hotmtlnovel Chapter 126
Chapter 126
After the interrogation with Scarlet Evande concluded, Sylvia returned to the mansion with her, glancing down at Scarlet, who seemed to have fainted and was now sleeping on the bed. She took hold of her hand.
From their clasped hands, a warm heat could be felt.
It was a warmth only the living could possess.
With that warmth, Sylvia finally felt the reality that Scarlet had safely returned, and she breathed a sigh of relief, murmuring softly.
“...Thank you for coming back safely.”
Once, she had promised Scarlet that if the moment came when she needed help, she would do everything she could to assist her.
Yet, when Scarlet truly needed help, Sylvia found herself powerless to aid her.
When Scarlet was willing to sacrifice herself for everyone, she could not even rush to face the witch, and when she heard the news that Scarlet was alive, she could not contribute to her rescue.
Although she thought herself relatively strong among her peers, in reality, she was utterly weak, unable to do anything for her.
The only thing that the weak Sylvia could do for her was to fervently pray to the stars for her safe return, just like when she was little.
That brought her tremendous regret.
To have promised to help in such a loud voice, yet, when it mattered, the only thing she could do was pray.
Still, perhaps it was because of such deep regret that when the time came, she was able to act without hesitation.
“...I suppose I will get scolded a bit, won’t I? For acting on my own accord.”
Looking at Scarlet, Sylvia forced a bitter smile.@@@@
She knew it well.
How heavy the words “Astra will take full responsibility” were if any trouble arose.
Such statements were not to be made by a mere figurehead, detached from the power of the family.
Although the elder had overlooked it on that occasion, it was certain that Sylvia would face some sort of discipline or punishment later on.
In the past, such things had terrified her, but now, the thought of anything happening to Scarlet was far more frightening.
Sylvia leaned forward and gently lifted Scarlet’s hand, placing it atop her own head.
Just like when Scarlet had once praised her for a job well done.
This small act seemed to ease her lingering anxiety a bit, and Sylvia, slightly embarrassed by her childlike behavior, addressed Scarlet.
“But I won’t regret it. I’m glad to have been able to help just a little bit for Scarlet.”
The position of heir to Astra, which Sylvia had always despised.
However, today, for the first time in her life, she felt grateful to be the heir of Astra.
Because she had been able to assist Scarlet.
So, she resolved not to regret it.
With that determination, Sylvia left Scarlet‘s room.
“......Sylvia, let’s have a quick chat.”
At the words of the elder, who was waiting outside the room, she was able to nod without trembling.
*
Sylvia followed the elder into his room.
The one who had called her was Astra’s first elder, who had participated in the interrogation with Sylvia the previous day.
He was involved in many of the affairs of the Astra family and held considerable power. Thus, Sylvia felt a bit tense at his summons.
Though he always wore a kind smile, he was the one who worked diligently for Astra more than anyone else.
Normally, he would treat her with respect, but the fact that he called her without using honorifics meant that their conversation would be strictly personal from this point on.
Previously, whenever he had addressed her like this, it was usually to point out mistakes she had made in official settings.
Sylvia, who had always bowed her head and apologized when called in such a manner, decided not to do so today.
She did not believe she had done anything wrong.
Thus, as she arrived at the elder’s room, she swallowed nervously but held her head high to face him.
As Sylvia looked at her, the elder opened his mouth with the same kind and gentle voice as always.
“......So, I was meaningless to Astra...?”
“......As I have said repeatedly, you are our heir and our hope. Moreover—”
The elder gently stroked Sylvia‘s head as he spoke.
“Before being a family, you are family to us. You are an irreplaceable existence to us.”
Hearing words she had never encountered before, Sylvia felt a swell of emotion.
For some reason, she felt as if tears were about to fall. Sylvia had to sit quietly for a while, feeling the hand that was stroking her head.
*
After some time had passed, as Sylvia, with reddened eyes, was about to leave the room, the first elder caught her.
“Oh, by the way, I had one question to ask, but I almost forgot.”
“......What is it?”
“I’ve not heard from Sator in a while. I wanted to ask if you’d received any word from him.”
Sylvia seemed to ponder this question for a moment before responding with a calm expression.
“......I haven’t heard anything either. He’s a busy man with research, so perhaps he’s just preoccupied enough to forget to reach out?”
“Is that so... Well, you’ve worked hard, Sylvia, so you should go in and rest.”
“Yes. You should also get some well-deserved rest, elder.”
Having exchanged those goodbyes, Sylvia exited the room, and soon after, the first elder received a call while remaining seated in silence.
“Yes, Second Elder. What can I do for you?”
“......I was wondering about that aforementioned issue. We have lost track of where Sator has disappeared to... Have you received any information about the primary suspects? Have you verified it?”
“I haven’t verified anything yet, just seen the information. I should check soon.”
As he received the call, the first elder lightly tapped one corner of the cabinet.
With that, the cabinet slowly parted, revealing a hidden secret space behind it.
From there, the first elder retrieved a document and slowly skimmed through its text.
The plan for the witch’s weaponization.
The experiment had failed.
Considering that a piece of the witch’s heart was missing from the scene, there were concerns that the subject might have escaped during the fire.
Current investigation results indicated that the most likely suspect was—
While reading through the document, the first elder picked up a magical tool that looked like an ordinary rock lying beside it.
The effect of that magical tool was simple.
If a piece of the witch’s heart approached within a certain radius, it would emit light.
As he gazed at the magical tool, the voice of the second elder reached the first elder’s ears.
“......You mentioned that the most likely suspect is Sylvia’s friend? What will you do if it turns out to be true?”
“Well, then it’s clear what needs to be done.”
The plan for the witch’s weaponization.
That was one of the matters from their past that must never see the light of day.
Moreover, if Sylvia were to be held accountable for it due to the resulting circumstances...
No matter how much of a benefactor Sylvia was for saving her life, she would merely be an obstacle.
The first elder recalled the resolution he made when Sylvia had once shown them the starlight in her childhood.
That all the dirty things of Astra would be cleaned up by their own dirty hands.
The past errors they had committed ought not to exist in the future Astra that Sylvia would lead.
“......As always, it seems we need to clean this up quietly.”
Responding thus, the first elder picked up the document that should not be revealed to the world and quietly set it aflame.
The photograph of the red-haired girl that had been enclosed with the document was consumed by the flames, vanishing without a sound.