Case 123: Upon an unfilial disciple’s betrayal.

''...Were you an elf all this time?'' Lyra questioned.

Serendia shrugged, ''A half-elf, to be exact. My mother is an elf. I wasn't particularly trying to keep it to myself, though.''

''I see.''

Closing the book she was reading with a thud, the strategist turned to her disciple, ''Our main mansion should have what you're looking for. I'm not trying to boast, but my maternal lineage is quite intact, and their wisdom is well-preserved.''

''Please take me there, then.''

Without delay, the two exited the library and headed toward the Artois's main residence. Serendia held the wheel herself, as she disliked having attendants following her.

The location, which was some thirty minutes away from the imperial palace, stood out from its surroundings. It was close to lunch when they arrived.

''You go ahead and look through the documents. They're on the second floor.'' Serendia instructed. ''I'll get us lunch.''

''Understood.''

Following a maid, Lyra soon entered the Artois House's library. Just as Serendia said, the second floor was filled with shelves of old books and files, all imbued with a spell of preservation.

''...''

Lyra found that even with her strength, damaging these papers was difficult. The thought irked her.

'Do they have a special method? ...No, I'm just not strong enough.'

At some point, she would have to go against her teachers, the old hero party members. They were destined to be opponents once Lyra decided to side with Cecilia.

The heroine thought she was growing fast enough, yet it seemed she still had to work harder.

''Tch.'' Lyra clicked her tongue, then began browsing.

As she skimmed through the pages, her brows relaxed. Unlike the shallow insights found in the imperial library, the elven records held vivid information on the Ancient War, as well as the state of the world both before and after the event.

'The world was created by an omnipotent god. They built mountains, poured oceans, and birthed life as we know it today. For an eternity, the world existed in harmony... until the rebels, led by Lucifer, betrayed their lords and escaped to hell...'

Lyra immersed herself in the piece of mythology. Up until right before the war broke out, it read quite smoothly.

'The trigger for the war... as expected. 'God killed themselves out of boredom,' huh.'

She couldn't help but chuckle at how ridiculously flat this sentence was. Such an earth-shaking event, and that was the only thing they could write.

After reading further, Lyra was able to confirm what Cecilia said. Yet, she wasn't interested in how or why things were the way they were. She wanted a way to eliminate the final remnant of pure demon on this world—Astaroth's soul.

So, Lyra picked up another book on demon mythology. It listed far more entities of hell than she had expected and truthfully cared about, but at last, she found what she was looking for.

Archdemon Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell.

''...''

Once again, the heroine's expression turned grim.

The amount of information on Astaroth was pathetically small, as even elves, the divine species who were blessed by the World Tree, couldn't come close to the caliber of an archdemon.

'Is there no other way but to become invincible?'

Lyra was confident. She knew herself best, and looking at her track record over the past few years, one would realize she wasn't being delusional.

If she had another four or five years, even ten Astaroths wouldn't be her opponent. Yet, she was under immense time pressure. For the moment, Cecilia's curse should be restrained by those chains on her body, but who knew how long they could last?

Furthermore, without absorbing human life essence, Cecilia's condition would worsen. It was even questionable if she could survive for four or five more years. In the worst scenario, Lyra was prepared to force-feed that woman her life essence. If she lost some years of lifespan, so be it.

''What a mess...'' The heroine sighed.

As she was struggling, Serendia approached, holding two trays of food in the air using telekinesis. For a moment, she tilted her head, unaware of her disciple's dilemma.

''Eat up.'' She casually said.

Lyra, having bonded with her teacher for some time, naturally received the goodwill, ''Thank you.''

Serendia sat opposite Lyra, staring at her food as if in a trance. Suddenly, she snapped out of it, ''Ah, I almost forgot. Jeanne and Mia said they couldn't contact you.''

''I have my phone silenced.'' The heroine replied. ''What did they say?''

Perhaps finding it troublesome, Serendia directly dialed Jeanne's number. Since it was a call from her teammate and colleague, the former heroine picked it up immediately.

[Serendia?]

''This is Lyra, teacher. What do you need me for?''

[What do you mean?! Where were you these past few days? Why didn't you come to train??]

''I had some family matters to attend to. The Marchioness and her wife ran away.''

[Ah, I thought that was a rumor. Is it true?]

''Yes. Her Majesty should announce it soon, as this isn't something one can cover up.''

[I see...]

On the line, Jeanne expressed her sympathy, nonetheless urged Lyra to make time and receive her teachings. Nominally, only the former heroine and Mia, the archmage, regularly trained Lyra, as the other two were often occupied.

[By the way, I heard you requested the suppression chains from the imperial treasury. What kind of beast do you plan to catch?]

''...That's a secret for now.''

Lyra smiled bitterly. If they knew what she used those chains for, the world would surely turn upside down.

Ignoring Serendia's suspicious glance, the heroine continued researching.

*****

''Mhm...''

By the time I groggily opened my eyes, it was already a bit past noon.

On the nightstand, a silver tray of food sat, enveloped by a warm, magical aura. I couldn't help but smile at that sight.

It seemed Lyra had something to do today, so she couldn't accompany me. Not that I was disappointed or anything. I'd rather she focus on herself.

Picking up the spoon, I gingerly scooped up my food and put it in my mouth.

''...''

Somehow... I didn't have much appetite. Of course, I didn't need to eat these things in the first place, and without Lyra feeding me, that was even more true.

Did I have too much on my mind? I couldn't concentrate at all.

With a sigh, I put the cutlery down and walked to the window. A tall blue sky and white clouds greeted me. They drifted leisurely in the air, magnificent as airships. As I saw their silhouettes that were basked in sunlight, some sort of urge swelled in me.

I stood there for a long while.

My mind was lost among the clouds, as if I were truly out there, flying in the sky.

''Cecilia.''

''...Oh.''

I didn't notice that Lyra was back until she hugged me from behind. Her embrace was warm and familiar, and I indeed felt at ease, but...

''Hey, Lyra,'' I called out.

''Go ahead.''

As I turned around, the chains clinked. I faced my little sister directly, smiling, ''As expected... I think I want to go out.''

For a brief moment, I saw anguish on her face. Lyra struggled, her arms holding me trembling. Yet, in the end, she chose to pull me closer, hugging me tightly.

''...No.'' She said.

''...''

I felt bitter.

Still... I chose to embrace her back. Be happy, my precious, precious sister.