Master might know something.
With that thought in mind, I set off for her house immediately. I usually made an appointment before visiting, but this was no time for formalities.
I was currently sprinting, utilizing an Inside Code.
Since the carriages had already stopped running for the night, I used sorcery to race across the terrain.
Quite a bit of time must have passed, but I reached Master’s residence in what felt like the blink of an eye.
"Phew... I'm here."
Taking a few deep breaths, I composed myself. Because I had hurried, the Prima Materia hadn't completely dissipated from my body yet.
"Alright..."
I knocked on the door three times. Carla opened it as usual, dressed in her maid outfit... but her expression seemed a little surprised.
"Ray-sama? Were you scheduled to visit today?"
"No. I just have something I'd like to discuss with Master."
"Understood. I shall inform my mistress."
Carla went back inside.
Meanwhile, I looked up at the beautiful starry sky.
It was a bit cloudy tonight, but the moonlight was as radiant as ever.
I wondered if arriving in such a rush had been an inconvenience. As I was considering this, Carla opened the door again.
"Ray-sama."
"Yes."
"Please wait in the drawing room."
"Understood."
"She requires a little time to prepare."
"Prepare?"
"Yes. A woman always wants to be seen at her most beautiful, after all."
Bringing her index finger to her lips, Carla gave a slightly bewitching smile. I had always thought of her as an expressionless, emotionless person, but ever since that incident in the summer, I felt as though the distance between us had narrowed slightly. It probably wasn't my imagination.
I was shown to the drawing room and sat alone on the sofa to wait. About ten minutes later, Master entered. Carla followed behind her, pushing her wheelchair.
Master lightly ran her hand through her bangs as she faced me.
"I shall go and prepare the tea now."
As Carla withdrew, I got straight to the point.
"Master. I apologize for the late hour."
"No, it's fine. But... it’s rare for Ray to show up so suddenly. Did something happen?"
"Actually—"
I proceeded to tell her everything.
I explained how Rebecca-senpai had been acting strangely ever since the end of summer. I also shared Dina-senpai's testimony.
Master brought her right hand to her mouth and fell into deep thought for a while.
"The tea is served."
"Thank you."
Carla placed the tea for Master and me on the table, then moved behind Master and stood still.
"The engagement of House Bradley and the hidden face of Evan Bernstein, huh... I only thought of it as a somewhat early engagement myself. But I have met Evan Bernstein before."
"What was your impression of him, Master?"
"Well, he felt like a typical noble sorcerer. And I don't mean that in a bad way; I mean it in a good way. I've heard he's quite talented."
"I see. So his engagement to Rebecca-senpai isn't unnatural?"
"Well... House Bernstein is high-ranking nobility. Whether in terms of aristocratic status or his own qualities as a sorcerer, they are well-matched. But it certainly is a bit early. It’s natural to think so... Carla, do you know anything?"
When Master addressed her, Carla flatly stated the facts.
"As of now, I have heard no bad rumors either."
"I see... Can you look into him?"
"A week should be sufficient."
"I see. Then I'll leave it to you."
"Understood."
Lightly pinching and spreading her long skirt, she bowed. I had heard her family handled intelligence work, but considering Master herself employed her... she must be incredibly capable.
I decided to wait quietly for the information to be provided.
"Still, Ray. For you to be this concerned... could it be that? Do you prefer Rebecca of House Bradley over Amelia of House Rose? Well... Rebecca is a good woman. Good-natured, kind, and above all, she's refined. She's certainly beautiful enough. Gununu... now I'm starting to get annoyed."
"M-Master? What are you talking about?"
"Hm? Oh... no, it's nothing. So, Ray, do you want to save Rebecca?"
"If she is in trouble, I want to be of help."
"...I see. Well, Ray, have you already reached that age? You were so small when we met... and now, you've grown enough to want to help someone else. Human growth is truly a fast thing."
Master spoke with a somewhat sentimental voice as she sipped her tea. Hearing her say that, I also felt that time really did pass quickly.
I met Master, I met everyone, and I experienced many partings on the battlefield.
Back then, I was always the one being helped. I think it's truly a strange thing that I am now wishing to be of help to someone else like this.
"So, what are you doing for the Cultural Festival? Since it's you, Ray, I'm sure you're up to something again, right?"
Master was grinning.
Of course, I told her the truth as it was.
"A Maid Cafe."
"A Maid Cafe?"
"——!"
Master looked dubious, but Carla's reaction was far more pronounced. Her eyes widened, and she gave a visible start.
"Maids running a cafe?"
"Yes."
"What's the appeal of that?"
"According to Amelia, there isn't a man alive who dislikes maids."
"...Ho. Do you like them too, Ray?"
"If it's a choice between liking or disliking them, I'm sure I like them. I like Carla's maid outfit because it suits her very well, after all."
Eh!!?
"Is something wrong?"
Master stared intently at Carla, and Carla herself turned bright red. For there to be a day where even Carla would blush like that—truly rare things do happen.
"R-Ray-sama, please don't tease me..."
"No. When I was told we were doing a Maid Cafe, Carla was the first person who came to mind. I can certainly say that I find maid outfits alluring."
"Ugh...!"
"Ray, don't be fooled! That's a delusion! No, wait... maybe I should wear a maid outfit too?"
"Master in a maid outfit? Hahahaha!! That's a funny joke!!"
The mental image was just too hilarious. I couldn't help but clutch my stomach and laugh.
Master, a maid? Hahaha, there's no way a Gorilla could be a maid! The thought crossed my mind, but in the next instant, icicles materialized right before my eyes.
"Huh? You want to die?"
"...I am terribly sorry."
I immediately dropped into a sincere dogeza on the spot.
Life is precious.
It seemed I had gotten carried away. Master's eyes were serious. They were the eyes of someone with genuine intent to kill. And so, as was my custom, I stayed in my dogeza.
"But a Maid Cafe, huh... You guys come up with interesting ideas."
"It was Amelia's idea, but I think it's a good one too."
"Amelia, huh... I've been keeping an eye on her, but has she really switched to that kind of approach? Or is it purely her own hobby? I'll need to judge this for myself..."
Master muttered the last part, so I couldn't quite catch what she said.
"Master? What did you just...?"
"No, it's nothing. Carla and I will go on the day of the Cultural Festival. I'm looking forward to it. Also, I'll look into that matter on my end as well."
"Thank you very much."
After that, I was treated to dinner before heading back to the dormitory.
As I made my way back alone, I looked up at the sky once more.
It was a beautiful sky. But somehow, it felt... ominous.
The malice progressing within this kingdom—at the time, I had absolutely no inkling of it.