[57.5] The Great Gonza Conspiracy

I ignored Caldwell and his look of innocence and turned to Lele, "I need to send a letter back home so that my family won't panic. Is there anyone who can deliver a letter for me?"

Lele shook her head, "You can't send or teleport anything in or out of the Macabre forest because of the barrier. You'll have to send it from the village beside us."

My eyebrows pinched together in confusion, "But I teleported here."

Caldwell snickered and ruffled my hair, "Maybe you're the reincarnation of the Great Fairy."

I scoffed, "As if."

Lele pursed her lips, "Although… I have met the Great Fairy and although you two have differences, you have more similarities."

I was suddenly interested, "Eh?"

Caldwell's eyes lit up, "That's right! You've met the Great Fairy before!"

She nodded with a nostalgic smile, "That's right. I can't remember her name or face, but I remember her personality was warm yet occasionally stubborn. She would always walk in like she owned the place, act like she didn't care but then drop off a lot of gifts. Her magic is a lot similar to yours, but far more dangerous."

I tilted my head, "Dangerous how?"

Lele hesitated and spoke slowly, "She couldn't control it. That's why she locked herself up on the mountain. She was alone for a very long time until her little evil disciple came along. After that, she got better. But whenever something happened to one of her children or any villagers-"

Lele made a slicing motion over her neck, "-No one survived."

I shivered, "Why do I feel lucky that I've never met her?"

Lele laughed lightly, "She's not that scary. The Great Fairy created this barrier so in the end, it would only recognize her as the master. She later made it so we could leave whenever we wanted and bring in others, but only those with good intentions could come inside. So, if you can teleport here, you could probably also send a letter out using magic."

I nodded and scratched my head, "I don't think I have the courage to try using magic after my toe-um… After the incident. I will just go ask the villagers next to the forest."

Caldwell followed after me, "Let me come along."

We went out of the barrier and into the town where I quickly wrote a note. I showed it to Caldwell who approved and then sent it off to Felix.

Caldwell gave me a look, "Why Felix, Young Miss? Shouldn't you send it to your parents?"

I shook my head, "No way. I need Felix to cover for me. I'm already in trouble with my parents, if they find out I teleported and lost a toe-"

He reminded me, "A toe and a half."

I glared at him, "Yes… If they heard I lost a toe and a half, they will lose their minds."

Caldwell nervously looked at me, "And… The Young Master?"

"Naturally, Felix will cover for me with him too…" I paused and gave him a look, "Don't worry. I didn't mention anything about you after my last visit."

He let out a sigh of relief.

The villager at the post office spat out, "Can you two leave now? I already sent it for you and it already arrived at its destination."

My face flushed red and I quickly excused myself, returning back to the Macabre forest with Caldwell. I re-entered the shack where Chief Gonza was looking around anxiously, upon seeing us, he relaxed a bit.

"Oh, thank the gods… It's just you."

I pulled up a chair next to his bed, "Uncle Gonza. You should try to relax. These people really aren't your enemies."

"Enemies?! They are feeding me poison!"

Caldwell sat at the foot of his bed as naturally as possible and held out a piece of candy, "Candy?"

"I'm not a child." Gonza said, already taking the candy and placing it into his mouth. He held out his hand with an indignant look, "You can't bribe me."

Caldwell chuckled and placed another piece of candy into his hand.

Good thing he bought a huge bag while we were in the village.

I cleared my throat and became serious, "Uncle Gonza. Just what happened? Who tried to kill you?"

Gonza's expression darkened, "I should have trusted Aldrich…"

"Hm?"

He spoke slowly, "Reika… I… I don't think demons killed my parents."

I was startled by this, "What do you mean?"

His lips pressed together, "Reika. Have you ever been to your grandparent's grave? My parent's gravesite?"

I shook my head, "I haven't."

"I went to visit after fighting with Aldrich. It had been a while since I visited… Honestly, I hadn't been there since our first falling out with each other. When I went back to vent my frustrations, I realized something very important." His eyes slowly raised, "There's a willow tree just above their tombstones."

"I don't understand…"

He looked at me firmly, "My parents were never killed by demons. Do you know how I know?"

I shook my head.

"The caskets were empty. No body. No bones. Not even a trace of fabric."

"Wait…" I gave him the side eye, "Did you… Dig them up?"

His expression stiffened, "That's not important."

"Oh my gods. You did."

"That's not important!" His cheeks flush, "Did you not hear what I said?! It was empty!"

