As the day dawned, a visitor came to her room.
"So, apparently there was room 404, but I heard your voice and it disappeared? I don't doubt you, but I did!"
"You must have dreamed of a dog."
"I asked the other maid, and she said that Room 404 is not in the first place! I saw it clearly!"
"..."
"Just in case, I went to your room and saw that you were sleeping with Anna! I couldn't sleep yesterday because I was scared of ghosts! I was so scared to be alone!"
Your sister is also a ghost. Mori was about to say that, but he held back.
"Then let's go to sleep."
"Yes?"
"You said you were scared to be alone. Then go to bed. I'll be by your side."
"No, that's not the focus of the problem...!"
Gremory poked her eyes out of the blanket. She blinked her eyes as if she didn't know what was wrong.
"Why? My bed is wider. Anna went to bed yesterday, too."
"Hah, there's something scarier here than ghosts."
Chession rubbed his silver hair. Women who had been witch-hunted for a long time and isolated from the world sometimes did not receive sex education in time. In such cases, they were humiliated or harassed in other places.
Suddenly, Chession went somewhere and grabbed something, and threw it under Gremory's covers.
"For the time being, take a break and read this book.
"What is this? Sex education books? Do you really think I didn't have sex education and ask you to sleep next to me?"
"Well, what is it if not?"
"You're hurting my pride."
Gremory jerked the book out of the covers.
The most diligently done in the demon world is education about human sexuality. It was because the darkness that rose through the affair was terribly delicious.
Chession was taken aback. It hurts my pride. What does that mean? Could it be that Mori seduced me by telling me to go to bed? But instead of giving in to temptation, I treated you like a child and threw sex education books at you, so your pride was hurt?
"I'm sorry, Mori. I'm so sorry! But I don't share a bed with the members of the Grand Duke...!"
Chession's face was excessively reddened as he hurriedly excused himself.
"Get out."
"That's right. I'm sorry."
Chession escaped for the time being. But for some reason, he felt an eerie sensation coming up behind his back.
Then, he saw Isolene walking down the hallway. Chession rushed to Isolene very warmly.
"Isolene! Listen to my story!"
"Stop talking about these ridiculous ghosts! I'm busy."
Isolene left the annoying Chession behind and went on her way. Fearing ghosts, Chession wanted to cry.
***
Anna was now able to work as a maid in peace. Since there is no one to bully, there are maids come to Anna first.
The vacant positions of the maids who disappeared with Room 404 were quickly filled by newly selected maids. In the first place, the maids in Room 404 didn't do much work, so even if the vacancy was filled by new employees, there was no big change in their work.
Gremory watched from afar. The corners of her mouth twitched and began to rise. What exactly is the true nature of this ticklish feeling that arises every time we do something good for others?
I thought, Iris chuckled.
"Are you proud?"
"...Proud?"
"You look very proud right now. You helped people close to you to be happy."
"...Be proud. Yes, I guess so. I didn't know the identity of this emotion until now, but after listening to it, I think I understand a little."
"By the way, where did all the maids in Room 404 go?"
"I dropped them in the grass nearby, but they would have escaped on their own."
"Hey, you didn't drop it on the volcano where the monsters come out."
"I don't think they were guilty enough to be bitten to death by monsters, so I just scared them."
"Ah... I'm really confused. I wonder if you're a witch. A Saint or a judge is more suitable than a witch."
"Be careful with your words. That's an insult to me. Do you feel good when I call you a witch or a devil?"
"...No. I'll be careful."
It was the time when the two of them were strolling through the garden. A gorgeous carriage was pulling into the Grand Duke's residence. The carriage was engraved with the imperial coat of arms in gold.
"Hey, what is it? Didn't your brother have a bad relationship with the imperial family? Why is the Imperial Palace carriage coming in so openly?"
"That said, he had a good relationship with my third sister, Ibelia. In this way, my sister often comes to visit the Grand Duke's residence."
