3.16.

"Reese Rine. Nice to meet you.. again!"

The cardinal.. or 'supposed' cardinal donned a black veil over her eyes as she introduced herself once more seated on a couch. The risque crimson dress she was wearing made Sequencee want to turn his head away.

Yui and Dunken, the siblings stood by both sides of her.

Opposite was Sequencee who sat with Iona.

Between them was a low table with five cups of tea.

"Sequencee. Is she really not a threat?" Iona asked in an indifferent tone.

"She probably is a threat.."

"Do something inappropriate and I won't hesitate to cut off your neck," Iona threatened.

"Ara, I'd like to see you try," a teasing smile appeared beneath the veil. "That topic aside, I hadn't expected that you were a student of the academy. That makes things much more convenient doesn't it?"

"It does not.."

"How come? Because your girlfriend would be jealous if a nice lady is chasing you?"

Iona's figure flickered, appearing behind Reese with a blade pressed against her neck.

"Don't speak about my master in that way," Iona's cold voice rang out.

Reese calmly held Iona's wrist and tried to push it away– it wouldn't budge. Cold sweat ran down her back. This maid was a lot scarier than the holy knights of the church!

"I-I apologize. Spare me please."

Iona's figure flickered, returning to her seat.

"I get it now– it seems my judgment wasn't wrong. Wouldn't want to get on your bad side," Reese said ruefully.

"Already did," Sequencee muttered.

"Let me explain. I am certainly the cardinal of the Savior's religion."

"The Savior religion. Can you go into the details? It's the first time I'm hearing it."

"You've never heard of it?" Reese tilted her head.

"Never."

"Maybe it hasn't spread to the other regions yet hm.. are you a believer of Goddess Ra?"

'Again with this question?'

"Look. When it come to religion or belief, I'm going to be on the fence," Sequencee said.

"So you're that kind of person huh? Then, what about Hero Rika?"

"What?"

"The Savior's religion is her religion. Of course, we don't treat her as a goddess per say, though we do revere her."

"Okay?"

'This is headed in a weird direction. If this really was Hero Rika's religion.. why in the world would it involve sacrificing people? It doesn't make sense..'

"To put it briefly, I want you to stop getting involved in the church's affairs. You're a third party who was dragged into this conflict between us two factions," Reese crossed her legs.

"That doesn't explain why you're not a threat. If I had to pick a side, I would pick the church. What religion would sacrifice people to create monsters?"

"Monsters? Perhaps that's what layman people think. Don't you think monsters should be equals as a race? Just because they lack intelligence, it doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad thing. Take demons as an example. They should be standing as equals like us humans and elves. But no, people despise them because of the bad rep' they acquired during the Last Era."

"..."

'I can't understand her line of thinking.'

"Or is it the sacrificial part you're not in agreement of? To begin with, those followers had decided to voluntarily give up their lives the day they joined me. I actually planned to kill the people affiliated with the church and spare you and that other mercenaries– but of course, you caught my eye so I wanted to get to know you better."

'She really is a lunatic.'

"How about.. Yui and Dunken? The siblings.. the first time we found them, they were tied up.. don't tell me they were going to be sacrificed too?"

"Yes, these two are my good hunchmens. They were going to-too but.. then you interfered."

The two siblings nodded as if it were expected.

'This is messed up..'

"How about your system's gift to brainwash people? Is that what you used to build your cult?"

"Partly of course. It's too bad that brainwashing people only lasts a few hours before the effect goes off. And they are only able to act on simple commands. It's good as a distraction, but otherwise, it's plain.. and don't call me a cultist. I'm a bona fide soon-to-inherit my viscountess lady title okay~"

"I really don't know what to think of this.." Sequencee held his head. "You really are a cultist."

"How dare you! It's the Savior's religion! Not a cult!"

"Hey, if you had to kill yourself just to fulfill the selfish wish of killing a few other people, would you do it?"

"Hero Rika did just that, didn't she? Sacrificing her companions to kill her enemies?"

"..."

"Sequencee. There are some people you just won't be able to understand unless you step into their world," Iona explained.

"And, weren't you in need of souls?" Reese added.

"How do you even know that?"

Dunken raised his hands.

"Dunken has the gift to grasp some superficial thoughts of a selected target. So when he told me you wanted to kill people, I brought some offerings. So, was it enough?" Reese tilted her head toward Dunken and patted his head.

"..."

"Every life is precious, every life is useless. Some of the other cardinals will have a thing against the way I treat my fellow followers.. but that's just how it is for me."

"Crazy."

"You didn't hesitate to kill us either didn't you?"

'Can't she be less glib here?'

"We're both guilty right? It's amazing what you can do with sacrificial magic."

"And how did you know the church would find you back then? It's as if you knew we were going to come."

"Ever heard of something called an intelligence network?"

"..."

'Crazy. Crazy.. this is an underground world I know nothing about.'