"Yes. It was empty after you dug up your parent's grave." I scoffed and crossed my arms, "You're such a hypocrite."

"Huh?! How am I a hypocrite?!"

"Because I dug up my mother and used necromancy then you tried to imprison me!"

"Necromancy is a crime!"

"So is digging up graves."

Chief Gonza's awkwardly cleared his throat, "We are getting off topic."

"..."

He continued while ignoring my accusatory stare, "After I returned their caskets, I went back to my office and found that the one who reported the attack belonged to the Orphelio family. Everything from the very beginning led back to that family. It was obvious they were up to something nefarious! My prophecy brought me to this tree for a reason, I just thought it was something at the Orphelio family.."

I raised an eyebrow, "So your vision was wrong?"

Gonza let out a sigh and ruffled his hair, "It wasn't wrong. I just interpreted it wrong and got myself into this mess. It had to be telling me to be wary of the family, so naturally, I had to investigate them."

I let out a sigh, "Naturally."

He scratched his head awkwardly, "I put so much effort into infiltrating their mansion that I didn't think they would even notice me there… Unfortunately, I was unlucky and stumbled across some important figure who happened to be arriving at the same time."

"And they attacked you?"

"That's right. They cast the killing curse on me."

"Was it a demon?"

He shook his head, "The person who attacked me wasn't a demon. They used Holy Magic, but cast a demonic curse."

I clenched my fist, "What did they look like?!"

"I don't know. They were wearing a cloak. But one thing is for sure, Aldrich's warning wasn't enough!! They have a Holy Magic user under their employ! Whoever it is was really strong too. I don't think there's ever been such a strong Holy Magic user since Alora." He groaned and ruffled his hair, "That family really must be avoided at all costs. They are far too strong."

My face curled in hate, "Those bastards. They hurt Cyrus and now they target my family!?"

Gonza reached out to hold my hand, "Reika. You must return and act like you never saw me. They undoubtedly know I went to your art gallery during my escape. If they don't get my body and see that you are gone, they'll know you took me somewhere. They will come after you and shut you up permanently."

"So what? I should just act like your dead?"

He nodded quickly, "Yes! Exactly that. Don't act any different knowing I'm alive versus knowing I'm dead. It's better if Aldrich also thinks I'm dead. That hothead won't stay still knowing I'm alive and hiding. He will try something, but if he thinks I'm dead his focus will be on keeping you safe from that terrible family."

"I don't know… I don't think I can lie to him."

Gonza looked at me pleadingly, "Please. You have to. I will die from guilt knowing my stupid actions got any of you hurt. Please!"

I let out a sigh, "Fine. I won't say a thing."

Gonza looked relieved and urged me away, "Now go."

I hesitated, "But will you be okay without me?"

Nervousness resurfaced in his eyes, "I… Uh…"

I recognized the problem and motioned to Caldwell, "You won't be alone. Caldwell will be here to support you."

Caldwell and Gonza both flinched.

"Be safe, Uncle Gonza." I stood up and went to the doorway, "And don't worry about me. I'm a master magician after all."

I left the shack, forcing myself to do so. I didn't want to leave, but he had a point.

I can't let them know he's alive.

To beat them at their own game, I have to get them to lower their guards.

Once I left the shack, Gonza anxiously looked over at Caldwell, too afraid to speak.

Caldwell stepped away from his bedside with a somber expression, "You… I know it's hard for you to accept a demon beside you, so you don't need to worry. I'm not upset or anything. I understand how hard it is. Just know I am always here if you need me. For now, I will leave you to-"

Just as Caldwell turned to leave, a hand reached out and grabbed onto his arm to stop him.

Caldwell turned to look at Gonza in surprise.

Gonza's face flushed, "Caldwelleus… Don't… Don't leave… Please. I am so nervous and you are the only one-"

Gonza paused, suddenly sensing danger. He met Caldwell's eyes and unconsciously wanted to run but was completely incapable of doing so, "W-What?"

Caldwell heaved heavily with lust in his eyes, "You… What did you just call me?"

Gonza shrunk back slightly, "C-Caldwelleus. You said that was your name that only I could call you… Did I… Did I get it wrong?"

Caldwell pounced on him, littering his face with kisses.

Gonza tried his best to evade while pushing him away, "G-GET OFF!"

Caldwell cried out fervently, "I can try being on top! As long as it's me and you-"

*SLAP*

Caldwell saw me off with another red handprint on his face.