"Carla. You obtained the information with ease, I take it?"
"Yes. Far too easily. To be honest, it was almost disappointing."
As Master questioned her, Carla-san answered frankly.
The illegal harvesting of Magic Eyes is undeniably a crime—something one would move heaven and earth to hide. Why, then, would Mr. Bernstein allow this leak?
Was he simply not capable enough to hide it?
That seemed unlikely.
If he had kept it hidden until now only to allow it to surface at this specific moment, then—
"He’s baiting us," Abby-san said.
Crossing her legs and staring straight ahead, she analyzed the situation with a sharp gaze.
"I agree with Abby. Carla, there were no previous rumors regarding this collection of Magic Eyes, correct?"
"Correct. While we were aware that a Magic Eye Collector existed, we had never been able to identify the specific individual."
Personally, I wasn't privy to the full extent of the information-gathering capabilities possessed by Carla-san and the Hale family. However, the fact that Master and the others relied on them meant they were undoubtedly elite.
If such experts were unable to identify him until now, only for him to reveal himself at this exact time... I shared their opinion. He was definitely inviting us in.
"However—" I joined the discussion. "Even if he is baiting someone, who is his target? Is he doing this with a full understanding of who we are?"
"...Just as Ray-chan says, that might be the most difficult part of the puzzle," Carol added, her analysis calm and collected.
She was usually playful, but her expression was now as serious as it had been during her days as a soldier.
"Assuming he knows he’s facing us, he must be incredibly confident. Between the Ice Sword, Scorching, and myself—the Illusion Sorcerer—we have three of the Seven Grand Sorcerers here. To stand against us, he’d practically have to assemble the rest of the Seven. But I can't imagine that's the case... though..."
She let her words trail off.
While Carol sounded uncertain, I also found it hard to believe our opponent was the rest of the Seven Grand Sorcerers. I didn't have a complete grasp of the others' personalities, but it was difficult to imagine them taking such a massive risk.
The Seven Grand Sorcerers were the pinnacle of their craft, the beings closest to the Truth, but they were expected to have some modicum of ethics. At the very least, none of them should have ties to Eugenics.
That was my assumption, anyway... but what was the reality?
"Is Evan Bernstein not affiliated with Eugenics?" Abby-san asked. It was a logical question. Given the circumstances, the intervention of Eugenics was a very real possibility.
"We have not obtained any intelligence to that effect yet. However, we should certainly proceed under that assumption."
"I see... But if that's the case, House Bradley's true intentions are what worry me. If they entered this engagement in ignorance, it’s a tragedy... but if they knew..."
I remembered the look on Rebecca-senpai's face at the end of summer vacation.
Surely, she must have known even then.
She must have known that Evan Bernstein was illegally collecting Magic Eyes. And since Rebecca-senpai possessed a Magic Eye herself...
Was his goal her Magic Eye?
If so, why would House Bradley agree to the engagement knowing that?
My thoughts raced as I spoke up again.
"...Regarding House Bradley, I have a theory."
"What is it, Ray? Tell us anything that comes to mind," Master prompted.
I began to recount the events. "On the final day of summer vacation, I went out alone with Rebecca-senpai."
"Ho..."
Master's gaze grew even sharper. She was clearly taking this seriously. Carla-san remained expressionless, but I saw her features twitch slightly. Ah, that’s right. Carla-san had been there at the time... though I didn't need to mention that part.
"When we were parting ways, she was in tears. She told me sadly that since she was getting engaged, we could never spend time like that again. Then, when the second semester began, she seemed to be in poor health constantly. Perhaps she already knew Evan Bernstein's true identity during the summer?"
I hesitated for a moment before continuing. I didn't want to voice my next thought.
"...But House Bradley hasn't moved to break off the engagement. Given that, is it possible that Mr. Bernstein and House Bradley are in league with one another?"
A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone took in the suggestion. The possibility I had raised was the worst-case scenario.
It meant House Bradley and House Bernstein were conspiring to achieve some grand, dark ambition. Such an act would be a form of treason—a betrayal that could shake the very foundations of the world of sorcerers.
And Rebecca-senpai was caught in the middle of it.
No... "sacrificed" was a better word.
The one to inherit House Bradley is the eldest son. Was she, as the eldest daughter, being used as a living sacrifice? If she had lived all this time knowing that... then everything made sense.
It was only speculation, but the pieces fit together far too organically to ignore.
After a long silence, Master finally spoke.
"Regardless, we need to move the situation forward. Carla, explain the plan."
"Yes. Tonight, Mr. Bruno Bradley and Mr. Evan Bernstein are scheduled to meet in a hotel suite within the Kingdom."
So, we were heading there now.
"The hotel staff are already under our control. We can leave immediately."
It seemed this was the primary reason I had been summoned tonight.
"Ray. The Cultural Festival continues tomorrow. Will you come? You can still back out here."
"No, Master. To me, Rebecca-senpai is a senior I deeply respect. She is an irreplaceable part of my life at the Academy. I want to help her... I truly do. I never want to lose anyone ever again."
"...I see. Very well."
Everyone stood up and headed for the entrance. With Carla-san leading the way, we walked toward the hotel where the meeting was taking place.
As I pushed Master's wheelchair, I tried to keep my mind focused and calm. But I knew our opponent wouldn't have overlooked this possibility.
As I debated whether or not to release the power of the Ice Sword, Master whispered to me.
"Leave this to Abby and Carol."
"But—"
"You know as well as I do, Ray. I cannot imagine a world where those two lose when they are fighting in earnest."
"That is... true, but..."
"Just in case, release your restrictions by one level. That is all I will permit for now."
"...Acknowledged."
As Master said, with Abby-san and Carol there, we should be fine. In a sorcery battle, there was no opponent more troublesome than Carol, and Abby-san was among the strongest in the world when it came to direct magical combat. Their legendary records from the battlefield weren't just for show.
Eventually, we arrived at the hotel.
The interior was deserted. It was the off-season, which explained some of it, but the hotel staff also seemed to have been briefed on our arrival. We entered without resistance and headed for the top floor.
Waiting in the penthouse suite were Mr. Bruno Bradley and Mr. Evan Bernstein. Were they truly baiting us?
"..."
We reached the door. Carla-san, holding the master key, handed it to Carol.
The moment that door opened, a magical battle could break out. Considering that, Carol took the lead. Her sorcery was best suited for responding to an ambush.
The lock clicked, and the door swung open slowly.
The scene inside was one of refined elegance. Two men sat at a table, dining against the backdrop of the Kingdom’s city lights.
Mr. Bruno Bradley and Mr. Evan Bernstein.
They were simply... eating.
Mr. Bernstein looked toward us and offered a pleasant, charming smile.
"Ah, welcome everyone. You’re a bit earlier than I expected. Well then, the board is finally set for the endgame. Please, have a seat. I shall tell you the truth."
There was no bloodlust.
However, the threat of a sudden strike remained. None of us moved. No one in this room was foolish enough to take his words at face value. A massive amount of Prima Materia was already converging around Carol and Abby-san.
Seeing this, Evan smiled again. In contrast, Bruno refused to look at us. He kept his eyes averted, looking decidedly uncomfortable.
"...Well, I suppose it’s only natural. Based on the information I’ve been leaking, you have no reason to trust me. But how about this—?"
I was struck dumb.
It wasn't just me; everyone in our group stood frozen where they were.
And then, we learned the truth of the events that had been transpiring in the shadows of the Kingdom.