Case 131: Each with their own plan.

''...Is that so?''

[M-Mhm. I got the encounter on tape, too... I'll send it to you later.]

''Thanks.''

Leaning back on her chair, Cecilia sighed softly. She stared blankly ahead for a long while, lost in thought.

'It's truly irreversible now.'

Even if it was an impersonator who acted before Valerie, her 'ill intent' was squarely exposed. One year—that was her deadline. If she judged that Lyra still couldn't defeat Astaroth by then, she would have to act. Any later, and her withering strength would not even be enough for a shabby play.

She could just appear alone and surprise everybody, but she would have to ramble on a lot more to achieve the right effect in that case. Having more actors was much preferred.

There were more preparations that needed to be made, which Cecilia decided to slowly work on. Rather, she was quite curious about the encounter earlier. Even she didn't expect things to go so smoothly.

After all, Valerie's guards weren't pushovers. Quasar said that she asked an expert she was familiar with for the job, but could that person truly subdue the guards so dominantly?

''Hmm...''

So when the bodycam footage arrived, she studied it intently, brows narrowed. Almost immediately, her heart tightened seeing the little princess's anxious face.

'Forgive me, Valerie. I'll have to trouble you to expose me now.'

Other than that, a few details were indeed off. Cecilia would need to confirm again with Quasar about this hired expert's strength, but the level of sheer intimidation she had shown was unusual. Moreover, the unmistakable pinnacle of fear she saw in Valerie's eyes...

'No, it couldn't be.'

A strange thought was stuck in her mind. This method of suppressing opponents was strikingly familiar to someone like Cecilia. She even used it herself.

''Lilith...?!'' Cecilia unknowingly muttered. ''How could she...''

Lilith Leila Vermillion, or Lily. Cecilia's biological mother. Ex-demon queen.

She had a feeling this was Lilith's doing, though the reason behind it remained puzzling. It gave Cecilia mixed feelings. She wasn't particularly fond of Lilith, nor did she really hate her on a personal level. Of course, on a moral standpoint, she wouldn't want to be indebted to someone like the demon queen.

'...Well, it's not like I asked for her help. I have no obligation to repay her.'

Sighing, Cecilia closed the video. Just then, another message arrived from Quasar.

[What should I do with the flute?]

Cecilia dexteritily replied, [Destroy it. It's dangerous.]

[Got it.]

That item was useless for Cecilia, who could easily suck the soul out of almost everybody on this continent with a wink anyway. She felt a pang of damage, thinking of the five million she had blown on that thing, but it could be justified. She was merely helping to remove a calamity in the making from the public, yes.

After the first phase of the contingency plan was successfully executed, Cecilia turned to her other problem—how to deal with Astaroth. Having grinded the game like a lunatic, she naturally realized that there was no chance for the heroine to defeat the archdemon while minding her sister—Cecilia's safety.

So, the prerequisite to this plan was the severance of her ties with Astaroth. Except, if she could achieve that, things wouldn't have been this hopeless in the first place.

''Hah...'' Cecilia massaged her throbbing temples.

Self-destruction.

There was no other way to go about it.

After grimacing for a while, she put on the disguise artifact Lyra had left her and called Mary.

''How may I help you... Miss?''

''...''

Cecilia endured the maid's strange gaze and spoke with strain, ''Could you fetch me some books from the library? I'm bored.''

''Understood. What might interest you?''

''Magic spells. Bring all of them to me, please.'

Meanwhile, Lyra was strolling at the academy.

The roads were filled with students during breaktime, although the mood couldn't be described as rowdy. Nobody acted out of place, yet they must all realize the impending calamity. No amount of suppression could keep the rumors from spreading, especially when they concerned the demons.

The heroine moved silently as though a ghost, her keen eyes darting from place to place. Nevertheless, even her impressive display of stealth was seen right through by two bubbling girls.

''Lyra! It's so rare to see you at school these days!'' Kang Hye-rin excitedly locked arms with the heroine. ''Ludinia and I missed you a lot, you know?''

''W-Who missed her?! Stop spewing nonsense!'' The red-haired girl was flustered. ''A-Ahem. What are you doing here, not attending classes?''

A hint of annoyance was apparent in Lyra's eyes, but that soon subsided. Not wanting these two to pester her all day, she responded vaguely, ''I'm finding something.''

''Oh? A mission from your teachers?'' Hye-rin tilted her head. ''Do you need help?''

''No.'' The heroine shook her head. ''You guys study properly.''

Although both of them sulked at the cold reaction, they knew just how extraordinarily unique the heroine was. Still, they accompanied her for the rest of the break before returning.

Lyra continued, her mood ambiguous.

She wasn't lying when she said she needed to find something. Though, that 'mission' was given to her by Cecilia, not her teachers, and...

'...I've already found it.'

Fiddling with the slightly freezing jewel in her pocket, the heroine recalled her conversation with that person.

''Go straight South from the academy dormitory. There should be a cave hidden beneath a hollow tree trunk. Kill the serpent down there, and you'll get a jewel. Amethyst should be able to absorb that by now.''

''...How do you know that?''

Lyra only remembered Cecilia's awkward smile as she turned away. Suddenly, a chuckle escaped her mouth.

'Right. When was this woman not suspicious?'

Nonetheless, Lyra lingered at the academy afterward. As for her motive... this time, she wanted to find someone. After the search at her mentor's mansion, the heroine realized that not much was known about Astaroth. Even the elven records were lousy at best.

If so, couldn't she just ask an insider directly?

After days of sexually harassing that airhead demon queen, Lyra had not only satisfied her pent-up frustration but also familiarized herself with the scent of demons. In a sense, this was the main purpose for those dubious actions.

And soon enough, she had spotted one.

'As expected. They had already infiltrated the academy.'

A bold gesture from the other side. Fearless, even, considering the four powerhouses guarding this institution. Still, the scent was impossibly thin. If Lyra had kissed Cecilia one less time, she might not have smelled it.

The heroine sneered, tailing the figure of interest—a seemingly ordinary female student.

Slowly, Lyra closed in on her. The disguised demon shuddered, turning around frantically, yet she didn't sense anything. Confused, she moved on as if nothing had happened.

'Such carelessness... is this a trap?'

Lyra thought. The target might have realized that she was being tailed.

Regardless, she pressed on. The moment no one noticed either of them, the heroine struck. One swift motion, grabbing the demon's neck and ramming her into a wall nearby.

''Caught you.''