Case 122: To seize the end.

Lyra de Orleans was a timid girl.

At least, that was how she used to be. At some point, unbeknownst to most, the little girl had become a mature lady. Hailed by many as the generation's peerless genius, Lyra remained solid despite the noise, solidifying her incredible temperament in the public's eyes even before her strength.

''...''

Rachael found herself facing such an anomaly. Once her prospective fiancé, now a rising star. Worse, this girl was her love's little stepsister—someone who would eventually become her family in the future.

Five years had passed since they had met, and Rachael still couldn't understand Lyra.

Her demeanor, her passions, her goals, her heart—Rachael didn't understand any of it. But if there was one thing she surely knew... it would be that Lyra held a heavy love for her stepsister, almost an obsession.

And on this night, the imperial princess sought out the heroine precisely because of that stepsister.

''How may I help you?'' Lyra calmly asked, meeting eyes with Rachael.

Not wanting to waste time with pleasantries, the princess reminded, ''Do you have the answer to my proposal?''

''...''

Lyra quietly pondered.

Ever since Cecilia came back, the four of them, presumably the only people in this country who knew her identity, had been racing against time to find a solution—a solution to save Cecilia.

She wasn't a person of this side. That was self-admitted.

If someone who aligned with the former hero party, or the members themselves, discovered Cecilia's existence, a great calamity would befall her. Moreover, Cecilia's time was running out... again. The bleak scenes that traumatized them just a few years prior were bound to repeat themselves should they dare not make a move.

That day, when Cecilia confessed everything to them, they all made a decision—to shelter and continue to cherish her, the love of their life, despite her background. They chose to believe in Cecilia, who had been by their side for five years.

Thankfully, they now knew the whole story. Unlike before, there were many clues to work with, yet the situation was dire.

The demon forces had begun to solidify, and war was imminent. During this period, the public's spirit, amplified by global media, overwhelmingly attacked the other side. Countless factions were eager to put themselves at the frontlines and fight to prolong their peace. The former hero party, whose members suffered virtually no injuries and were at their peak, was no exception.

In this situation, someone like Cecilia was a prime target, extremely vulnerable. If anybody could protect her, it would be the four of them. Only them.

''Work with us. We'll save your sister together.''

The proposal came right after Cecilia's imprisonment. The three lovers united as a team to bring salvation to the woman whom they loved.

Rachael naturally had some ominous feelings about Lyra, yet the latter was the only remaining insider, not to mention her incredible capabilities. If they could have her strength, her connections, and her position as the emerging heroine, they could take actions more freely.

On the other hand, Lyra doubted the three. Not only were they bitter rivals, but their sway as princesses and noble magnates was questionable before such a mythical enemy—Great Demon Astaroth.

For Lyra, who had immersed herself in the world of hidden eminences for a few years, she naturally realized this problem.

Still, in the end, having such help was better than having none at all. Even if she didn't like to admit it, Lyra trusted these people.

''Sure.''

So, she took Rachael's hand.

There wasn't much to discuss since their progress was stuck at the stage of deciding a path forward. At least, that was the case for the trio.

''...What did you say?'' Rachael nearly questioned her hearing.

''I said I will kill Astaroth,'' Lyra repeated her stance, firm and clear. ''This is the only definitive way to free her of that curse.''

''Did you forget that even Cecilia couldn't defeat him? Can you do it?''

''Not at the moment, but I will get there.''

The princess's lips parted, yet she couldn't find a word. Such a suicidal option... she hadn't even considered it. But somehow, she felt a profound will within Lyra's vow, as if she would actually accomplish the impossible feat even if it cost her life.

And, that was precisely what Lyra had sworn to do.

Even if she had to give up everything, the heroine would seize the end with her own hands... and be together with the person she loved.

''Think about it. Whatever quirky ways we find to fight the curse, like those elixirs, will only be a temporary solution in the end.'' Lyra reasoned. ''Eliminating the source of it together is the most certain and feasible path. We will gain the support of everyone, too.''

''That's... right.'' Rachael frowned. After struggling with her thoughts a bit, she replied, ''...Okay, I'll contact the other two and let them know.''

''Please do. I'll excuse myself here.''

Lyra calmly stood up and prepared to exit, yet her wrist was firmly caught,

''Wait.''

''...Is there anything else?''

The princess's eyes burned even fiercer than before. With an interrogating tone, she uttered, ''What are you trying to do to your own sister?''

''...''

''Don't think I haven't noticed it yet. You—''

''What I do is my own business.'' The heroine intercepted. ''If you noticed it and didn't like it... do something about it.''

''You...''

Leaving behind a stunned Rachael, Lyra returned to Cecilia's room to 'recharge.'

Imperial Palace, morning.

Lyra was summoned by the emperor to confer her duties. After the audience was over, she lingered and visited the library. Facing the vast shelves of books spanning multiple floors, the heroine was a little flustered.

Fortunately, the old librarian was a walking table of contents, quickly retrieving what she was looking for.

''Phew...''

At a corner, the heroine skimmed through old documents on the netherworld, hoping to stumble upon clues about Astaroth. Yet, even after a while, his name didn't come up even once. Most of the information was vague and uncertain, as there were too few traces of such a place existing.

'The Ancient War... if it really happened that long ago, should I find the elven records instead?'

Just as Lyra pondered a way to obtain those relics, someone settled beside her.

''...Teacher.''

''Mhm.''

It was a woman with distinct black hair and bright, lustrous silver eyes—Serendia d'Artois, the former hero party's strategist. Most would startle at her ethereal beauty, if not those eyes that nearly blended in with her sclerae.

Serendia took a glance at what her disciple was reading, then turned away.

''The netherworld? Why the sudden interest?'' She casually inquired.

Closing the hefty book, Lyra sighed, ''I want to know more about the origin of demons. Someone I know told me that they came from that place.''

''Anything so far?''

''Nope. Just a bunch of speculations. Their traces are too old. I need the elven records to see properly.''

''Okay.''

A silence descended between the two as they continued reading. They neither felt awkward nor obligated to talk, a deep resemblance.

At some point, Serendia stopped flipping the pages and suddenly tugged Lyra's sleeve.

''...?''

''Do you... need my help?'' The strategist expressionlessly swiped her hair back, revealing a pointy, dainty ear.