CASE 213: BUEZRITH, THE ÉMINENCE GRISE.

Sneaking into the Duchy's main mansion isn't that hard.

Since we've already done it once, I merely need to teleport there again. I don't really have to worry about being discovered either, considering stealth is one of my fortes as an owl-kin.

Of course, I can only cover myself and Janet, who's lying in my arms, so for my companion, Claire, I decide to bring along Goatman. Goatman's black mist is quite handy in situations like this, although I'm still confused by how it works.

Following the duke's directions, we quickly find a hidden passage under the first floor's staircase, one covered by the sturdy cement wall. The path leading downward is unsurprisingly dark, yet little dust is felt on the wooden steps.

A sign of regular care.

That much is expected, though. Ivan said there's going to be guards down there anyway. As my mind begins to race, thinking about how to deal with them, Claire snuggles up to me, her motions rather natural.

''Hoo... it's so dark here...'' She mutters.

''...''

Already carrying another girl in my arms, I can't help but feel the lack of room for movement. Well, if anything does happen, I suppose Goatman can do something about it.

''...Wait, did you shrink?''

And when I turn around to check, the creature who always stands prominent is now... normal-sized. For a moment, our gazes meet, but neither of us dares to speak.

I wonder why.

Nonetheless, we continue down the path cautiously. Judging by the distance we've traveled so far, this secret study is buried quite deep underground. Slowly, as we approach the target, I sense a familiar flow of energy.

Not just that I've come across it before, but rather... something I've been together with for a long, long time.

It's Neveah's divinity.

Though somewhat similar to mana, divinity is practically superior, and it is reserved for gods. From what I know, it feels... less restrained compared to other energy forms, but strictly more powerful because of that.

 As for why Neveah's divinity is so close to me, one would have to ask the other me, who's trying to merge with me.

...Okay, let's stop.

''Wait.''

There's a small, dimly lit chamber before the actual study. Beside the door, a meek-looking maid sits comfortably, flipping a book at regular intervals. One inspection tells me that she's a so-called combat maid.

''Eh—''

So, the procedure is simple enough—just knock her out. By the way, that little noise isn't from the maid, but Claire. Just how easily scared you are...

''S-So smooth... have you done this before, Aurora?''

''Not reall—wait, why are you still clinging to me?''

''Heheh...''

''...''

Only after Claire shyly backs away do I approach the unremarkable wooden door and put Janet's palm on it. A silver flash briefly spreads across, and the door clicks open.

After handing Janet to Goatman to hold, we enter the study.

As much as I want to put her outside, I need to be careful of any strange shenanigans someone might try on me. What if we need Apollo's blood to get out?

''Ah.''

And that premonition immediately proves to be true.

The door promptly shuts closed not long after we set foot in the room, and due to Neveah's divinity encasing the whole study, spatial magic seems rather hard to execute.

It was the right call.

In any case, it's rather bright in here. Are those lights on all the time?

''Woah...''

Still, what a vast library... with two floors and hundreds of book-filled shelves, this might actually rival the academy's. Fortunately, and I mean fortunately, I've asked Ivan for the specific location of the birth records.

Let's see... the fourth shelf on the second floor... birth records... birth records...

''Found it.''

A relatively thick book. Its appearance is regular enough, but it might very well hold the key to this world-changing conundrum. 

As I begin to flip the pages, Claire huddles over, her face visibly tense.

The Apollo family has an extensive history, dating back hundreds of years. The birth circumstances of each family member are also meticulously recorded, which explains why the book is so heavy.

Time ticks away.

Among the walls of text, one particular word keeps popping up—

''Heroine...''

Heroine.

As far as my one year in this world goes, the Apollo family has never been known for producing heroines across generations. The holy sword is also the family's heirloom, not something given out to the public.

''I remember reading these books countless times.'' 

''Skylar.''

''Every time we were awakened by the holy sword, we would visit this study to relearn everything.'' The guardian smiles bitterly. ''Perhaps Mother Goddess had anticipated it all. Yet... we have never been able to catch up to that demon.'' 

I can't help but frown at those words.

Suppose everything Skylar says is true, that without fail, every heroine should have dispelled Buezrith's spell once. If so... how did things turn out this way?

What exactly happened eighteen years ago?

''...''

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Claire's darkening face. But we shouldn't stop here—no, we mustn't.

''...This is the latest page.''

Tracing under each line, I promptly skip over Aaron's section and arrive at a familiar name—Claire. 

Claire Apollo.

''...Huh?''

'Claire Apollo was born a healthy baby.'

'Yet, perhaps Mother Goddess had forsaken her. On the day she was born, both her mother, the heroine, and the empress were killed. They were on their way to the church to get the baby baptized.'

'At the worst time, when the Sword Saint, Ivan Apollo, is away, they were ambushed. In the end, the baby was lost.'

Those few lines read as though the person were writing a diary, but the content is beyond tragic. More than the astonishment I feel learning the truth, I am more concerned about Claire's mental state.

Somewhat helplessly, I pull her into a hug, a silent, gentle hug.

As I pat her trembling back, I begin to organize information in my head.

Simply put, even though this record doesn't mention it, Claire's mother and the empress were probably slain by Efil, who took on the empress's identity from that point onward. This also explains the reason why Buezrith wasn't stopped the last time.

The problem is, why spare Claire?

Thinking from their perspective, there's not a single good thing about leaving a potential heroine alive, unless... they have something planned. 

Maybe they wanted to manipulate Claire? No, that's not worth the effort. Neveah's protection practically runs in her blood.

What else...

''A tragic story, isn't it?''

''...!''

In the solemn silence, a mature female voice rings.

In the direction of the voice, I see a calm figure—the maid, who is supposed to be unconscious outside, is now appearing in front of us. Wholly different from the first time I glimpsed her, I spot an unfathomable sort of madness in her eyes.

A thin smile spreads across her face,

''I almost forgot to introduce myself.''

''You...''

''This is Buezrith... nice to meet you.''