With the windows and curtains closed, the room was a bit dark. There was no dusty smell, as if the room had just been cleaned. Overall, the room was strangely clean.

　As for me, it makes me feel uncomfortable. It's good to be clean, but I feel that it's not appropriate for someone like me.

　In such a room, there was Mr. Nines, the man who raised me, looking the same as always. His purple eyes loosely open as he looks at me from his bed.

　It's been a few years since we were in the Garlist Kingdom, but he really doesn't seem to have changed at all. If I had to guess, I'd say he's lost some weight.

　It made me wonder if she was actually a long-lived species like that, not a human being.

　Mr. Nines' slightly long lips drew a line across his cheek. Her bandaged hands were thrown out on the sheets. His throat rumbled slightly.

"What? You've got a rare visitor today. ...... Or should I say welcome back, Lugis?

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. It was as if nothing had happened in the time leading up to this. In the same tone as always.

　A nostalgic, yet warm feeling spreads through my guts. No matter how hard we try, we may not be able to resist nostalgia.

　As I sat down in the chair provided, my thoughts turned to how I should respond. My lips were strangely heavy.

　There must be plenty of words to say. In fact, on the way to this room, I had all kinds of words floating around in my head.

　But now, none of them are coming out of my mouth. It was as if each word had turned into a hard stone.

　I had no choice. If the other person acts like he used to, I'll try to follow suit. I can act like that as much as I want.

Are you sure you're home, Mr. Nines? I know I'm back late.

　He smiled at my words. I could see the nostalgic, mischievous color in his face.

I'm talking about you. I knew you'd be troubled by something strange. I just didn't expect you to come to see me with a bunch of women.

　No, wait. What are you talking about, this foster parent?

　My cheeks twitch. I didn't know I was making my mouth water.

　I don't have a woman in my life, and I've never done anything like that before.

　Of course, since you're Mr. Nines, I'm sure you know what you're talking about. However, I would like you to refrain from saying or doing anything that might cause too much misunderstanding. The worst that could happen is that my life could be blown away. Mostly by Caria's hand.

　Mr. Nines glanced briefly at Caria, Fialaat, and then Philos, who were sitting behind me, and then said.

I don't remember teaching you this, but I wonder who you got it from. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but you'd better not burn yourself.

　Mr. Nines said with a smile on his face and a very amused look on his face.

　What is it? I had some reservations about the fact that our first meeting in a long time was such a disaster. I wonder if she has any such feelings.

　Or is it that I'm the one being cared for?

　If anything, the latter seems to be the case. If that's the case, it's pathetic.

　I pulled my shoulder lightly and said, "I'll be careful," as I brushed my lips.

　Mr. Nines nodded, clearing his throat, and opened his mouth to ask if I was just here to say hello. He was telling me that he didn't think so.

　To be honest, I had no problem with just saying hello. They still wouldn't let me. Kalia's lips puckered up before mine did. Her small hand was on my shoulder.

　I can feel her fingers digging into my flesh a little. Don't do that, it hurts.

"I'd like to ask you about his origins. I'd like to ask him about his origins. He's never been very forthcoming with that sort of thing.

　No, I think I told you a few times he was an orphan. I think I've told you a few times that he's an orphan, but there's just nothing much to say. Kalia's silver hair swayed just out of sight.

　Mr. Nines' expression relaxed for a moment at Kalia's words, and then his lips opened.

That's all you've been doing today. Just a few minutes ago, Saint Mattia and the Queen of Gazalia also came to hear about it - or more precisely, about the girl.

　The girl. I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that. And then he looked into Nines' face. Those clever eyes are piercing me from the front.

　So that's it. At that point, I had some idea of what Mr. Nines was trying to say. Perhaps Mattia and Erdis were not talking about me, but that must have been their main concern.

　The pinnacle of heraldry and the head of the Hanging Gardens of Ghazalia. There is only one thing they need to hear directly from Mr. Nines, even if they have to go to the trouble of visiting him.



　It has to be about the saint of the Great Sacred Church, Alueno.

　I'm sure they've heard that Alueno was originally in the hands of Mr. Nines.

　Therefore, they should have a deep understanding of who she is. What kind of person she is, what kind of decisions she makes, what kind of thoughts she carries in her heart.

　These things must be abhorrent but necessary. As long as Alueno is a saint of the Great Satanic Church - the enemy.

　Whether Altius or some other evil spirit is involved or not, you can't remain ignorant of it.

　As for me, I can't help but have mixed feelings, as if my heart has been torn open. It's never nice to be probed about the person you love.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

"So, where does Lugis come from? I don't know where Lugis comes from, except that he's a simple orphan. He was an abandoned child, and my predecessor picked him up. I remember his eyes stood out strangely even at night.

　The predecessor is probably the person who acted as a mother to everyone before Mr. Nines became the owner of the orphanage. I remember hearing someone mention it from time to time.

　To be honest, I don't remember much about her because she died soon after I was taken in by the orphanage.

　When she died, I remember that many people were crying, but I didn't feel like I fit in.

　Mr. Nines rarely talks about his predecessor. This is not because Mr. Nines disliked the person he called his predecessor. It's just that Mr. Nines doesn't like to verbalize his thoughts and feelings from the start.

　It's just that he doesn't like to express his feelings in words.

　After that, Kalia exchanged a few words with Mr. Nines, and was about to enter into the embarrassing memories of others, when suddenly, as if remembering, Fialat moved his lips.

I'd like to ask you one more question, sir. I'm sure you'll be able to tell me more about it. ...... The girl you mentioned earlier is . I'm not sure if you're referring to Lugis ...... or the witch Alueno.

　I'm not sure what to make of that. Then his gaze turned to me.

　As if to say, "Have you spoken? Mr. Nines' face was expressionless, but a clear protest was on his lips.

　No, what was there to protest about? The fact that Alueno and I are childhood friends is not something to be blamed, it's just a fact. You can't deny that, can you?

　No, but wait. I don't remember telling Fialaat anything like that.

　But, on the other hand, I don't remember hiding it either. Kalia might have mentioned it somewhere. But that didn't mean there was anything wrong with it.

　When I returned his gaze without confirming or denying, Mr. Nines looked around the room for a moment, looked at all of us, and then said.

He looked at all of us for a moment and then said, "If you've told us, then we have no choice. Yes, it's about Alueno. I used to take care of him. I used to take care of him, so I know a little bit about him.

　At those words, I felt the air in the room become heavy and tense for a moment. I'm not sure who was the cause of it. Maybe it was me, or maybe it was no one at all.

　I think he sensed that. Mr. Nines said with a gentle smile on his face.

But I'm glad. I thought you were still reeling from the whole Alueno thing.

　The purple eyes turned slightly to the people behind me. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's a bit of a jerk.

"It's better if you can make a break and start a new path. Once a path has been cut off, there is always a new path to walk.

　I leaned my shoulder against Mr. Nines' words and returned them. I sincerely wondered what he was talking about.

　Of course, I understood what he was trying to say. But I still wasn't willing to accept it.

There's no need to make a break. I'm still me and she's still her. Nothing has changed.

　Again, the air creaked. This time, with a distinct sound.