone is just... it's beyond selfish."

Cecil rarely let her emotions bleed through her composure, but even she couldn't hide her simmering rage now.

Alright, Weiss, think. What's the move here?

If things played out according to the Original Story, that bastard was destined to clash with Allen. However, from this point forward, the timeline was starting to branch into different episodes.

Should I step in and stop it? Or should I just sit back and watch the carnage unfold? Decisions, decisions...