“Cheers!”
The reception took place at Hotel Elnath after the award ceremony and was an unusually grand affair.
That was due in part to the great success of this year’s Lindvolus, but perhaps more importantly, the executive committee was seeking to distract attention from the Golden Noontide incident and show proof of the city’s recovery.
Under regular circumstances, only the Festa participants themselves—and of course, the student council presidents of the six schools—would be permitted to attend. This time, however, each participant was permitted to bring along one guest. Thanks to that, Kirin and the others were able to join.
“Well, now. Isn’t it a little bold of the executive committee to hold a big event like this right after such a huge incident? Or maybe they just have no sense of crisis.” Saya looked amazed as she glanced around the boisterous hall, filled to bursting with more than five hundred guests.
“I understand your concern, as both Madiath Mesa and Dirk Eberwein are still considered missing. But the executive committee wants to move past the incident as soon as possible, so they’re offering up fresh distractions,” Claudia explained. “And of course, they can’t let the Lindvolus end without a bang. The vice-chairman—no, the chairman now—is desperate for a change of mood.” With that, she brought her glass of nonalcoholic champagne to her lips with a hint of a smile.
Stjarnagarm had dispatched a team to the Eclipse arena immediately after hearing from Ayato’s group, but by then, the stage had already collapsed. Subsequent investigations revealed that the destruction was caused by a large explosion, but Madiath’s body was never found. Given the scale of the explosion, however, it was highly unlikely that any physical remains had been left behind. Officially, Madiath Mesa was listed as missing, but in all likelihood, he would eventually be declared deceased.
“If he survived, he’d have a hard time getting away from the integrated enterprise foundations. Especially without the Varda-Vaos,” Sylvia added, picking up some of the baked sweets on the table and throwing them into her mouth.
“B-but I’m glad we can meet again like this…!” Kirin said, still looking nervous and a little out of place.
Over the course of the past week, Helga had interrogated Ayato and the others one-by-one, and so they hadn’t had an opportunity to talk things over as a group. But even though they had all been instrumental in thwarting the Golden Bough Alliance, that hadn’t necessarily put them in a good position. Ultimately, it was Claudia’s impeccable negotiating prowess and Helga’s sincere and steadfast statements on their behalf that brought their predicament to an end.
“Yes, it’s nice to be back together.” Ayato nodded. “So let me say it once more—congratulations on winning the Lindvolus, Julis,” he said, raising his glass.
“…O-oh. Thank you, Ayato.” Julis, embarrassed, averted her gaze.
“…Well, I guess I should say it, too. Congrats, Julis,” Saya offered.
“Yes, yes, congratulations, Julis,” Claudia chimed in. “And thank you. I never thought we would see a grand slam during my time as student council president. And it’s been so long since we last won the season.”
“Oh, well,” said Sylvia. “And I was sure I’d be the one to show Orphelia what’s what… Anyway, congratulations!”
“I’m really, really happy for you!” added Kirin. “It’s a shame I couldn’t watch it in person, but it truly was a wonderful match!”
With that out of the way, everyone raised their glasses once more.
“Ha-ha… I mean, I caused you all such a headache, all because of my own selfishness… I feel a little guilty being congratulated like this—”
“No one here thinks that,” Ayato interrupted.
Julis glanced up, mild surprise in her eyes. Then, slowly, she shifted her gaze to take in the others.
They all wore gentle smiles.
“Right… Right. In that case, let me say this: Thank you, everyone. It’s because of you that I managed to save Orphelia.”
Her words were straightforward and to the point—typical Julis.
And that was why everyone understood her feelings perfectly.
“It would have been nice if Orphelia had dropped by, too… But I wasn’t really expecting it.”
Orphelia had collapsed with a fever immediately after the end of the match and was now being looked after in the hospital’s isolation ward. After all, her body was constantly emitting toxic miasma, and it was thought at first that a dedicated room would be needed to house her. It seemed, however, that both the amount and the concentration of her toxins were rapidly diminishing. Stjarnagarm had conducted several interrogations with her as she was treated, and she had responded honestly and earnestly to all inquiries.
While their plans hadn’t come to fruition, Orphelia was still a core member of the Golden Bough Alliance and the linchpin of their scheme. Even if she hadn’t been hospitalized, she probably couldn’t have joined them at the reception.
“I wish I could have brought Ursula, too,” Sylvia pouted.
While Ursula remained under supervision by the integrated enterprise foundations, her treatment was less severe than Orphelia’s. It had been medically confirmed that she was subjected to such extensive brainwashing that her free will had been completely suppressed. The real reason she hadn’t been able to join them was that Director Korbel hadn’t given her permission to leave the hospital.
“Excuse me for interrupting.”
At that moment, several figures in the uniform of Saint Gallardworth Academy approached.
“Allow me to express our gratitude for everything you’ve done for a valued member of our school, and to apologize on her behalf for all the trouble she’s caused you,” Elliot Forster, at the front of the group, said with a deep bow of his head.
Needless to say, he was referring to Percival. She was apparently still in a coma at the hospital. Her psychological trauma from the Varda-Vaos’s mental interference was more extensive even than Ursula’s.
The leaders of the various schools had largely been kept in the dark about the Golden Bough Alliance, but they must have pieced together at least a basic outline of events on their own.
“There’s no need to go that far. She’s a victim, too…,” Ayato began.
“No, please!” Laetitia Blanchard interrupted, appearing before them. “Allow us to thank you! If you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask!”
Despite her words, her attitude wasn’t exactly that of someone humbly offering gratitude.
“Oh dear… Even when saying thank you, you’re as pushy as ever, Laetitia.”
“Claudia. Weren’t you the one acting recklessly this time? Of course, I can only imagine, seeing as you won’t offer up any details.”
“Heh-heh. I’ll leave it to your imagination.”
With that, the two exchanged friendly smiles.
In addition to Laetitia, Noelle Messmer, Ernest Fairclough, and the former members of the Life Rhodes all seemed to be present.
“Well…from what I hear, it was Miss Toudou who stopped her. We can’t thank you enough,” Elliot said, bowing his head once more.
“N-not at all! I did what I could, that’s all…!” Kirin answered, shaking her head in embarrassment.
“…You defeated our very own Percival Gardner, after she activated the Holy Lance, no less.”
“I suppose I was just lucky… To tell the truth, I really thought I might lose.”
She wasn’t being humble—that was a simple fact. Kirin wasn’t the type to quibble over the details of a fight.
Elliot stared firmly into her eyes in apparent understanding, before turning to leave. “I would like to cross swords with you myself one day,” he said, and then he was gone.
“Ha-ha. It’s good to be young, isn’t it? Thanks to you all, my protégés are growing up fast.” Ernest—though still young himself—offered them a polite bow before following after Elliot. “Perhaps I’ve still got work to do before I leave the center stage…,” he whispered to himself. Ayato couldn’t miss the sharp glint of an expert swordsman in his eyes as he made his way out.
“What are you talking about? Aren’t you still relishing the limelight?” Sylvia murmured after them.
Ayato and Kirin were in complete agreement.