After finishing my conversation with Log, I headed over to Estella.
She was still at the same desk where we’d greeted each other this morning, buried in paperwork. Selma appeared to have already headed home.
"Estella-san, sorry to bother you while you’re busy. Do you have a moment?"
"Hmm? Oh, if it isn’t Orun-chi! Done with the lessons for today?"
"Yes. Since it was the first day, I decided to wrap things up early."
"I see, I see. Again, thanks for taking this on! So? What can I do for you? Hah! Don't tell me this is an invite for a date? Oh my, you’re making me blush!"
"……I’m sorry, but this is a serious matter."
When I spoke with such gravity, Estella’s playful air vanished, replaced by a more sober demeanor.
"I see. Sorry for teasing. So, what’s on your mind?"
"It’s about Caroline. Please tell me what you know about her past."
"……I see. We can’t really talk about that here. Come with me."
She stood up and led me into a small meeting room.
"Now then, first of all, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have dumped her training on you without explaining things first. I wanted you to meet her without any preconceptions."
Estella bowed her head in apology.
The fact that she had brought me into a private room meant there were circumstances she couldn't discuss openly. Still, if she had intended to tell me eventually, I wished she’d done so from the start.
"It’s already done, so it's fine. It would be helpful if you could speak to me beforehand in the future, though. And it’s not just Caroline—please tell me everything you know about Logan and Sophia as well."
"Yeah, I understand. In that case, let’s start with the relatively 'lighter' stories. It feels a bit rude to label someone else's life like that, but please bear with me. First, regarding Logan-kun—do you know anything about where he came from?"
"I heard a bit earlier. He was born and raised in a remote, struggling village."
"Right. Then there isn't much more for me to add. From what I know, he was sent off with the whole village’s blessing and joined the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky when we were recruiting rookies. Next is Sophia-chan. Have you heard anything about her?"
"To be honest, I don’t know the details. I don't really understand how a noble child ended up here instead of attending the Noble Academy."
"You’re quite well-versed in noble customs, even though they usually have nothing to do with being an explorer."
"I had several opportunities to interact with nobility back when I was in the Hero Party, so I picked it up there. So, do you know why Sophia isn't at the Academy?"
"Well, if I’m being honest, I only know the surface-level stuff. Apparently, Sophia-chan is the child of a concubine. Her mother passed away shortly after giving birth, so she was raised in the Claudel House. However, it seems she was persecuted by the legal wife—Selma-chi’s mother."
A child of a concubine meant a child born to a couple who weren't legally married. While this country followed a strict monogamous system, I’d heard that some other nations allowed polygamy.
"Selma-chi didn't care about any of that and absolutely adored Sophia-chan. When Selma-chi was around, the legal wife didn't treat her quite so poorly. But once Selma-chi became an explorer and stopped coming home as often, the abuse turned severe. When Selma-chi found out, she brought Sophia-chan here. Apparently, the legal wife never had any intention of letting her attend the Noble Academy anyway."
It was a harrowing story. I knew nobles operated on a different set of values than commoners, but that didn't make it any more pleasant to hear.
"Finally, there’s Caroline-chan’s past. Before I get into that, Orun-chi, do you know of the Cyclamen Cult?"
The Cyclamen Cult. They were an organization that worshipped the most heinous magic beast mentioned in fairy tales—the Evil God. Their stated goal was the deity's resurrection.
The fact that they plotted to revive a being that might not even exist made them suspicious enough, but their reality was far worse. They were known for human experimentation, human trafficking, and other inhumane atrocities. Between their various acts of terrorism against towns and villages, they were considered one of the Two Great Criminal Organizations.
"Yes, I know them. For that name to come up now, does that mean...?"
"Yeah, I think your hunch is right. This was about two years ago, but the Guild issued a request for powerful members from several clans to team up and crush one of the Cult’s strongholds. I wasn't an executive back then, so I don't know the specifics, but apparently Albert-san was the only one from the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky who participated. The old reports say he found Caroline-chan there and brought her back."
In other words, Carol had been rescued from that place.
"Caroline-chan was kidnapped from somewhere—she told me that much herself. This is just my speculation, but I suspect she was subjected to some horrific treatment at that base. Especially considering that girl’s Ability."
It was a revolting story. A sudden surge of murderous intent rose in my chest toward the Cyclamen Cult, a group I’d already held in low regard.
"Whoa! Orun-chi, dial it back! You’re being terrifying!"
"A-Ah, sorry."
I exhaled slowly.
Getting this worked up only after learning someone I knew was a victim... I really was a hypocrite.
Still, I now had a grasp on the trio's backgrounds. Every one of them carried a painful history. I hoped that, along with their training, I could provide them with a bit of emotional support as well.