Ibelia's carriage in the imperial palace passed by Gremory. Through the open window of the carriage, Ibelia's eyes met Gremory's. For quite a long time, Ibelia's attire looked more like a priest than a Princess.
'What, is that woman?'
She was a woman who gave her a strange feeling just by making eye contact. Like Chession, she couldn't see the darkness of her heart because of her imperial blood.
"I think she came to deliver a prophecy. Ibelia has the blessing of heaven and can predict what the future will bring."
"!"
"What's the matter with you?"
"!!"
"Are you afraid that Ibelia will find out that you are a witch?"
"It's a goat!"
Gremory tasted the goats as the servants pulled them behind Ibella's carriage.
"Whew. That's right."
Iris was really confused about Gremory's personality. Sometimes she seems to be a little smart and straightforward, and at times like this, she doesn't seem to be a real idiot.
"Why don't you follow Sister Ibelia and listen to what she has to say to my brother? Aren't you curious about what my sister will say?"
"You're not asking me to follow her because you're curious, do you?"
"Actually, that's right."
"Whew. Why do you have so many questions?"
Gremory transformed into a black cat. And she eagerly chased the carriage with her short legs. Gremory approached Ibelia unnoticed and managed to sneak into the parlor.
Ibelia and Chession sat awkwardly next to each other. It was Chession who spoke first.
"...How are you?"
"I'm consistent. What about my brother?"
"Me too."
Gremory sat down under the couch and crouched down.
"The purpose of visiting my brother is the same this time. I want to give you a prophecy."
"An ominous prophecy. You have never brought me good prophecies."
"The volcano is about to erupt."
"Volcano? Do you mean the volcano of the Grand Duke, where monsters live?"
"Yes, the wyrm sleeping in the volcano will wake up in a week."
"Hah... I'm going crazy. A witch, a ghost, and then a wyrm."
Chession sighed heavily, rubbing the corners of his eyes. The beings in the illusions kept tormenting him, and he almost got a headache.
"The wyrm is not a fantasy being like a witch or a ghost. It actually exists, but it has been known for so long that it is known as a fairy tale."
"Anyway, what happens when the volcano erupts and the wyrm wakes up?"
"Grand Duke Ethel will be devastated. So evacuate..."
"No, even if I die, I'm going to die here."
"Listen to me until the end. Evacuate the civilians in advance, and my brother should stay here to stop the wyrm."
"Can we stop it that way?"
Ibelia nodded. When she smiled and raised her teacup, Gremory felt as if she had made eye contact with Ibelia.
"What are the Severians doing? Are you calmly repenting of your sins?"
"Phew... No. I don't attend festivals or parties, but I still enjoy all the rights that I have in the Crown Prince's Palace. Even though my brother has been expelled from the palace, I still keep his abilities in check."
"Isn't he trying to hurt you? I don't think Severians know that you come and go in and out of my house like this."
"If he tries to harm me, how can he beat someone who has the foresight to see the future?"
She had the foresight to see the future, and his brow deepened.
"Ibelia. I want to ask you something, but if you have the insight, you will be able to give me the right answer."
"What is it?"
"Do you think there are witches in the world?"
"No, where in the world is that?"
The black cat licked the soles of its paws and chuckled. It wasn't surprising that no one recognized her anymore.
'A quack prophet.'
"Right? You really don't have it, right?"
"No, I don't. You can see it just by looking at the neighboring country. There is no damage caused by witches. The existence of witches is a superstition unique to the Empire."
"I recently experienced something like a witch's prank."
"Didn't the intruders sharpen their nerves and see nothing? I'll get some herbs to stabilize your nerves and send them to you."
"No, that's fine. The convent is full of herbs these days."
"That's a good thing. Well, I'm going to go now."
"Yes, thanks for letting me know."
The quack prophet has departed. Gremory slipped out of the parlor and headed for a deserted place. Wagging her tail gently.
Ibelia chuckled at the witch, who was completely caught off guard.
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