"Okay. I'll do this. I'll forfeit the quest and pay the penalty and assume I never met you."

"Oh, that's good news. After all, no one from your side got sacrificed right?"

"And, don't try to approach me ever again."

".. No way," she complained. "Is this too much? After providing you with my follower's lives, can't we at least get along on good terms?"

"What exactly do you want out of me?" Sequencee stared past the veil into her obscure eyes.

'My mom wasn't lying when she said you can find a lot of weird people in the world.'

"You were the one who followed me. I only did what I did to spare you since you're definitely going to get yourself involved with the church if I did nothing. I want you on our side instead of theirs. Not to say you have to join our religion– just stay out of it, is what I want to say."

"That's it?"

"Of course, selfishly, as I mentioned earlier, I want to get to know you better but it seems you're already taken.." her voice dropped in disappointment.

"I have no comments on that."

"I think I've told you most of what I need to. So let's move on to the next question."

'Next question.. what am I even here to do again? I'm just trying to sympathize with her, right? Or an excuse to spare her life?'

"Do you know the purpose of this religion?" She asked.

'She mentioned something about other cardinals not in approval of her method of handling things, which means she's the sole proprietor of problems here.'

To his befuddlement, her lips curled upwards.

"Did you know? Hero Rika might still be alive?"

".. What?"

"Pass down through the doctrine, at the end of the New Dawn, she shall return and reclaim glory against the Gods. Wouldn't it be wonderful if she would join hands with the current hero? Imagine that, working together, hand in hand, to end the war and unite all races," clasping her hands together, Reese looked up and said in a delirious voice.

'What in the..'

"Do you believe it? That the legendary hero is still alive somewhere?" Reese asked cloyingly.

'Shiro said that Hero Rika was her girlfriend.. what's going on with this? Hero Rika's past.. If she's still alive then Shiro's system..'

By sheer coincidence, Sequence had found another bridge to gap Shiro's story. He was forced back to get involved with him even though he already planned to pull away!

'Damn fate.'

"Which class are you from?" Sequencee asked.

"Fufu, piqued now are you? When you enter the second year, there's no such thing as a specific class. How about you just drop by this mansion any time if you wish to talk with me about it?"

'Shit. Why I'm I getting involved in things like this?'

"Fine.. "

"Though, I might not be around once the holiday ends since I'll be posted in some faraway country to undergo practical work. Hm.. you're quite strong yourself. I don't know why you're a first year student– I'll keep the questions to myself."

She leaned over and picked up the tea. Pulling the veil away slightly to take a sip, her sun-golden eyes peered in their direction.

She placed the cup down.

"Aren't you going to drink? Or perhaps you suspect I've poisoned the tea?"

"Obviously."

"How about you two?" Reese then tilted her head to Yui and Dunken.

"Can we?"

"Yes. Feel free to."

"Yay~"

The two innocent kids hopped over to take their cups. A heartwarming scene Sequencee couldn't help but find abnormal.

"If you're not going to drink it, it'll be their share. So don't complain that I wasn't accommodative to guests."

===

When Sequencee left the drawing room with Iona. Reese leaned forward and supported her chin with her hands.

She stared down at the tranquil layer of red tea left untouched in the two tea cups.

"Sister Reese, can we have that too?" Dunken asked.

"Yes. Please help yourselves."

"Sis, here," Dunken grabbed one and passed it to Yui.

"Thank you!" She received the cup cordially and made quick work of the drink.

Dunken also finished the tea in record time. Though, it wasn't like it had been laced with drugs or anything like that. It was perfectly normal tea.

"Sister Reese, that maid is dangerous," Dunken said.

"I think so too," Yui followed up.

"Really? What did you see?" Reese asked.

"The many ways she thought she could kill you."

"Truly. What a mysterious person," Reese smiled wryly and shook her head.

She leaned against the couch and looked up at the ceiling.

"Is he the one?" She chuckled at her own question.

===

"Schwii, I'm returning now."

["R-Right. How did the meeting go?"]

"It was.. I don't really know how to put it.."

["Are you going to join the cult? I won't permit it, alright?"]

"No, it's not that.. well, talk to you later at the guild. Help me inform the rest that I'm fine."

["Everyone has been notified of it. Is Iona beside you right now?"]

"I'm present," Iona said.

["Alright. Then I'll leave his safety to you."]

Sequencee heaved a sigh.

Walking through the rain with a barrier above to divert the water away, they made their way back to Dimitri Guild. Sequencee was following Iona because she was more familiar with the streets, having passed her once earlier. This district was unfamiliar to Sequencee.

"Iona, do you think what she said was true?"

"Which part? I certainly do think it is possible she's hiding the truth behind her system gifts."

"I mean, about Hero Rika."

"..."

"Iona?"

"I believe it's possible," Iona said resolutely.

"Possible.. huh?"

Sequencee gazed upon the sky.

'There's still so much I don't know about this world..'