A Great Show

However, Kouki Amanogawa didn't believe Eriri's words and shook his head, confidently stating, "That's impossible. I can be sure that I didn't see you at the scene."

Eriri raised her head proudly and said disdainfully, "Hmph, what I'm saying is the truth. I wouldn't lie to you, and lying doesn't benefit me in any way."

'Even though I saw it in the anime, I did see it through my eyes, so I'm not lying,' Eriri thought to herself.

"Uh…" Kouki was at a loss for words in the face of Eriri's confidence.

Seeing Kouki's hesitation, Daisuke Hiyama couldn't sit still any longer. His expression turned gloomy, and his nervousness made him bite his fingernails, anxiously thinking of a countermeasure.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up as if he had thought of a brilliant idea. He sneered maliciously and couldn't wait to shout at Eriri, "Who says it doesn't benefit you? Maybe you're spies from the Demon Race? Your purpose here is to divide our forces!"

He looked at Eriri with a sense of triumph, thinking he had won. In his view, compared to the unfamiliar Eriri, his classmates like Kouki would trust him more. What he didn't realize was that someone's appearance, if attractive enough, could influence others' judgment.

Instead of turning against Eriri as Hiyama expected, the group began to defend her.

"Hiyama, that's going too far…"

"Yeah, just look at Sawamura. She doesn't seem like a spy. How could she and her friend just appear at our base?"

"I agree. Someone as beautiful as Sawamura couldn't possibly do something bad."

"..."

Even his three followers weakly echoed, "Yeah, Daisuke, maybe you're mistaken."

"You guys…" Daisuke Hiyama gaped at his classmates, incredulous.

"Hahaha… this is interesting, really interesting."

Before they could argue further, Eriri's laughter and crisp clapping filled the room.

Eriri crossed her legs, her fair hands clapping slowly, with a teasing smile on her face. Arifureta, who was seated behind Eriri, leaned forward, hugging Eriri's neck, resting her chin on her shoulder, and watching the group with interest.

As the applause faded, Eriri looked at the group, who were exchanging glances due to her and Arifureta's posture, and said, "You want proof? No problem, I'll give you evidence right now!"

With that, Eriri raised her right hand and snapped her fingers. Instantly, Daisuke Hiyama's eyes went blank, and he froze on the spot.

"He's hypnotized now. Ask him anything, and he'll give you the most honest answers," Eriri gestured toward Hiyama, inviting Kouki and Kaori to question him.

For Kaori Shirasaki, Hajime Nagumo's fall into the abyss was the most painful event. She had started paying attention to him a long time ago and had deeply fallen in love with him.

Her reason for following Kouki and the others to explore the Orcus Labyrinth as a healer was not just her concern for her childhood friend Shizuku Yaegashi but primarily to reach the labyrinth's depths and find her beloved. She found it hard to believe Hajime was truly gone.

Like the others, she believed the incident was an accident, but now Eriri claimed there was more to the story. With the truth about Hiyama potentially exposed, she didn't hesitate to step up to Hiyama.

Clenching her fists, Kaori asked, "Hiyama, did you really cause Hajime to fall into the abyss?"

"I did it. I intentionally shot a fireball at him. Let's see if he dies this time, hehe." Hiyama, despite his blank eyes, wore a smug smile as he confessed.

The group erupted into chaos, staring at Hiyama in disbelief. Only a black-haired beauty with glasses cast a wary glance at Eriri, deeply cautious.

Kaori's emotions collapsed upon hearing the truth, and she glared at Hiyama with hatred and murderous intent, while Shizuku clutched her arm worriedly.

"Bastard, I'll kill you!" Kaori screamed, unable to hold back her rage, raising her staff to strike Hiyama.

Everyone was startled by Kaori's outburst. Known for her kindness, no one had seen her this furious before.

"Kaori…" Shizuku quickly pulled Kaori back, stopping her from hitting Hiyama, and hugged her tightly. "Kaori, don't be rash."

"Kaori, what are you doing?" A slower-to-react Kouki stepped in front of Hiyama, shielding him.

"Shizuku, Kouki, move! I have to avenge Hajime," Kaori struggled in Shizuku's grip, but as a healer, she couldn't match Shizuku's strength as a swordswoman.

"Kaori, I appreciate your kindness, but killing Hiyama won't bring Hajime back. I'm sure Hajime wouldn't want you to do this," Kouki said softly, unaware of Kaori's feelings for Hajime.

"Hey, Kouki, what are you saying..." Shizuku glared at Kouki before turning back to Kaori, "Kaori, we can find another way to deal with Hiyama. He'll get the punishment he deserves without you doing it."

"Shizuku…" Kaori slumped in Shizuku's arms, tears silently flowing.